The guards
Subject The journey
Salix doesn't mind the uneventful nature of their journey thus far. In fact, the further they move along, the higher his spirits seem to be. As they leave the farmlands and villages behind, he can feel ever-stronger the spirit of the woods and the power of nature undisturbed. He seems to ride a little higher in his saddle and become more talkative, pointing out various interesting flora and fauna as the group passes them by. Far from distracting him from the task at hand, however, his noticing these specimens is a result of his constantly scanning the area around them looking for trouble. He doesn't expect any, at least not from the people in this area, but it's not unheard of for the occasional wolf or bear to come down into the valley looking for food. But that is more a concern in the winter weather when game is scarce or asleep higher into the mountains.
When the rain comes on the third day, unlike some of the others who do their best to avoid the rain, Salix uncovers his head, throws his head back and lets the water soak his shoulder-length hair and run down his back, feeling the cool refreshing water caress his skin. He is thankful that the weather has finally become warm enough to enjoy this gift of rain so intimately.
On the seventh day as the group approaches the stone keep, Salix increases his wariness, scanning the area now for more intelligent threats, knowing any dangerous animals would likely avoid the noise and activity of the garrison housed there. He pays close attention to the mounted men as they approach, but does not say anything, waiting for Ran to take the lead.
From: Mark
Subject The guards
When Ran gives his reply, the officer relaxes a bit. ?You would be Ran-Ell then? We have been expecting you. We received a messenger bird a day or so ago telling us that you would be passing this way and to give you what aide we could. I am Lt. Halpin and these are my men. We have some food stuffs you can have, some salted pork and a few vegetables. We also have a well with fresh water. Is there anything else you require??
From: Ami
Subject Quarion
Cai explained how Quarion had been her mentor as she learned to be a ranger. After relating several of their adventures together, she excused herself to bed down for the night. It had been easy this night, in lush provinces she was at least somewhat familiar with, but she worried about the days ahead.
From: Kevin
Subject Spell components
OOC:
Mark, should we assume that the characters with magical abilities have the basic requirements for the spells available to them? I was reveiwing the Handbook this past weekend and realized that I did not specifically list some items that may be required by certain spells. I am not talking about expensive or exotic items, but simple items that are required by the simpler 0 and 1st level spells.
If we do not have those, then Harp will request, through Ran Ell, small amounts of those items required for his 0 and 1st level spells that he cannot get from the environment.
From: Mark
Subject spell components
Any character that has spell abilities can be assumed to have all the material components for all spells, assuming that the components costs less than 1 GP.
However, most divine spells do not use a material component. They use a divine focus, which is the holy symbol.
From: Karl
Subject Spell components
I was also operating under the assumption that spell materials were implied in our supplies. Let me know if this is not the case
From: Ami
Subject the guards and a food question
Cai had tensed at the appearance of the guards, instinctually taking position to shoot her bow with ease. She knew there were such posts scattered across the whole border, but they were not all reliable in how friendly they were.
At the officer's words, Cai's shoulders and arms relaxed visibly and she nodded, grateful. Some bolstering of their supplies would be welcome.
OOC: This might be a newbie question, but we have been on the road for several days, and such things as the cooking of gruel has been mentioned. But as per the text, we've picked up a few supplies on the way too. At this point, I assume we are now in territory where that is not possible. So from now on, unless we put our survival skills to use, every day on our journey one of our days of rations gets deleted from our char sheets, correct?
From: Mark
Subject Food and Hunting
It might be possible, but more unpredictable. You might find a farmstead that would be willing to sell you some supplies. At this point I would start actually making the Rangers survival rolls for them to find food for the group, but it should not be that hard. You are getting closer to more wild regions. Countries claim the area but have little influence over it as a practical matter. Animals and creatures from the mountian make raids into the farmlands looking for livestock and other stuff.
You can pick up 4-5 days worth of basic food here. Like the guy said, salted pork, a few veggies and some water. Nothing you would want to live on for weeks at a time, but enough that you will not starve.
From: Kevin
Subject Food
Harp will consult with Ran Ell on the advisability of buying some addtional food stuffs (or other supplies that might be needed) while at the outpost. He will also mention that his pack horse should be more than able to carry the additional weight.
From: Ami
Subject The guards
Cai wonders if there is any information to be had from the border guards about the road ahead, but does not feel she would be the best one to do the asking. (00C Would this need a diplomacy roll?)
From: Mark
Subject Questions for the Guards
Yes this would be a diplomacy roll, although there would be bonuses since they have been instructed to help you and this is a LG country.
From: Rob
Subject The Border
Bel spends the day hunting, looking for fresh meat...hopefully something substancial, like a deer . Also, he sends Ebon ahead to check the road, making sure that Ebon knows to stay high up and be safe.
From: Jake
Subject The guards
For Surin, the journey is one of the happiest events in his life--it's one of those moments in which you know, even as you're experiencing it, that you're creating what will be a fond memory in the years to come. For the first time in his life, he is enjoying the pleasure of the company of adults who don't simply want something from him. Well, that's not completely accurate, he thinks--he wouldn't be here if Quarion hadn't wanted something from him, and his newfound companions certainly have expectations of him. At least some of them, though, seem to appreciate him for himself, rather than simply for what he can bring them at the end of the day, and he is slightly embarassed by how much this touches him.
Add to that the luxury of having to do far less work than usual, the plesant weather, and the stream of fascinating information Salix relates about the world around them, a world Surin had simply never thought about before this journey, and the sepia tint of nostalgia isn't necessary for him to feel the specialness of the moment.
He feels a pang as they near the keep--it seems almost to punctuate the carefree segement of their journey, bringing it to a neat close.
"Eh, watch yourself Surin," he thinks, "easy enough to get drunk on comraderie and sentimentality, but if they could read your mind they'd say you were three sheets to the wind."