Subject: Turn

Ok I have some stuff to do this morning so it will likely be this afternoon before I can get a turn out. If any one wants to do or say anything before the party heads back to Gorn now is the time.

I expect by this evening the party will be back with the Paladins.
From: Kevin

Subject: Back at the camp

Listening to Flints stories, Harp thinks back to this most recent adventure. They had only been gone a few weeks, but so much had happened (OOC: Right Mark - we were actually in Bodentown for less than a week, right. If I am off greatly, please retcon to make the timeline work). He knew the druids wielded great power when out in the open, but the destruction he had seen at the estate and in Bodentown had been nearly complete. A fire running through a forest would not have been more complete in the damage done.

When Flint speaks of someone above Faldor, Harp's ear perk up. This was something the Order would want to know. "Mountain Father, was Acer able to give you any idea as to who or what this other person was? What their goals were? Anything that might help us?"
From: Mark

Subject: The gem

Flint looks at Salix "It is a bear, but a more primitive form. It depends more on it's strength then the cunning used by the bears today. It's spirit is very powerful but also seductive. As you travel the world you may encounter animals of all types like this. Creatures that are more powerful but more primitive then the ones people normally see. These more primitive forms are usually found in very secluded places, far from any forces of civilization."
From: Mark

Subject: Heading home

The evening seems to last forever. After the private meeting in the Stallions house the party rejoins the rest of the herd for a real celebration. Songs are sung, stories are told and Mund wrestles with a centaur. They make it two out of three falls. Mund looses the first bout but just barely. As he is getting ready for the second bout Salix leans over and tells him "You're never going to win by over powering him. He must weigh 10 time what you do. You will have to finesse him. Centaurs do have horse legs. They work differently than human legs. Let me show you." Salix demonstrates what he is talking about and Mund gets the idea. Smiling his biggest smile, Mund heads in to the next bout.

It takes a while and the barbarian is almost pinned once, but he is finally able to get into the needed position and make his move. The centaur's legs buckle and like a flash, Mund is on top, applying a pressure hold until his foe signals his submission. The third fight goes even faster and Mund wins his bout. He offers his hand to the centaur on the ground saying "I win. I'll buy the ale." The smoldering look in the centaurs face disappears at the offer of ale and the two go walking off towards the ale cask, talking about the bout.

The next morning the party is woken by the sound of centaurs starting to work around camp. Flint wakes everyone up "Let's go people. There's a lot to do today. We have to get back to the main grove and get you folks back on your way home." Half an hour later the party has had breakfast and is heading towards the waterfall where they entered the valley. When they get there Flint turns to the Stallion and tells him "Keep on your guard. It seems things are starting to move in the world. While the gem we took might have been the reason Faldor was trying to get here, the WorldTree itself is enough reason for concern. I will talk to the other druid councils about getting more help for you or at least more supplies."

The Stallion nods his thanks "We will also start posting more of a guard here at the falls and on the perimeter of the valley. I will talk to the others of the forest about this." He puts out his hand and Flint grabs it in a friendly shake. "I will miss Acer" says the Stallion "but I think he choose wisely when he selected you to replace him. May your hoof never chip." Flint smiles and replies "May your main flow like the wind and your tail stay untangled." The Stallion bows once more and Flint turns to the falls. He chants the prayer of passage and signals the party to move through the falls. They follow his instructions, and just as last time, they step out of the falls into a new scene.

It takes them a second to realize that this is not the same falls that they had used to get to the valley. Salix looks around "This falls is near the grove where we started. Home." He says this wistfully, realizing that he is about to head back out on the road. Flint leads the party back to the main druid village. The news of what has happened at Bodentown and to Acer has already spread through the camp and the party's horses and gear are ready to go. "Remember Salix" says Flint "there will be trying times ahead. You are our contact with the outside world. I give you authority to do what you think best in this contest. Send word when you can. We will send word to the other councils of what has transpired. It might take a while for the word to spread everywhere, but you can expect basic help from any druid you encounter. Now go and return the gem. Save the world."

The next three weeks are spent on the road back to Gorn. The last time they had come this way things had been almost a blur. Now they have time to relax a bit. Harp and Salix still set a good pace, but they have no need of the hurtloam. Through rain and sun the party makes its way south east along the North Road. They ride past the Pass of Undulant, where they have been attack twice in the past. This time they encounter no one. On the 20th day, two hours after lunch, they crest a small rise and see a familiar site, the boarder crossing into Schon.

OODM: If any one wants to do a leveling story that happens on the trip back they can. Any role playing between the party can be done. I will see if I can write up more today or tonight.
From: Mark

Subject: Check in and game question

I would like everyone to check in.

Also I am finding myself in a small quandry.

The archives are down while Mike makes a move to a new host and new software. I use the archive to keep track of place and people names for minor NPC character. For example I was going to have the party meet the border guard that they have met several times before. I don't remember his name and can not find the archive where the party met him last to find out his name.

I can do one of two things. Wait a day or two and see if Mike gets the archives up and running, or I can make up new names and have people fill in the name with the right one when the archives get up.

What is your thoughts?
From: Derek

Subject: Game question

Check.

I say go ahead with disposable names. Such minor details are relatively unimportant and can easily be changed later.
From: Karl

Subject: Game question

I don't care. A short break wouldn't make a difference to me, nor would changing the name of a minor NPC.
From: Jason

Subject: Game question

Check. Are you sure the archives are down? I'm having no trouble accessing them. Addressing the particular concern you wrote about, here's an excerpt from september 3 2006:

Lt. Halpin smiles. "Do you have time to join us for a meal?" Salix speaks up at this "I am sorry but we do not. We have to be at Lodo before the next fortnight is done." Halpin almost sputters, almost choking in amazement. "Lodo? In less than 2 weeks? I hope some of your friends can change you all in to birds. Maybe then you might have a chance of making it. But on horse back? Not a chance."
From: Porter

Subject: Game question

I don't have a problem breaking for a few days while we do any leveling stories.
From: Porter

Subject: Dreams

The second day traveling home, Mund sparks up a conversation with his brother and Allistair while skinning a brace of coneys he just killed.

"Guys, I'm having the strangest dreams. Over and over I dreamt that I was fighting that Snow Leopard orc ranger that nearly killed me. I would try to summon my strength and rage, but it wouldn't come, and he'd cut me in two. After a few times, I finally was able to summon the strength of the bear like I normally do, but then he he turned into a giant cat and tore out my guts, again and again."

"Finally, when I summoned the strength of the bear, I turned into a giant bear like Flint did the other day, and I tore his head clean off. Then I woke up, and my bedroll was torn to shreds, like a bear had been goin' at it."

"Salix, have you ever heard of somebody learnin' to shape-shift like a druid without becommin' a druid first? Ever hear of somebody turnin' into a critter in their sleep?"
From: Mark

Subject: Dreams

I think it should be his brother and Salix. :)
From: Porter

Subject: Dreams

I think so too. :)
From: Randy

Subject: Dreams

Check.

It doesn't matter to me if we have a small break or use temp names. Whatever's cool with me.
From: Derek

Subject: Dreams

Allistair had thought Mund seemed a little distant the past few days while they were travelling, and he had been talking about bears alot recently.

"As to how much the dreams have real meaning, I can't say for sure, since I have no specialty in using magic to interpret dreams, tell the future, etc. However I am reminded of some things I heard from Getorix, the shaman back at our village."

"After you left the village, I started studying with Getorix, and he tried to teach me some of his magic. It turned out I didn't have a gift for the innate magic that he used, but he recognized my potential for scholarly magic, which is how I was able to go to the city to study. Anyway, while I was studying with him I had to learn and memorize the tales of our people. You probably don't remember, since you always were drunk or asleep during the festivals when Getorix would recite them, but there were some pretty interesting stories."

"Did you ever wonder why our tribe has a bear totem? According to the stories, our tribe was founded by Arth, which means bear in the old tongue. I always assumed that was because he fought like a bear in battle or something like that. But in the stories, it's said that sometimes in battle he would actually take the form of a bear and destroy his enemies."

"The stories also say that every few generations there would be a great warrior in the tribe who would turn into a bear in battle. I asked Getorix about it once, and he said it hasn't happened for many generations. He didn't know if that meant the totem wasn't giving its power to the people like it used to, or that the old stories were exaggeration. I always assumed they were exaggeration, but who knows?"
From: Kevin

Subject: Game question

Check and mate.

I have not preference, though Harp does like getting recognize, the attention whore that he is.
From: Josh

Subject: Game question

I'd rather you just use temp names, or even better generic names like "The Guard". But whatever's cool by me.
From: Josh

Subject: Dreams

OOC: This story line is particularly exciting because I (Josh) actually have no idea why Mund is having these dreams. I don't know whether it's something to do with the Barb class or if it's the ax.

OH THE INTRIGUE.