Backbiter Pass
Subject: Marcus's story
Allistair is actually slightly relieved when the Lady de Blum starts ignoring him. She was almost refreshing to deal with in that there was no duplicity, no ambiguity as to where you stood with her. Her actions toward someone were completely in line with her feelings about them. He does feel sorry for Ran though, but since noe one else in the entire group even exists as far as the Lady de Blum is concerned, there is little they can do to help him.
From: Porter
Subject: Marcus's story
Mund laughs again when she starts ignoring Allistair. "What is it -- does she hate you because you're a Northman, because you're my brother, or did you make a pass at the old bag? Or, is it that you *didn't* make a pass at her?
From: Mark
Subject: Backbiter pass
The next morning Salix changes into an eagle for his daily fly around. The Lady De Blum has taken an obvious dislike to the druid. There are times when he can hear her mutter things about "those damn tree people". Salix figures that her family has had a few run-ins with the local druids about the cutting of trees to run the forges in Freng. He smiles a bit at that, glad that the Lady does not always get what she wants.
The constant rain does not bother Salix but it does limit his visibility. Since they will be going through Backbiter Pass later on in the day the druid wings his way up the valley. Still several hundred feet in the air he sees where the Pass forms. It is the saddle between two mountains. Someone, probably dwarves, had built some fortifications on each side of the pass. Salix can see a few short, stout forms moving around on the exposed battlements. He decides to take a quick look over the pass to see what the terrain is like on the other side.
The valley on the other side of the pass slopes away from the crest with a gentle slope. Trees dot the rugged mountain side, springing up in the most surprising places. The road seems to be in even better condition than on the Bhyo side of the pass. The trees are different, with there being more evergreen type trees where the leafy variety made up most of the trees on the Bhyo side. The druid spends about half an hour flying around, scouting things out when he decides to return to the party.
By this time the Bhyoian patrol is used to the druid's comings and goings. Salix settles down on the ground a few hundred feet ahead of the party and shifts form. Kal brings his horse up and the druid leaps into the saddle. The two quickly rejoin the others.
OODM: I will let Karl do the report.
From: Karl
Subject: Backbiter pass
Salix rides up to the head of the group. "The fortifications at the pass are manned, but I guess that's not unusual, right? The figures I saw looked to be dwarves, but then again so does everyone else from eagle-height," he adds with a laugh. "The road looks clear. Even better maintained than we've seen so far. Those dwarves sure take pride in their work."
(OOC - Mark, what does Salix know about dwarves or the are we're going to? Have he had any dealings with them? It seems that the GNW druids are made up of a mix of races. Are there any druid dwarves in the GNW? Are there any dwarven druid circles anywhere? Just checking general info for background.)
From: Derek
Subject: Marcus's story
Allistair shrugs as he lets the reigns hang slack on his horse, until he is next to Mund and out of the Lady and Ran 's hearing. "Well, I didn't make a pass at her, unless she misinterprets anyone being interested in her conversation as a sexual proposition. I was just curious to learn about a nation and people that I haven't visited before, and thought I might give Ran reprieve from her cordial badgering. In actuality, her disinterest in me is probably a combination of the first two: I'm not politically of any importance, so there is little reason for her to show interest in me."
From: Karl
Subject: Backbiter pass
"By the way," Salix asks. "Why do they call it 'Backbiter' Pass?" (cue ominous music) ;-)
From: Mark
Subject: Backbiter pass
Maximux takes out a rolled up piece of paper with some shredded plant material in it and uses a tinder stick to light it. In an odd voice he says "Well, that's not quite known. Story goes that hundreds or thousands of years ago that an army of elves, who at the time were allies with the dwarves, was attacked by a dwarf army as they came over the pass. Supposedly the dwarves used those fortifications you saw to wipe out the elven army." Maximus takes another long puff "Of course I've heard the same story but it was the elves who betrayed the dwarves, not the other way around."
From: Derek
Subject: Backbiter pass
"From what I've heard the Dwarves and Elves are on amicable terms. Whichever it was, it must have been a very long time ago indeed for even the Elves not to be too concerned about it."
From: Mark
Subject: new items
I don't think I am letting anything out of the bag when I say this.
From now on, when we enter into combat, please remind me of any special item or features your character has and is using. I do not want to forget something and with so many different magic items with different powers around now I want to make sure that I don't forget something.
From: Josh
Subject: Marcus's story
After Allistar parts with the Lady Kal again sees Ran being tormented by her courtship. Having some words for her on his mind anyway, he approaches and waits for a chance to speak.
".... really it's quite astounding that they even let the mongrels anywhere near the cathedral. They're an incredible nuisance to everyone going to worship. I think they should just send the guard around, capture the little things, and get rid of them. I don't want to see homeless children begging and crying when I'm trying to pray. It's barbaric."
Ran is unable to respond to the Lady's comments so Kal steps in,
"My Lady, if I may." Kal waits for any sign of approval, and then continues, "I don't mean to interrupt, but I'm sure Ran here wouldn't mind a short rest from your company. I have some things I would like to discuss with you." The lady turns slightly pink at Kal's implication, but she's too well bred to respond yet. Kal casual leads her out of ear shot from the rest of the group, so their words are private. "You acted barbaric when you insisted on the young soldier's whipping. Every one else here knew that but you, and now you've lost what little love and respect you had. This is a different world than what you're accustomed to at court. I encourage you to show restraint and to allow those with proper training and experience to handle problems appropriately for the rest of this journey. This is not your world."
Kal stops as if finished, but then decides to say one last thing, "I hope you understand that I say this for your own good. I have no intention of sharing this conversation with anyone else. There's no reason for you to act indignantly to safe face. Swallow your pride and just keep riding."
He'll pause for a moment to let her speak. If she says nothing he'll separate from her and return to his place in the column.