Marcus's story
Subject: Lady De Blum
Mund, on the other hand, is looking forward to see how poorly she fares out in the wilderness. He'll have to make sure that he kills and skins dinner in front of her at least once.
From: Karl
Subject: On to the dwarves
OOC - I like these last couple of write-ups. The Lady sounds like a real piece of work! :-)
IC - After the whirlwind events at Bodentown, and then the near stagnation of waiting things out in Gorn, Salix is grateful to be back on the road again. Early in the trip, Ran invites Salix to ride next to him. "Oh, I don't think so. The Lady seems to want to keep you to herself" he says with a grin. "She wouldn't be interested in me. She's too concerned with pedigree. Besides, druids of the Great North Woods don't marry." Salix spends the rest of the trip all but avoiding the Lady. He spends the days taking note of the various flora and fauna they encounter on the trip and can often be overheard chattering with Noctis in the mornings and early evenings.
When the weather takes a turn, Salix barely seems to notice. If anything he seems more cheerful. The cold wind and rain remind him of a trip he took as a youth with the Stormfather, but rather than turn melancholy over the memories, he seems to feel the Stormfather all around him in the "foul" weather, and this lifts his spirits.
When Maximus mentions the pass, Salix's ears perk up. He'd never been through this mountain pass, but he knew that such geographic barriers often led to differences in the way species developed on each side. He was eager to see what differences there might be among the plants and animals on the other side. In the morning Salix asks Ally to lead his horse with Noctis asleep on the pommel of the saddle when the group departs. Salix then takes the shape of an eagle and soars ahead of the group toward the pass.
(OOC - Salix isn't looking for anything specific. Mark, you can tell me if he sees anything that requires a decision. If not, Salix is ready for the next writeup.)
From: Karl
Subject: Lady De Blum
"How do you think she'd fare among your people in the wildlands?" Salix asks Mund with a grin one evening when the Lady seemed extra picky about the food and accommodations. "I mean, we druids enjoy our comforts, too," he adds. "Our kind of comforts just seem to be a bit easier to find, at least if you know where to look for them."
From: Josh
Subject: Kal and his horse
OOC: This takes place in the early morning before we leave for the dwarf kingdom.
Kal gives Fin a carrot from the garrison's stores and pets his head gently. Again this trained horse would be left to pasture while Kal rode another. Kal shakes his head and whispers into Fin's ear "Soon, old buddy. Soon. You have a part to play, I'm sure of it."
From: Mark
Subject: Country name
I just want to make sure everyone is clear. The country name that the party is in now is Bhyo.
I know I have spelled it Byho a few times, but I have gone back to my map and it is Bhyo.
From: Kevin
Subject: On to the dwarves
Harp will ride along, not causing any problems, glad that the lady DeBlum has avoided him.
OOC: You guys don't know it, but the Lady is based (in part) on a real person. Her family even has a town named after them. Very hoity-toity.
A particular relative of mine married well above his station.
From: Randy
Subject: Check in
Check
From: Derek
Subject: On to the dwarves
During the days of travel, Allistair will try and talk with Maximus a little. Allistair had actually met very few career soldiers, so he is interested in hearing his about his career, and any campaigns he's served in. He's also curious about how women serve in both the government (as the Lady de Blum's presence attests) and in the military, so he'll ask if there is some historical precedent for that, since it generally isn't the norm, at least among human nations. If he gets a chance, he'll also ask Maximus about the Lady de Blum. "Is the Lady by chance a widow? She has mentioned a daughter, but has made no mention of a husband or other family. Most women of her situation and station would be content to live out their lives managing the family estate and grooming the next successor."
Also if Ran looks to Ally for help when being cornered by the Lady de Blum, Allistair will come in and try and distract her with questions of Bhyo history, royalty, customs, and economy: all things that he is genuinely curious about anyway.
From: Porter
Subject: On to the dwarves
Mund lets out a loud hoot and slaps his knee. "Wouldn't that be a sight!"
"The difference is that the comforts you like are comforts for *you*. A woman like that, well I reckon she ain't comfortable 'less she's more comfortable than everybody around her."
From: Karl
Subject: On to the dwarves
Salix thinks about this for a minute. "I guess you're right," he says, sounding just a little surprised at Mund's insight. "I couldn't have said that better".
(OOC - And *I* couldn't have said that better, Porter. That was the perfect reply. Good job!)
From: Porter
Subject: On to the dwarves
Is Flavius traveling with us? If so:
"Hey, that was some mighty fine singing of yours the other night. You know any Northern songs?"
From: Mark
Subject: On to the dwarves
Yes Flavius is travelling with you.
IDM: The young guardsman nods thanks to Mund but does not say much. The barbarian then remembers the lashes the man took the morning before they mounted up. "Does it still hurt?" he asks. "Not as much now. The Centurion gave me some salve to put on it and that seemed to work. I know some songs from Northern Bhyo. Is that what you mean?"
From: Mark
Subject: Marcus's story
Maximus sees willing to pass the time answering Allys questions. "Being the third son of a minor noble, a life in the military was almost pre ordained for me. My oldest brother will run the family business and stay at court. My second oldest brother became a priest. We have an old saying 'One for the family, one for the god's and one for the country.' My life in the Legions has been acceptable. I have gotten to see much of the world and had a few adventures as well." Marcus relays a few stories of his adventures in the Great North Woods as well as some stories about things he has done in the World Spine Mountains.
"But now I have a young wife at home and a child on the way. Not being from a powerful family I have little chance of advancement beyond Centurion, but that does not bother me. I dislike the politics needed to rise much further. Seniority does have it's perks though. I can pick my assignment, and this one is one of the easiest. Bhyo and Schon have not had even a border dispute in more centuries than I care to count. I get to met some interesting folks, such as yourselves, and occasionally a fine young soldier, such as your Halpin back there. He has a bright future in Schon, if he wishes to pursue it."
"As to women in Bhyo. True, it is different than in most of the world, but we like it. Few women chose the life of a soldier and we do not cut any corners. All Legionaries pass the same tests to get in and to stay in. The Government is a bit different. Any one of skill and determination can make a name for themselves. Some of our best, others would say most ruthless, politicians and business people are females." Maximus's voice drops to a whisper at this point "The Lady would not normally be assigned to this duty, since she is not Bhyoian by birth. But her husband's family is very powerful. She is not a widow and she has several children, most girls. She is always trying to find rich or powerful husbands for the poor things. Of course so are most mothers in Freng." Maximus laughs at this. "I assume my wife will do the same if we have a girl child."
OODM: Ally does learn some of the basics of Bhyoian society from the Lady before she learns he is from the Wildlands and that Mund is his brother. Then she completely ignores him.