In the Meeting Room
Subject The Adventure Begins
Bel-Ril looked quietly at his new companions, sitting next to his friend Fal from the school. His trip to the wizards school had been fairly useless to him from a magic standpoint, but at least he had made a friend there.
He just hoped that his skill with a bow was all they would need if trouble began...as powerful as his magic could be it was too new to him to trust it yet.
From: Mark
Subject In the Meeting Room
As the Knight/Captain leaves the room by a side door, the young half elf he had indicated jumps to his feet, his blue eyes blazing. He follows after Angelwing into the adjacent room. Corporal Harp, looking a little unsure of himself follows the man he was told he would be second in command to. Seeing Ran-Ell's face, Quarion motions for the others to stay put and follows the other three out of the room and shuts the door behind him. The 5 people here a short heated conversation in the other room but are unable to make out the words. A few minutes later Ran-Ell, Harp and Quarion re-enter the room. Ran and Harp take a seat and Quarion starts to talk.
?Maybe I should have done this before, but I neglected it in my haste. This young man here? gesturing to the half-elf Ran-Ell, ?is a personal friend of the Knight/Captain. He will be in charge of this mission, only because he is doing this as a favor for the Captain. He has no rank with the Order, and this mission is not an official one. An official armed group going into Bhyo at this time would cause too many problems. His second on this ?trip? will be Corporal Harp. Do not be mislead by his looks. His fighting spirit is tempered by his gentle soul.? Moving around the room, Quarion introduces the other people in it. ?The young elf maid over in the corner is a young Ranger that I have been mentoring. I think it is time to test her skills on her own. The young Halfling bothering her is Surin Bitteroot, a scoundrel whose heart is better than his upbringing. He is quick as a fox and can be quieter than a mouse. Next to him is a Druid of the Great North Woods, Salix Wealdward. The Stormfather has tasked him with learning about the world at large, so he has entered my service for a while. His knowledge of nature and the wilds should be very useful.? At that comment the tall half-elf bows slightly, a little embarrassed by the attention.
Walking behind the two remaining members of the group, Quarion lays a hand on each shoulder. ?These two? motioning to the two half-elves sitting in the chairs, ?are Fal-Tor and Bel-Ril. I have known them for several years and thought that their abilities with magic might come in useful if my worst fears are realized.?
At that Surin pops in. "So, what'll you be doing for our friend here while we're leading the bridal procession, if you don't mind my asking?"
Quarion looks at the Halfling with a look of amusement. ?I am going to try and find out who poisoned the Knight/General Corron.? When he says this Ran-Ell looks a bit ashamed, but quickly hides his emotions.
Surin then asks "I'm glad to give you a spot of help Quarion, but I don't quite see how you'll be needing me on this little trip? It isn't too common to see a Halfling acting as a bodyguard, after all, and I'm better at avoiding a fight than I am in meeting one head on. Also, Salix said something about 'dark forces'? I don't reckon there are many as would hold that Undulant trying to stop this wedding would be a good thing, but I don't hardly think that that qualifies as 'dark forces'. Occurs to me there might be more to all of this than meets the eye, if you don't mind my saying."
Quarion gives Surin a piercing look. ?The ?Dark forces? are what I am going to try and find out about. I just do not like coincidences, and the attempt on the Knight/General comes to close to this wedding. They may be unrelated, but they may not.?
?Now we have spent enough time talking. Salix and Cai should know the way. The escort party will be coming down the North Mountain Road. The only real place where there might be problems is near the pass of Undulant. The North Mountain Road is fairly easy from here to the foothills in Bhyo, but then it becomes a bit more difficult terrain. It is about 56 leagues to the border and you should be able to make that in about a week or so. The Pass of Undulant is another 60 leagues north west of the border, but I would guess it would take you 10-12 days to make that. We do not expect Rochelle, Anglewing's intended to be at the Pass for another three weeks. That should give you enough time to get beyond the pass, meet her party and escort them beyond the Pass.?
?Any other questions?
OODM: Ami I went on with out your response because I wanted to get the story moving. Please try and get some type of response in, even if it is ?I do nothing?. Thanks
From: Jake
Subject In the Meeting Room
Surin grimaces at the reference to the poisoning (OOC: Mark, is this the first he'd have heard of it, or is it the sort of thing that would have reached the circus in the form of a rumor?).
Nodding, he listens to the rest of what Quarion has to say. "So, when do we leave?"
From: Mark
Subject Poisoning
OODM: This is the first he would have heard of it. In fact there is a good chance he has no idea who Quarion is talking about.
From: Karl
Subject When to leave?
Salix nods to Quarion, "We'll bring her in safely." Then he walks over to Ran-Ell and extends a friendly hand. "As Quarion said, I'm Salix. Good to be serving with you. May the Spirit of the woods be with us on this errand. I'm at your command." He glances then at Harp and simply nods to acknowledge his position as second in command.
"I know the North Mountain Road and can depart when you are ready."
From: Jake
Subject Who is he?
Surin nudges Salix with his elbow and whispers "Who is this Corrin?"
From: Randy
Subject Leaving
Salix nods to Quarion, "We'll bring her in safely." Then he walks over to Ran-Ell and extends a friendly hand. "As Quarion said, I'm Salix. Good to be serving with you. May the Spirit of the woods be with us on this errand. I'm at your command."
Ran accepts Salix's hand gracefully and replies, "I look forward to the opportunity to journey with you. I am told that your skills in the wild are quite impressive."
Noticing the glance Salix gives to Harp, Ran says "Do not be too quick to judge my friend Harp. He is much more than he appears to be."
Ran extends his hand to Surin and says "Surin, I have been given the impression that you will make a good scout on this journey. Quarion says that you have his trust and I hope that I will be able to trust you as well."
Surin nudges Salix with his elbow and whispers "Who is this Corrin?"
At the mention of Corrin, Ran's face grows cold. He quickly turns away and moves towards Cai-Ril and introduces himself. "I am grateful for the skills a ranger will add to our mission." Seeing her hawk he adds "I am sure we will be able to take advantage of some eyes above us as well"
He next makes his way over to Fal-Tor and Bel-Ril. "Fal-Tor, I am glad to meet you. I am grateful for the presence of a wizard, though I hope we are not in too much need of your spells." Mentally, Ran is kicking himself. I hope he doesn't think I meant that I dislike magic, I just hope that things go smoothly.
Looking to Bel-Ril he says "I am told that you are a capable fighter. Your strength will come in handy, but hopefully we can stay away from combat." Ran conciously avoids mentioning anything about Bel-Ril's magical abilities not wanting to add to any worries that Bel may already have.
After making his rounds, Ran returns to Harp and says "It looks like we have a good group here. Quite well rounded skills. I would like to put you in charge of our watches while we are out. You, myself, Salix, Cai-Ril, and Bel-Ril are probably best suited to this task. I am not sure of Surin as of yet, so please do not assign him watch without checking with me first."
Ran turns to look at the group and waits for their conversations to die down.
From: Mark
Subject Suspicions
"Any question?" Quarion asked.
Salix simply shook his head "no". The assignment seemed straightforward enough. Head out and meet the Captain's bride and her entourage and escort them back. Could be easy, in fact, depending on how much Undulant is willing to risk just to disrupt the wedding. After all, it's not like the wedding couple are royalty. Or ---
"Actually, I do have a question," Salix says. "If you'll forgive my bluntness, is your bride a person of great importance? I mean other than to you personally?" He tries to formulate the question delicately and fears he is failing badly. (Diplomacy) "I mean do you think that Undulant would expend a great effort to disrupt your wedding? Or are you just being extra cautious?" He chances a glance at Quarion in case he thinks the question entirely out of line. "I'm at your service, regardless," he adds. "I'm just interested to know what kind of trouble you think we should expect."
Quarion replies to the group. "Rochelle is not royalty but she is noble. She is the fourth daughter of a minor house, but one related to the King of her country. Her marriage to the Captain would be the first step in an alliance between our two countries. There are many besides Fornax and Undulant who would like to not see that happen, but those two are the the most likely to do something about it. Either of those countries would likely go to some effort to prevent the wedding. However, we have tried our best to keep the information about her travel dates from the public eye. I want to be extra careful about this. My contacts in other countries have heard of some strange goings on. Nothing detailed, but enough to get my hackles up."
From: Ami
Subject Leadership
"I am grateful for the skills a ranger will add to our mission." Seeing her hawk he adds "I am sure we will be able to take advantage of some eyes above us as well"
Cai nods her head. "We will do our best." She stroked Grey. Grey seemed to be much the hawk his mother, Wind of the Forest, had been, but was still untested. Now, at this time when Quarion was trusting her to be on her own, Cai wished more than ever that Wind of the Forest had survived her last encounter.
From: Ami
Subject Leaving
Cai watched all the proceedings quietly. The others had voiced her questions well, but she was uneasy. It should not be difficult to find their way through the mountains. Though she had not been through the pass, she had been near the foothills of Bhyo and was acquainted with the feeling of the land. Her young hawk, Grey, would be of use in scouting as they traveled.
Still, she wondered what dark forces Quarion was going to investigate, and wished not just a little that she was going directly to the source of the problem rather than escorting a delicate flower of a clan so weak the paladin could not trust the escort they sent.
That wasn't a fair thought. She did not know what kind of a woman this bride would be. And if the paladin was in love with Rochelle, then of course he would take extra measures to protect her. Even if they had never met, such an escort would be diplomatic.
She noticed Fal-tor taking too many glances at her. She stared back openly. So, young wizard, what is it that you think of an elf who fails where you succeed?
From: Kevin
Subject Harp
Harp responds to Ran-Ell
"I understand Sir. I will begin to work up a watch schedule prior to our departure. I will try to vary it somewhat during the first week of travel so that each of us may get a chance to meet our new companions.
Now with your permission Sir, I would like to introduce myself to the rest of the party. While the member of the Order here in the Keep maybe familiar with me, I doubt that any of our companions have had many dealings with someone of my background."
Assuming Harp gets a nod of approval, he will circulate amongst the new arrivals, paying particular attention to try to sit when he introduces himself to Surin. During these introductions, he will give a brief background on himself. When he reaches Salix and Surin, he says the following very quietly:
"Corrin is the Knight-General of my order, the superior of both myself and Kight=Captain Anglewing. It was he who took me in and instructed the brothers here to look at me as a challenge sent from above. He is a paladin of exceptional piety and devotion. There is a history between the leader of our group and the Knight-General, but I will leave it to him to broach that subject, should he choose to do so. Just know that Ran Ell is one of the closest friends my Knight-Captain has, and as such has my complete trust and loyalty.
I am sure that you are curious about me, as I know from personal experience that people of my particular background are uncommon in these lands. Suffice it to say for now that my mother was the victim undesired attention from my father during the sacking and razing of her village. It was with great sorrow that she left me with the Order, but she had had no luck in trying to control my natural tendancies. The only thing that seemed to give me pause was when she played her small harp, hence my name. The brothers here took me in, showed me the good their diety had done, and taught me to contral my baser impluses as I grew. It has been two years now since I actually joined the order, though I have not advance much. My more "aggressive" side occasionally balks at the stricture placed upon it by my order, but I strive, through both prayer and training, to grow in my faith and in my "human" nature.
I look forward to travelling with you and learning more about both of you. If you will excuse me, I must go check with Ran-Ell on any addtional preparations before we travel.
OOC: I know, I know, music soothes the savage beast.
From: Karl
Subject Ran-Ell
Salix nods quietly at the answer. Now the task was beginning to justify the skills of the assembled party. He should have known Quarion wouldn't have called them all if the task were a simple escort of a minor noble. There must be good reason for him to be expecting trouble. It would be nice to know the details that clearly Quarion was reluctant to divulge at this time, but Salix long ago learned to live with secrets. Some things were best known up front. Others were best withheld until the proper time. The trick was knowing who you could trust to know the difference. Quarion was one Salix could trust.
Ran accepts Salix's hand gracefully and replies, "I look forward to the opportunity to journey with you. I am told that your skills in the wild are quite impressive."
Salix bows politely at the praise. "I will give you my best."
Noticing the glance Salix gives to Harp, Ran says "Do not be too quick to judge my friend Harp. He is much more than he appears to be."
"To be sure," Salix replies. "Anyone who Quarion trusts has the benefit of any doubts I might otherwise entertain."
He turns to Harp and adds, "Forgive me if I seem wary. I . . . have not had the opportunity to know many of your kind personally. I look forward to learning much on this trip." He offers a hand to the half-Orc and returns to his place near Surin to escape any further awkwardness.
Surin nudges Salix with his elbow and whispers "Who is this Corrin?"
"I have no idea. Never heard of him," he replies, then, noting Ran-Ell's reaction to the question whispers to the halfling, "There's one who seems to know, but I'm not sure now would be a good time to ask." Clearly there was history there, but just as clearly their new leader didn't want to pursue the topic.
From: Derrell
Subject Cai-Ril
Fal_Tor notices Cai staring and wonders if he should talk to her. He walks over. "I,uh, I'm sorry I was staring, but I've never seen an elf quite like you, before. I do apologize if I made you uneasy. "
While waiting for a reply, Fal-Tor looks out the window and calls to his raven. The bird glides effortlessly through the window and perches on its master's shoulder.
From: Mark
Subject Birds
OODM
I hope everyone realizes that there are 4 bird familiars/animal companions with this group. If they ever get hungry they can just eat the eggs. There are two hawks, a raven and an owl. :)
On the Road
Subject Introductions
Salix takes in this introduction thoughtfully. This Harp fellow is truly a remarkable creature. Salix had never met an Orc or even half-Orc who didn't revel in his capacity for destruction and violence. He could not help but be touched by the tale of being given up at birth. His own mother had given him up to The Order when she left him in the sacred willow grove so long ago. Salix knew well how such a child could cling to the new family. Luckily for him life in The Order seemed a perfect fit from the beginning. He wondered how he might be different if the fit had been a struggle.
From: Mark
Subject Clarification
OODM: I just want to make it clear, the group is going to escort the bride to be of the Knight/Captain, not Quarion Smith. Smith is a friend of the Captain and is doing him a favor by supplying a non-official escort for the young lady.
Anything else anyone wants to add?
From: Karl
Subject Moving Out
Nope! Let's move out!
From: Randy
Subject Moving Out
As the conversation dies down Ran looks to the group and begins to speak.
"I am impressed with the group that has been assembled for this task and I am confident that we will be able to work well together. It appears that we have a lot of this day remaining and unless there are any objections I propose that we move out."
From: Ami
Subject Moving Out
Cai-Ril watched the raven light on Fal-Tor's shoulder and sighed. "I suppose you haven't. Not many elves bond with animals."
At that moment, Ran addressed the group, proposing that the journey started immediately. Cai nodded. It would be better to not waste time.
She looked again at Fal-Tor and then Ben-Ril, remembering how long it took them to get ready to leave the school. They'd had some time now on the road. A wry smile grew on her face. She leaned over to Fal-Tor and whispered, "Do you need a bit more time to prepare to leave, wizard?"
From: Derrell
Subject Moving Out
"I'm ready to go. I haven't unpacked from the journey here." Fal-Tor looks at the raven. "Are you ready to begin this adventure, my friend?" The raven caws in the affirmative. "Fal-Tor turns back to Cai. "We are ready. Let the adventure begin. My horse is well rested and anxious to travel again."
Fal-Tor turns toward his friend Ben-Ril, looking for signs of nervousness. "So, Ben, are you ready to begin the quest?"
From: Kevin
Subject Moving Out
Harp, having had a chance to introduce himself to his new companions, heads back over to Ran Ell and indicates to him that he (and the rest of the group) seem ready to depart.
From: Karl
Subject Moving Out
Salix for his part has already moved to the door and is looking back expectantly.
From: Mark
Subject Moving Out
OODM: I will get there. I was hoping to hear from Rob, but I will just assume that he and Fal-Tor will stay together.
Turn forthcoming.
From: Mark
Subject On the Road
Seeing that Ran-Ell has taken control of the group and that many of the members are eager to be on their way, Quarion says ?Gods speed and may the good Gods be with you. If I am able I will try and find you, but do not count on it. My quest leads in another direction.? With that he leaves the room.
Ran suggests to the group that they all get their supplies and meet at the Western Gate in two hours time. That should still give them time to get some food before they leave and still get a good half days journey in. The North Mountain Road actually ends up in Gorn. They would have to take the West Gate and just follow that road for a couple of weeks and they should be where they needed to be. Everyone nods their agreement, although Salix seems a bit put out that everyone else is not ready to go right now. Each member of the party spends the rest of the morning gathering their things for the long journey ahead and thinking about what is to come.
The sixth morning bell rings, signifying noon. Ran is waiting on his large horse for the group to arrive. In his time away from the order he had gotten a bit more used to the schedules that civilians kept. Corporal Harp is there with his heavy horse and a pack horse. Salix is there on his horse, with a huge owl on the pommel of the saddle. A few minutes latter Bel-Ril and Fal-Tor mosey up, each on a light ridding horse and birds perched on their shoulders, a raven in Fal's case and a hawk in Bel's. Cai-Ril joins the group on her horse as well, her hawk Grey standing on the pommel of her saddle. The last to arrive is Surin, riding his little pony. He is also laden down with food that he is still eating. Blushing a bit at the looks he gets from the others he says ?You never know when we will get good food again.?
Ran looks over the packs. It looks like most of the people are well prepared. He assumes that the ranger can hunt for some fresh meat on the road and that they might be able to buy the occasional vegetable while on the road. Ran stands in his stirrups and speaks to the group. ?Lady Cai, would you mind going ahead of the group as a scout? Let us know if there is anything we should worry about. I do not expect any problems this close to Gorn, but I would like to get in the habit of having a scout out ahead of the group.? Cai nods and starts her horse down the road at a trot. ?Corporal Harp, would you mind bringing up the rear, making sure that no one falls behind.? Harp salutes and moves off to end of the group. ?The rest of you should stay with me, if you don't mind. We will be in civilized lands for a while, but it does not hurt to be prepared.? With that Ran gestures to the group and they head out into the sunny afternoon.
The traveling is easy. The road is wide and well kept this close to the city. There are farmers, merchants, guardsmen, traders and all sorts of people on the road. The land is mainly farm land, gently rolling, with the occasional large stand of trees. The group gets about 4 leagues from Gorn when Ran calls for setting camp. Consulting with the rangers, they pick a spot just outside of a small grove of trees. This pleases Salix to no end. Corporal Harp starts handing out duties for setting camp. Cai offers to go hunt some food in the woods and Ran gives her permission. Harp, seeing that setting up camp seems to be moving smoothly, especially Surin with the tents, volunteers to gather wood. Salix offers to go with him. The group settles in for the night.
OODM: Ok we are at the first night. If any one wants to discuss anything with anyone else now is the time. If you want to role play any conversations that might have gone on during the day, go ahead. When you are already for the night to go please check in.
Camping
Subject Getting Wood
As Harp and Salix wander through the nearby woods, Harp attempts to make small talk with his companion.
"Master Salix, I am unfamiliar with the followers of your way. I have heard stories, of course, of those who commune with nature, speak with animals, and in some cases, I have been told, though I find this hard to believe, even become animals. I have never had much occaison to spend much time in the wild, other than travelling through it. I have met very little in the forest that I have ever feared for most things seem to flee before me, wether out of fear or hatred.
How is it you, and those who follow your way, have found such an affinity for the wild? Do you not miss the cammeraderie of your fellow man, though I should use that term loosely given our current company."
Harp will continue to collect fire wood, waiting to see if Salix answers.
From: Randy
Subject Looking over camp
Ran looks over the camp. Seeing that Surin has the tents well in hand, and that Harp is doing a fine job delegating the duties he wanders off to a more secluded area not too far away. Reaching into his tunic he pulls out a carved holy symbol that he wears around his neck. Holding the symbol in his hand he kneals down and begins to meditate. His breathing slows and becomes steady as he clears his mind of all thoughts and repeats a soft mantra. As he reaches a state of peace, he begins to pray in a quiet voice.
"Corellon Larethain, father of my spirit, I bow before the in need. Please guide my heart and mind that I may lead this mission well. Help me to follow a path of honesty, strength, and compassion." He pauses for a moment before continuing, tears welling in his eyes. "Help me to forgive my father and to restore a connection with him. Help me to know that my mother is at peace."
Finishing his prayer he once again steadies his breathing and returns to meditating.
As he rises, he wipes his eyes clean and looks back to the camp. Pushing his hair back out of his face he slowly begins to walk back towards the others who seem so happy and carefree and he looks on them with envy.
From: Karl
Subject Civilzation
Salix give a small snort when Ran mentions "civilized lands". What he meant, Salix was sure, were lands where if the people hadn't killed nature outright, they had at least crippled her.
From: Karl
Subject The Druids
"The problem as I have come to see it, Harp, is that people tend to think too much in 'us/them' terms when it comes to the natural world," he pauses and gives a light whistle. A moment later the huge horned owl that had ridden all day on the pommel of his saddle swoops down from the perch it had taken up in one of the nearby trees and lands on Salix's shoulder.
"While I do enjoy the company of my 'fellow man', camaraderie can be found in many places."
"Harp, this is Noctis." Salix strokes the owl lightly with his left hand and holds his right arm out to form a perch. The great owl moves down his arm to his forearm. "Noctis, this is Harp. He is a friend." Salix follows these words with a soothing slow hooting sound and extends his owled arm toward the half-Orc. Noctis instinctively inches back a couple of steps along Salix's arm away from Harp, but Salix continues the soothing hoot and again strokes the great owl lightly on his back. "He is wary, as are most woodland creatures. But if you let him get to know you on his terms, and you are not a threat, he might accept you as a friend.
"Noctis and I have been friends for a few years now. He answered my call while I was still a neophyte. There are many individuals of the humans, elves, and . . . other. . . so-called 'sentient' races I have met whose company I would not prefer to that of my winged friend here.
"And that, in its most basic form, is the explanation for the 'affinity' you asked about earlier. Nature is not only all around us, but we are all part of her. Most men - of all races - have lost the connection because they have thought themselves separate from nature and view her as a force to be fought or at best plundered. Those who follow the Druid way foster the connection with Nature. We seek to reclaim our position as her sons, and have found that she has many endowments to offer her faithful ones.
"But now I sound like the Stormfather, and that is a deception. In truth I am only a beginner. I am a Wealdward, a guardian of the forest - only the first and lowest of the active charges in my Order."
Salix pauses a moment, considering his traveling companion. He had confessed a struggle to control is more violent nature, but in fact Salix has witnessed nothing of this on the trip so far. Not that Harp had been easy to observe, taking up the rear of the group as he had. "What about you?" Salix asks. "What has led you on your path? It seems that by all accounts most individuals with your . . . heritage choose to embrace the . . . well, the more imposing side of their natures. What keeps you on this . . . gentler path?"
From: Ami
Subject Cooking Dinner
Cai took the saddle off her mount, rubbing him down and hobbling him before she let him graze. This was unfamiliar territory and she did not want him to get far.
After getting permission to hunt, she walked deeper into the grove of trees they camped by. There would likely be no deer here, but that was no matter. Their group was too small to devour such a catch on this night and the next. It would take too much to prepare such a load of meat for traveling any longer. A brace of coneys should meet their needs.
With Grey's help, she had three plump rabbits sooner than she'd anticipated. The ease of her hunting and the health of the rabbits spoke of few predators and much to eat. She decided it might be of some advantage to scout the area a little more closely as she returned.
When she arrived at camp, yam roots, a few leaves of bay, and some thyme also weighed her bag down. The fire was well started. She sat down and started skinning the coneys, splitting them first down the middle and up the limbs, then deftly sliding the knife between the skin and muscle.She rubbed the meat down with the bay, thyme, and some salt from her rations, then speared all three rabbits on a green branch.
She carefully pushed the burning wood of the fire to the side, revealing hot coals. On those, she placed heavy cook pot laden with the yams and some water, then buried the oven in more coals. She added wood to the fire, and then used two forked branches to support the skewered rabbits.
She smiled. This might show Surin that eating off the land was better than he had feared.
Her job done, Cai looked up at the group around her. All but Ran, they laughed and talked together. Still unsure of how she fit, she listened carefully, waiting for a chance turn in the conversation that would admit her.
From: Kevin
Subject The path
Harp laughs deeply, scaring some of the local animal habitat.
"For one, there has been nothing to catch the attention of my more orcish instincts.
It has been a long path for me, and I have learned much from the Order of the Silver Sword, both as a lowly member and as a fosterling before that. While I suffered greatly at the jibes and jabs of humans as I grew up, it was nothing compared to what my orc ancestors have wrought upon the world. My brothers of the Order have taught me that strength is a responsibility, that those that have it should use it for the benefit of those less fortunate. My father's race has abandoned that belief, if they in fact ever had it. Pray that you are not around should we encounter any of my orcish "kin", for it will challenge all of my learned skills of patience and wisdom to keep from attacking them."
With that, Harp reaches up to a large limb on a dead tree, exerts himself, and snaps the limb clean free of the tree.
"Well , it might be a little large for the camp fire. Maybe Noctis would like to use it as a perch tonight. In all honesty, I have never seen such a collection of birds in all my life. I have no such affinity with wild life. The only animal who seems to tolerate me is my horse, and he is so stupid I actually named him that.
The Order gave me a home when I had none, raised me when I had no family, and has given me a chance to repay their kindness to me by allowing me to join their order. It has not always been an easy path, for my natural tendency is to make something happen instead of trying to think my way through. However, Knight-Captain Angelwing worked with me, maybe because of his highly unusual background, or maybe because of some higher calling. I do not know. Suffice it to say that I have not advanced very fast within the Order, but, really, I have no where else to go.
Forgive me, I am rambling on. This mission is the first important task I have ever been given, and I very much want to do well in the eyes of the Order.
Well, I think we have about as much wood as even I can carry. What say you to heading back to camp and seeing what our ranger friends have managed to round up for us to eat?"
From: Derrell
Subject Camping
Fal-Tor sits in front of his tent, studying his spell book in preparation for the dangers they may face in the coming days. The raven, Lenore, sits atop the tent, watching the goings on in the camp, so that she can alert her master if someone should approach. Fal-Tor would offer to help set up camp, but figures his time would be better spent preparing his spells, so that he can help ward off any attacks that may occur in the night, or on the morrow.
From: Karl
Subject Camping
There wouldn't happen to be a pallid bust of Pallas atop your tent too, would there? ;-)
From: Jake
Subject Dinner
Surin bustles around the camp, directing people as to where to place their tents, helping them to drive tentpegs, and so forth. When everything is settled he walks over to the fire, the scent of roasting rabbit drawing him. Picking up a stick he pokes idly at the coals. "Smells good! What are we having?" he asks, turning to Cai. He sees the rabbits roasting on their spits and a look of dismay spreads across his face. "Mimsy? Tell me you aren't cooking Mimsy! She's been my faithful friend since she was a kit, but I haven't seen her since we stopped and I sent her off to play with a pair of her friends!"
From: Kevin
Subject Dinner
Harp and Salix return to camp, their arms loaded with fire wood. They organize the faggots of woods close to the fire, but not so close as to pose a hazard. Harp then seeks out Ran Ell.
"Sir, I have come up with a watch schedule. I am going to suggest that while we are still so close to Gorn, that we split the overnight watch into 2 hour shifts. I will take the first shift so I can police the area and make sure all of the animals are properly set up. I am plannin on having Salix take the middle shift - I am sure his owl would be of some use in the darkest part of night. Cai can take second shift, Bel fourth shift, and I will leave the last shift to you. You and I both have some military training and the other three have their companions to help them keep watch.
I will likely go to a two person watch when we get closer to the pass."
Gaining approval from Ran, Harp then heads back to the fire where Cai has been preparing their evening meal. Upon seeing the small rabbits she has prepared, he asks what she will be serving after the appetizers.
From: Randy
Subject Watches
"Sir, I have come up with a watch schedule. I am going to suggest that while we are still so close to Gorn, that we split the overnight watch into 2 hour shifts. I will take the first shift so I can police the area and make sure all of the animals are properly set up. I am plannin on having Salix take the middle shift - I am sure his owl would be of some use in the darkest part of night. Cai can take second shift, Bel fourth shift, and I will leave the last shift to you. You and I both have some military training and the other three have their companions to help them keep watch. I will likely go to a two person watch when we get closer to the pass."
"A sound plan Harp. Thank you for getting everything set up here."
Ran watches as Harp walks away. 'He would make a good leader if only people could get past his appearance' Ran thinks to himself.
Ran becomes aware of the scent of herbs cooking and approaches the fire. As he does so he notices Cai observing the others. Ran takes a seat on a stump near Cai and looks into the fire.
"Good work nabbing the conies, they smell delicious." Ran looks to Cai as he speaks.
"I appreciate your cooperation taking the scout position this morning. You seem to be quite a capable tracker."
Ran turns his gaze back to the fire and sits quietly, waiting to follow Cai's lead on continuing a conversation.
The Border
Subject Camp
Bel goes off by himself to look for firewood. After gathering several armfuls, he sits at the fire and begins checking his bow and arrows for flaws ...without finding any.
He then begins sharpening his sword and dagger.
From: Karl
Subject Harp and Salix
Salix considers this. Indeed, he would hope they didn't encounter any Orcs on this trip. But if they did there would likely be battle anyway and it would be good to have the extra strength on their side. Still, he wonders what kind of negative effect giving in to that kind of rage would have on Harp's progress towards patience and control. Best they not find out.
"Sort of an unkind name," Salix muses on hearing Harp's name for his horse.
"Still, we name things as we see them I suppose." After a moment he adds,
"It is good to have you in the group, Harp. I can see that I have much to learn from you."
From: Karl
Subject Camp
Before bedding down, Salix will ask Noctis to keep an eye on the camp as well and to wake him if he sees anything threatening. Since Noctis has spent most of the day sleeping on the pommel of his saddle, he should be rested enough to patrol most of the night. During Salix's watch, he will send Noctis out to circle the perimeter of the camp, watching for trouble.
From: Kevin
Subject Camp
Harp makes his way around the camp, stopping to talk to those who will be keeping watch. He lets them know which shift they have, who they replace and who will replace them.
After eating dinner, he will survey around the camp to make sure that the animals are correctly hobbled and the camp is correctly set up for the evening. He will join in any conversation around the fire but will also prepare himself for the first watch.
From: Ami
Subject Around the campfire
"No wonder they were so easy to catch," says Cai, raising an eyebrow at Surin, "And fat too."
"If I underestimated your needs, Harp, I apologize. I've never before had the honor of cooking for your kind. Next time I'll hunt more. But I'll think you'll find the meal an improvement over the rations in your supplies, especially with the roots cooking in the pot there."
Soon, Ran comes to sit next to her and compliment her on the catch on her tracking skills.
"Thank you," she says. "I'm sure I'll continue to be successful if Surin has befriended all the creatures of the wood."
"You've taken this company in hand well, Ran. It will be good for us to have a leader such as you. But I'm curious. How did you come to know Quarion?"
From: Randy
Subject Around the Campfire
Ran blushes slightly at the compliments on his leadership.
"This company has given no sign of being difficult at all. We have faced no troubles yet, so don't be praising me too highly before I am tested." A slight chuckle escapes from Ran and this is the first time he has shown any level of relaxation since joining the group.
"I wouldn't say that I really know Quarion. I am pretty sure I saw him around when I was growing up here but I don't really know a lot about him. I am very good friends with Heronin though, so if he trusts Quarion then I am sure I can as well. How about you? How did Quarion become your mentor?"
Ran feels some relief at being able to make small talk and to get to know at least one of his companions a little better.
From: Mark
Subject Camp and moving on
The group sets up camp with a surprising lack of problems. Each person seems to take to their assigned tasks without much complaint. Salix and Harp return from the woods with a large supply of firewood, mainly carried by Harp. Cai-Ril returns from her hunting trip with several rabbits that she starts to prepare for stewing. Surin has the tents set up properly in short order, his days as a carny showing. There is some good natured joshing between Surin and Cai about the origins of the rabbits and how hard they might have been to catch. Harp looks at the pot of stew and wonders what he others are going to eat. Most of the birds have been out to feed, but Noctis is just waking up. Salix has to take some time talking and murmuring to the bird before he flys off near sunset. Surin asks Salix??What did you say to Noctis??? Salix replied ??Not much, he was grumpy from having to sleep on the saddle all day. I told him he could go hunt before it got too dark.??
The party members eat their dinner, with only Harp thinking that he could have used another helping or two. As night starts to fall, Harp lets them know what the watch schedule is. The others nod in agreement. Ran then talks to the group. ??Tomorrow we will need to be on the road fairly early. We still have a long way to go and I would like to put as much distance behind us as we can while the weather holds. I figure we can make 8 leagues a day with out too much problem while we are on the main road. We leave at two hours after sunup.?? With that he goes to his tent to sleep. The rest of the party, with the exception of Harp, who has first watch, head off to sleep as well.
The night passes uneventfully. At just before dawn the camp starts to rouse itself. A breakfast of gruel is made and quickly cleaned up. Salix gives a few pointers on the proper way to leave a camp so that it will have little effect on the surrounding area. Easily on schedule, the group sets off.
The next several days are almost boring. The rain on the third day was the only excitement to speak of. The country became a bit wilder, with signs of people becoming fewer and fewer. There were still the occasional town and farmsteads, even the odd garrison in some of the larger towns. However the party was slowly approaching the mountains to the west. The road curved a bit north of west. On the seventh day, around noon, the party finally reaches a fairly large garrison, housed in a stone keep. A small cadre of soldiers on horses comes out to meet them. The five men on horses approach and halt about 10 yards away. They do not look hostile, but they do look wary. The leader shouts at them ??Hail, who you be and what is you purpose???
OODM. If any of you want to fill in Role playing for the trip you can, but I know that some of you are eager to kill something. Warning, these 5 are not for killing. ?? The first encounter should happen mid next week, if all goes as planned. Your group has been able to hunt and buy supplies along the way so most of your rations have been left untouched.
From: Randy
Subject The border
"We are representatives of Knight Captain Heronin Angelwing of Gorn."
Ran leaves it at that, choosing to give only as much information as necessary before he knows who he is dealing with.
From: Kevin
Subject The border
If Harp recognizes these soldiers as members of his order, he will remain where he is. If not, he will scan the surrounding area for a potential ambush or attack from the flanks. He does not expect that to happen, but his military training requires this dilligence.
From: Mark
Subject The border
These are not members of your order. The Order of the Silver Sword is an elite group of Paladins. This would be regular army, and with this post, probably not the highest of quality.
They look like regular border guards.
From: Kevin
Subject The border
Harp, familiar with how his presence is normally taken, will stay at the rear of the group, but will keep a watchfull "overlook" (given his size) to the sides and rear of their location.
From: Rob
Subject The border
Bel looks around, and maintains contact with Ebon. Both are on the look out, Bel near the rear of the party with Fal (probably) and Harp.
Bel scans the wood behind them and to the sides of them looking for an ambush, while Ebon looks ahead and behind at the road, looking for any other people.
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."
Heading into the mountains
Subject Waiting
As far as I know I am waiting on a response from Derrell, Randy and Jake.
Have you guys sent in a turn or did I miss something?
Thanks
When they have checked in I will do the next turn.
From: Mark
Subject Waiting
Sorry I did get a turn from Jake, I just filed it wrong.
So I still need to hear from Randy and Derrell.
From: Randy
Subject Information
OOC - Sorry I didn't get a response in yesterday. I was away from my desk all day at work and I didn't get a chance to check my email last night.
"I am grateful that you have been notified of our pending arrival Lt. Halpin. I am Ran-Ell and these are my companions for this journey and hopefully friends beyond that."
"We will gladly accept whatever food and water you can spare. Our horses could also use a good rub down if you have any squires available for the task."
"If you can spare the time, I would like to discuss the lay of the land coming before us on our journey and any concerns you may be aware of that could help us out. There are still several hours of daylight left, so if we could discuss things for about an hour now while our supplies are replenished we could be back on the road and be a little closer to our destination."
From: Derrell
Subject The guards
Fal-Tor sits atop his horse silently. Subliminally, he instructs the raven, Lenore to keep an eye on the soldiers. Fal looks at the various members of his party to see if any of them show signs of nervousness. Fal will treat the strangers as if they mean no harm, unless they do anything to prove otherwise.
From: Mark
Subject In the Mountains
The Lieutenant laughs at Ran's request for a groom. ?This is not the big city, but the borderlands. We have learned to take care of our own needs.? Turning to one of the men with him he says ?When we get to the keep, take their horses and get them water and a quick rub down. Maybe some feed. Treat them well.? The soldier nods and turns his horse to head back to the small keep. Halpin and the rest of his crew draw along side the party and escort them the hundred or so yards to the keep. The party sees a total of about 50 men milling around, practicing swordsmanship, drilling in the yard. The sound of a smithy pounding shoes for the horses or weapons can be heard around back. To Ran and Harp's eyes, the soldiers look like common conscripts, nothing like the armored knights of the Order. However, discipline looks good and the yard is neat.
Lt. Halpin leads the group to where the soldier is waiting to take their mounts and leads them into a medium sized office. On the way there he orders another soldier to bring food from the kitchen so that the party can eat while they talk. The group can see the soldier watching them, giving them the once over. There are many whispers when they see Harp with the sigil of the Silver Sword on his armor.
In the Lieutenant's office extra chairs are brought in so that every one can sit and eat. Halpin starts to answer Ran's questions. ?Well things have been fairly quiet in this area. Of course we border with Byho and they are never any trouble. Have you ever been this way on the North Mountain Road?? Salix raises his hand to indicate that he has been along the road before. ?Well then? replies Halpin, ?you know that the road follows the northern foothills of the mountains you see ahead of you. While the area is claimed by Bhyo, it is really wilderness. Creatures from the mountains sometimes raid down from there if the weather has been bad. Other than that I would not say that there is anything in particular to report. You know that you actually pass through a bit of Camlost before you get to Bhyo. Camlost does not patrol up here though so most travelers have no problems. The only real place to be wary is the Pass of Undulant.? He looks at the group, expecting them to recognize the name.
Most of the grouphas heard of this pass, but know very little about it. Seeing their looks Halpin goes on. ?The pass is the one area where the mountain drop down enough that people can get through the mountains. It is still very hilly and rough terrain, but light cavalry could get through, if they took their time. The robber barons of Undulant use it to raid caravans using the road. Not often enough to make it worthwhile for Bhyo to keep a garrison their. Undulant, of course denies that they are responsible for this, but the monsters of the mountains, like orcs and goblins and such know that if they need work they can go to Undulant and they can find work. Watch yourself around the pass. It is about 5-6 days ride from here. The path gets rougher the further you get into the mountains.? With that Halpin stops talking and start eating.
The hour passes quickly and soon the party members are all mounted up again. The Lieutenant sees them off, the pack horse laden with food.
The next few days sees the truth of the Lt.'s words. The road becomes much rougher and the party travels a bit more slowly. (OODM, think of the Ozarks, lots of trees, fairly hilly, not mountainous). There is rain the day after they leave the garrison, and it is a cold rain. However the next few days are clear. It is about noon on the 4th day when Cai's hawk comes back all excited. Cai seems to get some impression that the hawk saw something up ahead.
OODM: Ok guys what do you do now?
From: Karl
Subject The hawk
On the second rainy day, Salix wants to enjoy it like the previous rain, but the drops are colder and less inviting. Almost as if Nature were telling him to keep his guard up despite her pleasures and beauty. Salix's excitement that has been building as the group has moved into the less "civilized" land, while undiminished, seems to take on a tinge of caution as they enter wilder lands. Here he could feel the raw power of nature which, like a raging river, was exhilarating, beautiful, and dangerous all at once.
On the fourth day the Ranger woman's hawk returns, obviously with news. Salix rides up to Cai and asks, "Can you speak with her? If not, I might be able to with your permission."
From: Derrell
Subject The hawk
When Cai's hawk returns, Fal-Tor considers sending his raven ahead to investigate, but will wait to see what the leaders of the party decide to do. If the Ranger is unable to communicate with the hawk, Fal-Tor will offer to send the raven ahead to see what the hawk saw.
From: Kevin
Subject What is ahead
Harp will look to Ran Ell for directions. Absent anything direct from Ran Ell, Harp will keep a trained eye out for any hints of trouble and will listen to any conversation that takes place between the other travelers.
From: Randy
Subject What is ahead
Ran calls the company to a halt and approaches Cai along with Salix. He starts to question Cai but stops as Salix mentions talking to the bird. The rest of the group form a circle around Cai intent on hearing any news she can share.
If it sounds like trouble then Ran will organize the group into a formation with Bel-Ril and Cai-Ril moving out to the left and right respectively and moving ahead to check for traps/ambush. Ran and Harp in the front with Fal-Tor, Salix, and Surin following closely behind.
He also suggests that the birds take to the sky and watch for possible enemys moving to come in from behind the group (if the bird owners can communicate well enough with their birds).
From: Kevin
Subject Setting up
When and if the group has to form up as Ran suggests, Harp will ask Salix if he can tie off the pack horse to Salix's mount, leaving Harp mount free at the front of the group.
From: Mark
Subject Riding horses
Please remember that all of the horses in the party are riding horses and not warhorses. They are not trained for battle and will require ride checks to keep them under control.
Those of you with 5 or more ranks in Handle Animal get a +2 bonus to your ride check. It is a DC20 to control a horse/pony in combat. If you fail you can do nothing else. If you succede you can make a normal attack. It is also a move action so you can not do that and get a full attack.
Grey reports
Subject Ranging ahead
Bel follows Ran's lead, and pulls his bow out. He also sends Ebon up scouting ahead looking for trouble. While looking for traps and ambushes, he is also looking for tracks.
Bel waits for Ran to move out though.
From: Karl
Subject Birds
Salix is waiting for a response from Cai. He will not speak to a friend's animal companion without permission.
From: Ami
Subject Birds
Cai puts Grey on the pommel as she dismounts her horse. She takes up her long bow and quiver, then leads the horse next to Salix's mount. Grey is restless the whole time and quickly hops back onto her arm when she offers it to him. She approaches Salix with the hawk, nodding.
"It would be good to get more detailed information from Grey so that we might be prepared," she tells him.
From: Karl
Subject Birds
"If there is anything you can do to tell her that I am a friend, it might help, though I suspect she won't be too reticent to talk to me seeing as we're clearly traveling companions."
With that he touches his right hand to his left breast, beneath his robes, looks up to a spot above the horizon and says a short prayer to Obad-Hai in a language unknown to the rest of the group(OOC - I presume no one else in the group speaks Druid ;-) ) (Speak with Animals) . Then he turns to the hawk and speaks, but to the group, his words are all shrieks and cries.
(OOC - Mark, Salix will introduce himself to Grey and ask what has he seen that alarms him so.)
From: Mark
Subject Birds
Cai calms Grey a bit as Salix says his prayer. The hawk calms as much as hawks do at her touch. When Salix starts talking, it is in shrieks and cries. The bird looks at Salix and twists his head sideways, trying to get a better look at the half-elf. Grey then starts squacking back. Over the next few minutes the two hold a furious conversation.
From: Karl
Subject Prayers
Small edit:
He places his right hand over the symbol of an acorn and oak leaves carved into his leather armor over his heart.
(Sorry, I'm still in wizard mode from the other game.)
From: Mark
subject: Grey
Grey looks at Salix when he speaks in Hawk. It takes him a second to realize that he understood the half elfs words.
"Hi nature person. I am Grey and this is my person."
OODM: Karl I am going to do this between you and I. I will put it up in the archive once you have told the group what the bird said.
From: Karl
Subject Grey
"Hello Grey, I am Salix and this is Noctis, my friend." he says indicating the owl.
"What have you seen up ahead that has troubled you so?"
From: Mark
Subject Grey
" I have noticed the big white one. I do not usually see his type since he is a night one."
"What has troubled me? Well my person, you know the short one over there, you know you are big for a person?, said I could go hunting up ahead and I was doing so and had just found this large rabbit, boy did he look tender and fat, when I saw something. This other person, did I tell you he was dressed in metal, comes running towards me. So I took off, of course, and he fell down right where I was going to eat. He was not moving so I but he was laying on my rabbit so I thought I would ask my person to come help me get my rabbit back."
OODM: You get three more questions. I figure 1 question a minute would be about right.
From: Karl
Subject Grey
(OOC - Mark, that is brilliant.)
"OK, friend, maybe we can help. Did you see any other persons? If so, what did they look like?"
(ooc - is that two questions?)
From: Mark
Subject Grey
OODM : I will count it as one. :)
"Other persons? You mean two legged persons like that person? No, no that person was alone. Not get good look at person on ground. Person fell on face."
From: Karl
Subject Grey
"Thank you, Grey. You are a noble bird. I will see what we can do about your rabbit, but this might mean danger for my friends, so I ask your patience."
(ooc - I would like to use my last moments of the spell to wake Noctis as follows: )
"Noctis, sorry to wake you. There might be trouble. Please head into the forest ahead of us as we move and come back to me immediately if you see a threat to our group. Give 2 hoots if the threat is humanoid. 3 hoots if it is animal. By the way, you are being very patient with the ride. Thank you."
From: Mark
Subject Noctis
Salix screechs at Grey for a few minutes and Grey screeches back. After a few minutes Salix turns to Noctis and gently wakes him, hooting quietly to the owl. The owl looks at him with his big eyes and takes off. He circles the camp a couple of times and Salix points in the direction that Grey came from. Noctis flys that direction. About 10 minutes later Noctis returns and lands on the pommel of Salix's horse, hooting twice. He then goes back to sleep.
From: Karl
Subject What Grey said
OOC - I'm not sure how you want to handle this, but I was assuming that Salix would relate the info from Grey while waiting for Noctis to return. I'll just send my write-up below and you can tell us if anything needs to be revised/changed. Also, you said "camp" below, are we camped? I thought we were still traveling seeing as it's about noon, right?
IC -
Salix finishes the conversation with Grey and then nudges Noctis, hooting and squeaking several words at him as well, upon which the great Owl heads off in the direction Grey had come from.
"Grey has seen someone, humanoid, wearing armor. He might have been fleeing something, and he might now be injured or dead. I think we need to check it out immediately but cautiously. He did not see any other humanoids around.
"I have asked Noctis to fly ahead and come to warn us immediately if he sees that there is still a threat there."
(OOC - I'm assuming here that we would have headed in the direction Noctis flew and that he would have met us following him on his way back.)
IC - "Something is still there ahead of us. Something two-legged that Noctis considers a threat. We'd better be careful".
(OOC - my reasoning is that based on Grey's report, the person ahead might not be dead but in need of urgent assistance. Salix would have tried to encourage Ran to have the group check it out, and if he was reluctant to do so, Salix would likely have checked it out himself unless specifically ordered not to. Let us know where we stand based on this reasoning. Feel free to disregard it, too. Sorry to muddy the waters.)
From: Mark
Subject Camp
OODM: Camp may have been a poor choice of words. I meant where the group had stopped for Cai and Salix to talk to the birds.
From: Ami
Subject What to do?
Cai agrees with Salix. She wonders if Noctis saw the same individual as Grey did and was spooked, or if he saw whoever the allegedly injured individual had been fleeing from.
Either way, she feels it would be better for the whole group to move forward on their guard and investigate. There is probably only one individual who would pose a danger.
From: Kevin
Subject Distance
OOC: Would either Cai or Salix have gotten an idea of how far ahead this person is? Trying to figure out if we should stake the horses here or ride ahead a little farther.
From: Mark
Subject Distance
Salix would be know that assuming a round trip of 10 minutes or so, whatever they found was about 1/2 a mile ahead.
From: Jake
Subject The group
And Surin is waiting to hear what Salix relates. He is considering volunteering to sneak ahead, but he'll wait to hear what happens with the bird before he does so.
From: Jake
Subject What to do
Surin watches the exchange between Salix and Grey with interest, making a mental note to ask Salix about it when they camp that night. [OOC - Mark, how common is magic in everyday life in this world? Would Salix have aeen this kind of display before? If so would it have been a common enough thing or a rare occurance?]
He thinks better of volunteering to scout ahead. Given the information related by Grey, he feels it would be best to ride together toward the possible threat, and he says as much.
From: Mark
Subject Magic
OODM: Well magic is not unheard of, but it is not so common that every one has seen a magic user cast a spell. A druid speaking with the animals is fairly common in it's circles and it is very likely he had seen Salix do it at least once with Noctis on the trip to Gorn.
The Body
Subject The plan
Harp will wait for Ran El to come up with a plan and will then help carry out those plans.
From: Karl
Subject The plan
Salix will follow with the group, keeping a sharp eye out for any threats, animal or humanoid. He is concerned that there may be someone hurt and in need of healing so he will be edging toward the front of the group trying to get them to keep up their speed in spite of being cautious.
From: Derrell
Subject Plan
Fal-Tor loads his cross bow , then prepares his sleep spell.
OOC: Does preparing a spell require a roll of the dice, or do I just assume it worked?
From: Mark
Subject Spells
You do not need to make any roll. Unless you are engaged in combat you do not even need to make a roll to cast a spell, unless you have been damaged in that round. Certain spells are touch spells or ranged touch attacks and they require an attack roll, but usually you can ignore the armor that the target is wearing, since it does not make it harder for you to touch them. They would only get their DEX bonus, assuming they know you are there.
As I said before it is assumed that all spell casters, divine and arcane have all the components for all spells that cost less than 1 gp. As the component for the sleep spell is rose petals, a pinch of sand or a cricket, you would have one of those, probably the sand.
From: Kevin
Subject Time?
OOC: To paraphrase the infamous Ben Grimm (from the Fantastic Four)
Isn't it clobberin' time yet?
From: Ami
Subject Time?
We are waiting for our illustrious leader to tell us if we can move forward or not.
Cai notices Ran looks distracted. She wonders if some kind of spell has been put on him.
From: Mark
Subject The body
Seeing the hawk's excitement, the group stops in the middle of the road. Salix moves his horse over next to Cai and asks ?Can you speak with her? If not, I might be able to, with your permission.? The group forms a small circle around the two, Harp keeping a look out for trouble instead of paying close attention on what the ranger and druid are saying. Cai nods her agreement to what Salix proposes and Salix quickly says a prayer to Obad-Hai and starts screeching at the bird. The bird gets a sort of startled look on its face and starts screeching back. After a few minutes of this, Salix turns to his owl, Noctis and gently wakes him. He then hoots a bit at the owl and Noctis takes off, heading in the direction that Grey had come from.
Salix addresses the group. ?Grey has seen someone, humanoid, wearing armor. He might have been fleeing something and he might now be injured or dead. I think we need to check it out immediately but cautiously. He did not see any other humanoids around. I have asked Noctis to fly ahead and come to warn us immediately if he sees that there is still a threat there.? Ran decides to have the group spread out a bit as they proceed down the road, Bel on one side, Cai on the other, both looking for traps or ambushes. Ran and Harp take the middle ahead of Fal-Tor, Salix and Surin. The group moves slowly so that the rangers can try and make sure there are no surprises (Spot check). After about 10 minutes Noctis returns to the group and lands on the pommel of Salix's horse. He hoots twice and then goes back to sleep. Salix informs the group ?Something is still there ahead of us. Something two-legged that Noctis considers a threat. We?d better be careful.? Salix tells the group that he thinks this person is less than ? a mile away now, based on how long it took Noctis to get there and back.
The group moves along the road. The trees are fairly heavy on each side of the road, but the road is a nice wide path through the trees, probably 30-35 feet across. With the rangers looking for ambushes it takes the group about 20 minutes to reach a small rise in the road. As they get to the top the party sees that there is a small valley beneath them. The bottom is about 100 yards away and 50-60 feet lower then the ridge they are on. The other side of the small valley is about 200 yards away and about the same height as the side they are on now. The road runs right down the middle of the cleared trees, and the cleared area is about 30-35 feet across. The trees are thick enough and low enough that it would be very difficult to ride through the woods. At the bottom of the valley, in the middle of the road lies what looks like a body, about the size of a human.
From: Randy
Subject The body
Ran dismounts from Kir and ties him to a nearby tree and encourages the others to dismount as well in case of ambush. He requests the rangers stay on the flanks for the moment and to keep an eye out for anyone approaching.
Cautiously he move toward the body to take a closer look.
From: Kevin
Subject The body
Harp will dismount, tie off his horse, lock and load his crossbow, and follow Ran, staying a fair distance from him. As they approach the body, Harp will slowly work his way to the other side of the body, keeping an eye on the forest and the road coming down into the valley. He will not get overly involved with the body as he is sure that the others are more qualified to determine what has happened and if they need him for some reason, they know where to find him.
From: Karl
Subject The body
Salix will dismount, secure his horse and approach the body just behind Ran. He will also be keeping an eye out for trouble.
From:Derrell
Subject The Body
Fal-Tor dismounts and ties off his horse. He then loads his crossbow. He straps his quarterstaff to his back so that he can use the crossbow. Fal then tells the raven to keep an eye on the surrounding trees for any signs of trouble. Fal is ready to proceed.
From: Jake
Subject Time?
No, not until we ride into the ambush. *Then* it'll be clobberin' time.
From: Jake
Subject The Body
Surin nudges Iaptis to the right side of the road, then dismounts just to the right of his horse. Peering nervously into the woods he ties the horse to a convenient tree, then slips into the undergrowth, throwing axe in hand. He moves into the woods, going just far enough to conceal himself from the road, and then begins moving downhill as quietly as possible [Move Silently]. If he sees no one in the woods he will continue down until he is even with the body. Once he reaches it he will remain in hiding, watching and listening for anything that seems amiss.
The body, pt2
Subject The body
Bel moves forward quietly (move silently) with an arrow nocked on his longbow. He follows Rn, although not closly...he remains about 20 ft behind Ran.
He looks into the woods (Spot), searching for other signs of movement.
If he see movement he will let the others know that he has, and where the movement happens.
From: Mark
Subject Combat
I expect that early next week the first combat will take place. I would like to take a few minutes to discuss that, since we have several new players to D&D in general and PBEM games in particular.
When I run a combat sequence, like Ty, I will list all the people involved and their initiatives at the start of the turn. The initiative numbers will have any bonuses you have for DEX or feats. When you send me your turn please write a desription of what you want to try and do and then, if you are using any feats or skills, put those in ().
For example, let say Fighter 1 is facing 4 kobolds and wants to use his cleave feat. He would write something like "Joe swings as hard as he can at the kobold in front of him, balancing himself so that if he kills the creature his momentum will pull him into an attack against the next kobold.(cleave)." OR something like that. I will probably elaborate on it a bit in my write up, but if you want to use a certain feat please let me know.
I will show a total of three numbers for each attack roll for the players. The numbers will be your roll, your attack bonus and then your total. So if your attack bonus is +5 and you roll a 15 I will show it like this: Attack (15+5=20). You can not question the attack roll, but if you have a problem with the bonuses let me know.
If any one has any questions please let me know. I will try and have a map out when combat starts so that everyone can have an idea of what is happening.
This will be the first time I have ever done something like this so lets see how it goes.
Thanks
From: Ami
Subject The Body
Cai dismounts her horse again and ties him to a tree as Surin did. She eyes the surrounding area carefully (spot check) as she approaches the body, an arrow nocked in her bow should there be a threat.
From: Mark
Subject The body, pt 2
At the sight of the body, Salix hisses and starts to head down the hill. Ran calls for him to stop. ?This could be an ambush. You did say that your owl said that there was danger.? Salix nods and restrains himself a bit. The party takes a 30 seconds to dismount and tie their horses to the trees near by. Cai and Bel both launch their hawks into the air. The birds circle for a bit and then settle into a couple of trees about 40 feet up in the air. Fal's raven does the same. Salix, knowing that the bright sun would bother Noctis, tells him to stay and watch the horses. Whether or not Noctis understands is a different story. However, Salix knows Noctis well enough that if something were to bother the horses, the owl would warn him.
As they head cautiously down the hill, the group spreads out. Surin moves to the right flank and starts creeping down that edge of the road. Harp, Ran and Cai spread out about 10 feet apart from each other and start moving down the hill. Behind them by 15-20 feet come Salix in the middle with Bel on his left and Fal on his right. As they get closer to the body, Harp starts to move even more to his left. He signals for the rest of the group to pause while he slowly moves around the body to the west side of it, about 10-15 feet beyond. Back in the second row Salix is getting agitated. To his eyes, this is just as it seems, an unconscious body lying in the middle of the road. While he understands the need for caution, he is beginning to chafe at the delay. This person could be dying.
As they approach the body Salix, Ran, Cai, Surin and Bel all notice that there is no blood around the body.(Spot check DC10, rolls (Salix 10+7=17, Ran 16+4=20,Cai 7+10=17,Surin 4+9=13, Bel8+7=15, all succeed, Fal 4+3=7, Harp 2+3=5, fail). Salix's heart beats a bit easier at this realization. Ran motions for Salix to move to the front rank. Motioning Cai and Bel to cover them, he and Salix move closer to the body. As they get to the body they can hear the person mumbling incoherently. With one more glance around, Ran nods at Salix to deal with the body.
Salix kneels at the side of the man, for it is obviously a man now, and makes a quick check of his pulse. The man is dressed in a breastplate with a small steel shield strapped to his arm. At his waist are a light mace and a light pick. His shaggy black hair sticks out from his helm. Salix realizes that he recognizes the accent of the man's mumblings. The accent is that of Mnuhl. Quickly examining the man to make sure that there is nothing obviously broken, he turns the man over. The man's face is drawn and covered in sweat and dust. From what Salix can see it looks like the man has run himself unconscious (DC15, 13+7=20, success.) Salix looks up at Ran.
OODM: Ok guys go to it.
From: Randy
Subject The body, pt 2
Ran says to the group to form a circle around the Salix, the body, and himself. He indicates that Harp should position himself in the direction the man was running from, the rangers to stay to either side, and Fal-Tor with Surin to watch behind them.
Ran turns his attention back to Salix and says "Is there anything you can do to revive him quickly that we may know what he was running from?"
From: Ami
Subject The body, pt2
Cai quietly stands guard as Ran has asked, but still keeps an awareness of the unconscious man. She is as concerned as Salix is, but knows that Salix has more skill than she does to help the man.
She listens closely to the man's mumblings, ready to help Salix in any way that he needs.
From: Kevin
Subject The body, pt2
Harp, at Ran's request, moves west a few feet, keeping a safe separation between himself and the congregated group. He scans up the hill, wishing he could see what was on the other side. If only he had wings like his fellow adventurers hawks.
If he can find any decent cover for someone of his size just off the road, otherwise he will stay on the road and continue to keep watch.
From: Derrell
Subject The body, pt2
Fal stands guard as Ran has asked with his crossbow at the ready. He asks the raven to fly in the direction the man was running for about a half mile and fly back and report what he sees. The raven does as her master requests.
OOC: OK Mark, the raven has now perched on my shoulder after travelling in the direction the man was running from. What, if anything, did she see.
From: Rob
Subject The body, pt 2
Bel sends Ebon in the direction of the mans flight, looking for activity.
Then he looks for tracks around the body to see if the man was traveling alone. (track)
If he finds tracks he will follow them, but not too far, keeping the group in sight and easy calling distance, looking for movment or anything out of the ordinary (spot).
Examining the body
Subject The body, prt 2
OODM: The check that Salix did on the body would have been a heal check.
Sorry about that.
From: Jake
Subject The body,pt 2
Surin chafes somewhat at Ran's command--he isn't used to taking orders, and doesn't particularly care for it. For the moment, though, he holds his tongue, doing as Ran said. If whatever this man was running from came charging into the valley, he have no particular desire to be in the front ranks.
OOC: Guys, I'm afraid that I'm going to be out of email contact for at least two weeks, and possibly longer, starting tomorrow afternoon. It would probably be a good idea to have someone else run Surin in my absence--I don't want to slow the game down. I know that Nate Novak was asking about playing, and he strikes me as a good choice, but of course this is up to Mark.
From: Karl
Subject The body, pt 2
ooc- Mark, is there? I have a couple of heal prayers ready, (light and moderate, I think) but would those help in a case of exhaustion?)
From: Karl
Subject The Body, pt 2
Salix approaches the body and quickly checks him for serious wounds. While the unfortunate man does not appear to have been wounded, he is exhausted and appears to have been running for quite some time. Salix kneels beside the man and can hear him mumbling in a familiar accent. "I believe he is from Mnuhl." Salix rolls the man over gently, cradling the man's head in his right arm, his back resting on Salix's legs. Where the man had lain, lay a plump rabbit, freshly killed. It was a little crushed from the weight of the man, but was otherwise intact, if dead. Salix picks up the rabbit by one leg and holds it out in Cai's direction. "I believe this belongs to Grey."
"He appears to have collapsed from exhaustion," Salix advises Ran. "He must have been running for quite some time."
"Is there anything you can do to revive him quickly that we may know what he was running from?" Ran asks.
"Unfortunately, I did not anticipate fatigue and exhaustion. While I may be able to help him in the morning, I am unable to relieve either of those issues for him quickly."
"Can you hear me?" Salix asks the man, shaking him gently and tapping his face lightly with his free hand. "Ran, please send someone to the horses for a waterskin. Maybe we can revive him enough to speak. And maybe Harp and one of the rangers should should scout ahead and check for someone or something in pursuit." Before Ran can reply or convey the orders, Salix will add, "If there isn't and immediate danger, we should considering making camp here. He is in no condition to travel."
(OOC - assuming someone brings water, Salix will splash a little on the man's face and continue tapping him lightly to try and bring him around. If he comes to enough to drink without choking, Salix will give him as much water as he will drink. If he can be revived enough to speak, Salix will ask him his name, where he is from, and what on earth he was running from.)
From: Mark
Subject spells/prayers
There is a spell that can be used, it is called lesser restoration. You would have to spend time gaining that spell and it would not get rid of all of the effects. But a little time and that spell would probably work.