Group Photo (cont'd) and First Encounter at Farm
Subject: RE: Tavern
Farron nods, "Yes, Sa'id and I have met before at the wizard's college. He is a good man and accomplished student of his arts . . . if he *is* a little strange." He says this last with a wink and a light jab at Sa'id's ribs."
"Well gentlemen, I for one do not wish to face a wereboar on less than a full night's sleep. I'll see you all in the morning."
From: Daniel
Subject: Re: Group Photo!
At just under 6'0" Cadfaels stands tall, straight and proper. While he is a large man, it is still difficult to get a real sense of his size from under the armour that he wears; a man in a breast plate always appears larger than he is. It is polished, well-kept, and looks as though it has never seen use in combat. He also carries a large shield made of steel and engraved with the blazing sun of Pelor. It too is well cared for, there is no sign of a dent or smudge on it and the sun has been polished to such a degree that almost glows. Indeed it reflects so much light that it is hard to look directly at it. To complete the picture his gloved hand rests perpetually on the mace at his side. It's not that he seems to suspect danger or that he is familiar with using the weapon, but rather he seems uncertain of what to do with his hand. It does not, however, always rest there. When he is lost in thought he absentmindedly scratches the hand that grips his shield.
His eyes are a brilliant blue, clear and marked with the wisdom of his order. Although, they are not as comforting as one might expect from a healer. There are large black bags under his eyes and in dim lighting they almost seem slightly sunken. It seems he has been sleeping fitfully for some time now, if indeed he has been sleeping at all. He tends to stare off fixedly in one direction, a cold expression on his face, but when spoken to his eyes meet the speaker and soften; a slight smile forming on his lips.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Group photo!
Great descriptions so far! I have a much better sense now of what each other character looks like. :)
Sa'id's stance is relaxed. When his mind isn't going a mile a minute he is could even be described as 'laid back;' however, his curiosity and love of brain-puzzles (as he calls them) keep him from acheiving this state very often.
His skin is deeply tanned, and his hair, when you see it, is thick and black, though it does not grow in curls like the hair of many Ammarian men. Generally, though, he keeps it tucked under his full turban. His dark brown eyes tend to wander, but when he finds something of interest his gaze is intent. Unlike most wizards of Huss, Sa'id is not clad in an ankle-length full robe, but rather in the traditional working garb of an Ammarian male: turban, long, loose-fitting tunic, wide belt, loose pants. The turban's fabric is embroidered with a repeating pattern. His tunic is brown and is patterned as well, though not as fully as the turban; the pants are a lighter shade. The one concession Sa'id appears to have made to the fashion of Huss is his comfortable-looking brown leather boots. (If you want a rough basis, the clothes Morgan Freeman's character wears in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a good place to start. For style, anyway. :)
Sa'id stands at about 5'10" plus some change, and clocks in at about 160 lbs; he isn't wafer-thin as many others who share his vocation are.
From: Ty
Subject: RE: Group photo!
Thanks guys, this is good stuff.
We had an exchange server blowup this morning, so it put my schedule back quite a bit for round one. I will probably send out the morning turn at about noon pacific time.
See you all then.
From: Karl
Subject: RE: Group photo!
Farron most resembles, if anything, a ferret. This was no small discomfort for him as a child, especially after he went to live with his aunt and uncle in Overlook. He is still rather short and thin. His complexion is pale. His face is narrow and, well, ferret-ish. He has black hair and very dark blue eyes - in dimmer light they look almost black. Unless he can shave every day, he quickly develops a rather whispery goatee giving him even more of a ferret look. In Overlook, he was teased mercilessly by the other kids who called him "Ferret" rather than "Farron". The name fit so well that nearly all adults (other than his aunt and uncle) called him that. Nowadays the quickest way to rile him is to use that name.
Farron was born of fairly well-heeled merchant parents who were killed at sea when he was 8. He lived with his Aunt and Uncle in Overlook until he was 11 when he returned to Nesalin to attend the wizard's school. He was there until he was 20, when he went to work for a merchant shipper. He has spent the last 3 years in and out of ports, only recently returning to Overlook at the request of his aunt and uncle who wrote him about the attacks.
Farron has an inner sense of superiority, but also masks it well most of the time. He is outwardly jovial and friendly to nearly everyone. To his friends this is genuine. To his enemies this is to keep them off guard. He is more likely to take revenge secretly than to confront a bully or minor enemy openly.
Farron hopes that in the 15 years he's been away from Overlook, people will have forgotten his old nickname. If they haven't, they are likely to find out that he is less meek than he once was.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Group photo!
The best way to describe Mission is 'simple.' Mission is 6'3, lean and muscled, with straw-yellow hair, brown eyes, and an open, honest face. He wears a simple tunic and trousers, looking like nothing more than a simple peasant.
He wears his hair loose, hanging down just below his ears. His clothing is always clean and well-mended.
From: Ty
Subject: First day: the hunt (1)
In the cool morning air of dawn, the party gathers in the town square outside city hall. As is common on the coast, a dense fog has rolled in over night. Those familiar with Overlook know that the fog will burn off in a few hours, but with the task ahead it adds a somber tinge to the gathering.
Cadfael has not arrived, but the group knows that he is required by his religion to spend the first hour of sunrise in prayer.
Garyth has a hastily drawn map of the farms surrounding the city, with two of the farms marked with a red X. It has been arranged that Cadfael will meet you at the closest of the two farms in an hour, so the group heads there first. It is a pleasant walk, and the perfect thing to stretch the limbs and get the last of the morning yawns out of your system. Within half an hour the fog is beginning to thin, and the farm's large barn comes into view.
Rennik, who is taking the lead with Garyth close behind, notices that there is a man leaning against the fence around the house. The house door is open, and there appears to be some activity inside. The man outside is dressed rough leather armor, and casually holds a crossbow in one hand. He notices you about the same time you notice him, and he lets out a sharp whistle aimed at the house.
(If you wish to take actions now, please let me know. If you do not want to take any action, just check in with *waiting to see what happens*. I will wait for all six to check in before describing the next scene.)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: First day: the hunt (1)
Garyth strides forward, passing Rennik and approaching the man. His posture remains loose and easy, though a hint of a frown touches his lips. "What's going on here?" he demands.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: First day: the hunt (1)
BTW, I do not need a check in from Cadfael, as he is still praying right now. :)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: First day: the hunt (1)
Waiting to see what Garyth, Rennik, and Mission do. Much as I'd love to run around the back of the house, sometimes prudence must stifle curiosity. :)
I hope they aren't looting, but I'd be willing to bet they are. I'm sure they've spoiled any evidence that may have been left. :(
Raja (Sa'id)
From: Karl
Subject: Re: First day: the hunt (1)
waiting to see.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: First day: the hunt (1)
Rennik quickly appraises the situation, looking specifically for cover and any other possible guards. If there are horses, he will take a count to know just how many people the party is dealing with. He then notches an arrow and aims at the door as he calls out to the man.
"Tell them to stay inside! Who are you? Why are you here? Lie, and you die where you stand!"
(conditional responses:
If someone emerges from the door bearing a weapon after he has spoken his piece, he will fire.
If the man with the crossbow readies his weapon to fire (and there is cover available) he will dive for cover. If there is no cover available, he will fire at the man with the crossbow, called shot, head.
If the man tells the others to stay inside and wishes to speak with us, Rennik will keep the arrow trained obviously on the house (instead of the man) and will listen.)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: First day: the hunt (1)
(Okay, so my email took a little too long to write... grr... an adjustment after reading saxon75's action)
In any event, Rennik would step on Garyth here. He spoke first, but Rennik still performs as written. He would ignore Garyth as though he were some rabbit hopping up to sniff the end of the hunter's knife.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: First day: the hunt (1)
Farron will move to within range (35', I think) and at the least sign of hostility or resistance will cast "Shatter" on the unknown man's crossbow. (We are with a member of the town guard after all, so anyone with good intent would be very obsequious about now.)
From: Ty
Subject: Re: First day: the hunt (2)
Several things happen all at once.
Garyth strides confidently forward to parlay, hoping for a peaceful resolution. Rennik, quickly makes this more difficult by threatening everyone in sight with his bow (I love Rennik, he kills me :)), and Mission and the two Wizards hang to the back, waiting to see what happens.
The man with the crossbow straightens up and faces you again, but someone inside the house says something to him, and he keeps his crossbow at his side.
The person who spoke comes out the door, and it turns out to be a tall woman of stunning beauty. She is nearly as tall as Cadfael, and dressed in battered but very serviceable full plate armor. On her back is a large metal shield, and still sheathed at her side is a heavy looking longsword. Her helmet is off, and you can see a long, thick braid of dark red hair running down over her shoulder. You notice that the armor has recently had some symbols removed from it, by the cleaner spots left behind, and the rivet holes where such symbols were probably attached.
She is gesturing in a placating manner to the man with the cross bow with her left hand, and keeps her right hand where you can see it. When she has moved past the crossbow man, she speaks.
"Hold now. There is no reason to take actions we can't easily take back. We will be on our way in a few moments, and we will avoid the delay that killing you all would cause, if we can."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: First day: the hunt (1)
Just as Sa'id is about to smile appreciatively at Garyth's diplomatic approach, Rennik makes his own (considerably more aggressive) statement. Observing Farron's movement and surmising that he is ready to cast a spell, Sa'id starts to back up slowly, planning to circle around behind the farmhouse. However, at that moment someone emerges from the door and Sa'id's heart splashes down into his intestines.
"There's something about women in armour," he thinks to himself, but makes a point of not staring. He does, however, stop moving backwards and instead moves toward the front of the group, flanking Garyth and standing between Garyth and Rennik. His gaze flicks from the woman to the man at the gate, but he does not, as yet, speak.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: First day: the hunt (1)
In reply to Matt's questions:
You can not see any horses from your current position, but horses tied up out back would not be visible to you in any event.
There is not much cover here, at most a few small bushes. However, within 20 yards is the farmers wheat field, which would provide good soft cover should the need arise.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: First day: the hunt (2)
For a moment, as the woman appears, Garyth gapes at her beauty. At her words, though, his jaw tightens.
"Strong words for such odds. But we're not here to fight. Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
From: Matt
Subject: Re: First day: the hunt (1)
Rennik starts to breathe a bit more heavily, and his eyes shift back and forth between the woman and the man with the crossbow. Part of his mind is itching to drop the bow, unfasten his axe and take the woman out at the knees before she can get her shield off her back. The thought makes him smile.
We're not here to fight? Rennik disagrees. Rennik's always there to fight. And that was a threat. Definitely a threat. His teeth clench, and a low growl can be heard from the back of his throat by anyone within 5 to 10 feet. He pulls the bow a half an inch tighter.
"The delay would indeed be long, swordwoman! Until your gods could resurrect your bleeding body! There are two questions I have not heard answers to - speak before you take another step!"
From: Ty
Subject: Re: First day: the hunt (2)
Just so you know, I won't post new actions until everyone checks in, even if it is only a *waiting to see*.
I don't want to get ahead of anyone who isn't an email junky. :)
From: Karl
Subject: Re: First day: the hunt (2)
Sorry,
Farron notices the woman, but mostly because of her affect on the other men in the group. She *is* pleasant enough on the eyes, but really nothing to drop one's guard over. In fact, he immediately increases his guard as tension in the group rises. He maintains himself ready to cast a spell if the need arises, but holds off for now in the chance the group may learn something before blood starts getting spilled.
He also makes a mental note that the halfling should be discouraged from participating in the more diplomatic phases of future encounters. Maybe he can suggest to Garyth that he try to reign him in a little.