Morning Routine, Scroll Translation, A Night-Time Visit, Trading Post
Subject: Re: First Night: The hunt; A much needed rest
His sleep was listless and fitful-- there are no grins from Mission this morning, despite the cheery dawn atmosphere. He is edgy and short with the other party members as they pick over the halfling's camp for anything valuable they may have missed the day before.
Rennick's initial cheeriness grates on his nerves, and it is with a twisted satisfaction that he observes that the wild halfling returns to the camp subdued. Mission bites his lip at his satisfaction-- it is a dark thing to enjoy, even a small bit, the misery of others.
As Cadfael is still praying, Mission slips quietly away into the woods to meditate for a bit. When he returns to the camp, his mood has softened.
He finds himself next to Rennick and says softly, "Never mind the pretty birds, the warm breeze, the dawn-- something dark waits for us out there."
When the party leaves, Mission will take his place behind Cadfael, and will try to remain alert for any attack.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: First Night: The hunt; A much needed rest
Farron awakens and immediately opens his spellbook. After an hour of study, he grabs some breakfast (with a quick "Thanks" to Rennik). With a chatter, he sends Jack off to forage, with instructions to come back quickly if he finds anything amiss.
Basics taken care of, Farron next removes the stack of scrolls from their case and places each one side by side on his bedroll carefully. He retrieves the remaining scroll from Cadfael and places it with the rest. He then walks over to the remains of the fire and takes a pinch of soot from the now cool edge of the fire pit with one hand and a pinch of salt from a small bag he retrieves from the rations. Standing a little away from the group, he begins to mutter a few arcane syllables while, in a complicated motion, rubbing the soot and salt together, producing a whisp of smoke into which he leans forward and inhales. (Casts Comprehend Languages). Immediately, he returns to the laid out scrolls and begins studying them.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: First Night: The hunt; A much needed rest
As Farron begins to study the scrolls anew, Sa'id moves to crouch near the other wizard, awaiting any new information with interest.
From: Raja
Subject: Drat and double drat!
I'm STILL not getting into the habit of replacing the reply-to addresses with only game@sakeriver.com. Sorry, guys :( I'll keep trying to condition myself to do it :-P
From: Dan
Subject: Re: First Night: The hunt; A much needed rest
When Cadfael has finished his prayers for the morning he quietly gathers his things, a content smile on his face. Once he's done he'll just lean up against a tree, somewhere that's still fairly well let, close his eyes and enjoy the morning.
From: Ty
Subject: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings
Rennik and Garyth are now both fully healed.
Let me know if there are any other conversations or preparations before the party heads out. If not, I will write the next turn in about an hour or so.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings
I'd just like to know what Farron was able to discern from the scrolls. Other than that, I'm ready. :)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings
Garyth wakens slowly, shaking off sleep heavily. But, before long he is up and about. He stows his gear and slings his pack, ready to move out.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings
Having cast his spell, Farron begins reading the first of the scrolls. He doesn't get far before he starts to look very uneasy. After a few minutes, he even begins holding his head in more than a little discomfort. He turns away from the scrolls and spends several minutes hunched over, eyes closed, shaking his head as if trying to concentrate amid incessant screaming. After a few minutes, some measure of peace returns to his face and some minutes later, he is again able to speak to the group.
"Truthfully, I could not read even one scroll in its entirety, nor will I try again. What I was able to determine is what I have suspected all along. The scrolls are contracts, signed in blood, wherein each of the halflings has given his allegiance and his soul to a being named "Kor Garesh" in exchage for certain "gifts". What exactly these gifts are, I could not make out, but the power of the gift is somehow tied to the power of the signer.
"The language of the scrolls is one of the Devil Tongues, used among the beings of the fiendish planes. Be glad that you cannot read it, for the very characters it uses seem to writhe in agony as they are read.
"I know that we must leave, and I appologize for the delay, but I need a few minutes alone before I can go further."
With that, he walks down to the stream, strips off his robes and kneels amid stream and splashed himself with the frigid water. The shock as the cold water hits his body drives the memory of the twisting agonized text from his head and he returns to the group some minutes later invigorated and refreshed. He quickly packs up and is ready to hit the trail.
From: Ty
Subject: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings 2
Farron's information about the scrolls is what all have suspected, but to have it verified beyond doubt casts a shadow over the party. Why would these men give their souls to such a being? If Rennik is correct, perhaps the Murrkat's were already such savages that this contract only codified their allegiances. But his kinsman, the Logi tribesman. Why would such a person sign over his life? What 'gift' could possibly be worth this price?
As the party heads out, Rennik stops about 40 feet or so out on the path and turns to the group, looking as though he's trying to make a decision within himself. Nodding his head a bit, he looks up at the others.
"There is something you need to see."
Leading the group a small ways off the trail, he points out a stick that appears to have been left sandwiched between two largish flat stones. The stick is pointing directly at the camp.
"Horan and I would play at this when we were young and foolish. We would sneak up on hunting parties and human warrior camps at night to see how close we could get without being seen. Then we would leave a mark, just like these rocks."
He waits a moment for the reality of that to sink.
"Horan was at most at home in the woods. His cursed years seem to have honed his skills, some. We must be more cautious."
With that, he walks back to the trail and moves off ahead, seemingly preoccupied. His axe is in his hands as he tracks the pair of footprints through the underbrush.
The party sets out again, and it seems only too fitting when, an hour after they begin, a massive thunderhead rolls in and begins drenching them. Rennik curses, because the heavy rains wipe away the tracks he follows. He decides to just keep heading due east, and hope he finds a new trail. Sometime after lunch, the original trail you had taken crosses your path. Rennik shrugs and begins following that trail. "If Elise and Horan go to the same place, then one track is as good as another."
As the afternoon wears on, Farron and Sa'id begin to see why horses are not taken to the interior of the island. Ground is getting increasingly soft, and the vegetation thicker and thicker as you progress. The trees are short, and thick, and covered with slimy moss. And ferns and other low undergrowth grow thick here. If it gets much thicker than this, horse travel would be impossible.
Just as evening falls, the rain begins to let up, and the party begins to think of finding the driest place to camp. While you trudge on, looking for tree covered high ground, Garyth points off into the distance. "Is that a house?"
The party moves forward cautiously, and sees what looks like a large log cabin, with an even larger outbuilding, possibly a barn. There are also several small storage sheds scattered about. One of the sheds is giving off great quantities of smoke, and smells like cooking meat. Rennik says, "It's a trading post. The Halflings and humans trade furs and metal tools, among other things. There are dozens of these little posts all around the interior. They often rent rooms to travelers as well. The big building is probably a barn, and the little sheds are smoke houses and tanning sheds."
(The next turn will be your reactions to this place, and what you want to do about it.)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings 2
For what seems like the hundredth time today, Garyth wipes the rain off his face with the back of his hand. He narrows his eyes as he regards the small collection of buildings. His first impulse is, of course, to dry off and get a good meal. But Rennik's words are still fresh in his mind; he must master his headstrong nature. He scans the buildings, looking to see if he can spot anything amiss.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings 2
Garyth can see nothing amiss. The act of smoking meat is so extremely mundane and domestic, that he can't imagine the soulless devil spawn ever doing it.
While he watches, a very large white dog comes around from the back of the house, and begins trotting towards the party.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings 2
Mission winks at Cadfael, and says to Rennick, "Remember, now, Rennick: Garyth is to do the parlaying. This beast looks a bit more ready to chew us up than was our Leggy Dame, so you mind your tongue. And his as well-- gah, look at that drool!"
A sturdy roof and a good set of walls-- Mission is ready to turn in.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings 2
"Just the same," Rennik replies to Mission, "I'd prefer if he covers his rank insignia with his cloak until we know a little more about this trader. Elise may have been headed here as her next stop. She may even still be here."
"Still, I am a halfling with nothing to trade, so I may not get the warmest welcome. Many of these traders think we all sleep hanging by our toes from trees. I think it best if I stay outside and take a look around while you 'parley'. Maybe I can see if Elise or anyone else left any trace of their stay. If all goes well, I'll be right outside. If not, give a shout... and if you can't do that, knock something heavy over."
Rennik grins at that. His body language indicates that he's not overeager to get a look at this trader.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings 2
Just as Rennik finishes speaking, the large white dog trots up to the party. Up close, you realize that it is not a *large dog*, but is in fact an *enormous wolf*. Its fur is a brilliant white, and its shoulder is waist high on Mission, who stands six three. It must easily mass 200 pounds or more. And yet, for all its ferocious appearance, it seems quite friendly. It jogs over to Garyth first, sniffing his chest and crotch, then moves on to Rennik, taking a quick sniff of his head. It will move through the party greeting each member in this way. While it does this, you each look at each other nervously, but it shows no sign of aggression, and you don't want to anger the trader by killing his dog. You are glad you showed this restraint. When the wolf has sniffed everyone, it trots off back to the house, and three more of the huge wolves pop out of the woods around you and chase the first to the back of the lodge, snapping and playing like gigantic puppies.
Rennik says in a whisper, "Winter wolves. I've seen pelts, but never a live one. They live high up the slopes of Kessel, and their skins bring a fortune in the cities. Very few will risk hunting them."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings 2
"I ... I see," stammers Sa'id. He doesn't speak further, and he glances about furtively to ensure no large dogs or enormous wolves are sneaking up on him.
(OOC: Sa'id doesn't have any input as far as what we should do next. He'll go along with the group decision.)
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings 2
"Well then," says Cadfael, shouldering his pack, "their animals seem friendly enough. I know I could certainly use a warm fire and some food after a hard day of travelling. I say we head on up and see what there is to see."
Unless someone tries to stop him, Cadfael will hike on up to the house.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings 2
A bit tired of the rain and the hike himself, Farron glances at the group once, then shrugs and heads off after Cadfael.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings 2
"Garyth, if this man has Winter Wolves, he will know something of Mt. Kessel. He may know the Murrkat, and something of this black pillar."
He slips his axe back into the sheath under his pack and sets off toward the house.
"Still, I will stay outside. I'd like to get a look at that barn."
(OOC: If the wolves get uppity, Rennik will back away from the barn, but he'll try to calm them using Wild Empathy/Animal Empathy. If he can make nicey nice enough, he'll try to get a good snoop of the place - especially looking for traces of recent visitors... if worse comes to worse, he can always climb up the barn a bit to get out of the wolves' reach)
From: Ty
Subject: The Second Day: The hunt; Strange meetings 3
As Rennik heads cautiously to the barn, the rest of the party moves to the lodge. It is difficult not to run. You have had a full day of being soaked, eaten a soggy lunch, and now are only steps away from (hopefully) a warm bed and a hot meal.
The front door of the lodge has a large sign that says, WELCOME FRIENDS, which seems very promising. Garyth looks at the party, shrugs, and pushes the door open. A gust of warm air comes out, accompanied by the smells of spicy stew. That is all it takes, and the party is pushing inside as fast as you can. The inside of the lodge is roomy, with a roaring fireplace at one end, and a large table. On the walls hang a wide variety of things one might need here in the wilds, and over the fire is a black pot, probably the current home of the wonderful cooking smells.
What appear to be rolled up white rugs at first, turn out to be four of the massive winter wolves. They look up from their napping places and yawn, but make no move to get up. A few seconds later, an equally large man with a leather apron and a big grin on his face comes in from a back room.
"Ah, my customers arrive!" He says in a booming voice. "Cutter warned me you'd be along. Nasty day, wasn't it? Got a nice stew cooking. Staying for dinner? Got a few beds too, if you want em, and enough ale to make em comfortable, eh!" Apparently, he finds this very funny and laughs loudly for several seconds.
(What do you five want to do?)