Off to Sleep, Breakfast, Morning Planning
Subject: Re: Fireside Healing
The sound of Mission's humming drifts into Farron's attention and by the time he adds words, Farron has stopped studying his spellbook and started listening, though without looking up. The song is sad and speaks of loneliness and endless travels. It speaks to Farron even more than he would like it too. He knows what loneliness is, and endless travel, too. As the song progresses, Farron finds himself inching closer to a dark and sad place within him that he rarely visits. A place that tells him how alone he is. How "father" and "mother" are just vague images of people killed while he was still very young. How "family", to him, is more a group of wizards he studied with than the aunt and uncle he only briefly knew in Overlook before going to the wizard's college. And now nearly 5 years out of the school, he had rarely seen any of his old classmates until running into Sa'id just a few days ago.
So with Mission's song fading into the night, Farron drifts off to a lonely sleep, his spellbook still on his lap. When he awakes later and goes to bed properly, everyone else is asleep, save Gully who is staring pensively at the fire.
"G'nite" Farron manages to whisper as he lays down on his bedroll. But he is asleep before he even knows if he was heard.
From: Ty
Subject: Black Dreams
Farron is the last to climb into bed. The lodge grows quiet, except for the crackle of the fire, and the occasional sound of a wolf yawning or whining. Surprisingly, the sounds of the great beasts are comforting. It is far easier to sleep knowing that their keen senses will detect an approaching enemy long before it arrives.
Each man is exhausted. Two hard fought battles in as many days have drained them of strength. And not all of the loss is physical. Emotions have run high, and spirits have been sapped. Garyth has had his courage tested twice now, and feels he failed the first test by letting his bloodlust override his sense. He knows he failed the second test.
Rennik has finally brought down Horan, his former friend. Where there should be peace, there is only emptiness. And deep down inside a fear grows, making his belly ache even more than the poisonous belladonna. Will I share Horan's fate? And if I do, will I have the courage to do what Horan could not? Will I end it?
Cadfael turns his back to the party, and curls up to sleep, rage still ringing in his head like the hum of church bells after morning worship. He is almost asleep when the scripture comes to mind, "Let not your head rest filled with hate, lest the light of dawn expose your blackness to Pelor." Cadfael begins to pray, and a few minutes later, falls into a peaceful sleep.
Of all, Mission seems the most troubled. The monk is an odd mix, and difficult to read. His voice and manner are full of songs and jokes, but his shoulders slump with some unseen weight, and when he is lost in thought, his face is full of pain.
When morning comes, the party wakes to find Cadfael still in prayer from his dawn worship and a beatific look on his broad face. From the kitchen come the sounds and smells of cooking. The wolf pack is nowhere to be seen.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Black Dreams
Farron awakes to the smells of cooking and it's all he can do to concentrate on the day's spells, eager as he is for a good meal after the exhausting events of the previous night. Unenthusiastic about stirring up the tensions from the previous night, he keeps his silence, except to return nod of "hello" or "good morning" as required.
He will see to his things, packing them up to be ready to move out, then will search the battle areas to see if anything was overlooked in the darkness. He will continue this until called for the meal, or until someone starts a discussion about their next move.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Black Dreams
Rennik wakes looking remarkably refreshed, if still a bit pale. He spends some time looking at his wounds, which are close to fully healed - though his chest bears the soft pink skin of what will eventually become a large scar. He seeks out Cafael and Farron and thanks them for their healing skills, without which he may not have lasted the night.
"It looks as though I escaped unscathed this time by the grace of Mielikki, and by your efforts. My head is clear and the wound bears no infection. I owe you each a great debt."
Seeking out Gully, Rennik will question him extensively as to the description of the halflings that brought Anileth and the terrain between the inn and Kessel (ranger to ranger). Any insight he can provide into Elise's ultimate destination is requested, as well.
That done, Rennik will return outside and bask in the morning air, taking an assessment of the damage to the inn and how close they came to death. He walks to the pile of burned bones and the halfling's charred body, and sees the remaining discarded equipment that Sa'id hadn't brought inside. A chain shirt, a mace, some tattered clothing.
Picking up the chain shirt, he brushes it off a bit to remove some of the char and ash, but sees it escaped remarkably unharmed. Holding it to his chest, it looks as though it will fit him nicely, though it may be a little tight in spots. (OOC: Yoink!) Hefting the mace, he feels it light and exceedingly well balanced. Taking a few swings, he decides it is certainly the work of a master weaponsmith, though it lacks design or flourish. The halfling mage's equivalent to his own axe... making him wonder what other secrets the mace might hold.
Seeing nothing else of value, Rennik would carry the mace and shirt back to Cadfael.
"Brother Cadfael, the remains of our enemies equip us to fight their friends. This shirt of of mail is of better quality than my studded leather, and will serve me well. This mace," he hands it to Cadfael, "is of exceptional quality, though I have little use for such a weapon. I feel you will use it for better service than its former master." He pauses. "Though I would pray to your god to cleanse it of his taint."
"My axe is plain, and well crafted. Its balance is true and its weight is surprisingly light for its size. (OOC: I need to think of a name for my axe... dangit). It also has hidden power. This halfling carries just such a weapon, far more expensive than his armor or other trinkets. Perhaps it has similar properties?"
He bows a little to Cadfael, then returns inside to get his gear. Cleaning off the chain shirt as well as he can, he dons that as armor and gives the studded leather to Gully, hoping he can sell it for some money to replace the window Horan destroyed.
Once he has all of his gear, the cat pelt contrasting more with the gray and silver mail than it did with the brown leather, he will again leave the inn and see if the rest of the group is ready to plan their strategy for the day.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Black Dreams
No rest for the weary, as the saying goes. Mission rubs his eyes in the pre-dawn dimness. His body is healed somewhat from the battle, but his heart aches. How far has she moved from him? How far away is Promise?
His hands and feet itch for the road. To calm himself, Mission goes outside to exercise. The simple stretches and movements ease the tension from his muscles, and while his mind continues to whir, it is ordered. Mission moves from Simple Walk to Vigorous Run, and the movements become more complex-- complex enough that he must forgo thinking about his current problems to make each movement with precision. By the time he opens into the Dance of Heart's Blood, he is in a state of deep meditation, working off the anxiety in his mind, making his feet solid on the Path of Stone and Blood.
When he finishes, Mission approaches Gully. "Do you have any maps of the area? Anything of the interior of the island, especially toward the great mountain in the center of the island?"
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Black Dreams
OOC:
Ty, how close is everyone to levelling up?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Black Dreams
Rennik catches Gully in the kitchen, putting slices of bacon and slabs of bread on plates. He listens to Rennik's questions while carrying plates out to the great room. As the companions in the room begin to eat, he sits down facing Rennik.
"The halflings were a savage lot, as I remember. They didn't stay the night, nor would they eat indoors. They brought the woman, and once she settled in her room, they bought a side of bacon from me and left. Only one of them did any talking. Not much else to say, they were a rough lot, and I didn't turn my back to any of them."
He then goes on to give Rennik detailed info about the terrain. The next 20 miles or so will be gradually thickening rain forest. After that, the next 40 miles to the base of Kessel is jungle. The jungle is dangerous, and home to a lot of creatures, according to him. The jungle also climbs the slope of Kessel for about a quarter mile, then dies out quickly once the air gets cold. On the slopes of Kessel, it is mostly snow and rock, and it is very steep.
"You know, I don't think that Elise knew exactly WHERE she was going. I overheard one of her men speak to the halfling leader, and ask for what sounded like directions. If I remember correctly, I think the halfling mentioned something about an 'underground trail'. Seems he said they'd find it near the 'marker', whatever that is."
Just as he is finishing up, Mission comes in, looking sweaty and red faced. He grabs a plate and sits down near Gully and Rennik and asks about maps of the interior.
"Sadly, I don't have any, sir. Though a good map of the interior would be worth its weight in gold, no doubt. Nobody goes in there if they can help it. What little I know is from my few excursions to Kessel, and more than once they nearly claimed my life. I've stopped taking hunting groups to the mountain for that very reason. No amount of coin is worth being eaten by one of the big jungle lizards, and no mistake."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Black Dreams
Farron listens to the conversation around breakfast and his interest is peaked at the mention of maps. He certainly knows the value of a good map, but also isn't surprised that there isn't one available. He does make note of the "worth its weight in gold" comment and decides to take careful notes during their trip. Could bring in some extra cash, after all, --that is, if they survive the trip. And after last night's events, that's hardly a sure thing.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Black Dreams
Rennik has a good laugh at the "worth its weight in gold" line.
"Really? And just how much do you think a map weighs?"
After his chuckling subsides a bit, he'll continue to Mission and Farron.
"My map making skills are not worthy of such a lofty price, surely. I do know a fair amount about the tribal layout of the interior, and have some sense of where we are and where we're headed. Gully's words have given me a better picture still. I will scratch a rough map to use as a guideline, in case we should ever become separated, or I should die."
He says the last with a lightness unexpected after yesterday's events, but the morning seems to have given Rennik renewed vigor.
"If someone could spare a bit of paper?"
(OOC: I know Ty is working on creating this rough map for me, but I don't know when it'll be ready. Just know that it's very rough and is forthcoming. Rennik has a decent sense of place, but nothing as accurate as miles or the like. Number of days' journey at best, and mostly major natural features... with settlements of halflings and humans marked. He's never put it on paper, before, but his elder kin have scratched parts of it out in dirt with sticks from time to time.)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Black Dreams
Garyth strokes his chin idly. "Hmmm... An underground trail... A cave, perhaps?" He thinks about it some more. "Our enemies would probably not want to advertise their presence, so the entrance to such a cave would be hidden. But if the people who are meant to find it don't know where it is, it would need to be obvious to anyone who knew what they were looking for."
He looks up at Rennik. "Do you think there is any chance of being able to track Elise from here?"
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Black Dreams
"I'd have to take a look before I could say for sure. But she has not yet cared to cover her tracks, and I don't think she cares if we overtake her. She is arrogant. She thinks we are not worth her notice. Also, as the rain forest turns to jungle, it will be easier to find her trail. She can not pass through the dense plant-life without leaving a pretty obvious path."
Rennik pauses as a wry smile comes to his face.
"She may even leave a few more dead companions in her wake. The longer we follow, the easier our job becomes. This time I will be sure to allow someone else to question the captive."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Black Dreams
On waking, Sa'id finds himself feeling considerably better than when he fell asleep, though his shoulder is very stiff and he decides to leave it in the sling for now. He awkwardly packs up his gear and spends a few moments outside facing the sun before sitting down to break his fast with the party. He doesn't say much, though he seems cheery enough, and he takes care to feed Aldon some of his breakfast. The small green viper then slithers back into his robes.
Just then, Rennik guffaws, "Really? And just how much do you think a map weighs?"
Sa'id grins. "There is a way to discover that, you know. If you drop your map in a pool of water and measure the rise in level, the calculations actually are quite simple." He fumbles about in his pack for a moment before nabbing one of his scroll cases, opening it, and handing a blank sheet of paper to Rennik. "I have some writing implements if you do not," he adds.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Black Dreams
Long after the fireside conversation had dwindled to a close Cadfael remained by the fire, blanketed in rage and moving only to toss some more wood on the flames. As each member of the party nodded off he fell deeper and deeper within himself, not even trying to find the source of his anger, it had grown too huge and he was lost in it. Lost so far in himself that he did not seem to even hear the harsh words that were spoken of him nor rose his head to defend Pelor. Then, as the night becomes darkest, words of scripture come unbidden to his mind.
With a deep sense of shame he prays for forgiveness and for guidance. The anger that once filled him was gone from his soul as if it HAD suddenly caught fire and burned away in an instant. Leaving behind nothing but the ashes of guilt, while he still believed himself to be right, he knows he handled himself poorly. These men are his brothers and while he may feel they were wrong he knows one cannot guide with the heat of flame, but only by its light.
When the party wakes they find him in prayer, kneeling before the hearth. But, there is a certain peace to him this morning and they do not wish to disturb him. It seems he does not pray out of urgency, need, anger or forgiveness, but rather for pleasure. There is an air of contentedness about him, a feeling that has not clothed him since meeting him in Overlook.
When Rennik enters with mail and mace in tow Cadfael rises, as if he knows the Halfling approaches him.
"My thanks, Brother, although my own mace is as fine a weapon as I could want. I'm sure you've noticed that I'm not at home in combat and such a weapon would be wasted upon me. But perhaps someone else in the party could put it to use? I'm sure Garyth would welcome it, should we be beset by skeletons again. He has a gift for fighting with a big stick, but perhaps a mace would be more effective?"
"You are right; of course, the taint of evil may coat it. As well as that armour that seems to have caught your eye. If you do not mind waiting until after breakfast, I'll sit down and take a closer look at them then. And, Brother, I am sorry for the harsh words I had for you yesterday. It was not my place to speak so, and you could not know what blessings Pelor has given me. But, in the future, know that He can guide your blade and shield your body. If you can tell me when you need His aid, I will give it. But if I do not know where you are nor what you face I am useless."
From: Ty
Subject: hitting the trail
Now that everyone is awake, what is the party's plan?
I'll get the map to you as soon as possible, but in the meantime, what is your next move? Mike and Matt discussed tracking Elise from here, is that the next step?
Also, keep in mind that Gully has supplies that he can sell, if you suddenly see a need for something. Say, a healer's kit. :)
Please check in with the next move, or with conversation regarding where to go from here. In the meantime, I'll get that map finished up.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: hitting the trail
Mission will buy, or make sure he has something like the following in his pack:
Tinderbox and striker
3 healer's kits
Rope
Can anyone think of anything else we may need in a rainforest? Bug repellent?
How much money do we have?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: hitting the trail
I think I said once before, but I'll repeat in case I forgot.
Since you are traveling, you have brought only minimal traveling funds. The equivalent of 10gp in various denominations. Any other wealth you might have has been left in town.