Open Sky, Stopping for the Night
Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods
IC: Melani starts at Rennik's comments and looks a bit abashed. "As you wish. We will go when your comrades have resupplied. Meet me in the clearing." As she leaves, Rennik might hear a comment or two about Dwarves and Chorrdath women coming from under Melani's breath.
She goes to the clearing to await the party. She did leave her pack with Cadfael.
Mark
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods
Farron has remained silent ever since entering the halfling village. He is ever so glad of a moment to rest, and the feeling of security (even if a false sense) of being among allies is an amazing relief after the events of the past days. He looks surprised when the scout reveals herself to be a woman, but after having followed Rennik through the jungle these past days, he is happy to have a second member of the group with wilderness knowledge.
He will follow wherever the group decides to go.
From: Ty
Subject: The Chase; Open sky
Nukaru is as good as his word. As soon as the group has left the longhouse, halflings are there to restock their food supplies and water skins. A gruff old halfling man even hands Rennik a skin of harsh halfling beer, saying only, "For the road, hunter," and then winking before he stalks off.
Mission tries to barter his good for milk and a carrying sling, but the halfling women just smile and shake their heads, and then load him down with milk skins, a finely made sling for promise, and a bundle of wraps and shirts for the boy. Their cheerful generosity finally breaks his reserve, and his eyes are watery as he thanks each and every one of them. He hands his hammer and pitons to one of their men, and says, "A gift, as thanks to your people." The man smiles and takes the items gratefully enough. It seems that there is a culture of gift giving here, that is very different from that of humans. Gifts are given and received openly, with no apparent expectation of needing to pay back the value. And so Promise will travel the last leg of his journey to Nesalin with warm clothes and fresh wraps for his backside, and a full stomach from the milk skins. Stone guard your path, he thinks quietly.
Once everyone has finished re-supplying themselves, they gather to head south again. Nukaru grips Rennik by the forearm once and says, "If we both live, I would like for you to come sit by my fire and tell me this tale. Forest guide your path, warrior." Then he turns and accompanies his captains back into the longhouse, no doubt to finalize plans for the war that begins tomorrow.
Melani rejoins the party a few hundred yards from the village, and heads off at a very brisk pace through the woods. She does seem to know her way, and the party is able to make excellent time following the path she chooses. Rennik is particularly impressed by her ability to move at a swift pace without making a sound. Even ten feet behind her, his sharp halfling ears almost never pick up the sound of her footsteps. She must indeed be a good scout. If she chose to move carefully, she would be a ghost.
Just after noon, the party reaches the edge of the woods. For the first time in days, they stand in the open with the sun shining down on them. Rennik and Melani don't seem to notice, but for those not raised in deep forest, there is a subtle claustrophobia that sets in when there is never an open look at the sky. Farron says, "I believe I can even smell the ocean from here." There is a look approaching bliss on his face.
Melani scowls and says, "We will not go to the ocean. If we intend to miss Overlook, then we must travel inland and stay close to the forest." Farron turns to her as if to explain, then sees Sa'id grinning at him. He just shrugs and says, "Even as you say, scout."
After a quick lunch on the food the halflings gave, the group heads off west along the forest rim. Again, Melani sets a hard pace, but seems to always find the easiest route. She does indeed seem to know this area as well as she boasted. By nightfall, the party has made excellent progress. Melani stops near a small stream coming out of the woods and says, "This is a good place to stop for the night." She looks to Rennik for approval, and he nods. She then tells the group, "We will pass by the road to Overlook late the day after tomorrow. We don't know where the nameless army is, so we will have to be careful then. But tomorrow we should be able to move very quickly."
[stopping for the night. Check in please, or converse if you wish.]
From: Mark
Subject: Group questions
Ok I am a bit new at this.
Can we assume that Cadfael will heal any who need it before we sleep?
Do we want the three spell casters to try and get a good nights sleep, for a change? I think that with Melani, Rennik, Garyth and Mission we would have enough people to stand watch, maybe even a couple at a time.
How much of the back story would Melani know by now? Most of it?
Sorry if I am asking a bunch of questions, but I don't want you all to die now. :)
Mark
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Group questions
Rennik grips Nukaru's arm.
"Thank you, Kal'tenn, for your kindness in this dark time. May you fight as the Great Mongoose against the snake coiled around the heart of this island. If I can, I will return to fight by your side against the darkness. We will sing tales of victory and drink to the passing of friends gone."
He watches Nukaru stride off and take command of his people, admiring his force of will.
Following Melani through the forest, Rennik understands how she became Reth'tenn of her tribe. She was incredibly skilled in the wilds, and likely just as good with her bow. At close range, she wouldn't last long, but he imagines her arrows could hold her attackers at bay well enough.
When they stop to eat, Rennik marks that they have made remarkable time. At this rate, they should be safe at Nesalin well before the minions of the dark god could catch them. And after that...? Rennik had done his part, taking them through the wilderness to safety. He had risked his life to save a child he didn't know, and if they made it to Nesalin, his task was complete.
His place was in the forest, fighting the armies of the dark god and defending his people. His place was inflicting vengeance upon those who steal the souls of his kinsmen and tribesmen. His place was destroying the devilboar responsible for the death of his bethrothed and his best friend, striking yet another blow against the forces of darkness.
The more he thought about it as he walked, the more he considered Nesalin an end to his fellowship with these humans, and a time to resume the struggles of his people. Perhaps this Melani would feel the same, and they could strike together against the leaders of the dark forces... the red haired shebitch, the devilspawn witch, the Brute, and the others. Without their captains, there would be disorder... perhaps...
Once they have settled down, Rennik will address Melani.
"You are more than skilled, Reth'tenn. You are gifted with the agility of the Great Mongoose and the grace of Mielikki..." He inclines his head toward her. "But there is a fire in you. I see flickers in your eyes that I have only ever seen in my own reflection in still waters. You have lost much, and the burning need for vengeance threatens to consume you."
"If it is not too painful, would you speak of this? What made you abandon your home and your tribe to guide a warrior of the Chorrdath and a band of humans away from your home while your kinfolk are under threat? If you do not wish to speak of this, I will tell you of my own pain and driving fire, so that you know the burden you share is not yours alone."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Group questions
D'oh! Meant to reply to the other one. Now the reply line is all screwy.
As for Cadfael, he hasn't touched Rennik since he roasted Garth.
As for the spellcasters, Rennik don't know squat about their needs. He assumes Farron's calling is a gift, though he doesn't understand his other powers. He still thinks Sa'id is a walking dead man, so that's a whole other issue. Them getting enough rest is the farthest thing from his mind.
As for back story, I'd assume you'd know everything Rennik told Nukaru, and whatever your own backstory is. Rennik certainly hasn't divulged anything else yet, no one else has responded about camp chatter. So, pretty much in the dark, I'd imagine.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Group questions
We've typically been doing a three-person rotation for the watch: Rennik, Mission, and Garyth, in no particular order. If Melani wants to take a shift, we could either rotate one person out--probably Mission, so he can pay attention to his son--or switch to a four-person rotation. Garyth would be fine with either plan.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Group questions
IC:
"What would you know, Chorrdath? Several weeks ago while I was out and about in the forest we Kalama call home, I found traces of the Nameles ones. Nothing obvious, but small signs. I was sure what they were, but our elders did not agree. They were sure that the Nameless ones were no more. A week ago my brother was out with his hunting party. When they did not return on time, I went out to find them. I never did find them, but I found where they had been attacked." She holds up her short bow. 'This was his hunting bow. It has been in our family for generations. The spirits of our ancestors are in it. He would never abandon it. I found it laying on the ground amid signs of a large fight. No bodies were found, either of the hunting party or those who attacked. However I found crude weapons and other items that were not of the Kalama or the Logi or the Chorrdath. They were of no group I have ever met. When I reported to the elders what I found, they said that the hunting party must have been ambushed by some unknown group."
"My hope was that my brother was still alive. Now with the story you have told me I know he is dead. Or at least I hope he is. I fear he may be worse than dead. If somehow I can help you in your quest, somehow maybe I can free the spirit of my brother." At this point, Melani stops talking for while, staring into the night.
" I loved my brother. When I showed interest in hunting and scouting he encouraged me. He showed me how to shot the arrow and sling the stone so that I could feed myself in the woods. He taught me how to use the knife."
"I miss my brother."
OOC: Ty, if anything I have said goes against any story line let me know.
Mark
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Group questions
Melani is willing to take whatever watch she is told to do. However, she thinks that it would be best for the two rangers to take the watch that might have the most chance of an attack.
mark
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Chase; Open sky
Sa'id follows along with the group in a daze. He is still feels... he doesn't know what he feels, but feeling anything at all is so strange that several times he finds himself stumbling or nearly walking into trees. Translating the halfling speech for the rest of the group gave him something to latch on to, though, helping to ground him more and bring him back to reality.
He is quiet and distant during the goodbyes with the halfings, despite being able to speak and understand their language. It is not long after they set out before he arranges to find himself walking near Cadfael. At first he walks silently by the priest, then begins to speak quietly as they approach what is to become their camp:
"Brother Cadfael, I..." he pauses briefly as Rennik and the others begin to bustle about setting up camp. "...was I dead?" Then, he blurts: "Wait. I'm not even sure I wish to know the answer. But I... I cannot deny that it was the power of your god that has granted me this reprieve." He stays close to the priest as camp is set and a fire is started. "I... wish to know how to give proper thanks to Pelor for the gift of my life. If I rise with the sun tomorrow, can you show me what to do?"
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Chase; Open sky
OOC: Do I hear cleric levels? :-D