Setting Out
Subject: Setting out
The final supply list was finished by midmorning, and Telwyn brought it to Snylledd.
(ODM: The adventurer's outfits, you wear. As for the healing potions, I gave 5 Cure Light Wounds potions (which cost 250 gp total!) instead of 15 Cure Minor wounds potions. These, also, you would likely carry. Total weight comes out to 237.5 lbs, which is a light load on two mules.)
When the mules are packed and ready, and the group rechecks the inventory to make sure they didn' t miss anything [last chance for free provisions], they inform Snylledd that they are set to embark. Buchek is tied again only around the waist, this time by a single rope only, and escorted by six guards (two armed with glaives, two with longswords and shields, two with longbows).
Ferrac says his goodbyes to Buchek and offers his apologies for the scene at the festival, wishing the party the blessings of Fharlanghan and all good luck. Gurk and Grev are there to see Erk off - Grev solemnly giving a blessing for safety and wisdom, and Gurk showing a rare moment of sentimentality as he grips Erk in a great bear hug and tells him to take care of himself.
Gurk bows low to Kayla as well, thanking her for gracing his tavern with her talents and offering a room any time she wishes to return - but there is sadness in his eyes as he says it, belying the fact that he has accepted that she will likely not return.
Bernin's farewell to Bermid is very formal, wishing good fortune and great glory, but his straightforward words are betrayed by the worry and concern written on his face. He specifically avoids the eyes of Buchek and Holn, but wishes the group success in their endeavor.
Finally, Manuuv, the priest of St. Cuthbert, steps weakly forward to Erk. Putting his hand on the dwarf's shoulder, he silently prays to his god. Then, looking up, he whispers, "Please... save my son," and then walks feably off toward his temple.
Walking from Segreda, the travelers follow the East Road, a narrow swath cut through the "short" waist high grasses between the city and the outpost of Caro. They pass one or two carts heading in the opposite direction, and several small cartpaths leading out from the main road to farmhouses in the distance.
Late in the afternoon, they see the stone tower that marks the outpost and arrive as the sun is setting behind them, casting the tower in a blaze of orange and reflecting light from the surface of the river it rests upon.
(attached is a map. The gray square to the left of the path is the tower, it's two stories tall and made of gray stone. The brown shape across from it is a tavern. The other small squares and rectangles along the wall are blacksmith, armorsmith, weaponsmith shops, the temple to Fharlanghan, and barracks.
The guards will stay very close to Buchek until they get him across the river on the other side of the wall the following morning, at which point they will release him and he won't be allowed to return.
I'm also sending out a couple of private emails.)
Silver-Haired Elf, Buchek On A Short Leash
Subject: Re: Setting out
[OOC--The map doesn't seem to have come through, at least to me]
Along the way, Buchek will have been making friends with Telwyn's wolf, if the wolf (and Telwyn) seem at all open to this, and with Holn's cat (again, assuming that the cat and Holn are okay with this--I don't quite know how familiars would act toward other people).
As they approach the tower, Buchek nudges Telwyn with his elbow, nodding toward the tavern. "there may be trouble. That elf took our measure, and didn't like what he saw."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Setting out
Erk says, ?I too saw the elf, and he had an ill look to him. Now, elves are a surly and untrustworthy race even at the best of times, but this one looked even more suspicious air than most. We should be careful.? As he says this, he pointedly reaches down to his belt and loosens one of his throwing axes for quick retrieval.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Setting out
Telwyn watches the goodbyes impassively; he made his farewells a while ago and is eager to get underway. As the party passes through the gate onto the East Road, he feels a slight tension unwind from his shoulders, and he begins to loosen up. It's nice to be out in the open again.
At first Liwanu stays close by Telwyn, but after a time his curiosity comes out, and he checks out the other party members. Several times Telwyn has to call him back, as the pack mules become more than a bit skittish when the wolf approaches. When Buchek approaches Liwanu, he is at first a bit standoffish. Eventually he warms to the tribesman, though, and Telwyn smiles at the wolf's playful good mood.
The party has scarcely reached the outpost when Buchek, and then Erk, make their comments. At first Telwyn is a bit confused, not having seen any elf. Erk's remark, though, draws a quick askance look from Telwyn; does the dwarf have no idea who he's talking to? Still, if someone has sized them up, that may be significant. Telwyn looks over toward the tavern to see what he can see.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Setting out
[OOC-Am I correct in thinking that at this point Buchek is still tied up?
By the way, were we sent a final party inventory? I didn't see anything of the sort, but I'm not sure that attachments are making it through to me. If not, should we just assume that everything on Mike's list from last week is on there?]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Setting out
Erk is watching Telwyn, and when he catches the look, gives him a mischievous grin. It is clear he expected such a reaction, and was goading a bit.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Setting out
Buchek watches Erk and Telwyn's non-verbal exchange without comment. After a moment he says "if the elf means us harm, we'll do ourselves no favors by giving him time", and heads toward the tavern.
From: Erik
Subject: The Silver Haired Elf
Holn approaches the elf, smiling.
"I couldn't help but notice your concern, sir. Is there something wrong?" he asks.
From: Clara
Subject: Kayla's response to elf
Kayla, completely confused at the exchanges, watches Buchek start for the tavern. She thinks to herself, "I'm not followin' him right yet."
She starts to ask what is happening, and decides against it. "I'll just watch, for now."
From: Matt
Subject: Caro 1; Silver Hair
The look from the elf was so fleeting that most of the assembly was oblivious to it. By the time Buchek and Erk begin to make their comments, the elf has already passed into the tavern (the inn, really, but there's a tavern sign hanging over the door) and disappeared. (So, I'm going to ignore Holn's comment at this point, since it would require him walking down the street aways and into the inn, etc.)
As Buchek moves toward the tavern door, he feels his movement checked by the rope around his waist, and subsequently feels his anger rise quickly.
"Not so fast, you!" The guard holding the rope pulls it fast, stopping Buchek in his tracks and causing the other guards to stir. "You sleep in the guardhouse tonight. Only after we cross the river are you free to go."
Tension in the air rises between them, and Liwanu even stands beside Buchek and growls softly in his throat back at the guard. The man backs off a bit, but still holds the rope firm. The other guards aren't sure what to do about the wolf, while still keeping their prisoner in check. The one with the rope speaks to Telwyn.
"These are the rules, as you were told. We don't want trouble. He is in *our* charge until you cross the river. Until then, you may stay at the inn, but he stays with us. Now, if you'll please call off your wolf - we have no desire to defend ourselves against it."
He glances to Bermid and then to Telwyn, though keeping his eyes focused mainly on Buchek.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Caro 1; Silver Hair
Just some technical things.
Yes, Buchek is tied. But only around the waist, not his hands. His weapons are still peacebound.
Here's a written description of the scene.
You've just entered the outer portion of town. Ahead of you, about fifty yards away, are two buildings directly across the path from one another. The one on the left is a stone tower, two stories high, which appears to be the guardhouse the guards mentioned. The one on the right is a tavern/inn type structure, but far less obvious than those in Segreda. It almost looks like a longhouse with a stable and an old tavern sign hanging above the door.
Beyond these two buildings lie several small wooden structures, which appear to be craftsman's shops (from the smoke issueing from some, there are a few smithies), and barracks. Beyond these is a wall made of sturdy tree trunks set side by side. The wall is broken where the path meets it, revealing a bridge over a river (some fifty feet across, but slow and shallow-looking).
The whole outpost town is only maybe 80 yards from where you stand to the other side, and beyond the bridge you can see the sun reflecting off the grass. The grass is cut very short for some ways away from the bridge, and there are guardhouses on the other side, but after some ways, it increases in depth and the path becomes very narrow through it.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Caro 1; Silver Hair
Telwyn pauses for a moment, regarding the man skeptically. But there's nothing to be gained by a fight right now, so, giving Buchek an apologetic glance, he motions for Liwanu to come to him.
Telwyn turns back to the guard and speaks softly. "If I remember right, Buchek was to be taken here, at which point he would be turned over to us." He shrugs, his expression leaving no question of his opinion of the guards. "I hope you'll have room for one more in your guardhouse tonight." He looks down at Liwanu, who, though silent, is still far from calm. "Make that two more," Telwyn says with a smirk. With that, he turns and heads toward the inn, looking for this elf.
From: Erik
Subject: The Silverhaired Elf
Holn will follow Telwyn after the elf. Fancek Fa will follow Holn.
The End of the World Inn, Bardic Temple, Raiders of the Last Outpost?
Subject: Re: Caro 1; Silver Hair
Telwyn's words take Buchek completely by surprise, wiping his blood clean of the rage that had boiled into it at the guard's yank on the rope around Buchek's waist. He'd felt relieved to see his old friend Holn again, but at Telwyn's words, for the first time since waking up in his grave site in the Tall Grass, he didn't feel alone.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Caro 1; Silver Hair
(remember to delete out the extra email addies, so you only send to cowgame, please)
So, Buchek's going with the guards to the guardhouse. Holn and Telwyn are headed to the inn/tavern. Kayla and Erk? What are you guys doing at present?
Once everyone checks in with an action, I'll send out the next round. I won't be home until 4:30 or so, but I'm going to really try to get a turn in before Jake has to leave work. (that's 5, right?)
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Caro 1; Silver Hair
Yeah, sorry about that. I realized that I had forgotten to delete out your addresses at pretty much the same instant that I clicked the "send" button.
I'm actually going to be leaving at 4:00 today, unfortunately. Ususally I get off at 5, but today I'm taking off early to go and look at duplexes/triplexes/quadplexes (we're going to be buying something, but we haven't decided which yet.)
So, no need to rush on my account.
From: Clara
Subject: next...
Kayla watches Holn and Telwyn begin to head toward the Inn.
She turns to Erk, "I've heard there's a Bardic Temple, here. I've got to pay my respects. See you later?"
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 1; Silver Hair
Erk nods absently as Kayla walks away. He will keep an eye on the others going to the inn, but remains outside with the gear.
From: Matt
Subject: Caro 2; Splitting up
Telwyn and Holn walk purposefully toward the tavern, noticing just how few people there are walking the streets. At the door, they hear men's voices, joking and talking. Telwyn judges their number to be above ten, but not so many as twenty. Holn pushes open the door and Liwanu noses past both of them into the room, stopping just inside the doorway.
Some of the conversation stops as the gray wolf makes his entrance, but resumes just as quickly once Telwyn follows his wolf's lead. Holn follows with Fancek Fa, and some of the men note the strangeness of the pair and their animal companions.
It seems as though the tavern is filled with off-duty guards, all sharing ales in small groups at different tables. There is a bar along the left wall with a portly, balding human bartender wiping mugs and laughing with the men at a nearby table. Overall, the inn is dimly lit and smoky, between the recently lit candles and the smell of pipe tobacco. Simple, yet sturdy, it does not boast the comfortable feel of the Singing Anvil.
In the back corner, alone at a table, sits the silver haired elf, who takes note of their entrance. As Telwyn takes a step toward his table, the bartender calls out, "Good evening, young sits! Welcome to the End of the World Inn! What can I get you?"
...
Kayla wanders off from the group looking for the temple to Fharlanghan, also noticing the lack of people on the streets. As she enters the town, she realizes this is far more outpost than village, and the structures seem very spartan and sparse. It looked as though only guards, scouts and cratsmen lived there. She passed an open courtyard that looked as though it could be used as an open market, but assumed the farmers were all still in Segreda at the festival.
She sees the temple in the distance, a small wooden building with the god's symbol carved into the door, a disc with a horizontal line topped with a sideways crescent, points down. The wayfarer's shrine was empty, as though it were deserted, though near the door were provisions for any traveler who needed a place in from the elements. She wandered if Minnalin Lasarek spent his time here, or if he stayed at the inn... Walking further into the temple, Kayla notices a young man polishing a set of bell chimes off to the side of the temple, but he doesn't yet notice her.
...
Erk stays with the mules and notices Bermid call the stable-hand's attention. The dwarf and the man walk with the boy, taking the mules to be unsaddled and brushed. Bermid speaks with the boy as though he were a friend, and Erk can see that they've known each other for some time.
Bermid asks Erk's aid in unpacking the provisions and storing them in one of the locked sheds alongside the stable, and the two men begin to unburden the beasts.
...
Buchek mills around waiting for the guards, who seem to be taking a long time to get settled. It seemed as though they had not expected to have to house a prisoner, and were in the process of taking crates and jugs out of a cell they had been using for storage. The men seemed very accommodating to Telwyn's request, as Buchek hears them talk about finding a cot to place alongside the cell.
As he waits, watching the rest of the party drift off, a brief flash of light catches his eye. Not sure where it came from, he looks around, and then sees another brief glint, coming from the section of grassland he can see through the split in the wall. It was only the slightest glimmer, but it was something to draw his attention while the guards sorted themselves.
The third time was different, a few glimmers together, then a pause, and another glimmer. The low whoop of a sedge crane echoed, sending a chill up Buchek's spine. The sedge crane was a morning bird... it was quiet in the evenings. Watching more carefully, he would swear the flashes were mirror communications, catching the setting sun. He had seen the tactic used only once before... by clan raiders.
Surrounded by guardsmen whose captain swore he was a lead scout for a raiding party, Buchek tries to decide what action to take.
Buchek Gives Warning, Kayla and Valni, Erk and Bermid Finish Unloading
Subject: The Inn at the End of the World
Holn smiles quickly at the innkeep. "We'll have a couple of ales, my good man, and please get that gentleman over there," he continues, "another round as well." Fa waits at his feet.
[OOC: Spot check on the silverhaired elf, looking for types of weaponry and possible symbols. Fancek is within arms reach (Awareness).]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Splitting up
Erk is impatient unloading the beasts. He wants to know what is happening with the group in the tavern. As soon as the beasts are unloaded, he will excuse himself and hurry over to the inn.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Splitting up
If there is clear leader among the guards who surround Buchek, Buchek will get his attention. If not, Buchek will grab the arm of the nearest guard. "Did you see that? There are people in the grass", Buchek says, gesturing with his head in the direction of the flashes. If you watch, you can see that they're communicating with mirrors, and if you listen you'll hear that they're signaling each other with bird calls.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Splitting up
Actually, that?s just Erk. He went outside the city gates to ?ease nature? in the tall grass. Damn that shiny armor!
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
Telwyn nods at Holn's order, and examines the elf.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
The elf's silver-grey eyes meet Telwyn's for a moment, but then he blinks and shakes his head, as though trying to clear it. His focus shifts to the pair's animal companions, a faintly puzzled expression crossing his face. He does not, however, rise from his chair; he still seems lost in thought.
From: Matt
Subject: Caro 3; Split Party
(I'm gonna deal with each part of the party here together, rather than try to manage individual emails... you all know enough not to use information your character doesn't actually know)
Kayla's words surprise the young man, and he knocks a mallet over into the hanging chimes, setting off a dissonant clatter. In his shuffle to pick up the mallet, he ends up bashing his shoulder into the hanging chimes and setting off an even louder ringing clatter, causing him to blush a bright crimson.
"H- hi... I'm Valni... an acolyte of Fharlanghan... my master's away in Segreda for some time.. feel free to pay your respects to the Great Traveler at the shrine." He motions Kayla toward the shrine, and she smiles, sending him crimson again.
(As for the "Gather Information, General Knowledge" roll you asked for... you got a 22... and were regaled with how nice the weather has been lately, warming up and all, and how he always liked listening to the birds in spring, and how the squirrels are coming out of the grass again to eat the seed he puts down along the eaves, and how he always liked squirrels, and how he doesn't get out of the temple much... let's try making a more specific Gather Info check next time....)
...
The barkeep sets to work pouring the ales, but looks oddly at the two strangers who have not made any motion to take a seat - either at the bar, or at a table. Did they plan to drink standing?
"Find a table, good sirs, I'll gladly bring your ale to you..."
Holn notices the barkeep pouring the third pint, and scrutinizes the elf more closely. His silver hair is accented by silvery gray eyes, but he wears a simple tunic and boots. He does carry a longsword at his side, though looks in no hurry to draw it. His eyes are a bit sunken, as though he hasn't had enough sleep in several days.
The elf's attention to the animals evokes a quiet whine in Liwanu... a sound Telwyn always associated with uneasiness.
...
Erk finishes unloading the animals and follows Bermid into the inn through a side door. They arrive at the end of a long hallway, with rooms on either side. At the end of the hallway is what Erk guesses is a common room, judging by the jokes and laughing of many voices. The stableboy runs off ahead to announce the visitors.
Erk arrives at the common room to see Telwyn and Holn standing in the center of the room, staring at the gray haired elf in the back corner.
...
The guard eyes Buchek suspiciously.
"What sort of trick is this? None of the expedition party is here, so you wish to confuse us and run off into the grass alone!" The man tightens his hold on Buchek's rope, and the others ready their weapons again.
"Do you not believe me? See for yourself!"
"There may be someone out there... but whether you are warning us of raiders, or sending us into a trap, I cannot tell." He motions to one of the other guards and tells him to check the watchpost on the plains.
"If this is a trick, I will kill you where you stand - Council decree or no."
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Caro 3; Split Party
"It's no trick, but I warn you--strike me and you'll regret it. Better men than you have tried to kill me, vegetable eater, and found themselves fed to the crows for their trouble.
From: Erik
Subject: The Inn at the End of the World
Holn will approach and seat himself at the nearest table to the Elf, waiting for both ales and the Elf's order to arrive.
Kayla Fiddles Before Caro Burns?, Meet Elotai
Subject: Re: Caro 3; Split Party
Kayla stands in a simple temple, looking around her. She is amused at the rambling nature of the young boy, and watches him continue to polish the chimes. "An impressive collection," she thinks to herself, quickly counting the chimes and guessing at their incredible value. "Course t'd be a shame to e'er melt down that silver. Wonder who gave 'em the chimes..."
She notes the unadorned altar and smiles in agreement. "Tha' unadorned block reminds us that music's from within, no amounta eternal beauty'll change skill," she recalls Old Luke, her teacher from Marakea.
"Heyya, I noticed it looks like the acoustics are fit perfect fer playin. D'you mind if I take out my fiddle and play a bit?" she asks the young man.
From: Erik
Subject: Split up.
(OOC: cool subplot with the bard temple. Too bad that bad stuff is going down where we don't know about it....
Yet....)
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Split up.
OOC--What's going on with the Bardic temple? I must have missed some emails. I saw the description of the temple, and saw the results of Kayla's talking to the easily startled acolyte, but I must be missing something.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
Telwyn frowns and looks down at Liwanu, laying a reassuring hand on the wolf's head. When Holn moves to take a seat, Telwyn seems to follow him, but he doesn't stop at Holn's table. Instead, he walks directly over to the elf, Liwanu padding mistrustfully behind, and speaks to him in the elven language that his father taught him.
"I noticed you noticing my friend here." He pats Liwanu. "I'm Telwyn. What brings you to these parts? Not many elves come this way."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
The elf mutters something to himself as Telwyn approaches. He can't make it out clearly, but it sounds something like "spider eyes." The elf looks up at Telwyn. "I am Elotai," he says simply. "I come from the west, but I am bound eastward." Telwyn notices that Elotai's elvish accent differs significantly from his own, but not so much as to make the elf's words incomprehensible. "Animal companions are almost as uncommon as elves in these parts," he adds wryly.
From: Erik
Subject: The Inn at the End of the World
(OOC: Oooh! Something new has been added. Welcome Elotai!)
Holn wonders where his ale is. He casts about the room to observe the other denizens.
(OOC: Holn would wish he was outside with the guards and Buchek, if he knew raiders were about to attack...)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
Telwyn nods. "I suppose they are. We're also headed east." He cocks an eyebrow. "Would you mind telling me why you were checking us out?"
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
Elotai seems a little taken aback by Telwyn's directness. "You matched... Descriptions... I mean, I had heard of a group venturing east, and you matched the descriptions I was given." He looks at Liwanu. "Though it was the animals, mostly."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
(ODM: Just waiting on a reply from Ty to send out the next turn.
As an aside - For the most part, I'll try to run gameplay with some reference to your stats. For instance, Kayla's got a high Charisma and Gather Information scores, so if she attempts to ply a strapping young male for information on a specific topic, he's likely to be chatty. However, Buchek's low Charisma is cause for more standoffishness, brusqueness, and less openness or acceptance.
That said, if you do want me to apply a roll to a certain situation, please make a reference to it, in case I'm dense and don't realize that's what you're doing (as I missed Buchek's intent to intimidate, sorry). Here's the way I'd prefer it...
Preferred way:
"Bilbo runs his fingers along the edges of the chest, looking for any sort of hidden compartment or irregularity in the construction (Search check)."
Not preferred way:
The above /without/ the parenthetical statement, or "Bilbo uses Search to see if there's anything strange about the chest."
Preferred way:
"Aragorn raises his voice to a commanding tone, glaring intensely at the young squire - 'You will tell me what you know now, or you will fall with my blade in your throat!' (Intimidation check)"
Wrong way:
Again, the above /without/ the parenthetical, or "Aragorn uses Intimidation to pressure the squire into answering his questions"
...
Now, most of you are fine with this, but I wanted to do a little modeling to be clear... so as to prevent any confusion later on down the line. Also, if you are wondering whether a certain skill would apply, or not, or just want extra information about your situation/setting that I haven't given, please email me separate side questions before you send your turn (again, most know this, but it's always good to say it in general). This is what is going on with the temple to Fharlanghan - extra info Clara requested, and a small side-plot happening cuz the group is split up.
So, yeah. Waiting on Ty. :p )
From: Erik
Subject: The Inn at the End of the World
Holn wonders when his ale will arrive. Fa hops onto his lap. Holn wishes he knew elvish.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
OOC: I feel like I've missed something.
Where is Erk right now? Are you waiting on a specific response to a post I missed? OR just a general check in?
I'm lost!
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
Psst, Ty....
_________________________
Erk finishes unloading the animals and follows Bermid into the inn through aside door. They arrive at the end of a long hallway, with rooms on eitherside. At the end of the hallway is what Erk guesses is a common room,judging by the jokes and laughing of many voices. The stableboy runs offahead to announce the visitors.
Erk arrives at the common room to see Telwyn and Holn standing in the centerof the room, staring at the gray haired elf in the back corner.
_________________________
;)
That's from Matt's Turn 3 update.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
OOC: Gracias
IC:
Erk understands not a word of Elven, and so walks over to the bar to order a pint of ale while keeping an eye on his fellow party members in the room.
If Holn is nearby, he will say, "What news of our grayhaired friend?"
From: Matt
Subject: Caro 4; Bitter Words and Bitter Ale
"It's no trick, but I warn you--strike me and you'll regret it. Better men than you have tried to kill me, vegetable eater, and found themselves fed to the crows for their trouble." [Intimidate (roll 9 - Cha mod 1 = 8) vs. resist (roll 20 + char level 2 + Wis mod 1 = 23), failed by more than 5].
The guard draws close to Buchek's face, within inches, with the two bowman drawing their strings taught behind him to either side. Buchek can feel the point of a longsword press against his back.
"You would be wise to hold your tongue, whelp. If a raid does come, I would hate to have to tell your... friends... that you were killed trying to escape to the barbarian marauders..." He pauses for a moment, sneering. "Bring him inside and lock him in the cell - I don't care what's still in it. If raiders are coming, I don't want this one loose at our backs."
(One guard has run off already to the wall, but has not yet returned)
...
The barmaid brings the ales to the table in the back, carefully skirting wide of Liwanu. She smiles shyly at Holn, blushing a bit as she hands him his ale, then rushes off back toward the bar, glancing once back over her shoulder. A definite change in attitude from the flirtatious, outspoken barmaids at the Singing Anvil.
Not engaged in the conversation in elvish, Holn watches the shapely woman walk back to the bar, catching an exaggeration to her walk that wasn't there before. As she rounds the side of the bar, his eyes fall on Erk, whose raised eyebrow makes him realize he had been staring.
...
"Heyya, I noticed it looks like the acoustics are fit perfect fer playin. D'you mind if I take out my fiddle and play a bit?" she asks the young man.
He brightens at her words, and nods vigorously. "Oh, yes! The temple was crafted with acoustics in mind - it was especially built for my master's chimes. The size of the room, shape of the altar and materials used were all hand selected - the wood of the walls was carried from the far west and is normally used for instruments."
Kayla unpacks her fiddle and sits on the altar, plucking the strings lightly to make sure the instrument is still tuned properly.
"We had a bard here who played fiddle... until the settlement left. He would sit just as you are sitting and play for hours at a time. My master, the high priest Bilfin Merriman, would sometimes accompany him with the chimes. It is a shame he chose to leave..."
Valni trails off into his thoughts.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 4; Bitter Words and Bitter Ale
Erk will take his beer over to Holn?s table.
"It seems our pointy eared dog owner has found a new friend. Did you learn anything about him? Possibly you were distracted by other things?? he raises one eyebrow and nods his head toward the shapely barmaid.
"It matters little, I suppose. I am just anxious to be underway. What do you think the guards did with our barbarian??
From: Matt
Subject: Pic of Inn
Here's a picture of the Inn. I know Jake hasn't been getting my pictures to come through, but he's not involved here, so it shouldn't be a big deal.
The X's are you guys. The O's are the guards drinking happily. There's a firepit in the center, the door out is at the bottom, the door to the left is to the rooms. The bar is lower left.
From: Erik
Subject: Re: Caro 4 Bitter Ale and Bitter Words
"Is Kayla with Buchek?" Holn asks Erk. He looks over at the guards. "Perhaps we should ask them?" He raises his pint to the stout Dwarf, "To the road, Master Erk." He tosses back half the flagon and smiles at the waitress.
From: Clara
Subject: Kayla at the temple
Kayla smiles in thanks to the young man and thinks to herself, "Bilfin Meriman... have I heard that name before? Oh, now I'm curious, but I can't start a conversation up now!" She decides to play a song before pursuing this interesting tidbit.
She glances around and notes that there aren't very many places to sit. Fortunately, the temple looks so well maintained that she doesn't see a speck of dust on the floor. Contented to rest on the ground, she situates herself directly across from the man against the opposing wall. She begins with "The Darling Lute," a quick piece about a dancing lute that falls in love with a babbling brook.
Once Kayla's piece ends, with the brook whisking the lute away, she looks up to the young man and asks, "Bilfin Merriman? I heard him speak in Segreda only days ago. Why did he leave?"
From: Clara
Subject: Kayla at the temple
OOC: s/days/hours/
(Swap in place of "days," "hours." It's a regex matching syntax command...)
(If that totally confused you, then for you, the line reads "I heard him speak in Segreda only hours ago.")
=)
-Clara
Elotai Wants In
Subject: Re: Bitter Words
Oops, I meant to send this to the group, but accidentally sent it only to Matt.
> "You would be wise to hold your tongue, whelp. If a raid does come, I would hate to have to tell your... friends... that you were killed trying to escape to the barbarian marauders..." He pauses for a moment, sneering. "Bring him inside and lock him in the cell - I don't care what's still in it. If raiders are coming, I don't want this one loose at our backs."
Buchek's lips skin back from his teeth in a snarl, but he says nothing, glaring balefully at his guards as they push him toward his cell. He doesn't like the idea of being locked anywhere with a raid about to happen; Clan raiders almost always fire the buildings in the settlements they attack. Still, to resist now would be to be killed with absolute certainty. He'll bide his time.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
Telwyn tilts his head to the side a bit, thinking.
"So, you were looking for us? Why? And who..." He trails off, noticing that Erk has entered and is talking with Holn.
"Ah, but I'm forgetting my manners." He waves Erk and Holn over and switches to Common. "These are Erk and Holn."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
Elotai nods approvingly, as though the names are somehow right to him. "My name is Elotai Arun," he says to them. Then he offers a reply to Telwyn's question:
"I have been living in Segreda for... a time. I arrived there shortly after the last expedition left eastward and have been awaiting their return since then, hoping that the authorities would see fit to mount another... expedition on their return. You can understand that a year isn't so terribly long for me to wait, I'm sure..." a hint of a smile crosses Elotai's face, then he continues: "...but of course they did not return, and I decided I would go on my own. Shortly after leaving Segreda, I heard of your group. And here we are."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
OOC: Elotai switched to Common for that last message. He'll keep talking in Common unless otherwise noted. :)
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
(OOC: Erk is lawful good. I plan to fully play the lawful piece as well as the good piece. Not may players remember to do that in my opinion. So, the following bit is in that vein.)
Erk, having walked over at Telwyn's signal, hears Elotai's speech. "And now you're planning to attach yourself to us? I'm afraid I'll need to know a bit more about you and your goals before we can allow that. This group was formed by lawful decree and sent forth with stated purpose. I dislike the idea of picking up random joiners without some compelling reason."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
Elotai shrugs. "I wouldn't describe it like that. I certainly don't expect anything. But I'm sure you can see that in my position it's prudent to at least investigate the possibility. I can't say for how long our paths will run parallel, because I honestly don't know." He looks Erk squarely in the eyes, and the dwarf can see a hint of... something. A spark, somewhere. "Why am I going east? I'm looking for answers, though probably not to the same questions as you. There are things I want to know about, questions I bring with me from the west, that can only be answered by travelling eastward."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
Um, this is the first I've seen of *any* of those emails or responses... were you guys just replying to each other, and not to the list? Or am I missing messages again?
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
(ODM: As an aside, I'm pretty sure Elotai meant he'd been living in Caro, not Segreda. At least so far as the backstory stands as I understand it.)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
OOC:
Oops, that?s right. I was writing the message at school and didn?t have all of my reference material :)
This whole exchange has been passed through cowgame@sakeriver, though. It?s really weird that you haven?t seen any of it.
Legal Discussion, Bump in the Night
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
Erk smiles flatly back at him. "That is all very mysterious and poetic, but meaningless. We have a lawfully ordained mission to find and possibly rescure the lost expedition. You 'seek answers'."
He turns to Holn and Telwyn. "Unless one of you can think of something I am missing, there seems little reason to waste time here. I am going to find our barbarian and make sure the guards are not mistreating him."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
"I wouldn't expect a priest to understand," Elotai says to Erk's back. "And particularly not a dwarf." He looks at Holn before continuing, seeming almost resigned. He doesn't pay any attention to Erk's departure. "Like you, I work magics. But do you know the source from which your power springs? I do not. For more than half a century, I have been plagued by visions and dreams. Mysterious and poetic to the red-beard, but troubling and troublesome to me. Before the visions, I was a warrior. Now I don't know WHAT I am."
"I said you matched descriptions I was given. True enough, for I have seen you and your companions in my dreams. I have also seen the grasslands to the east, and some of what may lie beyond them. I have seen things happen to some of you. I know I have to see these things in person."
"I don't expect you to believe me, of course." The ghost of a smile flickers across Elotai's face.
From: Erik
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
"I too am on this mission to learn. It is a fine ideal.
"And this elf seems to have knowledge of the grasses, and surviving there. I say we should use him."
Holn finishes his ale, and calls the barmaid for the damages.
"But I also think we have tarried here too long, Erk."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
Telwyn frowns. He's not sure he likes this elf, but there's something compelling about him...
He looks at Elotai and speaks in elven. "I'll speak with you again. But if you want to join us I'd watch the 'stupid dwarf' talk."
Telwyn turns and follows Erk and Holn out. When they are out of earshot of Elotai, he says to Erk. "I don't know where you're getting any of this 'lawfully ordained mission' stuff. We wanted to go, and we had only to say so and we were in. In fact, as far as I know, our group makes up everyone who volunteered. And you know we need all the help we can get.
"Besides, if that one has got it in mind to go east I don't see how we can do much about it. It's a big country, and no one around to stop him. We might as well keep him close so we can keep an eye on him."
Telwyn raises an eyebrow. "Would it make you feel better if we consulted with Bermid about this?"
From: Erik
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
Holn glances over at Telwyn. "I do believe that would be the proper thing to do. After all, it is his expedition."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
"Indeed. Bermid should be consulted on any such decision. If he wishes to allow the elf to join, I have no objections."
He grins at Telwyn, "Though, of course, that seriously degrades our ratio of stout dwarven blood versus the percentage of elven blood. That can't be a good thing, eh?" He slaps Telwyn on the back to assure the man it is in jest.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
Telwyn turns to Holn. "How do you figure? Snylledd said nothing about this being a military expedition, and even if he had, I'm not in the military and neither are either of you. Once we're on the plains, we're outside of the realm of Segreda's law." He smirks. "Oh, I'm sure anyone so inclined could hash out the legal points with whatever tribe he ran into."
Turning back to Erk, he smiles at the dwarf's jest. "Look, I'm not saying I trust this newcomer, especially not with all this talk of visions and what not. I think we all need to be in on this decision, us, Bermid, Kayla, and Buchek."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
Erk says, "When one is farthest from the administrators of law is when one must hold all the more closely to it. We must not degenerate into a loose band, each one following his own dictates and agenda, or we will accomplish nothing. This may not be a military expedition, but Bermid is the closest thing to actual authority in our group. His leadership will be important. You may not be a military man, but surely you agree that in any enterprise, someone must lead?"
From: Erik
Subject: Re: The Inn at the End of the World
"I went with the good graces of the organizers. I guess you are right about us travelling beyond the law, however." Holn whistles shortley, Fa jumps easily onto his shoulder.
"And now, I will go check on our friend."
From: Matt
Subject: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
Buchek is placed in a cell that he assumed had held animal feed of some sort before him. The smell of grain mixed with mold fills his nose, and two worthless moldy bags sit in the corner. He assumes this was at the bottom of a larger pile and that water had somehow gotten in from outside - possibly the last of the winter stores.
The iron gates latch into place, and the guards seem to pay him little to no mind. One is stationed nearby, within eyesight, but has little interest in staring at the prisoner. The cell is 8ft by 10ft, with a small barred window.
He can hear the Segreda guards dicing in the main common room, which draws much of the cell guard's attention. Taking a closer look at the grain sacks, [take 10, DC 10, success], he sees what appears to be the edge of a metal grate - possibly a sewage drain.
...
"Bilfin Merriman? I heard him speak in Segreda only days ago. Why did he leave?"
The boy looks at her quizzically. "If you heard him speak, then you know why he left. He was part of the Spring Rites for Segreda's Spring Festival, aiding Grev Steelhammer, warmaster of Clangeddin, and Manuuv Brightstar, high priest of St. Cuthbert. It is a great honor for him - and this was only the second year he has helped perform the rites."
Kayla smiles at his eagerness to talk with her, and she sees his face flush. "He sure does have nice chimes, though... you say he accompanied a fiddler? Who was that?"
"I don't rightly know, actually. He was a very private person, but he played some of the most beautiful and painful melodies. He would sit in this temple and play haunting music of loss and pain... I saw him crying once, but when I asked master about...."
Valni is cut off by a loud thump that sounded like something hitting the roof, a rubbing sound, and then a softer thud just outside the front door.
...
The last rays of sunlight faded from the sky while the group met with Elotai, and the roadway is dimly light by the far purple sky and a thin crescent moon. Two torches beside the door to the inn sputter and cast chaotic shadows, matched by a second pair on the door to the guardhouse across the road.
In the distance, they hear the end of some fiddle tune they assume is Kayla, some fifty or sixty yards off toward the wall - but in the near total darkness, it is impossible to tell where the sounds are coming from. The music stops, leaving the road in silence other than crickets and the whooping of a bird that seems very out of place to Holn... a morning bird, if he remembers correctly. [Survival check 22, DC 15, success].
As they appraoch the guardhouse, something like a dull thump makes Telwyn stop and peer into the darkness, back toward where the music had come from. [Listen Cheks v. DC 15... Holn, 12, fail. Telwyn, 17, success. Erk, 3, fail.] He can't see anything clearly, but in the low light he can make out what seems to be movement near one of the buildings by the wall. Two figures, it seemed like, moving cautiously.
Holn and Erk, walking slightly in front, don't notice Telwyn hold up a pace before the door and continue in to the guardhouse common room to see the guards dicing on the floor.
...
Elotai watches them go, watching the off duty guards grow more loud and inebriated. He notices that the local commander of the guard, the paladin Dohn, only makes a show of drinking, instead nursing one ale while his men drink several.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
Erk continues walking blithely into the horrors that wait, accompanied only by his inability to perceive anything of any kind, apparently lacking any sensory apparatus known to man.
From: Erik
Subject: Re: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
Holn stops, staring into the dimness. "Something is not right out there."
[OOC: (reffering to the bird.) Another listen check, spot for anything unusual. This would have been enough for him to check a little more carefully.]
From: Clara
Subject: bump in the night
Kayla hears the sequence of sounds, and quickly thinks to herself, "it sounds large, all right, like a sack of flour or maybe a thrown person. Canna be a person! Whate're it was, it musta hit the roof an' slid off." She glances at the young boy, and sees a perplexed look on his face.
"Boy," she whispers, "Are ther' any back exits?"
The boy shakes his head, no. Kayla persists, "Well, how 'bout a window?"
"One, through there," he whispers back, and points.
"Good. C'n yah take me to it?" Kayla carefully drops her fiddle to the ground and starts moving toward the door, keeping an eye on the front door of the temple. She tries to keep to the side, hoping to blend in with the wall.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
OOC: I'm a little unclear on positions. It sounds like Erk and Holn are just inside the door of the guardhouse and Telwyn is just outside. Given that, I assume that the door is open and they are within a few steps. This response based on that.
The hairs on the back of Telwyn's neck stand up. Villagers and guardsmen don't bumble about in the dark, especially not out on the frontier. Whoever the two figures are, they are probably up to no good. Telwyn keeps an eye on the figures and steps up and taps Erk on the shoulder.
He keeps his voice low. "There are two men out there in the dark. I'm going to check it out."
With that, he steps out of the light in the doorway and into the shadows [Hide]. He pauses a moment to unlimber his bow and nock an arrow, then approaches the two men, moving as silently as he can [Move Silently]. He will only get as close as he needs to in order to get a better look, and definitely no closer than 30 feet.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
Erk barely has time to turn around at Telwyn's whispered words before the Ranger has disappeared. "Dammit, it's too dark to see anyone before they're gripping my beard."
He says a quick prayer and his shield begins to glow with holy light.
[light cast on shield]
Infravision vs. Darkvision, A Way Out for Buchek?, Brawlin' and Crawlin'
Subject: Re: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
Fanchek Fa nervously mews. A strange collection of garbled language emits from Holn as the mana take hold of him, raising his arms to the sky. A shimmer appears around his cloaked form, as if viewed through heated air. (Cast Mage Armor, share spell with Familiar).
He reaches to his belt and unlimbers his Morning Star, keeping a free hand.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
They hadn't believed him. From the sound of dicing going on in the next room and the guard's lack of concern, it's clear that either his report had been dismissed, or that the bumbling fools had overlooked the Clansmen hiding in the grass. They'd pay for their carelessness, that was certain.
Buchek glances out the window, wondering when the attack will come, and if he'll know the attackers. "What if it were Tossuc", Buchek wonders, his left hand twitching at the thought of meeting his uncle in combat. Or could this not be a normal raid at all, but an attempt by Tossuc to kill Buchek and claim Nauhata for himself?
Casually interposing his body between the guard and the grate, Buchek slides his hands beneath the rotting grain sacks, feeling for the size of the grate, as well as any locks or latches. If there are none, and if the guard continues to be oblivious to Buchek's actions, he will attempt to shift the grate slightly, testing it to see how easily it can be removed. At the first sign of anything that might cause noise, or at the first sign of attention from the guard, he will leave off messing with the grate, and occupy himself with peering out the window.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
OOC: Don't dwarves have low-light vision?
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
OOC: ::answers own question:: Actually, no. They have 60 feet of darkvision.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
What's the difference between darkvision and lowlight vision? Does one of those replace infravision? I had thought that dwarves had infravision.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
I think infravision was the old 1st ed. ability. Might have been in 2nd ed as well. Anyway darkvision means you can see in total darkness, but only in black and white. Thus, dwarves can see up to 60 feet in total darkness, but cannot detect color. Low light vision means you can see in low light. Elves and half-elves can see twice as far as humans in low light conditions and can still see colors, but cannot see at all in total darkness.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
That makes sense. Thanks Mike!
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
Infravision was also in 2E. I guess they got rid of it because it was troublesome. :)
From: Erik
Subject: Re: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
OOC: Dwarves have darkvision, but I don't know how far....
Anyway, Erk's got that cool glowing shield now. I'm ready to cast touch spells, but we are in limbo apparently.
And here's a Duh for you (my duh) Elotai is twink?
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Caro 5; Bump in the Night
OOC--Glad to know that I wasn't just making infravision up.
Man, I can't wait until Buchek is actually around other player characters; I'm dying here with this one turn a day thing. Anybody else think that Matt should really get his priorities straight, and quit his job so that he can devote all of his time to entertaining us?
From: Matt
Subject: Caro 6; Brawlin' and Crawlin'
Buchek finds it relatively easy to conceal his investigation of the grate [Hide check 20 v. Spot check 6, success], moving the sacks of rotting grain between the grate and the guard. That done, he leans back against the wall, seeming to rest, while examining the opening.
The grate is old, and appears to be a shoddy covering to an old sewage drop. Buchek figures a good tug could pull it loose pretty easily - but beneath it there is just a dark hole, three feet in diameter, extending downward, and a fetid odor. Concentrating, he hears a rushing sound coming from the tunnel, very faintly [Listen check 20, DC 20, success], that he assumes is running water... possibly the river, though that would mean the tunnel extended the 80-100 yards under Caro itself.
The guard pokes his head down the hallway to check on his prisoner, and sees Buchek resting comfortably beside the sacks of moldy grain. Buchek can just make out "filthy savage" under the man's breath as he again diverts his attention to the other room.
...
Kayla presses herself against the wall and skirts her way to the side doorway, moving so quickly and smoothly that even Valni is startled when he realizes she had moved [Hide check 32, DC 15, um, success much?]. Slipping through the door into the adjoining living quarters, she gets her bearings.
The room is small and sparse, lit by a candelabrum on the wall, with only two travelers cots set up with linens and several more stacked neatly along the back wall. Another door opens on the front, though it is closed and has no window. There are two chests, one at the foot of each cot, and a small desk with ink and parchment scrolls. Just above the desk, above Kayla's line of sight, is a small square window.
Behind her, in the other room, there is a hanging silence [Listen check 6, DC 15, fail] until she hears the clatter of one chime against the rest in a jarring dissonance.
...
Telwyn ducks stealthily into the shadows along the side of the street, but the torches cast his flickering shadow against the wall of the tower every so often [Hide check 11, Move Silently 19]. As he draws his bow, his eyes make out one of the two figures disappearing, he imagines into a building lit dimly by candles, and another moving swiftly toward the bridge before also disappearing.
Holn unlimbers his morning star and holds its haft ready, now knowing for sure that something is amiss. The light that erupts from Erk's shield shocks him for a moment, but his eyes quickly adjust. The dwarf was careful to shield his eyes at first, though the glare does make sight difficult for a brief moment. The light illuminates a radius of 20 ft, lighting up the street and front of the tower, and gives dim outlines for another 20 ft or so down the road. The wall is entirely invisible at this point, well beyond the range of the light, but the 40 ft radius around them is devoid of any but them.
The light at his back, Telwyn's eyes are not affected and even gain greater range with the increased light - as low a level it still may be. It seems the building the one figure disappeared into was a temple, from the outside.
...
Elotai sips his ale and wonders what these new faces mean, how they fit into the world of his visions. At least the spider-eyed man didn't appear indoors, he thought... and the idea of entering into the grasslands gives him a chill. But he knows that is where he must go.. to see, to understand.
A young man enters from the back, seemingly coming from the rooms, and chats with the bartender. He catches Elotai's eye as much for the youth and open innocence in his face as the gleaming breastplate that looked as though it was cleaned and polished only minutes before.
The young man drifts over to the tables with the guards and talks loudly to the group, "Good friends! I have broken free of my father's reins and set out for adventure! Come, let us have a drink!" With the last, he claps a surly looking man with a scarred face hard on the back, causing him to bash his teeth into his tankard of ale. Yelling in pain, he stands quickly up, dumping the contents down the front of his shirt and onto his pants.
"You worm!!!" He grabs the young man with his left hand by the collar of his breastplate, easily standing a hand taller than the boy. "Off Daddy's leash, eh? Then I suppose he won't mind me gettin' yer 'adventure' started right off, eh?"
With that, he comes around with an arcing right hook that catches the boy squarely across the jaw and sends him sprawling across another table, pushing recently filled mugs onto the guards sitting there. The largest of these stands up to the scarred man.
"Ay! You wanna toss someon' try me!"
In an instant, the bar erupts into chaos.
From: Matt
Subject: Caro 6; Brawlin' and Crawlin' (forgot one thing!)
Oh, um, yeah...
Telwyn, Holn and Erk will all hear the crash of chimes in dissonance... that would be at the very end of the description from their section.
Oops.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 6; Brawlin' and Crawlin' (forgot one thing!)
Erk turns to Holn. ?Perhaps it would be best if we stay together. Do you agree??
He will then draw his axe, and move forward to get closer to Telwyn. He regrets that the light from his shield may make it harder for Telwyn to hide, but he wants to keep the ranger in his sight.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Caro 6; Brawlin' and Crawlin' (forgot one thing!)
OOC: Which direction did the crash come from? The temple, the bridge, or elsewhere? And is the temple in the same direction we originally heard the fiddle from?
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Caro 6; Brawlin' and Crawlin' (forgot one thing!)
OOC--Ha! Having to work late pays off at last!
Again moving causally, so as not to attract the guard's attention, Buchek will toss something into the pit, listening to see if he can estimate how deep it is from the time it takes to hear a splash. If there are any pebbles in the floor of the room or loose bits of grout in the walls, he'll use a few of those. If not, he'll use a handful of rotting grain.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Caro 6; Brawlin' and Crawlin' (forgot one thing!)
Yes. The crash came from the temple. It is the same crash of chimes that Kayla hears.
From: Clara
Subject: kayla at the temple
Kayla had walked several steps into the room when the chimes clattered. The door was still halfway open, spilling some light into the room but missing Kayla's body.
---
Kayla curses to herself, "Damn, summat musta come in." She glances at the window and notes the mechanism. A quick flick of the latch and the window would swing open. She mentally sighs and turns around. "Canna have anything happen to th' boy."
She crouches and slides back toward a wall. With luck, she has a decent view of the main room past the ajar door. "I can always make a run fer the window," she hopes.
Kayla decides against the sling and readies her handaxe. She also recalls the few bardic songs she knows, hoping that they will come in handy. "If there's more'n one fellow out there, I'm gonna have to use a Ghost Sound t' take their attention away from the boy. Then I'll climb outta the window. If'n there's only one, I might be able t' take th'fellow out with a lulling song." She wonders if her other two, Mage Hand and Message, might come in handy at some point, too.
From: Erik
Subject: Re: Caro 6: Brawlin' and Crawlin' (forgot one thing!)
OOC: Well, I just sent my response to only Ty.
Holn will follow the Dwarf.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Caro 6: Brawlin' and Crawlin' (forgot one thing!)
OOC: The temple and bridge are in roughly the same direction for now, right? Are there normally guards posted at the bridge? Is there a gate of any sort, or is there just a gap in the wall where the bridge is? Is there any sort of alarm bell or anything?
Telwyn flinches ever so slightly when the light appears behind him. He didn't expect the loud-mouthed dwarf to be a master of remaining inconspicuous, but this was ridiculous. Oh well, no choice but to go forward. He motions Erk and Holn on, and continues down the empty street. He stays near the buildings, and tries to remain quiet, but does not sacrifice speed for silence.
Telwyn's mind is racing as he hurries down the path. Kayla had said she was going to a bardic temple, and the crash came from the only temple-looking building he could see. His companion is in danger. But the other figure had made for the bridge. Why would he have come over the wall only to leave again? It made no sense... unless he were going to get others. Damn. He can't handle too many on his own, not even with Erk and Holn as backup, but inside, in close quarters, his bow will be less effective. Damn, damn, damn.
He pauses as he reaches the temple. It's time for a decision. Turning to Erk and Holn, he whispers, "One man is inside, the other has gone out over the bridge. Neither can be up to any good. But if the one who went for the bridge is going to bring others, we need to know. Now." Leaving Kayla to fend for herself leaves a bad taste in his mouth, but this could be bigger than one person. Besides, the halfling looked like she'd gotten out of sticky situations before. He only hopes she's slick enough this time. "I'm going ahead to have a look. You stay here; I can't have you giving away my position. Stay alert."
With that, he makes for the gap in the wall.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Caro 6: Brawlin' and Crawlin' (forgot one thing!)
Humans. As the brawl explodes around him, Elotai can?t help but wonder how such a rash, unthinking species could possibly avoid exterminating itself. Perhaps the weak and stupid humans weeded one another out in contests such as these, leaving only the marginally intelligent behind. That train of thought is more of a flash of irritation than anything else, though ? Elotai has certainly known intelligent humans, the memory of which sparks a pang of regret ? and it passes as Elotai realizes he?s going to have to do something.
But what?
He doesn?t trust the humans not to gang up on him when they realize he?s the only elf in the bar. The only non-human, in fact. And there are a lot of drunk, irritated humans between him and the exits. He isn?t even wearing his buckler, let alone any kind of armour. There was at least ONE guard in the bar who was not drunk ? the captain ? but he didn?t seem interested in stopping the fight. The boy who started it all might be associated with the group headed eastward, but Elotai didn?t recognize him from vision-dreams as he did the three he had spoken to tonight and the bound barbarian. Still, what other adventure could he be setting off on?
While these thoughts are running through Elotai?s mind, he is slipping from his chair to crouch on the floor behind his table as unobtrusively as possible. He quickly and quietly mutters the words of a cantrip [Prestidigitation], then surveys the chaos before him. If anyone looks like they are going to attack the young man in the breastplate or Elotai himself, he will bump them from behind using the spell. Once the brawl is underway, if no one is paying him significant attention, he will flip his table up on its side and roll it to the nearest door, staying behind it the whole way.
From: Matt
Subject: Invasion 1; Thieves in the Night
Buchek nudges a small pebble into the hole through the grate and waits to hear it drop. After a few seconds, he hears a plop, as though it hit water in some wider, open space. By his best guess, it's at least fifteen feet down.
...
Peering through the door opening, Kayla first sees a man in dark leathers, smeared with what looks like mud and darkened animal fat... which, she notices, would be an incredibly effective camoflage when moving about at night. However, in the candle light of the temple, he looks like some mud-smeared savage. As effective as the technique might be, she could never see herself using it.
Something about the clothes of the man made her think of Buchek, though he carried the garb with proud and noble bearing. This one seemed more like a jackal or hyena than a man, looking to scavenge, using a small knife to cut the leather cords suspending the silver chimes.
From her vantage, she can't see the boy, and she creeps forward to get a better view. [Move Silently roll 19 v. Listen 6, success]. Lying prone on the floor is the body of Valni. His eyes gaze unseeingly up at the ceiling, and his neck is bent at an unnatural angle. Kayla swallows hard as she sees a greesy handprint over his mouth.
...
Telwyn stays ahead of Erk's light and just outside its area of effect, keeping to the shadows as best he can. When they approach the temple, they see the body of a city guard lying prone along the side of the building, as though he had fallen from the roof.
"One man is inside, the other has gone out over the bridge," Telwyn whispers. "Neither can be up to any good. But if the one who went for the bridge is going to bring others, we need to know. Now."
With that, the ranger darts into the shadows and out of the range of Erk's light, heading toward the bridge.
...
Elotai quietly drops to the floor unnoticed, keeping his eyes on the fight. The boy has crawled toward the bar, his nose and mouth bleeding onto the floor, and he looks stunned. The rest quickly forgot the initial cause of the fight, however, and swing at one another with abandon.
It seemed as though two factions had formed, possibly two different watch shifts, or two different types of duty.. he couldn't be sure. But the scarred man was in the thick of it, trading blows with the large man who had called him out.
The captain of the guard still sat, taking a large sip of his ale and shaking his head. Finally, he puts down the mug, rises, and moves toward the scarred man with purpose. Just then, one of the guards throws another forward, sending the man through a glass window and into the street.
No one has even glanced in Elotai's direction.
...
(Okay. Holn, Telwyn and Erk hear the crash as the man breaks through the window into the street. Kayla does not. Buchek hears the guards launch into a confused bit of shouting and grabbing weapons, and thinks he hears several leave quickly through the main door.)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Caro 6; Brawlin' and Crawlin'
As for Mike's questions.
The Temple is roughly in the same direction as the bridge, but off to the right. There are some buildings along the road, then some along the wall. The temple is along the wall, about three buildings up from the bridge opening on the left.
The bridge itself has no gate, just a break in the wall. There are tall watch towers just outside it on the bank of the river, then two more watchposts at the other side. Small torches are lit at the tops of these, but no guards can be seen in them from your angle.
Off the side of each guard tower hangs a brass bell, each of which is silent.
From: Clara
Subject: Kayla's retreat
Kayla internally sighs at the sight. No one deserves to die so that their prized items can be stolen and melted down.
She decides to leave, and quickly. There's nothing she can do against that man, though she momentarily plays with the idea of playing a "grass child" for the barbarian. "Not a practical choice," she tells herself. Within moments, she's stepped onto the desk and opened the window. Careful to glance out the window first, she lowers herself onto the ground below.
To her left is a stone wall, and in front of her is the wall to another building. After making a quick check for roofwalkers, she turns to her right and sees the courtyard. A bright ball of light seems to be standing in the middle of it. After a second, she sees Erk move within the light.
She sends a message to Erk, "T's Kayla. Man in temple stealing, killed boy. Maybe more." She begins to sneak toward the courtyard.
From: Clara
Subject: Kayla-addendum
OOC: Ooops. I forgot to mention where I was.
Kayla sends a message to Erk, "T's Kayla. Man in temple stealing. Boy dead. More, maybe. I'm in alley, coming to you."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Invasion 1; Thieves in the Night
When Elotai is satisfied that no one in the bar cares about him, he will walk quickly around the outside of the room to the bar and ask the boy if he is all right.
OOC: I?m sending this to both cowgame@sakeriver and Matt?s email, because he has been missing a few messages lately.
Hell Breaketh Looseth, Map
Subject: Re: Invasion 1; Thieves in the Night
"We must raise the alarm. The disorder in this town gives a raiding party an opportunity to strike."
"Someone must help the halfling."
"Someone must see what's causing that racket."
There's three of us. I will deal with the one in the temple."
A strange hissing sound issues from Holn's throat as he traces patterns through the ether, and giving the mana to Fanchek Fa (shocking grasp--familiar will deliver touch spell). He whispers "get him" to Fa, who hops off of Holn's shoulder and slips into the shadows of the temple (Move Silently).
OOC: If I have this right the cat is AC 20 (AC 16 + 4 for Mage Armor). It has low light vision, scent, and a 4d6 electrical touch attack. :D
Matt:
(Okay. Holn, Telwyn and Erk hear the crash as the man breaks through the window into the street. Kayla does not. Buchek hears the guards launch into a confused bit of shouting and grabbing weapons, and thinks he hears several leave quickly through the main door.)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Invasion 1; Thieves in the Night
Actually, once Fancek Fa moves more than 5 feet from you, he loses the effects of Mage Armor. So his AC would be 16. But yes, he can deliver the spell, provided you don't cast another spell between now and the time when he delivers it (which won't be a problem).
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Invasion 1; Thieves in the Night
Erk replies, "Kayla is in the alley. I will go to her."
He then runs over to the alley next to the church to bring Kayla back to the party. If Holn has trouble with the guy in the church, Erk and Kayla can go help him out.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Invasion 1; Thieves in the Night
Buchek peers contemplatively at the hole for a moment. Fifteen feet isn't too much of a drop, assuming that there aren't jagged rocks waiting for him at the bottom. In any case, he could lower himself and reduce that by quite a bit, if he wasn't able to brace himself against the walls of the hole and climb down.
Hearing the guards' commotion, Buchek stands up, peering out the cell's window.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Invasion 1; Thieves in the Night
Telwyn ignores the loud crash from the street behind him. One thing at a time. He continues on toward the bridge to see what he can see.
From: Matt
Subject: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth
Buchek can't see much through the bars of his cell, but he can tell that most of the guards who brought him have left. Only the guard for his cell remains, and he hesitates, looking at Buchek and then at the door.
Something must be happening outside - the raiders, perhaps? He starts to grow angry, trapped in a cage like some wild animal. He wishes he could see what is going on!
...
Kayla meets up with Erk at the end of the alley, squinting in the light of his glowing shield. Behind him, she sees Holn cautiously approaching the temple door. The sorcerer whispers something to his cat, and the animal jumps down from his shoulder and slips quietly into the temple [Move Silently roll 10 vs. raider Listen check 14, fail].
(As Fancek Fa enters the temple, it spooks a mouse near the door that squeals and runs for the cupboard holding food rations for travelers. The raider spins around, seeing the cat heading right for him. (initiative rolled. Fancek 16+2=18. Raider 15+3=18. Tie, higher dex wins. Order: Raider, Fancek.) Holding one of the tall silver chimes in his hand, the raider watches the cat make a beeline for him from the doorway, crouching low and keeping its stomach pressed against the ground. As it makes to brush up against his leg, the raider kicks at its head with his boot. Fancek sidesteps the kick (Raider attack roll 5+4=9, vs. AC 16, miss) and throws himself bodily against the raider's other leg, causing the raider to scream in pain and fall into the chimes with a loud crash of dissonant clanging. (Cat touch attack 8+2+3 for metal chime=13, vs. touch AC of 13, hit, damage 6+5+5+2=18)
Holn, Erk and Kayla would all hear the scream and the crash, but Holn would get a mixed empathic communication from Fancek - happiness, but still apprehension.
...
Telwyn moves quickly and quietly toward the bridge opening, keeping close to the walls of buildings. Checking the opening to the bridge, he sees no one - just faint torchlight on a totally empty crossing (Spot check 1+4=5 v. Hide 20, fail). Taking a step beyond the wall toward the guard tower and the rope leading to the brass bell, he staggers forward in pain as a blunt force slams into his back between his shoulderblades (suprise round, raider attack 16+5=21 v. AC 16, hit, damage 4).
(Initiative for next round: Raider 9+2=11, Telwyn 8+7=15. Order: Telwyn, Raider)
...
Elotai skirts around the action unnoticed and reaches the bleeding young man. Quite a bit of blood has come out of his nose, and it has started to thicken on the chest of his armor.
"He.. he hit me..."
"We should really get you out of here," Elotai tries to pull the man toward the door.
"But.. he.. hit me... why would he do that?" The boy is clearly stunned, and Elotai wonders if this is the first time he's ever seen his own blood.
"I don't know..." He tries to pull toward the door again.
"I.. I should do something. He can't do that to me! M.. my father's the captain of the guard! I... I'm leading an expedition into the Tall Grass!"
The man pulls against Elotai, and tries to join the fight. The commander of the Caro guard has managed to break most of the fight up. On his way to the two primary fighters, his presence in the fray alone made the others back off. It is Elotais' guess that the young man doesn't notice this, and if he did wouldn't care.
From: Matt
Subject: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
(Damnit, I keep forgetting things).
Just after the crash, Erk, Holn, and Kayla see several flaming arrows arc over their heads into the settlment. Some hit wooden structures and stick, while others simply impact into the dirt.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
Erk smiles with relief when he sees the small bard. He starts to speak, but is interrupted by the crashing sounds inside the church. ?Come with me. Holn is just around the corner. We three should stay together if we can.?
He starts to lead Kayla back down the alley, his shield lighting the way ahead of them. ?I wonder if we are?? he never gets to say under attack, because the rain of flaming arrows removes all doubt.
From: Clara
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
Kayla follows Erk out of the alley and replies, "Stay t'gether? Under this bright beacon! Where'd Telwyn go? Buchek? Bermid? We've gotta alert the guards. They might'nt know," and points to a dead guard, slumped against the alley wall. "Fires take a while to burn bright, and then they're too far gone. I say, send someone to the Inn and tower, while the others hold ground here."
Kayla is bewildered at the idea of staying in the middle of a courtyard in a ball of light, while raiders are sneaking in from the edges.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
Erk says, "The guard will no quickly enough, though I agree that collecting Bermid is a priority. We need to regroup and then we can counter any threat in force, rather than be picked apart one at a time. We should collect Holn here, then go free Buchek. Then we can come back for Bermid, who is probably in the least danger since he is in the Inn surrounded by guardsmen."
"Leave us to stay in the shadows if you wish, but remember shadows hide both sides. I fear you may find a dagger in your own back. At least those that attack us in the light must show themselves first."
From: Matt
Subject: Map
I hope you all get this map.
The red feet are you guys. The building with the white cross is the temple. I think everything else should be pretty obvious.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Map
Once we grab Holn, we can just scoot through that big open area to the jail and grab buchek, then slide over to the inn for Bermid. How does that sound to you guys, Holn and Kayla?
From: Clara
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
Kayla muses over the relative safety of being next to Erk versus hiding along the walls. She hasn't made up her mind, yet, and will remain near Erk for the time being.
"What of Telwyn?"
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
"Yes, I fear for him as well, though he left us to go search out the gate. I fear more for the man locked in a cage that may well be on fire soon. Buchek is in greatest need of our aid if the city burns."
From: Clara
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
"You might need me to get 'im out, but I'm not a fast one. Does it make sense for Holn, you and me to get Buchek if Telwyn has no clue where we are and will be?"
"I say you and I head to Buchek, and Holn finds Telwyn. We can decide where to meet. Gives us more luck fer Telwyn finding us."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
"If that is what Holn wishes to do, then I say we meet at the inn where we can collect Bermid as well. I'm glad you come with me, songbird, since your skill with locks may come in handy. Let's go quickly."
Responses (What a Boring Title)
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth
OOC: Slammin' at work this after, sorry.
Holn leans in the doorway, and calls Fa. (empathic check too) He looks around, seeing the glow of the Dwarf's shield recede toward the guardhouse. The flaming arrows were unmistakably local, and Telwyn would need help at the gate. He waits for the familiar, planning on following Telwyn, and moving as silently as possible, keeping to shadow.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth
Dude, um, I think that bad guy your cat fried might still be alive.
And now he will be pissed.
Just so you know.
From: Erik
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth
Yeah, but if I don't get the cat and he does it's gonna hurt real bad. I gotta wait for the cat....
From: Clara
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth
OOC: Did Holn agree to the plan? It looks like Erk and Kayla have already started to head to the guard tower, is that right?
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth
Elotai struggles to keep his grip on the boy. ?Stop! Do you want to battle the whole guard? The captain is calming things down!?
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth
[OOC--Matt, should we continue sending messages to both you and the list, or are you reliably getting everything that gets sent to the list now?]
"Guard," Buchek calls, stepping to the door of the cell and gripping the bars, "free me! I fear that the raiders I warned of are upon us, and they will certainly fire this building. I don't wish to roast in a cage! Free me! I pledge, by my ancestors and my blade, to defend this settlement against its attackers."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth
OOC: Well, this is certainly a crappy situation. Ranged attacks draw an AOO, and moving to ring the bell would draw an AOO, and unlike certain other rather impulsive characters I play, Telwyn doesn't have huge amounts of HP to throw away.
Telwyn grunts as the blow sends him staggering. He shouts at the top of his lungs, "Erk! Holn! Danger!" His bow clatters to the ground and he draws his short sword as he spins to face his attacker. As he attacks, he tries to get a good look at his foe.
From: Erik
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth
OOC: As soon as Holn collects the cat! Sorry, I hear ya!
From: Matt
Subject: Missing Emails
Um... I'm missing the last Clara email and the last Ty email. I only know they exist because Clara told me.
I've also missed the last turn I sent out, but have it in my sent mail folder.
It seems that everything anyone has sent out double has arrived, both times. Things that aren't sent double arrive at about 85%.
If you could forward those two emails, that'd be great. thanks.