Subject: Update

Apologies in advance to those of you who get this message multiple times.

I'd update my Hatrack thread, but it seems I'm unable to log in. "We have no one registered by that name." Have I been banned?

In any case. Sa'id being out of it is fine, Ty. If he does become less discombobulated, I'd like him to use Scorching Ray on that ranger. Matt, Elotai is interested in continuing his chat with Holn but we can do that retroactively so I don't bog your game down.

Finally, for those unfortunate souls in MY game, finalize your purchases/hiring, update your character sheets with your new net worth, and beyond that wait at least eighteen hours for me to arrive in Christchurch (four more hours here in LAX, which was shut down earlier today, and then thirteen hours on the plane to Auckland, and then a short hop to Christchurch). Possibly eight more hours after that for me to sleep.

On the guard front, the consensus seems to be a small number of high-quality guards; after some investigation and negotiation, you are able to hire up to three mercenary soldiers from the town's guard for 4 sp per day apiece. (In game terms, these guys are levels 2-3). Dimuz will make a contribution toward this as well; he has provisioned the wagon already and now gives Art a purse containing an undisclosed amount for unforseen emergencies and so forth (Jake, we'll discuss that further later on). These funds can be used to subsidize your guard salaries (since you're looking at up to 12 sp per day for two weeks).

I was going to post a travelogue on my Hatrack thread, but I guess I'll wait to see if this strange ban-like thing is still in effect when I get to NZ. I'm keeping a journal of sorts. On a related note, we flew over the Grand Canyon today (BOS-LAX) and the pilot banked the plane a few times so we could get a good look. It's amazing!

I love planes. :) :) :)

Raja

Subject: Test

I want to make sure that this list is running smoothly and that I haven't missed any messages. What are we waiting on?

Raja

Subject: Re: Test

Beats the hell out of me. :)

On sakeriver it seemed as though there was some chatter about Buchek and Erk talking with the captives, but nothing has happened on the list. There was also some joking about my using Elotai to kill Holn's cat. But, really, not a thing has happened, without any emails sent last week.

Unfortunately, I'm missing a bunch of emails because of the trip to the northwest and trips back and forth between this house and my parents'. So, aol has automatically saved my emails all over the place, which means they're not on this computer.

>From my best memory, we have the following:

Telwyn is helping the townspeople and bleeding, having been reduced to 8 HP.

Kayla has stopped playing and is doing something else which I can't remember (and I can't find the email - sorry, Clara, could you possibly clear up my memory on that?)

Holn has been chatting a bit with Elotai, and Buchek has just approached him to speak about Tossuc.

Elotai has been chatting with Holn while watching Bermid take organizational control of the outpost.

Erk has been doing his best with his limited healing ability to make folks more comfortable.

Heretofore, no one has made any effort to speak with the prisoners, or made any plans for the following morning. Those two things are really what I'm waiting for before we can move on. To put that in more perspective, you have three guys who may know why the outpost was attacked, who may have information about the settling party, who are just sitting in your lap. You are also leaving all remnants of civilization behind as soon as you cross the river into the grassland wilds - only Holn and Buchek would really be comfortable out there, and to some degree Telwyn.

Even so, though, this fight has been a distraction - it need not be a delay. You were set to leave the next morning anyway - has this changed your plans at all? What do the prisoners know? Is the town still under immediate threat? Are your services more needed here? What about your mission to save the settlers, whose trail is growing ever colder? And your own personal motivations?

Hopefully Monday we can get the game back underway.

Subject: Re: Test

Oh, right. Here in New Zealand it IS Monday. :P

Subject: Re: Testing?

OOC: Let's try this again!

Holn regards Buchek with sadness at the tortured soul. Revenge still consumed his mind, and Holn could not blame Buchek for his pain.

"We will catch him yet. His tricks are finite, and our determination infinite. We must press on into the Tall Grass. Come with me to find Bermid."

The pair move off to find the soldier.

Subject: Re: Aftermath

"I understand, Elotai. I too feel the need to travel with this band. It seems to be what my father had wanted me to do." Holn toes a prisoner, checking that his bonds are secure.

"He told me to find Lyssande in the Tall Grass. He said she was a powerful Druid, and would guide us through the wilds.

"I feel that you too, must join with this band. Your skills are incredible, we could use you. We must find Bermid. We must press on. Stay and watch the prisoners, I will find our leader, and confer with him."

Holn wonders what Elotai thinks of him, a lettered man in the wilderness, clothed like some barbarian Shaman. Holn smiles at this, and reflects on the irony that shapes his destiny.

Subject: Re: Testing

Buchek shakes himself from his reverie, stands, and follows after his friend.

Subject: Re: Test

Erk does what he can for the wounded. He is only a very minor priest for Clangeddin, and he has drawn heavily on his god's favor this day. He feels drained, and empty. His connection tenuous at best. He does what he can with his limited skill and the supplies in his kit, cursing the dependence he has developed on his own small connection with divine grace. When it weakens, he is left with little aid to offer.

The soldiers curse the grass peoples as he puts salve on their burns, or binds their cuts. They cast dark glances at Buchek when he walks by. The citizens just cry, and ask why the gods curse them. Erk does what he can to tend their spiritual, as well as their physical hurts.

When he has done what he can, he will make his way back to Bermid. "My lord captain, what have we learned from the prisoners?"

Subject: Re: Test

Just a check in from Clara and Mike, and I'll be set. Also, Raja, I managed to misplace the file that had Elotai's premonitions in it - could you perhaps send that list back to me? That'd be a help. Thanks.

Subject: Update

My last one simply had Kayla waiting around for any conversation then shuffling off to bed. So for all intents and purposes, she's fast asleep by now.

Muff.
-Clara

Subject: A Leader Among the Ruins

The fires have been extinguished, but a thick smoky haze hangs in the night air. There is no wind to cut the cloud, and its blackness chokes the lungs and makes the flickering lights of the torches fuzzy and indistinct.

Holn, Buchek and Elotai seek out Bermid among the cots set up in the inn, to no avail, though they do see the prone form of Kayla huddled defensively, with an arm tightly wrapped around her fiddle case. The halfling must have been exhausted, but the three wonder at her self-imposed isolation. None remember her being involved with the fight at all, once they left the tower. Had she simply slunk off into the shadows? Or hid somewhere in fear? Her reluctance to talk to the party begs many questions, but the trio is more intent on finding Bermid.

In the inn, they come upon Telwyn, doing what he can to keep the mass of people organized and settled. He has had some experience sleeping in cramped quarters, and some of his habits have provided some of the sleepers comfort and peace of mind. He had been watching Bermid direct the relief effort, but had not seen him in some time. The three become four as the ranger joins the search for the young soldier.

Asking around, they find that he has gone with two men to inspect the damage to the tower, and reunite with Erk, who is heading in the same direction. The townspeople all seemed impressed with Bermid and thankful for his leadership and kind words, though most are too much in shock to recall even minutes before. The wailing of the mourning women has dulled to shuddering sobs, and the men have fallen to drink to drown their sorrows and toast the memories of fallen comrades.

Two torches bob gingerly alongside the tower in the dark and smoky gloom, and the form of Bermid and the two guards takes shape in the dimness. The young soldier has a spear, which he is using to poke and prod at the loose stones in the tower's foundation. As he presses, larger chunks of stone jar loose, and cracks begin to form in the mortar.

"...salvage the stone to rebuild. I believe some dwarven stonesmiths are in Segreda for the festival that we can convince to stay around and begin work immediately. If..." He stops as he notices the party approaching.

?My lord captain, what have we learned from the prisoners?? Erk's deference is not lost on Bermid, but he does not shy away from it.

"Nothing as of yet, good dwarf. We have been surveying the damage." He motions to the ruin of the tower. "It seems the barbarians have wounded us deeply, but there is much here that can be saved and reused for a new tower. The upper walls are intact; it is only the foundation which is destroyed. A skilled mason can use the undamaged portions to refortify without needing to start from scratch, I believe. I plan to send a runner to Segreda in the morning to ask for the aid of your stonemasons."

Bermid has fallen so easily into the role of leader that Erk has a hard time believing this was the same man who was practically dumbstruck only hours earlier. Elotai recalls then that Dohn, the commander of the outpost, had been in the inn before the fight began.

"What of Dohn, Bermid? Where is he?"

Silence fills the air for a moment before Bermid responds. "Dohn fell to the raiders in the courtyard. He had led a small unit in an attempt to flank the main raiding party, but they did not count on the barbarians' numbers..." There is sorrow in his voice, but also conviction. "Leadership of the outpost has fallen to me, as the next highest ranked officer."

The tone of his voice is strong, but still somewhat hesitant. It is as if he is play-acting a general - it is a convincing performance, but still a facade.

Again silence hangs between the party, and a moment passes when no one wishes to speak. Erk breaks the silence.

"May he be granted good journey by the grace of Clangeddin, having fallen in valiant combat defending his people." He bows his head for another silent moment before continuing. "There was great wrong done tonight, but there are also those who may be able to provide us information on the attackers - and possibly on the settling party we seek."

He pauses, taking into account Bermid's current status.

"If no one has yet questioned the prisoners, I beg leave to do so. Our mission and charter was to find the settlers, and these raiders may hold some clue to finding them."

Bermid sighs, the weight of his responsibility seeming to press harder upon his shoulders.

"Please, friend. The formalities are unnecessary. If you would question the prisoners, you would be doing us a great service. I don't want any of the guards interrogating them for fear of more bloodshed as they settle scores, and my... duties do not permit me the time to do so at the moment."

"I place the prisoners into your custody and care, good dwarf. See that they are not harmed."

Subject: Re: A Leader Among the Ruins

The expedition now without a leader, the halfling missing, exhaustion sets in. Holn's young frame was now world-weary, but the pressing question of the future lay in the Tall Grass. The expedition must continue.

"We must plan to leave as soon as we are able. We must press on after the survivors, for I am sure that there are many still."

"Leadership or no, we must continue."

Subject: Re: A Leader Among the Ruins

Bermid abandons them just as they are preparing to enter the unknown grasslands. Erk has no argument, since the rule of law is on the young noble's side. But he finds himself discomfited by what appears to be relief in the man's eyes.

"I will go at once," he says to Bermid. "I would like to take Buchek with me. His familiarity with the people's, and their customs and lands, will aid in the questioning." Erk turns to the grasslander and says, "Let's go find out what we can find out."

[Matt, before I can do the questioning, I need a couple things. Where are these prisoners? What do they look like? And, since it has been so long since we started, what information did we think they might have?]

Subject: Re: Test

I'm not sure that I have it with me here in New Zealand. I'll check on my iPod when I get back to Christchurch (no access to a Mac at the moment). I do remember some of them, though.

Subject: Re: Test

Wait, if Erk is in charge of the expedition now, does HE get to decide if I'm going? :P

In any case, Elotai will want to talk this over with Erk but he'll wait until after the prisoner interrogation. If Erk will allow it, he'd like to at least be present for the interrogation.

Subject: Approaching the Prisoners

The prisoners have been tied very securely and gagged. The three of them are being held behind the inn by two of the outpost's newest soldiers (who hadn't yet had time to get to know any of the fallen men, and so, Bermid felt, were less inclined to take out their malice on the prisoners).

The three are grimy, covered from head to toe in greasy black soot and mud, which seems to provide them some camoflage in the darkness. Their leathers are heavily worn and often mended, but are stained dark with the same greasy soot. Two of them have visible light wounds. The first has a sword gash across one cheek, but the blood has thickened into a blackish, flaking gob from earlobe to nostril. The second is bruised badly around the right eye, possibly having a broken bone - the skin has swollen the eye shut, and some blood has dried on the man's temple. Other injuries are unknown, as they are covered by armor.

They all seem defiant and wary, rather than subdued. They have not been broken, only captured. There is caution in their eyes, but little fear. The one with the gashed cheek seems to rest a little more comfortably, as though he is sure nothing will come of them. The others look to him from time to time, but he simply watches the guards. Of the three, he is most likely to have some answers - he may be closer to Tossuc than the others, who seem to look to him for leadership in how to compose themselves.

The man is obviously of the grasslands. He may know about Tossuc's reasons for attacking the outpost, or where Tossuc has gone. He may have information regarding the caravan, or of the first lost group of rangers sent to find some trace of their passing. He may know things about the Tall Grass, or about the region in general. Lots he might know.

(ODM: Okay, you ask, I'll see what I can do about answering. Intimidation, Gather Information, and Diplomacy (to some extent) will determine what answers I can give.)

Subject: Re: Approaching the Prisoners

(Ok, Erk is good at diplomacy, but has very little skill in intimidate or gather information. I am writing this turn as if Buchek did in fact accompany Erk to the prisoners, even though nothing has been written that says he did.)

IC:

Erk whacks Buckek across the back in a rough gesture and says, "Keep your temper in check this time! I would like to get a word or two out of these men before you pursue your vendetta on them. Stand over there and keep your weapon in its sheath until I say otherwise!" Erk points at a spot behind him, and when his head is turned away from the prisoners, he winks at Buchek.

Turning back, he will crouch to put himself at eye level with the bound men. "I am sorry if you've been ill treated. My people have a custom of treating prisoners well, once they've given their parole. Do you know my people?" He turns to Buchek behind him and says, "What is the word for dwarf in your tongue?" Once he has the word, he turns back to the prisoners. "If you know of us, you know we are reckoned as fierce enemies, but with no stain on our honor. You can trust that I will do as I say, both for good and for ill."

He removes the gag from the leader. "Now, will you speak with me, as an honorably defeated foe? Are either of your men seriously injured? I am a priest, and as such I can tend to wounds. If you or your men are badly wounded, then tomorrow, after I have prayed to my god, I can heal those injuries. I do not do this to bribe you, but simply because my faith requires that I treat all without prejudice when dispensing God's grace."

His face grows grave. "But I do not control the men into whose hands your lives have fallen through your attack here. They will do with you as they see fit. However, if you would agree to aid me in some small ways, it is possible that this could be used to justify gentler treatment than they might otherwise deem necessary. If you see the wisdom in this, then I would begin with a simple question: Why did you attack this outpost and destroy the tower? What do you gain, here?"

Subject: Re: Approaching the Prisoners

The man looks at Erk cautiously.

"We need none of your gods' works, priest. You do not control these sunset men, but you fight by their side and are little better than they. Your kind stays to the mountains, which is your rightful place, and we have no quarrel with your people."

You, however, fight at the side of the sunset men who steal our land and push us into the Tall Grass. You bring the quarrel of the The People upon your kind."

He sets his jaw and looks up into Erk's eyes.

"I will answer your question, nonetheless, as it is no secret. We attack to drive the sunset men from lands they stole from The People. They have no right to the shores of this river, and must be driven back to their stone villages like ground squirrels before a wolf."

At this, the guards shuffle their feet in the background, but say nothing. It is obvious that this sort of thinking makes them uncomfortable.

Subject: Re: Approaching the Prisoners

Erk nods sadly. "This is no surprise. Men have always butchered each other for the bits of ground they wish to hold. My people have fought as fiercely for our mountain halls, when they were threatened. I serve a war god, and there is a reason the god's of war are so powerful. It is in our nature to offer them many sacrifices.

"I do not hold you to be evil for such warring, lest all men be found equally evil, for all will fight when backed into a corner. My purpose here is not to judge you for these acts, nor is it to help men take your lands. If I fight by their side, it is an accident of circumstance and because there were many innocents in this town needing protection. I notice you did not bring your women and children to battle.

"If you help me with a few more things, I and my band will move on to other business. What is this 'tall grass' you speak of that the men drive you into? We are following an expedition of men from my city who may have gone into it. Would you know of them? When they were lost, other men followed to find them, and were lost as well. We seek either or both of these bands. Can you tell me anything of them, or the land they went into?"

Subject: Re: Approaching the Prisoners

?I do not hold you to be evil for such warring, lest all men be found equally evil, for all will fight when backed into a corner. My purpose here is not to judge you for these acts, nor is it to help men take your lands. If I fight by their side, it is an accident of circumstance and because there were many innocents in this town needing protection. I notice you did not bring your women and children to battle."

The raider responds evenly.

"No, we do not bring our women and children to battle. We also do not place them in the hunting grounds of a grassland lion. The sunset people place their women and children in such peril."

He pauses.

"It was not our intention to kill any women or children." He looks up from the ground to look directly into Erk's eyes. "Only to drive them back out of our lands. These weak men cannot live off the land - they need their towers of wood and stone. This is not their land. There is no stone or wood for them to build."

"Yet still they invade the grasses and destroy our hunting grounds." He spits.

Erk considers his words, and notes that he has been very forthcoming with information. He realizes that he hasn't asked any questions about Tossuc, or the whereabouts of the other attackers. He's not sure how the man would respond to such questions, and he isn't willing to press the issue.

?If you help me with a few more things, I and my band will move on to other business. What is this ?tall grass? you speak of that the men drive you into? We are following an expedition of men from my city who may have gone into it. Would you know of them? When they were lost, other men followed to find them, and were lost as well. We seek either or both of these bands. Can you tell me anything of them, or the land they went into??

"If they traveled into the Tall Grass, they are lost. You will not find them, and if you look you will not return. The Tall Grass is the land of the animal gods, and those who venture too far are never seen again."

He pauses again, and lowers his voice.

"I can tell you that they were not attacked by my people. Without wood and stone, the sunset people cannot survive the wilds. It is better to wait for them to starve and be killed by predators, then claim the abandoned weapons and equipment."

"I did see a long train of wagons many, many, and my tribe kept an eye on them, waiting for them to fail and turn back - or to die. But they did not stop. They walked into the Tall Grass just south of the buffalo marshes, and we knew then that the gods would claim their spoils."

At the mention of the buffalo marshes, a flicker of recollection passes across Buchek's face. He knows that land. It was several days travel to the south of the territory claimed by his father during his childhood - if this man was part of Tossuc's band, and Tossuc had expanded that far... he may truly be trying to unite all the People. Otherwise, this was a man whose tribe was destroyed, and he joined the Tossucat for survival.

Subject: Re: Approaching the Prisoners

Erk says, "Thank you for your help. No matter the side you fight for, I can see you are a man of honor. I will do what I can for you."

After he gets up, he will take the guard aside. "No harm comes to them until a lawful trial is held. Do you understand me? If any here take vengeance on helpless men, I will see to it that you pay the price for such lawlessness."

Erk will leave with Buchek. Once they are out of earshot, he will ask, "What do you make of his words? What are the tall grasses? Why do your people fear them so?"

Subject: Re: Approaching the Prisoners

"The Tall Grass is the land beyond our own. It is the territory of the Animal Gods, and it is where the Sunset People's caravan disappeared. No one with wisdom enters the Tall Grass willingly. Those who do so without the favor of their gods rarely re-emerge. The best those who disappear can hope for is a quick death from the bite of a viper. The Grass Children devour the souls of those less fortunate, leaving their bodies to wander forever through the swamps. Others the gods choose to play with, or consume, or enslave.

Buchek touches the ruined side of his face. "It was in the Tall Grass that I was given this. I thought--hoped--that the fact that I survived the Tall Grass meant that I was favored by Kipshaa. Now I am not so sure. Perhaps Death spat me back for its own reasons." He shrugs. "Perhaps it was chance."

Visibly changing the subject, Buchek says "I am troubled by what this man said. He said something about the Buffalo Marshes being a part of his tribe's lands. The marshes are several days travel from the Cushat's traditional lands. If the Tossucat has grown so large that the marsh dwellers are a part of it, his power is even greater than I had feared. I only hope that this man was tribeless, and sought refuge with the Tousscat."

He pauses for a moment. "He did not seem like an evil man. I was surprised. I thought that any that followed Tossuc would have been tainted by his evil, or killed out of hand. What the man says of the Vegetable Eaters stealing our ands is true. It the man leading the coming assault were someone else...I

would not oppose him. What he seeks to do is just, and the dream of the People reunited is a good one. With Tossuc's evil lurking in the heart of the One Tribe, though, it is sure to collapse, and perhaps destroy the People along with it.