Turn 126b
Edo decides to depart the party, and continue on his way. He assures
Laban they will always be friends. Laban decides to continue with the
party, in hopes of minimizing any problems to be encountered by the dark
elf race in the future. Crystal decides to return to Dragonmeyr with
Leonnie and Stella. And Cao decides to ride with the gyspies. Whisper
comments that he doesnt believe in enslaving horses for riding. The
group aids in burying the gypsy dead, and Gareth hands over a full pouch
of platinum and another of small gems to the gypsy clan in hopes of
helping them to rebuild their existence.
Jahl gasps. Such wealth hidden right beneath his nose!
Cole questions their new
direction, and the group decides upon riding to the east continueing
along the road, although it is not on the map. Wulfgar and Arilyn begin
sparring, with Arilyn obviously trying to distract Wulfgar by untying
the top laces on her blouse. Wulfgar responds by swinging in with his
weapon and finishing the laces for her accidently you're sure as his
face blushes slightly, and hers a VERY bright red as her blouse falls
comepletely open exposing her naked chest. Everyone turns away in
respect for her (I'm assuming here guys) and continue their personal
business while she refastens her top.
Jahl does his best to be respectful and only peeks twice, but he's
ashamed of himself. Really.
You make camp for the evening, and
set standard watches, but the evening passes with no interruption.
Morning comes and Leonnie, Crystal and Stella head back to Dragonmeyr
with map copies and missives for friends and family (any letters home
send to me privately guys). Edo claps arms with Laban, and continues on
his way southwest. Cao heads out with the gypsies. Milling around camp
are,
Barbaxle, Cole, Gareth, Arilyn, Jahl, Kay, Keldar, Laban, Vincas,
Whisper, and Wulfgar. Breakfast has been eaten, practice completed,
prayers said, and memorization done.
Laban looks at Edo and smiles he places a hand on his shoulder "I understand
my friend that you are more used to wandering on your own and thus I feel
that this is maybe the time for us to part. I am going to see if I can join
this group exploring the land looking for the source of the evil. I feel it
may be my destiny and if as I suspect my kin do come to look for I have a
better chance of survival with a larger group and the damage they can do to
the surface world would be minimised by a group such as this." He smiled at
Edo "Take care my friend, I believe our paths will cross again and may your
god smile upon you."
Wulfgar walks to stand beside Arilyn "How are you feeling this morning
Arilyn?" he smiles broadly at her thinking back to her embarrassment last
night. "Do you wish another lesson later today should the opportunity
arise?" He grins at her and rubs her hair to show he is just teasing her
and hopefully she will laugh with him.
Barbaxle is going to go over to Gareth and talk to him privately. After that
he will walk over to his horse and prepare him for the journey ahead. "I
guess this is what that dream was all about. At least I hope that is what
the dream is about, otherwise we are going to have a very rough ride ahead
of us."
"Alright, no more dallying this morn! Let us be off! I will gladly
give up my riding beast such that I could walk along side our new companion
Whisper," Jahl says almost too cheerfully. "If anyone has use of the
creature please be my guest to its use."
Jahl prepares his pack slowly while stealing curious glances towards the
strange new elf. Pondering his own thoughts, Jahl makes to comment several
times but at the last moment always decides not to. Once his pack is
ready, Jahl stands and wonders what is taking everyone so long.
"Let us be ready. The pathway to adventure lies before us, the road to
curiosities, wonders, treasures and friendship is here. All we have to do
is follow it! Onward with us!" Jahl's excitement clearly shines through
his eyes and the smile on his face.
Carefully watching (if you still are) you may notice a half-smile on
Whisper's face as he listens to Jahl.
Whisper stands up, stretches once or twice, gives Jahn a half-bow and
moves over to stand next to the man. He wears his cloak fairly tightly,
such that his armor doesn't show as much and carries his bow which he will
string as he walks.
When Keldar awakes in the morning, he dives into his spellbook, studying
away. After a while, he shakes his head, rubs his eyes, then gets his fill
of breakfast.
He looks quite grim and disturbed, but shows embarassment when he looks
Arilyns direction. "Lets get this mappin' done so that we kin figur' out
what's messin' with me magic. Life ain't that grand with the magics
messin' 'bout."
"Now I wanna know, how baddo the effect get on magic castin'? Rain and
bein' a duck fer a sixth hours don't seem that bad. Whats the worst effect
you've seen?"
"During the course of our journeys, we have heard tell of giant fireballs
destroying the mage and the area around him, of great tornados that appeared
from nowhere to draw the caster up into the sky, never to be seen again.
Storms that never leave an area, and never dissipate. Rumours were also
talking of common folk...ehm... ensuring that mages did not, or should I say
could not, cast. I have not found such evidence, but the rumour - warning?
- is there. Does that satisfy your curiousity, friend Keldar?" After
awaiting and responding to Keldar's response, Gareth suggests, "I believe
that we have finished the southern sweep and corrected the dream's danger
[the paladin nods at the druid's explanation]. Therefore, let us begin
making the link back east to Dragonmeyr. We can restock, report in person,
and then pursue either a secondary loop within our first circuit, or serve
our king in another fashion. Thoughts?"
Laban watches all the others preparing for the days journey he notices how a
couple of them want to speak to him, but hesitate and he waits. They will
make conversation when they are ready he thinks to himself, better not to
push it. He walks to Gareth obviously the leader, "Sir, I would like to
accompany you and your companions on your journey! Would this be okay?" He
waits for an answer to his question before he readies what little equipment
he owns.
Gareth completed his dismount and began checking his weaponry, bags, and
Emperor as Laban aired his request. "Goodfellow Laban, I pose the following
to you," the paladin contributed sincerely. "As you have not been commanded
to us by King Arion, it is the group's decision on whether or not you will
be accepted and travel with us.
For my agreement, you must understand that this company was formed to
investigate the safety of, and purge lingering evil within, the lands -
particularly the north-west section of Dragonmeyr. You must be willing to
follow this and accept my decisions when matters of security or safety come
into play; I do not lead this party in a heavy-handed manner, but, as a
devoted of Pikahl, I do put everyone's safety before rash action. Further,
you must agree to stand up in combat, defending your fellow companions, not
running or hiding - no slight is meant. We do not condone belittling or
picking on others because of what race from which they hail, something I
suspect you favour, and nor is this acceptable towards others; I am certain
you noticed how members of the party interceded when Wulfgar's knowledge and
blind reaction endangered your life. Finally, the simplest restriction: do
Good. I judge you to be such a person, and know you wish to leave this land
better than when you arrived. Fulfill those, or be willing to, and you have
my vote for acceptance. I will stand beside you, if you feel you can agree
to my requirements. Fair? The paladin looks up with a smile upon his face.
"I nearly neglected to mention that you need to remark to the party about
how fresh and succint you found my response." Gareth chuckled softly to
himself at the notion.
The group rides out in search of the missing Reggie, and find him quietly camped by a lake, with his fishing
pole in his hand. Asking if he is ready to head out, Reggie informs the party he will be staying
where he is for awhile to 'catch the fish I know is here'
"It is of little matter, my friend. I wished simply to ensure that you were
safe and... yourself. If you find your calling here, then I am not one to
say different [but his expression would say otherwise]. Good fortune in
catching your fish; Pikahl watch over you until next we meet." Gareth
mounted his mighty equine, nodded to Vincas, and clicked Emperor into a trot
back to the party meet site.
Keldar's eyes get misty at the though of leaving behind the one link to
his heritage outside of the human town where he was raised, but then
remembers that the other gnome never answered any of his questions.
"Farewll Reggie. Enjoy your fishing..."
Keldar turns and leaves.
Returning to their camp, the party continues to pac up their belongings.
Keldar turns around startled by the question. "Oh... yeah... though that
you WERE gunna follow. Never thought ta hand no fancy invite."
The little gnome walks up to Leban and shakes his hand. Then turns to
finish bundling up his gear, placing his precious new scroll deep within
the pages of a spell book in his backpack. He then looks about at all of
the people with mounts.
"So who's drivin' me about today?".
Barbaxle starts nodding his head to Gareth suggestion from earlier. "I think that would
be a very good idea to spar before dinner. I don't know if the gnomes will
like that, but they don't have to spar if they don't want to." After getting
his horse ready, and everyone is ready to leave. He walks over to Keldar and
says "You can ride with me if you want. Just make sure that you hold on
tight, if I say so."
Listening to the bigger mans words Laban nods his head when Gareth tells him
he will be expected to stand and fight to protect the group if the need
arises. "I have no fear of death and expect it at every turn Gareth, to
protect the group I will die if the group and I are to travel together to
find out what evil roams the land!" He looks to the rest of the group half
expecting them to tell him they want no part of him yet hoping that they
will allow him to join them.
Whisper nods to Laban. "I have seen this man fight, he will be as good an
addition to the party as I or maybe as any of you." He glances at Arilyn
for a second then turns his gaze back to the road.
Laban looks around to face Whisper and bows his cloaked head at the memories
of having to fight. They seem to think it a good thing? He waits silently
for the party to move out.
"Great, it's settled then, we'll all spar before supper, and maybe Laban
could show me how to fight with a sword in both hands, now that would be
interesting..", She finishes preparing her horse, speaks a few words into
Angel's ears and departs eastward with the others.
"All this talk of fighting. Tsk. Can we not speak of something more...
pleasant?" Jahl asks as he walks along. "Has not the weather been kind to
us? Do we not have good companionship? I believe that we are better than
the common soldier who brags of killing his enemies, both weak and strong
alike." Jahl takes a breath to continue on but suddenly decides that he
probably should not from the looks of some of his friends. Frowning at
himself, Jahl takes a moment to recollect his thoughts. After several
paces Jahl turns to his companion walking along side him and speaks
quietly.
"If you are required to swim and you swim well, why not be proud? If you
are required to be faithful to a diety and you are the most faithful ever,
why not be proud? In times like this, fighting is required and those who
fight, should hone their skills." Whisper pauses and looks at Jahl. "Are
you not a warrior? Ever fought an enemy with your companions and suceeded
and been proud of a job well done?" He pauses again. "Have you ever
perhaps been on the field of battle and wondered where someone gained
their skills at all, why they are out here fighting? It is
such reasons warriors train each other." After replying, a look of
surprise comes over Whispers face as Jahl speaks to him quietly, but
Whisper responds and they both fall into quiet conversation.
To see Jahl, and Whisper's private conversation, Click Here.
Everyone mounts up but Whisper and Jahl. Jahl leads his horse as the 2 walk
behind the others, Whisper refusing to ride. You dont cover very much ground,
going so slowly, and lunchtime rolls around before you've covered 5 miles.
Everyone agrees to stop for lunch and sets about making up a mini camp. You
begin to discuss who will catch lunch, or will it be rations again?
Whisper offers to help and look for food.
Kay looks back, "I think I can still see those gypsies, and we've been
riding for how long?' She looks around to see if any of the horses had
switched places with their rider, "Whisper, is there anything you don't mind
riding? Cause if we keep this up, it will be weeks until we reach the next
town."
Once everyone's horses are resting, Kay takes out a few of her arrows,
"Unless anyone objects, I'll be more than happy to help you all hunt for
some food, I can't let these arrows get dusty."
"Wouldn't it be better to just have rations now and hunt for food later
when we plan on bedding for the night? Hunting, cleaning and cooking food
takes more daylight time that would be better used for traveling." Jahl
finds a suitable place to rest and plops down. He takes a deep drink from
his waterskin and then ruffles through his pack for a snack.
"Night hunting is also difficult." Whisper shrugs but leaves the decision
up in the air.
Gareth does a head count to make sure that everyone is present, then
considers the travel situation. "Unless it badly offends your convictions,
new companions, it would be best if we rode our fine equine friends. Travel
by foot is far too slow. The king has already dispatched two groups wishing
information from us. As for the hunting dilemma, why not have those skilled
in hunting spend a half hour looking for signs of prey, but keeping an ear
open for a return call. We can repeat when we establish camp for supper."
Cole dismounts and sit's by his horse waiting for a
dicision to be made on what to do.
"I'll help hunt but let's not spend too long, we need
to get moving, we've wasted enough of this day
arguing as it is."
Cole informs Gareth that according to the map, he believes they aren't
too far from the village of Landry.
Keldar walks stifly around the group, mumbling complaints about horse
riding. "I'm not to eager ta get back on that beast, but sleepin' out in
giant infested woods longer'en we 'ave ta us just as bad. Why not just eat
what we're carryin' an get a-movin' again soon."
"Convections?" Whisper scowls. "To hunt an animal to survive is one
thing, to enslave it and make it your beast of burden when you can use
your own self for such tasks is another." He pauses. "No I don't ride, I
don't have the skill nor the desire to persecute an animal. Where are we
going in such a hurry?"
"Enslave? Perscute?", Kay looks up from her quiver and arrows, "Angel is no
slave, I prefer to think of us as partners, I mean, she takes me where I
need to be,and I feed, clean, groom and by Lent, if something ever were go
wrong with her, I'd take her to the closet healer or druid and even if had
to give up all the gold in my pockets, everything I owned, and the clothes
off my back just to make sure she got better, I would! As for you not riding
your own horse, you should at least try riding on the back with somebody
else, as I don't think we can wait about for you anymore like that,
especially with all the crap going on lately.", she frowns and return to her
arrows.
Whisper turns to face Kay and looks her and her horse over. "Perhaps in
the end that's all creatures want, to be fed, cleaned, healed and ridden.
Or perhaps you've been riding so long you could not get along without it
and are making excuses." He pauses and adds. "As for doubling the burden
of one of these poor animals, that doesn't make any more sense to me than
adding a burden in the first place." He shrugs. "I do not expect to
change your beliefs in one or perhaps any number of days, but do not
expect to change mine. If someone would tell me where we are going I may
be able to come up with something else other talk of horses."
Turn 127