Cayzle's Wemic Site
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Departure and a Heavy ThudPreparing to Depart
GM
At daybreak, you meet at the appointed location, outside of his warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The light of the rising sun cuts through the thin grey mists that blanket the ground and shroud the nearby woods in darkness. A half dozen young men are loading up two wagons with a number of wooden crates, most of which contain what seem to be fine cloth or clothing. A number of other assorted goods, including a crate of wines, are also being loaded. Each crate is covered with leather after it is loaded. Four horses stand, tethered, nearby.
Tyrus, overseeing the loading, notices you and approaches. "Good day, friends! We should be off any time now; my men are just finishing the loading." He leads you to a trio of young men standing beside the warehouse. "This young man here," indicating a shorter man in a leather jerkin, "is the caravan driver, Jacob." He motions to the other two, larger men, who are wearing suits of chain and swords at their sides. "These are my guards, Darian and Jorel. They hail from the Chalicine Empire." He introduces you to them, and they seem friendly enough, though the Chalicians seem to have not yet learned how to smile.
"Now, if you'll step inside here, I'll give you your advance pay. Additionally, I have some armor in stock here, if you'd be needing to purchase anything. Anything else you probably can get in town -- we've a few minutes before we set off."
He hands each of you a pouch containing 50 gp. (Cyrus is given 10 gp, and Tyrus explains that the remainder has already been donated to the town's temple to Lumar, as requested. He also explains that they appreciated the gift greatly, and that they are aware that Cyrus is responsible.)
OOC: If you need to purchase armor, the availability and cost list is below. Any other common items in the PHB should be available in town at standard costs. Please email me directly with any items you are purchasing; I should hope to have a travelling post up this weekend.
Armor:
Leather armor - 5 gp
Studded leather armor - 20 gp
Ring mail - 40 gp
Chain mail - 75 gp
Brigandine - 120 gp
Banded mail - 200 gp
Mail and plate - 250 gp
Fine double chain mail - 300 gp
Mail coif - 10 gp
Reinforced wooden shield (medium) - 7 gpThese armors should be available in a quantity to suit anyone who needs it, except for the double chain, of which there is only one suit. Also, sizes to appropriately fit the elves are available for the five least expensive armors, leather through chain mail.
Lakyah (Bobbie)
"Well go Sir if you don't mind could I please get the leather armor? I don't want anything that is to heavy. I will just sit and wait until it is time for us to go if you don't mind."
Mageron
"I don't need any armor it just slows you down but thanks for the offer" as Mageron accepts the money from Mr. Weber.
Tasha
Tasha examines the available armor and selects a set of studded leathers that she decides fit well and one of the med., reinforced wooden shields. Though it is a med. shield it covers her well ,with her being pretty small compared to most men they were made for. She hands back 27 GP to Tyrus and makes her way to the shop in town where she can acquire the other items she wishes to get before they set off.
At the shop she picks 3 throwing knife blanks, a small metal file/rasp, 3 yds black shirt weight home spun cloth, 4 spools of thread and 2 sewing needles, a side of raw hide leather, and a full hide of soft clothing weight leather, died black, and 10 yds of leather lacing to match.
After completing her shopping she wrapped every thing in a bundle and quickly headed back toward the warehouse. As she passes a building that is obviously a bar, she sees an empty wine bottle and 3 stoppers on the ground she quickly scoops them up without breaking stride, a couple of minutes later she was back at the warehouse ready to leave. While she waits for the others she stashes her bundle in her backpack.
Setting Out
GM
After everyone has made their purchases, the caravans is soon finished loading and ready to leave. Tyrus re-emerges from his warehouse wearing chain mail and a longsword. He pays the young men who were loading the caravan, and they walk off in all directions. The horses are attached and Jacob takes his place in the front.
Tyrus says, "Now, we'll be having to walk alongside the caravan, you know, since there's no room nor horses for all of us, but we won't be going quickly at all. Keep alert; there always seems to be some kind of danger along this road."
With a crack of the whip, the caravan sets off along the northern road with its nine guards alongside it.
The northern trail to Tiefelsburg is nothing more than a wide, hard-packed dirt path. Fortunately, it hasn't rained recently, although the clouds above promise otherwise. The thick Greywood forest surrounds you on both side, presenting a dark wall of trees. The forest seems aptly named this morning, not for the color of its trees, but for the waist-high mist that seems to flow out of the forest.
"We've about a two days' journey to the Wayside Inn, which is about the midpoint of the trail. We'll make camp at sunset. Until then, just enjoy the ride." Tyrus laughs coldly, and the sound echoes through the forest.
OOC: I'll be controlling Larrs for a while until Ted is settled down. Also, remember spellcasters -- need your memorized spells for today. (I'll use this as a daily memorization list unless you specify otherwise.)
Mageron
Mageron walks along the right side of the caravan. Looking at the forest area on the right of the caravan and listening to the sounds of the area they are walking through as to hear if anything strange out of the normal surrounding noise. "I don't like mist it prevents you from seeing the hidden dangers." he thinks to himself.
Lakyah (Bobbie)
Sitting waiting for the rest of the cargo. Well I hope we are off soon I have a bad feeling that there is something wrong. Well I better keep my eyes open.
Tasha
Tasha braided her hair and tied it at the back of her neck out of the way. She puts her armor on over her clothes a slips into the straps on her backpack It feels a little strange with the armor on under it but after readjusting it a little its fine. She takes her cloak and throws it over her back and makes sure that her bow and quiver are easily with in reach. Also retying her knife to her leg over her armor. She takes up her place at the side of the caravan behind The Wemic, this creature holds a fascination for her. She has never seen anything move so gracefully. The other little elf Lakyah seems so shy and alone. She makes a mental note to speak to her later perhaps when they stop for the noon meal, but for the present she stays alert to the possibility of attack and watches the beautiful movements of the Eso'ay as they move up the path.
Eso'ay
Eso'ay walks at the head of the group, ears straining to hear anything unusual in the mist.
Sensing that the fog and the dangers of the road have dampened the group's spirits, she will, from time to time, play pleasant light airs in an effort to dispel bad thoughts and improve morale.
(She keeps her ears open between songs!)
The Wemic senses Tasha's admiring gaze and turns to smile at her. She asks, "Please, walk with me?"
Tasha and Eso'ay
> Tasha smiles back at Eso'ay "Thank you, I would
> like very much to walk
> with you if it won't distract you.""Oh no," Eso'ay replies, "I've been walking and talking and playing forr so long as I can rrememberr!" She keeps playing as they walk, a very soft lilting melody.
> "I've never met any thing/one like you. You are so
> beautiful and graceful.The tall Wemic seems to blush a little. "That is so nice to hearr! Thank you. And you yourrself seem far morre grraceful than any otherr human I have seen. Is it rrude if I ask what kind of people you come frrom?"
> Tessie my cat was my best friend when I
> was growing up. My
> grandfather Shamar brought her to me when my mother
> died. She was my
> best friend from then on, she listened to all my
> troubles and sorrows
> and never told a sole" She smiles"
> " I miss her. Tona, my grandmother, said that she
> was to old to learn
> to travel with me but I do miss her."The Wemic's music becomes slower and sadder.
"My motherr is dead too, and I know how sad and lonely that can be. She and I always trravelled farr and wide. She had a pet birrd that was the cleverest little thing! Someday I would like an animal frriend to trravel with."
With that Tasha settles down to the comfortable gate that Eso'ay is setting and continues to watch everything for the unexpected, but so far just a bird or a squirrel here and there is all she sees.
A Loud Thud
GM
As Cayzle and Tasha start their conversation, you all suddenly hear a loud crashing sound off to the left. The trees at the side of the road shake, and with the snapping of a few young saplings, a large, ugly ogre crashes out of the woods, yards away from the caravan.
The ogre, who is wearing something that might pass for hide armor over his brown, warty skin, picks up the giant club that he carries and shouts, "You pay toll! Give Thud bright shinies or Thud bash! Me want all bright shinies!" He thwacks his club against the ground for emphasis.
Tyrus Weber steps forward and replies, "We're not paying any toll of yours, unless you've a license from the city! Begone, we don't want any trouble!"
The troll squints his purple-white eyes in anger. "You no pay toll? Then Thud smash! Thud take bright shinies and smash mean mens!" He raises his club and advances toward the caravan.
Tasha
Tasha jumps at the sudden noise. She is immediately angry at the interruption of the nicest conversation she has had in a long while.
She drops her cloak and back pack, and sets her stance to fight, Her bow becomes a part of her arm with arrow at the ready in seconds, she waits for the word from her employer as to his wishes. If danger is immanent to her or the others in the group she will not wait her adrenaline is pumping.
Eso'ay
Hopefully before anything drastic happens, Eso'ay steps forward. She plays a loud strum on her lyre as she sings out, "Thud! I'll pay yourr toll!"
Beginning a soothing simple melody, she sings:
"I'll give you this brright song frrom me!
"And if you like it, that's ourr toll!
"If not, you get the song forr frree!"The Wemic Bard begins a simple fun song about a strong ogre named Thud who makes friends with nice travellers.
If she gets the chance to continue, I'll go into more detail about her song.
Lakyah
Lakyah steps stand by the others to see if she is needed. She looks at Thud he is strong but there is a weakness that she can see and wonders if she is the only one that can see it. She reaches into her belt pouch ready to use what she knows to be of help. She knows that she may not be a strong as the others but she has other things that she can do to help. One other thing she see is that the music is doing something to Thud.
GM
Thud pauses as Eso'ay begins her song. He waits for a moment, and then growls. "Thud not have time for songs! Thud want shiny things! Mens mean to Thud! You try trick Thud out of toll! Now yous pay! But me keep nice cat man... cat man make good music, yes. Sing many songs for Thud. Others have pointy-sharp things, hurt Thud. Thud hurt, too!"
With that eloquent little speech, Thud attacks.
Now looking for first-round combat actions *or* last-minute attempts to stop the ogre.
Eso'ay
Seeing that the Ogre is about to attack, Eso'ay quickly stows her lyre and backs away and around to one side of the monster. She keeps her hands out, without armor or shield.
In D&D terms, she will spend the round putting away her instrument and moving at normal speed. Her intention is to circle around to the rear of the ogre. Since the ogre seems to think she is "nice," she hopes that she will not be a target of the ogre's first attack, especially if some of the more fierce members of the party step up to the plate.
Next round, assuming there is melee, Eso'ay will look for the possibility of drawing weapon and shield and making a rear attack -- maybe even a charging rear attack.
Judson, is there anything about the terrain we should know about? Cover, elevations, obstacles, anything?
Mageron
"Everyone, hold your weapons!! thud calm down we are not going to attack you Why do you want or like shiny things? if you tell me I know where their is a shiny club as big as a tree but naa -- you would not be interest, or would you." Mageron says waving to everyone to halt for a second.
Combat
GM
As for terrain, you are in the center of a beaten path about 10 yards across. The caravan is about 10 yards away from you, and Thud is just about 5 yards away from the frontmost people (i.e. Tyrus). Other than the dense trees to either side of the path (and the caravan, perhaps), there is little in the way of cover or obstacles. The trees, on the other hand, would provide excellent cover.
Round 1:
Thud ignores Mageron in his anger, crashing forward toward Tyrus. "Me bash good!" With quick reflexes, Tasha fires an arrow at the advancing ogre. It sticks in one of the large hides protecting Thud, who doesn't even notice. Tyrus steps back a bit, and then attempts to duck past Thud's wildly swinging club to get in an attack. Just before he gets through, Thud catches him with a solid blow to the side, knocking him into the air with a wet "Thwack!". Tyrus lands on his back a good five feet away.
While Thud is busy with Tyrus, Eso'ay begins moving around Thud, trying to be as unassuming as a wemic possibly can be. Larrs rushes in past Thud's guard and readies his axe.
Thud turns just as Larrs delivers a harsh blow to the ogre's side. In pain, the ogre raises his club high and hits Larrs with a painful crack. The young man manages to remain standing and conscious, and seems to have avoided any permanent injury, although such a strike should have killed him. Just then, Tasha lets an arrow fly from her short bow with a sharp "Twang!". The arrow pierces the ogre's thick hide and buries itself in his stomach. Thud cries out in pain and begins stumbling backwards toward the forest.
During this confusion, Cyrus rushes to Tyrus's aid (as Larrs is dangerously close to the ogre's flailing club). He offers a prayer of healing to Kisno, god of the dwarves, and Tyrus's wounds close, curing him completely.
Eso'ay
In Round Two,
If the Ogre flees, Eso'ay will tend not to pursue.
If the Ogre flees and others chase after, Eso'ay will chase too, and attack if she gets an opportunity.
If the Ogre remains fighting, Eso'ay will attack with sword and claws, maybe with a side or rear bonus.
Mageron
"Get away from Larrs!!" Mageron says pulling out a dagger from its stealth and throwing it at the ogre's hand. and mumbles something.
OOC: If the ogre run will pursue he may have information if we can get him to talk.
Tasha
Tasha after her second shot rolls under the wagon and comes up on the other side and takes aim at the ogre again but this time she aims directly at the level she is closest to his crouch. Fires twice as quickly as she can It should get his attention and perhaps Eso'ay can complete her rear attack .
GM
Mageron's thrown dagger and Tasha's first arrow both barely miss the ogre, but Tasha's second arrow catches Thud just above the knee before he reaches the forest. The ogre howls in pain and slumps forward, crashing unconscious to the ground.
Larrs gets up, somewhat unsteady on his feet."I ... I think I'm okay," he says. He is very badly bruised, but seems to be fine otherwise.
Tyrus addresses you."I think we should make a spot for Larrs on the rear caravan and get going. I don't know if the ogre will live, but we've no quarrel with him, and I doubt he can provide us with any information. Besides, we don't know if there are more around." He looks around warily, as if another ogre might sneak up on him.
Life with Thud
Mageron
Mageron heads over and picks up his dagger by a tree and puts it away."I agree with Eso'ay this ogre may have a lair with your goods in it or may be with a group of bandits and could if he is still alive give us some information. If you want sir you may go and ahead and me, Eso'ay and someone else could stay and see what we can find-out and catch up later and if push comes to shove we'll see you in Tiefelsburg or the Wayside inn. It will not take that long I ashore you. If you agree with my idea all I ask is if you have some chains can we use them to bond the ogre so he does not attack us." I walk slow up to the fallen ogre to move his weapon out of the way but being on guard if he is try to play dead and might attack.
Tasha
Tasha retrieves all the arrows that missed there mark and considered the wisdom of doing the same to the ones in the ogre.
OOC Is the ogre dead or just out cold? Does he have a purse/pouch?
Eso'ay
Eso'ay moves up positions herself very close to the downed ogre, ready to pounce if he should regain consciousness. If he should start to get up, he'll find 600 pounds of Wemic on his chest to stop him!
"Somebody, please, take away his weapons so that he can't grrab them and attack us."
Then Eso'ay calls out to Tyrus,"Sirr, we arre herre to find out why yourr goods have been stolen and yourr carravans destrroyed. This ogrre just trried to steal our goods and destrroy the carravan. THIS might be why we arre out herre -- THIS might be the sourrce of yourr prroblems! Surrely we DO have a quarrrrel with this ogrre, and it IS ourr business!"
The careful observer might note Eso'ay's tail lashing and her hackles raised.
"All I ask is a shorrt converrsation with this monsterr, although I will be guided in this by yourr will, my employerr."
She looks around at her comrades."Is this rrequest too dangerrous, my frriends? If we werre in my homeland, the prriest would follow the ogrre's trail back to its lairr, wherre we might find some of the stolen goods -- but alas, I myself do not have the skill."
GM
The ogre is unconscious, although it is doubtful that he'll live without help. He carries nothing but his club, which is now on the ground next to him.
Larrs drags the ogre's club a good distance away.
Tyrus responds,"You may talk with him and try to track down his lair if you wish. I only thought that this one ogre could not cause the disappearance of a number of caravans with armed guards. As you just saw, the seven of us dealt with him quite effectively. Had we all bows, he might not have lasted this long. Additionally, if an ogre were to attack, surely at least one person on horse could escape; they are not known to be bright or quick creatures. Perhaps a half dozen or so ogres could be the cause, but I see no evidence of that here."
"However, we've some time to spare. As long as you keep your search and questioning relatively short, we can spare the time and make it up tomorrow."
Cyrus
I agree with Eso'ay. I don't think it wise to leave this ogre to just run loose. Let us follow it, or capture it & question its reasons for attacking us. Ogres are to dumb to just do things on their own. I believe that someone or something else is behind this attack.
Eso'ay
Eso'ay says,"I'm no healerr, so is anyone else capable and willing to bind his wounds?" If not, she will do her best on her own.
Tasha
Tasha comes up beside the Ogre. She places her foot on the ogre beside the arrow and pulls the arrow out, then does the same with the other one. Then reaches into her pouch and takes a pinch of yellow powder and sprinkles it in to the wounds ... "He will come around in a few minutes if you can speak his language you can ask him what you want to know." Then she does something strange she takes Her knife a cuts a lock of hair from the ogre and puts in her belt pouch.
Eso'ay
The Wemic turns to address the group."It seemed to me that Thud liked me, at least to the extent of being happy to enslave me rrather than slay me! But he seemed to bearr the rrest of you some measurre of ill will, and I darre say he will be rreluctant to offerr any useful inforrmation after feeling the pain of your darrts."
"So I suggest that you folks withdrraw out of sight, but still in earrshot. Let me be the only one visible when Thud rregains his wits. Maybe I will be able to have a nice chat with him and gain some useful intelligence."
"If he thrreatens me, my fourr legs should let me sprring away quick like a bunny. And you good folks will come rrunning if I call. We can even have me go with him back to his lairr, with you all following close and quiet afterr. What think you all of this plan?"
GM
On Eso'ay's request, the rest of the party (including Tyrus and the caravan, which has now made its way back) backs up out of range of the ogre.
A few minutes later, Thud's eyes open a little and he stares up at the sky. His eyes roll back in his head and he closes them again."Thud hurt. Want to go home. Mean mens hurt Thud." He lays quietly for a moment and then opens his eyes again."Cat-thing. Me don't know if bash or not. Doesn't matter. No basher. No could bash anyway, too tired. Thud want rest."
Meanwhile, Mageron slips off into the woods, following Thud's clearly-cut trail.
Lakyah
Siting very quite and waiting to see what will need to be done now. Listening to the two that are talking and wondering if this will bring forth anything that we can use to aide in our work.
Tasha
Tasha takes the retrieved arrows and cleans them and examines them for damage and replaces them in Her quiver. She is a very frugal person she was always taught ( waste not want not) by her grandparents ... Because she makes most of her own equipment She appreciates what it takes to make it .
GM
Tyrus and the two caravan guards clear a small space for Larrs on the rear wagon, and the big man takes a seat, getting some much-needed rest.
Tyrus addresses Cyrus,"You are a healer, yes? Kindly bind his wounds, perhaps a poultice or such would help? Larrs is still quite injured, and I have no knowledge of such arts."
Lakyah
I think that will work very well. I do know how to clean wounds like his but I am not sure if he would like me doing it for him, but if you all want me to then I can do it.
Eso'ay
Eso'ay sings a wordless lullaby as she helps Thud have a drink of water.
"Those mean men arre nowherre in sight," she says."I told them to go away. I'll help you get home. Come on, lean on me."
If he needs more rest, Eso'ay will stay with the ogre until he is able to walk. She'll get him to his feet and help him to start moving. She'll take him home. Of course, he has to indicate the way.
Eso'ay is friendly and encouraging to the ogre. Lending Thud her shoulder, she will make no effort to be quiet -- she doesn't want to surprise Mageron, she wants to leave a trail the others can follow, and she will keep singing softly in order to help pacify Thud -- which it can't hurt to try.
Thud
Thud smiles, sort of."Nice cat-man, but Thud not think Thud can get up. Hurt much, tired. It not matter, Thud not have home. Have shelter in clearing, nothing there. Thud long way from clan, long way from home. Find pretties for Reesha. But mens here dangerous and no use road. Thud go off somewheres, but first must rest here. Nobody use road for three suns since Thud get here. Thud probably safe resting here."
"Sing again, then let Thud rest? Cat-man should stay with friends. No fun without. Thud can't bring with, others no like, hurt cat-man, maybe Thud."
Eso'ay
Eso'ay tries to calm the ogre, who seems upset (she thinks to herself,"Well, getting hit hard in combat would get me upset, too!").
"Rrest now, frriend Thud. Be still. Listen and feel betterr." She sings softly, sitting next to the giant. As she sits, she thinks over the ogre's words, especially those about Reesha, about men who do not use the road, and about the "others" who would hurt Eso'ay and maybe Thud if Thud brought her to them.
Eso'ay's first priority is to give the Ogre a chance to recover from battle, so that he might move on with them tomorrow. To this end she will do what she can to make him comfortable, to give him food and water, and if the opportunity arises, to build a fire and fetch a blanket to cover him.
Her second priority is to instill in the Ogre the idea that she is his friend. She'll do this mostly through music, but also through body language, through speaking softly, through taking care of him.
If Thud falls deeply asleep, Eso'ay will sneak over to where the others are hiding.
"How's Larrs?" she asks. Then she recites the ogre's words as best she can remember them."It is clearr to me that this ogrre has useful inforrmation. Therre is a female he wants to imprress -- who is she? He says men herreabouts don't use the rroad -- ourr bandits? And most of all, therre arre "otherrs" he spoke of who he seems to fearr -- who arre they?
The Wemic makes clear her bold plan: "I think I should convince the ogrre to be my frriend and come with me. With us, that is. We would have to put aside ourr animosity and allow him to trravel among us. I will stay with him day and night to keep him out of trrouble. And as he opens up to me, I will learrn his secrrets."
Eso'ay waits to hear the party's response before she acts any further.
Tasha
Tasha pulls back like the others. She thinks to herself (another delay, Oh well time to do some chores while I wait) She takes some of her black leather and lacing from her back pack and settles her self down under a tree and busies her self at the project she has in mind ( All the time her sense alert for more trouble) She is well in to her project before Eso'ay comes back to inform the group of her thoughts on how to proceed.
"Well if I have any thing to say about it, I don't worry to much about Him as long as He is well watched. If Eso'ay thinks she can get useful information from Him"
" He probably won't like the one who put arrows in his body to much." She takes some herbs from one of her pouches and hands them to Eso'ay " If you make these into a tea/broth and give it to your friend he will regain his strength quicker if that is what you want"
She also offers the same remedy to Larrs If he accept she will busy herself with brewing it up for him. Then goes back to her project. And waits
Cyrus
I don't know if that is such a good idea. Ogre's can't be trusted. But I will go with the majority on this plan.
Lakyah
"I think that would be very wish and maybe he will trust us as well. I think he is very gentle of he is not scared."Thinking to myself I just hope he doesn't try to mash us if he finds out they we will be going too.
Tyrus
Tyrus speaks up."I don't know about taking that ogre with us. How much useful information can the thing really have anyway? Ogre's aren't exactly known for their intelligence and wisdom. On the other hand, it might be good to have him around if we run into trouble, as long as you can keep him under your control. But can you? If some of his friends show up, do you think he'll remain loyal to you? I'd bet he'll turn on you without a second thought. We don't have provisions to feed him, and what're we going to do when we get to the city, or the inn, for that matter? Most folk are fairly accepting, but ogres are another matter altogether. I think it's best that he remain here; we can probably count on him not attacking us again."
Lakyah
"I think that he might be able to help us and if thing less I can share with him because I don't eat much anyway. I think we should see if he will go with us as long as he doesn't try to smash any of us. I know he doesn't like us except you Eso'ay. He has said that much."
Eso'ay
Eso'ay looks around at her companions: Tyrus Weber, Tasha, Cyrus, and Lakyah. She looks over towards Lars.
How is Larrs doing?" she asks."Tasha, save your herbs for him if he needs help -- otherrwise, thank you forr the gift!"
This reminds the Wemic of the one who is missing."Magerron is still out therre, rright? How long has it been? Should we send a couple people out to look forr him?"
Then she considers the matter at hand, and turns to Tyrus."Among all of us, sir, you have the strongest reservations, and you are our employer. Given what I just said about ourr distance frrom innocent people, do you still oppose the idea of brringing Thud with us? If so, I will submit to yourr will in this."
Eso'ay looks at Tyrus' feet, and then she meets his eyes.
"Yes, I think I can contrrol the Ogrre. Frrom his converrsation with me, he has been isolated frrom his own kind forr a while. He seems to rrespond to a kind worrd."
"How many days trravel are we frrom the next inn orr village?" she asks.
Tyrus
>"We should reach the mid-journey inn tomorrow evening, perhaps a little later now that we've spend this much time here. Our destination is two days' journey beyond that. Were we further in the wilderness, perhaps the situation would be different."
Eso'ay agrees with Tyrus."I didn't rrealize that people werre so close by. You are rright -- we should not brring an ogrre closerr to them. But let me spend the night with the ogrre, and try to learn some morre about what he knows."
Tyrus
"How quickly can you move? If you are fleet enough of foot, you could catch up with us tomorrow morning. There should be little danger for a single person if they travel quickly enough; our greatest weakness is that we cannot flee any danger we run across. I'd prefer not to split up, but perhaps you're right."
"If everyone else is in agreement about this, then let the rest of us get going as quickly as possible."
Tasha
Tasha having stated her possession on the situation at hand just sits and works on her project listening to the discussion. After a few more minutes she slips form view behind the tree she was sitting under. No one seems to notice. When she returns she is wearing a pair of tight black leather pants instead of the white ones she had been wearing. These go to her ankles and are laced up the sides. She pulls the armor back over them. ( OOC ... If any one notices, or asks, she will tell them that the black is more practical and not as visible as the white ones.
She rolls the white ones up and stashes them in her backpack, and is ready to move on. She wishes that they would decide what they were going to do, indecision bothers her.
Tasha offers, (if there is to be someone to follow Mageron) she will go.
Eso'ay
The Wemic smiles at Tasha."My frriend, if something out therre has endangerred Magerron, then I fearr that it would overrcome whoeverr else we send out afterr him as well. Perrhaps you and one otherr should go?"
Lakyah
"Yes that sounds like the best way to do things. That way we will make up the time we have lost. I think we should not send anyone less because I think you are right one person can make it through more things then more travelers. I also think that he is one of the best to do something on his own. I mean no disrespect to anyone here but I think Mageron will be back soon."
Mageron
I approach my way to your location trying to be quiet not know if you are their. Tasha see me moving behind from behind the tree's through the clearing path made by Thud. I see the group and head over making sure Thud could not see me if he came to. I whisper to the members that are there,"I found a lean-to down the path nothing much just a few hides the area is just a clearing and there is another path of something being dragged it appears to beheading to the lean-to I can not tell if it is animal or demi-human as I am not a tracker but I marked it if you" pointing to Tyrus " feel it could be something or if the group wishes. and what about thud did he awake and did he say anything?"
Tasha
Tasha, seeing Mageron knows she will not be needed to follow him. So she readies her self and her things to move on with the group. Gathering her things she sits at the edge of the trail with her file she works on one of her throwing knifes and waits.
Eso'ay
When Eso'ay finds out about Mageron's return, her heart is eased, but it should not alter her plan.
Eso'ay thinks for a second, and then nods."Yes," she says to Tyrus,"go on without me, and I'll catch up with you tomorrrow. It's a little morre rrisky, but I'm sure I can handle one verry weak Ogrre. And Thud is morre likely to open up to me if you folks arre not arround."
"I'll returrn now to Thud, but if therre is any need to speak with me, or if you need help for any rreason, just whistle."
GM
Tyrus agrees with the plans, and you get things together and move on as Eso'ay remains with the fallen ogre. You travel onward for a few days, with little occuring on the way from here to there. The woods seem relatively quiet, and the travel is relatively easy. By evening, Tyrus informs you that you've made up most of the time lost from the ogre attack, and that within the next days' journey you should reach the inn.
The caravan stops to break camp in a small clearing on the side of the path, with the wagons closest to the road and a few tents surrounding a firepit in the center of the clearing. It seems that this location has been used frequently by travelers. The two guards scurry off to gather firewood, and Tyrus employs your help in raising camp.
"I suggest we put on man out in four watch shifts, and let the others sleep. I'll take the last watch, as I wake up early anyway. I'd like Lakyah to take the first watch, and Darien and Jorel can take the second and third watches."
OOC: First of all, Ted Hessing (Lars) will no longer be in this game -- some personal issue have come up and he no longer has the time.
On a lighter note, if there's anything you'd like to do in camp before nightfall, please post your actions, as always. Eso'ay should be left out, as she has stayed behind with Thud. (As Cayzle is out of town right now, I'll catch Eso'ay up ASAP. I'm hoping that timing will work out so that both groups will be in the same place at the same time within a few days -- real time.
Eso'ay
The Wemic takes a couple blankets, gathers some firewood (not a lot -- if she has to leave later she can say she has to get more wood), and returns to the Ogre. She builds a fire and sets up a small camp. She reclines and sings softly, her hands light on her lyre, her greatsword ready under one forepaw on the ground next to her.
That requires some explanation. When a Wemic must be still for a time, telling stories around a fire, pausing for a meal, waiting for a friend, or just to take a brief rest, the Wemic commonly assumes a posture in which his hindquarters rest on the ground as his front legs remain straight and his forepaws stay flat on the earth. This Wemics call sitting:
http://members. aol. com/windychang/ticosej2. gif
http://www. furry. org. au/chakat/Images/jla_AkonShiva. jpg
This is different from a Wemic reclining (both hind and forequarters on the ground, but with torso upright):
http://elfwood. lysator. liu. se/loth/d/u/duffey/lioness. jpg. html
And of course, Wemics sprawl:
http://www. furry. org. au/chakat/Images/tiglazy. jpg
(None of this art is mine!)
GM
I've managed to get pretty far ahead with the others, so if we could make this relatively short, that would be good. Wouldn't want you to miss out. :-)
You managed to make a tentative friendship with Thud, at least as far as him not trying to hurt you or run away. He seems appreciative of the tea, and he's definitely making good progress.
He explains much of what he said earlier (since I assume you ask him). He is indeed hunting for something to give his "girlfriend." He's had this road staked out for the past few days, but nobody has come by. He saw a few goblins once, but they quickly scattered.
The "others" to whom he was referring were the rest of his ogre tribe, which seems to live quite some distance to the northeast, on the outskirts of Jhonetel. The Kingdom is dangerous enough for them that they have to journey to its outskirts to get any "hunting" done.
Throughout your discussion, he mentions often how much he dislikes men and their works. Although he doesn't mind your company, he needs to find a present and maybe some other valuables and return home. The ogres there do not approve of any non-ogres, and they would quickly kill anyone he brought back. Likewise, he would be outcast from his tribe if he were to wander off with others, and being outcast from his friends and family is more than he could bear.
Eso'ay and Thud
Eso'ay's major goal was to determine what, if anything, Thud knew about the recent problems with Tyrus's caravans. She thought the bits about the female and the others might be relevant, but from what she has now learned, they do not seem to be. So if Thud is a red herring, there is not much reason to dilly-dally.
Thud hasn't seen anything but you and that group of goblins since he got here, and he assures you that he knows of no other ogres from his tribe in the area. He does mention that the forest in this region is rather dangerous, though, and that there are "many things," but they are always hidden (to him).
While he is resting, Eso'ay studies Thud's face and listens carefully to his description of where ogres live. She'll spend several hours at least on each. If need be, she would like to be able to remember what Thud looks like and to be able to remember his directions -- on the off chance she ever wants to find ogres!
He happily talks on for quite some time, although he is (purposefully) vague about where the ogres live. Still, it isn't difficult to outwit him into dropping helpful hits, to the point where you are quite sure you could find the tribe with a little searching. You will also be able to recognize Thud from facial details (including some scars and missing teeth).
If she has the time and chance, she'll ask Thud to teach her a simple song in Ogrish -- something funny. It would be nice to know how to say "Yes," "No," "Hello," and "Friend" in Ogrish, if that's not pushing it too much!
Thud says that his tribe doesn't really sing songs, although they have chants -- which seem to be the equivalent of poetry or song. The loremaster, he says, knows many of these chants, some of which are very long stories. Thud only remembers one that his mother taught him as a child -- it is intended to be a ward against men, giants, and things of the woods. He tells it to you in Ogrish and Common, although he has difficulty translating it into Common -- apparently there are numerous words in Ogrish for "bash." (If you want the text of the chant in English, I can provide you with it in a few days.)
Thud also teaches you "yes," "no," and "hello," explaining that the last is usually punctuated by bashing one's club on the ground. However, there is no word for "friend" in Ogrish, and they only vaguely understand the concept. He instead gives you the word for "ally," explaining that the only other choice would be "ogre" (which wouldn't make much sense).
Eso'ay gives a gift of five gold pieces to Thud -- being very careful NOT to let him know she has another 45! She wishes him well and hopes he finds something nice for his sweetie.
Thud looks happily at the money and explains that some cities on the outskirts actually trade with the ogres, and that perhaps he could buy something. He thanks you many times. (Actually, he seems to indicate that only a few members of his tribe -- presumably half-ogres -- trade in the cities. )
That night she tells Thud she will wake him after dark. She dozes, concentrating on Thud. She wakes, hopefully remembering her own dream, and then wakes Thud, asking him to tell her his dreams. Then she'll use her Dream Reading proficiency to tell Thud's fortune. (Her roll is a 13 to succeed. )
You have a very strange dream, in which you are a human while everyone about you is a Wemic. You recognize this as indicating increasing familiarity with your surroundings, although others view you as different. You also remember something about a ship and a storm, perhaps indicating dangerous travel. At one point you are sure you recall something about imprisonment. However, the dream becomes vaguer as you concentrate on it, and you can't dig any more meaning out of it.
Thud's dream, on the other hand, is more understandable, although equally strange. In his dream, he journeys northwards for months, into a land that is covered in deep snow. His journey, which takes him through "mountains of ice" and past "lizards as tall as four hills," ends at a great city. He doesn't remember who lives in this city, but they didn't attack him. He was relaxing in a warm spring just when he awoke.
You interpret this dream as meaning that he will leave his tribe, who he doesn't seem to have any great love of (other than that his friends and family are there), and become a more successful and peaceful ogre, perhaps a leader of another tribe. A more direct interpretation of the dream is possible, but seems quite improbable.
Then Eso'ay will high-tail it (literally!) out of there. She'll use her Running skill (53%), hopefully catching up to her friends in a day or three.
Since you had plenty of time to talk with Thud in the afternoon and evening of the same day, they haven't gotten very far. (And a Wemic running is much, much faster than a caravan.) You should be able to catch up with them by noon.