Glancing at the map she worked out where the porkers had been and where the south area was. Fine with me, long as we dont have to deal with the flying machine again.  .... Whats the odds of finding a intact bridge still up..Umm, well unless some of the locals are keeping it maintained.  As for running commerace between towns and outpost's could be worth some cash but i suspect we would have to pay out alot of payoffs to keep the locals from raiding use.

 She looks over her "sweeper" all 7 ft of smooth polished stainless steel with a heavy metal head of steel festoned with jagged metal bits around the head. She knew it was solid and tipped the scales around 40 lbs.

 Lets go exploring.

Shreek isn't going to argue over where to go as he knows very little about the area. Once in every ten minutes, as long as there is enough space, he flies up and takes a good look at the surroundings, instantly reporting anything suspicious.

OOC: Shreek the Electroid rolled 30 using 1d20+10. Lookout (Perception).

"Porkers.  Let it not be Porkers.  We have had the dream with Porky Ork and Bugsbear Bunny and Elmer Flind until we are ready to burn every last scrap of relic vidtape we find," the rats chorus as they follow the others.  "Although that flying monstrosity was quite effective!  Perhaps we ought to sneak in and borrow it sometime!"

In spite of the low-level good-natured bickering, the Collective Rattus is keeping at least some eyes peeled, cooperating with Shreek to make sure that proper route security is being done.

OOC 21:11, Today: Ordus F. Rattus rolled 25 using 1d20+8. Perception.

After around an half hour following the same route as before into the suburbs (according to the map in around an hour you should be veering left to head for the river), Ordus and Shreek both get the feeling that you are being followed at a discreet distance. Maybe two or three individuals, maybe more. At one point Shreek catches sight of one of your pursuers - man sized, but smaller than a porker.

I'm back! Want to wait to see how your handle your tail before resolving the salvage and forage rolls.

"Someone following, eh?" Bedlam listens to Shreek's report during a brief pause to consult the map and drink some water. "Well, we're not too far in yet, so it could be some hangers on from Compton. Though why they'd keep hidden is unclear."

The giant looks around at the crew. "It's still early, so we got some time before we have to worry about them sneaking up on us in camp. Do we let'm tag along - see if they reveal their purpose or turn back on their own - or call'm out?"

"Call 'em out." Tom answers.  Both his voice and his face convey a sharp sense of disapproval.  "They're likely just Compton lads looking to make sure they collect on their bets.  But if they're harmless it's better we send them packing before they get too far from town to get away safe.  And if they're trouble it's better we sort it now rather than spending the next hours looking over our shoulders." Tom hefts the heavy spear that is his weapon of choice, in anticipation of the impending scrap.

 With a long look back towards the city she frowned at the camp followers that were stupid enough to try and see where they went.

 YOU OUT THERE!!, go home. We wont come to your rescue if trouble comes after you and it will come after you.

 Shouldering her maul she turned and gave it little thought, Lets go find a decent place to camp for the night then let our skulkers go have a look at them.

A hundred tiny flaming rats suddenly wiggle one finger in each of their delicate little pink ears.

"Next time, say it louder.  They didn't all hear you back in Compton," seems to be the consensus complaint, although the number eleven is also referenced and quite a few of the Senatorial Rattus merely shake their little burning noggins.  "However, if they're brave and crazy enough to stick around, your other idea has much merit.  Too bad we show up too well in the dark."

There is no response to Flora's challenge, and no sign of your tail at this point. Will you continue?

 She can feel the dislike of someone following them and even worse of waiting until they are engaged in combat with something nasty before launching their own attack.

 She glanced over to the others as they walked along. Anyone make enemy's while in town?. It would seem who ever it is thinks they are better then us out here or they are crazy enough to believe that dream. So, we going to wait for them to show or go hunt them down?.

Bedlam surveys the nearby ruins and consults his map.

"Ok, here's the plan," the giant lays out his idea for the crew. "See that tower and the building just past it. We're going to head that way. When we get to the tower, Shreek will fly up and hide in it. We continue on and hide on the other side of the building. We'll be far enough away that our tail will have to come close to see where we have gone. Shreek will have a chance to get a better look at them so we can... act accordingly. If they spot Shreek, and become hostile, we'll be close enough help when he calls. Questions?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:17, Thu 27 Oct 2011.

- Watching prey before hunting it down is something I am actually good at. - he says.

OFF: Sorry for being that late.

"Good!" Bedlam grins broadly. "Let's be at it then. Everyone stay pointy."

Possum in tow, Bedlam and the crew make their way toward the tower and building beyond.

You follow the plan, with Shreek perched at the top of a gutted tower with an overview of your backtrail. The rest of the party form up a score of metres further on, out of sight behind a rubble-choked ruin...

Five minutes later Shreek gets a good luck at your tail. Three dabbers, mutated raccoons, creep along behind you. All are well equipped and look competent. Too competent - one of them obviously catches sight of something in the tower - a stray spark perhaps. Shreek ducks back but it's too late; when Shreek peeps down again the dabbers are advancing on the base of the tower...

Note that the others can't see this yet, but Shreek in range of Bedlam's telepathic speech, although he can't talk back of course.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:08, Thu 27 Oct 2011.

Crusty Tom shook his head at both Flora's question.  Tom didn't make friends easily but he hadn't been in Compton long enough to make enemies.

He responds the same way after Bedlam Jones outlines his plan.  It seemed a good one and there was no need to complicate it unnecessarily.  Tom was pleased to note that the giant was proving a capable tactician.

In their hiding place in the cover of a ruined buiding, Tom shrugs off his pack, tightens the straps on his leather armour and waits for a signal.

Shreek swoops down to the rest of the party, landing next to the ruin in a swirl of dust. "We're being followed by a trio of dabbers. They spotted me in the tower and came in so I took off. Can't be sure they didn't see me fly here either"
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:58, Fri 04 Nov 2011.

 She frowns at the idea of such idiot's really choosing to come out and see if they might get a chance to take some loot from them.

 Well i dont want them behind me. So lets either lose them or lead them over to the porkers, since they seem so eager to see what is out here.

 She twirled the 6ft sledge hammer in one hand while she talked without effort in the least.

"Wouldn't it be easier just to give them a black eye and see 'em on their way?  We could lose a lot of time trying to lose these dabbers, and I'm none to keen to risk tangling with porkers just yet."

Tom supposes that he shouldn't be surprised that others would want to attach themselves to the success that Flora, Bedlam and Ordus had achieved on their first delve, much as he himself had done, but he couldn't help feeling frustrated at the inauspicious start to their latest expedition.

"Well they're not from Compton then," Bedlam considers Shreek's recon. "And given the mayor's antipathy, they probably make a habit of stalking Compton parties."

Bedlam pauses for a moment.

"Flux. Was hoping to avoid them. Guess we'd better see if we can make some introductions. Watch your gear. Ordus, keep a few eyes on our back. Shreek, how 'bout the top of that wall?"

The giant puts his lamppost back on his shoulder and prepares to lead the crew back around the corner of the building to confront the dabbers.

"And let's see if we can't keep it friendly," he grins at Flora. "They already got black eyes."

"Of course," the Parliamentary Rattus declare.  "Although maybe...a pity there's no good way to make them think we haven't noticed them.  Nothing like bushwhacking a bushwhacker."

Shreek flaps up atop the wall while Bedlams leads the party back onto the remains of the road, to confront the three dabbers coming the other way. They freeze, looking surprised and guilty.

"Hello, we were looking for the... I mean can you tell me the way to... uh... this is awkward" says the leader.

"Indeed?" Bedlam grins, not entirely pleasantly at the dabbers. Even at this distance the size difference between the giants and the dabbers is notable.

"You've been tailing us since we left Compton. Folks there say you'll wait until we've found some salvage and then slit our throats while we sleep to steal it. They're willing to pay us handsomely for your tails."

Bedlam pauses briefly before continuing. "I'm sure having no tail would also be very... awkward."

The giant relaxes his stance, placing the head of his lamppost-maul on the ground and leaning against the handle.

"Now, personally, I don't care much for that solution. Got enough hassles with those porkers," he nods his head in the general direction of the porker enclave. "Don't need a bunch of tailless dabbers running around blaming me for their humiliation. I just want to go about my business - salvage and trade - without having to worry about rude awakenings or bloody tail stumps."

Straightening up again, and hefting his maul back onto his shoulder with a little flourish, Bedlam concludes: "So you dabbers wanna do some negotiating or should we just commence with the thumpings?"

The dabbers exchange nervous glances during Bedlam's tirade, then the leader steps forward. "Look, it this is all just one big understanding" says the leader with an insincere smile. "We'll just head off back that way and leave you in peace big guy. Are we cool?"

Crusty Tom lurks silently, slightly to one side of and behind Bedlam Jones.  He is still more than a little suspicious, despite the dabbers protestations, and keeps a tight grip on his spear.

Tom watches and listens closely, trying to get some impression of the dabbers' intentions.  He doesn't know much of dabbers but broadly speaking, Tom is a fair judge of character.  It was a skill that came naturally to him and it had served him well while he had been travelling alone.

"Well," Bedlam replies slowly. "I'm not opposed to a peaceful parting. But it doesn't do much to clear up this... misunderstanding. Or future misunderstandings for that matter."

"I like to look a little further down the road," the giant continues. "I can't speak for Compton, but as for myself and this crew, we'd rather see if we can't come to some kind of long-term, peaceful understanding. Something which could prove useful for all parties involved. You know, something involving safe passage in exchange for a few shiny things here and there. Everyone keeps their tails and no one wakes up dead."

"Of course, if your words don't carry any weight with the other dabbers in your community, well then, maybe we should just move along."

Bedlam's thoughts come into the minds of the crew: ~Ordus, Shreek, any new arrivals? Anyone have any comments or points I should cover?~