The ambushers are none other than Adonis, Harou and Beren... accompanied by a tall thin fellow with a once-fine cloak now half-drenched in mud.

The pursuers are none other than Thomas leading his merry band - the elderly but still hale Brakkus, gangly Karl, graceful Eldor and of course withered Bjorn.  Alongside them comes a slim lad with pale hair and a cautious stare.

[You have about 3 hours till sundown.  Meet, greet, and git a move on...]

Seeing the looks of familiarity exchanged between the 2 sides, the tall thin fellow glances towards Adonis and Beren, looking for some cue as to the identity of the newcomers. Seeing none, he decides not to wait to be introduced. Venturing slowly and cautiously out from his cover, he stops in the middle of the path, leaning heavily on his worn wooden staff as he appraises the newcomers one by one.

Offering the newcomers a polite nod, he raises his hand in greeting, "Well met, Friends. Kjaelos be my name." Eyes twinkling in wry amusement, he continues, "Good of you to join us actually, for our journey ahead seems dark and perilous. As my old father used to say, 'More beasts to the slaughter; the more the merrier...'"

Brakkus smiles to see the doughty Sir Adonis once again, and greets his comrades in arms, both old and new.

"I think I was spotted earlier, and I believe we are pursued" he adds, spoiling the mood somewhat.

Eyebrows raised at Brakkus' news, Kjaelos, considering the possibility for setting an ambush, quickly asks, "By Ettryck soldiers? How many of them? And how far behind?"

Brakkus gives an eloquent shrug. He clearly has no idea.

You reach the high point of the rising ground after about an hour, and soon after passing the crest you can begin to make out the edge of some hills in the distance - perhaps the tallest is fifteen hundred feet high.

First, though, the terrain slopes gently downward again and the forest gets thicker.

At first Rael is ready for a grim fight with the new comers, yet when he see the reaction of both group he clearly relax. When Kjaelos speaks it is hard for him to follow although Rael think it has to do with some sort of feast and preparing some sheep.

Shaking his head he speaks in broken Visic "No eat now, we go or capture we are."

 Stepping out from the scrubby bogland tree behind which he'd taken modest cover, and with his hand still on the hilt of the short, old-fashioned blade slung at his hip (but with no immediate intention to draw it), Sir Campbell offers the group a smooth nod and a resounding, "Gods blood it's good to see friendly faces once more!", the knight seeming to be about to say more when Brakkus speaks up to explain the need for haste, earning him a grimace and the group as a whole a 'come on' motion of one arm, the knight once more taking the lead (since his was the group in front) and holding the position as legs are stretched until the forest comes into view...

 "There! - they'll not be able to bring the horses into that, so it'll be footmen and dogs only we've to take account of... And the more that follow us the less to follow the others. Come lads, push on and with enough distance we need not have a cold camp tonight!" the indefatigable knight declares, quite plainly far too limited in his imagination to realise that he ought to be sitting down and resting around now.

Unused to such strenuous exercise, Kjaelos is soon reduced to ragged panting and fatigue trying to follow at the knight's blistering pace. Once inside the shade of the forest among its thick undergrowth, he pauses for a brief moment to catch his breath. Leaning wearily on his staff, he glances back up the path where the party had come over, eyes peeled for signs of their purported pursuers.

Struggling to speak, Kjaelos calls out to the party inbetween his pants, "This... vegetation should... afford us... cover... Makes... our pursuers' bows... ineffective... And conceals... our strength... We ambush here? And... find out who... pursues us?"

"Well met sir Adonis it does my heart good to see you all well and alive" Said Eldor as he entered the circle of friends having been at the rear covering thier retreat.

Turning to Brakkus " I think we will be fine for a while I followed those that we were running from and made some false tracks for them to follow. When they came to the wood cutters cottage they pulled out our ex prisoner and persauded him to talk. Then one of them placed the limp body over his shoulder and they headed back towards the village."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:45, Wed 08 Sept 2010.

Rael frowns at that looking at the elf for the first time without a shudder "They killed tied man?" he asks.

Eldor put a reasuring hand on the young warrior's shoulder " No I believe the beat him and then took him back to the village."

Rael is so weak from blood loss that the mare touch make his knee wobble and he stagger, taking a step back he bite his lower lip and nods slowly.

"No honor in killing peasants..." although what did he knew about honor, he killed for gold or even copper nowadays.

Seeing Rael stumble Eldor quickly placed an arm round him and half led half carried him over to a fallen tree.

"You are brave and strong to have come so fare with those wounds but it would be folly to continue without them being treated."

"Master Brakkus we have a friend here in need of your assistance if at all possible."

With that Eldor started digging through his backpack for herbs his mother, the old witch of the forest had given him for the trip. Tehy would not help heal the wounds but would aid in giving the young man some much needed energy.

Kjaelos helps Eldor ease the injured Rael down into a resting position against the tree. Bringing out his waterskin, he offers it to the injured warrior. "In small mouthfuls..slowly." Doing a quick examination of the warrior's injuries, Kjaelos manages to identify the most severe wound. Holding his left hand above the wound, he whispers a few words in the arcane tongue, calling upon his eldritch powers to stop the bleeding and knit the wound back together.


"My powers are limited. This is about all that I can do..." Looking at Rael for a moment, Kjaelos takes the herbs from Eldor and with some strips of cloth torn from his own shirt, begins dressing Rael's wounds.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:40, Wed 08 Sept 2010.

Brakkus wanders over to Rael, but when he sees magical healing is on offer he sits back and lets Kjaelos take over.

 "No ambushes I think. We've got a lead, best to maintain it..." Adonis decides after a few moments, not seeming to think there's any need to offer the decision around for consultation, not with heavy cavalry, dogs and archers somewhere on their back trail and a vital message to deliver across demon-haunted moors, though even the redoubtable Albish nobleman slows when Rael falters, turning his eyes to their back trail while the healers work their arts, "Will yon lad be able to travel, or do we need to carry him?" he asks after a moment, plainly wanting the healers opinion rather than that of the warrior (whom the knight naturally assumes is going to be possessed of more courage than brains, an assumption so breathtakingly ironic coming from Sir Campbell as to run the risk of bending space and time itself).

Eldor looks at the knight "he is of strong bady and stout mind he will make it and if he were to faulter and slow the rest of you then I will stand with him while you all go on."

It was said as fact rather than as a suggestion. Eldor liked the young man and would not see him left to fend for himself.

Turning back to the matter at hand "so Sir Adonis what is your plan? when we spotted you you were in quite a hurry I take it you are on another mission. If I can be of service then you only have to ask."

[ooc: Nice interaction... a pleasure to read!]

Rael feels much better after Kjaelos' intervention and is able to stand up and get moving almost immediately.

Following Adonis' blunt instructions, the party start moving again, at a slightly slower pace.  After about another hour the incline shallows out and the the trees get denser, it is quite an effort to get through them.    Still, the party eventually reach the bank of a small river, flowing northwards across your route.    The distant hills are now much closer and have grown to fill the horizon.

Behind you, the sun is low in the sky and not far from its rest.


[ooc: additional rules, please see msg #490 on this page link to a message in this game ]

 He's not precisely what anyone would call bright, but on the other hand it's rarely a mistake when there's trouble in the offing to go with Sir Campbells instincts - he is, as they would say 'good with his hands', and right now all those instincts are saying 'get some distance opened up'.

 "No need for that master fairy, if yon lad can't maintain the pace then we'll carry him to the edge of the wood where we can fashion a stretcher. I'll not leave any to yon witchfolk." - this last said with a glare shot in the direction of the town somewhere along their back-trail.

 "As for our plan..." - here something of the knights certainty fades away as abstract concepts and preparing for tomorrow start to raise their ugly head, but he ventures on through the unfamiliar terrain as best he can, "Yon horsemen and suchlike are proof of treason or some such, and we're moving to spread word of it before their riders can move out, crossing the moors while they take the road."

Thomas has followed along keeping watch for ambushes but mostly keeping himself for the non. He nods in agreement with Sir Adonis and continues to follow the group so that they might escape. He keeps his newly acquired bow and 3 arrows out and one knocked.

Karl silently follows along keeping an eye out for the pursuers.

Rael face is still pale but he is a felt a lot stronger. Oddly he did not seem to flinch from the use of magical healing and seem to accept it with ease, oddly more consider his reaction to the fey.

He bowed his head to Kjaelos speaking in broken Visic "Thank you... heart ... Rael soul..." then switching to his native tongue he continued speaking rapidly""

He then turn his attention to Eldor lowering his gaze muttering "Shame I brought... " he take a deep breath life his gaze to meet the fey eyes and speak again in an odd language "" He offers his hand to Eldor.

He looks at the new faces and nods slighty "I am Rael" he says planting his fist on his chest "I will go on leg and not be carry like an old hag." he smiles an odd smile "I can scout ahead or back... if you need me."

[Will you move on?  Or set up camp by the river.  The forest stops on the near bank]

Bjorn stands with his hands on his hips, catching his breath as he stares up and down the stream rather intently.

 Rael's offer receives a gruff "No, it's well enough sirrah, conserve your strength for the night ahead.", then looking up at the sky Sir Campbell tilts his head and rumbles, "I'd guess to an hour or so of light left... enough to reach the edge of the woods but not enough to get us up onto the moor... A cold camp then." before looking back over his shoulder and frowning, then examining the river with a grimace, his ill-spent youth of hunting almost anything that could be hunted coming into use for once, if from the wrong side of the spear "Not enough water to turn the dogs off our scent however, we'll need a watch all night. Two men, minimum."

 "But we can use the time nonetheless - upstream a ways, until we find a good camp-site. It'll take us off the direct path of our escape and we can find our path readily enough when we start out at first light." he goes on to add, giving each member of the group in turn a measuring look, as if assessing whether any of them are likely to need support before the day's march is done.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:39, Fri 10 Sept 2010.

Arriving at the small river that cuts across the party's path, Kjaelos stops to catch his breath. Leaning heavily on his staff, panting raggedly, his eyes closed in exhaustion, Kjaelos struggles to speak, "Sun setting...soon...Better cross...river...1st...then camp...upstream...to throw off...tracks..."

Pausing for a moment to catch his breath, he turns to look hopefully at Eldor. Pointing at the elf, then gesturing at the ground, he continues, "Make false tracks...as before?"

Recovering his breath slightly, Kjaelos elaborates his plan further, "Unless our pursuers have elven trackers or magical means at their disposal, they can't track us easily through the night. That leaves their hunting dogs. And we can throw off our scent by crossing the river then moving upstream. We use the remaining light to scout out a good place for an ambush, then make camp there tonight under double guard. Eldor should make false tracks to mislead the pursuers as he did before."

Pausing, he looks around at the party, "Well?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:14, Fri 10 Sept 2010.

Karl nods in agreement.  "It sounds like a good plan to me."

After catching its breath for a moment, the group turns south and heads upstream for half a mile, keeping to the west bank and occasionally wading through the shallows.   The stream gets gradually narrow and steeper-sided and when you reach a small waterfall you decide to call a halt.

You make camp and set a watch in pairs, throughout the night, which passes peacefully enough.  It seems your pursuers are also not keen on the dark.

The first glimmers of dawn are lightening the sky above the Downs when you awake.

 It's cold, it's dank and it's early - all reasons to quite thoroughly despise the young Albish knight for his demonstration of the principle 'no sense, no feeling' as Sir Campbell drags his half-armoured carcass to his feet in the morning and - after a vigorous campaign of stretches on the spot - starts to draw on the limb-pieces of his armour, testing their fit and repeating the stretches when everything is in place, before stooping once more to break cold trail rations out of his kit, "We'll eat and then get underway gentlemen - but it seems to me there'll be scant firewood on the moor, so if every man takes up a little as we walk we'll have enough for a warm meal and maybe a tissane once or twice on our trip." he advises to the group at large.

Popping upright out of his cloak at the sound of Adonis' voice, Kjaelos proceeds to stretch expansively and languidly. Crawling over to Rael, he checks the young man's wounds and dressing, tightening any loose bandages he finds. Looking at him with concerned eyes, he asks, "How are you feeling this morning? Up for some more hard marching...and possibly more fighting?"

Opening his own pack, he grabs a handful of dry rations and puts it into his mouth. Munching noisily, he says, half musing to himself, "We have 2 days of hard march to get across the moors. I suppose we could go 2 days on trail rations..." Finishing up with his meal, then dusting his palms of the crumbs, he continues shrugging, "Though firewood for a campfire would be welcome, especially in such a dark place." Rising to his feet, pack on his shoulder, staff in his hand, Kjaelos is feeling immeasurably better, the dark stories of the Moors seeming a minor annoyance this morning.

"I am ready." he says, nodding at Adonis.

Brakkus stands up and stretches, making an alarming series of cracking noises, before wandering up to Sir Adonis. "Good morning, sir Knight!" he calls loudly, before speaking softly into his beard. "Unfriendly eyes are upon us. Do not give any sign that we know they are there"

He moves among the company, with a hearty good-morning and a sotto voce warning to all.

 As skilled dissemblers go, Adonis makes for a top-notch distraction, Brakkus' warning immediately sending his eyes darting into dark corners and shadows with a degree of obviousness that would make a duplicitous Cardinal wince... Fortunately however, he's at least bright enough not to shout out loud, and as he scans the undergrowth he offers Kjaelos a nod and goes on, "Welcome aye, though we'll not have enough to go through the night. For cooking only I fear. Is everyone hale, hearty and with weapons to hand?"

Kjaelos walks nonchalantly near to Brakkus, seemingly eager to get a move on for the day.

When Rael wakes the pain in his leg and arm are still there but lessen somewhat. He was used to taking care of himself and is a bit flustered with Kjaelos treatment but he murmurs thanks and even manage a weak smile.

"Two days." he nods pointing two fingers to make sure "I will manage." not that there were any real alternative for him.

When the old hermit begins to make noise Rael frown at him, the man clearly had no notion of their position he hoped the either of the knights would set the old man in place and was not happy it was his duty do so.

"I could go back, see who pursue us." he offers in a mild voice.

The part eat rapidly and stretch.  Bjorn listens to the various plans being proposed and mutters "these moors ain't a place for a man tae be alone - if we go t'were better we all go t'gether - no leaving this whippersnapper behind", he nods at Rael.

As the light strengthens you notice that just above the waterfall the river is easily fordable.


 During the night watch, Kjaelos once again tends to Rael's injuries.   +2HP Rael]

[ooc: whither now? Whichever way you go, Adonis and Rael give me a 2d10 tracking rolls ]

"Let's get going while the morning is fresh." says Kjaelos in a loud cheery voice, before continuing in a low discreet voice, "There...just alittle above the waterfall...if we cross there, our watchers will be forced to reveal themselves should they choose to follow us across the river..."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Sat 11 Sept 2010.

Eldor clasped the young Rael's arm " You have nothing to be ashamed of. Your reactions are from the shame my race have brought on themselves. I on the other hand, although born of an elf sorceror and an Elven lord was rise by Olga the witch woman as a favour to my father."

He looked off into the woods "you see my mother died giving birth to me and though my father loved me he loved her more and seeing me just brought him pain so Olga took me and I have never seen my father since. So although I know my race and culture I was raised as a human."

He turned back to Rael "I just hope my actions convince you I am not like my race and can be trusted by other races."

[following morning]

Eldor woke early because of a bad feeling going to find Adonis "Sir Adonis I have a bad feeling about what lays onthe other side of the river the trees have spoken to me in the night and they feel great fear of the unknown we are walking into I suggest we stay alert at all times."

Thomas had risen with the rest of the group and the warning from the bearded man caught him unawares for a moment and then he continued his morning ritual and greetings of his companions. "Good morn to you as well. We would best make what time we can as the next night will come soon enough."

Apparently the young knight is better at being subtle than his counterpart and secures his armour to his person and gathers his arms having broken his fast with the others.

 For whatever reason Sir Campbell doesn't seem to mind that their hermit companion (who's obviously a pretty piss-poor hermit but presumably has some pertinent skills as he's still with the group and in rather better health than some) is offering advice, and though there's not a hint of deference in his manner towards the much older man, he seems willing to listen as a young nobleman might to an experienced gamekeeper or well-travelled tutor.

 "Indeed." he rumbles, when the response to Rael's suggestion comes in from the group, answering perhaps a touch less quietly than might be for the best but at least he's trying _{"No slight upon you armsman, but if they're following us they'll have to come into the open when we leave the trees... and if they're not I'd as soon not provoke them without need."}

 Of course, he's also direct enough that there's only really room in his mind for one serious thought at a time, and his manner becomes far more natural when Eldor addresses him and turns his attention to what lies ahead rather than what lies behind, _{"Aye sir fairy, the trees might not whisper to me as they do you, but the hairs on the back of my neck are standing up like oaks and elms nonetheless. Let's be moving on, Sir Keith if you will bring up the rear and put a sixth of an inch of good Albish steel on a stout soul between our back and any pursuit?"}

 ---

 22:22, Today: Sir Adonis Campbell rolled 18 using 2d10. Tracking.

Rael watch the trees and the surrounding camp, not at ease at all perhaps more from the other men reactions then anything else, he make a point to make sure both his long and short blade are sharpen and well oiled.

01:35, Today: Rael rolled 16 using 2d10. Tracking.

Thomas nods to the Campbell and will take up his position in the rear with bow in hand and great sword slung across his back.

This message was deleted by the player at 18:59, Mon 13 Sept 2010.

The party cross the river carefully and set out towards the closest spur of the Downs, in skirmish formation.
[ooc: so you are heading roughly East-Nor'east]

The ground is peaty, but firm and level enough, covered only in a brown springy heather with no bushes or hollows to mar the way.   You make good progress through the morning mist and the sun begins to rise, showing that the hills you are heading towards are crested with cliffs, boulders and rocky outcrops.

After an hour, though, although the hills are drawing gradually closer you notice that the mist is not burning off but gradually thickening - at head hight you can see a good hundred yards, but a man kneeling would be hard put to see ten!

Rael can not suppress a shiver "This is unnatural..." he mumbles making some wards with his hands for good luck and warding off evil fae.

Glancing over at Eldor the youth blush crimson and break the wards.

So instead he set his pale eyes to watch the fog while his hand fondle the hilt of his long bladed sword, fearing for the ambush soon to come.

 Sir Keith's willingness to put himself in an exposed and less prestigious position on the basis that he's better armoured than most doesn't go unnoticed or unrespected and earns the other knight a nod of acknowledgement from Sir Campbell, who then takes up the lead and starts forging on up into the hills.

 When the morning sun fails to burn off the ground mist he extends a hand as though trying to judge the suns heat, but mostly just glares at the weather as though blaming it for not behaving itself, speculating that "I've seen ground fog before... pretty enough with the sun shining through it and all, but there's no real heat in the air. Maybe that's all it is." with a refreshing lack of imagination.

Thomas was doing his duty no more and no less. The nod from the other knight was appreciated and noted but not returned. He also noted that the mist had not burned off which was odd. He concurs with Sir Adonis on the fog though.

We are in a bog. The mists may not burn off save in the highest of summers.

Kjaelos looks uneasily at the strangely persistent fog the party is walking through. Already he feels his cloak starting to get wet with the condensed moisture. Clearing his throat uncomfortably, he says with a hoarse whisper, "Let's keep close together and walk carefully. This fog might just rise and thicken suddenly and we will be separated..."


Walking close to Beren, he whispers something to him as though continuing a private conversation.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:04, Thu 16 Sept 2010.

Having spent most of his life living in the great outdoors Eldor was not uncomfortable walking in the marshland but the fog did bother him.

He carefully picked his way forward keeping an eye out for any signs that the fog was unatural.

Brakkus seems more ill-at-ease on the other side of the river, and frequently scans the trees and their backtrail, all his sense open.

"I like it not." Rael mutters again and again "No fog can survive sun..."

He looks about one hand close hard on the hilt of his blade ready to be drawn at a moment notice.

Karl nods aggreeing with the uneasy concensus.

The party bunches somewhat closer together, as much from instinct as from Kjaelos' suggestion.  The group keeps moving forward, albeit at a slower pace.

The ground continues reasonably firm underfoot, really it does not seem boggy, but the mist continues to thicken, though never rising above chest-height.

Eldor moves quietly over to Rael in a low voice " Keep your weapons handy I have seen movement out in the fog. Looks like a number of large animals. Whether they are sentient or not I can not glean but it has the feel of a hunting pack to me."

With that he made a slow circuit of the group and relaid the message to each before taking up his position just slightly away from the group to give him a good line of sight and possibly draw the animals in a bit to see what they actually were.

"Perhaps we might be able to sneak past them in this fog..." Kjaelos whispers his thoughts out loud, though the possibility of sneaking past seasoned predators like wolves does not seem very high to him.

He begins stepping not just carefully but stealthily as well, trying to move as silently as he can.

Karl readies the bow from his shoulder, knocking an arrow to be ready.

Rael touch the arm of Kjaelos "I go check... shhh." he speak softly placing one finger to his lips while his other hand rest easily on his long blade.

Rael take a few step back sinking low in the fog trying to disappear into it and check to see if he notice anyone or anything shadowing the group.

 "Well, there were wolves working at the behest of that strange beast at the Inn." Adonis observes in a speculative fashion, reaching down with his free hand to loosen the short, stabbing blade belted at his side, nodding when Eldor looks set to move out and look around, and acting only when Rael starts to do the same, extending a hand to still him, "Hold there a moment - we have yon fairy already beating the mist. No sense half of us haring off into the fog, least of all if it's truly uncanny."

Brakkus says nothing, but continues to scan the fog, a faint frown on his wrinkled face.

eldor signals that he will move off to about 50 feet distance from the group and make a sweep of the area in a 360 degree circle round the group looking for any signs of who or what was tracking them

Kjaelos frowns and shakes his head at Eldor, hoping to catch his attention before the elf turns away to start his scouting trip. Instead, he tries to signal back that the party should keep on the move. Uncertain if his amateurish hand signals properly conveyed his intentions, he moves swiftly beside the elf and whispers something to him urgently in a low voice.

Thomas remains still and nearby the core group while the fae creature makes the rounds of the fog seeking anything which may be hunting them. He fingers the fletchings on the arrow he has knocked upon the bow idly.

[ooc: assuming the group slows to a crawl while Eldor checks the perimeter]

All of you prepare your weapons and ready yourself for action, while Eldor vanishes into the mist.  Rael is checked by Adonis' cautious hand.

He is gone for some minutes before reappearing.  The silence about you begins to seem oppressive.

Eldor reappears and moves over towards the group " the animals around us seem to be cattle I also noticed towards the North the fog is less dense."

 Upn hearing the news, Sir Campbell looks squarely at Eldor, then Rael, then back to Eldor... and it's all the knight can do but to stifle a bark of laughter, which unfortunately turns into a downright undignified squeak before he's back in charge of himself and nods as soberly as he can manage, stating "Well scouted then sir fairy... With fortune we poor menfolk will take less counsel of our fears from here onwards. Think you there's a route Eastwards to the North?"

Rael shakes his head "No, cows may be but fog is still uncanny... rest not your guard ser knight."

Regardless what the knight and other do, Rael do not let his guard down nor his hand away from the hilt of his blade.

"As we move North I would suggest we keep more on guard, I agree with Rael, the fog is strange especially as it is only less dense in one direction. It suggests there maybe more to it than we first think."

With that he notched an arrow and started to lead the group towards the North.

Finding himself agreeing with the Fey still make Rael feel at odd with himself.

He give the elf one nod then sinks to the back to cover the rear of the part, his long blade in his right and a throwing dagger in his left.

Looking surprised at the elf, Kjaelos whispers incredulously, "Cattle? You sure?"

After a moment of thought, he nods in agreement with Eldor and Rael, then falls into step as the party led by the elf continues its navigation through the fog northward. His strange azure eyes do not relax their lookout for danger, neither does his grip on his staff loosen.

 "S'truth man, I don't advocate laying down to slumber, but it's as foolish to leap to arms at every shadow and owl-hoot as it is to take no precautions at all!" Adonis protests hotly, and given the number of things in this world that prey as much upon fear as upon flesh, not without some modest justice - he pauses for a moment, watching Eldor vanish off into the mist before shaking his head and moving to follow, mentally making note to have a word with the fairy lad at some point about the difference between a question and an instruction.

 Of course, that would go better if the distinction were more clear in the Campbell's own mind, and if he was likely to remember the note past ten minutes into the future.

You move north about a hundred yards and then to your surprise realise that you have come upon a kind of causeway, as wide as a man is tall, where the moss grows over solid flags of old stone.  The way is dead straight and in the eastwards direction seems to be more or less following your desired route - it points towards the higest point of the nearby hills.

"The lighter fog that led us here, and now this..." mutters Kjaelos uneasily, shaking his head. "Looks almost like an invitation for us..." Picking up a handful of small pebbles or bits of gravel from the ground, he tosses all except 1 onto the stone path to see if anything strange happens. Pulling back his arm, he flings that last pebble as far as he can onto the length of stone path, then squints into the thin mist to observe any side effect...

Karl squats down and runs his hand along the stone path.  "At last some solid ground.  It'll be good to have something tangible in this place."

Rael let the other ponder about the cleared path, it is not that he is not worried, he is very worried but he keep looking backwards at the fog making sure nothing would pass him unnoticed to sneak on the companion from behind.

Paths of pilgrimage to places of worship often leave a psychic residue behind. Brakkus closes his eyes and tries to sense any such emanations from the causeway.

 "Solid stone, straight road? - Old empire work I should guess... went to the Baths once m'self, incredible place. Even the stone floors are warmed from below." Adonis remarks in what passes for a thoughtful tone coming from the burly knight, before stepping onto the flagstoned path and bouncing on the solid stones a few times, as though making sure that the years have not caused them to loosen like old teeth, "Well come on then - these are made for foot traffic, and at least on this we need not fear getting lost in the mist, only the shades of the Lost Legion!" he then exclaims cheerfully, making a 'come on!' gesture with one hand and setting off.

Kjaelos stones clatter welcomingly onto the flags, and even the stone he throws into the distance, makes a faint but normal sound as it lands.

The group head east on the path and after several hundred yards notice that the ground on both sides is getting increasingly boggy - however the path continues straight, it seems to be built on deep foundations.

ELdor sets off east in front of the group making sure things are safe and setting a reasonable pace for them to make good headway.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Sun 26 Sept 2010.

Thomas raises a brow at the appearance of the causeway. That was truly strange but it did make a certain amount of sense. What better way to move an army through a bog than to have a road built in it. The question is, who would have the resources to build it here. "I wonder who put this here?"

"Hmm... it could only have been the Selentine Empire."

Rael keep to the rear of the group, long blade in his right and a throwing knife in his left.

His pale gaze never resting in one place long searching the fog for unseen enemies.

"Perhaps. Perhaps not..." intones Kjaelos thoughtfully. Turning to Beren, he says, "Do you think this path leads to the burial barrows of the ancient reiver kings? Perhaps it was built specially for royal funeral processions to convey the bodies of their kings to their final rest..."

Kjaelos bends down to take a closer look at the stone path beneath his feet.

" the human need to honor their dead under mounds of earth intrigues me. I would love to discuss it at a later date if possible. We elves honor the life of a fellow elf rather than the death. Once you are gone you go back into the earth and are reborn into another life. Whatever shape that may take."

Eldor looked forward in the direction they were going knew a fair bit about human burial mounds from his mother the witch and was not too happy that this path might lead to some. But it was the only clear direction they had to go only he hoped it was not leading them to thier doom at the same time.

 Bizarre as it might be for Karl and Thomas to arrive at the same conclusion as Adonis only after the perillously dim (but never less than courageous) Campbell has done so, the good knight continues on, only snorting at the suggestion that the locals could have done this work and stating, "If they did it was with Selentine labour. Look at it! - Lance-straight for miles. Besides, it hardly matters where it's meant to go, it's heading in the right direction and could cut hours off our march, even if we must leave it in due course."

Rael seem to want to say something answering to Eldor but decide against it shutting his mouth.

When Sir Campbell speak, he nods slowly then says "Unless charm set on road, to blind senses and... " he motion with his hand in waxed motion lacking the words and trying to mime as if he is drunk or confused.

"I do not believe the causeway is enchanted" says Brakkus succinctly.

Kjaelos notes the old hermit's observation of the absence of any enchantment on the path with a brief nod in his direction. However, at Eldor's comment about his people's beliefs about life and death, he looks up with a quizzical expression on his face. Stealing a brief wondering glance at Beren, he turns his attention back to the elf saying, "Are you privy to the revelation from the spirits about the source of power of the Jarl?"

Looking up at the rest of the party, he continues, "Or perhaps you have not spoken much with each other about bits and pieces of knowledge and information you have each picked up individually?"

After a brief moment, he turns his attention back to his examination of the stone path while elaborating further, "I heard from Beren the revelation conveyed by the old woman Olga. It hints that the secrets to the Jarl's power might lie in the graves of 'ancient thieves'. It is not clear who are these thieves it refers to. But there are rumors of ancient burial barrows of past reiver kings here in the Old Downs. Apart from a True Faith graveyard known to be situated in the village of Anthelsham, these barrows are the only burial grounds in these parts that seem to correspond with the revelation. Perhaps we may find some clues to the meaning of the revelation here...if we can find these rumored burial barrows..."

 "It could be so, but it makes little difference." Adonis replies with some measure of regret, since this sort of wild and ballad-worthy adventure is the sort of thing he came North for, but every single opportunity he's had to do anything about it he's been racing against the clock on some honourable errand "But we've not the time. We're racing against cavalry and can only beat them to their targets if we hasten."

Kjaelos looks up at the knight and shrugs, "If necessary, we could split up. Doesn't take the whole party of us to pass a message and deliver some intelligence."

Dusting gravel and dirt off his hands, he rises to his feet and continues with the party down the stone path. "Let's 1st see where this leads us..."

Thomas offers, "Splitting our forces is not tactically sound. This road is a boon to us. If it leads us to our destination, we should make use of it."

thomas looks up and down the road as he waits for them to decide which way they are going to go.

Rael rubs his chin at Kjaelos words, he would need to speak more to the man, later for now there was work to be done.

He nods in agreement with Sir Keith "If road is good then we are good, if not... best split into many groups then one group might have a chance to escape and bring others..."

He motions with his hand "most groups... die."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:27, Tue 28 Sept 2010.

[ooc: assuming you continue east, then]

You continue onwards a good mile.  The causeway gradually rises above the bog until it is a good foot above the surface. The piles beneath it are sometimes wood, blackened and compressed almost to the hardness of iron, sometimes stone.   Another mile and the track is showing some signs of decay - stones have fallen away and the piles have rotted.  However the central part is sound, although you are gradually forced to adopt single file.

The mist keeps up - yet after another mile you can see that the peaks ahead are beginning to draw closer.
]

Suddenly shapes loom out of the mist on either side and Beren is yanked from the causeway into the bog.  Karl is struck a savage blow but manages to keep his footing.

[ooc: actions/rolls please - you are in single file as per the below.  The X's mark the attacking shapes - only the three closest positions can directly attack a shape.  So Karl, Thomas and Rael can fight one, while Brakkus and Kjaelos are close to the other, until people "shuffle up".]


   Eldor
   Adonis
   Kjaelos
  Beren X
   Brakkus
   Bjorn
   Karl
X Thomas
   Rael

Recovering from the violent blow, Karl shifts his weight to swing his staff in retaliation.

 "Sir Keith has the right of it, this is no place to be a small group." Sir Campbell concurs as the group marches on, variously starng with unease at the countryside or just eating up the miles as their natures take them...

 ...until the ambush of course.

 Glancing back along the length of the group at the first sound of struggle, Sir Campbell once again demonstrates that you hardly need wits to have good instincts, and calls out orders even as his blade is clearing its scabbard and his shield is being unslung, "Eldor and Rael, ware further foes, Bjorn, Karl, Thomas - the rear one, Kjaelos, back up a stride there and let's have at this fellow!"

 Curiously however, his sword is going into his shield-hand once the latter is settled securely in place, a position from which neither can be used but that leaves his arm free to act as he waits only long enough for there to be room to get to the foe before reaching out and trying to snag their only healer from the embrace of the bog.

Thomas drops the bow and arrow since the creature is right on them. He draws the great sword from his back in one swift motion and swings at the shape hard and misses it in his haste.

He says with juswt a hint of annoyance and spirit, Already dealing with it!

23:00, Today: Thomas Keith rolled 15 using 1d20. Strike the monster with Great Sword.

Hearing a scuffle and perhaps a yelp of surprise from behind him, Kjaelos spins around just in time to see Beren disappear into the fog. Seeing the ominously looming dark shadow just beyond in the mist, Kjaelos recovers quickly from his momentary surprise to shout a single arcane word of power and point at it. A stream of eldritch flame erupts from the tip of his finger and rushes to envelop the dark figure...


Hearing the yell from Adonis just beside him, he moves instinctively to his right without taking his eyes off the shadow to make way for the hulking armored knight to join the fray.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:43, Fri 01 Oct 2010.

Rael is tossing his knife about when the attack come by without a pause he toss the knife at the figure only to have it fly high.

He do not pause watching but slash with his long blade at the figure.

14:24, Today: Rael rolled 8 using 1d8. Armor bypass roll for blade.
14:23, Today: Rael rolled 11 using 1d20. Attack with long blade.
14:23, Today: Rael rolled 16 using 1d20. Knife toss.

Eldor steps to the left so he could get a clear line of sight down the road towards the attackers and lets loose with an arrow.

13:58, Today: Eldor Leaf-fall rolled 10 using 1d20. missile attack + half aim.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:58, Wed 29 Sept 2010.

Brakkus throws himself down to the ground and thrusts out his staff towards where Beren disappeared into the swamp, hoping the wizard is able to grab hold of this makeshift lifeline.

[ooc: sorry all the calcs for the fighting put me off for a while, too much like work!]


Karl's desperate attack hits home but appears to make no impression on the sinewy form, while Thomas great swipe passes through the mist without harming anything.  Perhaps, though, the distraction is enough for Rael's blade to strike home and elicit a queer grunt of pain from the foe.

Brakkus drops to the floor, covered by Bjorn, and reaches out with his staff.  A pale hand grabs onto it and Beren's moon-face can be seen just above the surface of the bog.

Kjaelos unleashes a vicious stream of fire at which the attacker screams in pain - but it is so close that some of the flame curls back and burns those closest.

Eldor looses a shot but fires it high at the last minute.

The creature which hauled Beren into the swamp now lashes out at Brakkus, who is unable to defend himself and feels long claws sink into his flesh.

On the other side, Thomas is struck a heavy blow which shakes him but does not penetrate his armour.

[ooc: here are the positions now.  actions/rolls for ROUND 2]

   Eldor
   Adonis
   Kjaelos X
   Brakkus-Beren
   Bjorn
   Karl
 X Thomas
   Rael
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:10, Sun 03 Oct 2010.

Slightly singed by his own eldritch flame, Kjaelos realizes his mistake and quickly changes tactics. Speaking in the language of arcane power, he gathers his power again for another spell and directs it at his shadowy opponent...
This message was last edited by the player at 21:01, Fri 01 Oct 2010.

Rael dance the dance of blades now, he has no time to think about drawing a second blade and in fact is more focused on dispatching this foe.

Blade slashing up and down Rael aim to find a weak spot in his opponent defense and drive the blade through.

01:13, Today: Rael rolled 6 using 1d8. Armor bypass roll for blade.
01:13, Today: Rael rolled 10 using 1d20. Attack roll.

Karl focuses his attention on the shadowy foe, summoning his assistant...


17:26, Today: Karl Borensson rolled 17 using 1d20. Summon Silent Warrior.

Keeping a firm hold with both hands on his staff, Brakkus flips over onto his back and scrabbles backwards as fast as he can, hoping to evade whatever attacked him and help Beren pull himself out of the swamp.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:23, Sun 03 Oct 2010.

[whoops - completely forgot that the bad guys get to fight too!   Edited msg #99 above to include their attacks.  If anyone wants to retroactively change their posts because of the new info, that's fine.]

 With most of the group apparently allergic to working together, or even to guarding their flanks from further ambush while those in the centre deal with the immediate attackers, Adonis simply does what he can and hurls himself more or less flat like Brakkus, following his original impulse to save the fallen man as quickly as possible, reaching out to grab whatever part of their sorceror is showing and haul him to the road.

Occupied with the shadowy assailant, Kjaelos' heart skips a beat at the loud clank of plate armor meeting stone, and a subsequent grating of heavy steel being dragged over a rough surface. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees a ridiculous, almost comical sight - the huge knight, instead of engaging the enemy, has hurled himself onto the ground beside him, and is now lying stomach down as he reaches out his mailed hands to help the old hermit retrieve the fallen Beren!

"Get up you steel-clad oaf! We need your sword here!" roars Kjaelos in his limited Visic, eyes blazing in a rare display of rage. He simply could not believe the good knight, who had so far led the party ably, was capable of such a terrible decision as this!
This message was last edited by the player at 15:55, Sun 03 Oct 2010.

[narrating from East to West so that I don't miss anyone].

Eldor stands off, bow in hand, and strains to get a bead on the assailants.

Adonis throws himself flat on the causeway next to Brakkus and reaching right out, manages to grab Beren's arm above the elbow, and start to yank him in, with the hermit's help.

Bjorn tries to defend the rescuers with his sword, but is not strong enough to protect Adonis from a solid blow to the shoulder, which dents his Albish steel plate but does not pass through it.

Nearby, Kjaelos stands muttering quietly to himself with his left hand raised.

Towards the other end of the group, a strange shape appears momentarily beside Karl, floating above the mist.  It strikes at the closest foe without hitting it - but the distraction is enough that both Rael and Thomas' blades hit home, causing the creature to emit an anguished half-human growl.  In response it lands a crashing blow on the side of Rael's head, knocking the thin lad unconscious.

[actions/rolls for ROUND 3 please].


   Eldor
   Adonis
   Kjaelos X
   Brakkus-Beren
   Bjorn
   Karl
 X Thomas
   Rael

Swinging his staff with all his might in a wide arc at the shadowy assailant, Kjaelos tries to clobber it on the head to knock it aside and force it to break off its attack on the old hermit and the knight.

As soon and Brakkus and Sir Adonis have pulled Beren onto dry land the old hermit struggles to his feet and hefts his quarterstaff.

I'm assuming Brakkus can't do all that and attack in 6 seconds.

Karl swings his staff in an overhead arc to clobber the thing in it's head.

11:17, Today: Karl Borensson rolled 12 using 1d20. Staff attack.

 The impact on his armoured shoulder is enough to wind Sir Campbell even through his plate, but his vicelike grip doesn't loosen in the slightest as he grits his teeth against the automatic retort Kjaelos' words demand, instead choosing to focus his energies on bunching his massive shoulders and hauling hard enough that he's either going to end up with a soggy sorceror or an even soggier arm coming out of that swamp.

 But it certainly seems as though the addition of his brawn is enough to turn the tide.

 ---

 19:36, Today: Sir Adonis Campbell rolled 13 using 2d10. Versus 14.
 A success even with the -2! ^_^

Thomas continues his pattern swing and brings the great weapon crashing back down on the form in the mist once again...


20:20, Today: Thomas Keith rolled 2 using 1d10. Penetration Roll (just in case).
20:20, Today: Thomas Keith rolled 6 using 1d20. Attack roll on beast.

Eldor realized the fog was hampering their ability to act as a coordinated fighting group. Settling into a crouch he let his mind drift into the fog.

His mind touched it connected with it and for a spilt second he felt one with it. At that moment the elf pushed his elemental will into the essence of the fog and commanded it to lift.

He commanded the area where his friend had disappeared to clear to give the rest a chance to reclaim him from their attackers.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:08, Tue 05 Oct 2010.

Adonis and Brakkus together give a last heave and pull Beren onto the causeway.  He is pale, soaked, and barely conscious.  [Adonis and Brakkus may fight normally next round].

As Eldor gestures, the mist clears somewhat around the closest attacker for a moment, revealing a rangy figure which seems like a parody of a man, arms and legs impossibly long, features large and pale.  The creature snarls and recoils at the sunlight, its skin seeming to darken.  A moment later Kjaelos staff lands a cracking blow on its shoulder which seems to cause it some pain.  But within seconds the fog is returning and the creature's arm lashes into Kjaelos' staff, shattering it.

Further down, both Karl and Thomas' blows strike home but it seems as if they have little effect. In response a clawed hand rakes Karl's arm. 

[actions/rolls for round 4 please]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:24, Fri 08 Oct 2010.

Hurling the shattered fragments of his staff at the creature, Kjaelos draws his dagger in 1 deft move while shifting over to interpose himself between the creature and his companions (Adonis, Brakkus, & Beren), allowing them time to stand up and prepare to fight. He crouches in a defensive stance, prepared against any attempt to drag him into the mist as had happened to Beren...

[edited msg #114: it is Adonis and BRAKKUS who may fight this round...]

Ignoring the pain of his wounds for now, Brakkus lashes out at the nearest creature with his quarterstaff.

10:22, Today: Brakkus the Hermit rolled 6 using 1d20. Attack!.
10:22, Today: Brakkus the Hermit rolled 6 using 1d6. AP.

Before the mist desends again onthe group Eldor fires at one of the creatures.

10:08, Today: Eldor Leaf-fall rolled 7 using 1d20. missile attack.

As the arrow sails towards its target Eldor moves back towards the group "We need to generate some kind of light.... they hate light" he shouted.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:09, Sat 09 Oct 2010.

Karll puls the staff back, the thrusts toward the creature.

16:46, Today: Karl Borensson rolled 11 using 1d20. Staff attack.

 Rolling Beren back behind him, Adonis remains on one knee as his shield comes up to cover his body and he transfers the short stabbing blade in his right hand to his left, then lunges inexpertly at the creature, silently cursing both its lack of reach and useful edge even as he calls out "A Campbell!" to renew his energy and determination.

 ---

 00:24, Today: Sir Adonis Campbell rolled 12,2 using 1D20,1D6+1. Stabbity.

As the mist thickens again Eldor is able to loose off one shot and it seems to have caused some injury to the easternmost creature, for a grunt of pain is heard.

Adonis and Bjorn swing at the creature but misjudge their strokes.  Brakkus lands a solid blow with the end of his staff, surely to the beast's midriff, but it seems not to slow the foe and in response it sends a vicious swipe that gashes through even Adonis's armour.

Thomas and Karl struggle desperately with the other attacker, they are unable to wound it but at least manage to avoid its long arms as they sweep in and out of the fog.

[actions/rolls for ROUND 5]

 Even the redoubtable Sir Campbell isn't able to stifle a grunt of pain that breaks into his battle-cry as a handful of long, wicked claws leave deep scores along the plate armour on one side of his thigh then slip into the gap behind it guarded only by leather, which they cut through as though it weren't even there, gashing deeply into his leg leaving a series of inch-deep wounds that bleed freely before he jerks himself clear, forgetting his limited weapon for a moment in the agony of the attack and trying to chop down with the awkward iron blade on the striking arm.

 ---

 10:11, Today: Sir Adonis Campbell rolled 18,3 using 1D20,1D6+1. Flailing stab.
 10:14, Today: Sir Adonis Campbell rolled 6 using 1d6. Oh yeah, my shield..

With a shout that echoes with arcane might, Kjaelos focuses his power and points at the creature that had struck the knight, unleashing another stream of eldritch flames that rushes forth to engulf it in a terrible conflagration...

"Protect me! Our weapons do not harm them, I must gather my will" cries Brakkus closing his eyes, fists clenched in concentration.

Feeling his grip on the fog fail eldor grabbed an arrow and kissing its tip transfered raw elemental fire into it.
As he ran towards the group he pulled back the string.

" cover your eyes" he shouted at the top of his voice as he let the arrow fly.

Up it went about  10 feet above the group it hovered before bursting into brilliant light.

Eldor ran on " light they hate light "  as he reached the group he quickly explained that when the fog had lifted the creatures has recoiled from the sun light.

[PLs to some players while I wait for Thomas and Karl to post.  Please post today guys as it is my only day off.  On Sunday I go back to work]

Coming out of his spellcasting, Kjaelos hears the yell from the elf about covering his eyes and tries to avert his gaze from the light burst in the sky...

[More PLs]

Hearing Eldor's warning, Karl closes his eyes.  Upon the following information, he digs into his pouch for a torch and flint... lighting it as quickly as possible.

Eldor realized he'd put too much value on his fire abilities and just hoped that if not a bright explosion at leat the flaming arrow would make the creatures think a little before the attacked again.

Moving close the the group he pulled out another arrow and readied it.

Thomas listens to the yelling around him and goes strictly on the defensive. His blows were doing nothing to these things so the best he could do, was not get killed.

Adonis next strike is weak, perhaps due to the grievous wound he suffered.  Kjaelos unleashes a tight burst of bright flame and the creature twists to one side to avoid it.  However the fog seems to recoil at the fire and the pallid foe is exposed to the sunlight.  A moment later Eldor's arrow bursts into flame overhead and the attacker positively cowers.

To the south the second attacker sweeps at Thomas who this time manages, barely, to parry the blow with his great sword.  Meanwhile Karl, fumbling somewhat, manages to light the crude lantern he hangs at his hip, while Bjorn adopts a guard position.

 With his visor protecting him from the majority of the sudden light, Adonis takes advantage of the creatures momentary defencelessness as it recoils and lunges, leading with the short, pitted length of iron in his hand as he tries to plunge it into the creatures rubbery flesh...

 ---

 22:44, Today: Sir Adonis Campbell rolled 6,2 using 1D20,1D6+1. Lunge and stab!.
 This is not going well.

As Brakkus concentrates, the dying embers of Eldor's flame arrow seem to spread, burning away the fog to reveal a clear sky above. The sun shines brightly, the clear light blazing down to melt away the last vestiges of the mist in a circle around the party.

[Still waiting for Thomas, Karl and Kjaelos]

At the eastern edge of the trail the long-armed foe is recovering itself to strike again when Eldor's arrow, instead of dissappearing, glows brightly overhead.  Adonis finally manages to strike it with his blade, and a thin line of dark blood appears, though surely it does not cut deep.
[Private to GamesMaster: Troll #1: 9 -1 = 8

Nevertheless the creature steps back, appearing almost bewildered, and does not attack, as if waiting for something.

Kjaelos sees his shadowy adversary suddenly show up clearly under the light of Eldor's arrow. He decides in a split second to take advantage of the momentary clarity to make 1 more strike at the creature with his magic.

Once more gathering his arcane might, Kjaelos shouts a single word and points his finger at the creature, directing yet another stream of rushing eldritch flames towards it.

With his lantern lit, Karl strikes out at the creature once again.

18:06, Today: Karl Borensson rolled 3 using 1d20. Attack.

Eldor seeing the fog shift again swivels and lets fly at the nearest clear target.

21:20, Today: Eldor Leaf-fall rolled 2 using 1d20. missile attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Sun 24 Oct 2010.

The creatures move back and out of range of the knight's reach. He remains on the defensive for them to come back into his strikign range. He watches intently to see if the magic and fire harm them.

Kjaelos' flame finds an easier target this time as the creature is bewildered by the light in the sky.  The splash of fire licks around the foe and it screeches horribly as it is consumed, giving off a smell like rotting reeds, before sinking slowly into the bog.

On the other side, Karl slashes with his sword and opens a great gash on the other creature's arm, while thrusting his lantern towards where he imagines its head must be.  A moment later Eldor's arrow finds it and with a gurgling moan it retreats back into the mist.

You keep silent for a good minute until it is clear that the attacker is really gone.

During this time, Rael splutters his way back to consciousness, but Beren remains pale and quiet, breathing only shallowly.

" I suggest we get away from this area as fast as possible." Suggested Eldor as he notched another arrow and headed to the front of the group to lead them out.

On wobbly legs Rael push himself up blood trickling form the place the thing raked at him.

With shaken hand he grip his blade, using his left hand to steady it.

"I agree..." he mutters obviously still shaken.

Brakkus closes his eyes and applies to talent to the smarting claw wound on his back. As he concentrates the wound closes, damaged flesh knitting back together. However, the effort leaves him exhausted.

As the last creature disappears back into the mist in retreat, Kjaelos collapses onto the stone floor, overcome by the extreme exertion of his last spell. He closes his eyes and lies still for a moment of rest. Reaching up to grab hold of Bjorn, Kjaelos staggers back onto his feet, steadying himself on the older man's shoulder, before taking his hands away to stand by his own strength.

Too exhausted even for words, Kjaelos glances at Bjorn and gestures weakly at the comatose Beren. 1 on each side, the 2 men manage to lift the podgy mage up by his shoulders. Gritting his teeth, Kjaelos forces his protesting body to move, stumbling along after the elf...

 "Aye... ten minutes fast movement along the road, then we must stop to see to our wounded." Adonis decides sharply, wiping his blade's edge on the nearest patch of vegetation and then sticking it back through his belt hastily, freeing a hand to gesture Kjaelos aside as the massively built Sir Campbell takes up the burden of their injured mage, taking a few moments to make sure some sort of pressure is being placed on the mans wounds (about the only sort of first-aid the knight is capable of offering) then taking the weight on his uninjured side, "Look for some sort of shelter if you can find any good sir fairy, if not then at least dry ground around the road to give us more distance if they should follow!"

"Yes, that should be far enough alright."  Karl agrees.  He follows the troupe with one hand holding his wound.

Thomas keeps a sharp eye out for the things as the other men gather the wounded. He had lost his bow and arrows in the ensuing melee and kept his sword drawn. He follows along with the group keeping a watch over his back often to make sure that none of the beasts came back or tried to pick him off being the last in the line.

The group limps at a reasonable pace eastwards away from the scene of the attack, Eldor in the van and Thomas protecting the rear.   Adonis finds Beren surprisingly light - the last two weeks of rough living have surely served to prune his pudge.

After some fifteen minutes the ground rises and firms again, and the causeway is once more level with the solid ground around.   The encroaching mist continues however, on both sides.  You reckon you would need one more hour to reach the edge of the Downs proper, where the ground rises above the mist.

Wounds are patched and strapped.  Beren seems to have several deep gashes to his midriff and he must have lost a lot of blood.  His wounds keep reopening due to the motion of being carried.  He has not regained consciousness but is definitely breathing, albeit weakly.

 'Surprisingly light' is of course not quite the same as actually light and the knight himself is losing blood from his viciously gashed arm... But as with the desperate run through the woods with bandits at their heels or the rearguard action against the wolves, the Albish knight seems determined to press on past all reason if it's what the situation calls for, until at last - five minutes or so past his appointed deadline but on good, solid ground - he calls a halt and turns over Beren to the care of their best medic and settles, breathing heavily but still plainly able to put the simplest priorities together, "We've a choice to make. Push on and seek higher ground, but risk Beren's life. Or use the wood we gathered earlier for a small fire and risk the bog-wights return. I don't know this land or how far we've to go in this fog, or I'd not lay it out like this - though I certainly speak for pushing on."

Without a word, Kjaelos crouches down beside the unconscious mage and begins applying battlefield 1st aid. Making do with strips of cloth torn from his own tunic, together with generous amounts of clean water from his waterskin, he washes and redresses Beren's wounds, trying to secure the open wounds and stop the bleeding. Quickly finishing, he pours some of the water between Beren's lips, then places his fingers on the man's neck for a brief moment.


"Pulse steady but weak. Need rest place soon."

Thomas eyes the wounded and thent he fog. He speaks to the conscious survivors, "to dally here is folly. We must not be caught in this fog any longer. I think we should press on for a bit longer until we find a place more suitible to resting. It seemed that those creatures did not care for the light at all.

"I for one do not wish to be caught out in the darkness in this fog should they decide to return."

"Yon creatures come from bog. We out of bog already. But mist still dangerous..."

While the group discuss what to do Eldor informs Rael that he was going ahead to scout out shelter. With that he melded into the mist.

"Let's not tarry. Remember we are in hurry..." Adjusting his pack, Kjaelos prepares to get on with the journey. "Let's continue and meet the elf ahead when he comes back..."

 "Aye, I'm glad to know that you agree... is yon sage safe to be carried?" the Albish knight asks as the group show themselves willing to press on into the mists, whilst swinging off his light pack and offering it to the nearest other man - most likely Sir Keith - and rumbling "Will you hold this for me sir knight, whilst I carry our companion upon my back? - It'll do less harm to him than a jolting over my shoulder."

In reply to Sir Adonis Campbell (msg #155):

Looking the big knight directly in the eyes, then lowering his own eyes in voiceless apology for a past insult, Kjaelos grips the big knight's arm tightly for a moment, before releasing it.

Shaking his head, Kjaelos sighs, "I done my best for Beren. He must rest soon...somewhere safe..."

"If you be carrying Beren, then let another warrior lead." Turning around to look at the other imposing steel-clad knight, Kjaelos nods at Thomas and gestures him forward to the front of the line.

Rael is pale his knees or wobbly and dried blood is stuck to his forehead.

"If we could find some long branches to make bed too carry..." he mutters trying to get his intention in Visic.

Scanning the area Rael looks for anything they could use a stretcher.

Reaching out his hand to steady the young warrior, Kjaelos pulls Rael's left arm over his own shoulder to support him as he walks. He is careful to support the young warrior from his left side, leaving room for the warrior to wield his weapons in his right hand.

The land just beside the path is bare and there seems to be nothing which could be used as a stretcher.

The party moves on slowly, with Eldor occasionally reappearing at the front as he scouts ahead.  Almost two painful hours later, the causeway peters out and the ground begins to rise.  Finally you are out of the mist, and as you climb you feel a cold wind cutting across the shoulder of the mountain.

In the fading light you notice a wide-mouthed cave just nearby.

Further up you make out a winding track going up the side of the hill.

 There's a moment when Adonis actually looks puzzled and then his eyes narrow as he remembers Kjaelos' earlier words... But as quickly as he'd forgotten them the first time he seems prepared to let them slide once more, inclining his head and rumbling "Well, yes... but I'll carry him out of this or join him in the murk. So let's be about it, shall we?" while arranging to have the sorcerer strapped to his back in place of a pack and starting up along the road, grimly hanging on though his arm gradually starts to go from throbbing to actively aching and blood starts to work through his bandages, until at last the group break the mist and come out by the cave.

 "Yonder!" he calls to the group, nodding his head that way, "Best have someone light-footed scout it mind you, lest there be bears or some such, but unless the good sir fairy hies back to us with news of better shelter up the path, I think we have our place to rest the night."

Eldor moves off before the knight had chance to offer instructions. Arrow notched the elf quietly moved to the mouth of the cave.

He felt a buz run though him earth was his element and he slowly felt the essence around him. asking quietly of the earth if there was danger in the darkness ahead of him.

Rael chuckles silently as he lean on Kjaelos "Us two make one whole man." he tries to explain his amusement to the man supporting him.

Eldor scouts the cave, it goes back about twenty feet, narrowing slightly as it does.

The floor of the cave is basically flat and dry, though interrupted by the occasional protruding rock.

The rest of you cluster at the entrance, seeking shelter from the rising wind.

After looking round the cave to make sure it was safe Eldor stepped out into the light and quickly signalled the rest of the group forward.

Kjaelos helps Rael into the cave and sets him down on a clean patch of ground to rest against the cave walls. Setting down his own pack, he rummages through it, finally bringing out his flint and tinder. Looking around the cave for anything combustible, Kjaelos tries to build a campfire to provide light and warmth.

Once the fire is up, he brings out his waterskin, and using makeshift bandages torn from the dryer and cleaner parts of his own tunic, calmly sees to the wounds of everyone injured, starting with the most serious.

 With Eldor returning from his scouting ahead in time to do more or less as is asked of him (because it's pretty much impossible to move more swiftly than Adonis' voice, even if moving faster than his wits is something a modestly sluggish mule could manage) and signalling the group in, Sir Campbell nods and after laying Beren down, joins the efforts to make the group as comfortable as possible, whereupon his forethought in making sure that everyone cut firewood down at the woods provides something for Kjaelos' efforts to bite upon, insisting only that it's set far enough back not to be too visible from the mouth (making use perhaps, of one of those intervening rocks and someones cloak as a screen).

 He fishes up some rocks to form an impromtu firepit as Kjaelos is getting the kindling to light, then settles down heavily and starts to peel off his blood-slicked armour, grimacing at the faint tearing sound of dried blood and torn fabric being pulled free from his flesh where it was shredded by the bog-wight.

 "We've pushed well today." he rumbles, looking around the group, "For all the failures of the morn'. With luck and God's blessing we'll manage as well or better tomorrow. We have each of us something to be proud of, doubt it not."

"Strange creatures we fought today..." begins Kjaelos thoughtfully, while he continues with his work. Obviously not fluent with Visic, he struggles to express his thoughts nonetheless, his words coming out clumsily, with a slight accent, "They swim in bog, hide in mist and fear the sun. Their hide is tough, their claws long and strong. And the 1 I fought try resist my magic though unsuccess in end. What they are?"

Finally reaching a safe place, Karl gives in to his wound and slumps to the floor of the cave.  "Strange creatures, indeed.  I do not know what they are, but I am glad that they did not take us this day."

Brakkus leans his back against the cave wall and sinks gratefully to the floor, too tired to contribute anything to the conversation.

Rael first instinct is to slump on one of the walls and rest but then he marshal himself. He knows resting in the cold would give little solace and with enemies about its may be even deadly.

So with a grunt he stands motioning to the others "Camp, we make, fire to warm, guards to eye enemies to come... food to cook and eat... then rest."

Without looking if anyone follows him he begins to setting a fire and arranging the cave like a camp.

Sir Thomas did his best to help Adonis by carrying his arms and kept a wary eye out for the anything amiss. Once they arrive at their haven, he returns Adonis his weapons and as he is the least wounded of the companions here, sets himself to watching for any enemies which may be trying to approach them from without.

 "Some sort or other of bog-wight banished to the dim edges of the world by the rising light of civilisation no doubt." Adonis remarks off-handedly as he's being rebandaged, before nodding as Rael takes up where Kjaelos left off in order to treat the wounded, looking after the fire, "And aye - we'll need other eyes to supplement those of good Sir Keith. Yon sir fairy is likely to have the best night-vision of all of us. I'll gladly rouse to stand the night watch with him if Sir Keith and Karl take the first watch and Brakkus and Rael take the morning. It leaves some of us rested the night through, but they can take their turn the next night, if God wills we reach it."

Pondering the knight's comments, Kjaelos continues tending to his patients (OOC: Heh...the doctor is in...:D) silently...

Some time later, having finally finished up with his last patient, Kjaelos half-sits half-falls on his backside beside him and closes his eyes for a moment, suddenly realizing how tired he is. At this moment, a resounding rumble sounds from his stomach, prompting him to look over to the fire to see if there is anything cooking. Seeing nothing, he sighs ruefully, thoughts of the home he left behind coming back to him in a rush. Mealtimes back at home was not exactly a rich spread, but the food is always hot and fresh, with much attention paid to its nutritional value and preparation. And it always tasted good.

Rummaging through his pack, Kjaelos fishes out some dry rations and begins a cheerless dinner washed down by what little remains of his supply of water. In between mouthfuls, he gives his report to Adonis as well as whoever is still awake at this hour, using a combination of poor Visic and hand gestures to convey his meaning.

"5 injured. 2 special bad..." [gestures at Beren and Rael] "Armorman lost much blood. Bad wound but ok..." [nods at Adonis] "Last 2...only flesh wounds." [indicates Karl and Thomas]

Pausing at this point, Kjaelos glances around at his newfound companions and hesitates for a moment. Almost reluctantly, he continues, "From now, we must try avoid fight. Or deaths there be..."

With that final ominous warning, Kjaelos lapses back into silence to finish up his dinner...

Thomas eyes the company and has to agree with the man. "We we needst do is spend a day hunting and recovering our wounds. Pushing on will be pure folly without some meat and rest for those sorely hurt.

"I lost my bow in the fight so unless someone wishes to lend me the use of one of theirs, getting something will be difficult." The knight twists his mouth ruefully.

In reply to Thomas Keith (msg #174):

Looking up as the knight speaks, Kjaelos considers his suggestion for a moment before replying cautiously, "No Sir Knight. Brave you be. But folly to go out hunting. Tis not normal place. Danger all around. Trail rations best for now..."

"Me Kjaelos. Traveler. Scholar. From Rathurbosk. We not proper introduced earlier. Who be you Sir Knight?"

Eldor steps forward and puts a hand on the young knights shoulder " I will go and catch whatever food is available in this area. I will keep to the higher ground away from the marsh and take the opportunity to scout a little in the direction we are headed."

With that he picked up his bow and cloak and headed to the entrance " I maybe a while as I will have to cover my tracks to and from the cave and detour now and then in case someone or something comes across my path."

In reply to Eldor Leaf-fall (msg #176):

Shaking his head and sighing, Kjaelos mutters, "Why risk life for not needed...?"

" it would be an acceptable risk to find out what lies ahead and if in the process I can get fresh meat for the wounded to eat then it would be an added advantage to the group as a whole. But if you all think this would be too risky then I will go with the majority."

Once he is done with the fire Rael lean back on the wall.

The look he gives the rest is grim "It is time to speak truth." he say in calm voice.

"Neither I nor he..." he points at the unconscious form "Can keep up with fast pace you need to walk to reach safe home."

His gaze is icy blue defiance "We two must stay here, you go, get help... leave some food and wood. If enemies come I, we will distract them long enough for you to gain more ground."

Finishing up with his meal, Kjaelos brushes the crumbs off his clothes, then moves closer to the fire, pulling his cloak closer and rubbing his hands to warm them. He listens to the exchange quietly, thoughtfully eying each member of the party in turn as opinions are given, ideas exchanged and possibilities considered...

Thomas listens to the man who introduces himself and does the same, "I am Sir Thomas Keith of Cornumbria, well met. Well, as well can be given the place we have come to."

Rael speaks some hard truth with his words and Thomas's face shows some anger at having to make such a decision but he cannot argue the logic of it. It was not just Rael and the unconscious man, Adonis was sorely hurt as well and with his loss of blood, he was as like as not to slow them down. Rather than question the knight's ability to continue, "If you are determined to stay, one able man should remain behind."

He looks to Adonis with a meaningful stare...

 Similarly, Adonis breaks out the relatively frugal supply of iron rations left to him after the days he's spent running around in circles without any noticable signs of rest or reward and after a moment to make sure that everyone is at least as well equipped (and if not, rueully breaking up his scant meal to share it) narrows his eyes a little at Kjaelos' suggestion, "I'll not flee an honest fight - but I'll not endanger my companions either. We'll seek out no strife, but..."

 And that's when Thomas makes his suggestion, eliciting a shake of Sir Campbells head, "I don't fault your thinking Sir Keith - but this is no place to linger, nor a place to hunt." before nodding when Eldor makes his offer, "Scouting would be a good idea sir fairy, but not in full dark. Unless I miss my guess these are uncanny lands even for one of your ilk."

 "As for our companion..." - he nods to the unconscious mage - "I'll own that I'm less use in battle until my arm is healed, but my legs are still strong. On the morrow I'll carry him, same as I did to get here... It's not as if there's much left in my pack to weigh it down anyway. We can't linger up here, not with bog-wights and who knows what else upon the prowl. We should only be a day or two from the coast road by all accounts."

Looking at the young warrior Rael then the rest of the companions, Kjaelos offers up his thoughts in a mild voice, "We not being pursued. Rather, we hurry get to Ely Castle. To warn attack. We need arrive nightfall next day."

Eyes flashing in mild defiance, he raises his voice slightly and declares in a sharp tone, "I care not for Jarl! I not his soldier! I care our safety more!" Lowering his voice as his face pales slightly in remembered horror, he says in a low voice, "This place evil. Much danger. Out of Downs, then we safe. Best we stick together until then. Better chance survive."

"I propose. We rest this night. Tomorrow dawn we journey. All together. Get across hills and out of Downs. Once out, 2 groups. 1 go fast ahead to castle. 2nd continue more slow."

Looking emphatically at Eldor and Thomas, Kjaelos hesitates momentarily before adding, "This place evil. No eat no drink anything here. Better."

Having said his piece, he lapses back into silence again to listen to what the other companions have to say.

"So be it but at first light allow me to scout ahead a ways to make sure the area is clear. I could do it inthe dark with no problem but even I could make good a few hours rest before I set off."

 "Aye. This is a fell place and we should tarry not. We'll make such speed as we can off the moor as soon after first light as we can travel." Adonis confirms with a nod of his head, before looking over at Eldor and chewing on his lower lip for a moment or two, "If we have any ally up here it's the sun good sir fairy, and we'll need your keen eyes if we're to make it off the moors alive. Scout as you will, come the morn."

Eldor nods to the knight and finding himself a dry spot away from the fire raps himself in his cloak and sleeps.

Thomas is clearly not convinced this is the correct course of action. Carrying the wounded man is like to kill him as save him. The other knight seems set on his course though and he would not gainsay him here in front of the others. He was taking charge of the man by carrying him and Thomas would have to defend them as best he could.

He turns his attention to watching the area outside the cave.

Rael shakes his head looking at the others with the same fierceness as before "Many would die if fail we would, not just Jarl..."

He shakes his head "Mission is to warn the Jarl, evil is this place and all able men must travel together and not be slowed by weak..."

He smile a bitter smile "Those wounded would be easy picking on open ground... " shaking his head "Better to leave wounded here, and come back to take them in three day time."

His challenging gaze turn to Kjaelos "I will stay... or would you call me a craven to risk my companion for fear of death?"

Kjaelos considers his words carefully, before replying to Rael in a mild but matter-of-factly voice, "Everything I see shows you brave. Not craven."

"In war men die. On all sides. No surprise. But why you choose Jarl's side against the other? Why you willing risk life for him and his men?"

Rael eyes now focus on the taller man "Because I am more then a sell sword... because even thou I am stranger in this land with a language that threaten to break a teeth these men saved my life... because I will not be cold as ice and let child and women die for my own skin to be safe and because I made a promise."

Rael mutters something in his own native tongue clearly complaining about his lack of command of Visic.

 "Brave words traveller, and you'll have chance enough to put meat to the bones of them on the morrow. But for now we should rest - wake yonder fairy and myself for the night watch if you will, and we'll extend the same favour to those who will watch over us in the morn." Sir Campbell murmurs softly, unstrapping most of the plates of his armour and stacking them alongside where he lays, scrubbing dried blood out of the arm-plates with a handful of loose marsh-grass and unrolling the thin travelling blanket that's about his only remaining comfort, which he lays out beneath him before settling back "God rest you gentlemen." he murmurs, before laying his head down and attempting to drop into slumber.

Disturbed by the young warrior's words, Kjaelos merely nods and says nothing, looking down in uncomfortable silence. Looking up again at Rael, he says with a slight smile, "You should rest. Look in on you again. Later in night..."

Casting a glance over at the campfire, he crawls over to add some more kindle to maintain the blaze, then moves over to take 1 more look at the still comatose Beren before stretching out beside him. Wrapped in his cloak, pillowing his head on his pack, Kjaelos closes his eyes and allows sleep to overtake him...

A little after midnight, Kjaelos awakens. Keeping his eyes closed and breathing regular, he listens carefully for a moment to the sounds in the cave, alert to any irregularity. Noting nothing unusual, he opens his eyes and sits up. Stretching and swinging his arms to improve circulation and to work off the numbing effects of sleeping on a cold hard floor, he looks over at Beren beside him. Crouching over him, he begins tending to the older man's injuries again...


Some minutes later, he crawls over to where the young warrior Rael is sleeping and looks in on his wounds as well...


Next, moving beside the old hermit Brakkus, he nudges the old man awake to take a look at his wounds...


Finally, he proceeds over to wake the slumbering knight Adonis to check on his wounds...


Finishing his little midnight tour of care and inspection, Kjaelos pops some more kindling onto the fire, retires back to his place, lies down, and is soon asleep again within minutes...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:02, Thu 04 Nov 2010.

Brakkus gamely tries to stay awake for his watch, but after nodding off for the fifth time mutters an apology to Rael and tries to get some much needed healing sleep.

OOC: modified msg #193 to apply 1st aid to Brakkus too.

As dawn broke Eldor was already up and packed.

He crouched next to Sir Adonis scratching a map in the earth. "I will scout each of these sections in turn trying to locate the easiest and fastest way through. Give me a few hours. If I'm not back by then leave a message in the cave and I will try to catch you up."

As he stood he offered the human his arm "Good luck and my your god look kindly on you."With that he nimbly exited the cave and within seconds had blended into the landscape.

 When woken for his watch, Adonis cooperates smoothly with their healer to ensure that he's well and straps on the central part of his armour, minimising the noise he makes by leaving himself with breastplate alone as he stirs Eldor for their middle of the night vigil and returning to his slumber a few hours later after waking the next two guards.

 He looks hollow-eyed and tired come the morning of course, after yet another night of short sleep and hard physical activity during the day, but is still grimly determined to push on come hell or high water, and he frowns for a moment at Eldor's sketched-out map before giving a small shake of his head, "I'm not about to tell you your work sir fairy, you've proven a skilled and capable woodsman. But we have not the time to make a thorough job of this, we must be to a healer and the castle by nightfall. Can you not forge ahead of us as we move, blazing a trail as you go?"

 As for the arm-clasp however, that the left-handed knight offers unhesitatingly, locking forearms with the soulless but still courageous elf and meeting his eyes, "We shall move on in your wake but not swiftly I fear. Leave trail-markers and we shall follow them, and may God lend strength to your arm and sight to your eyes."

Waking up cold and stiff from sleeping on a hard cold ground, Kjaelos opens his eyes to yet another cheerless dawn feeling as if he had closed his eyes mere minutes earlier and had barely slept. He forces himself to stand up and stretch, working his sore protesting muscles to restore circulation and get his juices flowing for the new day.

Hefting his now empty waterskin, he looks around to see if he can borrow someone else's. With a nod of thanks to whichever generous soul, Kjaelos makes his rounds of the party wounded, starting with the most serious. Carefully removing their bandages from last night, he washes their wounds again carefully before binding up with tighter bandages in preparation for another day of forced march. Noting that his most seriously injured patients are showing some small signs of improvement, he allows himself a brief little smile amidst the doom and gloom of the moment.


Returning the waterskin, he asks around next for anyone who can temporarily spare a replacement for his own shattered weapon. "I have a dagger... A longer blade of some kind would be good." nods Kjaelos grimly.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:26, Fri 05 Nov 2010.

[Wheesh!  I think that is the game record for posts sans GM, well done.  Give us a chance to catch up now...  Maputo is 41 degrees in the day and rainstorms at night at the moment, hard to sleep.]

Kjaelos' ministrations seem to have some effect on Rael, Karl and Thomas, whose wounds have closed nicely.  Poor Adonis just has to grin and bear it, but he is surely used to that.



Kjaelos' patient work with Beren finally has some effect and the chubby fellow, still pale from lack of blood finally awakes.  He smiles in gratitude at Kjaelos and faintly calls Brakkus and Karl over too.  Once they are all close by he nods to them "I must lie still a long time to recover my strength - many days.  I shall still myself to a great quiet and live off this belly of mine.  You must go on without me, and when all is peaceful again, come back and fetch me.  This cave is peaceful and I do not believe any of Ettryck would dare to cross that damned mist.  The big fellow over there will see you right".

He winks at Adonis and then closes his eyes with a faint smile.  His breathing slows so as to be almost undetectable.

A moment later Eldor dissappears to scout a route through the foothills.

Bjorn makes himself ready and nods his agreement at Adonis words.  "Aye, laddie, let's not tarry here, but get on east as fast we can."

Rael wake up early morning, he is still pale but he had eaten and washed his faced and with Kjaelos dedicated treatment he is feeling better.

He is still weak but he force himself to do a quick training of the forms of sword play, just to test his own limits with his wounds.

Only after he made sure his blades are clean and well treated does he take care of himself and eat some measly breakfast.

Looking at Adonis "If fear of me slowing you I will stay with fat man, I will guard him till you come back for us."

As Beren lapses into a semblance of death, Kjaelos finds himself wondering again at the powers, knowledge and abilities that must surely reside hidden beneath the man's unlikely flabby exterior.

Looking up briefly at Karl and Brakkus who are all crouched around over Beren, Kjaelos rolls up his sleeves and begins half-carrying half-dragging Beren to the back of the cave where he will be safer. Leaving the older mage inside a shallow cleft in the stone wall, Kjaelos closes his eyes as he recites a few words in a strange tongue, his left hand raised in a series of gestures over Beren and the surrounding rock wall.


A few seconds later, Beren, together with the cleft in the rock wall, suddenly disappears. In their place now appears a rocky surface indistinguishable from the surrounding rock wall.

Without a 2nd look, Kjaelos turns and heads back out to the mouth of the cave where the rest of the party is. Having already gathered his belongings and is prepared to begin the day's hard march out of the Downs, he makes his rounds of the party, again asking if anyone can spare a sword or shortsword as a temporary replacement for his own shattered weapon.

Overhearing Rael's conversation with Adonis, Kjaelos steps close and announces quietly, "Beren safe. Hidden in rock wall."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:38, Sat 06 Nov 2010.

PL
This message was last edited by the player at 20:35, Sat 06 Nov 2010.

 "Had I a second blade to offer it would be yours, but alas my own good Albish steel went into the earth with a friend whose weapon was stolen from his dying grip and all I have is this." observes Adonis, slapping the scabbardless length of age-pitted iron hanging from a loop on his belt, and then when no further matters are arising going about getting ready for the day.

 Not having been privy to the recovering sorcerer's decision to remain he at first quite firmly goes about preparing the man for travel until brought up to speed, and while he plainly doesn't approve of the idea he seems willing to be swayed, particularly when the mage is hidden so expertly. Which leaves him in due course to a cold breakfast of what little trail-rations are left to him, ten minutes or so of strained stretching to get the blood flowing once more and a smooth shake of the head at Rael, explaining "Between us we're one hale man if trouble should come, and if we cannot run? - All the easier to decide who shall win time for the messengers."

"Indeed, friend... my sword is yours"  Karl coughs violently before removing the swordbelt from his hip.  He hands the shortsword over to Kjaelos.  "It is wise to leave him here alone, though?"

PLs

Brakkus says a silent farewell to Beren and waits quietly for the party to move on, happy to conserve his strength as his wounds are still not entirely healed.

Rael watch as the fat man is hidden by magic in the rocks. Oddly such feat does not seem to phase him in any fashion.

He nods to the other "I feel better, I will not slow you down." Pale yet determined he set to pack his meager belonging and be ready to the day march.

 "Wise I think not... necessary... I fear so." Adonis rumbles disconsolately, forced by Beren's courage to admit to himself, if to no-one else that carrying the rotund magus across hill and dale would tax even his mule-like endurance on top of the tiredness and wound's he's suffered over the past days.

 "But come. The sooner we are at the fortress, the sooner might we return with food, water and bandages and the sooner he can be transported to shelter." he decisively states, strapping on the remainder of his armour then stretching and rotating his good limbs as best he can to ensure their fit and get the blood flowing.

In reply to Karl Borensson (msg #204):

Nodding gratefully at the gangly man in heavy mail, Kjaelos accepts the weapon, strapping the swordbelt around his own waist. Offering his hand in the warrior tradition of Elleslandic people, he introduces himself to Karl, "I am Kjaelos. A scholar out of Rathurbosk. For your generosity, I am in your debt."

Eldor returns and waves the group onwards and upwards.  You start on the path which quickly becomes steep and narrow, forcing you into single file.   Within a few minutes the cave mouth is out of sight.

Below, the low fog you travelled through last night spreads out like a white sea, fringed on the west by the forest of Ettryck.

It takes you about an hour to reach what seems to be the entrance to a pass which cuts between two cliffs.  To the north the cliff is higher but broken by many ledges and cuts.  To the south is a sheer face of granite.

Eldor moves up to Sir Adonis " Do not react to my words but we are being watched. I have had this feeling since I set out scouting this morning. Whoever or whatever it is they are better in this environment that I."


He looked round casually " I will once again go ahead and check if I can identify our observers. I would suggest you give me to the count of one hundred before follwoing me into the pass. This is our only way through with the wounds we carry and I may have lead us into a trap so I will go ahead and spring it if it is such."

With that Eldor set off in a low gliding run along the dirt path into the pass.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:54, Sun 07 Nov 2010.

Thomas brings up the rear as the group sets out once again in the morning. He keeps his counsel to himself at the moment since he is more than a little grumpy given the long night with little sleep. When group pauses, he keeps alert for anything which may wish to interrupt their progress.

The going up the steep narrow path had been trying for Kjaelos, though it's not as bad as the flight through the forest. Looking over at Brakkus, Kjaelos, seeing that the old hermit is having little trouble keeping up, wonders at the strength and energy that must lie beneath that aged exterior.


With the party stopping briefly as a narrow canyon comes into view, he squats down and takes a much appreciated breather. Looking uneasily at the sheer sides of the canyon all the way to the crest, Kjaelos recalls some old soldier tales that describe such a place as ideal for an ambush...
This message was last edited by the player at 22:19, Sun 07 Nov 2010.

Rael hand cares the hilt of his long blade as he looks around.

He had been quite since leaving the cave seem lost in his own pains and thoughts.

Brakkus spends some time talking quietly with Kjaelos, but soon needs to conserve all his energy for keeping up with the party.

Once the party reaches the cliffs Brakkus, taking the opportunity for a short rest, closes his eyes and lets his senses expand.

 Without visible reaction to Eldor's words at first, Sir Campbell simply nods as though a master, machiavellian manipulator... until a few seconds have passed and realises what's going on, whereupon he calls a halt 'to rest' with an uneccessary amount of hand waving and the sort of amateur dramatic skills that would put a pre-school play to shame.

 He does at least manage to resist peering quizically at the clifftops, which is something.

Pl
This message was last edited by the player at 20:35, Mon 08 Nov 2010.

Respecting the old hermit's need for rest, Kjaelos turns instead to the young warrior Rael, who until recently had been on the verge of death...

At Adonis' raised hand you stop and catch your breath for a moment.   Eldor dissappears ahead once more, skulking into the pass itself.

PLs...

Rael walk quietly next to the taller older man. He speak rarely his hands always close to his blades.

PL...

PM...

Rael walk with Kjaelos speaking with him quietly, at one moment he stop in his track blushing slightly then he speaks again in quick hushed voice.

PL...

Rael shakes his head as he continue speaking with the man.

 Finding himself a rock to sit on for a few moments, Adonis turns his head to look dryly at Rael and Kjaelos, but refrains from his first impulse (pointing out that the two long-haired men are starting to resemble a couple of teenage girls whispering in a corner) in favour of unconvincingly concealing a long look around the landscape with a stretch and neck-roll.

Eldor reappears quietly from the pass and explains that at the far end, there seems to be some kind of route upwards, cut into the north cliff (the taller side of the the pass).   Meanwhile Brakkus is standing with his hands to his temples, looking worriedly towards the same cliff.

Bjorn notices the direction of his gaze and speaks out "the old fort is said to be somewhere in the western part of the downs.  And if it were myself, the crag up there is just where I'd put it, right easy to defend."

[ooc: which way, gentlemen and teenagers?].

 "It's not the old fort we're looking for though, is it? - Or is that where the fellow we're taking the message to makes his abode?" Adonis pipes up, looking back from his careful study of the scenery in order to ask the question, apparently bright enough (at least) to know when to check his directions before haring off into the wilderness.

Brakkus sidles over to Sir Adonis. "Sir knight, I can sense some kind of danger awaiting at the north cliff, either on the way up  or atop it" he confides in a low voice.

Rael move next to Adonis "If danger lurks over there then maybe we be smart. One party of wounded to lure attack, one party of good warrior to walk aside to ambush danger." Rael smacks his hands on on the other.

Returning the knight's dry humorless look with an uncomprehending stare of his own, Kjaelos blinks a couple of times, then turns his attention to the returned elf scout. After hearing Eldor's report, he is thoughtfully silent for a moment.

"Sergeant mentioned naught 'bout fort..." he begins, turning to look meaningfully at Adonis. "Seems he knew naught 'bout it..."

Overhearing snatches of the conversation between the old hermit and the knight and not liking it one bit, Kjaelos interjects with a soft reminder, "I not repeat feat with bog-wights. And many wounded we have..."

At Rael's suggestion for an ambush, Kjaelos turns to look slightly surprised at the young warrior. Pointing at his extensive portfolio of bandaged wounds, he enquires mildly, "You well 'nuff for fight? I cannot help you again 'til night..."

Turning to the old warrior Bjorn, Kjaelos nods respectfully. "Good Sir, what know you of fort? Who built it? How you know 'bout it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:47, Sat 13 Nov 2010.

   "Who else will do it then?" Rael simply answers

 "We have not the time to go around unless there is an easy route within ready reach... and that means assailing the slope at the end of the pass, under assault from above all the way if they are warned of our coming." Adonis assesses grimly, "For which I fear we would lack the strength at arms if we were tenfold our strength and rested."

 "But one or two might be able to sneak ahead and hold the rim while others climb... Or with luck and Gods grace even ascend here." - he gestures to the jagged northern cliff - "If we had but rope and tools."

 Like the others, he then turns to look to Bjorn, hoping for some clue as to what might lie in store for them.

Bjorn grunts and reminds you "We gave Hadrik our word we'd try to cut east and warn Castle Ely of Ettryck's treachery.  Through this pass and the downs beyond is the quickest route.  The eastern downs I know myself, I can guide you through them when we reach there.   But the west is unknown even to me.   Now, I don't like the idea of going through strange territory wi' my back exposed - and there was always talk of an auld fortress here.     Since Thorkel and I nivver found it in the eastern half..."

 "You need not remind sworn knights and brave men of their given word." Adonis snaps, his face clouding over rapidly at the unsubtle slight and the insult lurking behind it, the suggestion that mere danger would sway them from their course, but as is his nature it unclouds again almost as rapidly as both his brain cells align on the question of the fort, "But if what you say is so then it's an old strong point claimed by no rightful lord then there could be anything from boggins to bandits at the top. We need to know what guards await and how alert they are before we can ascend as a group, that or risk being killed to a man to no good effect."

"How far we are from castle? How long take?" Kjaelos asks Bjorn. Turning to Eldor, he looks at the elf keenly and asks yet another question in broken Visic, "And what of our watchers?"

Bjorn replies "from here if the terrain is good, maybe a hard day to make the slopes o' the eastern edge.  Then an early start and we'd be in Castle Ely by the afternoon.   But the hard part is right over this pass - if the going is tough it could easy take us another half a day".

"Our watchers are still watching though I can't get a good look at them. I'm not sure if they be part of the danger our friend here senses or not but having looked at the pass from the inside I would say it is a good trap to catch someone in"

He sighed realizing he would give his life for the people before him.

" I will make a break for the steps as soon as it gets to dusk. My elf sight will allow me to move fast and sure footed. I will attempt to make the heights and open a way forward for the group. You can move into the pass under darkness and hopefully make it through with me giving you cover from above."

"A brave plan..." Kjaelos begins, looking thoughtfully at Eldor as he considers the merits and implications. "If get past fort, we travel fast through night. No stop til castle arrive." Turning to look at Bjorn, he says, "Cliffs. Danger to travel by night. You know safe path? You lead?"

Thomas looks up the slope and then motions to Adonis for peace. "Unless the skies are clear this night, we will be hard pressed to see in the dark. If we are to pass this place in secrecy and speed, then at night guided by those who can see is the best. We do not have time to scout properly and still be able to accomplish our mission."

He looks to his compatriots, "We need to take the fastest path no matter the peril."

Rael shake his head "Fast is good but climb in dark with our hurts... you'd not go fast you'd go dead. Dead is bad..."

"Better would be to risk climb in day, split into two groups, one group may reach target safe."

Bjorn nods his approval at Rael's words "aye, it is yet early in the day and waitin' till night is a long time.  If there be anyone up there they hae surely seen us already.  Let us go up, strong and careful like - the fairy lad could lead the way, though perhaps the Campbell here has mair protection!"

Karl follows the group silently, often holding his open wound and using his staff to assist walking.

 "Indeed I do." remarks Sir Campbell, nodding in agreement with Sir Keith's words and rolling his shoulders grimly, testing the strap upon his shield and making sure it will hold securely, "Very well - we cannot wait for dusk and to scale this cliff will be the work of hours. I will lead the way up the path followed by whomever feels most hale and has a shield to cover their heads. A little behind us will be the rest of those who push on. Let us be about it!"

"If that is our plan then I will take the rear my eyesight will be of use scanning the cliffs for any sign of an ambush I can also protect our rear in case someone tries to box us in." replied Eldor to the knight

Adjusting his pack into a more comfortable position, Kjaelos loosens the shortsword he borrowed from Karl in its scabbard, then bends down to adjust his boots as he seemingly waits patiently for the inevitable advance up the pass.

Danger lurks up ahead, the old hermit had warned. Having come to respect the man's senses that are more highly attuned than his own, Kjaelos looks with concern at those in the party who carry wounds. His gaze rests in particular on the youthful Rael, the gangly Karl, and the indomitable Adonis. Though outwardly a picture of calm, inwardly the young man is desperately trying to formulate a plan of what to do if any of the party becomes wounded to the point of being unable to move...

Adonis takes the lead, while Eldor lurks at the rear.
[You are going up a single file stairway so any clues as to battle order would be handy, otherwise I will make it up].

You move into the pass which is several dozen yards wide, and Eldor quietly points out an opening cut into the rock on the north face.  Close up, you see it is a stairwell, hacked out of a naturally fault in the rock, and occasionally supplement with old and crumbling bricks.

Entering the stairwell you begin to climb.  It is about three feet wide at the bottom, widening somewhat at shoulder height.   A fall would send one person toppling into those below him.

You are about halfway up when you suddenly hear a cacophony of strange singing and whistling, almost like speech but no language that you know.  Nevertheless, you sense an urgency in the tone.  It seems to be coming from some way above you but you cannot make out who or what is making the sound.

Trudging along somewhere in the middle of the stretched out band, Kjaelos draws his shortsword at the strange sound, and quickens his steps. Steeling himself, he prepares for the command to come for a quick charge up the stairwell. Gripping his weapon tightly, his palms begin to perspire as he nervously glances around for the source of the sounds...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:43, Fri 19 Nov 2010.

Upon hearing the sound Eldor scans the cliffs and surrounding area for any signs of the source.


07:36, Today: Eldor Leaf-fall rolled 12 using 2d10. perception roll.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:37, Fri 19 Nov 2010.

Rael linger at the rear of the group so he won't hinder the healtier member in case of combat. When he hears the sounds he pull one of his last remaining throwing knife and looks around anxious.

14:05, Today: Rael rolled 15 using 2d10. Perception test.

Brakkus marches just in front of Eldor, bow in hand, his watery eyes scanning the upper cliffs.

 With the sound warbling down in uncanny fashion from overhead, Sir Campbell tightens his grip upon his shield and raises it over his head, his other hand empty for the moment, the better to reach out and grip for whatever illusion of balance and safety the needs of the climb should provide as he stretches his aching legs and starts trying to increase his speed as best he can without falling, trying to arrive at the top of the steps before he can meet with rocks coming the other way.

Hiking along between Kjaelos and Rael, Karl grimaces quietly at the noise above.

Thomas keeps his head on a swivel to look out for whatever may be staking them. The noise is a little more than unnerving. He moves along with the group as they continue upward prepared to be attacked at any moment.

Bjorn keeps to the rear, just in front of Rael - "I heard that racket before, I did - on the night we attacked Fjonya.  Never did figure out wha' was singin' it, though!"

As you get closer to the top of the steps the weird sounds get louder - they are definitely coming from the right-hand side (east).  A strange, sweet, earthy smell begins to fill the air.

"Hurry! Must get out here!" Kjaelos yells urgently, gesturing up the stairway as he himself prepares to sprint up the stone steps. Having absolutely no intention whatsoever of being caught again in an attack while stuck helpless in single file, the young mage is prepared to shove whoever is right in front up the stairs if he doesn't move fast enough...

Narrowing his eyes, he looks up in the direction of the increasing cacophony, wondering what manner of grotesque predators are they this time...

Taking up the rear Eldor is the last up the steps. Bow loosely held in his hand with an arrow notched he stopped for a second looking east to listen to the sound.

Then shaking his head slightly he followed the others quickly telling them the sound was definitely not of human making but he couldn't place it.

Throwing knife in one hand and long blade in the other Rael walk near last in the line. He gaze upward and aside checking to see if he could see hostiles.

He would climb as fast as the men in front of him would allow him.

Thomas climbs as fast as he is able in the line that moves through the pass. Alacrity gentlemen! Alacrity!

Adonis makes it out of the stairwell and reaches level ground.   Thomas is second and manages to stick his head up and look about.  The rest of you are close behind but still in the stairs.


Suddenly the weird singing stops and there is an eerie silence.

 Coming up into open ground, Adonis crouches low with his shield held between him and a group of small figures some way off to the north then motions with his head to the remainder of the group, _{"A dozen or so boggins and their ilk... But I think me that have yet to truly take note of us. Sir Keith and I shall stand betwixt them as the rest of you ascend and head east."}

Kjaelos hurries up the stairwell, intent on getting out of the confined space. Upon the knight's warning however, he seems to relax slightly, though his footsteps do not slow down at all. The presence of crafties, who are cowardly by nature, seems like good news to the young man under the circumstances, since it suggests the likely absence of more terrifying foes as he had earlier imagined from the strange singing and whistling...

Thomas nods silently and makes way for the others to slip by him.

Karl steps as quietly as he can up the stairway... this being a difficult task as wounded as he is and using his staff for support.

You manage to quietly file out of the stairway and into formation on the level top of the cliff.  To the right-hand-side are a group of crafties clustered about the edge of the cliff.  Straight ahead of you, what seems to be a ruined fort of old design.
[ooc: the stairway climbed roughly from south at the base to north at the top.  So the crafties are to the east]

Just as you get your bearings a thin man leaps from between the crafties, lashing to either side with his staff, and runs in your direction - though he does not seem to have seen you.

Rael walk wearily not trusting his wobbly knees.

When the man dash toward the group he silently points this to the ones near him then sinks to the foreground trying to hide as best he can.

He knows he can not face a foe now, so he will hide and strike from the shadows when it is possible.

 And that more or less tears it, since a human man trying to flee from a group of boggins speaks of ill work afoot on someones part... Fortunately boggins on the whole aren't known for their courage and, looking sidelong to Sir Keith, Adonis takes no more than a moment to come to a decision before rising up and starting forwards with a roaring battle cry of "A Campbell, A Campbell!", aiming not to kill the diminutive figures but rather to scatter them and shatter their morale.

The knight has his back and rises from his crouch as well to charge at the creatures. Scattering them seemed like the wisest idea so he joined in the attempt.

Not being as single minded as his two knightly friends Elor rises with an arrow notched but instead of letting fly at the boggins he trains it on the running human and keeps it on him ready to shoot if he is more than he seems

Karl leans sorely on his staff as he watches the events unfold.  Desparately he hopes that the boggins fail to hold morale and that the man running towards them is friend, not foe. "Ungh" He quietly groans.

Kjaelos puts up his shortsword and steps in front of the injured, standing side by side with the two knights to form a wall of armed men. Watching the thin man carefully as he sprints towards the party, Kjaelos has his guard up, yet is making no judgement as yet as to whether he is friend or foe. However, as Adonis bellows his battlecry and prepares to charge right into the midst of the crafties together with Thomas, Kjaelos does not follow. Holding back from what he considers a reckless act based upon incomplete information, he remains in front of the party brandishing his blade, watching intently as yet another example of knights and their strange ways play out before his eyes...
This message was last edited by the player at 12:14, Tue 30 Nov 2010.

Brakkus stays in position, closing his eyes, then reaches out with his third eye, attempting to feel the old man's essence.

As you watch, the thin man is attacked by a couple of the crafties and one of them manages to stab him in the leg.

Adonis and Thomas' charge crashes into the crafties a moment later and certainly comes as a surprise to the group which mills about in confusion for a moment.
[Adonis, Thomas give me attack rolls as you'll get one 'free' strike].

Kjaelos is a few paces back guarding their flanks.  Karl, Eldor and Brakkus are further back still, halfway between the stair-mouth and the ruined fort.

 Lacking the sort of information necessary to set about killing people, Sir Campbells charge goes in with the burly knight swinging the flat of his antique, pitted-iron sword, looking to lash it across backsides and shoulders rather than drive it clean throug slender faerie bodies, his battle-cry changing from a declaration of his clan to the demand, "Get ye hence or answer for your actions!" - soulless they might be as his tutors always told him, but that's just all the more reason not to go around murdering poor fairies before they've accepted the True Faith.

 ---

12:49, Today: Sir Adonis Campbell rolled 3,3 using 1D20,1D8. Swinging the flat.

Seeing the stranger get hit Eldor alters his aim and lets fly at one of the creatures closing in on the man.

17:17, Today: Eldor Leaf-fall rolled 19 using 1d20. missile attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:18, Sat 04 Dec 2010.

If he has a clear shot, Brakkus fires an arrow at one the crafties attacking the man.

10:31, Today: Brakkus the Hermit rolled 9 using 1d20. Shoot (if has clear shot). Will hit defence 4 or less I believe.
10:31, Today: Brakkus the Hermit rolled 4 using 1d6. AP.

Swinging the blade at one of the crafties which clearly is trying to kill the man. Thomas lays on to the man's attackers.

15:33, Today: Thomas Keith rolled 8 using 1d10. Penetration Roll (just in case).
15:32, Today: Thomas Keith rolled 11 using 1d20. Attack.

Thomas sword cuts into one of the crafties, and Brakkus' shot hits another, while Eldor's arrow flies wide.

But the big surprise is the reaction to Adonis' sword.  Wherever he swings the flat of the blade, the crafties recoil and shriek in pain in a way that even his great strength cannot explain.   Then, from the far side of the cliff another armoured figure appears,hacking into the increasingly bewildered goblins.

 Sir Campbell was always taught that the fae fear cold-forged iron and the pitted, battered blade in his hand certainly seems to be old enough to be made of the harsh metal instead of good Albish steel. His mighty-hewed swings send the flat of his blade smacking firmly into foreheads and buttocks, arms and legs, sending slender boggin bodies reeling, "Go on, get ye hence!" the knight bellows, brandishing the weapon as they reel and apparently prepared to let them flee without further harm if they're prepared to do so.

Cursing himself Eldor stepped away from the group to get a better aim and let fly another arrow at one of the attacking creatures.


11:28, Today: Eldor Leaf-fall rolled 9 using 1d20. missile attack + half aim.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:29, Mon 06 Dec 2010.

Rael try to use the shadows and bushes as cover as he sneak toward the critter blade ready to strike it.

Karl tries to use the nearby surroundings to fade into the background, following Rael's lead.


13:35, Today: Karl Borensson rolled 9 using 1d20. Stealth.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:36, Wed 08 Dec 2010.

Thomas is a bit more zealous than his counterpart and continues to lay about himself upon the creatures. He has been tormented, had his things taken including his family sword, shield and armour and he is clearly taking out some frustrations upon these creatures.

17:38, Today: Thomas Keith rolled 2,8 using 1d20,1d10. Attack and Penetration.

In reply to Thomas Keith (msg #284):

Karl and Rael sneak round the north edge of the skirmish, hoping to flank the crafties.

[Either of you may attack when you wish]

Thomas' great blade cuts one of the opponents down and Adonis sends two more flying.  When Eldor's arrow strikes another one, a general panic seems to set in.    A few of your foes have retreated to the crumbled walls of the fort, however, and unleash well aimed slingstones.    Brakkus and Thomas are grazed.
[-1 HP each]

A smell half-way between sweet and rotten washes over you all from the north, bringing a certain lethargy to all except Eldor and Brakkus.

 Save for a flat-bladed 'slap' against the backside of whatever boggin wasn't swift enough to pull back, Adonis makes no effort to follow up upon the scattering of the foe, instead bellowing "Enough!" in an effort to stay the hands of both sides, before casting about to see whether any of the fae-folk have been merely wounded rather than outright killed, and are thus available to serve as a means to open a line of dialogue with the strange little hill-folk, though his nose crinkles and he makes a sound that can only be parsed as 'fwaugch' a few moments later, holding the back of his sword-hand up to his visor as though about to press it to his mouth.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:01, Thu 09 Dec 2010.

Eldor sensing something amiss to the North notches another arrow and spins lightly on his feet to search in that direction for someone possibly using magic.

Brakkus scuttles to the nearest spot he can hunker down to avoid the slingshots.

Thomas ceases swinging his sword and staggers a bit under the feeling then rights himself and withdraws from the combat. The goblins were running and the object here was not slaughter but escape. "Indeed. Enough, we should escape while we have the chance."

Rael was about to strike when the strange odour effect him.

He pause his attack trying to find the source of the smell.

Karl blinked several times as the lethargy struck him along with the odor.  Suddenly a yawn escaped from him as he pondered the strange smell.

You push the creatures back and they retreat to cluster around the entrance to the fort.  Perhaps sensing the mood, their fellows in the ruined galleries above cease throwing stones.  The stench, however, intensifies with each step you take towards the old building.

One of the crafties shouts across to you in a strange tongue which must once have been Visic but is now beyond your ken.  He seems more worried than angry and gestures at the sun several times.

To the east, the three figures you have, effectively, saved from overwhelming odds rest on their weapons.  They appear to have come up a stairway much like you own.  You recognise one of them as Adelbert Thorgrimmson.   One of his companions cocks his ear at the crafty speech and seems to be following it.

Adonis finds that at least three of the crafties who were laid low in the fight are still alive however they shun him, still fearful of his blade.   When their fellow at the fort speaks, they mutter a half singsong reponse.

 By way of making his intentions clear, Sir Campbell holds his battered iron blade aloft in full view of the boggins arrayed on the wall, then sheathes it in his belt before stooping over the first of the fallen, making a hasty inspection of his wounds and then tearing a strip of clothing from whichever of the fallen is closest and making to bind the vicious gash that laid it low, since it's probably safe to say that he can outrun and overpower the efforts to evade him of a small, wounded boggin, calling to Adelbert and company to ask "What passed here - and what do the little folk have to say for themselves?"

Thomas eyes the knight with a little distaste as he attends to the wounds of the things they just assaulted and which were assaulting others. They did not have time for this and should be moving along.

"Adonis, we should be moving on. we have business to attend to presently."

 "Indeed we do Sir Keith, and indeed we should - but a short moment spent here to catch our breath and bind our wounds will do no harm, not when it might be repayed by knowledge of the way ahead." the Campbell replies bluffly and heartily, before adding "Besides, it's seemly for a knight of the faith to show mercy when he can." in the fashion of someone who actually believes most of the ballads, as terrifying a notion as that might be.

Eldor moved over towards the knight still with his arrow notched and looking towards the direction the smell is coming from.

"Sir Adonis I would suggest you show your mercy as we move on. I agree with Sir Keith we need to keep moving. We as a group have delt with worse wounds and still moved forward."

He took a breath through his mouth not wanting to smell the stench in the air if it was at all possible.

" This place is not a good spot to rest I will find us a defendable shelter once we are away and out of the pass. I feel to stay here would be folly."

Brakkus leans back against the rock and cleans his slingshot wound, wincing in pain. He is content for the young folks to handle the neogtations and their aftermath.

[ooc: so what is the decision.    Meanwhile am just waiting for the other thread to catch up].

PLs...

Sir Thomas nods at the support of the elf in wanting to no longer be here. He glances in the direction of the smell and silently urges that the other knight cease his ministrations for the moment and move on.

"I agree as well.  We should not linger here, my hometown of Bryndle is not terribly far."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:39, Thu 23 Dec 2010.

Bjorn listens carefully to Adelbert's companion who seems to have picked up the gist of the crafty speech, then announces "It seems these folk dinnae want tae fight us just the now, but come sundown somethin' bad will happen.  I reckon we get a move on down into the valley."


[To continue east you can either go back down the way you came, and through the pass, or head straight down the stairway Adelbert used.   Or you can essay the fort.  If you go east I suggest pumping Addo for information]

Adelbert leans wearily on his sword and greets Adonis.

"Well met Sir Adonis, and a timely arrival indeed!  How fair thee sir?"

He pauses to hear your reply and then gestures at the fort.

"We are sent by Thane Hadrik to find this fort of crafties, and the bad smell tells me we have arrived."

Meanwhile those crafties who were knocked down by the iron blade seem to have recovered and come to a crouch, looking at Adonis as if to ask permission to scurry back over to their comrades at the fort's entrance.  Certainly they seem to have no fight left in them, though every so often they make sly and almost defiant glances up at the sun.

 "Aye, well met Adelbert, and thank Gods grace we came upon you in good time." Sir Campbell remarks, before roughly offering the last of the injured crafties a hand to its feet and sending the creature on its way towards the fort with a wave of his hand, relying its injuries to keep it out of the way of any further hostilities.

 "Do they offer us threat or warning about this 'bad thing' that will come to pass... aye, and come to that what purpose had Hadrick in sending you to this place to begin with?" he goes on to ask, knowing that his allies are eager to move on but seemingly wanting to have at least some idea of what might lurk hereabouts before he does so.

Brakkus speaks up hesitantly. "I sense something. A feeling, old and powerful enchanments, centred on this fort. I think we must stay and investigate further, this could have a bearing on our quest"

Adelbert does not respond directly to Adonis' question but says "It's funny, but I have been having a strange dream of late.  It seems to be about the forest through which we have just come, where an ancient oak tree stands alone...  Somehow it had a brother tree in a forest to the south but it no longer talks to it."

Meanwhile his companions position themselves to watch the remaining comatose crafties, and one of them, a rangy weathered man, takes out his pipe and starts smoking it.

At this some of the crafties at the fort, jabber at him in their language, and point at Adonis.

Thomas watches and listens as this scene plays itself out. The creatures start pointing in their direction and Thomas says, "I think they are taking a keen interest in you sir Campbell."

He looks at the weapon the knight is carrying curiously. The strange colour denoted that it was not a typical blade. He keeps a weather eye on the fort area.

Adelbert's pipe-smoking companion replies "Sir Adonis, de crafties would like to have a ritual burial of deir dead, and de ask you if ya'll allow it.".

His other companion, dressed in a monk's habit, shortened to the knee, crouches in prayer.

Some of the crafties at the entrance to the fort appear to have lost interest, and gone inside it.  But the sickly sweet smell remains just as strong.

Eldor was getting more and more concerned waiting in the pass he wanted to get out as soon as possible as he had a strange feeling about the area.

"Sir Adonis I ask again that we make haste and leave this place I am attuned to the land and feel there is a wrongness here. The fort has become one with the land as have the creatures that inhabit it. We should move on and with as much speed as we can "

"The stories speak that one should not seek the crafties by night, they are far more dangerous then.  If we wish to find entrance to thier fort we should make sure to do it at daybreak to give us enough time."

Brakkus is dismayed by Eldor's suggestion. "Fey secrets of his power lie, where ancient thieves do rot" he quotes. "Perhaps what we are seeking lies beneath this fort. We must surely spend the time to check"

Eldor looked over at Bakkus when he spoke with a sad look on his face " It depends on how you look at that phrase. Fey secrets of his powers lie.... could mean secrets of the fey's power is a lie not where it lays. Where ancient thieves do rot.... well it could also mean that when we find this place it will all be a lie too."

He then smiled " then again we could be looking for a location in or around the fort .... now if my human history serves me right theives were laid to rot in porpers graves outside the walls of cities, castles and the like. Perhaps we are looking not for something in the fort but a grave of a thief laying near the wall on the outside."

"I agree it is unclear. Which is why I say we must examine every possibility. We have the upper hand with the crafties, I am sure we can negotiate for a small group to enter the keep. We may not have another chance" Brakkus replies.

Sir Thomas eyes the keep while the other men discuss what they wish to do. Thomas fidgets a bit, being this close to the fate is never a good thing. Theives are buried outside the walls, it only makes sense but he adds no comment at this time.

Their business was to bring warning and not to be looking for magics in ancient graves.

It is mid-morning while the group debates its next move.

[Lets have a decision gents, from the discussion here are your options:
 - Direct assault on the fort: possible but a tall order given the numbers and the debilitating smell
 - Sending a group in to snoop might well work, if negotiated through Addo's lanky friend
 - Searching the hilltop might provoke the crafties or might not.  It is about half-a-mile by 400 yards across, not that big
 - Continuing east into the valley should be easy at the moment with th crafties cowed.  And Addo's group have just come from there]

 "We have the time for talk but not the measuring of old enchantments good Brakkus." Adonis replies as he listens to the womanly talk of dreams and visions that would never trouble a good Albish Knight such as himself (not least because it would take a pretty thoroughly determined vision to plough its way through his thick skull), before he shakes his head calls over to the translator "I have no objection if they'll have none to my speaking a prayer for them myself."

 That done he turns to Eldor and the others, "Time enough has been spent here I fear - know you men that we come bearing warning of fell treachery and rebellion festering in the west, and as the hours pass the chance to avert surprise and slaughter fades. I will be honoured to join our strength to yours and investigate what passes here when our mission is done, but for now will you aid us in carrying our missive to the Jarl?"

Kjaelos reminds you that he only recently escaped the clutches of Ettryck and would surely suffer a nasty fate should they succeed in their attempt to take power over the Southlands.  So he is all for rushing east with Adonis.

Then, he steps over to Addo's party and dresses the deep wounds his monkish companion has suffered.

Rael took the chance while everyone debated one thing or another to slip to the back for a few minutes.

Thomas nods in the affirmative with Adonis. "Let us be about it then." HE shoulders the great blade but keeps a wary eye on the crafties.

Brakkus looks crestfallen, but does not advance his cause any further.

Eldor nods with relief and makes ready to leave with the others.

Under the diffident gaze of the crafties, you begin a careful descent of the eastern stairwell.  They make no attempt to stop you.
[Each make a 2d10 climbing roll, lower is better, and describe the results with suitable dramatism]

Adelbert's group explains that halfway down, the steps end, and there is a steep but not entirely vertical, cliffside.  After that, you must pass through the old forest which Addo dreamed about.

When Bjorn realises that the mission to warn Ely is on course, he clasps Adonis' hand and says "It seems ye are a man o' yer word Adonis so I'll leave yous to it.  For mysel', I might help these folk explore the fort - after all, I am no friend o' Jarl Siegfried.  But when I prove him to be the fraud that he is, 'twere nice that the Jarldom is still in one piece..."

He then walks over to introduce himself to Adelbert.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:52, Sun 09 Jan 2011.

Thomas begins his descent with the group onward. Once the great blade is strapped to his back. He makes the climb down fairly well, with his hand only slipping once sending a small shower of sand and pebbles skittering down the side.

16:40, Today: Thomas Keith rolled 7 using 2d10. Climbing Roll.

Rael appears back from the bushes he was scavenging before.

Without a word he set to follow Thomas down the slope. It must have been his weakness or the fact he was mind was wandering  but soon after he began the decent he managed to loss his footing as the dirt under his boot crumbled. Rael flail his arms as he slide down trying to catch himself before he would crash at the bottom.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:03, Mon 10 Jan 2011.

With suprising agility for his wounds, Karl stepped lightly down the makeshift path.  The use of his staff in certain locations seemed to provide him better leverage than the others.

22:30, Today: Karl Borensson rolled 4 using 2d10. Climbing.

Brakkus is half way down the stairs before he comes to a halt. "It's no use! I feel strongly that my place is with our comrades scouting the fort where my insight may be crucial. I must leave you for now but I feel sure we will meet again. Good luck and good hunting¨my friends"

With that he trudges back up to join Bjorn and the others.

 Adonis descends fairly smoothly after offering his fare-wells to those men who choose to stay, travelling with reasonable grace despite his heavy armour until Brakkus changes his mind and the Albish knight offers him a gruff, "God be with you then, and do as you must." then attempts to step wide around the other man in order to prevent him having to do so... A slight mis-step follows where the smooth, worn leather of his boots provides inadequate purchase to prevent a tumble and the knight descends rather more rapidly than he might have hoped, arms flailing to scrape along the cliff-face until he hits the 'step' below the one on which he was standing and comes within inches of toppling outwards before he catches his balance and stands there panting for a few moments, flushed and obviously unsettled in a way mere battle had not managed to achieve.

Eldor took one last look at the fort and the people they were leaving behind then followed the rest down the steps.

Keeping his eyes on his surroundings and looking for any possible ambushes he miss placed a foot and slipped.

20:17, Today: Eldor Leaf-fall rolled 16 using 2d10. climb roll.