There was a commotion on the village green at Garstone Shore. It had begun around midday, with two fishermen getting into a heated argument. One thing led to another, and soon enough it seemed half of Garstone Top was facing off with half of the Shorers.

Elder Delsean was doing his best to calm matters down, but tempers were frayed and clubs had been produced.

Lyra Duphaneous and a local girl named Siliwen stood on the edge of the green looking on. Milo Neek and his client Haruuna Dhacuul had just entered the village - this was not the welcome they'd anticipated.

Siliwen had moved up to the edge of the crowd that had gathered on the green.  She really didn't know what it was all about, only that what ever the fuss was  had cause an unusual commotion amongst the people of Garstone Shore and, apparently from what little she had gathered from the Garstone Top folk were involved as well.

Normally she wouldn't have bothered with the brouhaha, however she wanted a room at the local inn and the innkeeper was out here somewhere amidst the milling throng, according to the serving wench.  So she stood in the back of the crowd, closest to the inn waiting for someone who looked like the innkeeper to return to his business.

Casually she looked about her, making sure there were no familiar faces in the crowd. The only people she knew that might be out and about, she would not want to see or more impoortantly to be seen by.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:28, Wed 19 Aug 2009.

Haruuna walks slowly towards the crowd, curious of what could be the reason for such a commotion. She stops before stepping onto the green in order to observe before being noticed.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:04, Fri 15 May 2009.

Milo positioned himself in front of his employer, and gripped the hilt of his longsword. He focused his keen eyes and ears to try and discover what this disagreement was about.

(OOC: Spot Check: 11
 Listen Check: 22)

As the observers looked on, it seemed a leader was emerging on each side - in both cases not without reluctance. The appearance of more of the village, drawn to the commotion, was not helping. The folk of Garstone Shore outnumbered those from the Top by quite a margin.

One group of Shorers in particular looked like trouble; young men carrying cudgels and farm implements, they were huddled together, glowering towards the men of the other village. Every now and then one of them would start towards the others, only to be pulled back. The discussion amongst them was getting more heated.

[Private to Siliwen: Near the back of the crowd, you can listen in on the onlookers - the argument seems to be something to do with fishing rights. You know that the two villages have an agreement to share the lake, but to stick within specific zones. This agreement has never been a problem before.]

[Private to Milo Neek: You can see no physical evidence for the cause of the commotion, but from this distance you're able to pick up snatches of the argument - they seem to be arguing over fishing rights.]

Siliwen turned to regard the rowdy group of mostly young men with not enough to do to keep them out of others business,  However with this crowd about those type are quickly drawn into it and they tended to make it their business whether it was or not.  Siliwen looked around for some sort of town leader or anyone seeming about to take charge of the current situation before it go out of hand.  [Private to GM: (Search roll You can do it if you want if not let me know.)
]
Moving over more towards the rowdies and in front of them Siliwen place herself so she would be near in case anything happened.  Siliwen began to weave through the crowd searching for the aforementioned town official and moving closer to the center of the Altercation.

Siliwen though half-elven was not a small girl rather she was taller than most human females well proportions definitely female though she had a slenderness to ehr waist and a graceful movement that was inherited from her mother's kind. as well a her proportions of limbs to body.  long legs and longs arms were also elven physical traits, But  by no stretch  of the imagination could she be called fragile.

This matter  needed a third party and she didn't want to be it but perhaps she could urge that third party to do their job, before things rot out of hand, if she could find anyone to take charge.

Siliwen made a thorough search of the crowd, but the only authority figure present seemed to be Elder Delsean, who was occupied trying to keep the two groups of fishers apart.

The reason for the commotion was beginning to become clear to the onlookers. It seemed that both sets of fishermen were accusing the others of fishing outside their agreed area. Quite why this was worthy of such aggression and debate was not at all obvious.

Elder Delsean loudly sent a boy to fetch one of the local nobles - whoever could be found - but this did not seem to calm anyone down.

[Private to Haruuna Dhacuul; Milo Neek: You notice one of the young louts picking up a large rock and hefting it whilst eyeing the men from Garstone Top.]

Siliwen moves over closer to the Elder.  "Elder Delsean, Might I suggest, sir, that you ask these two fisherment to come with you over to the inn for a pint of beer while you wait.  That might cool them down a bit and let these other good folk go about their business elswhere, "Siliwen suggests politely to the old man who seem a bit out of his element and definitely not in control.

"Shall we stop this?" Haruuna asks Milo "It looks like those young smoothies" she points "are up to np good!"

   As Lyra approached the scene at a jog, he quickly noticed the stirrings of conflict beginning to simmer to a boil in the hearts of the villagers.

This was quite a commotion.  He had a feeling he knew what might be causing it.

   The man was known as a noble of two houses, the one for which he was vocal being the the house, Aprostius; he even wore the coat of arms on his shield, but the name for which he carried in the town was Duphaneus.  Although his ancestry was dubious at best, with little evidence save a few small trinkets from his homeland, it was apparent that he was noble-born, for few looked down their nose the way he could at others.  His intentions were well, he had an obvious charm that was apparent upon his speaking, and he had an ability to relate well with others despite his apparent conceit and, sometimes, arrogance.

   He manuevered through the crowd, clearing people with his sheer size, but mostly presence, moving with toward the spectacles of the scene.  He wanted to intercede before it was too late to do so.

   He strode with intent from the crowd and came to the quarreling sides,he approached the two leaders, or apparent leaders, coming to address them both, " What's the meaning of all of this? "

   He turned his gaze form one man, then his head, and did the same to the other.

As Siliwen stepped over to talk to the Elder, Lyra moved in to address the ringleaders.

The intervention of the armed warrior interrupted the two fishermen, before they began simulataneous shouting at the knight. Each accused the other of fishing outside the proper area, insisting that their family would starve if it continued.

The Elder listened politely but somewhat distractedly to Siliwen's proposal, his attention split between the young woman and the argument before him.

As he spoke, a rock flew from the direction of the Garstone Shore locals and struck one of the Top folk on his shoulder. A stunned silence was soon broken as the two sides charged and fell upon each other, cudgels and blunt farm instruments being used in equal measure with fists and feet in their attempts to make the other side see sense. The Elder cowered in the middle, trying to avoid being clobbered.

[Private to Haruuna Dhacuul; Milo Neek: From your position at the edge of the green you saw that the rock was thrown by the young troublemaker who'd picked it up, and not any of the fishermen.]

[Private to Haruuna Dhacuul: Milo's away for a while so you don't need to wait for him if you feel like rushing in :)]

[Private to Lyra Duphaneus; Siliwen: You may make a spot check to see if you are alert enough to notice where the rock came from. If you want to duck out of the area of the fight before it kicks off that's a reflex save, otherwise you're bang in the middle of it!]

Haruuna tries to get to where the troublemakers are standing, aiming for the one who threw the stone. She casts 'Bulls Strength' on herself as she goes.

Seeing the rock thrown, Lyra knew that something was going to happen if he didn't react soon.  However, it was too late to do anything even as the thought occured.  So he did what any man of honor would do, he waded right into the battle going for the nearest armed combatant and attempted to disarm him with the flat of his sword.

[Private to Mr. DM: Usign shield block on the guy I'm disarming. (Ac against him: 19)]

Siliwen's hope for a quieter settlement of the issues disappeared as a rock came flying in from the back somewhere and struck one of the fishermen from Garstone Tp[/  There ws a momentary lulled before the storm erupted.  The lightning and struck and now the thunder could be heard growing loder as the aggitated townsfolk erupted.  The Elder try to shiel himself from the onslaught of slinging fist and cugels.  Siliwen stepped up to him and pulled him out o fthe center of the now roiling mob trying to move him to safety as quickly as possible.

Usinge shouldered and elbows and a swift kick to clear a way through those trying to move to the center of the fracas.  She did not pull  her sword, this was not a killing affair.

[Private to Haruuna Dhacuul: You get to them easily as they're standing apart. Now that everything's kicked off they're just standing there laughing and slapping the back of the miscreant who threw the rock. ]

Lyra struggled to draw his sword amidst the crush, but succeeded after pushing and shoving to get some room. As he made to disarm the nearest rioter, the milling throng threw off his attempt and his blade merely bounced off the hoe his target was holding. Faced with an armed knight, the fisherman hesitated, then threw down his tool anyway, attempting to push his way out of the crowd.

Meanwhile, Siliwen had bravely pulled the Elder from the mob. He thanked her, then recognised her as local to the village. He was clearly worried - this sort of confrontation was out of character for the locals, and he expressed these concerns to Siliwen, whilst looking on anxiously.

A thunder of hoofbeats announced the arrival of Lord Leonidas and two guards, who quickly set about using their horses to drive the crowd apart, shouting angrily and laying about them with the hafts of their weapons.

Silwen recognized the insignia on the armor of the guards and the shinging cap of golden blond hair could only belong to one man,  Exactly the person she want less to meet or even be seen by. She guides the Elder up towards the inn and onto the pourch while she silently cursed the situation,, the arrivel of Lord Leonides and her own height and electrum hair.

Slipping the hood of her cloak up, Siliwen sets off to disappear into the stable with her horse.  She planned to stay there until the Lord had gone or find a way out the back.  They were not here to look for her but neither could she let any of the guards or especially Leonides see her.

Seeing that the Lord of this village seems to have arrived Haruuna refrains from taking offensive action, but looks cslosely at the troublemakers in order to be able to describe them if needed. Should they become active again she will stop them.

   The nobleman wasn't exactly pleased whenever he heard the commotion of the guards, he felt that being the first here he should have it under control.  No matter, though, the quicker the guard got this under control the quicker he could get to the root of the problem.  When Leonidas appeared on the scene Lyra nodded to him.

   "They were like this when I arrived here, I know not what caused them to squabble, only that somebody threw a rock and that was what incited them to attack.  ", he told the Lord.

   Lyra waited to be addressed, or waited for somebody else to speak up so that he might learn what exactly had caused this.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:46, Tue 19 May 2009.

Haruuna points at the guy who threw the rock: "It was him, Sir. He and his cronies seem to be the troublemakers!"

Having subdued the crowd, Lord Leonidas glared about him. He acknowledge Lyra's presence with a curt nod, then shouted to the crowd:

"And who may be responsible for this outrage? I want the ringleaders delivered to me by nightfall, lest I increase the fishing levies!"

Hearing Haruuna, he guided his horse over to her and stared in astonishment.

"Who and what in the heavens are you?"

Seeing the group that Haruuna had pointed at attempting to sneak off, he gestured to them with a mailed fist and ordered his two guards to hold them.

"Honored Lord, my name is Haruuna Dhacuul and I serve Nym-Weselyn, God of War and Peace." Haruuna says, proudly displaying the symbol of her god on her breastplate and shield: "I know my kind is not well represented in these lands, but I am proud to be a Hobgoblin."

Milo, noticing his employer was in trouble with the local Lord, quickly ran to Haruuna's side, and bowed his head. "My lord, she speaks the truth. She would not have made it this far using my services if her intentions were anything but pure," he exclaimed. "Sire, I am Milo Neek. I am a loyal ranger, and a guide to those who require my services."

Lord Leonidas raised one handsome eyebrow in an expression resembling disdain.

"Well, they do let all sorts in here don't they?"

He shouted further orders at his two guards, who brought over the rock-throwing miscreants. The oldest of the four couldn't have been much more than 16, the youngest perhaps 13. The lads appeared frightened, their serious expressions a far cry from their ealier mocking attitude. The guards shoved and harassed, cursing and swearing about their insolence.

Leonidas turned back to Haruuna and Milo.

"So, proud hobgoblin priest and loyal ranger," he said, a trace of mockery in his voice ,"how should we deal with these louts? They are the ones who started this?"

---

Meanwhile, Elder Dalsean hurried back out of the inn after Siliwen, where the little old man grasped at her cloak.

[Private to Siliwen: "Pray stay, Siliwen. I understand you are not keen to cross paths with the noble Lord" - here Dalsean rolled his eyes as if to impugne Leonidas' nobility - "but there are matters I wish to discuss with you. Would you await me in the inn? I must see that our noble Lord treats the young lads fairly, for though he means well he is, I fear, often hasty in his punishment."]

Siliwen paused as the elder grasps her hand.   She nods courteously to the town elder, as was due his years and position in this town..

"I will await you there, for now, if Lord Leonidas enters then I will be in the stables until he leaves."

"Until later, Elder.  Oh, and one more thing....." Siliwen take time to carefully describe the rock tosser with details that would separate him out from the others.

   "Hold! Hold! They're but boys.  What would you do with them ?"  , he said, looking at the boys with concern, and then to Leonidas austerely.  He did want to see justice dealt out, he did want the boys to learn their lesson, but he didn't like the way that they were being handled.  It seemed to him as if they would be dealt with harshly.

   He sheathed his sword, looking around for the fishermen who'd left with the Elven female.  He found himself groaing inside.  Hopefully he could just talk to the old man and get it done with, pehaps the Elf would have left already.

"I don't know how it all started, we arived when they were already exchanging heated words, but I saw him" she points at the boy "throw the stone that caused the escalation. They are just kids, though, barely able to see the consequences of their actions. And you are right, Lord," she continues, looking around, "all kinds of folk seem to run around here."

Elder Dalsean thanked Siliwen, promising to return quickly, before heading out to talk to Lord Leonidas.

The young lord addressed Haruuna and Lyra.

"So, we're certain it was these lads that turned the tide."

He shifted on his horse to look at the prisoners and the approaching.

"I think a good flogging or a day in the stocks would be a suitable punishment, don't you, Elder?"

The old fellow winced, a waved his hands in a gesture of contrition.

"My lord, your words are as always wise. But the boys are needed here - as you know, the lake is unusually barren this season, and there is work to do in the fields if we're to ensure a good crop this year. Please, allow me to punish the boys. I assure you I can make this next week a misery for them. I'll show them the error of their ways."

Muttering awkwardly, the lads began to plead with Leonidas to be leniant, professing that they had intended no harm.

OOC: Onlookers may make a sense motive check to see if they seem genuine in their remorse.

Leonidas quickly silenced them, and appeared to be considering his options. One of his guards spoke up in support of the flogging, saying he'd teach them a lesson with his strong arm that they'd never forget, a mean glint in his eye.

Milo stood, arms crossed, staring at the young lads, unsure of how sincere they were.

(OOC: 12:17, Today: Milo Neek rolled 20 using 1d20+1. sense motive.)

   The Knight knew that justice must be served, but knew also that it shouldn't be so harsh on ones so young.  There would have to be some middle ground that he hoped that Leonidas would take.  Lyra took note of the other Guards' reaction and said, "Let's not be hasty, now.  Surely there is something less severe that could be given to the boys as a punishment.  "

[Private to Milo Neek: Nice roll! They don't seem hugely sincere to you, it's more like they're saying what they think needs to be said in order to avoid a flogging.]

Elder Dalsean seemed to sense an ally in Lyra, and continued to plead the case for a more lenient punishment.

Leonidas looked on in amusement before finally holding up a hand.

"Very well, I propose this: the lad that cast the stone will be flogged, then all four of the louts will be turned over to you, Elder. Any objections?" he asked, looking at Lyra and the two strangers.

The stone-thrower turned pale at the mention of flogging, while his three companions became strangely quiet. Perhaps they didn't think the Elder's punishment would be such a hardship.

"Think well before you act!" mutters Haruuna silently, nodding to the Lord.

Siliwen moved quickly into the inn and found a table near the corner and she sat at it wiht her back to most o fthe room.  She kept her cloak on and hood up waiting for the Elder to enter. She lifter her hand to summan over a serving wench and when the girl arrives she orders a tankard of ale.

Hearing no objections, the young lord nodded.

"So be it. Let this be a lesson to all of you" he said, looking around at the gathered crowds.

He barked orders. One of the guards marched the stone-throwing lout to the middle of the green, whilst the other made off towards Leonidas' estate. Two locals went to fetch a pole.

The Elder saw to it that the remaining three culprits were gathered together by a few of the field labourers, after which he approached the small group of strangers.

"Milo, isn't it? It's fortunate that you and your client are here. If the two of you would be so kind as to wait for me in the inn, I have a proposal for you."

He spoke up, addressing Lyra. "Sir knight, this may interest you too, if you would care to join them."

The Elder looked towards where a pole was being hammered vertically into the green. Ropes were being prepared to bind the young man to it. Dalsean shook his head.

"I don't have the stomach for this" he muttered, before heading into the inn. There, he spotted Siliwen and joined her table. Expression glum, he commented on the events of the day. It was of concern to him that, whilst punishment had been meted out, the cause of the argument had not been addressed.

   Lyra sighed and shook his head, mirroring the elder, "Indeed, but hopefully he'll learn his lesson and try harder to act within the confines of the law next time to avoid himself a beating.  Let's just hope he doesn't do the exact opposite after such a severe punishment.  "

   He thought about the Elder's proposal and commented, "Yes, I may be interested.   "

   It may be noted that Lyra seemed distraught about the physical restraint and flogging of the young man, his face was grim and he cast a look over his shoulder; the last thing he did before following the elder into the pub.  He inclined his head slightly to the other half-elf present, and to the hobgoblin as well.  His chiseled brow arched slightly as he noted the Hobgoblin's presence, wondering what brought such a creature into the better parts of society.

   He wondered what seperated her from the rest of her kind, but didn't let his musings draw unwanted or rude staring to the Hobgoblin.  He looked briefly at her in acknowledgement, and said, "Good evening to the both of you.  "

   Then he passed into the inn where the elder sat.  He noticed the Elven woman and smiled, there was something subtle about the smile, as if he were smiling at somebody who's joke wasn't quite that funny, but simply doing so to be polite.

   He turned to the old man, "So explain to me what's going on.  "

"So let's go to the inn and see if they serve 'my kind' some drinks there." Haruuna says, looking a little unhappy but accepting the fact of racial discrimination in the village.

"I shall hear what you have to offer, Elder," Milo replied as he began walking towards the inn, arms up and fingers interlaced behind his back.

"You know, I don't think the bartender's ever met a Hobgoblin before," he noted as they walked toward the inn.

The innkeep - a small, thin, clean shaven man of about 30 - raised an eyebrow as Milo and Haruuna entered, but said nothing. He nodded in greeting to Lyra, recognising the local knight.

The Elder warmly greeted each new arrival in turn, and ordered a round of drinks, graciously refusing any offered payment. There were no other patrons in the small-town tavern. Sounds drifted in from the green outside - including, after a while, the cries of the young man receiving his punishment.

"Thank you for agreeing to join me here, my friends. I'm sure you're all aware, painfully or not, that you're a disparate group. Lyra here" - he gestured to the young knight - "and Siliwen" - he indicated the young lady sat with hood raised - "are locals, and I've met Milo before when he's come through on business. This fine lady is unknown to me, however."

Dalsean coughed violently for a moment, then spoke to Haruuna.

"I see from your attire that you are a priest of Nym-Weselyn. Your name and race I do not know - though I would guess there is something of the goblin in you - but I assure you that you're welcome here. Despite the reactions you may meet from some villagers, we are a tolerant folk and glad to greet all who do not mean us harm."

The Elder paused to cough once more, before continuing.

"Times are changing around here, and I'm getting on in years. Though Lord Leonidas is well-meaning, he is young and arrogant. There are some local issues that I have kept from him for fear he would handle them badly, so I would like to ask you, as a group, to aid me. I can promise little more than goodwill and payment in kind, for I do not have much coin. I'll explain to you what troubles me. There is talk of plans to erect a castle in the local area. I'm not sure if it's truth, but if it is, I fear such construction would bring disruption to our quiet corner of Alasch."

"It is my hope that the four of you may be able to find out the truth behind the rumours, and perhaps help me to plan a way to discourage such an endeavour if it is indeed intended. But such a thing will take time, and where to start? In the meantime we have a more pressing matter. There are some poachers living in the woods nearby. These men are probably desperate to live in such a way. Perhaps they are criminals, or dispossesed villeins, but in any case I fear Lord Leonidas's reaction. I would be grateful if you could find a solution, without bloodshed. Poachers are usually punished harshly, those in the woods may have family nearby, so I don't wish any harm to come to them."

Clearly tired, the Elder stopped to wipe his brow.

"There are also rumours of someone or something living out in those same woods with a pack of dogs. I'm just curious about that - and I don't know if it's just more talk of the poachers. So, are any of you willing to aid me?"

   "Aye elder, rest your worries, and try to take ease, I will aid you.  ", he said, reaching over and patting Dalsean on the shoulder in a show of affection; and to put him at ease.

   "If you can't rely upon the guard, we Knights are a step above, for we right wrong where ever it may need to be righted; we never shrink away from a challenge in cowardice, no matter who issues it.  Although I am unsure as to whether or not I could hinder the advance of the castle in the area, I can say that I will aid you when the guard can't.  ", he said in a soft, bur firm tone of understanding.

   "I can speak for myself only, however,", he said with a pause, looking at the rest of the strangers gathered.

   None of them he recognized, though he was sure he may have seen the Elven girl on passing once or twice.  A man couldn't trouble himself to speak to every commoner that he may chance upon in the street.

   Then he continued, "What else should I know before venturing out to set these poachers straight? "

"I am used to being treated with some prejudice. I promise to help you!"

OOC: I will be back and active tomorrow!

The Elder smiled at Lyra.

"Thank you, sir. I would advise taking a guide - those woods are wild, and vast. Milo here should be able to help, if he's willing. I'm glad to hear you're in too, noble priest. I trust you know how to use that blade you carry, but pray that you will not have need of it!"

Dalsean looked around the table.

"What of you, Siliwen? I know you could use the distraction from your troubles here, at least."

"It pains me to see any harm come to the forest. If my employer wishes to help, then so will I," Milo finally answered.

   Lyra nodded, "A guide? That sounds well.  Who would you recommend, Sir? "
This message was last edited by the player at 21:59, Mon 25 May 2009.

For most of this time Siliwen had just listened to what was being said by the Elder and the others.  It was her way, but when asked direction to speak her thoughts she responded politely but thoughtfully.

"I will help you with these matters, Elder Dalsean. Such matters should be taken care of so that with sensitivity for those involved.  Evil doers should be punished t but those who had hard pressed by circumstances beyond their control should be helped.  Lord Leonidas is young and new to his position as Lord.  It is unfortunate that he spent many years away form his father's lands, duties and responsibilities.  He acts the Lord without understanding his people and their needs." Siliwen voice was soft and low but could be heard easily enough by the others at the table, but not much further."

The seemed that the still hooded half-elven girl seemed to be very conversant with the Lord Leonidas's comings and goings.

Dalsean smiled gratefully at the group.

"Thank you Milo. Lyra, since Milo here is a guide by profession, I think he'd be eminently suited."

He turned to speak to Siliwen.

"I agree that Leonidas is inexperienced. I feel that with time and my continuing influence his ways will improve, but for now we must be cautious around him."

"Well then, it seems you're agreed to help me! The day is fairly early, so I shall leave you to your devices. Siliwen and Lyra know where to find me should I be needed. I'm afraid I cannot offer you any assistance with my request, but I'm sure you're resourceful people. Time for me to see  how things are out there..."

The elder looked towards the green with an expression of reluctance.

Haruuna looks around at the people with her, shrugging: "So, let's start at the beginning. I am called Haruuna Dhacuul, of the Khraarul Tribe. I serve my God, Nym-Weselyn of War, to the best of my abilities. He grants me the power to slay our enemies and heal your wounds when needed. I usually teach others how to fight, showing different techniques and their respective counters. I don't claim to be the best, but I aim to do the best I can in all situations, as my god demands."

Siliwen looked up still hooded though she meet the eyes of each of the others. Her voice is pitched low so that it will not carry far.  I am Siliwen.  I have some skills with sword, bow and some simple magics.  I know the local area which might help us for some of this quest.

   "A pleasure to make your acquaintence, Lady Haruuna, and Siliwen; and Milo.  I'm Lyra Duphaneus, son of Sir Vernum Aprostius.  ", he announced to those there.

   "Shall we make leave? I don't know how long such an endeavor will take us, we may need to get some supplies and such.  Though I'm not against eating some good venison; freshly hunted.  I just need to fetch my waterskin and some other things before we leave, as I don't have this gear on me at all times.  "

"I am ready to go except for fetching my horse." Siliwen informed the others

"I will meet you here in the inn as soon as you are all ready."

Lyra nodded, "Yes, I'll be back shortly.  I must go and fetch my gear, then I'll be ready to leave.  "

With that he pardons himself and heads home to get his gear.

"I have everything here with me. I'll wait for you!"

The remaining three members of the newly formed expedition talked quietly amongst themselves as they awaited Lyra. After not too long, he reappeared at the door of the inn and waved the others out.

It seemed Siliwen was the only one with a horse - the rest carried their gear about their person and travelled afoot.

In the middle of the green the pole where the flogging had taken place was still to be seen, but the crowds had disippated and returned to work.

OOC: Milo knows the way best, but Siliwen and Lyra as locals also know how to get to the forest. It's about an hour to the south.

Siliwen felt uncomfortable to be riding while the rest walked.  She jusmped off her horse with an idea.

"It looks some of you are carrying heavy packs.  Why don;t you take what is necessary and just pack the bulky heavy unneeded things on my horse.  We will all be able to travel faster and be ready if any thing happens.  She had been trained to respond to my whistle."

"I think it would be best for all of us that way."

She vaults off her saddle and takes out a rope ready to lash packs together over the saddle and secure them firmly.

Haruuna gladly places her backpack with the food and bedroll on the back of the horse.

"Thank you for the kind offer!" she says.

   Lyra arrived back in a short ammount of time and listened to Siliwen's proposal to have her horse carry his things for him.

   "That sounds well.  ", he said, manuevering to tie up his gear with everyone elses'.

   His eyes wandered over the place where the kid had taken a flogging and shook his head, his eyes lingering on the spot for a few moments before he was able to look away.  Such foolish violence.  He still hoped that the child would not become bitter because of such harsh punishment.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:58, Wed 03 June 2009.

Siliwen takes care in tieing on the backs to her saddle.  Her father had made it for her and added extra straps and tied offs to aid in fastening down gear on it.  Siliwen used those and takes out her rope to tie a diamond hitch around them all so she will not flap around.

When done she turns ahd heads off down the path that will bring them to where they want to go.  As a child she had traveled with her father as he plied his trade and master leather worker. so she knew the surrounding area quite well.

Haruuna follows, glad to be rid of the pack's weight.

Milo accepted Siliwen's offer quietly. He conferred with her as the group set off down the trail, making sure that they were headed the right way.

The group travelled for several hours, the weather remaining chilly but mercifully rain-free. Lacking any specific directions, Milo and Siliwen led the party towards the centre of the forest.

Making their way off the beaten paths, Milo made sure that the routes they chose didn't hinder the horse too much. He kept an eye out for signs of passage by people, but found none.

After a few hours the light began to wane. Finding a good camping-spot was no issue; the group selected a roughly semi-circular clearing. No-one was quite sure how large the forest was, but Milo reckoned they'd be travelling for at least another day to reach the centre.

On the trail

"Siliwen moves at an easy enough pace for talking and walking at the same time.  She is curious about her companions, they are very diverse indeed.

How about she get to know each other a little better.  I am Siliwen, I have live in this area since shortly after my birth. My parents are both half-elves. My mother sews and tailors the clothes for the old Lord and his family, and my father is a master leather worker.  I have traveled with my father a bit when he goes out for trading and to various fairs out and about to sell his wares.  As I said earlier I have some skills with bow and a bit with sword and dagger.  and I can cast a few  spells. mostly they are just simple things."

"Who wants to share next?"

In Camp

Siliwen helps set up a basic but efficient camp since it will only be for over night. When the discussion got around to setting up watches, Siliwen speaks up right away.

"Could I have the first or last watch so she could get the hours of rest she needed to regain the use of any spells she had used up that day."

   Lyra listened intently, it seemed as if the young man was very good at doing that.  His brows perked up when he heard that she, too, was Half-elven.  Looking at her at first he'd thought she was of pure Elven blood, but even then she didn't seem the regular Elf even after just a few moments of being around her.  No Elf he'd ever known would offer their horse up for anyone of common blood.  The young man acknowledged her as she spoke, not interrupting of anything of the like, he seemed totally absorbed in what she was saying.

   Though he did become distracted as he thought about his early childhood, his eyes seeming somewhat distant as if staring into another time.  When she was done he smiled, "Thank you for sharing, Lady Siliwen.  I thought you an Elf upon first glance, for which I don't have a kind opinion of.  Please, excuse my behavior earlier if you were offended, I offer my apologies.  "

   He came out of his distraction rather quickly, his face brightening with his handsome smile, "There's probably not much you would want to know about me.  My mother is an Elf of the house Duphaneus, and my father is the noble Lord Sir Vernum Aprostius, a Knight of Xvern.  "

   His smile and words turned somber as he said this, he looked out to the distance, " I came here in search of my father, only to find his tomb.  "

   He grew quiet after saying that, seeming to be lost in his own thoughts on the matter.

   When they got to the camp sight, he began helping wherever he could.

   "If we're going in turns, I'll take the mid-watch shift.  I don't mind you taking first watch, who ever takes first and last will get more sleep, which is fine with me.  I'd much prefer it that way.  "

In response to Lyra

"It is just Siliwen," responds the half-elven young woman.  "And you do not need to appologized for your behavior, I took no offence at what you did or didn't say/"

"I am sorry that you did not find you father alive."  Siliwen's voice softened in compassion.

"Thank you for sharing your story."

Siliwen smiled at the young warrior, she did not realized how it changed her her appearance so dramactically.  Her face seemed to light up and her eyes sparkle.

Haruuna listens to the others' stories, then speaks up herslef: "I am Haruuna Dhacuul, a Hobgoblin of the Red Wolf Tribe. My people live far, far away, near the Dragontooth Mountains. I myself received a Call to Duty from my god, Nym-Weselyn. So I packed my belongings and started out to spread His glory through brave deeds and honourable behaviour. I might not be a good preacher, but I know that deeds speak louder than words. If you help people to overcome their problems they will listen to you more readily, even if you are different. I have encountered mistrust on my travels, born of ignorance and fear, but I have also been welcomed with open arms. The world is a great place, full of wonders and full of dangers."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:55, Mon 08 June 2009.

   He nodded, "Thank you, Siliwen.  I wish I had gotten to know him personally.  I heard he was a great man.  It was a strange matter walking down to his tomb.  It changed me in a way that nothing else could have.  It was, and still is, saddening for me, but I understood finally why I was put here after visiting the place where he was laid to rest.  There was an aura there that was palpable, as if his presence was so powerful that even after death it could not be extinguished.  "

   He listened then to Haruuna, he pursed his lips and nodded in understanding, "Yes, but it is fortunate that there are people out there willing to look past our differences and see what lies beneath rather than what we are on the surface.  "

   He looked as if he was going to say something else, perhaps going to share something else with them, but decided better against it, and merely smiled instead.  Something stirred beneath those light green eyes of his, though but he looked away too quickly for any to decipher.

Silvara can hear the pain the Lyra voice, that not knowing who your parents were.   IT touch a sore spot in her own parentage.  She had been realized but the two parents she has know from  the day of her birth and for many years thought they were her parents,  However when she grew up they told her of her birth.  A elven mother that had abandoned her right after her birth and as unknown but obviously not elven father.  She had told herself it didn't matter that she loved the two who had raised her as their own but there was still deep within her a desire to know who her parents were and why she ws abandoned.

The night passed uneventfully. Mercifully, the weather remained passable, if cold. The morning seemed to bring no promise of rain, with the sun shining unfettered in the clear sky.

The party broke up their makeshift camp, one or two of them shivering in the chill. Milo informed them that if they pushed hard, they might reach the centre of the woods by the end of the day.

For hours the group wound their way through the trees and underbrush. Milo led the way, 30 feet or so ahead of the group, where he could look out for obstacles and easier routes. The going was not easy; the forest didn't seem well travelled and there were no paths, so getting the horse through the dense growth and up and down the steep slopes was a chore.

A couple of hours before midday, Milo stopped the progress. He explained that at last he'd found some tracks - the signs of two men led along a path, which Milo reckoned ran roughly perpendicular to their present direction of travel, to the north-west. He estimated the tracks were some week or so old, and asked the group their opinion of whether to push on for the centre, or to follow the path.

[Private to Lyra Duphaneus; Siliwen: As you stand talking, you hear barking to the south-west. Sounds like several dogs.]

Siliwen turned her head quickly to focus on the distant barking.  Two dogs at least she could identify by the difference in their barking.  Perhaps a third as well.  That could be caused by several different possibilities.

"There's more than one dog is barking, It could be a pack of feral dogs or someone has riled up someone's farm dogs.  While these tracks are old I think we should investigate the source of the barking."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:36, Mon 15 June 2009.

Haruuna nods: "Maybe we should do that!"

   Lyra listened and looked to the others with a quizzical look on his face.  He nodded, "Let's go then, but let's be be careful.  No telling what's causing those dogs to bark.  It'd be better if one of you could just scout it out just in case of danger.  "

Nodding in agreement, Milo agreed to remain a couple of hundred feet in front of the party.

Turning south west from their path, the group began to make their way towards the barking that had been heard. They remained alert; these were deep woods, far from settlment - who knew what could be found out here?

After about ten minutes of walking Milo called a halt from his vantage point atop a rise. He motioned for the party to approach quietly.

[Private to Haruuna Dhacuul; Lyra Duphaneus: You hear raised voices from beyond the rise. They're too far away to make out number or words, but you reckon at least two men.]

Siliwen uses her scouting skills to make her way to the vantage point near Milo  She keeps low and will not crest the hill except enough to peek over the rise to view whatever is there.

Lyra decided to wait back, or perhaps he would go in another direction.  With everyone leaving, he decided he'd take a much less subtle approach.  Doubting that in his heavy armor he could sneak like Siliwen or Milo, he looked around for a trail that a weary traveler may get lost on.

Hopefully he was savvy enough to get a lie across on them.  If it came to a fight, he wouldn't want to hit them unawares anyhow.  He started looking around.

Haruuna falls in next to Lyra, looking down at her companion, saying: "Neither of us is able to aproach them quietly, right? Then let's stick together and give those overgrown dogs something to blunt their teeth on should they feel like it!"

Lyra notices that contrary to her words the Hobgoblin woman makes very little noise moving at his side, even though she wears armour. She seems to instinctively place her feet in the right places, avoiding any loud noises. Only her Armour gave her away, clinking and creaking repeatedly.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:11, Fri 19 June 2009.

[Private to Haruuna Dhacuul: OOC:  Lyra is a he.]

Siliwen puts a finger to her lips and a soft breathy shust like the whisper of the wind as she peers over the crest of the ridge staying low to the ground.

[Private to Siliwen: Did I post anything about his gender?]

Haruuna shuts up.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:37, Fri 19 June 2009.

Lyra stood silently, nodding and waited for Siliwen to report.  He had his hand on the hilt of his sword, sliding his shield into place and grasping it firmly in his hand.

Milo pointed the way for Siliwen to look. The viewpoint was good - though the trees meant the it was difficult to make out details.

[Private to Siliwen: Siliwen saw a tall, broad man with wild dark hair holding a heated discussion with a halfling man. Several dogs ran around beneath the trees. It was hard to count them, but there seemed to be at least 6.]

Siliwen watches again to see if she can get the idea of whose dogs ther were.Siliwen looks overe to Milo, "An uneven physical match up if it gets to that depending on who the dogs belong to."

"Perhps a third person or more might cool things down. So we venture down there, or forget it?"

Lyra nodded and started to go around, so that he would be across or to the far right of the team.  He had his shield on, but his sword was still in its scabbard.  He  survyed the situation from the bushes, he didn't want to get the others caught since they'd done such a fine job of sneaking.  He could only hoped they were as good at hiding as they were sneaking.

Siliwen moved with Lyra, keeping a watchful gaze not only on the pair arguing below but also on her surroundings.  She unslung her bow  from her shoulders and held it ready in her left hand while her right hand rested near her hip less than a finger's length from the quiver at her right hip.

edited see next Siliwen post
This message was last edited by the player at 16:59, Mon 22 June 2009.

Haruuna stays with Lyra, readying her battleaxe and shield for combat.

Siliwen takes care to move as silently as possible and did a decent job at that but circumstances beyong her control reveal her.  The grasses had been flattened by some large animal in the night and she found herself without cover and in plain sight of the arguing pair.  Her only hope was they were not looking her direction.

10:09, Today: Siliwen rolled 22 using 1d20+3. Move Silently.
10:08, Today: Siliwen rolled 4 using 1d20+3. Hide.

Alerted by the sudden barking of the dogs, the two men looked around to see Siliwen stepping lightly between two trees.

The big man put out a hand, fingers spread slightly, and spoke:

"Hold! Who goes there?"

His voice was firm yet authoritative, with no agression. The halfling fellow beside him put a hand to his sling, but neither drew a weapon.

Two of the dogs, brown and black hunting types, loped forward curiously to sniff at Siliwen.

Siliwen sighs, she moved silently enough but the lack of cover had given her away. She turns and steps forward a couple of paces twoards the to stranger.

"I am Siliwen.  I heard the sounds of dogs barking and was moving up when I her you two arguing.  I was keeping a low profile but apparently not low enough, it seems.  I intend no harm to anyone here, just being cautious though."

The fellow tilted his head inquisitively, and nodded as Siliwen spoke.

"Well met, Siliwen. I am Artur. Caution is to be recommended in these woods, indeed, especially when one travels alone."

He raised an eyebrow at that, almost turning the statement into a question.

"But what, pray tell, brings you this way?"

How much to disclose wonders Siliwen, not that she wanted to tell a lie so perhaps just avoid the direct answer for right now.

"I agree with you about traveling alone it is not a good idea in some places around here. Bandits have been a problem here abouts where the arm of law and justice are shorter or non-existent. As for what brings me here well several things led to my being here in this place" Siliwen paused for a moment

"Can I be of any assistance to either of you?  Sometimes a third person can see through what muddles two."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Fri 26 June 2009.

   Lyra emerged as well, he nodded toward the men in greeting.  With one hand on the hilt of his blade he looked each of them over and said, "I'm Sir Lyra Duphaneus, Son of Sir Vernum Aprostius, "  he said this bit formally, " I mean no harm to such men as yourselves so long as you are well meaning in kind.  "

   "Tell me, what are you doing out here? Hunters, perhaps? ", he asked casually, looking at each man in turn.

The two men exchanged an unreadable glance.

"Well, this is not what I would call travelling alone. I wonder why you were not quick to disclose your companion, here? Just how many of you are there?"

He turned to Lyra.

"Well met, Sir. I trust some mission brings you out this way? I live in these woods, so yes, you could say I'm a hunter of sorts."

"I was very careful not to lie to you." retorts Siliwen. "I did not say I was traveling alone, I only agreed with you that Traveling alone could be dangerous."

Okay so she prevaricated a bit it wasn't a lie just an ommission of the whole truth/

"And a fine deception it was, nonetheless," interjects a voice from nearby. "But when people see through it, it's good form to take it gracefully."

A young man leans against a tree, squinting towards the two groups. He's dressed for travel, and is armed clearly with a sword, but his relaxed posture doesn't indicate menace. "By all means, continue your discussion. I have business with that man- he jerks a thumb towards Artur- "-but it can wait. I just want to avoid any misunderstandings later."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:44, Sat 27 June 2009.

Siliwen whirls and the new voice and is about to drop to her knee and level her bow except for the newcomer's causal manner.

She straightens up and her sea-green eye flash. at him.  She was not used to being called a deceiver.

"I did not deceive him at and I do no appreciate being called a deceiver, I told the truth."

Just not all of it, she thinks. .

"Truly, you did, but it's the truth you don't speak that one must be wary of," replies the man, with a flourish. "No offense intended, fair one. I've not come to make enemies."

   Lyra's eyes shifted toward the stranger before he could reply to the hunters, or whatever men they may be.  He appraised the young fellow with a critical and suspicious eye.

   "And you are? ", Lyra asked the newcomer, hand still on the hilt of his blade.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:35, Sat 27 June 2009.

"If you want a name, for now, call me Nal. If you want details, then I'm certainly nobody brave enough to draw steel in this company," he replies, glancing curiously at Lyra's hand. "And if you want to know what I'm doing here, I already told you."

"Merciful spirits," said Artur, "this is a mighty coincidence. No less than three independent parties coming across one another in the woods! At least Nal here claims to have the knowing of me, though I'm afraid he has me at a disadvantage."

He laughed wryly, hair flopping atop his head.

"Seems that Nal and I must talk. What say you other two join us for a spell - company is a rare thing out here. My cabin is not an hour from here, where I have drink and meat plenty."

The halfling remained silent throughout the talk, leaning on his unstrung longbow with a carefully neutral expression.

"If our meeting is by chance, then I should count myself a lucky man,", replies Nal, briefly winking at Siliwen before turning back to Artur. "And I've a policy to never refuse a meal."

There are three of us, COmments Siliwen I shall fetch our friend and our horses, if you will but wait a moment.

Siliwen hurries up the rise she had traverse so sohort a time ago and called out for Haruuna.

"Haruuna, Let's get the horses and join the others below.  We have been invited to the halfling's cabin.

Once the horses are gathered Siliwen leads the way over the ridge with Haruuna leading her own horse and Siliwen lead Lyra's horse and her own'  She waited to see who the others would accept Haruuna.  ITo her mind it was a test of sorts.  Would they realize that Haruuna travel with an elf and a human or would they automatically assume the worse of her.

Siliwen hoped not.

Lyra nodded, looking down his nose at the other, "Well, if that's the case then we have no need to cross blades, and if we're both here to fulfill the same objective then perhaps we may help one another.  Unless of course we're here with the same objective, but with differing purpose. "

   He smiled, "Well, then, that's very kind of you, Artur, I'm sure we can all agree upon some good drink and food.  Please, lead the way and perhaps we can talk about why we're here.  There is a purpose for our coming, but don't be alarmed, we only seek to aid. "

   "As for Nal, I know not who he is but the rest of my group is over yonder somewhere, he paused to point as Siliwen was leading the horses and continued,<Red>" Hearing your dog barking, we thought to seperate just in case there was danger present, but I suspect that your dog, having keener senses than we humanoids, detected us long ago and we were the source for such commotion. Or was there another reason?"<Red/>

Catching the last of Lyra comment Sil calls out. "I ran out of cover, that is how I was seen.  My fault for that slip up."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:31, Mon 29 June 2009.

"Coming!"

Haruuna walks towards the others, resheathing her weapons and trying to look relatively inoffensive.

"I am Haruuna. Nice to meet you!"

"The pleasure's mine, Miss," replies Nal, a little surprised at Haruuna's appearance. "A motley crew we all make, standing here in the forest. Providence surely has a hand in this meeting."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:03, Mon 29 June 2009.

"I am not motely." retorts Siliwen.

"...if you say so." Nal seems a little put out by Siliwen's denial, but eventually shrugs his shoulders and turns back to Artur. "Lead the way, good sir."

Artur appeared mildly amused at the back-and-forth between the newcomers.

When Haruuna appeared he didn't say a word, but he did look at her a little sharply, before shrugging resignedly.

When the group had gathered, he spoke a few words quietly to his halding companion, who nodded and slipped off ahead of the group. Milo ran to catch him up.

Gesturing silently for the others to follow, Artur set off. The dogs fell in without a command in a rough formation around him, revealing that he was their master. The animals were friendly enough and responded well to anyone who interacted with them.

After around an hour, the group emerged into a clearing by a stream. A simple wooden shack stood there, eaves and porch cluttered with hunting gear. Milo and the halfling were already there, standing quitely talking.

Artur apologised for the lack of seating, but invited the party to sit down where they could, indicating tree stumps and rocks as possible seats. Going inside, he returned with a couple of wine skins, which he passed around. He then got a fire going in a pit outside that was clearly frequently used - the ashes of past fires still covered it.

As he began to roast some rabbit that he'd taken off a hook inside, Artur at last turned the conversation to business.

Nal leans against the wall of the shack, in no hurry to take a seat. "Very well. Business it is. Master Artur, it's come to my attention that you once held a rather influential position in these lands, as a manager of estates. Your departure from that profession, I'm afraid to say, has not gone unnoticed, but many are curious as to your reasons."

Artur paused in his cooking. The halfling raised his eyebrows, smiling faintly.

The big man looked hard at Alan.

"Now just what buisness is that of yours, lad? Times past are times behind us, am I not right?"

He spat away from the fire.

"I cannot possibly imagine what 'business' you could have with me that you need ask such a question."
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:47, Tue 30 June 2009.

Siliwen, look at her companions she would Let Lyra explain theihr mission or as much as he wanted to.

"In such a career, one picks up certain skills, and certain knowledge. It would make them inherently employable," replies Nal, putting his hands behind his head. "Such experience can yet be useful to others. The question is whether loyalty to a previous employer would prevent one from signing to another."

Nal glances around the shack, with a brief expression that makes his thoughts clear; Artur can clearly do better for himself.

Artur relaxed a little and went back to cooking.

"Yes, I suppose I do have my talents. Thing is, I don't want to be employed. Why do you think I live out here? I'm my own master. The worst I have to worry about is the odd wandering beast, and belive me, I can handle those."

"But you intrigue me. Are you meaning to say you wish to hire me?"

"Mmm. It's something I wanted to offer you, in point of fact," replies Nal, sounding faintly disappointed. "It's inside my means to secure a position roughly equivalent to what you held previously. But I'm to take from this that your retirement was voluntary, after all?.."

Siliwen gets tired at the man's continued lack of politeness.

"As is that is any of your business." she snorts delicately.

"He if retired now, He is here and is content with his life  which he said as much to you already.  Artur, is there anything I can do to help you?" Siliwen askes not used to doing nothing about the house.

Siliwen stood up from the stump she was sitting on and walked over to Artur positioning herself to effectively blocking Artur from the young man;s view.

"I can stir the pot or anything else you might like me to do."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:16, Tue 30 June 2009.

Haruuna watches and listens, her face impassive. "If a man has retired, an offer can always be made, but his reply should be respected, whatever he has to say."

Artur nodded towards the young lady. "My thanks, Siliwen. Here, rub these herbs onto the meat."

He frowned a little, though. "I thank you ladies both for your concerns, but the holy one has it right - I'll give my answer, and I'll have it understood and accepted."

Artur continued speaking to the group at large.

"I'm a bit young to be retired, no? Suffice to say there were disagreements. I have simple pleasures, as you can see. Any offer of employment would need to be interesting, rather than generous. Truth told, I plan to stay here at least a few more years, though likely not more than that."

He looked to the ladies, and Lyra. "We have yet to hear your story. What brings a knight, an elf, and a hobgoblin to these parts?"

"Elder Delsean of Garstone Shore sent us out her to looked for poachers and a unknown someone who reportedly lived with a pack of dogs.  The former he would like us to find and figure out what they are up to.  The latter he was curious about."

"I think we can reassure him that the latter is nothing more than a retired halfling  and his animal companions.  However only with your permission, of course.  If you prefer we can stay silent on that matter."

Siliwen spoke up while she clean her hands before sniffing the herbs and spiced that Artur had given her before choosing which ones and in what quantity she would use to rub on the meat.

"An! Rosemary, thyme and bay leaf should be good with this." and she rubbed the chosen spices salt and pepper well into all sides of the meat.  Her hands while delicate in appearance seemed quite strong enough to handle the hunk of meat easily.

"Do you plan to grill, roast or spit this meat? It is much to fine a cut of meat to boil?" 
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:37, Tue 30 June 2009.

"I'm the one with the dogs, and I'm not a halfing!" laughed Artur. "Your offer of privacy is appreciated, but I'm not hiding here - I simply have little use for the local villages. So tell him what you will, so long as it's of positive bent!"

"Interesting that you should mention poachers though. My friend Permain here - he's the halfling! - and I were discussing that very matter when you came across us. Tell me, what do you think should be done about them?"

As he waited for an answer, Artur nodded in agreement with Siliwen's assessment of the spices, and indicated that he was already roasting some of the meat.

Nal nods at Artur's declaration, dropping his hands and finally taking a seat.

"For me it is find out why they have been reduced to poaching.  I think the woods should be free for all but the lordlings, don't see it that way." Siliwen sneered at bit when she said "lordlings". "Elder Delsean wanted to know about the same thing too.  What is causes men to poach, simple laziness or something else."

"People usually do not poach for fun, they do it when they need the game to feed their families. Those who don't do it to survive do it for profit, they sell their catches, either the meat or the fur. Siliwen has it right, I think. We should try to find out why they are doing it."

"And should it happen," remarks Nal, raising an eyebrow- "That they are, in fact, only doing what they feel needs to be done to make a living... what then? Because you're right. Poachers must be driven by either greed or necessity. But the law wouldn't discern between them when they get caught."

Haruuna looks thoughtful, then adds: "But maybe we should."

"I somewhat expected that. It's a vast forest, little of which is tended to. Outlawing hunting as crude poaching seems petty and selfish," admits Nal. "It's easy to think of strict rules in the matter as unjust, and the current punishments to be unfitting.

"It's not a situation easily solved, unfortunately. If these men must hunt to live- which seems most likely to me, as simple greed is likely not enough for them to risk so much- then what else can they do, but hide?"

"There are regions in this world where hunting as a way of life is deeply rooted and accepted, no matter how it is called. People living deep withing forests usually live that way because they don't want to live any other way or can't leave for one reason or other. Let's see what we can before discussion morality."

Artur nodded, and looked pleasantly surprised at the thoughts of the newcomers.

"Well, it seems we share some common opinions. I agree that the situation is not simple; these men may well be desperate."

"Permain and I were in agreement upon one thing: the men must leave. For their own well-being, really. It won't be long before Leonidas gets wind, and sends in his men mob-handed. Permain, though, thinks we should drive them out ourselves, by force. Naturally, I think we should take a more cautious, considered approach."

He looked around the group to ascertain their opinions.

Lyra nodded, "This is, indeed, all true.  We must consider the proper approach and feel this out as we progress.  There is one thing that I will say, that being that if they are breaking the law and moral ambiguity disallows for a decisive action to be taken, then it should be dealt with fully by due course of the law.

   "I think that perhaps they are just desperate and hunting to provide some form of income for themselves.  In which case it should be a simple enough matter to ask them to leave, and hopefully force of arms won't be necessary.  "

   He considered this for a moment, sitting on a fallen log, "We shoud only resort to force after good deliberation and appraisal of their full intentions and capabilities.  So that if diplomacy fails, then we can make them leave, or at least let the guards know of their presence.  "

"Hmm, hmm. Ask them to leave? To find another forest to poach from, perhaps? I'm sorry to play devil's advocate, but while they can probably be threatened to leave, that would be denying them their livelyhood, which.. is just a slow death, in a sense."

He glances at Artur, after a moment. "Leonidas?"

Siliwen's head whips around when Alan mentions Leonidas's name. and then she quickly drops it down again.  She says nothing except to herslef

Stop being so jumpy, Sil takes herself to task. Just the mention of his name shouldn't cause you to jump l;ike a scalded cat.

   "So you're saying that asking them to leave would be futile because it would be stealing their livelyhood away, which would be worth their lives to them.  But not if they were simply doing this out of desperation, perhaps for extra coin to feed their families, or maybe just themselves.  Depends.  There's nothing wrong with trading furs.  Really I wouldn't want to turn them in to Leonidas for simply trading furs, especially if it's out of desperation.  ", he said to Nal.

   "Leonidas is a Young Lord from Garstone, that's where we came from, he's the captain of the guard.  We don't want him getting wind of this because he may do something brash, he isn't too thoughtful, it seems.  "

   He noticed Siliwen's reaction, he furrowed his brow but didn't say anything about it.  He figured it wasn't his business anyway, and isntead looked to Artur, "You know where these poachers are, then? "

"We should give them a chance at leaving peacefully, at least. If they don't agree to that we can still make them."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:03, Thu 02 July 2009.

"The opposite, really. If they need to do this to live, asking them to quit is a tall order. But they won't get away with it forever, unless someone covers for them."

"Then maybe we should tell tham exactly that. If they are good men and reasonable we might be able to work something out."

Siliwen looks up from her head down position.  "We will have to gain that information later. all this supposition is just that or uninformed guesses.  We were sent out here to find our and then do what we could.  Further speculation is a wasted time.  I think Lyra, Haruuna and I seem to be in agreement that we need to discover who, where, and why about these poachers first.  Then we can better decide what to do and do it."

"Why are you interested in the poachers, I thought you were here to talk to Artur.  However, not that it really matters." she said rather offhanded.

There was something about this young man and set her off, Siliwen didn't know why exactly and that bothered her. She usually really like people in general.

"Artur, Do I have time to go foraging for some vegetables or whatever this area has to offer?"

Artur seemed to sense that a decision might take a while to reach.

"Certainly Siliwen, but I invite you to look in the baskets just inside the door first; I may have some usable foodstuffs there."

"Yes Lyra, I know where there are. Or rather, I know the rough area, and certainly I could find them. I take it the consensus seems to be that talking with them is the thing to do?"

Lyra nodded, "Yes, that would seem like the best course of action at the time, then we can decide what to do with them once we find out enough about them.  I'm all for going after them, but first I'd like to have some of this food and if day light prevails, then maybe we can start toward these poachers and get to the bottom of this. "

Siliwen went over and dutifully sheck out the baskets.  SHe had sort of wanted a chance to get out of here just for a bit.  But putting a good face on things she checked  through thenm and came up with several items that could be simply cut up and used fresh.  A group of musrooms caught her attention and some berries.  She looked to see if there was any honey comb or cheese in the basket.

“Any cheese or bread?  If you don’t have bread but you have some flour and can make stick bread.  It is tasty enough with a dash of salt or some fresh butter or honey.”

Siliwen turned back with her finds and moved over to the simple table to prepare them.  She admonished herself for reacting like she did to the young man.  'Come on girl, he is not going to bite you.'

"And I thought you had nothing to do with my business, but since you insisted on taking an interest, I thought it was only common courtesy to do the same," replies Nal, with a brief snort.

"No, that's not really it. The poachers seem like disposessed men, and I feel duty-bound to find some way to aid them. I believe it's likely they're driven to their actions through the negligence of their superiors. Call it gut instinct. As you say, we can't know until we talk to them... although I hardly see how discussing possibilities is a waste of time."

   He smiled leaning forward a bit from his sitting position, , "That is an interesting question, you were looking for Artur, but who sent you? I know our meeting in the woods just wasn't by happenstance.  It would be some coincidence if that were the case.  "

   "Do you, perchance, care to elaborate on the matter, Nal? ", he asked, clasping his hands out in front of him as he waited for the food, leaning back so he was sitting straight once again.

"My, aren't we forward. I sent myself, and while I certainly was seeking Artur out, happening across your band simultaneously was indeed a coincidence."

He doesn't sound all too thrilled about it, either.

Artur left the fire for a moment and fetched bread, cheese, and honey. The bread was stale but edible, and the cheese was a good smelly variety.

"This is shaping up to be quite the feast - your help is invaluable!"

Siliwen tool the slightly stale bread. and cut thick slices out o fit.  She cut and slit in each, buttered the inside of the slip generously,and then slipped a slices of cheese inside as well. For now she puts them on a plate near the fire.

"Let me know when en everything is nearly ready." Siliwen tells Artue.

When the time comes  she will over to the fire and toast each slice on both sides until the cheese began melted and the outside was golden brown with butter melting into the pores of the bread and the warn cheese leaking out just a bit.

   "Perhaps there are gods looking after us after all.  ", he said in response to Nal, with a bit of irony in his tone.

   "We can only hope that this food will be done soon. I'm starved and tortured by the aroma.   ", he said with a smile, rubbing his hands together as he looked it all over.

"Perhaps," remarks Nal, after a brief pause. "On that, I can concur."

The conversation around the fire turned a little more casual, and before long Artur announced the food was ready. With Siliwen's help the meal provided had been made delicious, and everyone tucked in with gusto.

The afternoon was drawing on; in a few hours it would be dark, and so Artur enquired as to what their plans were for the evening. He warned that this deep into the woods, the night held strange hazards.

"I guess we will not make much headway if we start out that late, maybe we should rest up and start lookning for the poachers tomorrow?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:06, Mon 06 July 2009.

"Mmm. At the least, I'd beg for your hospitality tonight," replies Nal, with a bit of a shaky chuckle.

"Then, if you don't mind me accompanying you, I'd like to visit these poachers myself. You mentioned interesting work, Artur, and I might be able to think of something if you give me a bit of time. Will you also be seeking out these poachers, come to think of it?"

"I agree it would be best to spend the night around here and set off fresh in the morning."  Artur you wouldn't have a nice stream running nearby with a deep enough pool for a nice swin and bath would you?" asks Siliwen

"It would be a nice end to a wonderful meal and good company," Siliwen asks their kind host.  Harunna you and  I can bathe first keeping watch for each other, then the males can have their turn."

Artur nodded in agreement.

"The morning would be a wiser time to make our journey, and it would be easier to find our poachers then. I'm willing to help you search for them, but I think I will leave the negotiations to you, since you are on the authority of Garstone Shore. I don't think the poachers know I'm here, and I'd like to keep it that way."

He pointed to the stream by which they sat.

"If you head upstream a few minutes, you will find a pool. Though I don't recommend travelling alone, you should be fine if you do so. I keep the area free of any major threats."

"That sounds great! Thank you!" Harruna turns to go at once "Coming, Siliwen?"

Siliwen gathers up her saddlebags,  All her personal gear was in in them, soap, towels, a brush and washing cloth and fresh clothes.  She could even wash her dirty clothes and hopefully hang them out to dry  near the fire.  She never minded the slightly smoking smell they collected.  Though she usually preferred to hang them out in the sun and that left now smell at all just fresh and clean scent.  The sun was nearing the horizon so they did not have a lot of time.

She set a quick pace out around the creek and found a nice pool  where a big old tree held the soil in the bank against the strength of the creek  It was helped by several large rocks the took the brunt of the spring flow from the bank it self,  Eventually though the water would win and the big tree would be cut under and fall.  That was part of the cycle of life.  Rocks perfect to walk out on and place her saddlebags down and stipped off her clothes and slip into the sun warmed water.  Well, it was not all that warm down deeper.  Siliwen rinse off then climbed out and walk to the bank where she soap herself doen and then used a cloth to clean all over and then scrape of the soap a much as possible, Returning to the pool she rinsed off quickly.

"YOur turn." She called out to Haruuna.

"Thank you!"

Haruuna produces fresh clothes, a towel, some soap and a hairbrush from her pack. Stripping qickly she dives into the pool and washes herself, obviously enjoying the process. She gives special care to her thick, long hair, brushing it and leaving it open to dry, hanging down to her waist.

She dresses in fresh clothes from her pack and packs up, taking her freshly washed clothes with her.

"That felt good!" she says "Let's get back to the others!"

While the women are away, Nal addresses Artur again, rubbing his hands a little to keep them warm.

"Major threats, eh? What sort of creatures do you need to fend off, hereabouts? I should thank you for making it possible to reach here alone."

"I take it you travelled in daylight? The threats are infrequent, but vicious. There are all sorts of beasts lurking in the woods - though generally much deeper in. Occasionally they venture closer to civilisation. Such is the way of wilderness - it's the same on any of the frontiers."

"These woods are also home to swarms of insects, and carnivorous or dangerous plants. Those are the more worrying hazards, since the untrained would struggle to spot them before it was too late."

   Lyra ate of his meal and afterward thanked Siliwen for the work she put into it, and thanked Artur for providing it for them.  After conversing with the group over supper, he watched the women go and then leaned back and exhaled.

   He listened to Artur and then turned his eyes to Nal, " That's right, although we have one amongst our ranks that acted as guide.  But if there are such treacheries as that in these woods I would surely not want to go unaccompanied; as I am more versed in the song of the blade, than the symphony of the forest.  "

   He took a sip from his cup, and looked the way the women had gone.  As he glanced to the side he said, "Well, any surprises of that nature can be dealt with by the reassuring presence of my sword.  "

Siliwen finished braiding her hair again and washing her clothes while Haruuna took her bath.

When Haruuna was done dressing Siliwen stood and headed back towards Artur's.  They would still had some daylight left to bath if they wanted to.

"Haruuna it must be hard sometimes for you amongst the other races that see your kind as not good." Siliwen said as she walked back though she kept her eyes roaming about.   There were many predators about that became more active and daylight faded.

"I'm not too comfortable with mine, I admit," replies Nal. "Always preferred dancing with my hands to dancing with metal. Just having it, I hope, can stop most fights before they start."

He taps the hilt with a wry grin. "Not that forest predators would be that intelligent."

"Well, sometimes it is, but I do my god's work and my faith in him keeps me strong. I know they are prejudiced, they fear me because they don't know me. I am glad you and the others accepted me into your ranks. I thank you for that!"

Siliwen nods and walks among quietly after that enjoy the sounds of forest and field.  THe quick pace she set was easily matched by Haruuna's longer strides and before lone they were back to Artur's Cabin.

Giving a polite knock she called out.  "It is Harruna and Siliwen." as she walked in.

"If you two want their is plenty of time for you to get a bath in the stream. It was quite nice to remove the dust and dirt from our days travels."

"Thanks for the offer, but now I live in fear of the forest, especially as night draws near."

Siliwen's head turns to the young man. Not quite believing her ears Siliwen asks, "Do you jest?"

"Not at all! To a city boy like me, hearing stories of vicious predators raises a certain primal fear of the natural world," replies Nal, stretching. "Besides, I bathed this morning."

Siliwen turned away and if the dishes had not yet been done she sets to work cleclearing adn cleaning up the remains of eating and cooking.

Humming as she worked quickly.  This was one o fher many chores at home giving her parents time to work on their particular crafts or even a bit of free time.

Before long the remains of the meal were cleared up.

The sun was low in the sky, casting a red glow across the scene. Artur pointed out a few places that would make good spots to sleep in the clearing. He explained that he wasn't willing to share his cabin - that privilege was only for his dogs! Anyway, the weather looked fine, and not set to rain.

Artur carried out a barrel of ale and a few clay mugs, inviting all to help themselves. It was early yet to sleep, so it seemed wise to sit up awhile and plan, or perhaps just talk.

Finished with her self-appointed shores, Siliwen moved to join the other in and evening descends over the earth.  The night sounds change the crickets shirring changes tempo, it all makes a sort of music.

"Arutr, You wouldn't happen to have a flute or pan pipes would you?  I can usually coax a semblance of a tune out of them."

Nal reaches for the mugs and ale, quickly pouring out a couple of cups; one he keeps for himself, whilst he returns to Lyra with the other and sits down, legs crossed.

"Well, Sir, I'm afraid I didn't catch any of your names," he remarks, quietly. "Mind filling me in?"

"I am Haruuna Dhacuul. Glad to meet you!"

"Likewise! Are you from Alasch, or a traveller from far afield? Ah, if it's the latter, could you tell a story? Distant lands hold some wonder for me."

"I am not from near here. My tribe, the Khraarul, live far to the north from here, in the mountains we call the Bear's Teeth. I left them to carry the teachings of my god, Nym-Weselyn of War, to all people. I have been travelling for a few years now."

   "Yes, do play a tune.  I wish I could join in,  but alas many of my skills are of the warrior's profession, rather than the poet's.  "

   Lyra gave a nod of appreciation, "Thank you, Nal.  I didn't acquaint myself with you before? I'm Lyra Duphaneus, son of Sir Vernum Aprostius.  "

   "Distant lands can be somewhat unkind, and the wonder of their mystery stifled by the horrors of their truth.  ", he said, somewhat distractedly, gazing off into the distance, speaking to know one in particular.

   He turned toward Haruuna, gettign a sip of ale before speaking, " I haven't been there before.  My travels have carried me over some distance, but not that far.  My quest to join the Knights of Xvern brought me here to this town where my father lays to rest an eternal sleep.  "
This message was last edited by the player at 10:56, Tue 14 July 2009.

Artur sat quietly listening to the conversation.

He shook his head at Siliwen's request for an instrument. "I'm not a musical man! But by all means, if you wish to sing, go ahead."

He grinned a little mischieviously.

Siliwen though not a trained bard does have a good natural voice HEr tones are pure and ture, her pitch is not as high as some elven voices but rather a bit more mellow.  She first sings a simple sheep hearder's song, use to settle the sheep down at night. and then a young lovver's lament that is quite popular as it is a bit funny. She drops her voice for the boy;s part and raise it higher for the girls.   Then she sings a rather baudy dittty knows and the Near-Sighted Knight and the Old Whore.  IT has a rockling chorus that is easy to follow.

Finally she sings a child's lullaby and softens her voice to a mother/s loving tone and words to her child. A song her mother often sang to her.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:40, Wed 15 July 2009.

Nal claps softly after each piece, and tilts his head after a moment, addressing Lyra once again. "You must know better than me, by the sounds of it- I've not travelled beyond Alasch's borders in my time, and it seems duty will always keep me here. I'm sorry if I brought up some bad memories."

Haruuna obviously likes the music and clapps after each piece. "You have a wonderful voice!" she says.

   He applauded Siliwen's performance, "Beautiful, beautiful, it seems like your talents are infinite.  I would be sung to sleep like an baby if not for our company. "

   He smiled, to Nal "Don't fret, I've seen other lands than these, but I am by no means a grand adventurer and my words are just musings of a mind left to wander.  "

   "What form of duty, if you don't mind my asking? I've sworn allegiance as a Knight, but Knights are free to wander where ever their order bids them or where ever a Knight is needed.  "

"Oh, I earn my keep working for the Trakli family on odds and ends. They've fallen on hard times, recently, so there's much to do- good for my pockets, but not for my legs. One of my jobs is- well, headhunting," replies Nal, gesturing at Artur.

"Often, I serve as a messenger and liason, however, and bring back news of what goes on across Alasch to Grenfall."

"Thank you, you are all most kind,  My parents were gifted caraftsmen, but there ws alwasy music in out home, mostly we made it ourselves,  sometimes I would sneak inot the castle when they had a party and listen ot the musicians they had or eavn a b" that would come on the holidays.  My simple songs are nothing to compare to what they can do."

She sat quietly as the others shared things aobut themselves.  Itis good to know more about those you travel with and may hav to depend on with you life.  though she hoped it would not come to that.

   He nodded, arching his brow inquiringly, "A head hunter? I see, then, so that's what you were about around these parts.  Well, we'd be glad for your expertise, and your experience with the blade couldn't be that bad if that's your profession.  I'd be rather confident in your ability to hold you own in a fight if we ever had to fight side-by-side.  "

   "Don't be so modest.  ", Lyra said with a smile toward Siliwen.

   "But tell me of the Trakli family, Nal, I don't believe I've heard of them, or if I have the time and place is lost to my mind.  "

"No shame in that, Alasch is too large for any one man to know every noble in it," replies Nal, grinning at Lyra. "Well, they're quite an old family, with several branches, and they own most of the land about three or four of the westernmost towns, Grenfall chief amongst them- where I hail from.

"I mostly do work for Alan and Emma, the youngest children of age in the head household, though it seems Emma's getting set up for marriage- can't say with who, though. They used to have some strong ties with other houses- with the Mist and Wietheral families in particular, but there's been a series of disputes, lately, and it's a damn shame."

Nal pulls up against the wall, and looks Lyra in the eye. "What's the most important quality a knight can have?"

Under her breath Siliwen says quietly, "I know one too many,"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:52, Thu 16 July 2009.

   Lyra nodded as the other told him of this family and their ails, "Best of luck to them, although I don't know them personally.  But you know, there are some who believe in the notion that one's evil deeds will come back to haunt him in the future.  I've always found that strange, because often good things happen to those that don't deserve it, rather than those that do.  "

   He smiled, meeting Nal's gaze with his cat-like eyes, "Honor; a knight couldn't exist if there were no honor in him.  And there would be no place for knights, nor any concept of chivalry,  if there weren't one with honor in his soul. From honor stems all of the best qualities a knight can have, chivalry, honesty, integrity.  "

"Honor. Yes, every man should have integrity, and every man should respect their dues."

Nal's lips quirk, as if struggling to hold a grin whilst piqued. "When you learn something new about a person, it can change what you think of them. The family followed their own faith, compared to what most in Alasch do. I don't think that's a crime- whatever their beliefs, what matters most in knights and nobles is honor, no? Noblesse oblige.

"Well, whatever I think, many didn't share my opinion."

Siliwen is content to listen to the others after her simple offerings of song, but finally she know she must rest.  She lays out her bedroll against a wall and curls up on it with her cloak for her covers.

Haruuna retires as well, wishing the others a pleasent night. She rolls out her bedroll and falls asleep at once.

Before those gathered fell asleep, Artur made sure a watch was agreed upon - though he claimed to have the area secure, he insisted it was always wise to be cautious.

The night was cold, but bearable beneath the bedrolls and cloaks that were used as covers. Artur brought out thick blankets for anyone who seemed to be unprepared for the winter weather.

After a peaceful night, during which everyone took their turn at peering out into the darkness (which was eerily quiet), dawn broke. Artur offered around hunks of bread and cheese as breakfast.

"Now then - it'll take the better part of a day to find these poachers. Take an hour or so to make your preparations, then I'll show you the way. Mind that you follow my instructions - I know these woods well."

As he went off to gather his own gear, Permain spoke quietly to Artur, who nodded, then squeezed the halfling's shoulder solemnly. The little fellow then made quietly off into the forest with no further word.

   Lyra's last words to Nal were, "The only thing of importance to nobles is the reflection in the mirror, and their pomp.  We can talk more about it on the morrow.  ", he took first watch that night, staying away from everyone else.  Then he awakened the next in line and slept through the cold of the winter.

   "Well, it was my duty to find these poachers so I'll do what ever it takes to get to them.  ", he said between bites of his food.

   Lyra watched the halfling disappear into the trees and shrubbage, "What'd you tell him? "

Nal has little to say in the morning; he silently gathers up what little camping gear he brought with him, and briefly checks over his equipment.

He seems to be satisfied, given that he eventually stows it back away and leans against the side of the door, awaiting everyone else.

Artur looked sharply at Lyra.

"What's to say I told him anything? I'll thank you to keep your nose out of business between myself and my friend, sir."

Milo wandered over to Haruuna and spoke quietly, shaking hands with the hobgoblin. He declared to the rest of the group that he was leaving to return to his village - he felt Haruuna no longer required his services as guide and was growing uncomfortable being away from home.

Seeing that everyone was up and ready to move, Artur gathered the group together.

"I may be repeating myself, but we're travelling a ways from where I'd consider to be safe. It's best that you do as I say. I'll be out front, leading the way. Siliwen, I'd like you to follow 60 feet or so behind, at the head of the group; then Lyra and Haruuna. Nal, you must be a competent woodsman to have got here alone, so you'll be rearguard."

"All agreed? Good, let's go."

Artur set out immediately, striding confidently into the woods. The rest of the group followed, in the order he'd asked for - Siliwen 30 feet or so in front, Nal 30 feet or so behind.

The woodsman was a good guide - he seemed to find the easy paths through the wild growth with little effort, and this helped the less experienced and heavier armed followers.

A couple of hours after a quick break for lunch, Artur raised a hand to signal halt, and waved a hand down towards the floor.

The group was travelling along a rise; the natural path was around 4 feet wide, bounded by the treeline on the left, and a 20 foot drop to the right. Up ahead, a couple of hundred feet away, were a couple of outcroppings that would need to be navigated, and it was towards these that Artur was looking.

"I will follow you lead in this matter for now certainly." Siliwen responds to Artur's words.

Nal soon catches up to the group at large, and hugs the treeline as he addresses Artur- "Do you believe our men lie beyond those outcroppings?" he asks, squinting a little. "One could scout ahead without being seen, if so."

"I could check it out but only if Artur agrees.  I said I would follow his lead in this matter this morning.  Yes it would be best but I will wait.  Besides I didn't do so well yesterday in trying to keep hidden so it is what I do but I will not depend on my skills to keep my movements silent and unseen."
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:54, Wed 29 July 2009.

Artur moved almost silently back to the group so that he could speak with them.

"No, Nal - it is not men that I believe can be found here. Look there, between those two boulders."

[Private to Siliwen: You see sticky translucent threads clinging to the rocks]

"I fear the creatures that produced that mess are nearby. We have three options: go back, find another route; creep around quietly in hopes of not waking them; prepare for a fight and march through."

"I don't believe we're so pressed for time that we can't afford to search for another route," replies Nal, frowning. "A mixed party of our size would have difficulty moving stealthily."

"It's a good few miles out of way to leave this ridge - it'll mean travelling a while in the dark. But I agree, aside from convenience I don't believe there is any hurry" said Artur.

Lyra narrowed his eyes and listened, and watched as all that was said passed from the mouth of on an into the ears of another.  He looked to what Artur pointed to and shook his head, "No need putting ourselves at uncessary risk either way.  We should try and just find another route,  as my armor would hinder my ability to remain in stealth.  "

It looks like the web string of a large Spider. Siliwen says, as she spot the nearly translucent thread that might indicate their presence.

"Anyway that what I think it could be.  How many I cannot say.  Since we are warned by that, we might be able to move through quickly before they can react, though they are quick.  That trip thread warns them of something in the area."

"A thread?" Nal squints ahead, trying to seek it out. "If that's the only real obstacle between us and a shorter route, I'll admit that I'm not too thrilled to be walking more than necessary. Are you sure it would be safe?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:52, Thu 30 July 2009.

"No.  I said being aware of them makes the possibility of a surprise attack less."  Siliwen clarifies.  "If we can sneak up as quietly as possible then step over that thread we could avoid triggering their trap."  She looks about for some grasses.  and and leaves and gathers up several handfuls. "I can try stuffing this into Lyra armor and quiet the clanking.  The rest of you are not armored so and should be able to  move a silently as possible."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:43, Thu 30 July 2009.

   "Let's not jump in unawares.  If none of us saw that thread but you, then theres good reason for us to reason that there's more thread somewhere nearyby, that we don't know about, that would accomodate us perfectly.  We'd be the perfect willing entree.  "

   He chuckled, "An armored scare-crow, eh? Let's try get how many there are there, and we'll proceed from there? Artur, would you know anything about that? How many there are, I mean? "

Artur grinned. "Well, one brave soul could go and check!"

"I would guess though at up to five or six of these spiders - I'm impressed you knew that they're spiders, Siliwen. I hadn't spotted the strand, merely the disturbance in the area. Nests of more than that are unlikely."

"If we get close enough they'll more than likely detect us, whether we touch the thread or not; depends where they are hiding."

Lyra smirked, "Or one foolish soul.  "

"Well, if they can sense us even if we don't touch the thread, then we've got a problem.  It comes down to who's faster, us or them. I'd bet them.  I stick to my vote to go around.  We have nothing to lose but time going around and going the safer route.  For all we know there's six or more there. "

   "We're also not here to slay spiders, but to find those poachers.  It may cost us some time to go around, but at least it won't cost us our lives.  ", he said levelly, gazing in the direction of the spiders.

"I can go up there and check a quietly as possible to find out how many are nesting in the area.  Someone hold my pack while I investigate.  Siliwen will move up using all her woodland skill and taking extra time to move silently stepping softly on the ground in an irregular foot pattern to help minimize detection.

Siliwen stepped quietly forward. Moving warily, and as quietly as she could on the rocky outcrop, she picked her way towards the large boulders.

About a hundred feet from her target she stopped.

[Private to Siliwen: You see two spiders clinging to the sides of the rocks, both about dwarf-sized. They see you, too.]

[Private to Alan Ryland Trakli; Haruuna Dhacuul; Lyra Duphaneus: Just after Siliwen stops, you see movement off to her left, about 50 feet into the treeline.]

Siliwen slips her bow off her shoulder and quickly nocks an arrow from her quiver.  She took a step backwards and kept her arrow aimed at the left spider.  Which ever one moved she would shoot it
This message was last edited by the player at 04:11, Sat 01 Aug 2009.

Lyra started toward Siliwen's position at a full sprint, cursing under his breath as he did so.  He drew his sword and equipped his shield before running toward her, keeping an eye on teh spider he saw.

Nal curses, pulling loose his own bow and training it on the movement he witnessed; he starts heading about, hoping to get a clear shot at whatever beast might be about to prey on the woman.

[Private to GM: Hoping to keep my distance and back them up with supporting fire! Readying an action to shoot if the spider is overtly hostile, will keep doing so for three rounds!

11:16, Today: Alan Ryland Trakli rolled 12 using 1d20+7. Initiative!.
11:17, Today: Alan Ryland Trakli rolled 25 using 1d20+5. bowshot 1!
11:18, Today: Alan Ryland Trakli rolled 20 using 1d20+5. bowshot 1crit threat?!.
11:18, Today: Alan Ryland Trakli rolled 14 using 4d6. bowshot 1crit damage + sneak attack.

11:17, Today: Alan Ryland Trakli rolled 8 using 1d20+5. bowshot 2!.
11:17, Today: Alan Ryland Trakli rolled 9 using 1d20+5. bowshot 3!.

]

Reacting rapidly to the movement he saw, Nal launched an arrow into the trees. It hummed close past Siliwen, burying up to the feathers into one of the eyes of a spider that she hadn't even seen as it dropped silently from a winter-leafless tree.

Nal's aim was either incredibly good, or incredibly lucky; the spider shuddered and moved no more.

Spurred into action, Lyra grasped his shield and sword and ran full tilt towards Siliwen, doing his best to negotiate the rocky, narrow terrain between the treeline to his left and the drop to his right.

Siliwen could see she was about to be attacked from two directions and hesitated momentarily. Sure enough, she counted five spiders in all - two on the rocks, and three dropping down from the trees, though the smallest of those three fell to Nal's arrow. Two of those that were within the woods were even larger - bigger even than she was.

She loosed her own arrow at the leftmost of the spiders that rushed at worrying pace towards her from the rock outcrop. Her aim was good, but it was nigh a hundred feet to her target and her shot merely grazed the abdomen of one of the vermin. Another arrow thudded into its body as she watched; that must've been Artur, but before she could check, she was busy defending herself from the two massive spiders that had already reached her from the trees.

The first to reach her missed, but the second took her by surprise and it's fangs drew blood from Siliwen's arm.

Lyra redoubled his efforts and reached the combat in time to distract one of the spiders attacking his companion, though he was too winded to strike. The spider took advantage of this and bit Lyra's shoulder, though the other missed Siliwen.

Nal, meanwhile, had circled into the trees and let loose another arrow, which missed its mark. Artur was more lucky, and he felled one of the two smaller spiders. The other diverted its course towards the hardy woodsman.

Locked in melée with the nasty beasts, Siliwen and Lyra dodged and weaved to little avail. The spiders found the way through their defenses and caused further wounds to each. Lyra didn't take kindly to this and carved a bloody gash in the flank of one of the spiders with his blade.

Again Nal fired, and again he missed. Artur followed his lead and he too shot wide of his mark.

She withdraws to a safe distance.

"There are two larger in the trees, she calls out.  WIthdraw if you can."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:28, Mon 03 Aug 2009.

Lyra weathered the pain as best he could.  He'd been trained to deal in such melees and was well accustomed to shove the pain of a blow into the back of his mind, that and the battle-heat kept the warm throb in his arm into barely a nuisance as he picked his next target.

His mind was working as he tried to decide which course to take.  He looked to  the larger spiders.  They were mere beasts, they would probably come to him if he offered himself as a target.  But....

[Private to Mr. DM: 07:11, Today: Secret Roll: Lyra Duphaneus rolled 19 using 1d20+6. Attack Roll.
07:11, Today: Secret Roll: Lyra Duphaneus rolled 10 using 1d20+6. Attack Roll.
07:10, Today: Lyra Duphaneus rolled 6 using 1d20+2. Fortitude save.
07:10, Today: Lyra Duphaneus rolled 20 using 1d20+2. Fortitude Save.

Option one is to withdraw, hopefully to a more defenisble position.

Option2: If I can't withdraw, then I'll fight defensively.  Using my Shield Bonus against one of the bigger spiders if it comes near.  So new AC 20 (21 for one of the big spiders)

Note: I'll withdraw at the nearest oppurtunity.


 ]

Lyra and Siliwen ducked, dodged, and then backed away from the spiders before turning to run back to where Haruuna and Artur were holding position. As they ran they could hear the beasts keeping pace just behind them.

Artur fired again, burying a shaft into the last remaining of the smaller spiders. Wounded, it began to retreat back to the cover of the rocks - it seemed they were too tough as prey to be worth bothering with!

As Lyra and Siliwen dashed over to the others, Nal let loose two more shots. These were calmer and more accurate than before, and one of the two larger spiders fell, tumbling into a heap.

Now reunited, the four combatants turned as one to face the remaining spider, which hesitated, before turning to flee back whence it had come.

Siliwen found a place to sit down and tend her wounds, which were significant. She had been wakened by the attacks so sudden.

Siliwen had to reassess her skills it seems she was not so capable as she thought whe was.  It was a lowering thought.

Nal puts up his bow and lowers his guard, quickly rejoining the others and heading away. "These wounds look grave. We should have gone around after all," he murmurs, cupping his fingers together. "Perhaps we should call off hunting for poachers today."

Haruuna gathered the wounded Lyra and Siliwen to her, muttering under her breath at their injuries.

She asked them to be still and not to fear her magics, then spoke some mystical words whilst forming complex gestures over the worst of the spider bites.

Her subjects shivered and groaned as the magical energies knitted torn flesh together.

"That is the best I can do for now" said Haruuna.

OOC: Siliwen healed 8 points, Lyra healed 7
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:45, Wed 05 Aug 2009.

"Haruuna, my thanks for your healing.  Nal, under the circumstance I agree.  I am sorrry but if the meeting with the poachers was anything more than a wary standoff I would be of little use this day."

"Do you concur, Lyra?" asks Nal, leaning against a tree. "If they're not here when we search again, well... worst comes to worst, they'll no longer be in the forest to find. I'd count that as a good outcome."

   Lyra winced as Haruuna healed his wounds, but something else seemed to cause his knees to tremble other than the pain.  He looked somewhat pale now and had to take a deep breath to even keep himself up, he looked up at Nal somewhat wearilly and said, "I don't think I would be much use in battle right now, either.  It seems as if these spiders' fell poison has sapped my muscles of any strength left in them, as it stands now I could probably barely shoulder my gear with the added weight of my arms and armor without some aid. "

   He leaned against a tree or rock before his trembling knees buckled, and took another deep breath.  "That would be a wise course, Nal.  We should at least put it off for a couple of days.  I would prefer not to chance any other such misadventures while we've suffered such wounds.  "

From a not to distant tree. Siliwen caught a familar seep Ooo-whooo  She put her fingers to her lips and whistled and there came sweepinng out of a high branch was a great owl that flew down towards Siliwen.  Ooo-who, Ooo who.  The bird called out as she swept by Siliwen ruffling Siliwen's hair/  Siliwen laughed at her antics.

This owl was very large, her wind tips 6 feet apart. Her virtually noisless flight as she glided down to teh rock where Siliwen lean back against.

"Well my feather friend, I could have used you keen sense about 15 minutes agao she said smoothing the breast feather of the horned owl.  It massive talons gripped the rock.   The owls talons are almost 4 inches long on powerful feet.  (she is an Eagle Owl.)

Siliwen mad no attempt to pick her up right now.  Usually the big owl had her own perch on the back of Siliwen's saddle but since Siliwen  was walking with the others. and had not brought her gaulets for Arwenna it was best that her familiar found a different perch for now.

"Artur, do you have an opinion?" asks Nal, after a moment of contemplation. "I've thought about this for a moment. Even if we can't proceed to the poachers in force right now, there's still the possibility of negotiating with them whilst the others recover. Even if they turn out to be brutes, it's unlikely they'll do anything to someone claiming to represent a larger force."

Siliwen listens to Nal's idea, and thinks about it.  "It is a possibility that nust be considered at least, but if it turns bad you will have a reduced "force"

"Maybe so, but they wouldn't want to offend someone who might be sympathetic to their plight," responds Nal. "People like poachers can't risk offending a neutral party who's on their tail if they want to keep on living. In a sense, sending one man is less likely to provoke them than sending a group. There's no sense shooting the messenger unless you're already prepared for what must follow."

"There's truth in that!" Haruuna says.

He thought about that, looking at the others as he leaned against the trunk of a tree for support.  He was weary now, all his body wanted was to rest.  He felt the weariness in his chest and lungs when ever he inhaled.  He nodded somewhat weakly and his eyelids drooped subtly despite his effort to keep alert.

"I'd prefer that we go together, and who knows what else may be hunting in these woods other than these poachers.  However, it's a good plan if you can pull it off.  If worst comes to worst, at least you can scout ahead for us and then we'll know the terrain and their numbers if they wish to cause any trouble.  By the time you get back, depending on how fast you travel, we'll probably be rested enough to continue. "

"Ah... true. I wouldn't be good at spotting danger before it hits me hereabouts."

Arwenna now can be our scout.  A better better one that I was for sure,  Siliwen takes out a heavy leather gauntlet and slips it one while she call Arwenna to her hand.  The big owl looks a bit clumsy taking off form the rock but once in flight she is a sight to behold.  Her wing span is greater that Siliwen is tall.  The bird lands on the heavy gauntlet and her talons grip firmly.  She turns her headd nealy 90 degrees to meet Siliwen's. eyes.

"Good to have you back, Bird.  I missed you.  I have proved to be a poor scout."  The owl ducks her head to Siliwen and Siliwen knows well what she wants, a good scratch around her horny tufts of feathers and then under her beak.

In silent communion with her bird Siliwen had Arwenna scout out the area ahead of them. and then all around them.  Best not have something come up and flank them or come at them from behind.  She launches Arwenna back into the air.  The owl circles and then flies ahead.

"Arwenna will be our scout." Siliwen says as she turns back to the others.

   Lyra nodded, "Let's just go, there may be time for me to heal as we get there.  Who knows if they'll want to fight, it may be as simple as us telling them of their plight if they continue on this path, and they may leave.  But as a melee combatant I won't be able to offer much aid if it came to a battle, which is all that I worry about.  "

   "Yes, you're owl would compliment a scout quite well, Siliwen.  It would make quite a scout by itself, in fact.  ", he said and thought about something for a moment.

   "Nal, were you still go in ahead of us? "
This message was last edited by the player at 19:18, Wed 12 Aug 2009.

Artur answered Nal.

"Only the most desperate of men resort to violence against those as well armed as yourselves, I feel. For sure, the poachers are likely desperate men - but will they risk their lives if you approach them with a firm offer to talk? I doubt it."

Lyra nodded, "It makes sense.  We still need to hear their stories as well.  And if we can get everyone there and back in one peice then that would be a true success. "

"Diplomacy sounds like the best approach here. Just make sure we are well prepared in case they decide to want us dead."

Siliwen just listened  however she had returned to resting on the rock but this time she sat on it.

"Lyra, How are you doing.  You seemed to have taken the worse of it."

Haruuna looks sad "I wish I could do more for you, Lyra!"

"As long as we give them no reason to assault us, I doubt they will. If you feel up to the rest of the journey, then we'll keep heading there together. If not, well, as long as I've a guide, I'm willing to proceed nonetheless."

Nal scratches his chin. "If we're going to get moving, though..."

"Let's move on them.  If we have to rest a bit, we can do that as needed,"  Siliwen falls in behind Artur, ready to move on.  With Arwenna up and scouting they would have that advantage of eyes in the sky.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:18, Sat 15 Aug 2009.

   He smiled, "I'm fine for now, let us continue on.  And I do thank you all for your concern but I believe that if we face no major threats before we get there, that a few days' good rest will be the best healing other than the mending that Haruuna can do.  "

  He stood up and waited on Artur, looking to the woodsman as he waited for the journey to begin once again.

Artur nodded, a hint of respect seemingly in his eyes at Lyra's determination to continue.

"Let's proceed carefully past this point - at least one of those beasts got away, though I doubt there are any more."

He led the way forward, picking a careful path around the spires of rock, and pointing out to the others where to tread to avoid the sticky strands of the webs made by the spiders.

Once past, he resumed his position at the fore of the group.

After an hour or so the ridge came down to meet the surrounding terrain, and the going was easier. A couple more hours walk up a streambed and Artur paused, inspecting the ground. Slipping back to the others, he informed them:

"We're close now. Stay just behind me."

He led them on for another ten minutes or so, then softly called a halt.

"Listen: I hear voices. They must be just around this corner. You go on without me now - I've no call to get involved."

"I can lead the way.   Perhaps they will consider a femal less threatening." Siliwen offers

"Be careful, ok?"

Siliwen calls Arweena back to keep watch over her. as she moves foreard.  She does not sneak or hide butmoves forward slowly and steadily.

"Hello" she calls out to the voices even before she can see anyone.

   Lyra weathered the walk to the encampment, he listened intently to Artur and nodded his head in agreement.  He agreed to letting Siliwen go out there, but he wasn't going to let her go alone.

   "I'll be close behind just in case something happens.  ", with that he approached with her.  He stopped before getting out into teh open, and stayed out of view.  He just needed to be close enogh in case something happened.

Nal has serious doubts about the deductive reasoning behind this particular course of action, but it is already going ahead and there's nothing to be done about it, so he remains concealed for the time being.

Siliwen pressed forwards and to the left around a think tangle of trees atop a low, rocky rise. Lyra walked behind a few paces.

[Private to Lyra Duphaneus; Siliwen: Siliwen and Lyra found themselves on the edge of a clearing a few hundred feet wide, through which ran a small stream.

A little back from the stream half a dozen tents had been pitched. Amongst them were around a dozen men. Some lounged around talking whilst three of their number tended to a boar on a spit, roasting above a firepit. As Siliwen called out, two men stood and came forward.

Their attitude was casual, though they kept their hands close to their belt daggers.

"Who goes there?" called one. The remaining men looked on with interest, one or two resting hands lightly upon the longbows they carried.]

Siliwen stops and faces the small group of men  gathered together noting the others about the camp.

I am Siliwen, my companions and I were sent out here by Elder Delsean of Garstone Shore to discover who or what is living in this forest."

The two men approaching Siliwen paused, now looking more alert. Around the fire, the men who had been taking only a passing interest now had carefully frozen expressions. It looked like something had touched a nerve.

"Companions? Di'n't think a lass like ye'd be travelling alone out here. Where are they then, best to show themselves, or be they plotting an ambush?" asked one of the two men.

"No ambush is planned or even contemplated, I assure you, though that means trusting what I say and under the circumstances I can understand that trust is not easily won. They are being cautious. We are not many."

"There are we three. Lyra, Nal and I, have been sent out by the Elder Delsean of Ganshore, and one other who wants not to be invovlved and I respect his wishes."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:54, Wed 26 Aug 2009.

The man gestured in an expansive beckon.

"Well, step 'em forward then and let's all talk face to face and proper, like."

"Though what business you could be on from the Elder...well, just make sure you stay back aways, that's all."

"Why, we're here to save your asses, that's what," replies Nal, ducking out from tree cover and leaning against a nearby oak. "You're lucky, in point of fact. If that Leonidas turned his attention to you, you can bet we wouldn't be fronting up to talk like this. Instead, you get us to tell you to settle down before his lordship notices the problem and decides to solve it in his own, ah, direct fashion."

"Not a font of diplomacy are you?" comments Siliwen to Nal's blunt truth,

"However what he says is the simple truth.  Leonidas tends to do what he wants to and the way her wants to without regards to anyones wlse's feelings about things.."

Seeing the others step forward, Haruuna comes out of hiding as well.

"Good day to you all!"

The fellow's expression darkened.

"Don't see as it's any mind of anyone but ours what we do with our time."

Nevertheless, he stood aside to allow the group to pass.

"Still - you speak for the Elder and not for Leonidas, which marks you well enough. Come, sit. We'll talk."

The men led the way to the fire, where they offered around the results of their cooking.

"What does the Elder have to say for himself, then? And why send such an" - he glanced at Haruuna - "odd bunch to speak with us?"

Hearing that comment Haruuna simply smiles, but says nothing, waiting for the others to respond.

"Thank you." Siliwen states clearly. "I think we will all appreciated a moment to sit and rest--and of course--talk." Siliwen adds quietly.  "We would appreciate you honest in regards to your situation here in the forest and seek to understand what good men and woman are trying to eek out a living in the forest."

Siliwen carefully chose and phased her words so that she might illicit the truth about why they are here.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:33, Thu 10 Sept 2009.

"I would agree that your time is your business. But others do not, and thus, here we are as the middlemen," replies Nal, with a weary shrug. "Whether or not those people are justified is another matter entirely."