Gilrak makes a quick inventory check of his gear and adds: "Well, if we're planning on makin' the trip East tonight, I'm going to provision up a bit first."  Gilrak throws his rucksack over his shoulder and looks to Perrato with a grin - .."Course with these merchants being downright intimidated by anyone who doesn't suffer from their same scrawny, scrappy 'ppearance - nothin but a hassle getting in and out of their stalls with what ya need.."(1)


(1)  This would be Gilrak's attempt at getting someone w/some charisma to buy for him...
This message was last edited by the player at 16:53, Sat 28 June 2008.

"Oi!  Reg, itsa foreign guy.  Oi, foreign guy!  Off t' s'more 'ventures, then, eh?"

Asher shakes his head fractionally, as the semi-familiar voice penetrates the din of the customshouse.

"I see 'im too, Davy!  E's th' one wot rescooed th' caravans, too, then, eh?  First th' fires, an' then th' caravans!  An' 'is mates, then, right?"

"Come along and quit your lollygagging, you two. And for Danu's sake, Kel, get your shanks moving with those things!"

Asher tracks the sound of the voices, panning his gaze across the crowded room.  Striding towards the party are two human boys and a diminutive woman, trailed by a man with an absent expression and smoking a small cheroot.  The little woman marches up to the party, planting herself with arms akimbo in front of the companions.

"Oi, foreign guy, c'n I get..."

"Oi, foreign guy, where's th' girl driver wot..."

"Shut it, the both of you.  Danu knows why I put up with you half-witted twerps."

The little woman nods to the group, as she gestures to the cheroot-smoking man to lay down the bundle he has been carrying.  The two lads start to talk again, and she waves them silent with a curt, slashing hand gesture.  She then addresses the group.

"Boys.  I understand you're to take the caravan roads east.  That't just fine, it is.  Who's supposed to watch out for Borderton in the meanwhile, hmmmm?  So you're just off on another jaunt, while we're fending for ourselves, right?  I should know better than to..."

"Ummm...Asyla.  We're here t' jest, y' know, drop off some food for these, errmmm, people."  The cheroot-smoking man indicates the bluging burlap bag he has laid on the rough floorboards of the customshouse, and then vaguely gestures in the general direction of the party.  "Let's get back t' th' inn, eh?  I got three cauldrons o' stew t' make fer tonight, an' they ain't cookin' themselves."

The little halfling woman snaps her fingers, and the lean man sighs and hands his little cheroot to the woman.  She takes a drag, squints at the party, and is about to turn to leave when her eye chances to fall upon Caylin as he is stowing his gear.

The halfling woman addresses Caylin, her tongue still acerbic but with a bit more respect than previously.  "You should know better, Bellitor, than to be galavanting about with these big folk.  But at least they have someone with some sense to accompany them.  And,"  here she pauses to review the party once more.  "At least you got rid of the 'Fire Marshal'.  I'll give you points for that."

Caylin merely nods to the woman, his pipe tucked in the corner of his mouth, as he continues to check his archer's gear.

"Well, then.  Perysinos asked us to provision you, and now you're provisioned.  Though I doubt you'll live to eat the half of it.  You *should* be staying here, you know.  In Borderton.  But that's your suicide wish, I guess.  Savin also opened up the Caravanaseri for you, with instructions to send runners for goods you might need.  So, if you're going, make sure you've got what you need.  Bellitor," the halfling woman nods at Caylin, and takes her leave.

"Oi, foreign guy!  When y' get back, will y' teach me t' do that stoof wi' yer hands an' feet?  Y' know, where yer knockin' folks' heads t'gether an' all?"

"No foreign guy!  Teach me t' jump up an' run along th' roofs, like when y' was rescooin' Granny Hazel!"

"Will you for Danu's sake shut up and get going!" Asyla calls over her shoulder, and the two boys reluctantly follow her out of the crowded customshouse.

OOC:  Provision yourselves up to 400 gp worth of gear apiece.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:11, Thu 24 July 2008.

Totmacher holds back a smirk while smoothing one of Vil's eyesockets with his index finger and thumb. Totmacher speaks, "Indeed Vil, it is quite humorous envisioning the Dwarf balancing himself atop a table trying to pleasure his steed."

Given the opportunity to impart a piece of his monkish wisdom, Asher leans conspiritorially towards the boys, raises an eyebrow, and says:

I cannot teach you what you must unlearn; There are no roofs, no granny, no feet."

Asher then nods as he eyes their blank faces, waiting for the sudden spark of their enlightenment. Then, Asyla calls and the boys depart, unenlightened.

Gilrak rolls for initiative vs. the vexxing spirit of Villhalas.

17:31, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 9 using 1d20+7. Gilrak Initiative Roll.

Fully provisioned and equipped, the party prepares to depart Borderton.  Their departure has been delayed due to a combination of the arrival of the refugees and the two lately-arrive caravans, as well as the last-minute purchases from the Caravanaserai upon hearing that Savin Perysinos had once again opened the town’s coffers to the companions.  It is late morning as the party moves through the shadow of the southern gate of Borderton, as the eleven bells that mark the hour ring out faintly from the Mithran rectory dedicated to Mairya-canha in town.

The day is hot and sultry for the month of Summersend, with weather that seems more attuned to a day in Sunreign or Dragonscoil.  Already the sun, high in the hazy blue sky, beats down with a brassy insistence.  The vetch, clover, and orchard grass that surrounds the heavily-grazed pastures just outside of Borderton are browning and gone to seed, while the tilled fields that alternate with the pasturage are rife with corn, squash, wheat, and rye.  Farmers are at work in their fields preparing for harvest, and the ubiquitous goatherds and shepherds that tend their flocks can be seen in the rolling hills that surround the town—seemingly unmoved from the positions they had occupied all summer.  But summer was fading into the South Paldorian autumn, and the way eastward lay along a trail strewn with those fallen this past year.

“So, I hear tell that ye done rescued that ponce Arkexis, eh?  After takin’ down that crazy fella…Barby-boy, or whatever he called hisself.”  Garryn, his eyes still appraising the party’s equipage and road-readiness, realizes that the teamster he has hired is speaking to him.  Although the man had come recommended as quite skilled in his ability to handle almost any recalcitrant team, Garryn had heard that he tended to while away the hours on the road with conversation—solicited or not.

The man, perched on the buckboard of the cart bearing the party’s provisions, whistles and snaps the slack in the mules’ traces to keep them from becoming too interested in grazing while they pull the cart. “So Arkexis, he tells he got hisself kidnapped by them arseholes what was raidin’ these here carvan routes, eh?”  Not pausing for an answer from Garryn, and clearly not expecting one, the man continues.  “So then he’s on about bein’ kept in some pit, somewhere, eh?  An’ then I hear tell that ye not only pulled him outta that, but ye went out an’ got the other arseholes what was the brains behind the raids, eh?”  The teamster hasn’t yet said anything that isn’t already common knowledge in Borderton, but he does seem to have a fair sense of the recent history of the party.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:51, Thu 24 July 2008.

“So then I hear tell that them other arseholes got some hidey-hole up in the hills, eh?  One o’ them old stumpy-folk diggity places, right?  And that ye come back with a fair bit o’ scratch, eh?  And that’s what this to-do is all about?  I’d venture a guess that…what the fuck is that shit?!?”  The mules snort violently and start in their traces as two canids appear from nowhere on either side of the cart, and the teamster nearly falls from his seat on the buckboard as another, larger specimen appears behind him--neatly perched among the baggage on its hindquarters.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:38, Sat 26 July 2008.

The three blink dogs, their presence established, blink away from the cart and assume positions along the far perimeter of the party formation.  They trot along, alternating their loping gait with darting between dimensions to end up hundreds of feet from their starting points.  It appears that they are serving as an auxilliary scouting unit for the party.

"Don't worry, Dondo, those are some friends we made along the way," Garryn assures his talkative teamster, happy to see the blink dogs have returned.

In reply to Garryn the Grey (msg #21):

Gilrak - taking a moment away from scanning the horizon for activity - looks to the sudden appearance of the blink dogs and settles deeper into his saddle with a grunt of satisfaction.  While not letting down his guard entirely, the thought of the blink dogs adding their finely tuned eyes and ears to the party offers some reassurance to the Ranger.

No fan of the idle chatter, Asher slows his gait to lag behind the cart. Despite his efforts to focus on his meditation, he can't help assessing the teamster, wondering (as he does about everyone he sees) what it would be like to fight the mule skinner?


Kev, can we get a brief description of this guy? Is he armored? does he carry a weapon? does he look like a brawler? does he look skilled? etc?

Totmacher strains his horse past Asher and slightly ahead and to the left of the cart keeping his lesser ear on the teamster.

What is our caravan marching order?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:56, Tue 29 July 2008.

Aidrin paces the cart closely from behind and sends his raven flying above the party.

20:37, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 15 using 1d20+7. Gilrak Initiative Roll.

OOC:  Any takers?

In reply to Gilrak Kilring (msg #26):

Asher notices a tweaky look in the dwarfs eye making the hair stand up on the back of his neck.

He knew there was something about this cave dweller that couldn't be trusted... Sure, Gilrak was fine with Caylin but... Suddenly, Asher sees a flicker of movement on the squat forearm of the dwarf--

"Was that the Extensor carpi radialis twitching? Shit! He's about to draw!"

Asher closes a fist and braces for the impending skirmish, "bring it on cave boy"

18:06, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 13 using 1d20+4. initiative

ooc: now to decide, subdual or lethal damage-- I guess that'll depend on the weapon you draw.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:34, Wed 06 Aug 2008.

Gilrak - letting  his mind wander - recalls the days of his early training in Turgad.  Unlike his human counterparts from the West, the dwarven clans he grew up with had little patience for idle time.  Many an evening was spent going through a regimen of drills - attack, defend, counter-attack - repeated over and over again.. Without a doubt, his newfound companions could benefit from the disciplined ways of the dwarves...

Unleashing the practice urgrosh Gilrak picked up while in Borderton (made of ironwood vs. the standard steel of his masterwork weapon) - Gilrak looks to see who of his companions is paying attention.  Ofcourse - it was the Monk.  This human was dedicated to his craft - that Gilrak knew.  Now let's see how the monk's fine boned frame stands up to some basic dwarven military drills:

Seeing a flash of recognition in the eyes of the flat-footed monk - Gilrak smiles broadly and [fast]drops from his mount - wouldn't be fair to attack with his mount, the sparring match would be over to quickly - let's loose something between a laugh and a battlecry - and charges forward.  Gilrak swings the 'blade' end of his wooden urgrosh in a broad arc over his head - landing for a total of 19 points of non-lethal damage.

00:29, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 6 using 1d6. [Non-Lethal] Sneak Attack. (+2 Wpn Spcl +2 favored enemy)
00:29, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 13 using 1d8+7. [Non-Lethal] SW - Urgrosh. (+2 Wpn Spcl +2 favored enemy)
00:26, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 27 using 1d20+15. [Non-Lethal] Attack - Charging (corrected - for non-MW weapons).
This message was last edited by the player at 21:18, Sun 10 Aug 2008.

In reply to Gilrak Kilring (msg #28):

Asher reels under the wooden blows too shocked to defend himself-- but, not too shocked to return non-lethal blows of his own...

15:41, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 11 using 1d8+4. Damage first attack.
15:38, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 25 using 1d20+11. stunning fist.

ooc: Jason, please roll a fort save vs the stunning fist

Gilrak - blood dripping from the solid blow he received to his bulbous nose - braces for the second attack by the Monk:

16:01, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 19 using 1d20+9. Fort Save - Stunning Fist.



- Gilrak is down from 57hp to 46hp - also, note the adjustments to his first attack above

In reply to Gilrak Kilring (msg #30):

Asher grins and curses to himself as the dwarf shakes off his stunning ability, but his second swing cheers him slightly as his fist connects with the tether of Gilraks tusk-like beard.

16:10, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 9 using 1d8+4. damage second attack.
16:10, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 29 using 1d20+11. Ashers second attack.

ooc: Asher is at 34 hp currently (after the first attack)

Gilrak - too slow to recover from the first blow - takes another strike from the Monk.  Wiping the blood now running freely from his face, the dwarf offers his sparring partner a nod of appreciation and adds:  "Not bad Monk - now let's see you dance."  With that, the dwarf lets loose a flurry of strikes:

16:07, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 11 using 1d20+5. BAB bonus attack.
16:07, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 23 using 1d20+10. TWF #2.
16:07, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 16 using 1d20+10. TWF #1 - non-lethal attack.

With only one strike of his urgrosh hitting true, Gilrak does 13pts of non-lethal damage:

16:12, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 13 (modified) using 1d6+7. TWF #2 dmg (1d6 +5STR; +2 Wpn Spc; +2 Favored Enemy).

Gilrak is down to 37HP
This message was last edited by the player at 21:25, Sun 10 Aug 2008.

In reply to Gilrak Kilring (msg #32):

Asher swings a low cresent kick to the cave dwellers temple, hoping to see his eyes glaze over--

"Damn it! you are hard headed Gil; but you are also very slow.", with that, the monk tumbles backwards, away from the dwarf, in a series of handsprings and flips.

Asher is now 25' from where he started and bleeding from nasty pressure cuts above his left ear, and right eye.

ooc: Asher is down to 17hp


16:37, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 24 using 1d20+16. Tumble vs DC 15.
16:29, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 20 using 1d20+9. stunning first fort check.
16:28, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 11 using 1d8+4. round 2 stunning fist damage.
16:27, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 29 using 1d20+11. round 2 stunning fist.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:01, Sun 10 Aug 2008.

Realizing the Monk is now simply toying with him, Gilrak knows he has little choice but to make one last charge at the Human.  "Alright Monk - you may be quick - true.  But you're still not quite out of range now are you?"  With a quick chuckle, the dwarf let's out a gutteral grunt and sprints for Asher, Urgrosh raised over his head:


16:53, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 19 using 1d8+11.
16:47, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 26 using 1d20+14. Round 3 Charge Attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Sun 10 Aug 2008.