Drake chuckles ruefully before replying in a light voice that belies his disappointment.

"I'm in. If only to get out of the city. And that means my two associates will be along too."

OOC - Drake is ready as can be. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:39, Tue 19 Sept 2017.

In reply to GM (msg # 31):

Mumbling some vague reply about demons, Lann leaves kores to his devices and returns to join the companions.

Ooc: all ready to leave?
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:25, Tue 19 Sept 2017.

Brannon spends the next day packing his kit, copying out what maps he can find from the Temple Library to guide their way... and spending part of his cut of the treasure on a mail hauberk, deciding that better protection is likely to be needed. Beyond that, his packs are as ever ready for travel. He makes his devotions at the Temple and prays for Brigantia's blessing on their journey, then makes his way to make the meet others...

Time passes quickly and very soon the appointed morning arrives. Jon, Lute and Drake arrive early at the agreed gathering point, which is a small alleyway a stone's throw away from the East Gate. Even though it is early morning, farmers from the surrounding farmlands are already arriving outside the gate pushing their carts, leading their mules, and bringing produce of every kind waiting to enter the city to sell.

The trio is careful to stay out of sight. Their wait is short however, as the rest of the Fellowship arrive very soon after - Dann, Brannon, Toirneach, each carrying his own equipment, provisions, and weapons. The friends meet, and exchange nods of greeting. When the night curfew is finally lifted and the city gates open, the Companions join the growing stream of people exiting the city, stepping out the gate and embarking on their journey to the Dell of Lalliwick...
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:39, Fri 22 Sept 2017.

In reply to Drake Taubron (msg # 36):

Seeing his friends, Lann greets each one, wishing everyone well.

Leaving the city, Lann asks, 'Shall we decide on a marching order and be vigilant just in case?'
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:49, Thu 21 Sept 2017.

Without turning around, Drake nods at Toirneach's suggestion. "We will be following the King's highways for a while. Just keep together, keep our eyes open, look out for each other, and we'll be fine. When we are off the main roads and further south near the border, then let's do just that...marching order."

"Tis a dangerous lawless land, Ereworn is. Where vicious bandits range the countryside uninhibited. And where fey creatures come and go as they please...and we'll be right cross the border from them."

He half-turns and gives his friend a pained smile. Next he turns to glance at Brannon. "This errand isn't secret after all..right? What's in the missive anyway?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:44, Sat 23 Sept 2017.

Dann hesitates for a long time about what he will do next. One part of him wants to settle a few things with his former life, and one part of him tells him to go along his new companion and leave his grudges for later. When the date and time arrives, he decides on a whim to do the later, packs his things and rushes to meet the party.

In reply to Dann of Clan Valin (msg # 39):

The companions made their way out of the East Gate and for a short while made their way through the city outside the walls.

Brannon winked in answer to Hadriks question and directed the others down an alley way to the riverdocks.

A burly looking bargeman stood at the dockside.

" Fees already paid, get aboard."

If Drake is perplexed at the sudden change in direction, he does not show it. Face impassive, he nods at Brannon, glances at his fellows Jon and Lute, then turns and follows the Librarian without a word. He remains alert to any whiff of danger the environment might betray to his senses...

EDIT:
He looks up at the burly bargeman. "Where to my good man?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:38, Fri 22 Sept 2017.

In reply to Drake Taubron (msg # 41):

Lann boards the barge with his pals and wonders if the barge will take them to the destination safely. A swim in the middle of the ocean does not seem appealing

Brannon nods to the bargeman and seats himself with the others. He looks vaguely amused at their surprise, but nevertheless keeps his bow to hand, an arrow at the ready. He says conversationally:
 "Ereworn is a dangerous place, right enough. Still, I hope we can find more evidence of the Selentines. Let us hope less unfortunate evidence than on our last expedition..."

Drake mutters something under his breath about not getting paid enough for this shit...

In reply to Drake Taubron (msg # 44):

The bargeman grunted in reply to Lann and pointed to the opposite shore of the Shadowspin.

The others boarded the blocky vessel and the sparse crew set their poles and oars to the task.

The trip to the other bank was not too long and as they tied up to the small dock a small group of heavily laden men waited patiently for them to alight.

" Good travels sirs!  And may the red fern unfurl."

They walked through the few small inns and residences on this side of the river and were soon in farmland with the Pagans glowering down at them to the southeast.

In reply to GM (msg # 45):

Thanking the barge master for the safe ride, Lann disembarks, careful not to get himself wet or worse, fall into the water.

Drake frowns at the strange well-wishing that makes no sense to him. He turns to the bargeman before alighting. "Thank you for the journey Master Bargeman. Would you know what these well-meaning travellers mean by 'may the red fern unfurl'?"

...


Drake turns to Brannon. "To the Dell...how many days journey from here?"

The bargeman looked at him confused for a moment then chuckled and lay a finger beside his nose.

A strange greeting to be sure. Is this a red-light district of some kind?

Eyebrows raised, Drake nods at the bargeman, bids him good day, and follows the rest of the Party through the tiny town. The few buildings marking the boundary of the town very soon disappear completely, giving way to flat expanses of farmland beneath the shadow of the mighty Pagan Mountains.

Drake notably relaxes as he leaves the town behind. The seasoned mercenary keeps up his watchfulness, but the slight, almost imperceptible tension that had gripped his demeanor disappears.

Brannon seems unphased by the mysterious phrases, but he watches carefully as they walk, leary of the company they might attract. Or those who might have followed them.



"A day?" Brannon shrugs. "Two, maybe? It is not far as the crow flies. For us, the terrain and weather will decide. And who we meet on the road."

"We better get going then!" says Dann, surprisingly merry after the short travel over the river mouth. Maybe because it reminded him of a better, simpler time.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:13, Mon 25 Sept 2017.

In reply to Dann of Clan Valin (msg # 51):

"Let's move it guys! Perhaps we can reach an inn and have some ale before nightfall," Lann says, relishing the thought of a beer.

Ooc: how many guys do we actually have?
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:03, Tue 26 Sept 2017.

OOC: Dann, Brannon, Hadrik, Jon, Lute, Lann.

Drake nods silently at Toirneach's suggestion. Frowning, he throws a wide glance at the surrounding farmland, noting that the party will soon pass these civilized areas into the forests at the foot of the Pagan Mountains.

"Those forests beyond these farmland are not safe to travel at night. Bandits abound here seeking the money pouch and the lives of unwary travellers. Bandits...and fey creatures, call these areas home..."

Cupping his hand like a visor over his eyes, he looks up at the sun.

"Let's hurry. We shall take the shortest most direct route to our destination by passing through the forests. Hopefully we will clear the forests and make camp for the night..."

In reply to Drake Taubron (msg # 54):

"You worry too much my friend. With our strong right arms, we will make short work of any bandits who try to interfere with us," Lann says with a grin.

"On second thought, we best hurry. It is not the living I fear but the unliving." Saying, he begins to quicken his pace.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:13, Tue 26 Sept 2017.

In reply to GM (msg # 53):

Ooc: colm left or using a new character?
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:09, Tue 26 Sept 2017.

In reply to Toirneach Lann (msg # 56):

The companions made their way through farmland under the curious stares of crofters and fieldworkers.  On the road with them were few other travellers, the main highway lay away to the southwest driving along the coast towards the Erewornian border.

Coming into the verges of the woods the companions have three obvious options, setting camp in the trees, continuing on through the forest in the dark or backtracking a little way to a stone broch surrounded by a low wall in a very bad state of repair but with fires burning within...