Hoskar takes a single mouthful of the beer before handing on the skin. He makes a wry face and observes not like kumiss - keeping it in a skin isn't improving the flavour any.

And you're right, Temush: business before pleasure. I am not touching another drop till those Uz are safely where they are going.

Although thinking of business and pleasure, I am missing several conversations. All I am telling mother about our business is that us lot are trying to spread some harmony about the place. Not sure what else she has been told by others or what we want to tell her. Plus has anyone filled Grundar in on what we are about yet?

He glances over at the man in question.

Or are you still in the dark about what brings the different Feathered Rivals into one spot?

You're telling me to restrain from winning? Never! Where's the fun in that. And don't worry, in Pavis, there's always another inn or hideaway to try your luck in!

As for what you're all doing here? Melock said something about escorting a Vingan Princess, is that Amara? And then there was a ransom attempt (Delenda right?) and kidnapping, elves and unicorns, but I can't say I've got it completely straight in my head yet - and no, before you accuse me of boozing as well as gambling, my head's clear on that score. I thought my life was complicated but you lot... well, you make me look like an amateur.

Tell him what we heard of the Harpy, and her heads...

In reply to Temush Blinking-cloud (msg # 52):

Hoskar shakes his head sadly. Ah yes. That.

Right. I am not going to tell it all yet. We make our decisions when we're all here. But mother put you in charge while she wasn't here, Grundar, and that tells me quite a bit. All of it good.

The short version is we're trying to bring some renewal to the wastes. Got some interesting resources behind us, and it looks like all our Feathered Rivals are cooperating. To an extent. We've helped create a new oasis so far, or maybe just renew and old one. Either way, not bad going.

When we're all here, maybe we'll invite you in if everyone's agreed. I for one would be in favour. Can promise you danger, but maybe glory too. Can't promise what everyone will think. We don't really have leaders, but Kobal is the most prominent of those leaders we don't have, I'd reckon. I'm a natural sidekick myself. Well you've met mum.

He bites his lip sheepishly.

Anyway, the harpy.

You may or may not be aware not all harpies are chaos. We rescued a mighty powerful pure one. It's thanks to her I am speaking to you - I got killed to a certain extent while we were attacking the nasties that imprisoned her. But she has an opposite. Vile thing, severed heads at her waist that seemed to writhe and scream in pain and horror at their imprisonment. Seen that one in the sort of visions I hope never to go near again. Seems like the vile one is searching for something. Something bad for the tribes and the wastes and us all, I imagine. And muggins here looks like he will need to be the guide if we hunt her.

And then there's a thing called Ar-cat we ran into out there. Powerful bastard Basmoil spirit that kills for the fun of it. Gods know what that thing's up to, but that's why I am seeing Broosta tomorrow. Got to give warnings.

He grins his lopsided grin.

Have I put you off yet? Or got you intrigued maybe?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:49, Tue 27 Feb 2018.

Temush grins mischievously Stick or twist? Gambler,  ...as if I need to ask

Got no idea what you're talking about - but yes, colour me intrigued. Twist!

Temush laughs. Good. Well, when we're all back, I have one more bit of news to share, so long as it is just us and not a side dish of drunks, trolls or moon boys. Then Grundar may be placed to point us down a trail.

Hoskar winces as he realises he missed a question from Grundar. Sorry. I failed to answer there. The vingan princess is the Lady Angelika Snowspear, wife of our Khan Barrak Earth Shaker. Though you might want to forget hearing that from me: I reckon Amara would be well flattered by your guess.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:24, Tue 27 Feb 2018.

Melock takes another gulp of beer, "You're right it's not as good as kumiss, but until we can find someone who sells it, I think we're stuck with it. We don't have much to do until it gets dark and you know how easily bored I am, so I think I'll have a few more."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 21:06, Tue 27 Feb 2018.

Henal takes the skin from Melock and drinks from it. "Kumiss is better but this will do while we're here. Looks like we've got plenty to put in the strong box after selling that snakeskin to the greybeards".

In reply to Henal Longgrass (msg # 59):

"I'm going to put some of my gear in there as well, I hope it's a big box." Another cheeky grin spreads across his face, "Does anyone fancy having a bet as to which Raven will be the last to get in to trouble?"

Grundar bursts out laughing, On the streak I'm on, I'm definitely in!

"If you bet on yourself, you'll need to be on your most unraven like behavior." rubbing his chin, Melock thinks for a moment, "we'll have to decide what classes as trouble, is it going to mean who ever doesn't need rescuing by the others?"

"Will that be how many minutes between the ravens getting into trouble?" Henal asks gleefully.

Everyone is back together, sat in the front office of Becx's house.

Space in their host's strongbox has been rented, it's magical wardings in place and Melock is informed that it is protected by fell spirits and dangerous traps. It's almost as if Becx is daring him to have a go...

She's leaning on the inner doorway and asks "So which establishment are you lot gracing with your presence tonight?"

"Well, I don't think it will be the Stomp and Brew," Kobal says, with a look at Ohanzee and Amara.  He grins broadly as if he's made a great joke.

"Hoskar mentioned Lilina's...?" he shoots a quizzical look at the priestess' son.

Hoskar glances round his comrades awkwardly, looking more relieved when Kobal speaks up first.

That's right. I was thinking that when we've done our job for you I might try taking our lot to Lilina's for a drink or two. And stop at that.

He starts to babble.

Doubt she'll chuck us out on sight what with the work you hired me out for before. The Stomp's well too rowdy, and on a budget you can't beat Lilina's. Only next door for curfew and it's a busy day tomorrow. Broosta wants to see me at noon, and I don't want to make a bad impression there. Think everyone in trade needs to know what I told you about the Basmoli. it's not about advantage: more about not getting your caravan killed.

His speech dries up at that and he glances round again for anyone willing to take up where he left off.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:27, Wed 28 Feb 2018.

Spoil sport! Exclaims Grundar, I know some of us are competing to avoid trouble, but doing that by not doing anything is boring! He smiles ruefully at Melcok, although despite the protestations he totally understands Hoskar's reasoning. That said, even with 'a drink or two' there should be scope for some fun.



Don't look at me, thinks Grundar, I've still got no idea what you're on about. He begins to think through his various games over the last month to double check he's still welcome next door. He thinks so...

Becx says her tall chums need to move a few hours before the streets have to be clear, so we should have lots of time to get back in this beer hall once we have got them there. One next door would make it a cinch to get back here.

With a sigh, Becx replies somewhat tartly Just be sober for your job. And remember I share a wall with Lilina. If I am woken late by people singing "Never marry a Lunar - you'll get Seven Mothers-in-law" or suchlike songs in drunken Praxian you'll get a warm reception here. And likely get thrown out by Lilina too.

She looks round the room. And now everyone seems to be here, I repeat my question. Who exactly is getting my boy killed? Maybe Kobal with the mark of Waha or Amara Sky-Watcher or Ohanzee the raven can be more talkative than the rest of you were. My son can jam a rag in it again she fixes Hoskar with a level stare I can do without bargaining over it.

"Didn't the others tell you?" asks Ohanzee having sobered somewhat in his forced march back here. Then remembering something from that march remarks              to himself "Wonder what kind of bucket I pissed in?"

Looking at Hoskar's mum he continues "Easy question, answer is more difficult. You could say he got himself killed on account of joining the Wandering Rangers and being duty bound to kill Chaos. But then aren't we all anyway?"

"Or you could say it's our guardian spirit Emesh-Ga on account of swearing the oath to do so."

"Then again you could say that it was just bad luck or bad judgement that got him killed. Or even his lack of enough magics or good enough armour."

"Or you could say it's the fact that we live where we do and it's a danger of the territory and the neighbours."

"Fact is though it was the Chaos Harpy that did for him and that's the one I'll blame if you are asking who to blame, mind you they're dead now anyway. If you meant which one of us then none."

Becx just sighs.

Ask a question, get an incomprehensible answer she mutters.

You lot had best bugger off to Lilina's I reckon. Just be back here and able to walk upright on time she adds in dismissal.

Becx and the two Dark Trolls are waiting in the front office for the Rangers, both Uz dressed in cloaks and carrying heavy staffs.

There's time for the braves to gather anything they might need before heading off.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:44, Thu 08 Mar 2018.

Feeling a bit light-headed and happy, but fortunately not drunk, Kobal straps on his cuirboilli greaves and vambraces and wears his lizard skin hauberk (given the town's laws against metal armour).  He's retrieved his shield and holds a couple of javelins in his shield hand, sword hanging off his belt.  His manul cat familiar Haaro pads along next to him, looking warily at the trolls.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:05, Thu 08 Mar 2018.

Henal gets his leathers settled and takes a couple of javelins and his wyvern hide shield. He wears his humakti sword andis swaying slightly from his carousing. He settles the hawk gifted by Waha onto a perch for the night. To Rikki and Blue Eye he says"ready now. Keep an eye out for any two legs following us."