The Army does not supply rations?

Gustav was discouraged by this... had he made a serious mistake here? He expected to be equipped and fed, now that didn't seem to be the case.  He'd need to get some food it seemed. Probably need a Spear too... the cart looked slow, probably take half a month to get there. He doubted he could afford that much food, nor carry it.

    Stepping from the gathering of women and children, she grunted slightly as she shouldered the pack against her back and began walking towards the gathered other members. The dark lime robe she wore might have been worn by a merchant's daughter at first, but it was now more worn and a little threadbare with use. The lighter, olive scarf looked a little better, but it too had seen wear from use. The boots and gloves she wore looked newer and seemed to be geared more to keeping her body warm from the weather than used as protection. Around her waist was a bit of leather that swayed slightly from side to side, but didn't look like a belt. A closer look showed it to be a leather whip, one that had been tied to look like a belt around her waist.

   The pack she wore appeared full and a blanket had been rolled and secured to the bottom of it. There was also a bundle of what looked like canvas that had been tied to the left side, along with a meter-length pole. For all the burden it appeared to be, the young girl carried it with little trouble.

   Green eyes looked in the direction of the Legionnaire, but her eyes never met the Imperial. She kept them down, looking at the infantryman's knees as she walked to where the cart was. Eyes just as quickly glanced at the others, only pausing to linger a moment longer on the horned male before she stepped to the back of the wagon and stood there, and waited patiently ...

While five souls (It would be a stretch to call them, men or people, or even heroes) approach the cart, it seems only Ronald had the courage to speak at first.  They are a few words of question and introduction, but never the less, they seem to take the soldier at a loss.

"Ah. Yes, I'm sure Rudyard won't mind a few extra pounds for the shared protection no?"  The man glances at the cart driver who merely grunts his acceptance with annoyance.

Several awkward moments pass, Gustav in particular spending several moments in discomfort, but it is Terri who steps forward from behind Ronald and asks the question that seems to be on more than one mind.  "Excuse me sir, but we were under the impression that this mission was funded by the Emperor...  Are you saying that we're providing for ourselves and providing protection for the cart as well?".

"Ah..."  The legionnaire retreats a step as he cements the smile on his face.  "You see, the fort itself has requested the support, and there is no doubt that it will fund your services as you say.  However, Raphael does not have the ability to purchase your services with the various forts we must resupply across the border."  Terri's face falls slightly and the legionnaire attempts a quick recovery.   "However, this necromancer is sure to have gold beyond your wildest dreams so your efforts will soon be rectified!"  Terri seems unsatisfied with the answer, though she keeps any additional comments to herself.

OOC:  Figured I would make one more post here before fast forwarding.  Answering a few questions that came up either in private or in post.  Firstly, I have closed out the character sheets because I generally use those as my scrap sheet to make any marks on your character.  I know it's easier for you guys to just subtract your own money to get your own supplies but I like to make sure the realism of equipment and supplies are played out as realistically as possible.  I've made edits for two of you with requested additional supplies, if there are any more requests feel free to get them in within the next day or so and I'll honor them.  Feel free to post again IC or not but as a general rule, my NPC's won't respond to content in your posts that are not explicitly speech or action.

In reply to Raddek (msg # 13):

Rondald picks up on his wifes concern.

"So you are saying we won't actually get PAID for our work. You are just assuming the Necromancer has not spent all of his money on equipping his undead army...right?"

Gustav makes a mirthless smile ... or did you pocket the money assigned to this task?

Gustav was irritated, his assumptions flawed; this Army is neither well organized nor well supplied, which means the leadership must be lacking. Expecting us to bite on a promise of gold that some General would steal, if it even existed. Maybe he should just walk off now while he could.

Magnus seemed to stand in direct counterpoint to some of the other "volunteers", as tense as the situation might be regarding their pay, provisions and the nature of their employment, he just could not help but smile given his palpable relief.

He did meet the robed females eyes  more by reflex than anything, but averted his own gaze immediately, leading to what some might describe as a very polite avoidance.

Not wanting to interrupt the negotiations, but perhaps fearful that he might get left behind, he waited for a suitable break in the conversation to clear his throat. "I'm gonna go try to buy some food for the trip" he interjected with a thumb over his shoulder towards the gate, his baritone rumbling in the crisp morning air as he looked between the Legionnaire, Rondald and Gustav. "I'll be right back." he assured them as he started to move in the direction of the city proper, casting a look over his shoulder by habit as he walked.

OOC: Good to move ahead whenever, if this goes on long enough I'll try to post him rejoining them, if not I guess we can pick this up on the road.

   She watched the interplay of the men with that of the Legionnaire as her shoulders shifted and shrunk slightly. She could hear the irritation and annoyance in the voices of the Seafarer as he followed what she could only assume was his woman of some sort, while the other man inferred that the Legionnaire or his superiors would line their own pockets - something that wasn't uncommon in the City.

   The dark, thin lines of her brows knitted together while she stood next to the wagon. The thick straps of the pack were beginning to dig into her shoulders and the weight was starting to become noticeable. Her lips curled into a small wry smile while she kept her head lowered to avoid her expression being seen by the others.

As Ronald restates the concerns of the five, the legionnaire wags both hands in front of him palms out as if trying to quell an egregious misunderstanding.

"No, no, no...  Of course you will be paid..."  But whatever the man was about to say next is cut short by Gustav's response.   Perhaps it had been meant as a quip, perhaps it had been meant to bring levity to the situation, or perhaps the man had never been meant to hear the comment at all but the words are said loud enough for everyone around to hear.

or did you pocket the money assigned to this task?

The legionnaire's accommodating face drops in a moment to knife-edged seriousness, his hands falling down by his waist as they grip reflexively into fists and his eyes fall directly upon Gustav.  The broadsword at his waist that had seemed somewhat ceremonial up to this point all of the sudden seems much more functional.  "Now there's no need for personal insults, boy-o."  The man starts calmly.  "We has all got jobs to do and mine is to see your crew off.  It's Three Corners what has asked for you, not Raphael.  They'll set your pay and allowances.  Did you think the Emperor was throwing gold at anyone who could read what came to the gate today?"  The man's gaze softens for a moment, his piece said, though his eyes stay focused on Gustav, waiting for a retort that might conflagrate the situation.

Magnus, knowing full well that if any hostilities were to start he would be the first one to blame, quickly takes his leave.

"Oh, don't cause trouble mister."  Terri says towards Gustav from behind.  "It won't serve anything to cause a ruckus."

OOC:  The legionnaire stands some 5 yards out in front of the others, his eyes serious though he has not yet reached for his sword.

We'll move forward as soon as we iron out this piece here.  I realize that none of you guys have gamed with me before so I'll put up some notes about the way I play in the OOC thread as soon as I'm done here.  Just realize that I play NPC's as if they were characters, if you insult them they will react, if you hit them they will fight back, and reaction checks always apply, so (for example) if you have a -4 reaction penalty, most people probably won't like you much.

Gustav responds as firmly as the legionnaire had spoken.

"So the Emperor expects us to pay our way, while guarding his supply cart to apply for a job 200 miles away? I would have thought the posting would have made that clear. And I am not a boy and not here to insult ... many men in such positions in the Army steal funds meant for other purposes. I find this situation most peculiar and that's why I question it."

His hands are near enough to his weapons, but he makes sure he does not look the least ready to go to blows or that his voice sounds at all antagonizing.  Certainly not worth fighting the whole garrison over.

The legionnaire keeps his air of seriousness for a moment, his gaze held on Gustav as the man addresses his real concerns and the unquestionable corruption of the Megalan Army.  However, after a brief moment, a hint of a smile returns to his lips.

"The Emperor expects nothing.  Ask your questions."  The man gestures goodbye to Rudyard and turns his back to the group.  "Accompany Rudyard or not, it matters little.  He has made this trip many times."

The crowd surrounding the small party starts to disperse as the legionnaire begins his walk away, though a few hangers on still wait, their eyes still peeled on the two swordsmen as if waiting for the tension to build again.

OOC:  Sorry, just one last check to make sure that nothing unexpected comes of this.  I'll move on here as soon as I'm sure everyone is on board (even if disgruntled) and there isn't any further altercation.

In reply to Raddek (msg # 20):

Rondald walks over to the cart and puts his backpack on it, then he lifts Terri's up as well. Gustav had valid concerns, but clearly this chap was not going to resolve them.

He and Terri took what was needed for the trip from their packs and prepared to accompany Rudyard.

"I guess you do not expect too much trouble on this trip. How many hours a day do we march?"

Gustav grumbles to himself, hesitates, then puts his pack on the cart. His choices were running out and Raphael wasn't a good choice anymore. He kept his spear, sword and knives and his water skin as he walked beside the Cart.

Rubs me wrong, but I don't see a better choice at this time, so what brings you all to take this desperate route?

    The woman slipped the pack from her shoulders while her shoulders dropped slightly, then rose as she lifted it up and put it into the wagon, then raised her emerald robes slightly - showing the soft cloth boots she wore and the hint of the cloth leggings as well - as she stepped up into the wagon. After a moment's work to move things to where she could be comfortable, she sat down and rearranged her robe modestly.

   She took a moment to look towards the rising sun while the morning's cold winds chilled her.  A short glance to her pack was followed by the soft bite of her lip while she watched the others before the blonde man asked about everyone's reasons for going on the trip. As she had done so far, she said nothing as she brought her pack into her lap and rested it there while she looked shyly towards the others.

It did not seem to take very long before the Minotaur could be seen exiting the gates, a large sack over one shoulder in addition to the satchel that he had arrived with. Although it was hard to gauge just how much food he might have procured, it was probably safe to assume that it would be enough for the trip.

Still seemingly unarmed and unarmored aside from his sturdy looking work clothing, the beast-man approached the wagon and gently reached over the side to nestle the sack in among the other belongings and essentials. After that had  been accomplished he nodded to the wagons driver and took one last look back at the city and the place where they had assembled, his expression thoughtful.

In reply to Magnus (msg # 24):

"We have been doing OK fighting pirates with the Empires Fleet, and looked for a step up. You new here?"

His mannerisms were matter of fact as he approached the trader.

"I think we are all here. If you are ready, lets head off and see how safe this route really is."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:45, Fri 22 Dec 2017.

Was just moving through, made a serious enemy back home and he is out to see me dead. Thought this army thing might throw him off... we'll see I suppose.

No reason to go into details, just said enough to explain where he was coming from. The woman was interesting ... certainly not typical of those he was familiar with. The Pirate hunters were as brusque as he was and the big guy seemed mellow and a little shy. Gustav expected that he could be a real handful in a fight though. Hadn't head a word from Rudyard, the cart driver, but he must have some ability to be running this route alone.

And so the six set off.  Ronald, (bearing the small sealed letter that the legionnaire had given him) Terri, Magnus, Odelia, Gustav, and Rudyard along with the mule Sadie.  Their task was simple: to deliver the cart of supplies to the Fort on Three Corners and report for their mission to destroy the Necromancer but despite its simplicity, concern had already started to grow on the earnestness of their employers.  So far they had been denied pay up front, food for the trip or any travel accommodations and that was to say nothing of the challenges they would have ahead...

Still, their journey started off easy enough.  The cool morning air was chilly at worst and refreshing as the miles began behind them began to build in the late morning and early afternoon.  The conversation starts easily enough amongst the group, Rudyard himself even proves to be chatty once their trip is underway and proves to have a wealth of information.  He lets the others know he has indeed made the trip many times, that their first stop will be the Fort Conn, which is located where the River Conn meets the Makarem some 80 miles from the start of their journey.  On the best of trips it can be made in the second day, though often it is reached in the morning or afternoon of the third.  From there the road follows the Makarem to the west and fall into disrepair some 50 miles prior to Three Corners, though the mostly easy terrain makes the trip fairly quick.  All in all the trip is just over 200 miles and usually takes a week in good weather.

As the questions bounce back and forth the group begins to get a sense of the others, Rudyard quiet but sarcastic and boisterous when engaged, Gustav curt and waspish, Magnus reserved, Ronald forthright to the point of tactlessness, and Terri accommodating and selfless.  Only the woman in full burka and veil seems to hold back and when Terri falls back to converse with her the woman only shakes her head.  Though when the group breaks for lunch the other ushers herself off, facing a small rug to the south as she commits devotions for several minutes.

Indeed, the first two days pass near seamlessly, and Rudyard wonders audibly if the group might make Fort Conn before setting camp that night.  After a short conversation with an eye off to the west where a storm is building, the group decides to push on to try and make the fort before nightfall.  And just as the sun is dimming behind the hillsides the group makes out the walls of the structure peaking out from the floor of the plains in the south.

The decision to move on proves to be a good one, for the whole group is welcomed in the fort (though Magnus swears he receives some hostile glances) and shortly after they arrive the storm hits, pelting the fort walls with fat drops of rain and crackling lightning across the skies.  Indeed, the storm seems to settle in, building and churning overhead throughout the night and the morning spitting pelting drops of rain and sending down lightening that seems to crack a mere stone's throw from the fort itself.  Rudyard decides that the group shall stay at the fort till the weather breaks, for though the cart is lightened considerably, leaving will likely result in little travel and great misery from the conditions.

Unfortunately for them, though the thunderclouds break they are followed by gale force winds that sweep across the gentle plains, carrying up the spittles of rain and sodden grass from the floor of the plains and whisking them with such force as to sting the eyes and face and to make it hard to keep the eyes open.  The wind howls with such ferocity that Sadie shakes with fear even in her stall.

A full three days the group stays at the fort, tempers flaring due to the delay and the dwindling rations of food.  Gustav had run through his supplies first, though Terri was quick to provide in the deficiency.  Ronald too, and run out of food on the third day though again Terri shares from her own supplies to make up the difference.  Though even her supplies would not meant to upkeep three persons instead of one.  Her supplies had run dry on the fifth evening, though she manages to wheedle the soldiers for enough supplies to last the afternoon.

It is as the sixth day draws to late afternoon that the six are discussing the topic of food.

"I can spend some time to fish the waters of the Makarem, but it will mean delay as we wait.  I'm sure the fish won't bite but the early morning and the dusk when we could be moving.  Though if we..."

"What's that up there?"  Rudyard cuts across the woman.

On the road ahead a barricade is stretched across, a single man in heavy leathers with the emblem of the emperor stands in front.

"Never been a crossing guard here before..."  Rudyard murmurs under his breath.

OOC:  It is 1530 on the 13th of March.  You guys are still some thirty yards off from the obstruction but it continues across the entire stretch of the road and off each side some ten feet.  While it would be easy to walk around, the cart itself would likely risk damage on the various rocks and uneven terrain around.  The guard undoubtedly sees you and is awaiting your approach.

In reply to Raddek (msg # 27):

Rondald is already a little short tempered. He had intended to supplant his rations with a little hunting each day, but weather had not been permitting. Now, a new apparent roadblock was more than a little concerning...pirates usually worked this way, and they would only have had to waylay one hapless guard to get that uniform. He beckons Terri to stay behind him, and he walks side by side with Rudyard. He checks his crossbow is loaded and ready, and checks over his gear as he approaches. Drawing the letter, he tucks it into his right hand and, allowing the crossbow to gently lower its weight onto the sling, where he could access it if needed, he readies his shield to cover both him and Rudyard a little.

"Since we are escorting you, Rudyard, I will let you talk."

Magnus slowly but surely comes to relax among the little group, although even then he could hardly be called talkative. It does not seem to come from a lack of understanding or any kind of deficiency in the Anglish tongue, but rather a habit it seems of listening far more than he speaks, although he does share a few details.

He had grown up in Megalos, his Father apparently working as a caravan guard for a close knit merchant company and his mother cooking and provisioning for the same. He seemed comfortable enough keeping pace with the wagon, his hoofed prints biting deep into the mud of the road after the storms fury. That same mud had a tendency to cake uncomfortably in his shaggy fur, up to his calves at times, which seemed to mildly irritate him as he would periodically reach down to knock the accumulation loose.

The topic of food is one that the beast-man shys away from at first. The sack that he had bought still seems to hold its shape fairly well, although after Terri's own generosity, he seemed more comfortable offering up his own. "If anybody really needs it, we can dip into mine" he had offered when it had become apparent that they still had some way to go.

As they rounded the corner and spotted the guard however his glossy black eyes widened perceptibly and he licked his lips at least once as he seemed to become a little agitated. As they grew nearer they found him drifting to the rear and the middle of the group, perhaps purposefully removing himself from the fore to avoid having to engage the man in conversation.

While at the Fort, Gustav slipped Terri 3 silver to see if she could wangle a bit of food for them to travel on. He otherwise tended t keep to himself, stretching his arms, legs and torso several times during the stop to keep himself loose and supple. He disliked the wait, but agreed only a fool or desperate man would venture out in it. He was glad to leave and stretched his legs, taking deep breaths to clear his lungs of the close, smokey air of the fort.

The fence and guard surprised him and he looked at Rudyard, his murmured comment brought Gustav, on guard ... not with weapons drawn, but with his senses paying careful attention to all around him. He placed himself on the side of the road opposite that which Ronald had taken. He kept the spears butt grounded but he could correct that in a second if need be. His eyes searched left and right and he listened very closely for unexpected sounds.

   For the first time in a long time, the emerald robed girl's shoulders had lowered when they left civilization behind. The smells, as well as the crowds, didn't seem to be a comfort to her. But once the town was behind them, she showed less tension and breathed easier as the smell of rotting garbage and filth gave way to the sweeter smells of nature. She fell asleep on top of her pack after she'd unlimbered a woollen blanket from her belongings and slept for a couple of hours at first, and awoke when she heard Rudyard talking about the details of his trip.

   She was clean when it came to things like food - cleaned up behind herself and generally tried not to make a mess, either in the preparation or eating of the food she'd brought with her. Meat, cheese and bread didn't permit much in the way of variety, but she had also brought a trio of oranges along with her, which she used a knife to halve, then quarter before she ate. Those who asked would receive a quarter for little more than a nod of her head.

   Despite her garments making her appear like a merchant's daughter, she walked on the road (mostly on the grass beside it) to keep the mud from gathering on her leather boots. Her eyes always looked around as she took in the scenery more often than not, as though she was seeing such sights for the very first time.

   As they made their way to the Fort, she never spoke a word, simply using her thin, dusky fingers to point to this or work them to try to quickly form a picture for anyone trying to follow. At first, it was Rondald's wife, Terri, who she spoke with first haltingly. She began with slow and simple gestures until the other woman had shown she understood, then moved on to more 'complex' ideas, which usually took more effort and gestures. When the men spoke, she simply stopped moving her hands and listened, content to wait until they had finished before beginning again.

   She kept her distance from Rondald - his rough demeanour and manner of speaking made the young woman wary of the Seafarer. The Horned One, who referred to himself as 'Magnus', brought the odd stare as if it seemed that she'd never seen one of his sort before. Gustav seemed to keep mostly to himself and she seemed perfectly fine with that notion.

   The arrival of the storm had made the young woman look nervous and she hurried along with the rest to the Fort and made her way inside, glad of the lack of notice that the inhabitants were giving her. When she'd recovered her things, she found the most out of the way place and remained there for a good portion of their stay at the Fort and rarely venturing outside while the crash and the rolling thunder shook the building. It was clear that she didn't like storms ...

   She was willing to share her own rations - it wasn't much, but at least it was something. She'd started to eat less as food stocks began to dwindle, finally eating little more than a handful in the morning after prayer, and in the evening when by the fire. While other tempers were shortened by the lack of food, the only indication of emotion on her features was a deepening of the crease between her dark, pencil-thin brows.

   When they'd arrived at the barricade, and the Imperial Guardsman standing next to it, she watched the others with her senses alert and eyes scanning the immediate area. If this was a trap of some sort, the 'Guardsman' was the bait, and there would be others hiding nearby with weapons drawn.

Rudyard nods at Ronald's comment and nudges Sadie on, closing the distance slowly between the group and the barricade.  Magnus, uncertain at best of the situation, starts to drift back in the group, attempting to put both distance and people between himself and the imperial guard.

Meanwhile, both Odelia and Gustaf watch feverishly watch each side of the road, looking for some hiding place for more troops in wait for an ambush.  The grasses reach their thin blooms to the sky at shin height and the slight hills roll off in all directions - yet despite their search they see no other troops in wait, and in truth see few places around them where hiding would be possible lest the disguises were complete.  Still wary, the group follows along in trail of the cart.

"Halt!"  The soldier calls as the wagon and crew stand off some dozen paces.  The man's eyes opens wide and a crossbow is snatched up to rest against his shoulder.  It is now easy to make out the scabbard of a sword hanging idly by his hip.  "What is this!?"  The man spits.  "Bring you monsters to fight against the will of is imperial majesty?"

"Easy now."  Rudyard offers and he pulls Sadie to a halt.  "We are traveling on the Emperors will ourselves to the Fort on Three Corners.  We go there to deliver supplies and armsmen to the fight against the necromancer that has been found in the lands of Al-Wazif."

"Toll is one gold mark!"  The man spits back.  "An if'n any of you so much as think to play wiv us that one is the first one to get it!  I have five men wiv me all bows a loaded an ready to fire!  Jes try and test it."

Rudyard's teeth grit as his jaw clenches.  "Highway robbery!  There's never been a toll here as long as I've run this route and even then that price is insane!"

"Den turn your ass around!"  The man shouts back, his crossbow unwavering as it points towards the group.

Rudyard's voice drops as he addresses the small group around him.  "I don't have that much coin.  To be true I have but a few pennies to my name as I'm usually paid at the end of my route with the writs from the fort.  There's never been a toll here before..."

Gustav's eyes follow a flash of color as it shifts behind the wooden barricade.

OOC:  For those of you who asked about the surrounding environment, there isn't a lot of area to hide in.  The grasses rise to just below the knee and are now green and starting to bloom.  There are few trees and none within several yards of the road.  There are some gentle hills around but hiding behind any of them would put your assailants several dozen yards away.  The only obvious place to hide is behind the barricade.  It looks mostly like the link below, though the cross braces go all the way down to the bottom, making it difficult to see through.  You guys are now about 15 yards from the barricade with the soldier a yard in front of the reinforcement.  The ground around is just grass and rock, so it would be easy to walk around, though the cart would risk damage moving from the hardened road to the soft earth laden with rock.


Barricade

In reply to Raddek (msg # 32):

Rondald places his shield on the ground as a rest for his crossbow between himself and the barricade, and he then raises his own crossbow, and as he does, he glances over at the barricade to see if there are any folk behind it.

"I assume you have some documentation to prove your legitimacy, as we do?" he calls out.

[OOC: such a barricade would be relatively easy to see through at this range. Can anyone be seen behind it?]

He aims carefully for the mans head...
This message was last edited by the player at 14:42, Sun 31 Dec 2017.

The expression that settled over Magnus's bovine features was a little hard to read given his inhumanity. It was probably mostly guilt, guilt that his presence had led them here, and perhaps some kind of forced reservation as if he was trying hard not to open his mouth or look at the man in any particular way. The look had nothing to do with surprise, that was certain.

Slowly, purposefully, he reached down and used his fingers to loosen the strings of his belt pouch...and froze as Rondald began to raise his own crossbow, his jawline clenched and he made a noise in the back of his throat, something like a soft grunt only audible to those nearest to him. His eyes flicked back up to the guard and the beast man took a step towards the relative cover of the cart.

There are men behind the Chemin de frise. I see none anywhere else close.

He moves out to the side the height of a tall man staying on guard. His attempt is to block any line of sight through the slats in the barricade.