In reply to Odelia La Faelis (msg # 39):

"Pity none of you mages specialized in shaping the earth. You could create an island and slowly move it out across the river, with us all on it. Might take a day or two, but better than 100 miles of travel...it does not look like we have a better way of getting this cart across, since we lack the rope to pull it.

Other than that, it would seem we have no choice but use a bridge."

Once he had tied everything down that could be, Magnus went about stripping himself down. The hauberk came off with a jingling racket as he bent over at the waste and shimmied out, the leggings came next, having to be carefully moved bit by bit over his hooves given his inhuman anatony.

He cast one glance behind him with his front to the river before he took off his shirt and stepped out of his sturdy work trousers, revealing (perhaps to the relief of the others) that he wore a simple linen breechcloth for comfort and to help against chaffing.

In the muggy heat it was actually a great relief to the shaggy creature, and he soon had it all, along with his mace, folded up in his pack with the straps cinched tight and knotted around the buckle.

The pack went on, and was tied with a last length of cord between the straps across his chest, before he took up his shield and began to wade into the water, sloshing as he went and kicking up mud and silt with his hooves in his passage. When he was about waist deep, he set his shield in front of him in the water boss down with the strap over his back, clutched it to his chest with both hands on the rim, and pushed off to take an experimental swim into the current...intent on heading back to shore should it prove too strong.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:04, Sat 14 Apr 2018.

In reply to Magnus (msg # 41):

"Better get that rope ready, just in case...I don't imagine hooves are wonderful for swimming..."

Without a word, Magnus simply gets his gear together in his pack and straps it on, clinging to his shield on his front as he walks gingerly into the current.

"Oh are we going then?"  Terri asks, getting her own gear together in her bag as she looks up at Rondald expectantly.

As he sets his first hoof in, Magnus can already feel the echo of cold even before the waters lap up against his real skin.  A few more steps and the waters lap up against his calves, producing eddies that curl around the back of his legs.  The banks of the river are shallow and Magnus is a dozen yards or more in before the waters come up to his waist.  Sucking on his teeth as the shocking cold hits his nethers, Magnus never the less seals himself and plunges forward gripping onto his shield with both hands.

His shield propping him up slightly like a sort of kickboard, Magnus kicks out with his hooves, quickly chancing taking a hand off the shield to add to his stroke.  Immediately, the minotaur is swept into the current and his heading downstream.  Though the contents of his pack are heavy, Magnus manages to keep himself afloat by a combination of his stroke and kicking off the thick mud bottom when that is not enough.  As he reaches the middle of the river however, he finds that the bottom is simply too far down to be of much use.

Back on the corner of the horse cart, Aiah begins tearing the flesh of the ground squirrel, flaying away skin and bone with the sharp point of her beak and claws.

OOC:  Magnus is perhaps halfway across the river, though it is hard for everyone to tell because he's being dragged so far downriver in the effort.  Even with the pack on, Magnus seems to be making the transit with a combination of skill and improvisation.  Magnus, roll vs. Swimming (straight up) to finish the transit to the other shore.

The Minotaur, suddenly thankful for his dense undercoat, focused on puffing up his chest to add to his efforts to keep his head above water and was careful not to go so hard that he might exhaust himself before he made it across.

Balacing the shield was careful work...too much forward and it would start to sink, too far back and it did nothing and worse yet, threatened to shoot up and away from him.

Mostly among the faint splashing his horns just bobbed left to right steadily, and once he forcefully exhaled through his nose to clear some water, but for the most part he seemed fairly confident as he continued to press on across and down stream.

In reply to Magnus (msg # 44):

"Looks like he is struggling...If Gustav does not mind, I will grab his rope from the cart and take it with me, and I will go to try to make sure he makes it, and use the rope for anyone else.

Terri, we still don't have a plan for the cart, but we can't leave him alone over there either so if you could stay with the cart in case they need a reasonably strong swimmer here, I will cross over."

With that, he makes sure his crossbow and shield are secure on his back and, attaching the rope he to his back as well, he prepares to swim across.

As the group begins to separate and go about their own business to tackle crossing the powerful river Finn climbs down from the carts driving seat.  He looks over the inventory held in the rear and he walks around the cart, inspecting its construction on closer examination.  He pokes and prods the wooden frame, raps on the metal bindings for a feel of its mass.  He pauses adjacent to the rear, squats, grabs hold of the supports and grunts as he attempts to lift.  The cart does not appear to move but Finn smiles weakly when his test is over.  Ever the jovial optimist Razzel announces to the party, ”This will be no problem for me.  A lesser sorcerer, not so much.”   He winks playfully.


OOC:
Finn has decided that after all he can lift the cart all by himself and port it across the river.  It can even carry the gear stored there and maybe 1 or 2 passengers depending on their total weight.

Finn would recommend that we wait to see if Magnus makes it before he tries anything.  As Magnus was wading out Finn would relay his plan to Magnus stating that when the minotaur was safely on the other side he could guard the opposite shore, and that Finn would transport the cart across.

Finn also suggests that anyone with no ability to swim ride in the cart as it floats above the river.  Finn would would warn however that his magic is going to leave him very exhausted and he will need to rest 2-3 hours before moving on.

Once the cart and passenger (s) are ready, cast the spell and concentrate.  I will request that at least 1 person remain behind with me to guard me while I mediate back to full fatigue.  At that time I will ride the horses across one at a time.

Judoc cocks an eyebrow as Finn announces he’s going to carry the cart across all by himself.  Judoc looks back at the river and estimates the distance. ”Get on it, then, hoss,” he says. ”If something goes wrong, you’ve got me to cover for you.”

Turning to the others, he says, ”While Finn magics the wagon and a passenger or two across, I’ll cast flying or levitation spells on the rest of you to send you across. Rondald, you first, okay? This spell will last a minute, so make sure you’re across the river before then.” Judoc begins chanting a spell.

OOC: Cast Flight on Rondald so he can get across quickly in case Magnus needs him.

Terri and Odelia are probably light enough to use Levitation on instead.

   She watched as the Horned One stepped into the fast-moving river and shivered slightly as she watched him descend into what she knew was cold water at the best of times. It seemed that even though he was being pulled down the river, it seemed, at least to the young girl that he was walking across on sheer willpower. She watched, fascinated for a moment, while the magicians were working out the logistics of their plan.

   Her emerald eyes turned to regard the mildly scruffy bearded mage as he went about the wagon and knocked on its frame here and there. After his announcement that he would carry the wagon across, she regarded the man with a look of disbelief as though he'd taken leave of his senses. Magi were curious (and occasionally delicate) creatures at times ...

   She made certain that everything was secure on her person - daggers tucked tightly into their places, her backpack with assorted sundries tied together and fastened in their places to make sure nothing came loose during the trip, and the crossbow she'd been practising with fastened to the outside of the pack. The last arrangement was so that if they came under attack, it would be a simple matter to grab the weapon and begin readying it.

   With another glance towards the fast-moving water, she breathed in and out slowly in an effort to calm herself. She placed a hand on the hilt of one of her daggers as she walked to the wagon and climbed into the bed. A short look skywards followed as she awaited the magus' next move.

Terri, you go with the wagon too, I am heavier, so will wait to cross singly when the mages have the strength.

Unwilling to leave Magnus's fate to test Rondald suits himself up to dive into the river yet Judoc has other ideas.  With but the brief whisper of a few words under his breath, Judoc places a hand upon Rondald and within a moment the seafarer is hovering off the ground like a hummingbird midair.  Taking another moment or two to gain his bearings, Rondald shoots off like an arrow after Magnus, taking a bit of cordage from Gustav's equipment with which to assist the minotaur.  It does not take long before Magnus is entirely out of sight and Rondald becomes but a thick dot in the distance, hovering above the water...

Meanwhile, cocksure and full of swagger, Finn works his own magic, manipulating his hands and speaking in a sure voice as he puts his hands upon the cart, shouting Levitare! as he smiles gleefully at his own handiwork.  The smile does not last however, as the cart remains fully in place where it is along the bank...

"You forget."  Terri mentions to Judoc as he walks towards her to float her across the river as well.  "Someone has to swim across with the horses.  I figure I'm probably the best for that, unless you plan on floating them across as well?"

OOC:  I've separated you guys from Magnus and Rondald for the moment simply due to your distance.  Judoc, if you plan on upkeeping the flight spell for Rondald, let me know, but for now I'm planning on letting it lapse at 1 minute.  Judoc, I haven't marked it yet, but you are down 4 fatigue from your casting, and Finn you are down 1 from your failed casting (failed because you will never be able to levitate inanimate objects.)  Judoc with your brief experience with Ceremonial magic, you think you could probably lead the group in casting Apportation.  Let me know if you want to attempt it, who you want to include in the ceremony, and what changes if any you want to make to the cart (taking things off and whatnot).  Terri is offering to lead the horses across, but if anyone want to do something different, you are welcome to try.

Judoc watches closely as Finn attempts to move the wagon across the river. Would the other mage enhance his strength and fly the wagon across? Would he enlarge himself to carry the wagon? Or perhaps Finn knows some spell that even Judoc’s professors at the Battle College do not.

When the spell does nothing, Judoc is disappointed, but he tries not to let his disappointment show in his voice. ”Okay, Finn, let’s try my plan now.”

Terri points out a flaw in Judoc’s plan, and the mage grunts in annoyance. “Yes, well, thank you for that, Terri. Yes, somone, either you or Finn, will need to swim across with the horses.”

Turning to the others, he says, ”I’m going to need all of your assistance here. Giles, do you know Apportation? If not, you can still contribute. And Finn and Giles, do you know Apportation well enough to cast it with words alone, or gestures alone? Or do you need both? For instance, I can cast most of my spells with just works, or just gestures.”

To Odelia, Terri, and Gustav, he says, ”I’m going to need your help as well. I don’t know if you’ve ever done anything like this before, but you can give us the power to cast this spell. Chanting will work. Odelia, I don’t know - maybe use sign language or gestures during the casting?”

“Each minute, I’m going to need you to concentrate on moving this wagon.  I’ll lead the spell and draw on your strength.  This will make you a little tired, but not too much. We’ll be able to get the wagon across in three minutes, but let’s lighten the load beforehand.”

”It’s very important to all focus together. Magic can do some wonky things if we’re not all on the same page.”

”Any questions? If not, we’ll begin.”

OOC: Judoc will lead the group in casting Ceremonial Magic. He’ll depend especially on Finn and Giles, but he needs everyone’s help. For non-mages, this will drain 1 FP per minute.  It should take 3 minutes to move the wagon across the river.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:09, Sun 15 Apr 2018.

Gustav is not so sure, but decides that it helps the group, he'll try. He holds his hand out for Odelia.

It seemed so long ago that Judoc had received his first and only lesson in this very type of magic.  That experience had ended disastrously, though looking back, Judoc had reason to suspect the whole thing had been sabotaged from the beginning, or that perhaps Andros had never been the one casting the spell at all...  Still, Judoc could remember little from the experience and try as he might he didn't remember Andros doing anything different from a normal casting.  Still, they had to make their way across and they had little time for experimentation.  Nervous of the weight, Judoc begins to clear the various items to the ground below, knowing that further castings would likely be less taxing than to move the heaviest load all at once.  The others put in a hand and within a few moments, the cart is empty and the small circle is set to begin their spell.

Gustav is unsure, Finn sulking after his own failure, Giles seems somewhat quiet for his normal, boisterous self though Odelia seems eager to join hands despite her modest tendencies.  Judoc spends several moments coaching each of them on concentration and focus before attending to his own, central part of the spell.  He performs each of the motions as he learned them so long ago, attempting to be mindful of the energy around him, and though he knows it would be near impossible on his own, he watches as the cart slowly lifts from bank, moving at a crawl just inches above the surface of the river.

The moments wear on into minutes, each of the small group being careful to maintain their concentration, only Judoc staring painfully off towards the other bank.  Once, unsure to the range, Judoc lets the cart dip just slightly though when it hits the surface of the water the mage raises it back up again.  When the cart does finally alight on the opposite bank, Judoc is swaying on his feet, his eyes bloodshot and his face paled.  When the spell is finally over he collapses to the ground in a heap, his breathing labored.  To a lesser extent, each of the others feel their own exhaustion, Finn worst of the others though a face glistened with sweat seems to be the worst of his symptoms.

"Wow."  Terri intones as the spell ends, swaying a step before she catches herself.  "Think I'll take a moment before I go into the river now, that's no easy feat."

OOC:  The cart is across, but the weight assumptions it was based on included an empty cart so I did you guys the favor of assuming you unloaded it, or at least a good chunk of the heavier stuff on it.  Judoc is exhausted, Finn bordering on exhaustion with the other members of the group mildly fatigued.  Since the cart was the most significant part of the gear to be moved across, from here we can have Finn and Judoc take turns moving the rest of the gear across after resting up before moving people, just let me know which rolls and who will be swimming/floating across.

The last time Judoc had participated in ceremonial magic like this, everyone in the circle had been a mage, and the whole thing had imploded. If Judoc had been directing the spell, and had their professor not secretly been a demon in disguise, the young mage has no doubt that the results would have been different.

Though he had already expended energy sending Rondald across the river, Judoc continues right on with the next spell rather than rest and gather his strength. Adventurers often have a tendency to overestimate their abilities, and wizards seem even more susceptible to this deficiency.

As Judoc draws on the surrounding mana and his own companions’ stength to magically lift the cart, Judoc realizes several things right away. First, he had neglected to factor in his fatigue from casting the Flight spell. Second, he had expected Finn to be more skilled. Third, Judoc realizes that Giles doesn’t know Apportation at all. No matter. As long as the others contribute to the spell, Judoc will still have plenty of energy to move the cart safely across the river.

The seconds pass. One minute, then the second, and the cart still has some distance to go.  Judoc begins to shake with exertion, his veins and arteries bulging. A trickle of blood begins leaking from his nose. Finally, the cart is safely across, and Judoc sinks to a knee. ”Well done, everyone,” he says weakly. “Giles, I’m going to have to teach you that spell. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a break.”

Sinking back on the turf, he adopts the position mages often use to gather their energy, sitting quietly, barely moving.  ”Give me thirty minutes, and I’ll be back in action,” he says weakly.

OOC: Judoc will rest up for 30 minutes.

Finn Razzel fancies himself a potent mage.  Not a master by any stretch but no hedge wizard either.  So then when he weaves his magic upon the cart and it fails to move his disappointment is clearly displayed across his face and body.  His eyes and mouth sour, his shoulders droop.  His mood sullens.  Thankfully before he can reformulate a plan Judoc intervenes and takes control.  The coordinated group effort drains the mercenary turned hero but the task is well worth it.


OOC:
Finn will use the spell Levitate to hover himself across the river.  He can carry some gear with him.  He can, if needed, send others across in the similar fashion if desired.

Finn has a very nice camp spell that he will cast when it is time.  It creates a circle of fog.  It appears as a light shimmer to us but appears as a dense fog to enemies and wild animals.  It causes a mild fear and disorientation to anyone trying to enter.  I say this because this is how Finn would explain it.

In reply to Finn Razzel (msg # 55):

With the arrival of the empty cart, Rondald is quite surprised. He asks Magnus help to haul it safely away from the river, before preparing to set up camp around it in a location that offers good visibility of the surrounding countryside, where he waits patiently for others to arrive.

Magnus, still stripped to his undergarment and damp from the swim, tucked his belongings well up onto the shore before he went back down to help drag the cart up onto dry land.

He seemed surprised as anybody to see it there, especially considering that nobody else had arrived with it. He took up the shaft that normally separated the horses and leveraged it over his shoulder before he began to drag the conveyance through the mud. He put his back into the effort and caused a great furrow in the muddy bank as he went, but before long it was done and he had returned to the shore to watch the others in their preparation to come across.

Judoc and Finn rest for half of an hour before they resume their spellcasting and in the meantime the two forms of Magnus and Rondald walk their way up the opposite bank, stopping as they reach the cart.  Magnus lays out the contents of his bag on the ground below, letting each belonging enough room to dry in the early afternoon sun.

When the mages finally renew their casting each concentrates for a few moments before sending one of their companions into the air loaded down with odds and ends for their travels: Giles with a bag of horse grain, Odelia carrying a large burlap sack of foodstuffs.  After resting for several more minutes, the mages start again, sending Gustav and then the last trip being Finn and Judoc themselves.  To the others, the process has seemed numbingly slow, a single person across for every thirty or forty minutes between bouts of resting, yet Judoc insists that trying to do the magic any faster would be self defeating at best and downright dangerous at worst.  Terri goes across at the same time as Judoc, leading Cutlass from his lead rope with Firebrand trailing on a bit of cordage from Terri's own gear.  As he did with Magnus, Rondald follows along the bank watching as his wife swims skillfully, though the horses trailing somewhat less confidently, Firebrand especially nickers and flails for a moment as he first hits the deep water.

"He bit me!"  Terry yells as she walks her way back to the camp, nursing her arm slightly though it seems not to be too much the worse for wear.  "That nag started rearing the moment his feet touched dry ground and when I tried to calm him down the bastard tried to kick me first but bit me when that didn't work."  She shoots Firebrand a filthy glance.  "I'm not sure he likes swimming much to be honest."

The whole group now across, Judoc and Finn each continue to rest.  The sun has already started to drop rapidly from the sky and it becomes apparent that no meaningful progress will be made before they are forced to move on so the non mages begin to make themselves busy, setting up personal equipment and finding the flattest spot of terrain around for their camp.  As there is little wood to spare and most of their food is dried, Giles opts not to make a fire for the night deciding to save the precious little they have for when the need truly arises.

As the sun sets across the plain, Finn begins an intricate ritual, tracing a great circle on the grass around their campsite with one of his knives as he murmurs under his breath.  After perhaps a minute he completes his work and nods with satisfaction, mentioning that no guard will be needed for the night since the area is now protected by his magic.  Though some are hesitant to trust their safety to some invisible spell, Finn eventually convinces the group and they settle in for the night without posting a watch.

The second day of their adventure passes without much fanfare.  The day is brisk with a modest wind that cuts across the cool morning like a thin-bladed knife.  Happy clouds billow high up in the sky disappearing into blue sky at interval.  The terrain remains much the same, the green, thick grasses of the plains spring up all around and climb as high as the thigh in places, rolling along on hills that seem to get taller but only inches at a time.  The pace is slow, made worse by the fact that Finn has only modest experience with horses and less with guiding them from the seat of a cart.  Stops are frequent to unstick a wheel from soft earth, or to push the back of the cart up a grade that Firebrand is unable to conquer.

Despite the slow pace, Giles manages to keep a positive demeanor, fully armored, he chats up the group from his mounted position atop Cutlass, riding ahead at times to scout for the best passes or to ensure that no threats lie in wait.

Another night and morning pass in much the same way, a slogging pace with the only sign of other life on the plains being the occasional dead rodent or bird that Aiah brings back from a hunt before devouring it.

On the third day the winds turn quickly as a the skies billow an angry gray.  There isn't a moment to spare, and even less shelter available, so Giles carves out an overhang from a hillside by magic, creating a makeshift cave roof that serves well enough to keep them from the thick of the storm.  It is a lucky thing, for the heavens pour down and lightening crashes beside them only moments after the shelter is erected.  Never the less, Firebrand whinnies and shrieks in horror as the thunder comes in close.  Finn does his best to calm the animal but Firebrand refuses to be subdued, he rears on his hind legs and thrashes out with his fore hooves, striking Finn squarely in the shoulder and sending the young thief spiraling to the ground before bolting from the small enclave.  Mercifully, Judoc is already casting as the animal flees, sending himself in flight to chase after the animal and catching with it after only a couple of hillsides before leading the terrified animal back to the small shelter for good.

As the group sets out on the morning of the 21st, the going is as bad as it has been for the entire trip.  The recent storm has slicked the grasses and soaked into the dirt below making the ground soft and slick.  Above, the skies still churn an angry gray, threatening to unload a heavy rain at any moment.

Just as they are about to break for lunch, the group comes across a small stream, perhaps a dozen yards across and up to three or four feet deep.  Giles mentions that the stream is likely one that runs north from Tabuk, a small village that Giles had encountered on his brief trek south of the border a few months ago.

OOC:  It is 1130 on the 21st of March.  Everyone roll HT-4.  Add +2 to the roll if you have a tent.  If you have a tent and a blanket or other natural temperature tolerance add a further +2 to the roll.  However much you fail by will be fatigue lost due to missed sleep for wet conditions and cold temperatures.  Make another HT-2 roll for fatigue from the hike, add +2 for fit and +4 for very fit if you have them.  As you guys had mentioned heading to Tabuk earlier I figured I'd stop here to see if you want to follow through.  Heading south will take you to Tabuk, East will bring you closer to the Necromancer.

Edit:  changed to reflect Tabuk is South rather than north.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:48, Mon 16 Apr 2018.

In reply to Raddek (msg # 58):

Rondald immediately goes to check on Terri's would as she comes out of the river, offering a bandage if she wishes and comforting words.

The hiking is tough for the seafarer, but he pushes on regardless. Day after day, they press on, until they at last reach the small creek, where he replenishes his water and has a good drink. Despite the warm undergarments, he does not sleep well due to the cold and he is utterly exhausted by the time they reach the creek. He is looking forward to staying at the town, and perhaps purchasing a tent or other equipment.

Judoc is out of sorts. Rather than spending his funds to purchase survival gear, he had spent all his money on armor, and now, without a tent or sleeping fur, he finds himself poorly suited to this life of roughing it. Too, the leather armor is heavier than his accustomed robes, and he longs to shed it and have a proper bath.

Although he has suffered no ill effects for doing without basic shelter, he is still moody and uncomfortable. Next time I set out on a bloody expedition, I’m going to bloody well come prepared, he thinks grimly as he walks along, keeping himself near the front of the group. At least he’s been able to sleep enough at night, and he’s gotten some decent exercise during the hike. Living as a student at the Templar Battle College hasn’t made him soft, and for this he is thankful.

He looks up in the air as Aiah circles.  He allows himself a small smile. He wishes he was wheeling up there with her rather than trudging along on foot. A man flying though the air would bring too much attention, however, and even as skilled as Judoc is, he cannot stay in the air indefinitely.

When the group arrives at the small stream, he looks first eastward, then north. ”Tell me about Tabuk again, Giles. Were these the people who sicced their dogs on you?” He shudders involuntarily.  There are very few things that makes Judoc pause, but he has no desire to go anywhere near a canine’s mouth.

Continuing, he says, “A group this size is likely to attract attention. We’re not obviously soldiers, but a cart, two horses, and no trade goods looks odd.  I suppose Rondald and Terri can pass for merchants and the rest of us as guards, but what would we be guarding?”

“We can spin a good story, I’m sure, but to keep a low profile, we should just keep going to deal with this necromancer. After we take care of him, we can stop at Tabuk on the way back to resupply. What do you all say?”

OOC: Judoc is eager to wrap up this business and return to civilization. He will advocate for going to defeat the necromancer first and then stopping back by Tabuk when they’re done.

In reply to Judoc the Merciful (msg # 60):

"Not all merchants are just selling something. We can be buying things too...food, tents, clothing, ammunition. If we have money. But I have only $15. At least the cart has a bunch of food and grain and other bags on it."

Magnus proved fairly robust as the days and miles passed the group by. He had learned somewhere the soldiers knack for sleeping wherever he was forced to lay his head, always on his back thanks to his horns, and he was not prone to snoring besides.

He had brought a tent, little more than a long canvas sack with enough room for him and his pack, supported by his mace and a few feet of cord...but it was enough to keep the rain off and it held some heat at least. It seemed well used and held his scent about as well as it held warmth.

And then his fur, a simple thing so common in the animal kingdom, seemed to keep him comfortable in all manner of cooler weather...and while the heat irked him, it also insulated against it somewhat and guarded against sunburn.

These things had helped their Minotaur arrive at the spring looking nearly as fresh as he had when they had first met him. His leg had healed nicely by this time despite the constant exercise and the long scab was itching and peeling in a way that most would consider healthy.

"Straight there might be best" Magnus agreed. "If they'll set their dogs on Giles...who knows that they'll do if they see me"

He looked to Odelia. "Would you be alright with that? Are these people the same sort that you grew up around?" He seemed to know little of the Muslim culture or faith.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:43, Mon 16 Apr 2018.

Finn sits in the seat of the cart holding on the reins leisurely.  As morning turns to afternoon and into night he seems at ease and happy to chat with anyone who will converse.  While the young mercenary wouldn't exactly be labeled dependent upon the company of others, the extroverted sometimes thief, sometimes mage certainly enjoys the socailization of a band.

As the intrepid party breaks for camp on the first night Finn explains the nature of his protective magic.  His spirits are high and he seems to have completely forgotten his earlier self promoting at being able to single handedly port the cart across the river.  In an attempt to foster good will he glides up to the tall, brutish minotaur.  He smiles jovially. ”So.  Magnus is it?  You speak very well.  No offense intended, but I'm...surprised.  I've never met a...”  Normally at this juncture Finn would have resorted to slang and the only ones he knows are derogatory.  Thankfully he catches himself in time.  ”...minotaur before.  Do you all speak so well?”


OOC:
Magnus, no need to play out of the dialogue on my part.  Just trying to give the narrative some flavor and demonstrate that Finn is making a gesture to accept everyone.  He will do likewise with the others not well known to him.

As for his opinion to head to Tabuk or not, I the player am lost.  Is it a place we need to go?  Is Tabuk the town said to be allied with the Necromancer?  If we don't need to go Finn would suggest we bypass it.

Let's avoid the Town, surely the Necromancer has spies there. Let's just move on toward the Necromancer. Perhaps we can be a surprise.

Gustav seems unbothered by the rain or the hiking, as he had plenty of practice in getting to The fort.

 He also mentions to the group that By the Way, I too have some ability handle horses, should you need help.