In reply to Rioniv (msg #7):

((OOC: I assume it's still daylight?))

"A small fire shouldn't be too large a beacon. With the second durge down, it should distract anyone who isn't specifically after us"

Mirna will look for a hollow where the fire can be as sheltered (visibility wise) as possible.

[OOC:  It is still daylight.  Finding and getting to the durge was a mid to late morning job.]

While large and sturdy, the durge are extremely slow and easy prey for the professional hunter.  Bringing down two of them, some distance away from one another, is a relatively easy, if time consuming task.

Mirna searches about, and identifies a spot for a fire.  Jaxar scents the wind and recommends a different spot, which is agreed upon after some discussion.  It takes some trying, and a lot of work to keep it going, but you are able to keep up a fire built from twisted dry grasses, there being no trees or wood in the vicinity.

Butchering the durge and preserving the meat takes you through the afternoon, but at the end of the day, with some searching about for herbs and edible plants on the plains, you're able to come away with a week's lean rations.

A pack of dracs shows up at one point, but quickly decide to go after the other dead durge.  Later in the afternoon, Kar spots an Omnivrax, which scatters the dracs until it has eaten its fill, then wanders away, leaving the dracs to their feast once again.

So the day passes, and a good campsite is agreed upon, several miles from where the kill was made, everyone's packs, and the two greymanes loaded with meat from the durge.

The night passes uneventfully, the only wildlife seen being of the smaller and non-threatening variety.

In reply to GM (msg #10):

*Looking around the plains as camp is made* "I feel a bit...exposed here. can we post more than one watch, or would that be stretching us a bit thin overnight?" *accepts watch conditions, but sleeps light*

Newly provisioned, you are able to travel on by foot to the south.  The morning of the 27th dawns cool and frosty, but the winds decrease a bit and the day warms somewhat.

Travel on foot is slow, but inexorable, as the suns rise to their apex, and then begin their descent.  The rich grasses of the plains provide plentiful fodder for the graymanes.

As night comes once more, all is seemingly quiet and at peace.  During the early hours just before dawn, a cold rain begins to fall, lasting nearly to noon, and making for cold, miserable travel.

As the day wears on, the weather clears, although it stays cold and the following morning dawns with frost on the tall grasses.

Travel during the day is better, with the weather drier, if cold.

Nothing of particular concern is encountered during the day, and you are all able to stop and partake of a noon time meal, and get some rest, and allow the graymanes to graze.

An hour into the afternoon's travel, Kar and Jaxar's sharp eyes spy carrion birds circling something on the ground ahead, and somewhat to the left.

In reply to GM (msg #13):

To Kar and Jaxar: "Can you tell us anything about what they're circling? Or shall we go find out for ourselves?"

In reply to Mirna (msg #14):


Barring additional information from the GM Jaxar would reply as follows . . . .

"Although it is most likely a carcass, we should investigate. I would recommend Kar take an initial survey, being careful to avoid a potential ambush. Based on his observations we can decide the best way to approach and investigate. I only hope it isn't one of our companions from the windship."

Moving in closer, Jaxar is able to see the carrion avir are flocking around something on the ground, which appears to be several humanoids.  Kar sees this from the air as well.

Additionally, 50-60 feet away is something larger, though it is hard to determine what -- perhaps the remains of a small structure, or an overturned wagon or carts.  Not far from this is another humanoid standing and moving!

You are still quite some ways off, so details are quite difficult to make out.

In reply to GM (msg #16):

Growling, Jaxar alerts the party as he begins to lope toward the lone figure. "The scavengers were attracted by humanoid bodies, although I can't make out what race they were. There is a lone figure moving, as well, possibly a survivor or a looter. I intend to find out which." As he knocks an arrow he looks over his shoulder at his Danuvian companion, "Coming Mirna?"

In reply to GM (msg #16):

*Drifts a bit closer for a better look, crossbow at the ready*

In reply to Jaxar (msg #17):

"Of course!"

Mirna will also have an arrow nocked and her longsword loose in the scabbard.

Jaxar and Mirna break into a trot, quickly closing the distance towards what appears to be a devastated caravan, as Kar effortlessly glides in closer above them as well.

To one side of the ruined caravan is the lone figure, garbed in white, apparently of the races of man, while to the other side lay a pile of dead, furred humanoids, apparently Beastmen.  It is above these that carrion avir flutter, and some opportunistic dracs feed.

In reply to GM (msg #20):

Mirna will motion to Jaxar that we should slowly move in on the lone figure in white, spaced well apart.

As you slow your pace, getting closer, the lone figure briefly stops, stands up straighter and waves in your direction... then curiously enough, bends back to whatever task it is that preoccupies him, though still facing in your direction.

[OOC:  Please indicate how close you intend to get, and what actions you might plan to take.  While approaching, or when getting as close as you'd like.]

In reply to GM (msg #22):

[ooc: that depends...did he/she seem to notice me up here?]

In reply to GM (msg #22):

Jaxar will make sure not to look up at Kar as he approaches. He will initially approach to about 20 ft. from the man(?) with arrow nocked and partially drawn but clearly not aimed directly at the figure. Jaxar will stay beyond melee weapon range and avoid the possibility of straying into Mirna's crossfire. If possible, Jaxar will glance at the beastman corpses in an effort to determine the cause of death, be it by weapon or spell, and then inspect the lone figure carefully.

"Greeting traveller, you appear to be more fortunate than your aquaintences here", Jaxar calls out as he indicates the beastmen with a nod of his head, "do you know what befell these animals?"

In reply to Jaxar (msg #24):

The figure in white lifts a hand to his wide-brimmed hat, tipping it slightly in acknowledgement.

"I do indeed have some thoughts as regards the slaughter of those beasts. They are the part and parcel of the same Pack that slaughtered this band of pilgrims." He indicates the dusty work around him - small graves, some covered with piles of local stone heaped into a number of small cairns covered hastily with some scattered soil, some obviously larger than others.

"They were a bit overdue coming in to town. Found them here just this morn. Wouldn't be adverse to a helping hand or two. But if you and your compatriots mean more death and destruction, I'd offer that you be on your way. Aa's eye watches all, and His mighty hand guides me."

Astute watchers will notice a Staff of the All-Seeing Eye casually leaning on the pile of stones nearest the stranger within easy reach of his currently empty and dirty hands.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:51, Thu 22 Apr 2010.

In reply to Aalistair (msg #25):

"Death and destruction, perhaps, but not to one who aids the wounded and honors the dead." Mirna will lower her bow, but keep it ready in case any of the scavengers get... overly curious :)

In reply to Mirna (msg #26):

"I fear the Pack left no wounded. But perhaps, Aa willing, your ... aahh, compatriot," he adds in a questioning tone, "above can keep a watch? The Pack that did this was sizable. It would not be unusual for the weaker survivors to double back to scavenge or feed."

He dusts his dirty hands against his white-stained garb and bends to lift another rock into place, concealing a body buried beneath.

"We didn't see the Pack from town. There's a momentary pause, as if he's considering exactly how much to say.  "Is that where you are journeying? Towards Deadwood?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:43, Thu 22 Apr 2010.

<quote Aalistair>
In reply to Jaxar (msg #24):

The figure in white lifts a hand to his wide-brimmed hat, tipping it slightly in acknowledgement.

*glides to around 40 ft and circles*

He indicates the dusty work around him - small graves, some covered with piles of local stone heaped into a number of small cairns covered hastily with some scattered soil, some obviously larger than others.

*Begins to watch for... other... scavengers which might be attracted to such carnage while watching the man in white*

As the conversation takes place, the remaining members of the party approach, two Marukans and a blue-clad Rahastran, leading two heavily burdened graymanes.

"Well met and salutations," Aalistair calls to the Marukans as they approach. He then turns his back on the group of them and kneels to start piling rocks onto another body.

"You strangers seem a bit out of place. Rather, I mean to say, you appear to be a motley sort of crew. Many around these parts journey with their countrymen. Where did you say the group of you were from again?"

In reply to Aalistair (msg #30):

((OOC: I forgot where we're from, so I'm guessing! Or, re-writing history...))

"Busy place, this Deadwood of yours. As for where we're from... well, the easy answer is Cymril."

In reply to Mirna (msg #31):

Aalistair watches as she speaks. The look in his eyes one of... what is it? Curiosity? Earnestness?

"Well now, madame, there's busy and then there's busy. I don't imagine a dusty frontier-town can compare with..." the pause is a bit out of place and he swallows, "with Cymril."

"Now, come, sister. Put down your weapons and help me bury the noble dead. Aa is waiting for them, as he waits for us all."

In reply to Aalistair (msg #32):

Jaxar will put down his bow, keeping it close at hand, and begin to bury a body in the same mannner as the aamanian - strange as it may be to his own sensibilities.

Eyeng the grizzled veteran suspiciously Jaxar adds to Mirna's response. "As you have suggested, individually we are from many places. Most of us joined together at a rural outpost outside of Cymril, each in search of adventure, a change in scenery, or at least better prospects that pulling guard duty in a remote corner of nowhere."

After looking over his companions for a moment he adds, "Travel has been difficult of late and our remaining steeds are overburdened. We thought we saw a windship in the area a few days back and were hoping to take passage if she could afford us the space. Would there happen to be a ship in Deadwood at this time?"