In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 48):

Gareth is concerned about the eastward path that Haveron seems to have noticed. He approaches it cautiously...creating a fireball as he does so.

[Private to GM: Fireball, rolled 8 under to cast.]

In reply to Gareth (msg # 49):

As usual Gareth plays with fire.
[Private to Gareth: to approach that direction, make a will roll. Also: there is NO more splitting the party]

In reply to Narrator (msg # 50):

"Hey, did anyone else notice this other path over here?" Gareth asks as he approaches the path, fireball in hand.

[Private to GM: Rolled 6, Will 16, so 10 under!]

Haveron approaches the path about the same time that Gareth does.
"We did, but something odd seems to be going on.  No one else seems to have noticed it, and I felt something of an aversion to it myself.  I feel something or someone is actively trying to manipulate us away from this path."

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 52):

"Oh, that is SOOO comforting..."

He throws a fireball at the most overgrown section...

"Let's see if they notice it now?"

Amelia steps back, behind Haveron by a step or two.  Her mouth twists into a frown, before she comments "Perhaps you should try something more overt.  I'm not sure anyone will notice.  That might be too subtle."

In reply to Amelia Montaigne (msg # 54):

Some of the chappatal bursts into flames.





Everyone who was there at the start of this expedition  make an iq roll

The Adept turns and looks ...



[Private to GM: 11:01, Today: Adept Yisslitheniss rolled 10 using 3d6.  IQ.  Made by 3]

Haveron stands where he is and observes the surroundings carefully for reaction to Gareth's fireball.  He does say to Gareth in an offhand way "That was unnecessary Gareth.  Amelia had a bit of sarcasm to her, but she's right.  You risk stating much larger fires with this sort of reckless behavior.  It's simply unwise."

[Private to GM: Amelia and Haveron both make their rolls.
3:17, Today: Secret Roll: Amelia Montaigne rolled 10 using 3d6.  IQ if required.
13:17, Today: Secret Roll: Haveron Stormwal rolled 10 using 3d6.  IQ if required.]

In reply to Narrator (msg # 55):

"More Overt?"

He pauses and thinks for a bit.

"Do you think a rain of fire might be better? Oh, sarcasm. I seem to have missed that.

But we wanted others to notice..."

[Private to GM: Rolled 8 under IQ...]

Haveron nods, and then answers Gareth in a bit of a sterner tone.  "Yes, we wanted people to notice.  Your action worked splendidly for that.  However, I have a problem with your application.

Did you think of the possible side effects?  How would you benefit the caravan if a large grass fire were to start?  We could end up at risk, breathing in the smoke, or even abandon our route because of the fire.  And then, none of us would get paid.  We could even end up owing the caravan for damages.

You are obviously talented, and very intelligent.  However, I question your judgement.  Please rein in your enthusiasm a bit, and try to make more judicious use of your gifts.  I don't have a problem with the appropriate use of your gifts.  However, this seems risky and ill-advised.

Also, please understand this is not a personal attack.  You were thinking about the problem in the moment, in the best interest of the bigger group.  However, as a leadership figure, I need to consider the bigger picture.  The owners of the caravan might not appreciate you throwing around fireballs so casually.  I'm trying to look out for your reputation here, before they decide you're not welcome.

Now, let's see what develops.  You have certainly drawn attention to something we were not meant to find.  I expect someone will have a problem with that, whether it's today or in the near future"

OOC I get you're probably playing your disadvantages accurately.  Well done.  Haveron has to do the same.  :)
This message was last edited by the player at 21:18, Mon 20 May 2019.

"All brains and fire with not a whit of good sense..." Amelia mumbles to herself, although it's unfortunately loud enough for the average person to just catch.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:08, Fri 24 May 2019.

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 59):

Gareth pauses and looks around at the caravan as well as at the fire.

"Oh, do you think it will get that large? I thought the grass and bushes looked too green for that. But if you say so..."

[OOC: Yeah, between Pyromania, Callous and Impulsive...someone else better think of others because he probably won't. If he does, the Phantom voices will probably see to that...he was always designed to be a loose cannon, and while he needs strong leadership, he also needs leadership he respects, which will be difficult.]

Haveron listens to Gareth, and then takes a moment to survey the vegetation.  It certainly didn't look like it was dry and prone to going up in a large scale grass fire.

"You're right on that point, Gareth.  It doesn't look like we're going to have a large scale fire today.  The wind isn't blowing, and the grasses don't look like this area has experienced a drought.  The conditions aren't right.

That said, it's not about me or my opinion.  It's about the caravan and their leadership.  They have a lot of goods on flammable wagons.  Horses can get spooked by fire.  Plus, they don't know when you'll throw the next fireball.  In their eyes you can't be trusted.  There's a lot more to it than just a few blades of grass.  I think you'll agree if you take a minute and think it through."


OOC  No doubt.  I expected about as much.  Still, Haveron will try to make him part of the team instead of the designated problem child.  His long term planning involves this sort of thing.  :)

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 62):

"Oh, Ok then. I thought a generous display of power would put them at ease because they are in good hands. Of course they will not be targeted."

[OOC: Yeah after being in hibernation for 1,000 years, long term planning has kind of fallen by the wayside. So would some cultural ways of doing things...]

Practice is good and all, but you actually could start a serious fire. Have you considered firing up into the sky? Berry attempts to give Gareth helpful advice that will alleviate Haveron's concerns. She's too lazy to follow it, but it is a good plan in theory.

OOC: 23:42, Today: Berry rolled 12 using 3d6.  Berry IQ (14) roll. Success by 2

In reply to Berry (msg # 64):

The head teamster tries to calm down  the mules that the fire is agitating, and makes a sign against evil.

Amelia waits for a moment.  Then she waits for another moment.  Haveron is silent, watching the surroundings in an expectant way, as if he's expecting hostiles to appear at any second.  Finally, she acts.  Stepping forward, she gently takes Gareth by the shoulder, and points him at the caravan.

"Look, fire man.  The horses are all spooked.  Maybe you didn't notice because you were watching the fire.  Maybe you were on the look out for bad guys.  I don't know. What matters is how the rest of the caravan is reacting.  They don't much appreciate your display of fire

Also, do you see that man warding himself against evil?  That's probably you.  He most likely sees you as a danger to him and the rest of the caravan.  Or maybe it's the explosion.  He could be afraid of magic for all we know.  What matters is that he's as spooked as the horses are.  Your display of power could be having the opposite effect from what you intended.

Haveron is being polite by leaving things be.  I get it, he wants to keep things smooth, and he's already said enough.  Still, someone has to explain it so you understand better.  It's not personal, I just don't want someone trying to stab you in the middle of the night.  That doesn't help anyone."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:07, Fri 24 May 2019.

In reply to Amelia Montaigne (msg # 66):

He looks over at the caravan.

"I see. I guess they are more picky about the protection they want than I thought. Though how do you know there is not some evil in the bushes I have disturbed that he is aware of?"

He looks back to the area around the fire...is the fire dying out as expected?

Haveron may be looking away, but apparently he was tracking the conversation.  turning to face his fellow traveler, he chastises Gareth.  "So, you claim there might have been evil in the bushes.  How are you passing this kind of judgement?  We have no evidence anything existed there, except for maybe a couple of bunnies and some bugs.  If you have some proof of that assertion, I would welcome it.  Then we could explain your behavior to the caravan, and put them at ease.

In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, we can only assume that you blew up the bush for your own reasons.  I don't know whether it's to show off, or if you have something destructive in your nature.  Maybe you want to eat rabbit meat for dinner.  To be honest, I am not so sure you thought about it before doing it, Gareth.  I have yet to hear a real reason for the behavior.

Look at the bigger picture here.  Your justification carries no merit that I have seen.  Unless we can come up with some evidence to support your claim, how do I explain this behavior to the people managing the caravan?"

OOC Yep, cornering you a bit there Gareth.  Not at all personal, I think you're doing a good job playing Gareth consistently.  It's character driven from Haveron's side of things.  And, it makes for good RP all the way around. I'm trying to keep it within the context appropriate to the conversation. 

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 68):

"Ok, now I am going to call bullshit. You mentioned something about the bushes and the paths that made you very uneasy. You were whispering and pointing at the bushes before there was any fire there. Now you want to pin everything bad that happened on me, because I did something about it, and claim it was for my personal reasons, because the caravan is made uneasy by the fire. But you were being indecisive, and I took action. You are just looking for a scapegoat now! If something had come out, and an ambush disturbed, you would be thanking me for triggering it before their ideal time. Sounds to me you are just too spineless to act on your own convictions in the face of uncertainty. Grow a backbone...our job is to get them to their destination safely, not mollycoddle them to give a false sense of security where in fact there may have been a danger there."

He will storm off to the head of the caravan.

[OOC: Yeah, likewise. See message #52 if you as the player forget the reason he did it!]

"Let's all just focus on the fact that we are about to get paid!" Berry says "No need to fight amongst ourselves."

In reply to Berry (msg # 70):

You do notice that the majority of the caravan folk are oblivious to the fire, as if they can't quite look in that direction. A few do notice it, and those are the suspicious ones.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 71):

So if they cannot notice the fire, what are they upset about? Is there something else?

Gareth will try to work it out...what to roll? IQ? Perception?

[Private to GM: IQ 16, Per 14, rolled 5...is that a critical success?]

In reply to Gareth (msg # 72):

With per 14 a crit is 3-4.

You notice which of the caravan staff notice the fire, which of them are then looking at you, and which seem confused or oblivious. The ones who did see the fire, and your actions that prompted it.