Stoking up a celebratory pipe, Hoskar's mundane nature kicks in a moment. Three things before we lose it. Things you must know or we likely perish. One. Someone yells Form A Square, for earth's sake form a battle square. Blesses us in combat to have the rune. Two. Need more strength for hitting, touch this shield and give of yourself. Three. Need healing, Sehana's our best but crawl my way otherwise.

Having finished preparations, he adds with a lopsided smile That's the end of me being formal. Smokes? Grabbing a skin unceremoniously he swigs deeper than observers might expect, then passes it on only to light the pipe and inhale gratefully; holding the breath for a clear half dozen heartbeats before exhaling and offering it on...sort-of in Wassen-Me's direction yet sufficiently vaguely for others to step in...and observing when I'm relaxed enough, I'll tell you what I learned here. I advise you all to get relaxed too. Even those who usually don't. You're not going to like this one little bit.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:53, Wed 23 Nov 2016.

"Let's not all get too comfortable," calls out Kobal.  "Those of us who have been requested to escort Angelika Snowspear - we will have to move on soon.  I don't fancy getting on her bad side.  The rest of you: knock yourselves out, haha!"

"But yes, Hoskar, tell us what happened here.  I've been dying to find out."

Emesh-Ga remains as the Rangers relax, talking to the new recruits and answering any questions they may have. With so many members the cave is quite cramped and warm, unlike above ground where a storm has began to gather...

Melock tilts his head as the sound of the gathering storm starts to penetrate down to their cave, "I don't think we'll be moving on while that storm is above us," he declines the offered pipe and looks at Hoskar expectantly.

Henal has used the ochre earth to smear the runes of Earth upon himself for the ceremony. He stands back letting the others speak until he needs to vouch for Baram Greeneye.

Then after he joins Kobal in asking Hoskar about the events at the Giant Finger Holes with the Red Thorns.

Suppressing a shudder, Hoskar takes another swig from a skin before speaking further.

You're right of course, Kobal he murmurs, but I'll have to hope the lady Angelika will forgive me this one - too grim to retell entirely sober.

Holding his head between his hands, he continues in a subdued monotone it's nothing that happened here as such. Only stuff that's happened here is me trading with Goodfeather for training - I'm better at sensing thieves than I was, and know more about where we're off to, and hear Krakka might be in Pavis. There was no sign of the Red Thorn Shaman, and Bigmouth was no trouble. I hope he won't be miserable now he has a job here.  It's what I saw on the way in, and what Erish-El made of it when I told her.

Had a vision. Chaos harpy. Vast thing carrying living-dead heads. Entourage around her. Vile. This time he can't repress a shudder. Woke up close to having another Repe Sorsa moment. Harpy and her heads were looking for something. Felt like it was me...or us...or maybe the source of the green. Hoped it was a dream not a vision, but no such luck. Erish-El recognised the description and it's the only time I've seen her shocked. Utterly shocked. Says it's her sister from the place of statues out east; malevolent beyond knowing and aware Erish-El escaped and looking for her. Ill intent and probably coming like a plague against her and the green when she finds...her...us...whatever she's looking for.

At the edges of fires when I was meant to be asleep, on the margins of camps washing pots, I have heard the name El-Enlli mentioned by strong braves who turn pale and cast protective magics at the sound of the name. It's her and one day she's coming gods preserve us.

He sighs deeply before releasing his hands from their fervid grip upon his cheeks, leaving behind the red crescent marks of fingernails that had bitten deep into skin, he takes a further swig and straightens his back in determination. Good Word, eh?

Still. Doesn't affect our duty now. Doesn't affect our likely duty for the future. Does mean we'll be up against powers best left undisturbed and the stuff of nightmare one day.

An equivocal smile plays momentarily on his lips before fading. There's worse things than death, and as long as we can rely on each other not to let our heads be taken death is the worst that might happen. So we'd best just get to it I suppose.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:49, Thu 24 Nov 2016.

Almost in an instant Salen is stood next to Hoskar, and just about bides his time until the pipe is passed. Then he takes a looooong draw...and just about remembers to pass the pipe along. A good minute goes by while the Condor brave closes his eyes, keeping the smoke inside, before he slowly exhales and looks around, smiling. He reaches for the nearest kumiss skin and takes a long draw from that too, but much quicker. Then he sits down and listens to Hoskar's tale, nodding, before confirming some details.

"Statues...storms from the east. Saw it through Condor we did, eh?"

In reply to Salen Dustchaser (msg # 48):

Shivering slightly despite not being cold, and despite the three good swigs of kumiss, Hoskar manages a sad nod. I imagine you're right there, Salen; although of all the things to say Wotcha to, that one wouldn't have been my first choice.

Declining a further swig from a skin with a glance towards Kobal , he mutters anyone got questions? I really don't want to revisit this more often than I have to.

"Just one question, could you describe her better so we know what to look out for." Melock pauses, trying to look serious, but fails after a handful of seconds and laughs, "Just joking, I want to get some sleep tonight." Hoskar is offered a drink from a small flask that appears from the folds of Melocks coat, "Have a small sip of this, it'll help you sleep tonight."

In reply to Melock (msg # 50):

Hoskar closes his eyes a moment, clenching his left fist with furrowed brow; pain etched for all to see across his face.

For a moment, he looks to be gathering himself for blows or angry words. He opens his mouth. Then closes it. Then looks helplessly up to the cavern's roof. Then giggles as he accepts the flask unquestioningly and sips.

Not fair he splutters. Coughs. Fights for breath as laughter takes control. Damnit you bugger you're too good at this.

Sagging slowly, seeming to melt down the wall like an expiring candle, he murmurs Release. Thankyou. His eyes half closed, he remains slumped, looking more content than he's been since the Rangers arrived.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:06, Thu 24 Nov 2016.

In reply to Hoskar Two-Feather (msg # 51):

"Thought you'd like that." He takes a sip himself and then stashes the flask on his person and joins Hoskar in laughing. "That's improved your mood"

Kobal nods grimly at the news.  Hoskar is no Thunder Bird, but he's not a coward either.  They'll have to be ready.

"'One day'?  We're escorting the Snowspear.  If there's a chance these harpies attack, we need to let her know.  She might change her plans, gather more escorts maybe.

"And what happened here?  Anything more than simply our war party turning up, the Red Thorns taking one look and turning tail...?"

In reply to Kobal (msg # 53):

Refocussing with a calmer expression, glad to be thinking of something other than the vision, Hoskar manages a weak smile that stays put.

Well, Kobal, truth be told I had to keep my head down in the temple mostly. The Red Thorns weren't exactly welcoming. Like I said, something of a dust-up on the way in with Jarga and his group and I scooped up the duck and the finder coming in. On my own out there wouldn't have been pleasant and all my diplomatic hopes came to nothing.

In here, I know Poi...um...Goodfeathers and Hommi have negotiated a commission for Erish-El but don't know what it is. I know the temple's been undisturbed. I barely knew there was a fight coming till Erish-El mentioned your approach. I assume the tribes thought twice about the river when they head the Shepelkirt's mob was swarming round there. Rumour had it the Red Thorns were breaking camp before our tribes arrived, and I briefly heard drumming with some sort of howl like a wolf or hyaena granted the speech of a man, but you probably heard that too.

Most of the time, I've been studying diagrams, having people creep up on me to train my senses for thieves and suchlike. Felt like a Lankhor Mhy some days. Some of what I learned routinely should help us stay in one piece inside the walls, but won't make much sense till we get there.

To be fully honest, I learned one other thing but under a vow of such weight to personal secrecy I cannot share it. I guarantee you it is nothing that would affect the safety of the Rangers or of the Lady Angelika or that not knowing would affect the greening.
I am thinking what to do on that. If I can find the right thing to ask Emesh-Ga, maybe I can keep the oath without keeping the secret; but I've not thought of how yet. Please don't press me on this - can't say more on pain of divine disfavour.

His smile has fallen away as this speech has progressed; and he now concludes with a tense yes. Angelika must be told of the threat. I can do it if I must, though I'd hoped this telling would be the last.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:21, Fri 25 Nov 2016.

Henal groans at the talk of chaos harpies. "Hoped we'd done with them after the fight up in the hills to clear up the nest."

He looks at Hoskar's expression and looks concerned, taking a swig of kumiss before speaking again. "Well if this fight comes to us then we will have to find our way to winning it. After all this we can't  let Chaos start to destroy the green again".

Kobal's news was bad, very bad and Ohanzee just listens to it taking in the dire knowledge. Finally he says "If she comes after her sister here then she'll want to be sure of success, especially after the bloody nose she got with our rescuing of Erish-El and near destruction of the whole nest."

"That means she'll take time builing her strength, maybe trying to gather information too. And for that she'll try to catch people who know about this place alone to extract that information in her foul ways."

"The clan should be told, the Red Thorns too as they may well end up targets just because they were here a while."

Then he turns to Hoskar "Tell me about this howling? Is there anyone who would have been up above and seen the source?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:37, Fri 25 Nov 2016.

In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 56):

Hoskar shakes his head sadly. Sorry, Ohanzee, but I can't think what more to tell you. It didn't sound like your friend the Hyaena: much more wolfish, no cackle to it, but equally feral. Yet instead of that long, low moan of an animal it was shorter, more stabbing. Had the cadence of words, but no words I for one could pick out.

As for anyone above? Only the Red Thorns I know of...unless you fancy asking the Barbeester Gor women whether any of them happened to be outside. Or you could try Erish-El: she sensed your approach so she might well have sensed whatever-it-was too if she wasn;t too caught up thinking about the worse news.

"We don't know how long it will take the sister to move," counters Kobal.  "Any survivors or spirits from the nest we attacked might be able to help.  She may perform divination with whatever foul gods she worships.  That's why I think it best to inform Angelika, in case she decides we need more guards."

Hoskar smiles weakly but gratefully at Kobal. Yes. All who need must know. All foes of the one foe endangered he assents, taking a further toke from the pipe that has again come his way.

So I'll go tell her then he adds somewhat plaintively as he brings himself slowly to his feet.

"Knowing now or later won't make any difference," he offers Hoskar a skin of kumiss, "Drink, smoke, relax."

Henal tries casting a spell to detect spirits and undead looking up at the canyon top.

.

Clayday,Fertility week, Dark Season.

Dawn...

Amara smiled as she walked to the ceremony. She'd always enjoyed seeing people join their band. It wasn't an easy group to join. The green was advancing but they were losing close friends and family at an alarming rate. Amara gave some thought, wondering if it might be easier to split the rangers into different groups, as the rangers grew there would no longer be a need to constantly pit their numbers against overwhelming odds. Today Grundar would be joining their number, at least he was prepared for the chaotic dangerous nature of what it took to be a ranger.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:14, Tue 15 Jan 2019.

The courtyard of the temple is crowded on this holy day, with herd beasts as well as humans. There's a fair crowd of locals too, standing in the street and atop nearby buildings. They'd be plenty of sacrifices made today by Pavites hoping to appease the local gods and spirits. Blood soaks the ground and music fills the air whilst folk shout out praise to the goddess.

As soon as the Wandering Rangers cross the threashold Emesh-Ga materialises drawing gasps from all present bar the small group of priestesses, shamans and priests standing just inside the entrance.

Bargains had already been made and donations given so the braves are expected.

The temple is filled with the smoke from half a dozen incense braziers, the smell of the plains and that of the earth, freshly turned...

Spirits glide about the throng...touching...grasping...whispering ancient secrets

Centre in the room a tunnel into the earth has been made and with a nod the temple hierachy heads downwards beckoning the Rangers to follow...

Temush holds onto his head with one hand and tries to ignore the spirits making sport of his hangover

Amara slipped the boots from her feet, tucking them into her belt. In any other place she'd have left them in the threshold of the temple and know they were safe, but this was Pavis and full of thieving Lunars. On a day like today it felt good to be one with the Earth. Amara walked gracefully towards the entrance, her stride like that of her Manul. She could feel the vibrancy of the Earth wanting to return. Her eyes lit up, filled with delight, almost mischievous as she moved into the tunnel.