"Indeed, the 'x' would mark a goal," agreed Aila, "as long as you know where the map starts from.  West, in hills, is perhaps a bit vague, but it gives us a direction to start in, and hope to find other signs to help us pinpoint what area the map actually covers."

Petar traces a skinny, lithe finger from the circled 'house' to where there appears to be a crossroads.  "This must be Emberdell here at the start, and this is the bridge on the west road."

The finger travels up the river and jabs the 'x'.  "We use the river to get our bearings, and keep that tower on our left as we head north, past a marsh area and into those hills," the elf adds.  Petar looks thoughtful.  "It may be a few days' journey, we will need bedding and enough food and so on."

The thought of travel was not a distressing one for Petar, but he was certainly used to sleeping in a bed as opposed to under the stars.  The elf was not fond of rivers and swamps either ... anything that posed a danger to his armour in the form of rust, or his person in the form of death by drowning!

"We better stock up on a few things. Get paid for the heads and ready ourselves."

With Camille and the brothers in tow, the party found that they had all they needed to engage in another day of exploration. Camille promted everyone to refil with blessed water for the day, as the enchantement was bound to wear out given time.

"We better stock up on a few things. Get paid for the heads and ready ourselves."


OOC: Where to, fellas? You have the whole day wide open. What extra provisions do you feel you will need?

This post is short because the story just needed a sign to move ahead.

Things I still need to do:
1. Update the marching order roster.
2. Update the experience for the gold earned.

Oswyn looks at the map. "Looks like we need to head towards the river, and when we get to the bridge, orient ourselves to follow the map. Shouldn't be difficult."

The dwarf checks his supplies. He's got a full quiver, a week's worth of food packed for travel, and a few tools, in addition to his weaponry. He stands ready to head out.

"I have extra rations, does anyone need to buy some?"

"I should like to purchase a bedroll for myself," said Aila.  "Does anyone else wish to do so, since this time we aren't planning to get back by nightfall?"

Lland wasn't necessarily he best planner, he had always been the sort of 'charge in swinging figure details out later' sort of fellow. That being the case, he currently didn't have any supplies but the armor on his back, his shield and weapon. He'd been winging it across the land, sleeping where he could,eating when the opportunity presented itself, but he supposed there was no harm in actual preparation. He'd go to the shops and get some supplies, personal growth.

"i git tae git a wee bit o' everything, a've bin gawin` wi' juist mah armor shield 'n' migty steel"

Petar offers to loan people coins they might need; otherwise he keeps quiet and examines the map intently, as if trying to memorise every line and squiggle ... which of course he is!

Mysh has a week’s iron rations and a full wineskin.  He neither requires nor desires anything else.

In reply to Mysh (msg # 21):

"You'll want Chiress' water, it heals!"

Mysh grunts, indicating he’d like to know more.

Camille smiles. This question is one she would like to answer.

"Chiress' blessings are good for us. The water is a light healing, it helps stop bleeding, mends small hurts, and is good for cooking." She chuckles to herself after that remark. "And in a pinch, it can keep undead away from your door."

Taking a few steps towards the direction of her temple, she turns and looks at the assembled group.

"So, everyone ready with their skins and flasks? Let's get some blessed water to take with us."

She strides purposefully down the southern main avenue toward the temple of Chiress in Emberdell.

Sowen and Olagh look at each, shrug their shoulders with a "what have we got to lose" smirk, and start on their way following the young priestess.

OOC: Sorry folks, my posting rate is tanking. Things have been... oh, how shall I put it... "uncomfortable" lately. I actually feel like I still need some extra time to recover from the last weekend, which fried me quite hard. Funny thing, tomorrow I get to wake up at 4:30 am again. Actually, now that the clocks fall backwards an hour I suppose I get that extra hour and it is actually 5:30 am? Small blessings. =)

Anywho, I am still here. Just a bit tired and that is affecting my motivation to get stuff done. You should see my apartment. It's a mess. But at least I am doing my laundry. =)

On that note, Pierre, are you still here? I haven't see a post from you in a long time. A couple of weeks or so. Still with us?

Looks to be a goner.

Mysh eagerly collects all the blessed water he can carry, then grunts his appreciation.

OOC: Hang in there!

She strides purposefully down the southern main avenue toward the temple of Chiress in Emberdell.

"I think it's blessed for at least a day," Petar adds.  He definitely was a believer in the divine, but not quite a student of all the myriad details.

Once things were in order and it was time to move away from Emberdell the elf refrains from chit chats and keeps a watchful eye on the wild spaces ahead, to the sides, and behind.

Lland stocked up with the basic gear he thought he would need and made his way back to the group. It had been some time since he had traveled in a group. While it was easily more effective to have numbers in adventuring, he preferred solo work.

Lland had split from his settlement with several fellow dwarves and friends and they had went to pursue individual fortune in the exciting world of hunting bounties. There had been an incident involving a betrayal and a botched assignment which lead to Lland's party of childhood friends losing their lives. This had not only hardened his skin but until now had him keeping others at arm's length. But nobody can dwell forever, and Lland wouldn't be his own worst enemy, there were too many real enemies to worry about.

"i'm a' stocked up fae mah bits tae th' tip o' mah heid. Now let's slay some god damned beasts 'n' mak' ourselves a wee bit richer."

Ooc- I still gotta actually purchase stuff but that won't be too difficult so I'll be ready to kick some butt whenever

As everyone fills their skins with blessed water, Camille cautions everyone to remember the effect only lasts for three days from the time the water leaves the fountain.

"That should be enough time to travel to the hills and back."

With all preparations complete and your new equipment in tow, you depart town and head generally westwards according to the map. You notice that the young human, Pierre, is not present with you today. He seemed very interested last night, but never showed up the next morning.

Travel along the road is easy, the path clearly marked and a set of wagon wheel ruts deeply etching the passage of countless wagons over the years onto the road. You pass farmers carrying produce to town, as well as a pair of young kids leading a large flock of geese east, accompanied with a pair of flock hounds. There is so much honking you can't hear yourself talk for a few moments. But the birds quickly tire of their bluster and easily pass you by.

A two-man patrol of town guards greets you, and Camille stops for a moment to talk with them. She mentions wives and children, and the health of the family dogs. She also gives advice to one of them on how to keep a deep cut clean, and to be more careful with the farm shed tools. A small application of the blessed fountain water, from her skin, not the flasks she carries, close the wound almost instantly, and the guards depart with smiles and gratitude, promising to keep an eye on her whenever she calls on them. She waves them goodbye with a blessing.

The sun rises casually over the mountains, and the fog quickly dissipates as the air warms and the light brightens the fields. A deep layer of dew glitters in the new day's light, covering the land in dazzling reflections. It is almost too much for your eyes, brilliant beams of sunlight everywhere, but it only lasts for a short while as the dew fades away with the morning heat.

After about an hour's walk, perhaps a mile of total distance travelled, you spot the bridge over the river in the distance. To the north and south you can spot the outlying farms and fields.

Once past the bridge, according to the map, you have a choice: you could continue following the river and diverge from it at the closest spot to the X marking, or you could simply head cross-country towards the hills.

OOC: So, what will it be, gents? Follow the river? Or cut across the the land?

She waves them goodbye with a blessing.

Hovering nearby, Petar listens closely in case the two-man patrol mentioned anything odd, like drake swarms or missing livestock.  The elf asks their opinion on the weather for the next few days.  Like most city folk, the elements were a mystery to him and he always guessed wrong.


After about an hour's walk, perhaps a mile of total distance travelled, you spot the bridge over the river in the distance. To the north and south you can spot the outlying farms and fields.

After closing his eyes and concentrating for a moment Petar imagines their progress on the map.  He had the real item carefully tucked away for now and instead gets his mental bearings.

"I think our best move is to follow the river, a little more at least.  I'm not saying we'll be lost without it, but I think it will help us mark our time," Petar suggests.

"We can always catch a fish or two later for supper too when we get ready for camp."

Aila had taken time to purchase the bedroll before setting out, and had been walking along easily enough, listening intently to the words of the patrol.

"I agree," she said to Petar.  "The river should be a more sure guide to where we are headed."  She tried to remember what landmarks might have been present to guide the way overland, and being unable to do so, added, "It gives less chance that we might end up off our course."

Lland thrived in a journey environment personally, he was his happiest on the road towards uncertainty and admittedly danger. Maybe it was some sort of odd personality quirk to where danger excited him but if he didn't risk his life in battle at least once he considered a trip a waste of time. Perhaps a psychological reaction to trauma but it had made him the way he was and honestly alot more fun .

His morning Star was freshly polished and longing for a good kill, Lland would never polish it if he didn't have to but a thick coating of dried blood and grime apparently didn't hit people with the same sense of pride as him and they got scared or some nonsense.

Lland watched the elf on the trail, he was very observant, you could tell from his eyes he was always watching and listening. More power to him, Lland figured he was a well enough individual to have watching his back. He of course wouldn't be able to gauge the team dynamic until actual trouble struck but he had pretty good instincts usually and this crew seemed alright.

Lland listened to the discussion about direction.

"doesn't maiter tae me, let us follow th' water tae glory 'n' mibee a glorious death if th' fates decide as much."

Lland watched the elf on the trail

Petar gave Lland a nod and a smile during these times; Petar lacked real-world experience out and about but he was learning fast and of course had a wealth of book-learning to draw upon.

As for dwarfs, the elf was sure that the traditional storylore emnity between his kind and theirs was grossly over-stated.  Still, Petar was sure to be polite and engaging whenever possible.

"A glorious death sounds grand, but would it not be only thus if there are bards there to witness it?" Petar says with a chuckle.  "Let's strive to live a little longer, shall we ..."

"I'm sure my death will be the least glorious ever, but it's only a matter of time anyway. Let's go, follow the river. Are there any clues on the map as to when we should turn away from the river?" Despite the pessimistic tone of Oswyn's words, he sounds cheerful and resigned to his fate at the same time.

The dwarf hefts his pack after the party's short rest at the river crossing and is ready to set out.

Mysh recommends heading to the X, but it seems he is outvoted.  Still, he’s tempted to demand a recount.

"Weel then that given a'm certain we mist mak' an agreement as heros 'n' legends o' fortuin, an adventurer's pact o' th' hi'est sanctity..."

Lland said all of this with a serious face, and the moment of silence only made the moment seem more serious. For as is true with most life or death scenarios it was usually preferable to trust those around you with the boisterous but also the calm and the dependable. Lland grabbed the Elf by his lapel solidly but not in an agressive way looking him straight in the eye. Sometimes even warrior free spirits had a serious moments...

" whichever win o' us lives haes tae pick up th' lute 'n' learn tae sing pretty."

..And sometimes they did not. His face cracked a wide grin as he gave the elf a hardy pat on the back and released his grip on Petar.

" bit dinnae git me wrong petar, a'm th' ainlie one that kin murdurr me. Mony hae tried, owh thata' lich kings , bit ah haven't run intae one o' they in ages."  Lland said winking as he continued to prepare his gear for travel once more.