Play by Post D&D: The New Begining

[BentonGrey]

The tall blue figure hesitated, his hand on the rough latch, his eyes wavering between the room where the injured man lay, and the door through which his answers had departed.  Finally, he closed his eyes and, as with a great effort, released his hold, turning fully to face the archer. 

"You are sure that they shall return, and that this man needs help?" he asked slowly, his face set with grim determination, "if so, I shall stay and aid you."

[Viking]

The bard gives an overly flourished bow to the innkeeper at her request.

"But of course, fair lady - I am at your service in this regard.  My apologies for the inconvenience."

He then proceeds to play a cheery tune reminiscent of "Whistle While You Work," and "A Spoonful of Sugar," as he focuses his concentration on magically mopping up the grease.

[Glitch Girl]

With apropriate theatrical flouish, the bard dispells the glistening layer of slipperiness from the floor.   It is now safe to walk around the bar.

In the back room, Nathan and Orloid do their best to make the man more comfortable.  Orloid mutters a few words to his deity and a soft warm glow spreads across the man's wounds.  You see some of them seal themselves before your eyes. 

"What did you mean you think they'll be back?" Nathan asks Whisper.  "You mean, soon?  Like tonight?"

[Panther_Gunn]

She then quickly dips out another bowl of stew and offers it to Og, "Here you go Og, a replacement," she smiles.

:D  "ooh, nice bar-lady!"  Og takes the bowl in one hand, and brings the other up, almost as if to pat her head, but then stops, possibly remembering something.  Instead, Og just grins & heads back to his table.

"Those will return and they will not be alone.  There are those here who must plan to be away.  As for myself, there is a mystery demanding an answer and I must seek it."

"I believe they seek the man who was wounded for some purpose.  He must be protected somehow until we can find out why.  I know by their insignia that they are associated with a band of organized highwaymen that had been robbing travelers.  But why they want this man?  I can't say."

Between spoonfuls of stew, Og announces: "Og see neck-thing before.  Lotsa bugsy-bares pick on little, brown nome peoples.  One wear neck-thing, too.  They try burn little peoples.  Og fix."  To punctuate his point, he hefts up a *huge* mauling hammer (think two-handed sledgehammer, for driving in circus tent stakes, with a *large* reinforced stone head, scaled to his size), gives it a shake or two, then lets the head return back to the ground with a thud.

[BentonGrey]

"I too....have had some encounters with those bearing this sigil before," the azure elf stated haltingly, "and it cost me much."

[BlueBard]

"I am called Whisper.  I am a Ranger, sworn to defend the Elven wood the mortals call Darkhollow.  I too have heard of these raiders and I believe them to be a threat."

"Yes they will return.  They will take only as long as need be to collect reinforcements.  And if that should fail, they will bring even more reinforcements and burn this tavern to the ground.  I do not know this as fact, but that is how such creatures operate."

"The man they are seeking must be removed to a safe haven.  Meanwhile, I intend to find out more about these brigands.  They will return.  It is my intent that they will not find any of those they seek when they do... but I will find them.  They will not expect to be tracked then.  To try to track them now, in such weather, when they will be wary of such an attempt is madness."

[Viking]

"Ah!  At last!  Introductions!"  the bard calls out enthusiastically.

He plays a dramatic arpeggio on his lute as a prelude, and then speaks.

"My name is Starbuck Rogers, your source of entertainment this evening," he announces, as much to the whole of the inn as to the active adventurers.

"If you find my entertainments enjoyable, then I pray that you spread word of me far and wide.  And if you find my work distasteful, well... then I hope you have a short memory."

[BlueBard]

Before I forget... I return Orloid's bow and quiver to him.

Whisper gives Starbuck a cool, indifferent glance.

"I'm sure the raiders will be glad to spread your fame amongst themselves," he remarks dryly.

He moves to the blue-skinned elf.  "May I ask what you know of these bandits?"

[Glitch Girl]

Nathan looks obviously worried by all this information.

While you're talking, the wealthy-looking elf and his bodyguard get up.  Without a word, he disdainfully leaves a few coins on the bar and starts to head out the door.

[BlueBard]

I glance out the windows... does the storm seem to be letting up?

The wealthy elf doesn't seem the type to travel in hazardous weather, unless he's worried about being a target.

I make no move to try to speak with them, as I am concentrating more on the blue-skinned elf and trying to get his story.

[Lord Elcorion]

"this cleansing flame is a bit more than just brigands. they are well organized and widespread. they will employ anyone willing to fight, including wielders of dark magics. they claim to be fighting for some greater purpose, but their methods reek of shadows and corruption." this is all spoken clearly, softly, from my spot in the cornor. i don't move or shift position at all, and my hood is still pulled up to hide my face.((i was going to go outside, but since it seems the man and the hobs are retreating for the moment, i'll stay put))

[BentonGrey]

The azure elf stirred at the question of the stranger.  "An....enemy of mine once wore that symbol, a world away."

[Uncle Yuan]

Meanwhile, back in the back room: I get the man squared away, double check that Nathan is OK, then head out into the common room.  After a quick glance around, I go to join the ranger, bard and the odd blue elf, stopping to grab a beverage and something edible from the bar as I pass.

"Greetings.  My name is Orloid, servant of Corellon Larethian.  My thanks for your assistance, intended or not, with those . . . individuals.  I fear that they will be back, and probably in greater numbers."

[BlueBard]

I turn to regard the hooded stranger and ponder the information we have been given.

I move to the corner the cloaked figure is occupying.  In low tones I ask, "And do you have a part in this?"

[Lord Elcorion]

"i am niether servant nor slave to any man or group. they approached me, yes, but we were attacked before i could give my answer. should they persist in asking, they will not care for my answer." i snap my fingers, cuaseing a spark of eldritch energy to form momentarily.

[BlueBard]

I nod knowingly as the stranger finishes her (?) reply.

"I know of a place where the injured man might find sanctuary," I say softly.  "I will not speak of it here, lest false lips bear tales for ears eager for such news.  I cannot bear him there alone and without protection.  Where I would take him, no horse could go.  I have in mind another 'beast of burden' whom I might hire to bear the load."

At this my eye falls upon the half-ogre eating messily at the bar.

"I am in need of others to help me see this man safely to his destination, and quickly so that I might soon return to wait upon some unwelcome guests.  If the weather does not break soon I will have to go whether I would or no, accompanied by others or not."

[Panther_Gunn]

"I know of a place where the injured man might find sanctuary," I say softly.  "I will not speak of it here, lest false lips bear tales for ears eager for such news.  I cannot bear him there alone and without protection.  Where I would take him, no horse could go.  I have in mind another 'beast of burden' whom I might hire to bear the load."

At this my eye falls upon the half-ogre eating messily at the bar.

"I am in need of others to help me see this man safely to his destination, and quickly so that I might soon return to wait upon some unwelcome guests.  If the weather does not break soon I will have to go whether I would or no, accompanied by others or not."

ooc:  incidentally, in the corner near the orcs, not at the bar.  a small thing, really.  ;)

How much of this do you say within Og's earshot, or directly to him (can't tell if that second half was directed or not...and don't wanna pipe up out of turn)?

[BentonGrey]

"I suppose that I shall accompany you," the azure elf replies, his keen ears picking up the soft words.

[Lord Elcorion]

OOG; the voice is decidedly feminine.

"i shall join my path to yours. the man is less my concern, as is finding out more about the Flame, and possibly extinguishing it's stinking fire."

[Glitch Girl]

oog:

How much of this do you say within Og's earshot, or directly to him (can't tell if that second half was directed or not...and don't wanna pipe up out of turn)?

The stuff said softly or in low tones, Og nor the rest of the bar heard except for those people standing near the speaker.  So no, you do not hear the "beast of burden" line.  The rest, you can hear.  The part that begins "I am in need of others to help me..." seemed to be addressed to the taven in general, and therefor hearable.

"I would like to come, If I may," a timid Nathan chimes in.  "I am still learning the arts of healing but with Pelor's Guidance, I can help where I can."

One of the halflings looks at Whisper, then at his friend who is passed out on the table, back to Whisper, and shrugs.  "Sorry."

The orcs appear to be avoiding eye contact.

Shalla walks over to your group.  "I wish I could help you out, but someone's gotta look after this place.  I can give you folks some supplies if you need for cheap."

[BlueBard]

To Nathan I reply, "You will be welcome, young priest.  It would be good to have a healer along to make sure that the injured man makes it to where we are going."

To Shalla I say, "Some light provisions would be of use.  We will also need materials to build a travois for carrying the wounded fellow."

To the azure elf and the hooded figure I reply, "My thanks to you both as well.  I too would like to see an end to the evil this band brings to this area.  In return for your assistance in this matter, I pledge to aid you in your search for answers."

I turn to Orloid.

"May I request your services this one more time, cleric?  At least to see the injured man alive to a safe place?"

[Viking]

Starbuck brightens at the call for volunteers.

"A mysterious group, wreathed in secrecy and ill omen?  A wounded man in need of protection and escort?  A chance to expose a conspiracy of villains?  And a guaranteed audience?  I was hoping someone would ask!"

[BlueBard]

Whisper sighs softly at the bard's declaration, though his constant stoic expression does not change.

"You will also be most welcome, friend Starbuck, but I must insist that we travel as silently as possible.  Unless attacked, of course."

OOG: Is the weather getting any less severe yet?

[Glitch Girl]

OOG: Nope, still pouring, and black.  The hail seems to have stopped though.

IG:

Some light provisions would be of use.  We will also need materials to build a travois for carrying the wounded fellow.

Shalla frowns a moment.  "I think I might have something.  Let me check."  She goes into her room and starts rooting around under her bed leaving the rest of you to converse.

[Viking]

Starbuck clutches a hand to his heart in mock pain.

"Wounded with withering words, Whisper.  Wherefore?"

He smirks and returns to semi-seriousness.  "Fret not, O Friend of the Forest.  My song and speech are ever meant to entertain and assist, not to cripple and annoy.  Besides, the storm makes for a poor outdoor performance in any case."

[BlueBard]

Whisper nods sagely (not quite comprehending that Starbuck is joking about performing in the rain).

"Well, then.  There is at least one more I hope to enlist in this.  Excuse me for a moment, gentlefolk."

Whisper leaves the others and approaches the half-ogre.

"My pardon... Og is it?  I wonder if you could use a gold piece for a few hours' work?  I need something hauled away from here."

[Uncle Yuan]

I turn to Orloid.

"May I request your services this one more time, cleric?  At least to see the injured man alive to a safe place?"

"Certainly.  I have already accepted this man as my charge.  I will do whatever I can to help."


OOC: Back on Sat. eve!

[Panther_Gunn]

"My pardon... Og is it?  I wonder if you could use a gold piece for a few hours' work?  I need something hauled away from here."

Og looks up at Whisper, and wipes his sleeve across his mouth, from about the elbow down, removing *most* of the remnants of uneaten stew from Og's face.

"What Og carry?  Hurt man?  How far we go?"

[Glitch Girl]

While the rest of you are talking, Shalla drags what appear to be a bundle of old short spears.  They're not well cared for: the tips are rusted nearly clean through.

"Customer left these once," she says by way of explanation, "long story.  They were in bad shape then, but I thought maybe I could fix 'em up one day."  She wiggles one of the rusty points loose.  "This looks like a better use."

Orloid goes over to her and starts helping her make a travois out of the wood and other odds and ends.

[BlueBard]

"My pardon... Og is it?  I wonder if you could use a gold piece for a few hours' work?  I need something hauled away from here."

Og looks up at Whisper, and wipes his sleeve across his mouth, from about the elbow down, removing *most* of the remnants of uneaten stew from Og's face.

"What Og carry?  Hurt man?  How far we go?"

"Yes, I need you to carry the hurt man.  We are going to make a kind of a hammock on poles, so you could just drag that behind you.  We are only going about a mile or so.  It should not take more than a few hours there and back."