Play by Post D&D: The New Begining

[Glitch Girl]

You all hear quiet cursing coming from the bed.  Danile has got Ambrose's thin pillow wrapped around his head, trying to block out the noise.

Nathan, oddly enough, is still sound asleep. You'd almost think he was dead except you can see him breathing. 

[Panther_Gunn]

Taking my life firmly in both hands I get up, cross over to Og and poke him gently (hard enough to break a window) and say softly (taking over a full bar crowd voice), "Hey Og, roll over.  C'mon, over."

SNZZXZXZZZZZXXX ......... HHHXXXHHHHXHXXZZXZZZ ........ SNXXXZZSGXXKKK!

The large, recumbent form stirs, reluctantly, as his arms flail out, weakly (for an ogre), towards the source of the disturbance.  Og rolls over onto his side, facing Orloid, muttering something most likely in ogrish, and curls up in a fetal position, intent on staying asleep.

[Uncle Yuan]

Resuming breathing, Orloid heads back to his bedroll and lies down.  It'll be a few minutes before the post-adrenaline jitters wear off, so he'll just rest quietly until he can fall back asleep.

[Glitch Girl]

You hear a sort of sigh of relief come from the bed as silence returns to the cabin.  You are still minus one elven ranger and his bird companion though.  Otherwise all is quiet.

Nathan continues to doze peacefully. 

[Viking]

Starbuck makes a mental note to check with Nathan as to his secret the following morning, and drifts off to sleep.

[Glitch Girl]

Outside the cabin:

As I mentioned in PM, Whisper spots Dakkon outside under a large oak.  He appears to be more or less awake as well.  Whisper asks him is Og's snoring woke him.

The snoring suddenly stops.  It's seems oddly quiet.  There's no sign of Ambrose, but then again he's probably still out wandering.

[BentonGrey]

Dakkon nods to Whisper, but seems as pleased as a baron in a palace in his damp rug of moss.  He drifts easily off to sleep, though he faces troubled dreams.

[BlueBard]

Oh well.  Whisper is up and not likely to find a decent place to bed down, might as well take watch.  Whisper climbs a handy tree and settles in to await morning light.

[Glitch Girl]

Whisper
[spoiler]You settle in.  It's overcast, but the air has that nice post-rain feeling to it so it's not too unplesant.

As you're watching, you see a large grey wolf trot post. It looks up at you, give a brief nod, almost in greeting, and continues on it's way.[/spoiler]

[BlueBard]

I am comfortably assured that Ambrose has things well in hand.  I use my rope to secure myself to the trunk of the tree just above a thick branch and perch there, leaning against the trunk, dozing lightly from time to time.  I stay there until dawn or until something wakes me.

BTW... The knot I use is a quick-release knot.  One jerk and I will be free.  It's just enough to keep me from falling out of the tree if I should start to doze off too soundly.

[Glitch Girl]

Unless anyone is doing anything special, the rest of the night passes uneventfully.

Whisper, you and Dakkon are awakened by the first rays of sunlight coming through the trees.  The sky is clear and the day looks much more promising than it did the night before.

The rest of you, there's a loud short rapping on the door, followed by Ambrose's voice saying "Morning's here, wake up!"

(You may prepare and plan for your upcoming journey amongst yourselves.  I'm going to be more or less pausing it here until after I get back from the convention, but you have about one more day to ask me stuff so make the most of it.  :) )

[BlueBard]

Whisper climbs down out of the tree.

"Come join me, Dakkon," Whisper beckons.  "We should discuss what we need for our journey with the others."  And with that, Whisper re-enters the cabin.  He leaves Swift outside to hunt for its' breakfast.

[Uncle Yuan]

Inside Orloid is already up and his bedroll packed away.  As the other two come in they'll note that the fire has been stoked and a kettle placed to boil.  Orloid sits in prayer as he waits for it.

[Lord Elcorion]

annia rouses from her sleep, though she mearly sits up and observes the rest of the group. she spoken her mind on the matter, and waits to see what plans the party intends to come up with and how they intend to follow through.

[BlueBard]

"Good morn," Whisper greets those inside the cabin.  "I suggest we discuss our provisioning for the journey ahead of us.  We will need food and supplies, and likely some beast of burden to help carry them.  Aside from food, what should we bring?  And, just as important, how will we pay for what we need?  All I have is at your service, but I fear it isn't much.  I have little need for money in my traditional duties.  I usually live off the land.  I will try to hunt for us as we travel, but may not be able to provide well for a group of this size.  At any rate we'll travel faster if we don't need to spend much time looking for food along the way."

"For myself I will need as many arrows as I can carry.  Good arrows take time to make, time I won't have on a quest."

[Lord Elcorion]

my needs are few, and i carry most of what i need with me. food and water are my only concerns.. perhaps returning to the inn we came from would do to fulfill our basic needs.. weapons and the like might be more difficult.. i will go, since if our adversary from last night has returned, he will be looking for those that stood out the most, not an anonymous traveler who keeps to themselves. you four --looking to the sea elf, the ranger, the ogre, and the bard-- should probably remain here, along with our erstwhile thief, as the Flame will be looking for you in particular.. one or both of the clerics could come with me, as they were not noticed so much.  ((sorry, i'm bushed and i can't quite remember who all is who at the moment.))

[Uncle Yuan]

Except I'm afraid that Nathan and I were noticed.  One could hope that we would appear to be doing nothing more than removing an injured man from an impending bar fight, but I would not care to wager on it.

So far we've determined that we all have what we need to travel but for food and arrows.  What else might we need?  Rope, I should think . . .

Orloid reached back into his pack and pulls out another scrap of paper and a charcoal pencil and begins making a list.

[BlueBard]

"As to my noticeability," Whisper says, "that is easily remedied.  They will be looking for an elf in patchwork clothing.  All I need do is change my outfit and they will be looking for the wrong elf."  Whisper's lips briefly twitch into a small grin.

"Still, I far prefer the wilderness to human cities.  I will stay and guard our young thief from those who seek to do him ill.  I am not sure that remaining here is wise, though.  Our host is able to care for himself, but if the soldiers should choose to return in force it would be better to make our camp elsewhere."

[Glitch Girl]

"Much appreciated," nods Ambrose.  "Wish I could help you with supplies, but..." he shrugs and gestures around the meager belongings in his cabin.  "Oakenhold is the closest place that might have what you need, though that won't be so good for your new friend here... You might try Stuarton.  It's about 8, maybe 10 leagues from here, but it's in the direction you're headed.  You might make it by nightfall if you start early."

Nathan pauses from gathering his things to look at Orloid's list. He seems wide awake and well rested, unlike most of you, especially Daniel. He looks dead on his feet.

[Viking]

Starbuck lets out a soft yawn as he ponders the situation.

"I imagine that we'll each need at least a week's worth of provisions - plus another week if we want to plan for emergencies.  Plus a mount for each of us.  Our friendly rogue will likely need the more complete outfitting - he seems to have naught in the way of armor, weaponry, or tools to... ply his trade."

[BentonGrey]

Dakkon wandered into the cabin to find the planning of their journey just beginning, and being much less familiar with the surface world than the others, he was content to let them handle the bulk of the planning.

[BlueBard]

"I had not thought of Stuarton," Whisper admits.  "The trouble is, Daniel at least will still need some sort of mount.  A forced march will do him no good.  Where besides Oakenhold can we obtain a horse, or a mule?"

Whisper eyes the half-ogre.  "Unless...  Og?  Care to earn another gold piece?  Could you carry Daniel to Stuarton, either on the travois or on your shoulders?"

[Viking]

"Stuarton... not exactly a model of upstanding citizenry," muses Starbuck.  "Not that I've ever been there, but word gets around.  Black market goods, hush-hush slave trade, that sort of thing.  Still, it's probably the best place for Daniel to obtain equipment without anyone raising questions."

"Nevertheless, it shouldn't be that hard to obtain an extra mount for Daniel from Oakenhold.  One or more of us could wait outside the town with Daniel while the others procure supplies.  If there are any questions about purchasing more mounts than people, it's as simple as explaining that we want additional mounts so that we can change horses if they get tired."

[Glitch Girl]

Whisper eyes the half-ogre.  "Unless...  Og?  Care to earn another gold piece?  Could you carry Daniel to Stuarton, either on the travois or on your shoulders?"

"Wait, what?!" yelps Daniel.  He stands up quickly, wincing slightly as his hand involuntarily clutches at his bruised side. "No I'm fine, really!  I'm (ow) good!"

"Stuarton... not exactly a model of upstanding citizenry.  Not that I've ever been there, but word gets around.  Black market goods, hush-hush slave trade, that sort of thing.  Still, it's probably the best place for Daniel to obtain equipment without anyone raising questions."

"Nevertheless, it shouldn't be that hard to obtain an extra mount for Daniel from Oakenhold.  One or more of us could wait outside the town with Daniel while the others procure supplies.  If there are any questions about purchasing more mounts than people, it's as simple as explaining that we want additional mounts so that we can change horses if they get tired."

"I've got no problem with waiting," says Daniel quickly.  "Whatever you guys want to do."

[BlueBard]

(GM: What's the going rate for horses/mules?)

[Glitch Girl]

OOG: Depends on what you want.
Your standard donkey will be between 5 & 10 GP depending on quality and seller.  A pony will run 25-40gp, while a light horse will run about 70-90gp.  If you want a saddle, that's extra, as are packs, barding, etc.

[BlueBard]

"Very well, it appears we have the beginnings of a quest and a plan," Whisper nods approvingly.  "I have not the gold to purchase any mount but a donkey with little or nothing left over.  Donkeys are not known for their speed, so I think we should plan on spending at least one night camped out along the way."

[Lord Elcorion]

i still believe that i am a better choice to go into a town held by our adversaries. i have a.. way with words that can allow me to stay out of trouble more easily, and perhaps get some of our nessecities at a lower price.

[Uncle Yuan]

GM:[spoiler]How much gold do I have?[/spoiler]

"Perhaps we should let Starbuck and [LE's character - what's her name again?] handle the purchasing in Oakenhold?  It would be simpler and likely cheaper than Stuarton.  Perhaps I could go along as an extra set of eyes and arms.  The rest could meet us on the far side of Oakenhold.

"We also need to determine who will go.  So far I, Whisper, Dakkon, Starbuck, [LE] and Daniel have clearly 'signed up.'  Who else?  Og?  Nathan?"

[Panther_Gunn]

[Turning back the clock just a bit, for everyone's amusement  ^_^]

"Good morn," Whisper greets those inside the cabin.  "I suggest we discuss our provisioning for the journey ahead of us.  We will need food and supplies, and likely some beast of burden to help carry them.

Og, still curled up on the floor, shifts a bit as Whisper comes in.  As he talks, one might notice a sour look come upon Og's features.  Without opening his eyes, Og mutters "little peoples noisy.  Og try sleep."

Aside from food, what should we bring?  And, just as important, how will we pay for what we need?  All I have is at your service, but I fear it isn't much.  I have little need for money in my traditional duties.  I usually live off the land.  I will try to hunt for us as we travel, but may not be able to provide well for a group of this size.  At any rate we'll travel faster if we don't need to spend much time looking for food along the way."

Og stirs a little more at the "f" word, and finally sits up about halfway through Whisper's discussion on the topic.  He begins sniffing around, a look of preoccupation clearly on his face.  He sniffs at the fire, and at the kettle placed over it.  Obviously disappointed, he moves on, opening various jars, sacks, and other containers.

"I imagine that we'll each need at least a week's worth of provisions - plus another week if we want to plan for emergencies.

"Og need lots food.  Food good.", the large figure mutters as he continues his search through the cabin.  Not finding anything to his liking, he eventually gives up, and heads back to the center of the room, and his pack.  Looking inside, he lets out a heavy sigh, and searches the cabin for something resembling a cooking pot.  Placing it over the fire, he pours the water from the kettle into it (which was obviously set there for him), and starts dropping things into the pot from the lower portions of his pack:  an apple core, slightly dried, and more than a bit brown; a couple of not-completely gnawed-on bones; a half-handful of varied nuts, shell & all (he cracks them in his hand before dropping them in); an apricot pit; a dead, dried rat; a very sad, abused little onion; a candle stub (he sniffs at it first, shrugs his shoulders, and throws it in anyway); a piece of dried meat that looks worse than Og's boot leather; a potato that has more eyes than a clan of beholders; some dried peas (or possibly small chunks of peridot); and a handful of various grains, scraped from the very bottom of the pack.  Og looks around a bit, scratches his head, and then shrugs his shoulders.  Wincing, he sticks his finger into the mix & stirs it up.

Whisper eyes the half-ogre.  "Unless...  Og?  Care to earn another gold piece?  Could you carry Daniel to Stuarton, either on the travois or on your shoulders?"

"Wait, what?!" yelps Daniel.  He stands up quickly, wincing slightly as his hand involuntarily clutches at his bruised side. "No I'm fine, really!  I'm (ow) good!"

"huh?" :huh: He scratches his head.  "Og maybe carry hurt man, but maybe not feel good.  Sometimes Og forget if him carrying some-one, and accidentally throw hammer stick onto shoulder to carry easy-er.  Last person Og carry not like so much."  Og then turns his attention back to his food.

"Stuarton... not exactly a model of upstanding citizenry.  Not that I've ever been there, but word gets around.  Black market goods, hush-hush slave trade, that sort of thing.

At the second mention of the town, Og says over his shoulder "Not good place.  Bad peoples there.  Og maybe have squish peoples if go there."

"Very well, it appears we have the beginnings of a quest and a plan," Whisper nods approvingly.  "I have not the gold to purchase any mount but a donkey with little or nothing left over.  Donkeys are not known for their speed, so I think we should plan on spending at least one night camped out along the way."

Finally realizing what all the talk over horses & mules is about, Og interjects.  "Og not find horsie him can sit on.  Most peoples not want him sit on horses they have.  Maybe find Og big not-horse."  At he speaks of the 'not-horse', his eyes roll skyward a bit, clearly trying to imagine it.

""We also need to determine who will go.  So far I, Whisper, Dakkon, Starbuck, Annia and Daniel have clearly 'signed up.'  Who else?  Og?  Nathan?"

"Og need keep hurt man safe for little while.  Hurt man go, Og go."

Og then turns his attention back to the pot, giving it a sniff or two, hoping it's ready (a deaf man 50 feet from the cabin could hear his stomach's opinion on being empty).