“You know, I think that black mound ahead may be the final resting place of Lord Rakas. We should probably pay our respects before we pass by tomorrow, as he was a great man who did much good for the people ... much as we’re trying to do,” Eltyr remarks, looking towards the hill in question and wondering why such an important site isn’t marked on their map.
After spending several moments gazing at the black mound ahead, knowing he’ll be able to do little to satiate his curiosity about it in the fading light, Eltyr starts down the goat path towards the inviting cluster of trees.
"That clump of tree looks like a good place to camp for the night. Also, the weather looks like it will be good for the next few days. At least, we should not have any more storms."
Lidia goes down the goat track and makes sure that the trees make a good camp site. If so, she starts looking for a source of water. "Why don't we have a look around and see if there is any water about." At the same time she will check with Shadow to see if there is any game around.
Anton follows the others, eager for the respite from his heavy armor, his knee beginning to ache from the day's journey. "I prayed to Pelor today to grant me the ability to purify any water we might find, and barring that I might actually be able to be blessed with the chance to actually create the water out of nothing, but I've never done that before, so I don't know how refreshing it will be."
Menhir with his ability to sense underground and a wise sense of survival is able to pull from the nest of tress and bush enough eatable vegetation to feed the entire party for the night, meat however would be far more scarce and would take hours of hunting if one so desired.... He is also able to find a good source of water running underneath the spattering of trees... it seems this may be why the small patch of growth is doing so well in an otherwise very sparse area for vegetation....
Shadow finds no game in the area that is visible to even it's keen eyes.... this area is open for the most part and what game that would be out here is open to vast lands with not much low lying protection at all... as it is this happens to be the only good spot to take cover and rest for good long ways it seems... between the recent storms and the destruction of the natural resources of the land thusfar due to the starfall... not much takes residence in this area anymore it seems...
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Out of sight far beneath the surface, Menhir circumvents the thick tangle of tree roots overhead to access the subterranean spring directly. Withdrawing the half dozen geodes encased within its body, the earth elemental systematically fills their hollow cavities with fresh water. Once done, Menhir arcs back beneath the overhanging tree roots to emerge from the ground along the bare earth of the goat trail. Gliding knee deep through the ground, the elemental rejoins its companions. Holding out a holed geode, the elemental tips the stony sphere on its side to dribble a few drops of water down onto the ground. Trusting that the organics can recognize the life sustaining fluid for what it is Menhir offers forth a holed geode to each of them in turn.
OOC: Each geode holds a pint of liquid, so 3/4 of a gallon in all. Menhir will make return trips down to the subterranean spring as required to satisfy its companions' need for water until the group departs the campsite.
Having found out from Shadow that there is not obvious game in the area, Lidia says "Shadow can't see any game. There may be some around but it will take hours to find. Even then we may not be successful. So, it looks like we will be eating Menhir's vegetables tonight. Does anyone have a cooking pot. If not, I know a techniques for cooking them in the fire's embers.
Lidia starts collecting firewood and builds up and lights a fire. Once the fire is going, she will take out the vegetables then look pointedly at the others to see if anyone produces a pot.
At this moment, Menhir appears with the water. "Thank you Menhir. Just wait a minute to see if anyone has a pot. Otherwise, we will fill the water bottles. Come on people get to it.
At this stage it is obvious that Lidia has taken over the organisation of the camp.
After a hard day scouting for his friend, Shadow flys back to camp tired and hungry. He has not even seen a field mouse never mind a tasty rat. Once back at the camp, he perches on a tree branch and gives his friend an hungry look. As there is no food around for him, she feeds him bits of the hard meat that she seems to like. Personally, Shadow prefers fresh, raw meat, however its better than going hungry. Having finished his dinner, Shadow flys to the top of a tree and roosts for the night.
"Here is the pot, seems sturdy enough, but not realy suited as a bowl. Maybe we could use someones helm." says Berrek offering Lidia empty geode and smiling at the last sentence.
Last edited by Neurotic; 20th May 2009 at 09:57 PM..
Menhir's geodes are simply hollow spheres of stone with a small opening at one end; akin to a flask or bottle. To get tubbers inside a geode would have to be split open, which would in turn reduce its capacity from a pint to a cup; about the size of a drinking glass. So I can't see one serving as a cooking pot any more than a bottle might.
Trusting that the organics can recognize the life sustaining fluid for what it is Menhir offers forth a holed geode to each of them in turn.
Eltyr takes a geode from Menhir with gracious nod when it’s offered, before saying, “Well, how about those language lessons I mentioned before Menhir? Now we’re out of the city, it seems like a perfect opportunity to learn a little more of your people, and what better way to start than with your native language ... if you’re willing to teach me that is.”
He then sniffs the contents of the geode and takes a sip to make sure the water is palatable, before adding, “Thanks for the water and the edible plants, my rocky friend, it’s good to see the earth is still so bountiful after the impact of the star fall.”
Quote:
Originally Posted by ghostcat
Having found out from Shadow that there is not obvious game in the area, Lidia says "Shadow can't see any game. There may be some around but it will take hours to find. Even then we may not be successful. So, it looks like we will be eating Menhir's vegetables tonight. Does anyone have a cooking pot. If not, I know a techniques for cooking them in the fire's embers.
“Sorry Lidia, that’s one thing I didn’t think to get when I was buying dried rations,” Eltyr offers with a shrug, “Though fire roasted sounds fine to me anyway.”
“Thanks for the water and the edible plants, my rocky friend, it’s good to see the earth is still so bountiful after the impact of the star fall.”
The earth elemental nods its blocky head to acknowledge Eltyr's statement while continuing to withdraw and distribute the tubers embedded in its torso. "The earth endures and perseveres, always."
Quote:
Originally Posted by unleashed
“Well, how about those language lessons I mentioned before Menhir? Now we’re out of the city, it seems like a perfect opportunity to learn a little more of your people, and what better way to start than with your native language ... if you’re willing to teach me that is.”
Menhir reaches its stubby fingers into its own head and pulls out the bunch of grapes it had interred there the previous day, proffering the fresh fruit to Eltyr as it considers the man's request. It has some trouble envisaging who the man meant when he referred to its "people". Finally the elemental rumbles out a hesitant response. "Terran is very different than your organic language. Some words and... concepts don't translate well. Organic largely ignores the..." The elemental issues a gravely sound that slowly lowers in pitch before ending in a resounding crack. "...the being, the state. You'd have to learn to express it correctly."
Has no pot is forthcoming, Lidia gets to work roasting the vegetables. Once they are ready, she removes them from the fire and splits them into four portions. "Dinner's ready. Sorry there are no plates or forks. I'm used to improvising in the wild. So you gentlemen are are just going to have to rough it."
Anton takes his share and hungrily paces himself as he eats the food, taking intermittent drinks of water from the wondrous geode Menhir provided. This was proving to be a very eclectic company, Anton preferring the watch and listen approach over the dive-right-in. Between bites and drinks Anton speaks to the others, "I suppose if all else we can use my helm as a cooking pot, but then while wearing it I might become distracted by the delicious smells."
As dusk and finally night settles over the rolling landscape all of you can't help but notice two small flickers of light in the foreground of blackened mound in the distance. The light seems natural enough in manner but what strikes you all odd is firelight out here where no one seems to be traveling anymore... especially this late.. as most know night travel is not always the most safe really....
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Menhir reaches its stubby fingers into its own head and pulls out the bunch of grapes it had interred there the previous day, proffering the fresh fruit to Eltyr as it considers the man's request. It has some trouble envisaging who the man meant when he referred to its "people". Finally the elemental rumbles out a hesitant response. "Terran is very different than your organic language. Some words and... concepts don't translate well. Organic largely ignores the..." The elemental issues a gravely sound that slowly lowers in pitch before ending in a resounding crack. "...the being, the state. You'd have to learn to express it correctly."
Eltyr takes the fruit with a smile, popping a few grapes into his mouth and chewing thoughtfully as he listens to Menhir’s response ... offering the grapes to the others once the elemental finishes speaking.
“Well Menhir, I have learned Auran, the language of the air, so I believe I recognise the general concepts and difficulty we organics have, both in understanding and replicating the elemental tongues. I look forward to your lessons, as even if I don’t master Terran it will be enlightening nevertheless ... an education to be sure,” Eltyr replies with a grin.
Has no pot is forthcoming, Lidia gets to work roasting the vegetables. Once they are ready, she removes them from the fire and splits them into four portions. "Dinner's ready. Sorry there are no plates or forks. I'm used to improvising in the wild. So you gentlemen are are just going to have to rough it."
“I guess I’ll just have to manage then,” Eltyr remarks with a wink, chuckling as he takes the proffered fare. Blowing on the roasted vegetables to cool them a little, he takes a big bite and says, “Thanks Lidia, much better than my last attempt ... feel free to cook anytime you like.”
Quote:
Originally Posted by ethandrew
Between bites and drinks Anton speaks to the others, "I suppose if all else we can use my helm as a cooking pot, but then while wearing it I might become distracted by the delicious smells."
Laughing at Anton’s remark about his helm being used as a cook pot, Eltyr adds, “Good one Anton, though I’d be more worried about creatures finding my head even more appetising.”
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neurotic
"Eh, there is fire overthere. Should I go check it out before we go to sleep?"
“Indeed there is Berrek,” Eltyr remarks, gazing towards the mound, “Though it’s not much, just a few flickers. Hmmm, does anyone know of any creatures or people that might live in the area, seeing as it’s probably too dark for travellers?”
“Well Menhir, I have learned Auran, the language of the air, so I believe I recognise the general concepts and difficulty we organics have, both in understanding and replicating the elemental tongues.”
Menhir emits a brief echoing rumble. "Auraun is nothing at all like Terran."
The flickering light seems to be in the foreground of the mound but not by much... You would guess that the light is right there at the mound but with the distance between it and you (about 1,000 feet) it's hard to tell.... The flickering light does not seem to be moving around at all however.... that much you can tell for sure...
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Lidia eats her meal and listens to the complements with obvious pleasure. "Thank you for the complements. I am glad you enjoyed the cooking. Its a pleasure to cook for an appreciative company."
Listening to the conversation about the fire, she comments "Give me a minute to check, it might not be a camp fire. It could be a natural phenomena, such as swamp gas, or a monster such as a will-o-wisp." Lidia looks towards the fires and concentrates for a minute or two.
OOC
Take 10 (10+6=16) on Knowledge (Nature) to determine if the lights are from a camp fire, burning swamp gas or will-o-wisp.
Berrek observes along with Lidia thinking hard who might be there now that the location is fixed in his head. He comes up with nothing from his prior knowledge, not surprising considering his troubled memory.
However, his eyes are as sharp as ever and he carefuly notes any detail discernible at such distance.
Assuming it's not natural phenomena: "It's not that far, I can reach it in 10 minutes tops even at night. Menhir, could you please run around our camp submerged as much as possible, we may have been noticed too since we had fire built. Maybe they are scouting US out.
While you do that I'll prepare for the excursion and I'd appreciate if you could follow me from some distance. You others, be prepared. Would any of you casters be willing to part from a spell you think could be useful on this venture?"
Berrek studiously covers or removes any items that might shine in the night or are too bright for night scouting. He takes some soot and smears it accross his face and eyes to hide whitness of the skin.
He then tucks various items in his belt for easy reach, alchemist fire for party alert, smokestick for quick escape against enemies who see in the dark, tanglefoot bag and caltrops (tightly pressed so they don't jingle) for hampering the followers. Finally, he cocks the crossbow and straps it accross his back. Then he stretches to checking his freedom of movement and, if nobody objects, dissapears in the dark.
OOC: feel free to adjust these rolls for circumstance and preparation
I assume Menhir is just as noisy as normal human barbarian would be because he moves the earth or things on it while moving?
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