(Casual D&D II) The Fellowship of the White Dove

[Sparky]

The old man's sleep, if it can be called such, is restless, fevered. Inarticulate cries and mumbles escape him in the closeness of the room. Inside the warbling basket is an owl chick covered in thick grey down with orange-gold eyes. Hungry orange-gold eyes.

The carved staff, dropped when the old man collapsed, is remarkable. It leans near the door with other walking staves that seem mere sticks next to it's well-polished, gleaming depth. Heavy carving spirals down its length stopping abruptly within a foot or so of the bottom. The small, expertly incised patterns appear to be script of some kind, though they are rendered in such way as to make them a pattern, puzzle and decoration all at once. A few recognizable words and symbols stand out here an there. 'Exantrius' is one of them, and a shining stylized sun. Both picked out rather prominently near the top of the staff.

The old man stirs and cries out when anyone approaches the staff. Or perhaps it is the opening and closing of the door that disturbs his troubled rest.

 

[dpdx]

It is only when the old man cries out that Fendric even notices there's a new, different person in the common room, at first thinking that one of Kentaro's men fell asleep before he could return home. Not wishing to disturb his rest, Fendric walks quietly outside.

Noticing a chill, Fendric digs the cold-weather gear out of his pack and puts it on over the cleric's vestment, reaching within through force of habit to pull the silver sun medallion out, and to make sure his flail and shield are still easily accessible. In the light of day, the scenery looks beautiful around the station, and the Sun feels good on his face, as always.

Fendric then takes the time to rearrange his pack for optimal half-elven portage, having neglected to do it for the boat trip, and having paid for it in aches from the walk to the station.

. o 0 O (With Pelor as my Holy Guide, could I?)

Fendric takes a few cautious steps in the direction of the mountain pass, more to get a look at the road ahead (on a conscious level) than anything else (which belies, on a sub-conscious level, which way he wants to go). Or so he thinks.

Finally, he finds a rock, and sits down, waiting for his comrades to find their way outside.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

It is only when the old man cries out that Fendric even notices there's a new, different person in the common room

(Sparky's character is in Yattro's room, not the common room. Just to clarify again )

Kentaro leaves with his men fairly soon after his arrival, as promised. Yandall's interest in Nurthk seems passing at best.

Yattro returns with Sethan -- a stout man, maybe five-foot-seven, with close-cropped black hair and a square jaw -- and is off to bed while his apprentice is still making introductions. The young cleric's handshake is strong as a gamesman's, and his grin is broad enough to squelch his eyes.

"How are all of you this morning? I hear you had some interesting business last night... Tell me more about it."

Looking down the road, you can see shadows in the mist, peaks and rises not so far in the distance... As far as is visible, though, there is only road, somewhat rocky but certainly less precarious than the numerous hilly areas you've come over and around since the start of your journey.

...

Meanwhile, in Yattro's room, the old priest checks on his new visitor.

"Are you well rested? ...you said something last night about Hedrogura. There's another visitor here who's from there, I believe, a priest of Pelor. I think he may be leaving soon, so you may want to catch him quickly before he does."

 

[DrZombie]

Fendric then takes the time to rearrange his pack for optimal half-elven portage, having neglected to do it for the boat trip, and having paid for it in aches from the walk to the station.

Finally, he finds a rock, and sits down, waiting for his comrades to find their way outside.

"You need a hand with your backpack? They can give you nasty blisters if they chafe you the wrong way,especially when it's a little damp, as I learned the hard way a few years ago." Raven is outside, getting his things ready, rearranging some packs on what appears to be a nasty-tempered mountain pony.

"Have you decided yet wich way you guys wanna go?"

 

[Uriel]

Niccolo cherrily readies his gear and his Steed for the next leg of the journey.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Once the Ravast and his group are gone, Nurthk goes out for a quiet walk. He spends a few minutes exploring the area before he is taken by surprise by something. Before he knows it, Nurthk is bowled over by a large canine shape. There is a moment of frantic grappling before Nurthk realises it's not a wolf, but in fact a large husky, one he knew.

"Griscle?" he says, puzzled at the dogs' presence, "I left you back at home. What are you doing here?"

Obviously the dog doesn't provide a satisfactory answer, but Nurthk is glad for the animal's presence anyway. He returns to Yattro's residence, accompanied by Griscle, and proceeds to pack his things. After farewelling Yattro and Sethan, he and his newly found old friend head out to keep Fendric company.

[ooc: This is the best I could do for getting the animal companion into the story, oh well. ]

 

[Guilt Puppy]

[ooc: This is the best I could do for getting the animal companion into the story, oh well. ]

(This reminds me of two things: First, if anyone's now capable of casting spells as a ranger, you have a sense of what the ravast was talking about with that "gut feeling" -- perhaps his words lent you some new insight, but there's something just not right, especially with Fendric and Niccolo. Hard to put a finger on it any more than that, but it's definitely an unsettling feeling.

Second, I'm assuming Niccolo has Alexander along with him, so you're not completely without riding animals -- this at least helps you move faster than gnome pace; that is, if Orbril has his own mount, or someone can carry him )

Shavah and Hiritus go about packing their things... It doesn't take long, as there wasn't much to unpack in the first place. Once they're done, Shavah walks over to find Fendric and Nurthk.

"How are you for food? If Raven will be escorting us, I imagine we'll be okay off the land... But Yattro has some rations stored away, already bundled. I traded for a week's myself... You can probably do the same.

(Note, that's PHB price, or you can trade goods at value...)

 

[dpdx]

[Let's just say the door to Yattro's room briefly cracked open, then.]

"You need a hand with your backpack? They can give you nasty blisters if they chafe you the wrong way,especially when it's a little damp, as I learned the hard way a few years ago."

"Thank you, yes. I don't have that many possessions, but I've found that the way they lie in my backpack can adversely affect my outlook if not seen to properly. So I'd appreciate it."

"Have you decided yet which way you guys wanna go?"

"That's as much up to my companions as it is to me, Raven, but I'm keen to deliver our letter to Eivanrach, and for that, if we do this, I suspect we'll need your guidance over the pass. We'll see what the others say, though."

"Griscle?" he says, puzzled at the dogs' presence, "I left you back at home. What are you doing here?"

Fendric stares, equally puzzled but nonetheless happy to see Nurthk's animal companion. "Apparently, that animal has quite the formidable tongue, Nurthk. May Cuthbert protect you from being licked to death with it."

"How are you for food? If Raven will be escorting us, I imagine we'll be okay off the land... But Yattro has some rations stored away, already bundled. I traded for a week's myself... You can probably do the same."

"Is it settled, then, that we go to Eivanrach with Raven? Anyway, I prepared a spell to feed many of us and can continue to do so, but it's probably still a good idea to have some as backup, and I have a little incense remaining. I shall return very shortly."

Fendric marches off to trade for four days of rations forthwith (which added to his one makes five), striding back into the area a couple minutes later to place them into his pack, glancing at Raven to be sure he packed it right.

 

[DrZombie]

Fendric marches off to trade for four days of rations forthwith (which added to his one makes five), striding back into the area a couple minutes later to place them into his pack, glancing at Raven to be sure he packed it right.

One by one, Raven goes over the packs and clothes of his travelling companions, checking to see if evrything's allright. His usual quick grin has been replaced by a frown of concentration.
[OOC : take ten = 16 surv, haven't levelled yet, so dunno if i can cast yet]

"there ya go, we should be fine. I'll lead, Nurthk and the horrible tongue as rear-guard?" "If anyone can lead Jake, I'll scout ahead and see if I can get us some supper" He glances up to the sky, looking thoughtfull. "If we walk at a brisk pace, we'll just about make first camp about half an hour before dusk... Last one there is a rotten egg."

[OOC take ten surv for hunting a few rabbits and finding the right trail. (16 tot) ]

 

[Sparky]

The old man starts as Yattro speaks, he coughs and struggles to sit up putting a shaking hand to his brow. "Wha... I..." His eyes clear and widen, "Leaving... for Hedrogura? He cannot!"

Staggering out of bed and brushing off any attempts to keep him there (though accepting a blanket when Yattro puts one around his shoulders), the old man makes his way to the common room. Cold. Am I wearing a dress? Wha...? Oh. Robes.

He wobbles on his feet into the common room and turns to address Yattro, fumbling, "Uh... what is your...? I'm afraid last night I... Wayfather!" The last word is almost a sob as he drops to his knees, tired and wheezing from the activity. He bows his head, "I am a foolish old man and beg your forgiveness. Farlanghn's grace has seen me this far and I have not even thanked his Steward. I offer my thanks to Farlanghn, this Station and you for your kindnesses. Please forgive a scared, sick old man." An entire sentence without coughing or sneezing, a restful sleep seems to have indeed done the poor wretch some good.

Fendric enters the room to trade and a white-headed old man wrapped in a blanket is kneeling before Yattro. He appears to be in the middle of speaking...

Hands folded before him, head still bowed, "Wayfather, I am Sebrin Oliver Manderock, of ...Hedrogura." He hesitates. If it still stands. He lifts his head, "Would you take me to this young man? He cannot leave before he hears what I have to say."

He does not appear to have heard, or acknowledged, Fendric's entry. He lowers his eyes and waits quietly, breath rattling, for Yattro's words.



Fendric... the old man, he is familiar. Something about him. Images and words bubble up unbidden from your memory...

A young man kneels before you, cut, bleeding, banged up and quite filthy from fighting in the arena. He has not been particularly cooperative with your patient minstering to his dirty wounds. You implore him to be still and he snarls back, blood in his eye, "I could give a rat's ass about her Ladyship." He all but spits the word, "And as far as punishment... what do you think this is for me? A holiday?" He winces, grinding his teeth as you clean rather too vigorously a new and angrily red tattoo on the man's hand. A salamander biting its tail. He stays somewhat more still for the remainder of the 'bath' muttering under his breath, more anger than true venom, "Wanna clean something? Clean this, novice... Presentable. I'll present you something."

But something else... something more recent. The old man's staff, lying quietly against the wall catches your eye and the symbol of Pelor nearly jumps off of it at you. It rushes back... this is... Caval's Horde, Exantrius... sanity. Fendric, you know this man.

OOC: An INT check for Fendric, if he can't figure it out.