Magic Kingdom For Sale* (*Some Assembly Required)


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"Phaeder, this truly is an army... and Kord shall protect the stronger should the gnolls wish to dance blades with us! Fear not, noble friend! We shall triumph!" Drakkon will say with some gusto. "It would be wise to keep the bulk of our strength close to our wagons this night, but it would be wiser to set a loose screen out in all directions. Men that are fast, that know their way through woods. Should the gnolls move in, they can raise an alarm and fall back, giving our people close-in precious time to form a better defense. Perhaps sharped eyed people sixty foot further out in all directions... not too many, just enough to watch each other's blind spots."

*Drakkon will then instruct his people to set up watches in conjuction with the others, to provide more muscle to what Drakkon feels is an already strong force. The cleric himself will take first watch, Ishkabar will take third, with their sergeant (2nd level fighter) covering the second watch with instructions to wake them both should the gnolls attempt something.*

*If anyone offers up some rangers or similar woodsman trained people to form a scouting group or extended perimeter, Drakkon will instruct his barbarians to go with, instructing them to follow the lead and instructions of the rangers/woodsmen. Until watches take over, Drakkon and Ishkabar will patrol the perimeter as well. Once night falls, the'll fall into the watch cycle stated above, staying close to camp to act as a reserve/reinforcements.*

*At Shal's comment, Drakkon will give a mischievious grin. *

"Ah... our friend in Pelor speaks as if he walked from a chainbreaking hall! Excellent! With Pelor and Kord side by side, we have nothing to fear from any gnoll!"

[ooc: Breakdown from Drakkon's people would end up being:

1st watch: 3 1st level fighters, 2 1st level barbarians
2nd watch: 4 1st level fighters, 1 1st lvl barbarian, 1 2nd lvl fighter
3rd watch: same as 1st watch]
 
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Allyra

While the others plan the defense, Allyra sits down with her book and goes through for her daily routine, which takes maybe half an hour, during which she refreshes her memory of a few spells and then casts a couple on herself and Kira, her familiar. After the necessary manipulations have been done to the arcane energies, she looks up, smiling and satisfied by her work.

Allyra also had left one spell to create a Secure Shelter during the journey. She looks for a decent place in the center of the camp to place it, and then moves in, sitting down and watching all the ongoing preparations through one of the windows of the small hut.
 

*Phaeder will send his barbarians, rangers, and rogues (along with Drakkon's barbarians and anyone else who is sending out woodsmen) to scout out and patrol the perimeter while the rest of the group starts making camp. Once it gets dark, they will pull back and set up watch as follows (this will remain the same in subsequent days, unless otherwise noted):*

1st Watch: 3 1st-level rangers, 3 1st-level barbarians, 4 1st-level fighters, 1 2nd-level fighter, 1 3rd-level cleric, 1 4th-level rogue.
2nd Watch: 4 1st-level rangers, 3 1st-level barbarians, 3 1st-level fighters, 1 2nd-level ranger, 1 3rd-level cleric, 1 4th-level rogue.
3rd Watch: 3 1st-level rangers, 4 1st-level barbarians, 4 1st-level fighters, 1 2nd-level barbarian, 1 3rd-level cleric, Phaeder.
 

*As the morning dawns, your people on watch report that some caught glimpses of gnolls, or heard them, and it seemed the gnolls were simply watching them and the camp, perhaps to gauge the expedition's strength. Some of the rangers say that gnolls are capable of stalking intruders for days before moving in for the kill, and that they like to separate people and get them alone. Anyone going out to gather water or food along or in tiny groups will be at risk, they caution.*
 

Allyra

“The woodsmen should only forage in well-protected groups while this danger persists,” Allyra suggests to the others. “We don't know how many of them are out there.”

In the morning, as usual, she sits down on a small desk in her little hut, reading in her spellbook and memorizing new spells for the day.

Afterwards, she gets out some parchment and starts to draw some crude sketches of a possible layout for a stronghold until the trek is ready to head out.
 
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"Good idea," *agrees Phaeder and spreads the word among the camp that scouts and woodsmen should not separate from the main group in groups of less than six and to try to keep sight of each other at all times.*

*Once dawn is breaking and third watch is nearing its end, Phaeder will do a few warm-up vocals and then sing up the sun, as is his wont when he's awake in the mornings. His clear, strong tenor fills the morning air, pure and uncomplicated notes taking flight like a prayer, welcoming the new day. Around him, his followers start stirring, and as a wake-up call, it is far more pleasant than a rough shake or a kick to the ribs.*

*While camp is being broken and breakfast prepared, he will spend some time going over his music and humming quietly to himself, improvising and experimenting with new melodies and harmonies as he readies his daily allotment of spells. He eats his food with an absent air, his mind still occupied with snatches of melody and lyrics as he hastily scribbles down his some notes in his music books befire putting them away and checking to see how the preparations are going.*
 

"Wise thoughts from a wise person," Drakkon will say at Allyra's suggestion.

*Drakkon will volunteer that one or two of his, 'more rough and tumble followers' (ie. barbarians) can accompany any of the larger groups of rangers to provide some 'heavy muscle' should it be necessary.*

*In the morning, before people set out, people will witness what has become an usual occurence each morning, as Drakkon and Ishkabar strip to their waists and perform their daily meditation to Kord... a wrestling match. Usually Drakkon wins, but only after a grueling contest. This day, while the matches last their usual hour length, Ishkabar easily pins Drakkon twice. Its been a while, but the cleric will endure a few snickers from his men this day.*
 

*Phaeder wanders over to watch the tail end of the match wrestling after meeting with the caravan masters.*

"Now that looks like a bit of fun," comments Anshul in his head, rather wistfully. "It's been ages since I've wrestled. Sure you don't want to challenge either of them to friendly tussle one of these days?"

*Phaeder shoots Anshul an incredulous mental look.* "You have got to be kidding me," *he murmurs to the ghost. He looks back at the two men grappling on the ground, sweat shining off their bodies.* "...I doubt I'd present much of a challenge."

"Oh, come now, whelp," chides Anshul. "You're no strapping lad, that's for sure, but I wager you're nowhere as bad as you think. You're certainly in better shape now than when we first met." Here, his voice turns a bit sly, "But if you're shy, I could always volunteer you...."

"No!" *yelps Phaeder, perhaps a little too loudly, causing the people around him to look at him curiously. Modulating his voice down, he repeats in a much lower tone, not much amused.* "No, Anshul. I'd rather you not."

"Suit yourself," sighs the ghost and he goes back to watching the match, his nostalgia bleeding into Phaeder's awareness.

*Phaeder mutters something incomprehensible under his breath about meddlesome spirits and their obvious ploys at manipulation.*
 

"It appears brains beat brawn today," Ishkabar will lightly tease his superior.

*When Phaeder yells 'No' at thin air, Drakkon will look at him funny.*

"Phaeder, are you alright? It is not normal to yet at the air. If something is troubling your mind, Kord teaches us to release our fears, our angers through strength. Perhaps you need a spar? One of my comrades could prove more than willing! Or I could challenge you to some laps around the camp! Running will clear your mind of whatever is ailing you!"
 

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