Six From Gate Pass - A War of the Burning Sky Campaign (3.5)

[Gregor]

Torrent smiles: "Indeed Arnir, I would be pleased to!"

She presses her palm to the man's forehead and closes her eyes. Clutching her holy symbol tightly in one hand, she prays softly: "Istishia, lord of the unyielding depths and master of waters, forgive me in this act, for I must bless this man in the name of another. Mystra, Mother of All Magic, hear my words and accept this prayer. This man died unjustly and paid his respects to you and the realm over which you are master. May you find his spirit in the great beyond and guide him to you for peace." When she finishes her words, she feels the warmth of Arnir's spell on the man's flesh.

Suddenly, and only in the eyes of Arnir and Torrent, the silk sheet in which the man is wrapped flares brightly. The fabric looks as if it were brand new: immaculate and with vibrant colours. The illusion vanishes as quickly as it appeared and both of your minds are seared with the knowledge that the silk sheet has somehow been divinely empowered. You both understand that it is now known as a Dream Shroud. When worn as a belt, sash or a cloak, this item functions as a phylactery of faithfulness, with the extra ability to cast align weapon once per day (any alignment but evil) if the wearer whispers, “Please don’t let my death be in vain,” during which the shroud briefly appears as vivid and beautiful as when it was first created.

 

[The Bashar]

Hrimr silently intones a prayer to Moradin for the man's soul.

"That was a good thing you did Torrent and Arnir. I am surprised you did it Elf. I guess the world still holds many mysteries. Who wants this magic torch?"

After he hears Kirio account of the riches he discovered

"I fear these men must have captured many more Magic Users. I guess more people will be safe now that these mercenaries are gone."

 

[digimattic]

"That was a good thing you did Torrent and Arnir. I am surprised you did it Elf. I guess the world still holds many mysteries. Who wants this magic torch?"

Arnir raises an eyebrow at this remark as he lifts the threadbare blanket off the man and collects his gold coin from Kirio.

"At this point Dwarf, you know only one thing about me for certain, and that is that you do not know me at all. My motivations are my own, and I care very little for your approval."

 

[The Bashar]

Hrimr lets out a quick chuckle.

"Do not worry Arnir, I wasn't under the impression you gave a damn about what I said. A good act does deserve to be recognized though."

He then looks to the camp and the horses there.

"We should each grab a horse and continue on our way. Once everyone has picked one I will let the remaining horses go."

OOC: Is there a horse a Dwarf can mount?

 

[Adjuntive]

Alric accepts the coin from Kirio with only a nod of his head for gratitude, though not impolitely, simply curt.

Then he turns to regard the party at large after listening to Hrimr and Arnir's exchange with a slight chuckle, "Well, now that we're all very good friends, and dead and condemned to death are attended to, shall we make use of the new haste we have available to us?"

 

[Gregor]

GM: Hrimr, all of the horses, saddles and stirrups are for humanoids of a human's general size. However, Alric has enough ranks in Ride to make the necessary adjustments and tweaks to ensure that you can ride without difficulty ... well maybe just a bit of a boost to get up!

Torrent breaks down one of the tents and collects a few bedrolls and extra blankets before strapping them onto her horse. She also gathers feed and ensures that each of you have enough horse food. Finally, she makes sure you've all collected your share of the gold from the chest and gives the camp a quick once over.

You all mount up, Alric and his tremendous heavy war steed in the lead, and ride back up the game trail that leads back to the main road. Back on the main road, the relief of being in the saddle quickly sets in. Your sore feet have some relief and the horses well-shod hoofs make for easy travel on the mountain road.

The snow continues to fall until mid afternoon when the clouds blow away and the sun peaks out. Its warming touch is a welcome one and you all while the day away by shooting the breeze, sharing stories and listening to the swaying of reins in the wind, the whinnying of your mounts and birds in nearby mountain pines. By dusk, the sun begins to slip behind the high mountain passes and you're bathed in a deep orange-red light that lasts until you reach a small clearing in the middle of a tree and foliage lined spot to the side of the road.

Hopping out of your saddles and tethering your horses to nearby trees, you all prepare to make camp. It has been a long and trying day in the mountains and your fresh saddle sores and battle wounds long for the warmth of a fire, a soft bedroll and a good meal.

Torrent stretches and says: "Alright, lets pitch tents and get a fire going. There is plenty of wood and the foliage should keep us fairly well protected from the winds." She starts to take down a tent from her mount and says: "You know, thanks to these horses I think we may have knocked off about 15 or 16 miles today. That means we could be at the Fire Forest by tomorrow evening!"

 

[digimattic]

Arnir hops gracefully from the horse, and less-than-gracefully rubs his tender areas. It's been a while since he last was mounted and it presents entirely different "sore spots". reaching into his pack, he tosses Torrent the flint and steel and assists Bannock in setting up "their" tent.

"How long did you say it would take us to pass through the flames Torrent?"

 

[Gregor]

Torrent taps in the last peg and rolls out her blanket inside the tent.

"Oh, it should be about 2 days of travel through the forest. Definitely should not be longer. The Elf Road runs straight through."

She then stands up and takes her axe to some of the nearby trees: "Hey Hrimr, can you give me a hand gathering firewood and setting a blaze? Its starting to get colder."

 

[fromage67]

Lars leans over his horse's neck and painfully lifts his stiff leg over the saddle. He dismounts clumsily and walks around the camp, rubbing his leg muscles.

"I guess I should have left Gatepass sooner. I would get richer a lot quicker. I have a horse and money like some banker. Hey Hrimr, can I take a look at that torch? How does it work?"

Lars fiddles around with the magic torch, trying to figure out how it works.

 

[Adjuntive]

While riding Alric then tries to remember some tale or song of ages past to pass the time. He believes he recalls the details of a dirge and begins to hum it to the beat of his horses hooves.

At the camp site Alric lashes his horse to a tree with the other horses but stays for a moment to stroke the beast's mane.

			A stout and faithful beast. A pity we will have to abondon him at the mouth of the forest. I wonder... did Kathor bring you from Ragesia?

Stealing himself from such useless sentimental thoughts he turns, pitches his tent, nodding to Kirio along the way indicating he still has a place if he wishes, and then sits down and sips his waterskin with a grimace.

			Too bad the mercenaries had no booze.

"Same watch order?"

OOC: Gregor, I think you forgot the pot of CMW in the group loot doc. If it is indeed there I'll add it to Alric's personal loot, if not he'll take a pot of CLW