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Post by Killer_DM on Jun 8, 2016 12:09:39 GMT -6
It took about 40 minutes of work to raise both tents and by then, the unforgiving sun had set upon the dull wasteland. Upon some light scouting, a faint trail of more packed sand could be made out leading south betwixt the grey powdery dunes. The desert was not without signs of life either. As the sun set, small insects and rodents could be seen amidst the sand & rare shrubs that dotted the landscape. The temperature had indeed begun to drop; lighting a fire may soon become a necessity. That and everyone was starving. The standard rations would not keep forever either.
[Intentions for the evening?]
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Saskia
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by Saskia on Jun 8, 2016 13:11:01 GMT -6
Once the work of establishing the camp was complete, Saskia turned her attention to the camels. She walked through the herd, taking the measure of each animal in turn, before selecting the two strongest and smartest beasts to serve as mounts for her and brother. These two she brought apart from the others. They were restless as she drew glyphs into the ground around them, but when she began chanting, the camels grew enraptured with her. For the next hour she weaved a complex ritual, ancient magic designed to bond the animals to her. If all worked correctly, they would become loyal, tractable mounts, which would certainly make for more pleasant riding in the days to come.
When the ritual was complete, Saskia invoked a shorter rite, one which would allow her to speak directly to the camels. She then explained the party's current circumstance to the entire herd and made sure they properly understood just who was in charge of the enterprise. The beasts' reputation for stubbornness turned out to be well-founded, but Saskia berated them harshly until they saw things her way. In brief, she threatened that, should food run short, the first thing she would do was feed the most obstinate one of the bunch to the others. It was harsh, but experience had taught Saskia that animals of this sort responded better to a firm hand than a soft heart.
Just as she finished getting the last of the camels to fall in line, a screech broke the quiet of the desert night. Moments late a hawk descended out of the darkness, heading directly at her. She just barely got her left arm up in time for the bird to swoop down and alight directly upon it.
"There you are, Tancred," she said. "I was beginning to wonder where you'd gotten of to."
The bird screeched at her in reply, loud and high-pitched.
"Well I don't like it any better than you, rest assured. If you were bored the last fortnight following the caravan, how do you think I felt. You at least could fly and hunt, so quit your complaining."
Tancred quieted down at that, so Saskia pet him gently. "You did well to stay with us all this time," she said softly. "Such loyalty will not be forgotten."
The druid and her familiar returned to the main part of the camp, eager to see if any food had been prepared in her absence.
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Post by alfbern on Jun 8, 2016 14:04:21 GMT -6
Alfbern had addressed everyone in earshot when the tents were up.
"We should rest until heat of day has gone. Then we travel by moon and stars. Eat and rest."
Alfbern set aside some rations for his sister and himself. Then he laid down and dozed, confident that his sister would wake him when she was finished making new friends. They would eat and then do what it took to get this group moving.
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Post by scottenkainen on Jun 8, 2016 14:08:19 GMT -6
Alfbern had addressed everyone in earshot when the tents were up. "We should rest until heat of day has gone. Then we travel by moon and stars. Eat and rest." Alfbern set aside some rations for his sister and himself. Then he laid down and dozed, confident that his sister would wake him when she was finished making new friends. They would eat and then do what it took to get this group moving. Alfbern didn't get to rest long. Arristuun was standing over him, letting Am nibble on his leggings to wake him up. "Didn't you want to go scouting at dusk?" The River Ranger asked. "It's dusk. Am and I are ready." |
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Post by alfbern on Jun 8, 2016 14:14:26 GMT -6
Alfbern sat up and gently pushed Arn away. He looked up at Arristuun, "That little bit before was not enough? Very good. See where trail goes?"
It was said like a question but once Alfbern had his equipment settled he headed in that direction unless the ranger objected.
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Post by Killer_DM on Jun 8, 2016 14:42:21 GMT -6
Alfbern & Arristuun went off to investigate the trail a bit. Ashen stillness & bitter silence defined this new blasted landscape. The trail itself was faint, but hopefully at some point led to water or a destination of interest. They noticed some strange insects that looked like crayfish with barbed tails. Arristuun found them quite curious, but they skittered away without him having a chance to inspect further. No sign of anything in the distance other than more choking dust & sand was enough to begin wearing at their patience. The stars were starting to show when it was decided they should head back to camp.
[Half hour passes for these two.]
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Post by Killer_DM on Jun 8, 2016 16:09:39 GMT -6
Saskia noticed that her ritual seemed to work on the lead animal she chose as her mount. [2 rolled on save] It was positively enamored with her and at least for the present had helped subdue the small herd of mounts.
[When a spell is cast, please under the post add an OOC comment asking me to roll the necessary dice. With ten potential players it will keep me from missing any details further into the game.]
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Post by nixisnix on Jun 8, 2016 16:15:32 GMT -6
Zacklun watched the pair trundle off into the desert, although both were quite clearly adept at moving through the wilderness he found their movement ungainly.
Turning to Talisien he said, "if they wanted to go exploring why are they making such a mess and so much noise?" He began stacking kindling for a small fire. "CLOMPCLOMCLOMP! 'WE ARE SCOUTING!' Anyway, I don't know what they could be afraid of out here. You even get used to the sand up yer bum after awhile." He squirmed a bit once the fire was set and ready to be lit.
"I guess I will take third watch, or help with it if someone with fancy elf eyes wants to double up." He then sighed happily, "at least the heat is going away."
Again it struck him how difficult it must be the others since they couldn't just change shape to something more suitable and felt a twang of pity. The feeling didn't last long as he pulled out a deck of cards, the good ones..not the ones would use in a tavern. "Anyone up for a few hands to pass the time?"
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Post by thirtylives on Jun 8, 2016 20:11:30 GMT -6
Bithautor's earlier performance had been mostly for his own benefit. This amount of nature, the vast landscape, made him uneasy. For although there was nowhere for an enemy to hide, that also meant there was nowhere for him to slip away to either.
He pondered how they were going to make it out of this one unscathed as he assisted with making camp as best as he knew how, which was merely adequate.
Afterwards, uneasy with his own thoughts, he settled next to Zacklun as he withdrew the deck of cards. "I'll join you in your game, as long as you plan on playing fair this time" he said with a smirk.
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Post by nixisnix on Jun 8, 2016 21:06:25 GMT -6
Zacklun looked honestly shocked, "I always play honest with my friends, it is just the rubes that have too many coins and are far into their drinks that I milk." His grin soon returned though, showing that he was not truly distraught.
"So, once the rations give out do we eat the camels, sand, or goat?", he teased. "I am much too bony to bother with, I doubt anyone could stomach dwarf, and I doubt our palates are refined enough to truly appreciate elf."
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Post by Taliesin on Jun 8, 2016 21:42:46 GMT -6
Taliesin let the hunters hunt while he concerned himself with comfort. He helped Zacklun's fire building efforts by collecting fuel. The growling in his stomach made even local insects fair game.
[Search within eyesight of camp for anything useful. Firewood, editable plants, insects, animals. Would I know any way of gathering water?]
To himself he silently worked on his next epic poem.
I stand tattered,
in black shroud,
bleak of spirit,
emotion dry as desert sand...
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Post by thirtylives on Jun 8, 2016 21:43:38 GMT -6
"I'm surprised you didn't stop to ask Curtus for his Mother's secret recipe of sand crusted camel fillet with goat chutney - I've heard it's best served with a side of being banished to the desert" Bit rejoined. "And I know you would never cheat me friend, think on how many times I have distracted those same rubes with some dancing blades. I'd like to think I contributed in some part to your endeavors. In fact, you should probably let me win the first round as a way of saying thanks!"
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Post by Killer_DM on Jun 8, 2016 21:51:11 GMT -6
Taliesin saw nothing in their natural surroundings that could be construed as fuel or food, however, Curtus had left them with stores and even firewood. [See earlier post with the equipment and camels that were left with the party.]
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Post by Thorsan on Jun 8, 2016 23:36:24 GMT -6
Thorsan wandered over to the card game and tossed down some firewood logs to use as seats. "A few hands o' cards never hurt." A grin split his face from ear to ear. "'Cept that time we was drinkin' at The Donkey's Goose, 'member? Those fellers lost their gold as I recollect. A coupla' teeth too! BWAHAHAHAH!" Not much could dampen the dwarf's spirits. As he settled down on his log, he slapped Bit good naturedly on the back, who just narrowly avoiding getting skewered.
"A song or two might bring some cheer. I'll even agree ter some human music instead of a proper Dwarven battle song."
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Post by alfbern on Jun 9, 2016 3:49:55 GMT -6
After thirty minutes had passed, Alfbern gave Arristuun a nod and headed back toward the camp. Once he got there he allowed himself to rest until Saskia's work was complete. Then he would eat and help this lot get headed down what passed for a trail in this sandy waste.
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