Thread 5: Frost 5, 17th Year of Emperor Humbolt II

[Chris Chandler]

The last page in GITP:

Well, I assume we've already taken care of Maribella by now, actually. Anwen and her two, depends on the situation. It's just those 3 together right? No one else to care for them? We'll save them for last. Tiede, is where, with her parent(s)/guardian(s)?

I suggest while all that goes on Gunther and Zora will just take care of the 5 If Brit shows up to help before I head out, that's good, more hands is better especially if the situation warrents setting Anwen's family up in Theodrada's manor. But if Anwen's, or the Cross manor, or somewhere else is better to set up an ICU, then we might just as well up and move.
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05-11-2007, 12:08 PM #932
Chris_Chandler
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Tiede is Bartel's son - he's an adolescent dwarf - about 32 (so... 13 or by a Theshian). He's by his lonesome, back at Bartel's home.

I agree - the Gunther/Zora/Brit combo would secure the kids before luncheon, and we can have Mariabella snoozing along with the other medicated souls. Wybert, who is not only awake but coherent, insists that he help Agatha with the bedridden, and though he stumbles about (clearly the blindness is a new development), he functions well enough under Agatha's supervision.

Theodrada's is really the best place for setting up the afflicted, and the sitting room is large enough to be a comfortable clinic.
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Last edited by Chris_Chandler : 05-11-2007 at 12:14 PM.

05-11-2007, 12:23 PM #933
Chris_Chandler
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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((Proxy for Dalcassius -))

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

OOC: One can assume that the following conversation flows more
naturally then I am posting it, but this was the most efficient way
for me to get the information across.


Quote:"How many people, roughly, live in Last
Breath?"

"Well after the last census Theodrada conducted I over
heard he speaking with Mother and she mentioned 100 souls accounted
for. I think about 20 were young children."

Quote:"How many are still with us now?"

"Not even a full two dozen. I'm almost positive we top out
at 22. 5 of those are the remaining children. Hmm. Odd, I don't recall
seeing or hearing anything about children dying. We'll have to double
check with Agatha about the 14 other children. We may have missed
something."

Quote:"How many households were there? And how many
now?"

"There are 10 currently being used from the original 32
that stood when we left."

Quote:"We seem to have enough food, but how much food is
that? Could it get
us through an entire year? Get the survivors, the people we have now
in Last Breath, through an entire year? I'm thinking that if we move
somewhere, how much food we have will matter a lot for how far we
could move."

"I'm not sure about a trek anywhere; I'd need some time to
work out the logistics of a long journey for such a large group.
However there is more than enough to get everyone safely to the end of
the winter. Especially with Zora and the huntsmen, we won't have to
worry about anyone going hungry."

Quote:"Is there a lot of livestock we need to deal with?
Did anyone have
really big herds of sheep, horses, cows, whatever? Do we still have
those herds?"

"My best guess is that most of the herds will have
scattered, but we should be able to get some cows and sheep from
Wyberts and I think Sascha took care of the Cross steeds so there's
some riding and draft horses. Also Lassi and Mother have more than
enough goats between the two of them."

Quote:"Are the walls of this place still intact? Can we
make them intact? How much effort would that take?"

"From what I've noticed briefly, the North and East
palisades are still standing and holding strong. It wouldn't take me
long to look them over and make sure they were still structurally
sounds. The palisade the town tried to build when we left wasn't
properly put up or even finished. We have the materials though, we
should be able to sure it up, maybe even finish it. The main concern
would be man power."

Quote:"Are ... is anyone posting guards at night? Did the
village itself have
guards on duty at night before this upheaval?"

"Leif, Lassi, Orvokki, Jacob, Brit, yourself and I are the
only ones left able bodied and concerned enough to stand guard. Leif
would never allow Zora to do it with her stature being so slight.
Hoylur most likely couldn't be coerced into standing guard even if we
convinced Leif to let him do it."

Quote:"Who's in charge? And I mean who's in charge of the
people who are
HERE. I know Sir Cross might be next in line of command or whatever,
but if he's not here, then he doesn't count right now."

"Hmmm, I think Lady Amelia was the next in line after
Theorada. I guess now it falls to Mother. Which may not be a bad idea.
She has gained much respect from the people of Last Breath,
non-Theshian or not."

Quote:"Is there any way to communicate with reinforcements
or allies of Last
Breath?"

"I'm not sure what we will do about communicating with the
outside world right now. We can't really send of a messenger on horse
back. Hoylur was able to use one of his spells to contact his lady
friend in Juren. Perhaps we can speak with him about using it to
contact someone else. I've also heard stories about enspelling animals
to courier letters. Perhaps Zora can enlighten us on this. Hmmm. I'm
glad you brought this up. I've written a letter to my Master at the
academy and I'd love to be able to get it to him. Thanks."

Quote:"What the heck was the deal with that bear? Was it just
tunneling to see if any of these houses would make a good den, or
what? Who sent it and are they willing to send any other critters? Or
was that Brand, turned into a bear? If so, can we get him back here to
be a guard or something?"

"I'm not entirely sure what that was about. It showed up
and, well, more or less knocked at the door. It and Zora spoke a bit,
it gave her a package containing the reagents for brewing more of the
cure, then Zora asked if anyone had any ideas about tasks to put the
bear to work at. I suggested it freed anyone else from their homes and
off it went digging. I'm starting to just take things like that in
stride. 'That's just Zora.' I keep telling myself."

Quote:"How long until primary snowmelt? I mean, how many
days from now until the snow is probably, on average, less than 1 foot
deep?"

"As close as I can figure it we are looking at 9 weeks,
give or take a few days, of thick snow. If I spoke with Zora we may be
able to figure out a more accurate date."

Quote:"How many people are outside the walls? Surviving, I
mean. Would it be possible to get them all inside without too much
overcrowding?"

"Leif and Lassi are out hunting, but they are the only
ones not within the square."

Quote:"Are there facilities inside the town walls for
keeping all the
community's animals, or would be hip-deep in crap inside a week if we
tried that?"

"We could attempt it. There's nothing we have right now to
pen the animals in, but it wouldn't be difficult to put something
together. Even easier than dealing with the walls. Heh, we may be able
to just put up two fences between a couple of adjacent buildings to
make the work easier and go quicker. I'll take a look around tomorrow
when I inspect the palisade to see if I can find a decent spot for an
animal pen."

Quote:"Have you or anyone else at 'Drada's, like Zora,
Brit or Hoylur, or
Gunther or Agatha, talked about what you plan to do when spring gets
here? What do you think you're going to do next? Do you think the
Crosses or whoever's supposed to be in charge now will be back by
then?"

"We spent the two days trapped in Theodrada's just keeping
ourselves distracted from the situation at hand. Well, as much as we
could and still care for the sick there. I suppose we will have to
have a town meeting to discuss the appropriate steps for the next few
months to ensure everyone's health and well being. I don't know what I
will do next. I have some things I'd like to try and take care of, but
its mostly just idle work for the winter. I think you want to know
what the plan beyond that is. I'm afraid I'm not sure. Again,
something a town meeting would cover. As for the Crosses, I can't
speculate about their return. For that you'd have to talk to Zora and
Brit. Sorry."
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05-11-2007, 12:27 PM #934
Chris_Chandler
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Birmingham, AL
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Kirfah -
Spoiler

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05-11-2007, 12:32 PM #935
LadyGlutter
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Gender: Re: Kuralia I - The Far Reaches (Thread 4)
Then make it so, mon capitan. We'll be hungry by lunch time then.
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05-11-2007, 12:49 PM #936
Chris_Chandler
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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Zora, et al. -

The children are gathered up, as is Anwen, and all comply, Tiede a bit less cheerfully than his peers. Anwen is bright and clearheaded, clearly afflicted but hyper-alert, rather than being uncontrollably physically active. Her choice of activity, though, was a bit more mental. Mind you, she might have stitched every single piece of clothe in her home, and she had many bolts of fabric.

Anwen is completely compliant and insists that her children comply, as well. Tiede is a bit like his dad, was, a wrestling match, but you get it down him.

So... that means that Agatha's list of the afflicted is complete! Most excellent.
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05-12-2007, 09:28 PM #937
Dalcassius
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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OOC: I tried to break this up a bit so its not too hard on the eyes.

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah smiles as he listens to Sharad. For a short while he just sits silently, focusing on the mental connection he hasn't experienced in a long time.
"It's good to see you again Sharad. I hope you enjoyed Breena’s visit. You two certainly got along well enough before…

I am sorry I haven't been around but unfortunately responsibilities have kept me away. Much as they have kept father away. I am here now though and I will be for a while. I wish I could say I’ve been looking for a way to undo what has been enspelled upon you, but I can not. Please understand that others where in mortal danger for their lives and needed immediate aid. I know you would never want to remain this way a moment longer than I could help, but I know you would never let another suffer either. That is why I rode south with the Cross girls, Breena, Gunther and Hoylur.

You remember him don't you? The one the council sent? We all met that evening at Theodrada’s house for a meal the night the Gi girl was tied to Hare. Hmm, I don’t know if Breena mentioned to you, but she has adopted the wolf and name him Hare. He’s slightly larger now, though as rambunctious as any mewling pup. He’ll be quite large come next harvest.

Sorry, I’m rambling again. You always said that only fools and drunks rambled. You would chastise me for showing weakness. Well I’m afraid I showed more than a little while away. I made some poor conclusions and snap decisions. I burned down the Hannigan homestead. Breena has forgiven me but I still can’t get past it." Kirfah takes a breath and tries to relax. He listens to the rhythmic breathing of Sharad and uses it to calm himself.

"I received a letter the day we were to meet with Theodrada. I don’t know if I ever told you. Things had been so hectic then. They still are. The letter was from Master Hadi. He spoke of the meeting and the mission we were to be sent on and the arrival of Hoylur. The foreknowledge was amazing. Master Hadi has a terrific amount of connections. I evny his wisdom.

Every night I have spent outside of Last Breath I re-read the letter. I would finish my prayers to Al-Qazhad, write some in my book then read the Master's words hoping to glean some small amount of wisdom from them. He is such a wise man; I dearly miss his council, nearly half as much as I have missed yours brother. I wish the two of you get a chance to meet some day. I think the two of you would get along grandly." Kirfah stands and leans against the sill to stare out the window as he gathers his thoughts. When he feels ready he sits back down next to Sharad.

"After I burned down the Hannigan homestead we discovered that Hannigan had been kidnapped. We all headed south…" Kirfah continues for the next few hours relating everything that happened as he remembered it, interjecting every so often to postulate what Sharad would have said or done as any time. When the tale is over Kirfah wishes his brother well and leaves to see Breena.


OOC: GB- If you still wanted to carry on the pre-Sharad conversation we can still do that. I just wanted to get this up.

So, let's pick up where we left off. I'll have Sharad's answer in a moment.

---
Oh, the title is actually the date, as far as you Theshians are concerned. Dalcassius and I had a nice discussion and I figured everyone would like to know. Frost 5 (5th of Frost) is pretty straightforward, and the "17th year..." is how Theshians run their years, based off the current Emperor. Years start over when new Emperor is crowned. Just to circle the headache, Kirfah has a completely different date - bleedin' Turmishites.

edit edit - Okay, now that's just too funny.

[Chris Chandler]

Kirfah -

You recount your tale, each moment bringing Sharad a little calmer, save where there is actual combat detailed. His eyes flicker beneath his eyelids and his breathing speeds up. His swordarm clenches, as well.

By the end of your tales, he has calmed to tranquility and in that moment, with all due urgency, with every fiber of your being, you know that Sharad is trying to tell you something.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah leans in closer as if he might actually hear Sharad say something. Clamly he whispers in Sharads ear.
"I am here brother and I have heard you. I will find them and bring you back into the light."

[Chris Chandler]

Sharad takes a deep breath in and lets it out nice and easy. The agitated look of his form is gone, and his unnatural sleep at least looks restful now. His hand slides down and holds your own Kirfah, weak but present. It drops to his side once you let go.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah gives a gentle squeeze to Sharads hand before wiping away a tear. He kisses his brothers forhead and leaves the room. Going downstairs he heads directly to Breena. He wraps his arms around her and whispers in her ear.
"Thank you." The embrace is short and a moment later Kirfah has receeded once again in to his shell. He fast steps into the kitchen to find Fatima.
"Mother! Good news. Sharad is still inside himself. He has not awoken, but I have felt his presence and he has been my counsel. We must have a meeting of the town elders. Or at least those left. Please see to it that Leif, Lassi, Grace and yourself are at Theodrada's just past sunset. I will call for Agatha, Gunther, Zora, Brit, Hoylur and Breena. We are going to have a <k'harro ermotta> tonight." Kirfah leaves the kitchen to speak with Breena once more.
"Breena, I need a hand with something. I am trying to organize a small town meeting with those most useful to the discussion. This includes you and Brit. Hope you will attend. But could I ask you to give my Mother a hand gathering people? Leif and Lassi as outside the town hunting and I believe you would have the best chance of finding them and bringing them back to Theodrada's by sunset. I am headed there now to speak with the others." For the first time since coming down stairs Kirfah waits long enough to get a reply.

K'harro Ermotta; A Turmish term that doesn't translate. It's more or less a think tank. A "war room" some might call it, but it's just a fancy round table discussion. It is named for K'harro Ieujo, a sage from Tur' Mishaq who was a Master at their first academy. He started the practice of the k'harro ermotta as a form of group problem solving to deal with large social issues at the academy. It wasn't until shortly after his death which the term was associated with the practice.

[LadyGlutter]

After Zora has finished her task, she will talk to whomever is in the room. "I'm exhausted. I'm sorry, I don't have that luxury do I? What do we start on next? I would like to move home and work on the temple and get my family taken care of. Just make some things more normal. That's all long way off, I guess.

I guess... we gotta take care of this Death with Fangs next, huh? Agatha, we really didn't get a chance to talk about that in detail***, but could you tell me if you've seen any sightings or anything?"

***I figure in the past three days (?) I've had a chance to tell Agatha more about it, so now I know it's awkward, but no more awkward than the Kirfah/Bree conversation. I have no idea if they even know anything about it.

[Chris Chandler]

Previous various conversations from our former forum:

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah smiles as he listens to Sharad. For a short while he just sits silently, focusing on the mental connection he hasn't experienced in a long time.
"It's good to see you again Sharad. I hope you enjoyed Breena’s visit. You two certainly got along well enough before…

I am sorry I haven't been around but unfortunately responsibilities have kept me away. Much as they have kept father away. I am here now though and I will be for a while. I wish I could say I’ve been looking for a way to undo what has been enspelled upon you, but I can not. Please understand that others where in mortal danger for their lives and needed immediate aid. I know you would never want to remain this way a moment longer than I could help, but I know you would never let another suffer either. That is why I rode south with the Cross girls, Breena, Gunther and Hoylur.

You remember him don't you? The one the council sent? We all met that evening at Theodrada’s house for a meal the night the Gi girl was tied to Hare. Hmm, I don’t know if Breena mentioned to you, but she has adopted the wolf and name him Hare. He’s slightly larger now, though as rambunctious as any mewling pup. He’ll be quite large come next harvest.

Sorry, I’m rambling again. You always said that only fools and drunks rambled. You would chastise me for showing weakness. Well I’m afraid I showed more than a little while away. I made some poor conclusions and snap decisions. I burned down the Hannigan homestead. Breena has forgiven me but I still can’t get past it." Kirfah takes a breath and tries to relax. He listens to the rhythmic breathing of Sharad and uses it to calm himself.

"I received a letter the day we were to meet with Theodrada. I don’t know if I ever told you. Things had been so hectic then. They still are. The letter was from Master Hadi. He spoke of the meeting and the mission we were to be sent on and the arrival of Hoylur. The foreknowledge was amazing. Master Hadi has a terrific amount of connections. I evny his wisdom.

Every night I have spent outside of Last Breath I re-read the letter. I would finish my prayers to Al-Qazhad, write some in my book then read the Master's words hoping to glean some small amount of wisdom from them. He is such a wise man; I dearly miss his council, nearly half as much as I have missed yours brother. I wish the two of you get a chance to meet some day. I think the two of you would get along grandly." Kirfah stands and leans against the sill to stare out the window as he gathers his thoughts. When he feels ready he sits back down next to Sharad.

"After I burned down the Hannigan homestead we discovered that Hannigan had been kidnapped. We all headed south…" Kirfah continues for the next few hours relating everything that happened as he remembered it, interjecting every so often to postulate what Sharad would have said or done as any time. When the tale is over Kirfah wishes his brother well and leaves to see Breena.

and then the big one:

((Proxy for Dalcassius -))

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

OOC: One can assume that the following conversation flows more
naturally then I am posting it, but this was the most efficient way
for me to get the information across.


"How many people, roughly, live in Last
Breath?"
"Well after the last census Theodrada conducted I over
heard he speaking with Mother and she mentioned 100 souls accounted
for. I think about 20 were young children."

"How many are still with us now?"
"Not even a full two dozen. I'm almost positive we top out
at 22. 5 of those are the remaining children. Hmm. Odd, I don't recall
seeing or hearing anything about children dying. We'll have to double
check with Agatha about the 14 other children. We may have missed
something."

"How many households were there? And how many
now?"
"There are 10 currently being used from the original 32
that stood when we left."

"We seem to have enough food, but how much food is
that? Could it get
us through an entire year? Get the survivors, the people we have now
in Last Breath, through an entire year? I'm thinking that if we move
somewhere, how much food we have will matter a lot for how far we
could move."
"I'm not sure about a trek anywhere; I'd need some time to
work out the logistics of a long journey for such a large group.
However there is more than enough to get everyone safely to the end of
the winter. Especially with Zora and the huntsmen, we won't have to
worry about anyone going hungry."

"Is there a lot of livestock we need to deal with?
Did anyone have
really big herds of sheep, horses, cows, whatever? Do we still have
those herds?"
"My best guess is that most of the herds will have
scattered, but we should be able to get some cows and sheep from
Wyberts and I think Sascha took care of the Cross steeds so there's
some riding and draft horses. Also Lassi and Mother have more than
enough goats between the two of them."

"Are the walls of this place still intact? Can we
make them intact? How much effort would that take?"
"From what I've noticed briefly, the North and East
palisades are still standing and holding strong. It wouldn't take me
long to look them over and make sure they were still structurally
sounds. The palisade the town tried to build when we left wasn't
properly put up or even finished. We have the materials though, we
should be able to sure it up, maybe even finish it. The main concern
would be man power."

"Are ... is anyone posting guards at night? Did the
village itself have
guards on duty at night before this upheaval?"
"Leif, Lassi, Orvokki, Jacob, Brit, yourself and I are the
only ones left able bodied and concerned enough to stand guard. Leif
would never allow Zora to do it with her stature being so slight.
Hoylur most likely couldn't be coerced into standing guard even if we
convinced Leif to let him do it."

"Who's in charge? And I mean who's in charge of the
people who are
HERE. I know Sir Cross might be next in line of command or whatever,
but if he's not here, then he doesn't count right now."
"Hmmm, I think Lady Amelia was the next in line after
Theorada. I guess now it falls to Mother. Which may not be a bad idea.
She has gained much respect from the people of Last Breath,
non-Theshian or not."

"Is there any way to communicate with reinforcements
or allies of Last
Breath?"
"I'm not sure what we will do about communicating with the
outside world right now. We can't really send of a messenger on horse
back. Hoylur was able to use one of his spells to contact his lady
friend in Juren. Perhaps we can speak with him about using it to
contact someone else. I've also heard stories about enspelling animals
to courier letters. Perhaps Zora can enlighten us on this. Hmmm. I'm
glad you brought this up. I've written a letter to my Master at the
academy and I'd love to be able to get it to him. Thanks."

"What the heck was the deal with that bear? Was it just
tunneling to see if any of these houses would make a good den, or
what? Who sent it and are they willing to send any other critters? Or
was that Brand, turned into a bear? If so, can we get him back here to
be a guard or something?"
"I'm not entirely sure what that was about. It showed up
and, well, more or less knocked at the door. It and Zora spoke a bit,
it gave her a package containing the reagents for brewing more of the
cure, then Zora asked if anyone had any ideas about tasks to put the
bear to work at. I suggested it freed anyone else from their homes and
off it went digging. I'm starting to just take things like that in
stride. 'That's just Zora.' I keep telling myself."

"How long until primary snowmelt? I mean, how many
days from now until the snow is probably, on average, less than 1 foot
deep?"
"As close as I can figure it we are looking at 9 weeks,
give or take a few days, of thick snow. If I spoke with Zora we may be
able to figure out a more accurate date."

"How many people are outside the walls? Surviving, I
mean. Would it be possible to get them all inside without too much
overcrowding?"
"Leif and Lassi are out hunting, but they are the only
ones not within the square."

"Are there facilities inside the town walls for
keeping all the
community's animals, or would be hip-deep in crap inside a week if we
tried that?"
"We could attempt it. There's nothing we have right now to
pen the animals in, but it wouldn't be difficult to put something
together. Even easier than dealing with the walls. Heh, we may be able
to just put up two fences between a couple of adjacent buildings to
make the work easier and go quicker. I'll take a look around tomorrow
when I inspect the palisade to see if I can find a decent spot for an
animal pen."

"Have you or anyone else at 'Drada's, like Zora,
Brit or Hoylur, or
Gunther or Agatha, talked about what you plan to do when spring gets
here? What do you think you're going to do next? Do you think the
Crosses or whoever's supposed to be in charge now will be back by
then?"
"We spent the two days trapped in Theodrada's just keeping
ourselves distracted from the situation at hand. Well, as much as we
could and still care for the sick there. I suppose we will have to
have a town meeting to discuss the appropriate steps for the next few
months to ensure everyone's health and well being. I don't know what I
will do next. I have some things I'd like to try and take care of, but
its mostly just idle work for the winter. I think you want to know
what the plan beyond that is. I'm afraid I'm not sure. Again,
something a town meeting would cover. As for the Crosses, I can't
speculate about their return. For that you'd have to talk to Zora and
Brit. Sorry."

This one is directed at Kirfah's long line of answers:

:Originally Posted by Dalcassius
OOC: GB- If you still wanted to carry on the pre-Sharad conversation we can still do that. I just wanted to get this up.

That's fine. Kirfah has his priorities and I figure after answering Breena's questions he excused himself and left her to think about round 2 questions. Which she thinks about for several minutes, sitting silently and thinking furiously. Finally she goes to find Lady Amelia (that's Kirfah's mother, right?) and says to her, "I think I have a better idea now of who's left, or at least how many, here in Last Breath. Kirfah thinks that you'd be next in charge of things, since everyone else is... yeah. So can you call a town meeting? I don't know about the other young people in our little colony group, like Brit and Zora and Kirfah, but I'm going to go nutty... ah, worse than I am, at least, if I don't do something. And that's not the bloodbrow. But I'd like to be doing the most useful thing and some of the important things to be done will take help. Like rounding up all the local herd animals and getting them inside the town, or repairing the palisade, or... consolidating what's in the abandoned houses. And doing it all safely, without getting eaten by big wolves or whatever else is out there." She pauses. "So can you call a town meeting so we can get everyone together in one place, more or less, and talk about things? I think Theodrada's place would be best, or outside of it if we could clear an area and build a bonfire. That way we wouldn't be too far from the sick. I can take Hare and see if Kirfah will go with me to the houses and tell them."

[Chris Chandler]

After Zora has finished her task, she will talk to whomever is in the room. "I'm exhausted. I'm sorry, I don't have that luxury do I? What do we start on next? I would like to move home and work on the temple and get my family taken care of. Just make some things more normal. That's all long way off, I guess.

I guess... we gotta take care of this Death with Fangs next, huh? Agatha, we really didn't get a chance to talk about that in detail***, but could you tell me if you've seen any sightings or anything?"

***I figure in the past three days (?) I've had a chance to tell Agatha more about it, so now I know it's awkward, but no more awkward than the Kirfah/Bree conversation. I have no idea if they even know anything about it.

It is a bit confusing as to who is where, but I think we'll be seeing everyone together in short order.

[Dalcassius]

Wow. The thread is a little out of order. Should I remove and repost post #5?

[Chris Chandler]

No, I think that is enough of a reference to mark it for folks.

[Gamebird]

Okay, I see this is here now, after a bit of snooping. (No one can hear us scream, eh?) Can anyone do anything about Kirfah's dark blue text? It's invisible for me unless I highlight over it. Or is there a way I can change the default black background to white or tan?

Whether Kirfah asks for a town meeting or Breena does, doesn't matter. What matters is that one is called. Assuming we go with Kirfah's line of events, then Breena seems surprised by Kirfah's hug, then hugs him back briefly. She watches him head off to talk to his mom and stands lost in thought until he comes back. Hearing his question, she nods. "I can try to find them, but it might be better for us to wait for them to come back normally - surely they won't stay out past dark - and then I'll go right to them and bring them to the meet. If they don't come back by dark, then we have another item for the town meeting - how to organize a rescue or search for them."

(this assumes it is not common for hunters to make overnight stays in the woods in the middle of winter - if it is common for them to do that and Breena would know, then my answer will change)

That said, she gets dressed warmly, calls Hare to her, and heads out to do some basic, untrained tracking and see if she can figure out which way they left. She doesn't go outside the walls. (Unless Chris is an incredible stickler for rules/RAW, I figure someone with survival skills can find fresh tracks in deep snow in full daylight and follow them for a short distance.)

[Gamebird]

Oh, one other question - the count of 22 people in Last Breath with 5 of them being children - does that count include PCs and Gunther, or was it a count of the population who didn't leave?

[Chris Chandler]

Who is the "they" that you are tracking?

And, no, it's not counting you five or Gunther.

[Gamebird]

Kirfah told Breena that Leif and Lassi are outside the town hunting (this applicable only if Kirfah's version of the post-Sharad meeting rules, which I suggest it does). So Breena is looking for the tracks of two adults that went outside of town today, or at least since it snowed so heavily. She'll first go walk around the south and west walls where the palisade is down/has holes/whatever and see if they (or anyone/anything else) has used that for passage. Then she'll go to the gate(s) and check there. She expects they'll come back in the same way they went out, so once she finds out where that was (and assuming she doesn't see something in her tromping around that she needs to report to others), then she'll set up to wait for Leif and Lassi at the point she believes they left by. If she finds more than one likely route of tracks, then she'll try to find a place where she can see both areas.

Edit - She will relate this plan to Kirfah as she puts on her outdoor winter wear so he knows where she's going to be, or at least what she'll be out doing.

Edit 2 - No Track feat, but she has 5 ranks of Survival and +0 from Wisdom.

[Dalcassius]

The timeline of who asks for the meeting still works if Bree asks first then afterward Kirfah comes out and asks for it again.
Also, I've changed my post to a lighter blue. Hope that helps.

[Chris Chandler]

***I figure in the past three days (?) I've had a chance to tell Agatha more about it, so now I know it's awkward, but no more awkward than the Kirfah/Bree conversation. I have no idea if they even know anything about it.

Ah, I see something to which I should have responded. This should get ironed out with more play.

Agatha thinks about Zora's question for a bit.

No, this wolf is a definite newcomer. Any issues we'd had in the past with... creatures have been with mundane wildlife acting oddly, oh, and those enormous bats from when you were here earlier. You bring the oddest things around here, Zora.

She says that with a smile, then her smile fade as she remembers something.

You know, for the past few weeks I've done my best to go out throughout the colony to, well, check up on people and try to find any stragglers. I thought I'd tracked down all the adults, by either finding them, like Julien here, or finding their bodies... like with... Ju... like with Theodrada.

She wipes the tears that spring up -

But I'd realized something. There are a number of children I should have found, but never did. I didn't think to actually bring it up, because we have been talking in terms of... disease - the Bloodbrow, and, honestly I'm exhausted, and I'd had someone else looking. It's such a relief for you to be here. I really can't tell you how -

She shakes her head -

By any means, there are about a dozen youngsters that I can't seem to locate. I know that had they been attacked and killed, or had been afflicted, I'd have seen evidence. I'd talked with Leif and Lassi about it. They are... doing both some hunting and a bit of tracking for the children. They should be back today, maybe tomorrow morning. They only usually stay out for a week at a time. Lassi will be glad of your safe return, as I'm sure Leif will be, in his own fashion.

((GB, you'll note that this also answers both your question as to how long they are staying out - which you would have been aware - and why you can't track them at all.))

[Gamebird]

This would be information Breena would have? It's a conversation between Zora and Agatha, so please confirm that Breena would know it.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

"Thank you Breena. I'm going over to Theodrada's for now. I'll be there until the meeting. Take care." Kirfah heads for Drada's place and tries to find Gunther. If he is able he will inquire about a library Theordrada may have possessed and what perhaps remains of it. If/When he sees any of the group he will mention that he is going to hold a discussion at Drada's at sunset. He will also mention to Gunther and Agatha that he would like them to attend.

[Chris Chandler]

You would have known from Akasma (Kirfah's mom) that Leif, at least, had been hunting. That was before the snowstorm, when you first arrived back to Last Breath. She mentioned it then, and you would have known how Leif and the other huntsmen went about things.

[Gamebird]

Hm. Given that they're really not expected back tonight, I guess I'll have Breena make the rounds anyway so she can see the state of the walls and look for obvious tracks. After that, she'll go back to the Sajid's and act as messenger for whoever Fatima/Akasma sends her out to get for the meeting. (So which is Kirfah's mother: Fatima or Akasma?)

[Chris Chandler]

Akasma has been for the past 26 years. Fatima is the Sajid serving woman.

[Dalcassius]

Um... Kirfah is adopted? DOES DAD KNOW?
'Cause he's 28...

[Chris Chandler]

Oh dear lord. You people are what cause unrest.

Fine... 28 years. I'm so very put in place, such as it is.

[Dalcassius]

Don't worry about it too much GB, I get the two of them mixed up all the time.

[Gamebird]

See, that's what you get for enslaving the lower classes - domestic confusion! (joke, in case that was unclear)

[LadyGlutter]

((So I'm still confused as to where and when Zora is now. Plus the net is INCREDIBLY iffy right now, so I'm going to do the best I can.....))

Zora

Zora stares at Agatha in utter disbelief. "You... forgot... um... so how many kids?" It's not angry, just, 'oh wow when it rains it sucks' kind of reaction.

[Chris Chandler]

Agatha, for her part does, indeed, look very remorseful, and her gaze drops from Zora. She looks old all of a sudden, even if she's only a few years older than our feykin, herself. Her weariness is tangible, and she sniffs back a sob.

I... Leif and Lassi should be in come morning. We've still got some daylight. Perhaps you and I could... I don't know - where would you hide? I mean, I don't know of a place where a few more than a dozen children could hide, even if they are all together, much less apart.

[LadyGlutter]

Zora

"Whose kids are they? Are they all orphaned?"

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

... has edited, because apparently I've missed twenty four hours.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

OOC: I'm pretty sure Gunther is still at 'Drada's, but if I'm wrong (which would be no big surprise to me) let me know and I'll delete this post.

Kirfah taps Gunther on the shoulder and motions for him to follow, so as not to disrupt Zora's discussion (if they are happening at the same time, for some reason I think there is a time difference at the moment).
"Gunther, I'd like to ask if I might view any books or scrolls that Theodrada may have owned and have survived the attack. I am sure there is information that the Lady 'Drada possessed that she was instructed to withold from us; information that I feel we will need in the times to come. I'd like to see everything; personal and otherwise. Is there anything like that left?"

[Chris Chandler]

Well... let's see -

He went with Zora to round up the rest of the children, and Anwen. Zora went back and asked a few questions to the group, but that included Agatha, specifically, so I'll have to just say no, he's not around. Let me just go ahead and put the wall up, because people have got headaches -

Group A (Sajid Manor)

Breena
Kirfah
Akasma
Fatima
Grace
Hare
Sharad


Group B (Theodrada's Manor)

Zora
Hoylur
Brit
Agatha
Wybert
Gunther
All of the afflicted from the list (9 total)


Group C (Folks in neither place, or not accounted for)

Leif - hunting
Leif's Mother and sister - his household*
Lassi - hunting
Lassi's wife and daughter - his household*
Mathilde - bottom floor of Marcus' Tavern*
Jacob and Annabelle - Cooper's House*
10-15 ("a dozen") kids, hopefully survivors from various afflicted households**


---
*Kirfah knows these from discusion, but it hasn't spread yet.
** Kirfah gleaned this from being smart. Zora had this confessed by Agatha. No one else knows this.

[Dalcassius]

After having dealt with Sharad and spoken to Akasma and Bree, Kirfah heads over to Drada's to speak with Guther (as per post #18). Sorry I should have cleared that up better. We can just hold off on dealing with it until you've got Zora caught up with Agatha. No worries here, just playing it cool.

[LadyGlutter]

(LOL, go team Hoylur. I was all messed up too. Hey, it could happen, if it was a very LARGE muffin.)

"I think that it's best we don't run off until we explore all avenues and talk to all the people here. Gunther - do you know any other findy spells at all? Any other snoopy Theodrada tricks?"

And I suppose now I'll ask kids, anyone awake at all, etc, if they know where the kids are. Better to ask before we run off, right? Right.

[LightBringer]

Brit

(So did we collect the kids, now that I'm finally here?)

Brit continues to follow Zora, "So much confusion. Everybody, everywhere, trying to do everything." Brit simply shakes her head to herself, and lets out a small sigh.

[Chris Chandler]

(See, what you're seeing is players running around with their heads cut off. The characters are all standing around going, "I'm dizzy". :roll: )

"Whose kids are they? Are they all orphaned?"

"I think that it's best we don't run off until we explore all avenues and talk to all the people here. Gunther - do you know any other findy spells at all? Any other snoopy Theodrada tricks?"

And I suppose now I'll ask kids, anyone awake at all, etc, if they know where the kids are. Better to ask before we run off, right? Right.

You ask everyone in the room this, and you could piece it together yourself (which is really what you're doing, now that I think about it). Between Wybert, Agatha, Gunther, Brit, and yourself, you narrow down for whom you are looking:


Agnes and William - The children of the butcher, Luther (Luther and his wife are dead)
Rose - Daughter of Oeric and Rose (another huntsman and his wife, who assisted Anwen - both dead)
Garrick - Son of the hostler Cuthbert. He is only three years younger than Zora and is marked as the "oldest child". (Cuthbert and Swanhild, his wife, are both dead)
Aelflaed, Annis, and Hrodwyn, the granddaughters of the widow Mildreth. Her husband died years ago, her son was a mercenary (similar to Sharad) and got himself killed a few years ago. Her daughter-in-law "faded away" last year. Mildreth was the closest thing to a priest of Heru in the vicinity - a lay leader, as it were (her husband was a Knight of Heru). Mildreth is dead.
Karri, Aethel, and Cena, the children (Cena being the son and oldest) of Cena the elder and Karri, his wife (halflings, and farmers. Cena and Karri are dead)
Olav, Son of Eirik, the Northman tanner, and his wife Torhild (both dead)
Drogo and Frideswide, the children - they are both teenaged, though younger than Garrick - of the widower Aethelred, a woodsman and carpenter (he's dead, though he had not been sick. He was found in the south of town, seemingly attacked by an animal).
Branda, the very young daughter of the huntsman and fisherman Brand (he thinks he's a bear - his wife Cyneburga - one of your mother's students - was the skeleton you found, Zora, on the way to Lia's. She'd not been sick, and was helping Agatha).


Gunther smiles -

Th... that's just what I... I... I've been trying t...to do. I have f... found a f...few scrolls, b...but th...there ought to b...be a s...small bowl, t...too, if it wasn't d...destroyed. 'Drada's s...scrying p...pool would be most helpful, if I could j...just find it.

[LightBringer]

Brit

Brit stares at Gunther, but breaks it off after a couple of seconds, "How frippin stupid. I thought he was actually turning out to be helpful. We've wasted three days sitting around because you wouldn't open your damn mouth." Brit says nothing.

[LadyGlutter]

((Ok -- waita cotton pickin minute here.

Before we even get to talking with Gunther --

Cyneburga was the person that was helping Agatha was the dead person and she didn't NOTICE? Zora again is gonna freak. I mean Zora's gonna go medieval on Agatha, for serious, so I need to make sure this is straight in my head.))

[Chris Chandler]

Well, she did notice, but didn't jump out of her skin over it. She acknowledged the body when you mentioned it, but gave no reaction to it. She'll be the one that brings up the skeleton and you when Cyneburga is discussed, and even then she shows little more emotion over it, though, to point it out, you guys are talking about folks who have died that you've known your entire childhood. It's a very heavy subject, and it's not like she's showing a whole lot of emotion over much of anything right now. There are breaks (whenever she thinks of Jurgen, etc.), but for the most part she's just weary.

[LadyGlutter]

((Wait still. No, I'm just certain she was all, "Oh, I've accounted for everyone, I don't know who that was." Not, didn't react emotionally. Actually denied knowing.))

[Chris Chandler]

That very perceptive of you. It's tricky, here. Did she say, "I don't know who that was" as in "I didn't know who the person was who died there, because it was just a skeleton", or was it "I didn't know there was a body there"?

Admittedly, either way, I imagine that Agatha's going to get yelled at, because clearly she's been more than just "forgetful" about the situation in general.

[LadyGlutter]

((So, you're saying I'm not wrong enough for it to mess things up if I act on it right? I'm going with that, tell me if I need to edit...))

Zora, before she even gets to Gunther, geezlouise, stares at Agatha as this piece of the puzzle is put together. The anger is too much to even control at this point.

"You... lost all these kids. Knew that body was Cyneburga and neglected to tell me, so that I've been trying for days to think who it might be or what the hell else is going on, and WASTING energy that I could be using to find out about a problem that IS out there?

Agatha... I know that we've been ... "

Too furious, this is ridiculous. The tears come out, and Zora storms out of the room (not stomping mind you, lol) and is back in before anyone could even follow her out of the room.

"Agatha!!!! What the hell!! Your job is ... you are supposed to be preserving life! Not.... what is wrong with you?! Shoot, I don't have time, but I don't dare to not take the time to ask you in case something else urgent is going on that we have to take care of first!!! What else are you just neglecting to tell me because it's too hard to think about?! Or, you're too tired.. Or whatever!"

[Chris Chandler]

Agatha looks at Zora, and her face turns more and more red as she continues -

I. am. one. person. I didn't have the luxury of going down to the Southern Shore of the Vast Opal to chase after some damn bogeyman, Zora. I was here, and I watched them all die, and I couldn't save them. I couldn't help a one of them. How many people have you watched die, little Zora? You couldn't even function because you didn't know where your bleedin' parents were! How dare you tell me what my job is when you've spent the time you should have been apprenticed dancing with sprites and playing with frogs with no one allowed to say word one! You speak to me of responsibility when you are nothing but a little girl! You dare to speak to me about wasting my energy when I haven't even slept in nine days!!! By Valasia's merciful hand I pray you never have to...

Her eyes glaze over for less than a second, and, Zora, you notice the tiniest dot of blood on her forehead, just above her eyebrow.

What!? I pray you never have to see what I've seen, buried your husband and your friends, made pyres your neighbors. Is it any wonder I haven't slept?! I don't want to see the demons that sleep would bring!!! How dare you!

She is swaying, but you see her holy symbol, the silver cup, shimmer for just a moment. She does not notice.

[LadyGlutter]

Zora

"How dare I? Because you've watched half the colony die it's okay to let the other half die?

I freaking went to chase after a boogeyman that I thought was after the whole of the colony. Did I know that there was a plague back here? How dare I? You couldn't help one of them but, my apprenticeship, my PLAYING WITH SPRITES AND FROGS-- they're dryads, but you wouldn't know because they aren't people to you -- they're came to nothing huh?

I didn't function because of grief, eh??? I kept going, and I DID SAVE LIVES, thanks for noticing. Thanks for that very much. I didn't sleep either, Miss Thing, and if I were you I'd thank my lucky stars that you were allowed to HAVE A HUSBAND. Not that that matters, anyway. I am very sorry for your loss, but you know, those personal attacks arent' going to cut it. I didn't get to say good bye to MY friends. I didn't get to have the peace of knowing they were in Valasia's arms. So we can compare pain if you want, but that's not the issue.

I dare because I do -- thank you very much!!! I acted. It's not like I haven't DONE anything. I might have showed a little emotion, yeah, but I also took your damn word that you were telling me the truth. If you're so sleepy you can't get your facts straight it's IRRESPONSIBLE OF YOU and you're endangering your charges and you need to get some damn sleep. NOW.

HOYLUR WHERE ARE YOU?"

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

Hoylur strolls over with an open book - from its greenish cover, one could assume his tome of nature - probably called "Fleas and Lice and Nothing That's Nice: Using Cantrips To Survive In the Wild" or "You're Going to Have to Wipe Your Bottom With That Leaf, Boy" or something.

"Trying to find a bear repellent. What do you want?"

He licks his finger, then turns the page in search of a resolution to his dilemma.

[LadyGlutter]

"Agatha can't sleep, didn't you hear her?"

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

"I don't deal in enchantments, though I'm sure that a well placed club to the head will induce the desired effect."

"... barely there/blinking/ethereal ...bear traps ..."

[LadyGlutter]

"Good grief, you put those... oh, that was something different, not making them sleep, huh. Damn." Zora wheels around to face Agatha. "Go to bed already Agatha! Why aren't you in bed already?!"

[Chris Chandler]

I cannot go to sleep, even if I wanted to, Zora. I can't hardly stand still with you yelling at me! What would you have me do!?

[LadyGlutter]

Zora calms down enough that her voice lowers a bit.

"I'm not yelling! THIS IS YELLING!!! This is speaking loudly!

Okay, Agatha, like I said, what else haven't you told me that I need to know? You say you're too tired to think. You say you haven't slept in nine days -- that kills people, so you really should be sleeping right now, me yelling or not. So. Answer my questions, and we'll get you a quiet room and lock you away for a day in the sick ward with the others, because you're not going out and doing something dumbass that will mean your blood is on my hands as well because I freaked out about kids that I pray to Enbarra are being protected somewhere."

[Chris Chandler]

What do you mean 'tell you'? I can't even keep my own thoughts straight. Why don't you ask specifically instead of treating me like a child?!

[LadyGlutter]

"I'm treating YOU like a child!?"

[Chris Chandler]

I know I need to sleep. Marching me off to bed without supper is, yes, what I'd call treating me like a child. Playing with frogs when others have learned a trade is what I'd call acting like a child. There is a difference, and I won't suffer either from you any more.

[LadyGlutter]

"Huh. Well. I'm glad you have no respect for my choices in life but if you did not hear what I said, old woman, I said that my 'playing with frogs' saved the lives of everyone in those beds, with the exception of Wybert. SINCE you weren't paying attention.

What trade should I learn? Living off the land and helping others do so as well? Oh, I think I got that. You're not going to suffer me being myself. That's your too bad, I am what I am and you ought to be thanking the goddesses for it. I'm sick of hearing how much I suck for liking to be alive. I've heard it all my life. You know, I've been feeling pretty damn useless these last few weeks but you've really helped me put that in perspective. Thanks!

And anyway, your irrational ass needs sleep, whether you like me "marching you off" or not. If you're too hungry to sleep then I suppose it's been less than 9 days since you slept!!!!!! Let's lay off the drama, that's Kirfah's job, because I know that's not true, and quit blaming exhaustion on everything. I'm exhausted too, but I've managed to sleep and eat. You're not a martyr any more than any of us are. "

[Dalcassius]

Hey now! That's not fair, I didn't do anything.... I know its true but it still hurts....

[Chris Chandler]

Wh... Who said anything about being a martyr!? You accused me of letting people die, like I was twenty places at once!!!

[LadyGlutter]

When did I accuse you of any such thing!? And.. and... and what the hell is on your forehead?

[Chris Chandler]

Agatha looks at you like you've gone mad, but does swipe at her forehead, honestly a little too violently, ending it with a sort of slap. And her hand comes away red with blood. Zora, you see that there are many more little dots of blood on Agatha's forehead. From Hoylur's muse's research, this is the very final stages of bloodbrow. If it were warmer, and she'd been sweating, it'd look like blood was pouring out of her. The cold is the only reason you hadn't caught it yet.

If the research holds true, the only documented cases of survival without any sort of cure have been those who have survived this stage. They literally sweat it out. Clearly though, most folks have heart attacks, strokes, or injure themselves fatally before ever getting to this state. Agatha's work, while taxing, isn't like, oh, I don't know... river fishing for trout in the middle of freaking winter.

[LadyGlutter]

Much gentler now. "Um, Agatha. I think if you took a dose of cure you might get some sleep, hon."

[Dalcassius]

I think we may have failed some earlier spot checks....

[Chris Chandler]

Agatha looks at her hands, then mutely listens to Zora, her eyes widening in panic. It is only Zora's gentle tone that keeps her from what looks like a violent display. All three of you will note that she is tense like a bear trap, but her face and head still are docile. She numbly nods assent to Zora's suggestion, though she's not moving from her spot.

----------
EDIT:

I'm not sure what you're referring to, good Ozan. But real quickly, while I've got you, in 30 words or less, tell me what's up with you, Sajid clan, Breena, and her momma so I can get everyone in line more quickly. I have a good idea, I just want to make sure that I go in the right direction.

[Dalcassius]

30 words or less? Umm... "See post #18." Cool. Did it in four words.

[Chris Chandler]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

"Thank you Breena. I'm going over to Theodrada's for now. I'll be there until the meeting. Take care." Kirfah heads for Drada's place and tries to find Gunther. If he is able he will inquire about a library Theordrada may have possessed and what perhaps remains of it. If/When he sees any of the group he will mention that he is going to hold a discussion at Drada's at sunset. He will also mention to Gunther and Agatha that he would like them to attend.

This day in particular has been a bit fluid with the timeline. Let's just go ahead and establish that you, Kirfah, arrive to go speak to Gunther right as Agatha's affliction is being discovered. Gunther for his part is standing with his mouth open, staring at Agatha.

[Dalcassius]

That works for me.

[EDIT] Would you like Kirfah to come in now or in a bit?

[Chris Chandler]

Let's go ahead and come in now.

[LadyGlutter]

Zora is going to lead her to one of the remaining cures and hand it to her. She's majorly keeping a stiff upper lip right now, if she'd have realized she was arguing with someone that was afflicted, well, she never would have. All the anger is gone and replaced with an attempt to hide (from Agatha) just how distressed she truly is. She uses her most matter of fact tone, "Now it's going to taste horrible, but you know what will happen if you don't drink it all. It's going to suck, but you have to do it.

...And I'm sorry you haven't slept in nine days. I'm sorry I didn't catch this sooner. You'll get some rest now.

Brit, come help us, just in case."

[Chris Chandler]

Well, one thing is certain, there are six people here (Zora, Brit, Hoylur, Kirfah, Gunther, Wybert) and only one Agatha. It's really not an issue for her taking the cure. She chokes it down (she actually has the toughest time with the cure, vomiting a bit, but gets it down eventually). She follows suit with all of the other afflicted - spasms until she collapses, then falls unconscious. It doesn't take too long, really.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah enters to hear Zora describe the cure to Agatha and instantly stops to make sure he's assessed the situation. (Look! He's learning!) When she does infact take the sure and fall under its effects as any other afflicted, Kirfah moves to help get her into a bed.
"Two days we were trapped in here with her and we missed it. I can't believe we were that self involved. Well this is about to change. Everyone, I've decided its time we had a proper discussion and come to some solid decisions. I'm holding what is called a "K'harro Ermotta," it's just a fancy was of saying 'important meeting.' I'd like for you five to attend. (indicates Zora, Brit, Hoylur, Gunther and Wybert.) I would have appriciated Agatha being there, but that's not about to happen." Kirfah looks around at the gathered sick.
"I hope we are able to achieve something. Oh, I almost forgot, Zora and Brit. I have asked Breena to attend as well, I hope this won't be a problem for you."

[LightBringer]

Brit

(Damn waiting until break to check in. Just out of curiousity, how many people made it to this stage and survived? If Brit would know that at all. I mean if everyone who has made it to this stage has survived I'd rather suggest not giving her the cure.)

Brit walks over to help Zora. "No problem sis." She just helps Agatha to keep from hurting herself as she takes the cure.

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

Hoylur closes the the book, giving the cover a quick kiss before setting it down. "I wouldn't go killing myself over the fact that we missed the fact that she was working herself to death. I mean, those muffins were divine..."

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah continues on without so much as the slightest notice Hoylur had anything to say.
"Gunther? Can I have a word with you about Theodrada's possessions?"

[LadyGlutter]

(Well, I'm having the same issue, because I want to respond to three people at once now, because I missed yesterday's action. Anyway, GM discussion clarified this for me yesterday, but net went down when I was trying to post it [again.... grrrrr!] -- Agatha's chances are much better with the cure. So Brit could have mentioned it and Zora told her, that getting to this stage is VERY rare, and extremely rare for THOSE people to survive it.)

Zora wipes her eyes from where Agatha's sleep had allowed her to show how upset all that made her, and looks up at Kirfah, confused. "Why would that be a problem? If she attends, I'll be surprised, but I won't have any issue with it... I hope both your mother and hers are coming as well?

After a presumable pause for the Ozan's backtracked answer, unless he just goes on with Gunther, which is cool, it's super awkward right now, Zora turns to the wormly mage.

"Now, Hoylur, really -- why do you need bear repellent? Have any been bothering you? I would think you're super safe. I doubt you need any, really, but I can help you out if you're that scared. Seriously though, I took care of the bear, it wasn't you it wanted to talk to. "

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

"I only wanted to make sure everyone was comfortable. I meant no disrespect. And I do believe Mother and Grace will be attending. I mentioned it Mother and asked her to help gather various people. I'm not looking to get everyone remaining in Last Breath involved. I don't think we'd get too much accomplished with so many present."

[Ojoxsofeta]

Zora turns to the wormly mage.

"Now, Hoylur, really -- why do you need bear repellent? Have any been bothering you? I would think you're super safe. I doubt you need any, really, but I can help you out if you're that scared. Seriously though, I took care of the bear, it wasn't you it wanted to talk to. "



"What if they decide they'd like to begin bothering me, or us? What if you're not around to whisper sweet nothings into their ears? What if they're quite uninterested in your promises of long walks in the woods and raiding beehives by moonlight?"

He pauses, and says, "Knowledge is power, dear."

[LadyGlutter]

To Kirfah, "No offense taken. You just confused me is all. I'll be glad to go, but I doubt I have a lot to say." (bwahaha)

To Hoylur, with a big huge grin on her face, "Ok, fair enough. Your girlfriend's knowledge has been very powerful. I don't think any one has properly thanked you, and I've been a freaking wreck lately. So, Thank you so much for talking to her at the Tiger and helping us find a cure, Hoylur. If you need any advice, let me know and I'll help you keep any bears at bay."

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

Surprised at the kindness outpouring from Zora (who generally is somewhat chilly towards the mage), he turns to her and asks:

"Hug?"

[LadyGlutter]

Zora

is even freaking more surprised at Hoylur but cheerfully says, "Sure Hoylur, you need a hug, I'll give you one."

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

At the (presumed) time of embrace, he seems almost as he is to pull away, but resigns himself to the hug.

[LadyGlutter]

Yes, of course she hugs him, a great big (ahem) bear hug. When she pulls back, because she doesn't hold it too long, she says, "I mean that, too."

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

"Your hair smells like dandelions and sprouts."

[Chris Chandler]

ew.

I mean... No, I mean ew.

As you were. That rocks, btw - the both of you.

[LightBringer]

Brit just chuckles and shakes her head, "Okay love birds break it up. You'll make Gunther jealous." Then to Kirfah, "What time and where is the meeting?".


(Just a reminder, I'll be out until Tuesday.)

[LadyGlutter]

Zora looks at Hoylur a little confused, but says, laughing, "well I do try to keep as fresh as possible" turns back to the rest of the room, awaiting Kirfah's answer.

[Gamebird]

I'm sorry I've been away so much, but ... I'll discuss in OOC. For now I'm still wondering what, if anything, Breena saw while walking around the walls. Should I wait for the DM to say "You saw nothing interesting" or should I assume the lack of response means I saw nothing interesting?

In either case, she's probably currently running errands between houses, delivering notice of the meeting as Akasma (or was it Fatima?) directs. At the meeting, she plans to sit near Wybert and generally keep her mouth shut.

[Chris Chandler]

Well, I actually thought the wall-walking was tied to the tracking of Lief and Lassi. I was waiting for a new intent from you, but knew that you were having RL issues slow you down. So, you still are walking the walls - Okay.

The palisade following the river is damaged in spots, and the gate had been broken from when you all were here last (remember, Leif had constructed a barricade...). The corner and extending wall where it turns east from the river is solidly contructed, reinforced with stone, with another palisade put in behind. Most frontier baileys don't have this sort of solid construction - it's nearly as good as a stone wall! It continues until it enters Theodrada's land, then stops abruptly. This would be the wall Jurgen had been working on. There is even a pile of materials, here, buried in the snow. There has never been an east wall, and the southern walls are a number of traditional piled stone affairs, waist high, and made from all the plowstones gathered from throughout this section of the colony. It does not run all the way from the southern section of the colony, and the Cross lands actually extend a good bit south from these walls. Hannigan has built a few of these type of wall loosely around the perimeter of his land, as well.

You see animal prints in the snow, and signs of activity all around. The main issue is that you aren't sure what animals or what kind of activity is transpiring. You can see, though, that most of it is near the west wall (near the river).

Past that you do as you said, gathering folks for Akasma for the meeting.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

"Tonight, shortly after sunset and here at Theodrada's. I would like for the six of us who travelled south to attend as well as Leif, Lassi, Grace and Mother. I also wanted Agatha to attend, but it would seem that she is otherwise preoccupied. My personal preference would be to run a proper K'harro Ermotta, but I understand this isn't feasible. As such, I will be attempting to run our own Far Reaches version. My hope is to settle many issues and get many others into the light if nothing else."

[LightBringer]

Brit.............................................. . Brit just looks at Kirfah, "Umm, okay." Then she goes and checks on all the sick to make sure everyone is comfortable.

[LadyGlutter]

Zora as well nods at Kirfah. "If you need anything you know where to find me.

Oh.... I don't want to spoil your plans, but... Did you realize there's a dozen missing kids, Kirfah? Please tell me you have heard where they are, that your mom just has them stowed somewhere." Zora looks wearily at Kirfah.

[Chris Chandler]

Gunther nods toward Kirfah in agreement, smiling. Wybert for his part snorts and replies -

Someone'll need to stay an' watch the sick. I'll do just that. I've not the time fer town meetings and the politics that go with 'em.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

"No, unfortunately I was unaware of any missing children. We will have to organize search parties immed... I'm sorry Zora. I'm sure you have this well under hand. I will follow your lead."

[LightBringer]

Brit doesn't look around, but can not help the short laugh that escapes. Then turning, "Why bother waiting on us. You didn't need our input to decide the where, who, when, and what of a major town meeting, why do you need our input on the rescue of the towns children?" Brit's tone is a cross between sarcastic and fed up.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Initially surprised then suddenly unimpressed Kirfah retorts with sarcasm of his own.
"Well I had thought about waiting for a consensus from the lot of us, but I thought it would be prudent to do this before next thaw. This isn't some flight of fancy Brit, it's a good idea and something we all need. The missing children are the perfect example as to why. Too many people are spread out too far doing too many things; so information doesn't get passed along and the important things don't get done. So if you what you have to say is neither constructive criticisms nor helpful ideas, why don't you find someone who finds your babble entertaining, leaving the rest of us to think in peace." Kirfah turns away from Brit to focus on Zora and the issue at hand.
"What do you have in mind concerning the children?"

[LightBringer]

Responding regardless of is facing, "I have been waiting for the group of us to get together so that we could discuss the order in which we deal with the issues at hand. I'm sorry you couldn't walk back over here, and ask if we thought having a town meeting was the most important thing, or if dealing with Death-with-Fangs, or some other issue, such as the missing children, came up and were more important. You know we are over here dealing with tending to the sick, gathering the last of the sick children, and now to our amazement Agatha. Something we completely missed, yet you or Breena can't find time to walk over here and get our input on something as simple as a town meeting. Just amazing."

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

"Now you no longer need to wait for the group to get together so we can discuss the order in which we deal with the issues at hand."

[LightBringer]

Brit

"We're still missing a member, and with everything I say being babble are you sure you don't need her ideas?"

[LadyGlutter]

Zora

...starts to open her mouth and answer Kirfah's question a few posts back and promptly shuts it again. :)

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

"Which is why I've asked people to show up at sunset... several hours from now."

[LightBringer]

Brit

"Fine then, we'll wait several hours to do something about the kids, that more than likely Death-with-Fangs has something to do with. So we'll just leave them in his capable paws until tomorrow. Since it will be to late tonight to do anything after the meeting."

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

"Yes. Of course Brit, that is exactly what I am saying. Glad we have come to an understanding." Once again Kirfah tries to speak with Zora.
"I'm sorry. You were saying?"

[LightBringer]

Brit

Very calmly, "No, that's where we differ Kirfah. You may be content to stand around while others suffer, but I refuse to do so." Brit picks up her tonfa's and heads out.

[LadyGlutter]

"Um... I don't think she understood you, Kirfah. Or else you irritated her -- yeah, I can see that -- and she just wanted to fuss, because I don't quite understand anything either of you just said. I... crap. Let's go! I sure am not leaving her to do this on her own. We may not have a plan, but if she charges into those woods alone, she needs help."

I don't know where Brit's going but Ru and I are following.

[Dalcassius]

OOC:Yeah I should have said, but that last bit was just dripping sarcasm.

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah grimly nods and follows after Zora. As they get outside Kirfah points over to his house.
"I'm going to grab my stuff from home, with this snow, even I can track you. I'll catch up. I think Bree is out and about you may be able to stumble upon her." Kirfah takes off towards home, double timing it all the way. He grabs his pack and weapons then heads back to catch up with Brit and Zora. If he sees anyone who might be useful in searching for the children (A PC perhaps) he will ask them if they'd mind helping. Other than that Kirfah makes sure to let people (Mother, Grace, Etc...) what is going on.

[LightBringer]

(Don't worry Brit heard the saracasm)

Brit

Brit walks straight to the temple ruins. She sees Zora following her. She kneels in front of the altar, and begins to pray, "Dear Valasia, and the Great Mother Enbarra I have come to ask your forgiveness. I seem to have lost my way, and have caused others to lose theirs. I please ask that you wash away this anger, and pitiness, and restore my trust and love. Please, no matter what happens in the next several hours, or days, watch over the people of Last Breath. Allow our hope and love to guard and guide them. I... we are about to confront a blight on the natural cycle of order." Brit reachs in and removes the piece of altar she so carefully chose. Holding it out as if offering it, "Finally I ask that you bless this instrument with all that is true, right, and just. As well as blessing us who take on this challenge. As always I am your faithful servant." She closes her eyes and bows her head for a few seconds. Then stands up and looks at Zora, smiling, "I need my bow".

[LadyGlutter]

Zora

Zora looks at Brit, kinda half smiling herself and hugs her. "Of course you do, nutjob. So... are you finished? If you run off like that one more time I'm going to put a hurting on your ass you won't soon forget. Anyway, I'm not prepared either. We'll have to go back to Theodrada's."

[LightBringer]

Brit

Squeezing Zora tight, "That's fine because come to think of it, I need Breena's bow. Go get what you need, I'll meet you there, and then we can find Bree." Brit heads to where ever her arrows are. She needs to remove the tip from one, and fit the piece of altar to the shaft.

[Gamebird]

Breena is wherever the DM says she is, informing people of the upcoming meeting.

[LadyGlutter]

"I mean it. Don't be fooled, you know I can do it too. Your ass will be grass."

Zora heads back towards Theodrada's.

[LightBringer]

Brit just smiles at her sister's delusion, and watch's as she heads off. "My little sister all grown up." Then continues with the task at hand.

[Chris Chandler]

Breena is wherever the DM says she is, informing people of the upcoming meeting.

Honestly, I'm going to finesse this, simply because of your logistical issues. Two folks with spotty/no communication capabilities are enough.

Kirfah, you'll find Breena along the way to the Sajid manor. Let's say, for now, that she's willing to accompany you.

Brit - I thought you had a bow. If not, no biggy. Just as a point of mentioning, the militia armory (a tiny shack, to be sure) houses a number of weapons. It's completely on the way to where your equipment is located. There's a good chance you'll find a longbow there.

[LightBringer]

(I simply responded to the post that I felt would happen before Kirfah got back from his house. I fully intended to wait on the others to post. Brit does have a bow, and it's a very nice one. It's not the bow itself she is concerned with, but the person behind the bow.)

[Dalcassius]

Kirfah will inform Bree about the missing children and that the meeting will have to be put off until they are all accounted for. He also asks her to assist himself, Zora and Brit in finding the children.

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

Hoylur will collect his pertinent things and follow along with the cantor.

[Gamebird]

I'm going to assume that Kirfah leaves out Brit's attitude and exactly what happened and just tells her the mission. She grunts and tells Fatima (Akasma? I'm confused again!) who she hasn't gotten to yet and where she's headed. She calls Hare to her, gives the wolf a friendly petting and asks Kirfah as they head out, "We're going to be back in time for the meeting, right? How far is it to where these kids are?"

After a pause she adds, "Are you sure we can't just let Brit handle this herself? I think I'd rather pound snow up my ass than get involved in something she's doing."

[Chris Chandler]

That just sounds... cold.

[Ojoxsofeta]

That just sounds... cold.

Seconded.

[Dalcassius]

I'm going to assume that Kirfah leaves out Brit's attitude and exactly what happened and just tells her the mission.Quite correct.

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

"I'm not sure how long this will take as no one knows where the children are. There's about a dozen unaccounted for." Kirfah nods and gives a little sigh.
"As hard as Brit has been to handle recently, it would not be fair to the children to not help out however we can."

[Gamebird]

"Yeah, but it sure would suck for us to wander off and get killed or whatever and have it turn out that someone we would have talked to at the meeting had been hiding them in their basement all this time."

"I... wait, no one knows where they are? That is, no one heading out to find them has any idea of where to start looking? If that's the case, count me out. I'll stick around for the meeting tonight and ask who saw them last and do some basic information gathering. We've gotten six or nine feet of snow since they went missing, if I guess right. There's no trail to follow and there's probably dangerous monsters out in the woods. Please tell me I'm misunderstanding this."

[Chris Chandler]

And...

In less than 15 minutes the group has gathered together, we'll put you right outside of Theodrada's, next to the snow-blanketed garden where the old magistrate lay buried. The group thus includes the following:

Zora
Kirfah
Hoylur
Brittania
Breena
Gunther


Of the other able-bodied adults that you know of (this includes Akasma (Kirfah's mom), the Sajid Servant Fatima, Grace, Wybert, The Cooper's apprentice and his wife, Leif (and his family), Lassi (and his family), and Mathilde) have been notified of the upcoming meeting. All of the afflicted that you know of are all located at Theodrada's - that now includes Agatha - plus Wybert as a blind nursemaid.

So, everyone's here. How's it going? That's good... So... how about that political dissent among partisan groups, eh? Pret-ty crazy stuff, eh?

Hm? Oh, sorry. Right. As you were.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

"Breena has made the point that we do not know where to start looking and there has been a large snow fall so we will not be able to track them. She is right that our best recourse is to question everyone we can about the last know locations of the children, but I don't think we need to wait until tonight. We should make rounds through Last Breath and begin questioning everyone now."

[LightBringer]

Brit

Brit listens to Kirfah, then replies, "I already told you where I'm going to start Kirfah. If anyone wants to come they are more than welcome. If anyone doesn't want to come, that's fine too. I have to follow my heart and soul. Everyone else should do the same." Brit then stands and waits....

[Gamebird]

Breena eyes the nearest horizon line.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah stands there with a puzzled look on his face for several seconds before the realization dawns on him.
"You can't seriously be thinking of tracking Death with Fangs back to its lair? On only the hunch that it is responsible for their dissappearance?" Kirfah stops, knowing that whatever he says Brit will follow her heart.
"Well I guess we better take some extra blankets. If we find the children alive they won't be dressed for this weather. And I'd have to say that our best starting point for the search will be Zora's friend Lia. She may know something we don't about its location."

OOC: Thanks LG.

[LadyGlutter]

(That's because she's fey and doesn't want you to remember. It's Lia. And off to the ooc again, because I just posted a doozy of a post off the top of my head, just reacting as Zora, but then thought of about 5 facts that influenced it that i'm not really sure what exactly is going on.)

[Gamebird]

"Death with Fangs is intelligent. If he has them, then I strongly doubt it's for food. They'll be alive tomorrow as much as today, if they're in his care. In the meantime, chasing after him might waste whatever chance we have to rescue the children if they're somewhere else. I'm going to stay for the meeting and see if any other information comes to light. Lief and Lassi still haven't reported back. If Death with Fangs really does have the kids, then I'm sure he'd love to see every able-bodied defender of this place out floundering in the snow as separate groups, leaving no one behind here except the sick and less able. I'm not leaving these people defenseless until and unless we have a better idea of what we're heading off into out there."

[Chris Chandler]

Gunther remains silent, watching Brit carefully.

[LightBringer]

Brit

As with Kirfah Brit listens to Breena, then replies, "That's a fair arguement Breena, and to explain why I'm going after Death, I would make this counter. If Death-with-Fangs is intelligent and we assume therefore he won't eat the children, that doesn't stop him from torturing and/or killing them for fun. I believe we can agree that he is evil. Agatha said before she passed out that she had already searched the colony, and that Lief and Lassi were also searching outside the colony. Both are very good hunters, but niether has the skill to stand up to Death in a one-on-one. While Death hasn't bothered the colony proper, you are correct in the believe that may be his intent, but I can't stay in here and take the chance that he does have the children. That is why I haven't asked anyone to come with me. I'm sure we each have an opinion on the way things should be done, and we should each do what we believe is the best path. For me that path is out there." Brit turns and points to past the walls.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

"What makes you think that you'll have a better chance against Death with Fangs than anyone else? If you go out there unprepared and without help it is simply a suicide mission. The children will still be in danger. And Bree, waiting for the meeting will take to long. We should get everything we can done as soon as possible. Now there aren't many people left who aren't unconcious at Theodrada's place so we can make short work of questioning them. After that we can head off to deal with Death with Fangs and hope that course gets us the children back as well."

[LightBringer]

Brit replies calmly, "I don't think I am better, or stand a better chance than anyone. I am prepared, and I am not telling anyone what to do. I am also not stopping anyone from doing what they want. If Breena wants to wait that is fine. I can respect that. If anyone wants to come that is fine as well. I can respect that as well. I'll be waiting at the front wall." Brit turns and heads back towards her horse. Now she will retrieve her own bow, and go to the front gate.

[LadyGlutter]

Zora looks from the group to Brit. She looks uncomfortable, but retrieves her things as well, and looks at the group. "Well, I'll go with her, no matter what, she can't go alone, and I have to go if she's headed for that. And -- yeah, I completely understand anyone not coming with us. Splitting up might be the fastest way to find the kids, anyhow. Can someone send some kind of signal out if you find them? I will do my best as well... And can you one of guys take care of Ru? That thing wouldn't even have the respect to eat her."

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah speaks quietly to Zora so as not to be overheard.
"Try leading her to Lia's grove and I'll see if I can catch up." He then looks to Bree and Hoylur to see what they intend to do.

[Gamebird]

"I didn't know anyone had searched the town already. That helps to know. And that's exactly why I don't want to go rushing off somewhere without talking. There's information we might have, or people we can get to might have, that we won't know unless we ask and talk things out rather than rush. If Death has them, he isn't going to kill them for fun. He's going to use them as a bargaining chip or a lure to get rid of the rest of us. That assumes he wants this place, and is working for the same side as Foster.

"And if that's the case, he's out there waiting for us to stray so he can pick us off one by one or in small groups. If we wait, he'll come to us and maybe we'll understand more of what the situation is. Not to mention, maybe some of our bloodbrow sleepers will wake up, or Lief and Lassi will come back with information."

Breena is making no move to ready for departure.

[Chris Chandler]

Gunther shoulders his pack and follows Zora. He glances back toward Breena

I d...don't think w...we should split up either, b...b...but well, th...that's what's going on r...r...ri...right now.

He does, indeed, frown as he continues behind our Feykin.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah nods and starts to run after Brit, Zora and Gunther, waving to Breena and Hoylur to follow suit. As the group gets closer together again he speaks loud enough for all to hear.
"If the town has been searched then we can all go now. Death with Fangs is intelligent and it already knows that facing us together as a group will gain it nothing so it will try to aviod that. It will attempt to gain any advantage It can. This won't be too hard for the creature since it will have the home territory advantage. I do believe that Death with Fangs is working for the North Star the same as Foster was. I believe all the North Star is looking for is to clear the empire of Thesh from this land, so Death with Fangs isn't going to harm the children if it can still use them against us. We should seek council with Lia first. That shouldn't be a waste of time in any regards." Kirfah stops talking breathing a little hard already.

[LadyGlutter]

When Kirfah gets in earshot, and I hear all that.

"Two things. First, Death is between us and Lia. Going to Lia to ask where he was will find him first.

Second, Lia wouldn't ever talk to any of my family or friends when I was growing up. I didn't get a chance to tell you guys the whole story, but she didn't even trust me to be ME. She sure won't if I bring a passle of people in, violating her privacy and security. I might could go in with ONE person, but it was very difficult to get them to talk last time. I just don't hold out any hope of you all coming and her accepting it. She's just protecting herself, as are all her kind. I might even offend her to where she wouldn't talk to me if I brought you guys. I'm not trying to be a jerk and keep her all to myself or anything like that. I just know her that well.

So if we're going into the forest, we may as well be going with the expectation we're taking care of the monster before we look for the kids, even if we're looking for the kids first and foremost. He's simply going to present himself first."

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah smiles and nods to Zora.
"I can understand that. I won't ask you to stress your friendship then. We will have to deal with this as the situation presents itself."

[LightBringer]

Brit

Nodding at Zora as she speaks Britannia replies, "I didn't think I was going to meet Lia, or even go into her territory, but we can take you to the edge of her territory, and that way you would have her protection once you left us."

Then she turns to Kirfah as she continues to the front gate, "Perhaps it is just me. You see Death as a servant of the North Star. I believe Death is Foster. I could be wrong. I may just be paranoid, but I know this definitely. If I were Death, and I wanted to 'use' the children against us, the first thing I would do to make my point, is toss the tortured freshly dead body of one of the children into the colony. After all, what better way to convince us that he is serious." After a short pause, that you can tell is the result Brit visualizing that scene, and a physical shudder, "The snow is fresh and deep. Even with his speed Death-with-Fangs won't be able to cover all his tracks, and we know the land just as well as him. I think this will be our best chance." once at the front gate Brit stops and waits, "Everyone have everything they need?"

(Just to refresh my memory, the group did use snow shoes and such on their way back to the colony, correct?)

[Gamebird]

Breena is not going.

Two options present themselves:

If Hoylur is also not going, then Breena turns to him and says, "Well, there went half the people who supposed to be at the meeting and everyone who was supposed to be taking care of the sick in this house. What do you think we should do now? I wonder, do you think Brit and Zora and Gunther think these people recovering from bloodbrow will just take care of themselves without them?"

If Hoylur went with the others, then she stays where she was and watches the group depart, listening to what she can hear of their words. Then she gives Hare a pet and goes back to Akasma.

She tells her, "Brit, Zora, Kirfah, Hoylur and Gunther have headed off into the woods. As I can tell, that leaves me, you, Fatima, my mother, Jacob and Orvokki still here. And Wybert, but he's not really able-bodied even if his heart is in the right place. I think we should prepare for the possibility that Brit and company won't be back soon. Given that Zora has elected to leave as well, no one is left at 'Drada's to take care of the dozen or so invalids there, except Wybert and he's blind. The only thing I can think to fix this is to move your household, with Sharad, over to 'Drada's so we can take care of the sick all in one place."

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

"Whether Death with Fangs is working for the North Star or its Foster, its still working for the North Star. You do have a point and I'm in no way saying we won't go out looking. I simply don't want to have a repeat, or worse, of what happened at the river when we found Brand. I want to defeat Death with Fangs so it will no longer be a threat to Last Breath. I only wish there was some way for us to gain the upper hand. I feel... Wait..." Kirfah looks around realizing the group isn't at full capacity.
"Brit, please wait at the gate for us, I must convince everyone to join us." Kirfah waits for a response before running off.

[LightBringer]

Brit

"Yes, you are right. Either way it is more than likely working for the North Star. At this point simply asking us to leave would be more than likely successful, that's the main reason I'm so worried." When asked to wait, "Sure thing. I don't mind waiting for everyone to get ready. Like you, I'd really rather end this now."

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah smiles to Brit and jogs back to speak with Breena and whoever else has decided not to accompany the party.
"We could really use the entire strength of our group out there when we deal with Death with Fangs. We nearly didn't defeat it at the river and I'm worried we might not be so lucky this time. What can I say to convince you (any one who isn't going) to come along?"

[Gamebird]

"Tell me you know where we're going and how long it will take to get there. Then be patient enough to discuss things like what supplies we'll need to get there and back and how we can best make sure Death doesn't make an end run around us, come here while we're out there, and kill all these helpless folk in there. Plus, before we rush off we need to make sure we're leaving someone other than Wybert here at 'Drada's to take care of the sick."

"It's already afternoon. Waiting until Jacob, Orvokki and your mother's bunch are here really seems like it would be the best option. Even if we're not asking them what they know of the children, we could have them all move into the same building so they could do the best job they could of defending it while we're away. I'm sure the wolf sees better at night than we do. Taking off in the morning would be a lot better idea, especially if wherever we're going is further than an hour or two away."

[Chris Chandler]

In order to facilitate that answer (since Dal would have to filter it through me anyways), I'll go ahead and give you what you'll know, as well as some more.

1. Where you're going - if you are all returning back to what Zora could identify as Death with Fang's "hunting grounds", then you are about a 15 minute walk away - basically to the far side of the river.
2. Regular supplies are already established - you have them. If you need anything out of the ordinary, you would need to specify it. Normal survival gear is a non-issue, though.
3. I'm going to take your second "version", that is, that Hoylur was going to travel with the group, because it allows you to discuss the situation with Akasma. She is, right now, picking up and moving to Theodrada's, along with Fatima and Grace, who are carrying Sharad in a pallet. They'll continue the move until nightfall (bringing over more supplies, etc.), then they'll lock down.

Well, mentioning Orvokki must have conjured her, because you see her and her daughter - a young elf of barely 30 summers (she looks about 8) crunching through the snow toward your party. Orvokki is dressed in her hunter's garb, ready to traverse, it seems, spear in hand and a strung bow in a quiver.

She glances toward Breena, then speaks to Kirfah.

Where is the feykin? I recieved a message just now from a small mouse saying that Lassi and Leif were... were being forced to take longer than expected. Have you seen little Zora?

The little elfling, Kaija, goes up to Breena and smiles -

Hi, Bree! I heard you travelled to the far south. Did you have a nice trip? Where'd you find the puppy?

She holds her hand out for Hare to sniff.

[LadyGlutter]

While they wait, Zora looks at Brit quizzically.

"What did you mean at this point asking us to leave would more than likely be successful?"

[Dalcassius]

Um... Yeah, what Chris said.

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah is looking rather stressed and worried. He seems as if he may split in twain any moment now.
"Bree, we can move every last person into Theodrada's, arm them, fortify them as best we can, but first and foremost are the unprotected children out there. The town has been searched and everyone questioned, before we returned home. The logical conclusion is the lair of Death with Fangs, though I pray to Al-Qazhad that this isn't the case. If we do not go out in full force, we may not come back at all, then were will Last Breath be. Please Bree, we need you."

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

"The logical conclusion is the lair of Death with Fangs, though I pray to Al-Qazhad that this isn't the case. If we do not go out in full force, we may not come back at all, then were will Last Breath be. Please Bree, we need you."

"All prayers aside, this is a case where the best defense is a good offense. There's no good which can come from bunkering down in a home and waiting for the big bad wolf to come and find us. We need to take the fight to him."

[LightBringer]

Looking at Zora, "I myself would never leave without a fight, you know that, but look at the situation. The main well is poisoned. Whoever attacked the colony did a fairly good job of destruction. I'd stay out of spite, but I'm not in control. With Mom and Dad gone, Theodadra dead, and Flannigan in Juren(sp), I'm not sure but I think Kirfah's mom is in charge. Either way, if the North Star wanted us gone from this area, it seems if they asked, and granted us safe passage, it would be hard to refuse."

[LadyGlutter]

Zora

"Okay, yeah, I guess. I suppose I'm seeing it differently than the rest of folks then. Because all I wish we could do is leave here, but I know we can't."

[Gamebird]

Thanks Chris. Maybe I'm just a dolt, but a lot of what you just said was why Breena was being such a stickler. A lot of things are being finessed, or maybe assumed, that are important, like communication.

To Kirfah she says, "It's just 15 minutes away? Crap! It took me more time than that to walk around Last Breath!" (I'm still wondering if the area within the walls is a few acres or a few square miles. Still not sure if snowshoes or skis are considered basic survival gear. Part of why Breena's not moving is based on my understanding of the movement rules [and reality] for snow travel and we have NINE feet of snow here, which means NO movement. PERIOD, for Medium sized critters. Not without a burrow speed or snowshoes, which I don't know if we have. Or did I misunderstand it's only nine INCHES?)

More later.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

The Ozan breaths a large sigh of relief and smiles to Breena.
"We should still grab some blankets incase we find the children alive and shivering."

[Chris Chandler]

Thanks Chris. Maybe I'm just a dolt, but a lot of what you just said was why Breena was being such a stickler. A lot of things are being finessed, or maybe assumed, that are important, like communication.

To Kirfah she says, "It's just 15 minutes away? Crap! It took me more time than that to walk around Last Breath!" (I'm still wondering if the area within the walls is a few acres or a few square miles. Still not sure if snowshoes or skis are considered basic survival gear. Part of why Breena's not moving is based on my understanding of the movement rules [and reality] for snow travel and we have NINE feet of snow here, which means NO movement. PERIOD, for Medium sized critters. Not without a burrow speed or snowshoes, which I don't know if we have. Or did I misunderstand it's only nine INCHES?)

More later.

The colony proper is on a few acres. the outlying homesteads (Hannigan's, Wybert's, Leif's, Lassi's, The Cross lands, a few others) make the area some miles square. Before you left Juren, you (the group) asked for snowshoes. You have them, and have been using them. I don't think anyone has skis.

The snow drifts are upwards of 9 feet, and some spots of unprotected land have over four feet. However, the vast majority of the colonial lands, especially those nearest the river, are under two feet of snow, maybe a bit more. This was outlined a good deal back, but I'm not surprised that it's slipped through the cracks.

The reason that it's only 15 minutes is because of two things:

You are near the "Main gate". That's the gate leading to the river road - it's a 5 minute walk during the summer. 15 minutes, maybe a bit longer, in snoeshoes and the like. Secondly, once you cross the bridge, you are in Death With Fangs' territory.

[Gamebird]

Breena nods at Kirfah and says to Orvokki, "Zora is over at the front gate. We were..." she looks momentarily perplexed, but continues, "we were just about to go confront the big wolf that's been threatening things. It would be best to get your news now. We were going to have a meeting to exchange news tonight, but Brit couldn't wait for that so we go now. Or at least, very soon."

She looks at Kaija and says, "That is a very long story. I'll tell you sometime, I hope. This is Hare. Hare, meet Kaija."

Turning back to Kirfah, she says, "If they're less than an hour away, then they'll probably survive getting back here as they are. Let's walk with Orvokki over to the front gate, so she can talk to Zora."

She heads that way.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah follows Bree to the rest of the group, relieved that for the first time in a long time everyone is moving in the same direction. He knows this is just the first step in many that need to be taken by the group.

[LadyGlutter]

Ok -- so what's the plan, generals? I'm here as guide, and I can do that part well, but I don't know how we're doing it. Straight into its territory? Or what?

[LightBringer]

Brit looks at Zora quizzically.....(Deleted rest of post. Figured Zora's other conversation would happen before Brit had a chane to respond.)

[LadyGlutter]

(Ok, yeah, I forgot I did have a statement just hanging in the air. Oh well.)

Zora looks at the group expectantly. "I mean, if you want me to, we could just march in. I just figure.... you know. We're after Death, right? He's sure to be waiting. So, I have a few spells, but Brit's got her bow. Are we going to try and snipe him? Or what?"

[Gamebird]

"Orvokki here has some information for you about Leif and Lassi. I think we should hear it before making plans. It might be connected."

[LadyGlutter]

(I'm going to roll with this, so slap me quick if I need it, because I want them to have followed so I can do this.)

If Orvokki tagged along, Zora gives her and her daughter a big hug each. "What's up?"

[LightBringer]

(Thank you GB. That was the conversation I was refering to. Sorry for not being clearer.)

[Chris Chandler]

Orvokki embraces Zora in proper Alafalan greeting* and says a soft phrase in sylvan -

<Blessed be that you are safe, Child. The Winter is truly upon us here.>


Then pulls back - a teary-eyed smile. She looks to the group -

Good fellow colonists, I've no doubt you've accomplished much in dealing with the terrible disease that has plagued Last Breath, and I've seen signs that whomever has plagued our community is threatened by you. The great wolf no long enters the colony. This is a good thing.

She again looks toward Zora -

Lassi send me a message by a ring-tailed mouse. It nearly died getting to me, with this cold, and all, but it said that... Here, I have it with me...

She reads out the missive -

We have been harried for three days by an unseen foe, only attacking at night, and only enough to drive us away from the colony. We have been skirted from the eastern fringes to the northwest, and are two days out, one if I had a sled and a team of dogs. Leif is injured, but mobile - he cannot fire his bow, but his swordarm is still good. We make for the river at dawn, build a barge and float down to the bridge. We've not seen any sign of the children. I would say that they went south, not north, but I do not know.

Orvokki finishes and looks around to the group -

I know that we hare stretched thin, but this "unseen foe" sounds different than the fell wolf near the river.

Kaija nervously pets Hare, speaking very softly to her in Alafalan.

---
* Enbarran priests (not laity) that are not Alafalan are considered brothers and sisters of the Alafalans. It's not completely like being an wood elf, but it's as close as any non-elf will get. That's why Zora gets an embrace, while everyone else does not. And besides... Hoylur's already gotten one hug today - don't be greedy!

[LadyGlutter]

Zora

Zora thinks over the message, looking at Kaija from time to time. She squats down and says, "HEY! Don't I get a hug? Her name is Hare."

Zora straightens up and asks Orvokki, while looking at the little one, thinking, "The wolf's been in the colony? Why hasn't anyone MENTIONED that?! And how long have the kids been missing?"

[LightBringer]

Brit

"And why would they head out by themselves? If you don't mind my asking?"

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah remains silent, listening intently to everyone.

[Ojoxsofeta]

Brit

"And why would they head out by themselves? If you don't mind my asking?"

"I could imagine that their parents' illnesses may have had one thing to do with it. Or perhaps they got sick, and they're a bunch of little trailblazers, so they've been blazing trails for the past who-know-how-long."

[Gamebird]

"A while back, Zora used her gifts to talk to Hare, here." She gestures at Hare. "Hare said that the creature in charge of capturing her... You see, we met Hare when a Gi girl was tied to her and Hare was chased into the village. The men shot her with arrows, Jurgen and 'his boys'. Hare recovered, but later she told Zora that the creature in charge of capturing Hare, killing her mother and bringing Hare here had several forms. One was that of a human we think was called Foster. Another was a great black wolf. Another was a tiny flying thing and the last was, as Hare said, 'nothing at all'. While we were in Juren, we caught a man named Foster who was responsible for kidnapping Hannigan and poisoning the well. But he didn't seem nearly as tough and competent as he'd been before. There was something 'off' about him. He confessed though and through Kirfah's spell to compel truth, he told us more." She shrugs. "He's not around anymore, but now the wolf is. The unseen foe, the wolf and Foster are in some way tied together. I thought it was one creature that changed shape, but maybe it is several creatures that... I don't know. They're tied together somehow."

[LadyGlutter]

Zora looks at Breena with a look of utter dismay and bafflement, but keeps her tongue and turns back to Orvokki and Kaija.

[Gamebird]

Breena gives Zora a confused look. "What? Wasn't that what she said? Or did I blurt out some sort of secret?"

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah remains silent some more, still listening intently to everyone, but now has an incredulous look on his face.
That's all new to me.

[Gamebird]

(Wait - I'm not confusing OOC with IC, am I? I thought Zora cast the spell in Juren and we asked Hare questions about Foster and his scent.... around the time we were messing with that shirt she and I dug up in the orchard.)

[Dalcassius]

I may just be forgetting the whole multiple forms thing, or Kirfah may have not been present so it was info I blocked out. It also could have been done via PM. Who knows.
I'm currently re-reading the entire game over again and making notes. Chris, expect a long annoying email from me in the next two weeks. :nervous:

[Chris Chandler]

That's my favorite type of email. Well, within gaming context, anyways.

As a side issue, I dug through all my old notes (through three Rubbermaid tubs of old 1e and 2e material, among others), and only have the "main map" for Kuralia, that is only Central Kuralia. My Far Reaches map is completely gone. Also, while I think my hand-drawn main map is pretty, I don't really know how well it will translate digitally.

I have a copy of CC3 that I've threatened with a stick, but it's not scared. That being said, I'll work on getting a low-quality, "landmark" map, to you guys by next week. I'm really sorry that I haven't gotten that done. The best I can say is that I was intimidated by the project.

[LadyGlutter]

Breena's already pissed at her, and no doubt the face she made just made it worse. Zora thinks about not answering, but decides, no, not talking is why we're where we are, at least if I tell her there will be something to work with later. Damn, she's a blockhead though. So she ploughs on through.

"Well, Breena, um... there's a lot of that stuff that isn't exactly what Hare said, no. It's umm.... what you've tried to piece together out of what all she said and what all happened. You're making a lot of guesses, some that really surprise me, and mixing up some facts as far as I remember them.."

Pause, Zora's face scrunches up while she tries to be tactful and pick the right words. "But more I just am worried this might not be the best time or WAY to get into all that." She glances down in worry at Kaija. "I mean yeah, we need to try and sort out the facts but I... I mean, no, it's not a secret or anything, just, wow, um... I'm sorry, Orvokki, I really didn't mean to get distracted. I need to stay on target too.

That fell wolf was in the town before we were here? No one told us that, it is probably important. How long? Um... and how long have the kids been missing?"

((OOC: Yes, there are some facts wrong there, I think. But also, bear in mind Zora didn't hear Kaija ask about Hare at all. As far as she knows, Zora just introduced her to the wolf cub. So she has no idea why on earth Breena would just out with all that information at that time. She doesn't get why she told the little girl all that stuff when it's clearly not straight in her own head, when the little girl has seen so many people die, is being asked questions about a big bad wolf, and about to be asked where all her playmates are. She has enough on her mind that Zora was already dreading burdening the kid with talking about. In fact, that's mostly the problem -- about the fact that Zora was warming the two elves up to try and pry some information about those kids out of them. So Breena, on a social level, rudely interrupted and distracted from the personal interaction aspect of what Zora was doing which was rather urgent. So now she's hoping that Breena didn't panic them or freak them out about something tangentially related, but not the most crucial thing at the moment. On top of the errors in memory. I doubt seriously Breena would understand all that, though, just that Zora looks like she was hit by a brick.))

[LightBringer]

Brit

Like Kirfah, Brit is just watching and thinking. As well as waiting for her question to be addressed.

[Gamebird]

Breena eyes Zora with a confused expression and narrowed eyes. She doesn't say anything else right now, giving Orvokki a chance to respond, while Breena tries to decide if she did or said something upsetting - and if so, what it was - or if Zora is messing with her somehow, which seems out of character for Zora.

(and yeah, blockhead is a pretty good description)

[Chris Chandler]

Orvokki looks to the group with a mix of fear and confusion, her mouth hanging open a bit. She looks between the three women of the group, those that have seemed to put forth the most input, but are, at the moment, very confusing their dialogue.

Kaija for her part just looks worriedly toward Zora trying to feel out the situation, she glances southward, away from the river from time to time.

Orvokki dares to answer Zora -

The wolf has been here since we've had issues with sickness. It was if he was trying to keep us within the colony, rather than seek aid.

She looks back toward Theodrada's -

The children missing seemed to happen right under the, um, square's nose, if you catch my meaning. My family, yours, too, I know, don't always loiter in the Colony square, so we never witnessed any... child's migration. Most of the people around the square - they were afflicted, and didn't notice as such. Lassi figures that the children, started congregating when their parents were less than dilligent -

She gives Kaija a meaningful look -

and went... somewhere. We've only recently come across this issue. Agatha, I'm sure has the details of the plan, right?

[Gamebird]

Just to be clear, Breena was responding to Orvokki, not to Kaija. Breena was specifically addressing Orvokki's last statement, this one:Orvokki finishes and looks around to the group -

I know that we hare stretched thin, but this "unseen foe" sounds different than the fell wolf near the river.

This would be clear from the person Breena is facing and looking at while talking, which is Orvokki.

Breena doesn't put forward any response at this time.

[LadyGlutter]

Zora catches her breath and softly shakes her head at Orvokki. She speaks gently. "Agatha... Agatha is resting now. She's in the last stages of the disease, and I've treated her. She wasn't making a lot of sense when I talked to her. At first she seemed fine, but she must have focused her energy on taking care of the town in general. I mean, she was doing a very good job, but... she just was off? You know? Wybert is taking care of her with the rest of them. Time is all that will tell."

Zora bends down to pet Hare for a moment, and looks at Kaija. "What is in that direction, Kaija? Whatcha looking at?"

[Gamebird]

To Orvokki, and softly so as not to interrupt Zora's conversation with Kaija, Breena says, "Wybert is blind now, or mostly so. The Saijid household is moving to 'Drada's place to help tend the sick. If you were able to come with us to slay the wolf, then that would be a good place for Kaija to stay. Or if you could stay here, I'd ask that you join them and guard them, in case we fail and the wolf attacks here again."

[LightBringer]

Brit closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and let's it out. Then opens her eyes and waits for Zora to finish speaking with her friends.

[Chris Chandler]

Kaija darts her head back toward our feykin. She leans into

A... are there any more sick people left who haven't been cured?

[LadyGlutter]

Zora smiles sadly. "The only people we haven't checked still are the other children that are missing. Do you know where they might be?"

[Chris Chandler]

Kaija sets her jaw and furrows her brow -

Everyone else is cured? Promise? Okay...

She looks back to the south, sighing.

They're in the grotto...

You have no idea what she's talking about. You know this area very well, and have never heard of a grotto, caves, limestone hollow, even a sinkhole to the south.

Orvokki listens to Breena politely, but giving her an "excuse me" nod, she begins to speak to Zora as soon as Kaija finishes her reply, but then stops, her eyes wide.

What grotto?

[LadyGlutter]

"Can you show me?"

[Chris Chandler]

Kaija looks at her mother with a worried expression. Her mother has... She has the face of an Alafalan woman, able to express everything and nothing all at once. Orvokki blinks slowly, and slows her breathing. She looks up at Zora -

Can you send a message to Lassi, like how he sent one here? He'll not reach the river until tomorrow. I just. I have something to give him, please - If it will not take too long. I think it will give him heart on his journey to return here.

She looks down at Kaija -

I will go and help young Mister Wybert look after the afflicted. You may show Zora your grotto, but you will listen to her as you listen to me.

Yes mother.

And Kaija, moves back across the path, heading back into town. She calls back -

It's on the other side of the South Road*. Not far!

---

The South Road enters, and connects to the Trade road on the east side of town, past the cooper and mercantile. It leads out east, but then heads south-southeast.

[LadyGlutter]

"Hold on, Kaija, we will go in just a moment. I need to do what your mother asked of me first. She needs to send something to your father and it's important. Orvokki, I can't get anything very large to him. Do you have what you need to send on you right now?"

Zora waits patiently for Kaija to return and Orvokki to hand her whatever.

[Chris Chandler]

It takes a few minutes, but Zora convinces a common sparrowhawk to come down for a morsel. She ties the letter to the bird's leg, and whispers a few soft words to him, and sends it flying.

Now then, where were we?

[LadyGlutter]

(I assume the rest of the group will decide what they're doing while Zora finds the birdy, but it's not relevant to make my post, since I'll be offline for a bit, I'll make it already.)

Zora turns to Kaija. "Okay, Kaija, let's go!"

[LightBringer]

Brit

Brit smiles as the sparrow flies away, then falls in behind her sister.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah clears his throat and speaks up finally.
"If we know where all the children are, that they are together, fairly safe and that it is not far; is it out of our way to perhaps procure a sled and team to allow us to expedite travel for the short ones in the deep snow? Then we can be left with only rescuing Lassi and Leif."

[Gamebird]

Breena grunts and looks in the direction the others had said the wolf was in. She mutters to herself, "Huh, and here I thought we were going to kill the wolf today." She shrugs and falls in after the others, heading south and following Kaija.

After a few strides, she turns and says to Brit (or at least in Brit's direction), "See what we can find out by holding a meeting and talking to other people?" She grins and seems prepared to dodge a blow, or at least a lethal look.

[LightBringer]

Brit

Brit, keeping pace behind Zora, looks at Breena, and smiles, "Yes, isn't a good thing that I pushed it up and forced the information out. Otherwise no telling what could have happened to the children between now and tomorrow."

[LadyGlutter]

Zora glances past that little exchange, irritatedly, and looks at Kirfah. "Do me the favor of coming along. She said not far. If we have to go back, we will, but I really think 'not far' is probably pretty literal. Let's find out exactly what all we have to do right now. There's only about a dozen of them. Hopefully we're fine, but if not, let's not spend a ton of time overpreparing for things that might not happen." She looks meaningfully at the elf child, worry still on her face.

[Dalcassius]

Kirfah nods and follows along.

[Chris Chandler]

So the party reverses direction, and heads across the colony square. As you pass the Mercantile, Kaija slows down enough for the slower members of the group (that'd be Hoylur, in particular - Zora's really the only one that can keep pace with the lithe child, but Hoylur is having a tough go of it) to catch up. She chats with Zora in Sylvan the entire way, asking about what sorts of birds and flowers Zora discovered on her trip, talking about everything and nothing at all.

At the mercantile, a burned out husk of a wooden structure on a stone foundation - only the foundation remains - Kaija speaks:

Okay, do you see that stand of trees heading down the slope? Rose and I were playing fairy-rings out there, and we found a hollowed stump. Under the stump was a... I guess a sinkhole or something, and it opened up to a little grotto - it's pretty seculded and...

She looks back to the group -

Well, you might be able to climb down there, Miss Zora. I know Miss Breena or Kirfah can't at all.

She smiles sheepishly.

Well, after everyone's parents started acting mad, Garrick started going house to house, bringing all the children to the stables. Once he found Rose, she told him about the grotto, and they all moved there. I've been bringing food when I can, and Branda forages at night. They've been hiding there for a while.

She starts moving again as she finishes her speech.

[LadyGlutter]

Hearing the rest of the story and having Kirfah agree with no complaint, talking to the child as she walked put Zora in a much more relieved humor, despite the irritation she had for a moment back there. When she sees the situation, she grins at Kirfah. "Might need your pulley system now, huh?" Then a glance at the rest of the group in general. "Right, so I'm going down there. Do you want to try too, Brit? I don't think it's necessary, but I can just yell if I think I need you."

[LightBringer]

"You're running the show right now Zora, you tell me what you want. "

[LadyGlutter]

Grin. "I'll yell if I need you." I follow Kaija down.

[Chris Chandler]

Kaija moves to the stump, and she's right. It is completely obscured - Zora, your keen eye would never have found this. Rose and Kaija did more than just "come across" this.

She slides down what looks like nothing larger than a badger-hole and yells out -

Watch the drop! Wheee!!!

Zora moves to the entrance, and shimmies in - Kaija was right. Tiny little Zora finds that it is a snug fit into the entrance.

You get all the way in, and then your feet find no purchase. You slide just a bit and then are in freefall, but for less than a moment, and you land clumsily on the ground. It is very dark down here, but you get enough light to see the confines.

It is, indeed, tiny - maybe 20 feet in diameter, and is a simple hollow of unworked stone. You catch sight of the children immediately - all of them. Garrik*, standing taller than you, even, stands up with a start, and moves toward you -

Z... Zora!? Bless Valasia - You're back!

All of the little girls are crying in concert, and the little boys, too. Garrick is red-rimmed, and Frideswide* runs and hugs you, bawling.

It's been horrible!!!

---
*Here (http://online-roleplaying.com/forums/showpost.php?p=259602&postcount=35) is the list of the names.

[Gamebird]

Breena gets down on all fours like an animal and pokes her head into the opening briefly, even going so far as to sniff around. Then she backs up and stands up as if normal, civilized people do that sort of thing all the time. "Huh. Well, I wonder how they get out once they get in? Let's toss in some rope and haul out the smaller ones. Zora can guide them from below so they don't get too scuffed." She sets about to doing this. She pauses after getting out the rope and turns to Kaija. "Kaija, how do you get out once you get in? Is there another way in, or do you just climb up the inside?"

[LightBringer]

Brit

"How about we just wait for Zora to tell us what to do. I meant it when I said she was running the show."

(Kaija is down the hole.)

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

"There is an old Alafalan saying, 'To follow direction well is a grand thing, especially when one should follow, but to stand idle when direction is not given is folley.' A little self initiative won't hurt anything; we can drop a rope down just in case." Kirfah gives Bree a hand with her pack and finds a secure place (if one exists) to tie off the rope, just in case. One can never be to careful. It will also leave everyone hands-free to help lift the children.

[LadyGlutter]

Zora

Zora looks around and hugs each child, kissing them on the head, making sure not to leave anyone out.

"Hi guys. I know it has been awful. I'm so sorry." At the sound of their wailing, Zora's own tears well up despite herself. She simply holds the kids for a moment. The darkness will keep her from making any thorough inspections, but she does check to see how warm it is, are they freezing to death, sniffs the air to see if they've been resorting to toileting in here, and other details as to the health of the situation while she makes her greetings.

[Chris Chandler]

The grotto is warmer, and the enclosed space has allowed for the body heat of the children to help, but it is still cold down here. You don't see any indication that the children have been using a corner of the grotto as a latrine, and you don't smell anything, either. You, likewise, don't see much in the way of food - you do see a bone pile just behind where you entered - almost exclusively snow hare. You'll note, too, that most of the children have "less than cured" hare pelts supplementing their winter garb. Going around, making sure to check and see if everyone is safe and sound gives you mixed results.

None of the children, to the best of your knowledge, is afflicted - at least the signs aren't there. Of course, the same might have been said of Agatha, at one point.

Some of the children are sick. The very youngest - Branda, Annis, and Aethel - all have colds. It looks like Agnes, too, has some frostbitten fingers. Garrick, Drogo, Frideswide, Rose, and Cena, the oldest children, are all clearly malnourished - the little ones seem, actually, to be pretty well fed. Garrick, too, looks like he's been in a fight, and has some poorly bandaged wounds to his shoulders, forearms and chest.

William, Aelflaed, Hrodwyn, Karri, and Olav all look to be in the best shape - dirty little kids, but nothing worse for wear.

You'll note that all the children are here! There are none missing!

---

Hey, noisykins - Your arguing has mostly covered its approach, but something large and growling is in the brush. The growling, specifically, sounds more like laughter than anything. It is this growl that undoes his ambush.

Kirfah and Gunther, specifically, are able to react to its approach, and, Kirfah, you actually have the jump on it.

Oh, clearly, Ozan, it is Death with Fangs. He is obscured somewhat by brush, but it's a giant talking wolf. Um.... There it is. He's 30 feet off.

---

You are in a loose stand of trees, which means that anyone man-sized can maneuver pretty easily, but Death with Fangs might have mobility issues. Likewise, proper movement could procure some bit of cover from the beast, from trees and brush. Finally, everyone's tactical movement is impaired because of the snow - double movement cost to get anywhere.

This is a surprise round. Kirfah, DWF, and Gunther are getting standard actions, then combat begins in full. Zora, while you theorhetically could act, you don't hear DWF, so don't realize that there is a threat. That, of course could change depending on what goes on upstairs.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

A dozen different thoughts run through Kirfah's mind. The first of which being Not here! Not now! Kirfah draws out his cross bow, drops to one knee and readies a bolt to fly. As he moves for battle he breaths deep and lets loose a war chant, in Theshian for once. His deepened voice rumbles out a tale of the attack by Death with Fangs at the Grotto of Last Breath and the vile beasts emanant demise. Silently Kirfah gives prayer to Al-Qazhad and his prophetess Abia that Zora hears it and puts two and two together. (Hint: The answer is 4.)

OOC: The +1 from Inspire Courage won't take effect until the next round as its a standard action to initiate it. This only means that Gunther wouldn't get a +1 to his attack if he does choose to attack this round.

[Chris Chandler]

As Kirfah begins his war chant, death with fangs speaks words of arcane might, and the entire area, formerly brightly lit, is now dim and has the cast of night about it. You all can still see Death with Fangs, but he is a shadowy figure.

Gunther shouts inarticulately, then taking a breath, he speaks the words in Asurian to bring forth the Blade of Hurion, a golden sword with a wide hilt and broad fuller. The blade floats in the distance, away from Gunther, right next to Death with Fangs. It glows with pale light, though it cannot break the stifling darkness. Gunther raises a hand, and the blade slashes forth, digging into the furry hide of the fell wolf, who howls in pain and rage!

Zora, you are tending to your wards, when all of a sudden it gets just that much more dark, like heavy clouds have obscured the sun. It's not out of the ordinary, except that today was clear skied. I'll leave it to you to determine what Zora would determine, of course.

((so go already!))

[Gamebird]

((so go already!))

Is that directed to the rest of us, since those who weren't surprised have both acted?

Breena's intention is to shout loudly and draw her scythe, rage and close with the beast. She is truly infuriated and would like nothing better than to hack large pieces out of this creature's body.

[LightBringer]

Brit

Brit listens to Kirfah's little speech,and thinks to herself, "Yes, yes, let's just run all over whoever is the most qualified to deal with a situation, just because we think we know evvvverything.", but makes no move to help Breena and Kirfah. So yes, she is quite surprised by being surprised. Regardless she pays no heed to Death's laughter, or Breena's rage, or anything going on around her. She simply turns to face Death, she knew he would come. She places the arrow she created against the dark wood of the bow, feels the string against her fingers as it slips into the notch, and draws the string back as far as it will pull. She breathes slowly as the string lays taunt against her cheek. "Must find the heart," is the only thing running through her mind. She wiats until the shot is open, no matter how long...

[LadyGlutter]

Zora

Zora glances up at the darkness but doesn't worry about it. She feels safe down here, and if she were needed, surely they'd yell for her. She has a feeling of faith being restored to her. Ironically, her thoughts are right on the right place, though. She turns to Garrick and expends a light healing spell. As she's touching him, she smiles and says lightly, "I'm so proud of you; you've done so well. Is it safe from the fell wolf in here?" It's almost a whisper, even though she knows they all can hear her, but she hopes the sniffles and excitement will mean not many of the kids are listening.

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

(sorry for the delay, I had food poisoning all last night and my user profile at work became corrupted and it's been a crummy morning all around - action to come shortly)

Hoylur will try and position himself to in such a way to use a ray of enfeeblement when a shot at the wolf becomes clear. If the wolf tries to go for him or gets within 10 feet of him, he will use a color spray, trying to avoid collateral damage in the conical AoE. (He won't save a second time).

[LightBringer]

Feeling the strain on her muscles Brit continues, "Sweet Valasia, and Great Mother Embarra please guide this your instrument of truth and love. Let it strike true, and bring your light to our foe. Let it break the chains and return him to the true cycle. Grant him peace. I your humble servant aks in your name." Brit whispers, seemingly to the arrow shaft, as she continues to hold the string tight against her cheek wait for an opening.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah curses the beasts spell and chants all the louder. In his heart he prays that they are not out classed this time around. Perhaps Death with Fangs had underestimated the group at the river and was now more than prepared to deal with the threat we presented. With a few droplets of sweat starting to form on his brow Kirfah looses his first arrow.

[Chris Chandler]

Also short on time (committee meeting!!!)

I'll post when I get home.

[Chris Chandler]

((If you guys want - I know that I've occasionally had the request - I'll handle combat rolling. You describe the action, I'll take care of the crunchy - I'll clean your post, Dal))
---

Kirfah, the first to act, forces Death With Fangs to dodge a deadly bolt, and the beast attempts to use the trees as a blind with no success (everyone sees where he tries to "hide"). You can hear that he growls an incantation, but you do not see any effect.

Gunther has his holy blade follow the fell wolf, and the weapon swings, but misses wide.

Hare bristles and pads away from the rest of the group, moving toward the far eastern edge of the woods, then she hunkers down. She is growling and angry.

Breena screams almost uncontrollably as she stomps through the snow toward the creature. She, in fact, succeeds in closing on him, and prepares her next action (which, chances are, involve taking chunks out of his hide with her scythe).

Hoylur sees an clear opening that he might not get later and sends forth a strangely sparkeling ray of magical energy toward Death with Fangs. Having been forced two avoid to attacks already, the fell wolf is unable to dodge the energy, and his enormous, sturdy frame sags with weakness.

Brit, breathing the last of her prayer, sends forth her crafted arrow and it the missile finds it's mark perfectly! The arrow strikes with sparks of divine fire, and the already weakened beast staggers back, yelping in fear and pain, growling an awful curse in Putonghua. Whatever providence was found in that arrow dissapates quickly enough, but Breena can see that Death with Fangs, if she can just land a blow will be breathing his last. His maw is dripping with his own blood for once. Brit's shot was, indeed, a kill shot. It's just a matter of making Death with Fangs aware of that.

---

"I'm so proud of you; you've done so well. Is it safe from the fell wolf in here?" It's almost a whisper, even though she knows they all can hear her, but she hopes the sniffles and excitement will mean not many of the kids are listening.

Protected from the events on the surface, Zora continues to tend to the throng of children. As our feykin touches Garrick, he takes a deep breath inward. Clearly the boy had been injured far worse than he had let on. Zora, you are certain that Enbarra's blessing just repaired a collapsed lung. Garrick was nearly dead and still leading the children. He replies, much more relaxed -

Uh, no, that thing is way to big to get in here. He'd been taking to eating the hares and other critters, though, to force us farther away from shelter. That's, um, why I looked this way - He hit me hard, and left me bleeding. Kaija dragged me back here on one of her runs. Thank you, so much, Miss Zora.

He gives himself the luxury to cry now. The rest of the group follows suit. It's a cacophany of tears and sobbing, but it's in relief, not fear.

That's when you hear the howl of pain and fear, Zora.

[LightBringer]

Brit

Seeing the shot is true, and the results indeed blessed, Brit whispers, "Thank you, great Enbarra and Valasia. Please forgive him his attentions, and lead his soul to the true path." She drops her bow and begins walking towards Death.

[LadyGlutter]

Is it easy for Zora to lift up to get out of there? She just would like to peer out somehow, not actually scramble out. If not, then she goes towards the opening and listens intently.

[Gamebird]

Breena continues in her desire to slay the beast, moving swiftly and surely despite her boiling rage.

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

Seeing that Death with Fangs appears to be taken care of (and that his companions will be moving into melee, it seems), Hoylur will pull out his crossbow for any necessary protection and check on the children.

Not going into the pit or anything, but to survey the situation.

Because bringing Hoylur into a melee situation is like bringing a kobold to a swordfight.

[Dalcassius]

Kirfah will ready an action to fire another shot if it looks like DWF is gonna try and bolt for it without finishing this dance. Otherwise he will hold off so as not to endanger those who are closing into melee.

[LightBringer]

Brit

As Brit moves forward, "It's okay Death. It's time for you to rejoin the cycle. You have been forgiven. Your next step awaits."

[Chris Chandler]

Zora, if you were strong enough, you could shimmy up the hole, but you'll not be able to reach the roof without some help. Clearly you'll need a boost, at least.

Kirfah takes a breath, waiting for Death with Fangs to try and beat a retreat.

The fell wolf takes the moment's opportunity to savagely bite Breena, leaving a gouge all along her trunk, nearly tearing her winter clothing apart. He tries to bring her down to the ground, but she resolutely keeps her footing. Not really paying attention to whether or not our yeoman falls to the ground, Death with Fangs attempts a retreat, which allows Breena to heave a murderous swing into the back of her quarry. His hind quarters buckle and he nearly collapses as he tries to scramble away.

This also allows Kirfah to loose his bolt, which, this time, finds its mark, right at the base of the shoulder.

Gunther directs Hurion's Blade to persue the enormous beast, who realizes now the folly of entering melee in such close quarters as this stand of trees. the blade swings down biting into the furry shoulder of the fell wolf.

Hare continues to hold her ground near the stump-hole, guarding it.

Breena takes advantage of Death with Fangs lack of manueverability and is able to catch up to him. She swings hard again and sends a long gash along the side of the creature, threshing him like so much wheat.

Brit moves forward, realizing that Death with Fangs is just about finished, and prepares for her own attack, though she will not quite be able to reach him. She at least is able to cut off a potential avenue for escape, as long as he doesn't just crash into her in a mad attempt to escape.

Hoylur, for his part, pulls out his arbalest, preparing the enormous weapon to fire. As he cranks the wyndlass, he keeps an eye on the stump-hole, though he really cannot see much of anything.

[Gamebird]

Breena, moving faster than a person should be able to move, seems intent on killing the beast. She laughs as it tries to run away. She chases it down gleefully and slams her blade into it. She cares nothing for her injuries. Her only break from the joy of tearing something apart is a quick look at Brit and a snarl or perhaps growl of threat, before turning back to the more important work of ending Death with Fangs.

[LadyGlutter]

If not, then she goes towards the opening and listens intently.

:P

[Chris Chandler]

You hear moving about, Kirfah chanting, and Breena making noise. You also hear the growls and yelps of a large animal, and from your exposure, it's most likely Death with Fangs.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

With Death with Fangs on the run, Kirfah moves to a position outside the area of darkness summoned by the fell wolf. With his sight unhindered Kirfah takes to knee once more to prepare to fire on the beast.

I'm not sure what type of movement will be needed to get Kirfah into the clear and if that would leave him with the ability to attack in the same round.

[LightBringer]

Brit

Brit will close with her tonfa at the ready. She intends to aim at a softer spot in DwF's skull. If he attempts to bite her, she'll try to avoid it but either way stay focused on finishing the job.

[LadyGlutter]

In that case, Zora's going to stand there where the acoustics are best, but there's no need to poke her head out just yet. She turns to the kids while she's listening. "My sister and friends are killing the wolf right now I think, and we might need to take a trip to town. Is anyone else hurt like Garrick? Can everyone make it out of the hole?"

[Gamebird]

"Getawayfromhimyou, he'smine!" Breena snarls at Brit as she approaches.

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

Hoylur will make an attempt to find and observe where Zora done got off to.

[LightBringer]

Brit simply ignores Breena, and begins a new prayer, "Death has walked among us, Mothers of life. It is time for his sins to be forgiven and cleansed. Guide my hands as we try to send him to you, to be restored to the true path. I ask this in the name of Enbarra, and Valasia."

[Chris Chandler]

Kirfah -

There are, of course, more options, but the three main options are moving east, south, or west - You northerly progress would be heading toward Death with Fangs. You are having a tough time really determining just how big this unnatural darkness actually is, and it's really a toss-up for you to determine which of the three remaining directions to travel. Breena is on his west flank, Brit is cutting off both a south and southeasterly approach. Hoylur is in the process of moving toward the stump, which is hard east from you. Gunther is adjacent to you, to your west. Let's place you 10 feet away from the stump, which is, likewise, about 15 feet from Death with Fangs

[Dalcassius]

Well, if DwF's is north, south is a bad idea, since that will just put the darkness between us and perhaps add a range increment to the attack. Kirfah will move east until out of the darkness and then begin to circle around the combat counter clockwise looking for an opening, keeping a minimum distance of >30ft at all times. I fully expect this to be several rounds of action.

[Chris Chandler]

Kirfah stomps through the snow easterly and just gets between two snow-covered spruce before Death with Fangs lurches off again. He clearly is working on an escape now, and he just crashes into Brittania in a mad attempt to escape. Breena, once more, sees an opening, and swings her scythe in a smooth arc of death, tearing a grievous wound on the creature's left side, puncturing a lung and cracking ribs. As Death with Fang lurches forward with the last of it's might, attempting to run over the smaller woman, Brittania holds steady and thrusts out (Kiai!) with her tonfa, striking the foul monster in the throat. It collapses, it's lifeless momentum carrying it nearly on top of our errant, who barely avoids the half ton of flesh bearing down on her.

Death with Fangs has fallen!

Hoylur moves quickly to the tree stump, and sees the lovely feykin peering up at him. You can barely make out the shape of what looks to be a young man standing near her, and you hear the vague sound of voices down there. Oh... Hare's growling at you. She's, um, guarding that tree stump, you know.

As soon as Death with Fangs collapses, the unnatural darkness begins to dissapate, until the bright winter sky is once again clear and blue.

[Gamebird]

"IfIdidn'tthinkIkilleditratherthanyou, you'dbenext!" Breena bares her teeth at Brit and swings again into the monster's corpse, punctuating her threat (or maybe just making sure it's dead).

[Chris Chandler]

How'd I miss this? Stoopid stealth-posts...

In that case, Zora's going to stand there where the acoustics are best, but there's no need to poke her head out just yet. She turns to the kids while she's listening. "My sister and friends are killing the wolf right now I think, and we might need to take a trip to town. Is anyone else hurt like Garrick? Can everyone make it out of the hole?"

The children all nod eagerly, all of them sniffing.

Yes, I'd like to get out of here, miss!

Please, can we back to the colony now, Miss Zora?

I'm okay! I can help carry Garrick!

The children agree that it was only Garrick was ever injured. Agnes has frostbitten fingers, but everyone else is in relatively good shape.

Garrick speaks up -

We might need the rope to get me out. Normally I can hop on up, but my shoulder's real stiff!

He looks at the rest of the kids -

You know... I suppose... we need the rope for everyone! I lowered the little ones down, when we got down here, but everyone else was able to scramble.

Kaija tugs on your sleeve. She'd been standing quiet, letting you check on everyone, staying out of the way -

I'd hidden the knotted rope in the brush above. It's probably covered by snow by now, but it should be fine.

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

"Sha..." he orders Hare,"you know me."

He looks down the hole to Zora. "Is any help required?"

((Chris posted while I was - rats.))

[LightBringer]

"Think whatever helps you Breena." Then Brit moves back to the front of the beast and makes a holy sign, as she begins a silent prayer for the beast.

[LadyGlutter]

Zora looks up at Hoylur.

"Is the fight over? There's a knotted rope in the brush, under the snow, but only if it is safe."

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

Hoylur looks around to make sure that the lungs of lupus pwnicus are no longer heaving, and seeing the beast lying on the ground dead, he searches around for the rope. (Search +1)

Finding it when and if he does, he will toss it down Zora.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah looks back and forth between Hoylur at the stump and the ladies at the wolf corpes. Good Grief.
Kirfah goes over to the stump to lend a hand in hauling the children out.

[Gamebird]

Breena stands there panting, her skin feeling like millions of needle pricks as the adrenaline fades. "Ow." She puts her hand to her chest and then staggers away, orienting back to the stump after a few paces. With some difficulty, she hoists the scythe up to rest on her shoulder.

[Chris Chandler]

Hoylur

Hoylur looks around to make sure that the lungs of lupus pwnicus are no longer heaving, and seeing the beast lying on the ground dead, he searches around for the rope. (Search +1)

Finding it when and if he does, he will toss it down Zora.

Hoylur gauge that the creature has, indeed, breathed its last, then take three steps away, following the instructions given and he steps on the rope.

Good job! The rope is about 20 feet long, and knotted every two feet or so, for ease of use. It's a nice, thick hempen rope, which means Hoylur's mighty bookworm muscles are, er, bulging with the lift.

Now, then, can we expect Kirfah to erect a peicemeal steam engine lift, or perhaps a wind-powered winch? Personally, I'd like to see if he could construct an aqueduct to the spot and create a dam and lock system to raise the children up.

What?

[LightBringer]

Brit finishes the prayer and looks over as Breena makes a verbal indication of pain. She knows she's about to step in it but ask, in a neutral tone with a hint of concern, anyway, "Would you like me to tend to that Breena?"

[Gamebird]

"Huh?" Breena pauses and looks over at Brit, as if not even recognizing her for a moment. "Errrmm... No, thanks. Maybe Zora can look at it later. As long as it's not poisoned or anything." She turns and heads back towards the stump, muttering to herself, "I feel so groggy..." She shakes her head a few times as if trying to clear it.

[LightBringer]

Brit smiles and nods, "As you wish." She then starts going about looking for logs and dragging them over to the dead body.

[Ojoxsofeta]

Hoylur

Hoylur gauge that the creature has, indeed, breathed its last, then take three steps away, following the instructions given and he steps on the rope.

Good job! The rope is about 20 feet long, and knotted every two feet or so, for ease of use. It's a nice, thick hempen rope, which means Hoylur's mighty bookworm muscles are, er, bulging with the lift.

Now, then, can we expect Kirfah to erect a peicemeal steam engine lift, or perhaps a wind-powered winch? Personally, I'd like to see if he could construct an aqueduct to the spot and create a dam and lock system to raise the children up.

What?

Hoylur hollers to the more muscular members of their group. "Hey! Can somebody drag this rope up a couple of times so we can get these kids home? My brain can't handle heavy lifting, and while he looks like a mongoloid, our cantor is less than likely to haul up angel haired youth with noses running."

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah is looking down the whole trying to see what he can see without much attention paid to Hoylur until he hears the word "cantor" and his head snaps up.
"I think I can manage. Thank you." He musters a little more humour for the comment then one would have gambled on.
If there is enough spare length on the rope, Kirfah will tie it off to the stump itself, other wise he just holds fast as best he can.

[Chris Chandler]

The stump itself is barely what could be called a solid. It is crumbled and rotten. Now there are a number of sturdy pines that might work. You could brace the rope yourself, though. Garrick is the largest person down there, and he's not quite 9 stone. You'll make a fine anchor, though, Kirfah.

[Gamebird]

Breena arrives and puts down her scythe, scooping up some clean-looking snow to press against the torn clothing across the top part of her bosom. That seems to wake her up a bit and the fog lifts from her eyes.

She looks around to see where things stand, but doesn't volunteer for anything right away. "You think, maybe we should check to see if he had any backup before we get the kids out?"

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

Kirfah stops in his tracks and looks around.
"It may be a good idea. Lets get everyone here and we can make a group decision."

[Gamebird]

"Are they all okay in there?" She fusses with her clothing, making sure her "assets" are covered.

[Dalcassius]

Ozan Kirfah Sajid

"I believe so. Zora is down there with them and they don't seem to be caterwauling. If you want to call down and double check with the Zora I'll go speak with Brit."

[Gamebird]

"Sure." She moves closer to the hole and takes over anchoring the rope. She calls down, "Zora, I'm here now. If the kids are all safe there, I think we should..." She pauses and considers how upset Zora got about her talking about Death with Fangs and similar topics in front of Kaija. "Eh, I think we should talk up here about the safest way to get them back to the colony before hauling them all up."