Redlun XXVII

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12a8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B>Redlun Archives </B></div> <div> <A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun I"><U><B>Volumes I to XXIV</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id295.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXVI"><U><B>Volumes XXXXVI to L</B></U></A><B>XV</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id259.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Village"><U><B>Redlun Village Map</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id181.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Plans"><U><B>Redlun Manor Plans</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id178.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Survey"><U><B>Redlun Survey</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id179.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Decree"><U><B>Redlun Decree</B></U></A></div> <div> <B> </B></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" ><B>Missiledine's Archives</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Missiledines Archives"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id202.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXV"><U>Redlun XXV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id204.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXVI"><U>Redlun XXVI</U></A>   |   <B>Redlun XXVII</B>   |   <A HREF="id213.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXVIII"><U>Redlun XXVIII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id214.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXIX"><U>Redlun XXIX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id215.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXX"><U>Redlun XXX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id232.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXI"><U>Redlun XXXI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id255.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXII"><U>Redlun XXXII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id261.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIII"><U>Redlun XXXIII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id263.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIV"><U>Redlun XXXIV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id264.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXV"><U>Redlun XXXV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id266.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXVI"><U>Redlun XXXVI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id271.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Redlun XXXVII"><U> Redlun XXXVII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id278.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIIX"><U>Redlun XXXIIX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id280.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIX"><U>Redlun XXXIX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id281.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXX"><U>Redlun XXXX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id284.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXI"><U>Redlun XXXXI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id285.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXII"><U>Redlun XXXXII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id288.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXIII"><U>Redlun XXXXIII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id290.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXIV"><U>Redlun XXXXIV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id292.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXV"><U>Redlun XXXXV</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Missiledines Archives"><U><B>Archive Directory</B></U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Redlun XXVII</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> You have just entered room "Missiledine Chat21."</div> <div> Dukejr01 has entered the room.</div> <div> Missiledine: hello</div> <div> tacit01 has entered the room.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Yo.</div> <div> Missiledine: hey</div> <div> tacit01: howdy</div> <div> Missiledine: so... is everyone ready?</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. to finish queries as to where we are in Redlun....</div> <div> Dukejr01: yup</div> <div> Missiledine: you are still in the wilds south of Redlun, having captured a number of horses and a prisoner</div> <div> Dukejr01: what is tstandard proceedure for bodies that aren't taken to a church burial to prevent reanimation?</div> <div> Missiledine: cross your fingers and hope for the best</div> <div> Dukejr01: how many horses are there? one section says 20 half wild ones and another says 25 - 35?</div> <div> Missiledine: if you don't have a cleric on hand</div> <div> Dukejr01: we can sever their heads and thumbs. bury them separately. crush the skull so its not intact.</div> <div> Missiledine: well... when you first saw the herd, there were more then are currently present. Some must have </div> <div> Missiledine: gotten lost</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. </div> <div> Missiledine: desecrating a corpse!</div> <div> tacit01: eeewwww!</div> <div> tacit01: (but prudent)</div> <div> Dukejr01: hmph. yeah. to prevent reamimation, I expect folks in this world think its par for course.</div> <div> Missiledine: also illegal</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. that is different.</div> <div> Dukejr01: gotta stay legal you know.</div> <div> Dukejr01: while the area is being policed. Athamar is resting. when he has enough points he wil cast Mind </div> <div> Missiledine: custom would call for bringing them back</div> <div> Dukejr01: Mind SEarch on the prisoner, to determine his religious affiliation</div> <div> Missiledine: Mitraen</div> <div> Dukejr01: really? wow. okay.</div> <div> Dukejr01: can we get all the bodies loaded? or are we going to have to bury some for later recovery?</div> <div> Missiledine: hey, just because you were brought up Mitraen doesn't mean you can't do illegal things</div> <div> Dukejr01: I was just figuring they were heading for gob territory.</div> <div> Missiledine: trading with goblins and jhensari is illegal</div> <div> Dukejr01: a coupel ofthe bodies are probably paste since they were in a rain of stone for a full minute.</div> <div> Dukejr01: so is attacking a Lord who was jsut following them without provocation.</div> <div> Dukejr01: its called banditry.</div> <div> Missiledine: not paste... broken and bloodied yes</div> <div> Missiledine: true</div> <div> Dukejr01: hmmm.... okay. can we get them loaded or must we rig a travois and drag them?</div> <div> Missiledine: of course, you didn't exactly identify yourself</div> <div> Dukejr01: <shrug> I think I am legal here. :-)</div> <div> Missiledine: you could have been the brigands</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. where do we stand? A will cast Seek earth looking for silver opting out hte silver we found on </div> <div> Dukejr01: the attackers.</div> <div> Missiledine: lets see... between saddle mounts and pack horses, you have 10 usable animals and 6 bodies</div> <div> Dukejr01: rig a travois. drag them behind he pack horses.</div> <div> Dukejr01: two travois should be more than adequate.</div> <div> Missiledine: <sorry, book keeping></div> <div> Dukejr01: np</div> <div> Missiledine: ok... Seek Earth shows some silver about 4 miles SW of your present location</div> <div> Missiledine: two travois will be more then adequate</div> <div> Dukejr01: whoa! okay. Corrn talks to Miklas and Jacinta. "Ithink our escaped friend is 4 miles SW of here."</div> <div> Dukejr01: oops! Athamar </div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> Dukejr01: I have corren on the brain</div> <div> Missiledine: see a doctor</div> <div> Missiledine: <I hear you get that from too much beer></div> <div> tacit01: <I head they have medicine for that now></div> <div> Dukejr01: <never!></div> <div> Missiledine: <It's a shot in the.... err, head></div> <div> Dukejr01: anyway. what time of day is it?</div> <div> Missiledine: hmmm, by the time you get everything sorted out... late afternoon, staring to get dark</div> <div> Dukejr01: well, the thing is if A detects silver 4 miles away, he plans to take Jacinta and Miklas and pursue</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: the guy. l</div> <div> Dukejr01: The troops can sort things out and make a camp nearthe water.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: what is the plan?</div> <div> tacit01: kill?!</div> <div> Dukejr01: A takes miklas and Jacinta onthe least injured horses and start heading SW. A will stop and cast </div> <div> Dukejr01: again in about two miles., using that method we should be able to keep him tracked. when we get close</div> <div> Dukejr01: it will depend on terrain. but probably A will just rain stones on him.</div> <div> Dukejr01: the troops can park it here with orders to return to redlun ASAP if we don't return in 2 days.</div> <div> Missiledine: you mount up and set out SW... you are traveling across the grain so to speak, most valleys and </div> <div> Dukejr01: A doesn;'t plant opursue long past a day.</div> <div> Missiledine: gullies run east to west</div> <div> Dukejr01: Gotcha.</div> <div> Missiledine: after about two miles of up and down travel, you stop and cast again...</div> <div> Missiledine: the silver is now almost dues south, but about 5 miles now</div> <div> Dukejr01: would south be not against the grain?</div> <div> Missiledine: still against the grainb...</div> <div> Dukejr01: crap. he knows this territory better than we. continue one</div> <div> Dukejr01: on</div> <div> Missiledine: grain. There are passes through that are easier travel, you come across them occaissionaly, but you</div> <div> Missiledine: don't know your way</div> <div> Dukejr01: how close are we to getting out of the plains?</div> <div> Missiledine: you continue on... how long till you cast again?</div> <div> Dukejr01: another 3 miles.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A informs his companions.</div> <div> Missiledine: you can't be much more then 12 or 15 miles to the cliffs</div> <div> Dukejr01: k.</div> <div> Dukejr01: he is headed that way?</div> <div> Missiledine: they are due south</div> <div> Missiledine: yes</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Missiledine: three miles on you cast again...</div> <div> Missiledine: he is still due south, still about 5 miles ahead</div> <div> Dukejr01: keep moving.</div> <div> Missiledine: it is well on to dark now</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Dukejr01: is there a moon?</div> <div> Missiledine: your passage is getting very slow as you pick your way</div> <div> Missiledine: half</div> <div> Dukejr01: we can use cont lights.</div> <div> Missiledine: you have to go slowly climbing up and down, in and out of the vales... ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: how are the horses?</div> <div> Missiledine: even with that you speed is reduced</div> <div> Dukejr01: yes yes</div> <div> tacit01: then we'd bee seen approaching, if we ever get close - and if this guy has friends out here....</div> <div> Dukejr01: true, but not from 5 miles away</div> <div> Missiledine: they are tired, you will spend a lot of time leading them</div> <div> Missiledine: of course, riding isn't much faster right now</div> <div> Dukejr01: yes yes</div> <div> Missiledine: when will you cast again?</div> <div> Dukejr01: another two miles</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: you don't locate any silver</div> <div> Dukejr01: cast again</div> <div> Missiledine: this time you detect it about 4 miles south</div> <div> Dukejr01: "four miles...."</div> <div> Dukejr01: go another 2 and cast again. start hiding our lights.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: that is use them but direct he light toward the ground etc. use judiciously</div> <div> Missiledine: two miles on you cast and locate it two miles south of you</div> <div> Dukejr01: "He has stopped. two miles due south. lets proceed leading the horses. no lights."</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas nods assent</div> <div> tacit01: J nods</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar will be practical and lead his and one other horse leaving miklas free to be on point.</div> <div> Missiledine: you move on, very slowly now, stumbling and slipping on the frosty ground</div> <div> Missiledine: do you cast again?</div> <div> Dukejr01: yes.</div> <div> Missiledine: when?</div> <div> Dukejr01: another mile on</div> <div> Missiledine: ok... you locate the silve about three quaters of a mile south and a tad east (You aren't traveling </div> <div> Missiledine: in a straight line></div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. A informs Miklas.</div> <div> Dukejr01: is there a place to put the horses?</div> <div> Dukejr01: give them water, grain and some rest?</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas will move off in that direction, crossbow ready</div> <div> Missiledine: you can find a shrub to tether them to. Haven't seen any watere in awhile</div> <div> tacit01: how far are we from the cliffs?</div> <div> Missiledine: hard to say exactly, 5 to 10 miles, they aren't a straight line</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. well. make sure the horses are watered from waterskins then.</div> <div> tacit01: horses would prob be content with rest, as least for a little while</div> <div> Dukejr01: we continue forabout another 1/2 mile, looking for a good place to put the horses</div> <div> Missiledine: plenty of sheltered spots, no water tho</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. fine a nice one. give them water from skin. give them corn. let them rest. picket them.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: proceed toward the silver. A will cast again aftre about a half mile</div> <div> Missiledine: no sign of Miklas, who went on ahead</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay.</div> <div> Missiledine: the spell indicates silver about a hundred yards south of you</div> <div> Dukejr01: proceed slowly. he will find us</div> <div> Dukejr01: crouching, slink forward. A will let J proceed at her pace</div> <div> Dukejr01: "100 yards.." he points and whispers</div> <div> Missiledine: you climb what you figure is the last ridge between you and the source, before reaching the top</div> <div> Missiledine: a pebble bounces off you, Miklas is to your left, on his belly looking over the lip</div> <div> Dukejr01: slooowly crawl over to him.</div> <div> Missiledine: he points over the top....</div> <div> Dukejr01: look</div> <div> tacit01: we spread out a bit, a few yards (at least) between us</div> <div> Missiledine: on the far slope, about halfway up, dimly seen in the moon light, is the horse. Apparantly dead.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Cast sense life on it 2 yard radius</div> <div> tacit01: rode it to death? - sounds fishy</div> <div> Dukejr01: <that is what I think</div> <div> Missiledine: horse is dead</div> <div> tacit01: not completely unlikely, but fishy - be alert for ambush</div> <div> Dukejr01: look carefully around the area. any thing else? a place where he could hole up?</div> <div> tacit01: any smell of blood in the air?</div> <div> Missiledine: in the dark... looks like lots of places</div> <div> Missiledine: not that you can detect</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will start casting Sense life on the ones nearest the horse</div> <div> Dukejr01: 2 yeard radius ones. conserve energy</div> <div> Missiledine: the areas on the horse are about a hundred feet away... you detect life on the first cast, a heavy </div> <div> Missiledine: mesh of brambles</div> <div> Missiledine: by the horse... maybe twentyfive feet away</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. I didn;'t specify. I was looking for human life. :-) I hope it ain't a lion</div> <div> Missiledine: now what?</div> <div> Dukejr01: was it human life A detected?</div> <div> Missiledine: you didn't specify... casting again?</div> <div> Dukejr01: yes</div> <div> Missiledine: no, its not</div> <div> Dukejr01: himmmm..... cast looking for lion.</div> <div> Missiledine: no, no lion</div> <div> Dukejr01: hmmm.. can I get an idea of how big it is?</div> <div> Missiledine: not very... smaller then a dog</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. A starts casting on other places looking for human life</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas says, " don't know my Lord. I can't feel anything."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Cast seek earth for silver again</div> <div> Missiledine: how many sense life castings? before the SL?</div> <div> Dukejr01: 3 of the closer ones,</div> <div> Dukejr01: should nt take long</div> <div> Missiledine: no human life detected</div> <div> Dukejr01: k.</div> <div> Dukejr01: silver</div> <div> Missiledine: points straight to the horse</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay,. are there any good ambush poisitions near the horse?</div> <div> Missiledine: the top of the opposite ridge</div> <div> Dukejr01: i mean, where we could be humped?</div> <div> Missiledine: humped?</div> <div> Dukejr01: cast sense life up there</div> <div> Dukejr01: jumped.</div> <div> Dukejr01: query answered . :-)</div> <div> Missiledine: no human life</div> <div> Dukejr01: cat on that for any life</div> <div> Missiledine: yes</div> <div> Missiledine: some type of small animal</div> <div> Dukejr01: hmmmmm.... okay, interesting, A whispers to Miklas. "Something on the ridge above."</div> <div> Missiledine: "What kind of something?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: anything that small really dangerous?</div> <div> Missiledine: some snakes are poisonous...</div> <div> tacit01: an angry badger is a pain to dael with...</div> <div> tacit01: :-)</div> <div> Missiledine: "Probably here to scavange the horse." Miklas says</div> <div> Dukejr01: "A couple small lifes in that brambles and up on that ledge. the silver is on the horse. maybe we </div> <div> Dukejr01: should shoot a bolt with a light on it near the horse</div> <div> Missiledine: <I have seen badgers trash parties1></div> <div> Missiledine: !</div> <div> Dukejr01: <sounds like a dead milkmen song></div> <div> Missiledine: <eh?></div> <div> Dukejr01: <nevermind></div> <div> Missiledine: okay</div> <div> Dukejr01: "No helping it. we have to look. shall we lihght up teh area first?</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas has a ready crossbow</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts cont light 4 points in the end</div> <div> Dukejr01: othte bolt</div> <div> Dukejr01: of the</div> <div> Missiledine: he shoots... the bolt traces a glowing path across the gully, thunks into the ground and </div> <div> Missiledine: buries itself in the dirt</div> <div> Dukejr01: completely?</div> <div> Missiledine: dark over there again</div> <div> Dukejr01: lol</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. just chuck one of ours.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar chortles a bit</div> <div> Missiledine: "Want me to try again?"</div> <div> tacit01: oops</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts another one</div> <div> Missiledine: on the tail this time?</div> <div> Dukejr01: J, you have bow?</div> <div> Dukejr01: that is where I wanted it the first time</div> <div> Missiledine: didn't specify</div> <div> Dukejr01: J has bow?</div> <div> Missiledine: powerful crossbow</div> <div> Dukejr01: forget it. cast on tail end of bolt</div> <div> Dukejr01: <troy must be afk></div> <div> Missiledine: yep... ok</div> <div> Missiledine: shoots, thunks, area is illuminated</div> <div> Dukejr01: good</div> <div> Missiledine: nothing seems to happen</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. we approach</div> <div> tacit01: sorry - Yes, J has bow</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas reloads</div> <div> Dukejr01: can we see more than the horse?</div> <div> Missiledine: err, you can see the ground around it... the thickets etc</div> <div> Dukejr01: we approach</div> <div> Dukejr01: go to the light</div> <div> Missiledine: nothing hostile is visible</div> <div> Missiledine: your there. nothing happens</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts seek silver excludign the silver onteh horse this time</div> <div> Dukejr01: let J check the horse</div> <div> Missiledine: the bit and bridle fittings are silver</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Dukejr01: exclude them</div> <div> Missiledine: the next nearest silver is 4 miles south and west</div> <div> Dukejr01: crap</div> <div> Dukejr01: lets go get our horses</div> <div> tacit01: <goody> - J checks the horse - approach it from behind</div> <div> tacit01: oh, nevermind</div> <div> Missiledine: it is dead... saddle and harness are there</div> <div> Dukejr01: get the bit and bridal fittings and lets get moving</div> <div> Missiledine: you can see that its throat has been cut</div> <div> Dukejr01: broken leg?</div> <div> Missiledine: ys</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Missiledine: yes</div> <div> Dukejr01: we get our horses and continue</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: you continue on</div> <div> tacit01: anyhing else useful on the horse?</div> <div> Missiledine: no, saddle bags and bedroll are gone</div> <div> Missiledine: saddle is there</div> <div> Dukejr01: use lights again. go two miles before casting again</div> <div> Missiledine: still 4 miles SW, though a bit more west then last time</div> <div> Dukejr01: k.</div> <div> Missiledine: you move on... it is late now, the moon will be setting soon</div> <div> Dukejr01: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: we still pursue.</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas says, "Do you think he knows he's being hunted?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "could be. or he is going to reinforcements. either way we need to catch him"</div> <div> Missiledine: how long till you cast again?</div> <div> Dukejr01: 2 miles</div> <div> Missiledine: the source is south and west still, but you have closed a little bit, maybe three and half +/-</div> <div> Missiledine: miles]</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. keep going. cast in 2 miles agin</div> <div> Missiledine: next casting shows the same bearing, but now just over three miles</div> <div> Dukejr01: keep moving. can we pick up the pace somehow? how long til cliffs?</div> <div> Missiledine: anywhere from 5 to 8 miles you think</div> <div> Dukejr01: shit. okay. keep it up</div> <div> Missiledine: any faster and you risk injury</div> <div> Dukejr01: gotcha. keep moving</div> <div> Missiledine: next casting?</div> <div> Dukejr01: 2 miles</div> <div> Missiledine: plots due south, three miles</div> <div> Dukejr01: sigh. okay. keep moving cast in one mile</div> <div> Missiledine: due south, 2.5 miles</div> <div> Dukejr01: again in 1 mile</div> <div> Missiledine: south, 1.5 miles</div> <div> Dukejr01: again in 1 mile. souse lights</div> <div> Dukejr01: douse</div> <div> Missiledine: south, half a mile</div> <div> Missiledine: it is about 3 am</div> <div> Dukejr01: "half mile. seems to have stopped.</div> <div> Dukejr01: we move more cautiously. might be an encampment</div> <div> Dukejr01: with sentries</div> <div> tacit01: yup</div> <div> Missiledine: the horses need rest</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. find a nice gully to stash them in. give them mroe water and let them sleep</div> <div> Missiledine: and food and water... the last of which you haven't seen for hours</div> <div> Missiledine: "How much water do we have?" Miklas asks. "The horses can drink gallons."</div> <div> Dukejr01: each of us take a drink. let the horses have teh rest.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: go south. slowly</div> <div> Missiledine: you have moved about a quarter mile south of where you left the horses when Miklas freezes in place</div> <div> Missiledine: staring off into the dark to the SE</div> <div> tacit01: <very alert, that Miklas..> J freezes</div> <div> Missiledine: you can't see anything odd, the usual thickets, boulders and scrub</div> <div> Dukejr01: freeze as well.</div> <div> Dukejr01: any place that can hide a man?</div> <div> Missiledine: very, very slowly, Miklas sinks to the ground until he is on his belly</div> <div> Dukejr01: same.</div> <div> Missiledine: possibly</div> <div> tacit01: ditto</div> <div> Dukejr01: cast sence human life on each thicket in turn,. 2 yard radius.</div> <div> Missiledine: he puts his finger to his lips, then resumes crawling</div> <div> Dukejr01: cancel that. A </div> <div> Dukejr01: A stays where he is. lets J go first.</div> <div> tacit01: she does, behind and to the side of Miklas</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas will crawl about thirty feet to get behind a boulder, keeping it between him and the SE</div> <div> Dukejr01: join them even more slowly</div> <div> tacit01: J also finds cover</div> <div> Missiledine: you are all under cover behind the boulder. Miklas looks at you and puts his fingfer to his lips agai</div> <div> Missiledine: then shrugs</div> <div> Dukejr01: A starts casting Sense human life on all areas large enough for a man.</div> <div> Missiledine: he holds up thumb and forefinger in a U, then brings the tips very close together</div> <div> Dukejr01: A looks at him. blinks.</div> <div> tacit01: <small></div> <div> Missiledine: on the fourth cast, aimed at a thicket about forty feet away, you sense human life, but its not in </div> <div> Missiledine: the thicket (close)</div> <div> Missiledine: (very close)</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts again on hex. picking out the yards.</div> <div> Missiledine: it is coming from what seems to be the rocky slope above it</div> <div> Dukejr01: A points to miklas where that is.</div> <div> Missiledine: there is nothing there that seems big enough to hide behind. It is all loose scree and grass</div> <div> Missiledine: he nods in agreement</div> <div> Dukejr01: how far away?</div> <div> Missiledine: 45 feet tops</div> <div> Dukejr01: cast seek earth looking for silver again</div> <div> tacit01: 15 yrds - bow range - J readies her bow</div> <div> Missiledine: yes, same place as you detected life</div> <div> Dukejr01: can I excludethat place and cast again?</div> <div> Missiledine: yes</div> <div> Dukejr01: do so</div> <div> Missiledine: you detect silver about a quarter mile south of your location</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas is looking to you for instructions</div> <div> Dukejr01: is there any way to get to that spot without being seen?</div> <div> Missiledine: if you come out from behind this boulder, in either direction, N or S, you can probably be seen</div> <div> Missiledine: the spot is east of you</div> <div> Dukejr01: can entombment be cast without seeing the subject?</div> <div> Missiledine: you might be able to crawl west along the gully aways</div> <div> Missiledine: yeah</div> <div> Missiledine: you can try that</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. A mimes casting a spell. and points at the spot. points at miklas and J and mimes them charging</div> <div> Dukejr01: that spot.</div> <div> Missiledine: how is your energy holding up?</div> <div> tacit01: J nods understanding - she'll watch A to detemine when the spell is cast</div> <div> Dukejr01: the spell will cost 7 points. I have ben using low power ones. the seek earth is the worst</div> <div> Missiledine: I know</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will hae to rest for 20 minutes so he won't pass out.</div> <div> Missiledine: 7pts?</div> <div> Dukejr01: -1 for skill</div> <div> Missiledine: 15 is -1... base is 10 to cast</div> <div> Dukejr01: shit,. nope its a 10 point spell</div> <div> Dukejr01: yup,</div> <div> Missiledine: that is why I brought it up</div> <div> Dukejr01: hmmm.... thinking.</div> <div> Dukejr01: casting from HT would cost me a -1 for each health expended yes?</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas pantomimes ducking and looking at sky</div> <div> Missiledine: covering head...etc</div> <div> Dukejr01: A nods decisively. gestures for them to get ready.</div> <div> Missiledine: You can cast beyond your ST... if you recall</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will cast rain fo stone. double casting cost. one hex radius. for 2d-2 damage.</div> <div> Dukejr01: you jsut want a calamity... :-)</div> <div> Dukejr01: can I up the damae mroe than that,. the book doesn't say so</div> <div> Missiledine: you don't have the advantage Increased Damge</div> <div> Dukejr01: k.</div> <div> Dukejr01: cast rain of stone. J and miklas can charge him. hopefully it will knock the sentry unconcious.</div> <div> Missiledine: you cast the spell for the maximum you can manage... rocks begin pounding down on the target area....</div> <div> Missiledine: it will last 1 minute unless you stop it...</div> <div> Dukejr01: yah.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A won't stop it til j an miklas are on top of the area</div> <div> Missiledine: you hear nothing, other then the thud of rocks, and see nothing other then the stones bouncing about</div> <div> Dukejr01: then stop/</div> <div> Dukejr01: when they get there.</div> <div> Missiledine: on the scree. J and Miklas have charged in</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will hurry to catch up</div> <div> tacit01: <huzzah></div> <div> Dukejr01: probably a damn hatch in the side of the hill</div> <div> Missiledine: to the area, the stones stop.... in the target area the stones and scree are tumbling down the slope,</div> <div> Dukejr01: stop the spell</div> <div> tacit01: sword drawn, ready fro anything</div> <div> tacit01: <stumbling over falling rocks></div> <div> Missiledine: you hear a loud 'snap' of a crossbow, a bolt seems to spring from a small hole in the slope... it hit</div> <div> Missiledine: hits Miklas in the body, knocking him backwards and down</div> <div> Dukejr01: shit</div> <div> Dukejr01: where bolt come from?</div> <div> Dukejr01: the area?</div> <div> tacit01: crap - flank the area the bolt came from</div> <div> Missiledine: there is a hole or gap in the rocks, stacked and piled around it is a lot of smaller, loose stones</div> <div> Missiledine: there is clearly some type of chamber excavated into the killside and camoflauged with rock and what </div> <div> Missiledine: ever</div> <div> Missiledine: hillside</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. is that the same area that A detected life from of a different area?</div> <div> Missiledine: same area you detected life</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts shape earth and starts filling the area in</div> <div> tacit01: can J get above the rock formation? she want to find a way to pin them in, or block their view</div> <div> Dukejr01: colapsing the roof and whatnot.</div> <div> tacit01: though it may not matter now...</div> <div> Missiledine: hang on, brb. have to let the dog out. Sorry</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> tacit01: <dog owners - bah!></div> <div> Dukejr01: <humbug></div> <div> Missiledine: ok, sorry, didn't want him waking everyone</div> <div> Dukejr01: np</div> <div> Missiledine: now, A is piling dirt and rock to block the hole and cave it in</div> <div> Dukejr01: yup.</div> <div> Missiledine: J is up slope from that area</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will crouch. he is worried about Miklas</div> <div> tacit01: J will find agood spot (hopefully under cover) to pick of anyone who comes out</div> <div> Missiledine: From the far side of the kill, in the next gully over, you hear a horn sound loud and clear</div> <div> Missiledine: hill</div> <div> Dukejr01: shit. "Jacinta. go get miklas</div> <div> tacit01: she does - get him up (if he can walk) and head for the horses</div> <div> Dukejr01: A Continues for a few more seconds and then runs</div> <div> Dukejr01: he goes to help miklas</div> <div> Missiledine: hang on, need to check something</div> <div> Missiledine: Ok, Miklas is alive... just. But he is unconscious</div> <div> Missiledine: <He took 21 points damage></div> <div> Dukejr01: As Athamar gets to miklas he says loudly. "REcallthe other scouts, the Lord wil lwant a general </div> <div> tacit01: <OUCH></div> <div> Dukejr01: attack"</div> <div> Dukejr01: A helps Ja carry miklas to the horses.</div> <div> Missiledine: <When in doubt, BLUSTER and BULL SHIT!></div> <div> Dukejr01: <yup></div> <div> Dukejr01: we kill the horses if necessary to get away</div> <div> tacit01: can J carry him in a fireman's carry? - probably the fastest way to move him, if she can do it</div> <div> Missiledine: you hear another horn answering the first, which is still blowing. then another</div> <div> Dukejr01: what directions?</div> <div> Missiledine: It will be light in an hour</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. we move.</div> <div> Missiledine: south and south west</div> <div> Dukejr01: we go NE</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: can a use shape earth to cover up indentations in the earth from our tracks?</div> <div> Missiledine: between the two of you, you get Miklas back to the horses. It isn't easy, he's a big boy</div> <div> Missiledine: how frequently you intend to do it?</div> <div> Dukejr01: Press a bandage on him. I ddin't suppose we have healing grass?</div> <div> Dukejr01: well, he can cast and maintain.</div> <div> Missiledine: getting Miklas up isn't easy either</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamr tries not to weep.</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas is not breathing anymore</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamr uses physician.</div> <div> Dukejr01: do we have any healing grass?</div> <div> Missiledine: yes, you will have a dose... </div> <div> tacit01: did we get him in the saddle before he stopped breathing?</div> <div> Dukejr01: give it to him</div> <div> Missiledine: you noticed as you were getting him up</div> <div> Dukejr01: can atamar rebive him with the healing grass plus physician?</div> <div> Dukejr01: well, get him to breath at least</div> <div> Missiledine: you force it down his throat and wait tensely... after what seems forever, there is a ragged gasp... </div> <div> tacit01: how long does it take ot do physician?</div> <div> Missiledine: he breathes</div> <div> Dukejr01: tie him to the saddle, and we go.</div> <div> Missiledine: szeveral minutes to get this happening</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. we go</div> <div> Missiledine: <Gave him one more HT roll.></div> <div> tacit01: how are the horses? How long hoes J think they'll last at full gallop?</div> <div> Dukejr01: listen for horses.</div> <div> Missiledine: half hour, maybe</div> <div> Missiledine: you pushed them hard all night, they've had an hours rest if that. You guys are pretty tired too</div> <div> tacit01: I know...</div> <div> Missiledine: no sound of pursuit yet, but the horns have stopped</div> <div> Dukejr01 has left the room.</div> <div> Dukejr01 has entered the room.</div> <div> Dukejr01: reh</div> <div> Dukejr01: i</div> <div> tacit01: "lord, I suggest we walk the horses as much as possible, and try to find water"</div> <div> Dukejr01: we go as faast as we can with Athamar covering the back trail</div> <div> tacit01: any sighn of trees anywhere?</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Yes."</div> <div> Dukejr01: using shape earth to cover tracks</div> <div> Missiledine: no, no trees, scrub bushes</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: you head NE... walking?</div> <div> Dukejr01: what is the easiest route? following the gullies east?</div> <div> Missiledine: yes</div> <div> Dukejr01: go east</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: you set out, walking briskly, leading the horses</div> <div> tacit01: any particularly large hills? (sometimes erosion from runoff creates a small natural dam - sometimes)</div> <div> Missiledine: none that you see... the area around here is very dry... something to do with the desert two miles S</div> <div> tacit01: I understand - I'm grasping at straws...</div> <div> Dukejr01: are there any flat hard surfaces where no tracks will be left?</div> <div> Missiledine: I know</div> <div> Missiledine: there are some areas of rock... they might extend a few hundred feet at a time</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay use those move faster when on the,</div> <div> Dukejr01: m</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: you have been moving about two hours, the sun is up... you haven't heard any horns... </div> <div> tacit01: any sound of horses or horns, or signs of dust (if it's light enough to see)?</div> <div> Dukejr01: keep moving start going NE toward the troops</div> <div> tacit01: never mind</div> <div> Dukejr01: let J scout A will stay with miklas</div> <div> Dukejr01: stop and check his bandages</div> <div> Missiledine: suddenly a raven swoops down, passes about thirty feet over head, banks south and disappears</div> <div> Dukejr01: shit</div> <div> Dukejr01: stone rain on it</div> <div> Missiledine: you don't think you hit it</div> <div> Dukejr01: forget covering tracks we gallop</div> <div> Missiledine: before it got out of sight</div> <div> Dukejr01: use 2 hex radius?</div> <div> Missiledine: you mount and ride hard... which direction?</div> <div> Missiledine: Yes</div> <div> Dukejr01: East is easier?</div> <div> Missiledine: yep</div> <div> Dukejr01: east</div> <div> Missiledine: you gallop east along the gulley.</div> <div> Dukejr01: go for a half hour then slow and go north covering tracks again. try to stop our tracks at a stone </div> <div> Dukejr01: flat so they think we kept going east</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: <Guys, it's 1:20 am here, we need to close shortly></div> <div> tacit01: yup</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. can we get to safety first? this will kill me if we are left at a hanger</div> <div> Dukejr01: or kill us. </div> <div> Dukejr01: <Troy, you were right. sorry></div> <div> Missiledine: <Your gonna hafta suffer I'm afraid!></div> <div> Dukejr01: <gawd nooooooooooooooooooooooo.....></div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> Dukejr01: <not funny></div> <div> tacit01: <tis only a game></div> <div> Dukejr01: <yeah. true. Athamar is really anguished over miklas. he thinks he has failed.></div> <div> Dukejr01: <he did too. shoulda left></div> <div> tacit01: anything elase for tonight?</div> <div> Missiledine: No, I think not... have a good night's sleep Dave!</div> <div> Dukejr01: thanks.</div> <div> Dukejr01: getting beer</div> <div> tacit01: ooh, that's MEAN!</div> <div> Missiledine: your welcome</div> <div> Dukejr01: night</div> <div> Missiledine: night</div> <div> Dukejr01 has left the room.</div> </td> </tr></table></body>