Quest #14 "Hidden Fortress of the Poison Spider Monsters"

[Storm11]

Saracen gathers himself together as the weaker rays of the sun’s light wash over his face, filling his body with the power of light.

”I shall come along with you little halfling, and fill my skin and slake my thirst before we leave..

The holy champion slathers some of the insect repellant onto his skin as he does so. The halflings curiosity is piqued and he inquires about the slaves ingredients.

A half-elven fellow named Wes taught me to make it. He returned last night from an ordeal in the jungle. He’s a Druid too you know. The half-orc rattles off the ingredients to the green robed halfling, and anyone else who wishes to listen.

Perhaps on the way to this structure I can gather some more ingredients to make a second batch. the warrior-priest says out loud to himself.

His task complete and his thirst quenched Saracen gathers upon the Beach with the others.

I am ready sun cleric he says with a sniff of disdain, for the followers of Pholtus are not so approving of other deities, seeing them as inferior to the blinding light.

[OGRE MAGE]

Gramble will purchase a weeks wort of rations before we leave

Gramble is the first of the newcomers to learn about the extortion ridiculously high prices at the Hi-Lo.

For his remaining 10 gold, he is offered 4 days worth of iron rations.

And that's a good deal here, believe me.

[kruk]

Judson listens closely to the priest's warnings. He pulls out his weapon for one final inspection. Satisfied he sheaths it then takes out his bow. Holding it with his left hand he moves forward with others. The initial nervousness he felt earlier is now gone, replaced with an surge of confidence and excitement, ready to take on the challenges ahead.

[wolfpack]

Gramble will purchase a weeks wort of rations before we leave

Gramble is the first of the newcomers to learn about the extortion ridiculously high prices at the Hi-Lo.

For his remaining 10 gold, he is offered 4 days worth of iron rations.

And that's a good deal here, believe me.

should have been 25 gold because I couldn't have the 2nd dog but I forgot to add it back. character sheet updated

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter
Avaala the Grey

Jax rarely carries more than his basic supplies, although he will have replenished what perishables need replacing.

Avaala has just what he normally carries, plus his tent. Rollo is armored and packing his own food in his saddlebags.

"14 hours.." says Jaxsen. "We might actually get outside the hive's normal hunting territory. We might actually find some food along the way."

Avaala is less talkative. He leans on his impressive-looking staff and walks alongside Rollo, petting the dog and keeping a weather eye out on the jungle around him. His last excursion in the jungle ended with he and Rollo both healing from acid burns. He wants to be more careful this time.

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

...has packed up his travel gear, and is ready to go. When everyone is ready, we will set off to the west.

[Jernau35]

Maag

The half-orc wanders over and joins the group, ready to head out.

[Xaxyx]

Eawad Driftwood

Excitement pulsing through his veins, Eawad tags along with the group, smiling happily to anyone who will meet his gaze. His lute in hand, he strums a merry tune, keeping a careful eye out for reactions to his music -- particularly the halfling druid -- though he tries not to make his watchfulness obvious.

[Storm11]

As soon as the thief starts to strum Storm snaps his head around and scowls in his direction. The Druid doesn’t say anything but he continues to look suspiciously at the “bard” every now and then.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jax drifts over toward Eawad as they walk along. "I must admit, I am curious as to why you play. Among the Queen's children such a thing would only be done for two reasons: to seek for a mate or to threaten those who would harm you. Perhaps to bluff the latter? That is not unheard of among the carpenter bees, whose males swarm around those who get too close to their nest, but have no sting." The open and curious expression of the young human gives no indication of sarcasm or disdain.

[wolfpack]

Gramble heads out speaking with Jeevus as they walk letting him know to stay back if there si any trouble and just observe

[Xaxyx]

Eawad Driftwood

Trying his best to avoid nasty glares from the halfling druid, Eawad listens to Jax, trying to figure out if the man is serious or just pulling his leg. He decides to play along for now.

"Well, where I'm from, music is for all sorts of things," he says, perhaps a bit more enthusiastically than he intended. "It can make happy times happier, or sad times sadder. It can bring entertainment when you're bored or distraction when you just need a break." As he explains, he demonstrates, changing chords and melodies accordingly as they walk along. "Music can be serious or silly, encouraging or frightening, even mischievous." Smirking, he purposely plucks a discordant note, sneaking a peak at the druid to see how the halfling reacts.

"It can speak without speaking," Eawad continues, finding himself warming up to the subject. "Music can reach out and touch others, sharing your feelings without having to say a word. It can be powerful, surprisingly so. It can even turn enemies into friends -- or make them friendlier, anyway." He smiles again. "And best of all, it's fun!"

With a sudden burst of confidence he didn't know he had, Eawad begins strumming a lively tune, even skipping a bit to the rhythm. After a few moments, however, he becomes self-conscious and, with a touch of embarrassment, slows his cadence down to its earlier pace.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag interjects his own musical memories into the coversation. "We used t' sing for two reasons as well, back 'ome in da Rat & Dagger. First, 'cos we woz drunk an' second, when da Boss was givin' somebody a beatin' in da cellar, we'd sing t' drown aht da screamin'"

[Storm11]

Storm shivers when the note is struck, and picks up his pace moving to the other end of the line away from the strummer, mutter invectives as he tromps

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

Seeing that the music may become distracting, he decides to prevent dissent.

He waits until Eawad gets near, and quietly says to him, Some of our number enjoy music more than others. You may be cheerful now, but there are times when the greatest silence is required. I think once we are well on our way, you shall understand why.

Br. Gilbert then returns to his place in the (not yet determined) marching order.

[wolfpack]

Where I am from music is for drinking and for singing songs of battle and glory. Slaying the dragon, saving the princess, and more drinking.

[Bigtaff]

(OOC - I was in the tavern but do I join this forum now?)

[OGRE MAGE]

(OOC - I was in the tavern but do I join this forum now?)

Hi Bigtaff!

Have you been following along in any of the other threads?

Specifically this one: viewtopic.php?f=446&t=7322&start=140#p361387

[OGRE MAGE]

The Wooden Structure Awaits
Earthday, 4th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Hot, Humid, Sunny, Buggy

Finally underway up the beach, the large group starts out with a few growing pains right from the beginning. Saracen shows the groups leader, Brother Gilbert, a bit of disdain, finding those who don't worship his god to be less worthy of his powers. Storm the finicky druid doesn't like the lute playing of Eawad, and he isn't afraid to let him know about it. But for the most part, everyone else seems ok with the makeup of the party. The good brother reminds the lutist of the proper time and place for such things as playing or singing.

Shortly after the group departs, Maag the half-orc and the newcomer priest named Talaris fall behind the others and stay at the back of the pack. Neither of these men look extremely willing to go along, especially after hearing about the last person who died from poison after going there. They look back to the town a lot in trepidation and soon spot a skinny mage rushing up the beach after the group, coming from that direction. He seems so intent on telling them something important that they stop to hear what he has to say.

Brother Gilbert stays near the front of the ranks, pondering the best way to position his large group for the optimum tactical advantage over anything they might find out here. They have time as they walk the empty beach for discussion about things like marching order etc.

I will take suggestions as to where you want to be in the marching order while we wait for Chauncey to beg for more people to go along with him instead.

Actions?

Brother Gilbert C
Jax M
Storm D
Saracen F2/C3
Avaala MU3
Eawad T
Judson F
Gramble F
Maag F/T
Talaris C

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag waits to hear what the mage has to say. Since he was almost fed to the sharks by the pirates, he's interested in revenge, but right now thinks they are too powerful for him to risk his life over. Revenge, unlike Randall's food, tastes best cold.

Since he's wearing leather armor, but will probably deal out a lot of damage in melee, Maag might be best in the second rank. Or as a rear guard?