Prologue

[Omega1143]

Prologue 0.2 (Adventuring)
579 CY, Goodmonth 10 (10:45pm)
40h/28l, 5mph

"That's not a bad plan," the warrior agrees. "We will hold down the fort here and give you a half n' hour. Carry on."

HP: Castian - 2/2 ; Ausus - 3/3 ; Quoros - 4/4 ; Karalquint - 3/3 ; Gandrel - 4/4
WIH: Castian – Quarterstaff/Quarterstaff ; Ausus – T.H. Sword/T.H. Sword ; Quoros – F. Mace/M. Shield ; Karalquint – L. Sword/M. Shield ; Gandrel – Bow/Bow
MO: Co,G,Q,A,C,K 5'
Consumables: Torch – 1 hour
Spells: Castian - 1: 0/1 Sleepx1 ; Quoros - 1: 3/3 CLWx3 ; Gandrel - 1: 1/1 Color Sprayx1

[dmw71]

"Cole I think it might be wise for me to approach alone and use my infravision to see if there is anything waiting for us across the bridge"

Castien, still holding torch and staff, waits patiently for Gandrel to conclude his scouting and for the group to begin making their way towards the moathouse.

[Omega1143]

Prologue 0.2 (Adventuring)
579 CY, Goodmonth 10 (10:45pm)
40h/28l, 5mph

"Mage, follow me," Cole states as he gestures for Castien to come with him. "Light the torch, we are going to take a look around this area while Gandrel...it was Gandrel right? does his due diligence..."

Cole then casually begins to walk around the general area where the party waits.

HP: Castian - 2/2 ; Ausus - 3/3 ; Quoros - 4/4 ; Karalquint - 3/3 ; Gandrel - 4/4
WIH: Castian – Quarterstaff/Quarterstaff ; Ausus – T.H. Sword/T.H. Sword ; Quoros – F. Mace/M. Shield ; Karalquint – L. Sword/M. Shield ; Gandrel – Bow/Bow
MO: Co,G,Q,A,C,K 5'
Consumables: Torch – 1 hour
Spells: Castian - 1: 0/1 Sleepx1 ; Quoros - 1: 3/3 CLWx3 ; Gandrel - 1: 1/1 Color Sprayx1

[dmw71]

"Mage, follow me," Cole states as he gestures for Castien to come with him. "Light the torch, we are going to take a look around this area while Gandrel...it was Gandrel right? does his due diligence..."

Cole then casually begins to walk around the general area where the party waits.

Castien, who was otherwise perfectly content taking advantage of the opportunity to rest, obliges Cole, accompanying him as he patrols the immediate area.

[Omega1143]

Prologue 0.2 (Adventuring)
579 CY, Goodmonth 10 (10:45pm)
40h/28l, 5mph

At first believing Cole wanted to patrol the area, Castien begins to realize that he is instead looking for something. Providing him light and examining his actions a bit, the mage views the warrior walking to different spots in the immediate area and stopping to kneel for a short bit. He examines the ground intently and often runs his fingers through the brush or dirt. Cole then makes his way over to the moat and removes his glove. He runs his bare hand through the water and then cups a small amount in his hand. He gives it a taste and smells it then dumps it back. Wiping his hand on his trousers he re-gloves and continues this pattern about the area.

HP: Castian - 2/2 ; Ausus - 3/3 ; Quoros - 4/4 ; Karalquint - 3/3 ; Gandrel - 4/4
WIH: Castian – Quarterstaff/Quarterstaff ; Ausus – T.H. Sword/T.H. Sword ; Quoros – F. Mace/M. Shield ; Karalquint – L. Sword/M. Shield ; Gandrel – Bow/Bow
MO: Co,G,Q,A,C,K 5'
Consumables: Torch – 1 hour
Spells: Castian - 1: 0/1 Sleepx1 ; Quoros - 1: 3/3 CLWx3 ; Gandrel - 1: 1/1 Color Sprayx1

[dmw71]

At first believing Cole wanted to patrol the area, Castien begins to realize that he is instead looking for something.

"Perhaps, if you let me know what you're looking for, I could be of more assistance than merely serving as a torch bearer." Castien suggests.

[Omega1143]

Prologue 0.2 (Adventuring)
579 CY, Goodmonth 10 (10:45pm)
40h/28l, 5mph

Cole is kneeling down moving his fingers through the dirt as he responds to Castien. "I appreciate your offer elf, however I am fine," he responds not looking up from his duties.

HP: Castian - 2/2 ; Ausus - 3/3 ; Quoros - 4/4 ; Karalquint - 3/3 ; Gandrel - 4/4
WIH: Castian – Quarterstaff/Quarterstaff ; Ausus – T.H. Sword/T.H. Sword ; Quoros – F. Mace/M. Shield ; Karalquint – L. Sword/M. Shield ; Gandrel – Bow/Bow
MO: Co,G,Q,A,C,K 5'
Consumables: Torch – 1 hour
Spells: Castian - 1: 0/1 Sleepx1 ; Quoros - 1: 3/3 CLWx3 ; Gandrel - 1: 1/1 Color Sprayx1

[Xaxyx]

While Cole is distracted in his search, Ausus catches Quoros's eye. Gesturing toward Cole, he then taps his finger twice to the side of his own temple, shakes his head, and twirls his finger in a small circle.

[Alethan]

Quoros nods in agreement.

[Omega1143]

Prologue 0.2 (Adventuring)
579 CY, Goodmonth 10 (10:55pm)
40h/28l, 5mph

Ten minutes have since passed since Gandrel left in the night towards the ruins. Cole finishes up his actions and then leans next to a tree to wait.

HP: Castian - 2/2 ; Ausus - 3/3 ; Quoros - 4/4 ; Karalquint - 3/3 ; Gandrel - 4/4
WIH: Castian – Quarterstaff/Quarterstaff ; Ausus – T.H. Sword/T.H. Sword ; Quoros – F. Mace/M. Shield ; Karalquint – L. Sword/M. Shield ; Gandrel – Bow/Bow
MO: Co,G,Q,A,C,K 5'
Consumables: Torch – 1 hour
Spells: Castian - 1: 0/1 Sleepx1 ; Quoros - 1: 3/3 CLWx3 ; Gandrel - 1: 1/1 Color Sprayx1

[dmw71]

Ten minutes have since passed since Gandrel left in the night towards the ruins. Cole finishes up his actions and then leans next to a tree to wait.

Castien is thankful to finally have a few restful moments and takes advantage of the opportunity in order to rest and collect himself. "We're not even inside the moathouse yet --" Castien thinks to himself "-- I really wish I had more spells."

[Alethan]

Quoros notes the concerned look on Castien's face and assumes it is about Gandrel.

"I wouldn't worry about him, Cast. He'll be fine. Still... we shouldn't be lax. If he calls to us for help, we need to be ready to aid him."

[dmw71]

Quoros notes the concerned look on Castien's face and assumes it is about Gandrel.

"I wouldn't worry about him, Cast. He'll be fine. Still... we shouldn't be lax. If he calls to us for help, we need to be ready to aid him."

Castien is quickly snapped back into the reality of the situation with Quoros' words. "While I may out of spells, who knows what may have befallen Gandrel?" he privately reminds himself. Now more consciously alert for any unusual sights or sounds, Castien makes sure his belongings are all safely stowed in place and grips his staff with more purpose before replying: "You're quite right, friend Quoros, we will be ready."

[Omega1143]

Prologue 1.2 (Adventuring)
579 CY, Goodmonth 10 (11:00pm)
40h/28l, 5mph

"It never ceases to amaze me," Cole interrupts while still leaning against a tree. "How, in my experience over the years, that time and time again complete strangers come together after having met each other no more then hours earlier, and have such concern for one another. Especially when not knowing ones ultimate motives or ambitions."

The tone seems mocking and crass. You realize he is referring to your statements about Gandrel.

The warrior stands up and crosses his arms as his sword lay stuck in the dirt and his shield rests against the tree trunk.

"Who is to say that the thief (emphasis) isn't in there looting the place right under your noses or abandoned you all together?," he continues. "If a word of advice is wanted then remember this: You don't know what friendship is until you realize that one is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for you."

Cole gives a deep sigh as his chest heaves and his face becomes grim. He turns away as a moment passes. Without turning around he utters one more thing. "If this Gandrel is worth his keep he will have a detailed report for us of the gate and beyond by the time he returns. I saw him work well moving around the ruins earlier. He will be alright."

Fifteen minutes have now passed since Gandrel departed.

HP: Castian - 2/2 ; Ausus - 3/3 ; Quoros - 4/4 ; Karalquint - 3/3 ; Gandrel - 4/4
WIH: Castian – Quarterstaff/Quarterstaff ; Ausus – T.H. Sword/T.H. Sword ; Quoros – F. Mace/M. Shield ; Karalquint – L. Sword/M. Shield ; Gandrel – Bow/Bow
MO: Co,G,Q,A,C,K 5'
Consumables: Torch – 1 hour
Spells: Castian - 1: 0/1 Sleepx1 ; Quoros - 1: 3/3 CLWx3 ; Gandrel - 1: 1/1 Color Sprayx1

[dmw71]

"It never ceases to amaze me," Cole interrupts while still leaning against a tree. "How, in my experience over the years, that time and time again complete strangers come together after having met each other no more then hours earlier, and have such concern for one another. Especially when not knowing ones ultimate motives or ambitions."

"So, Cole, how long was it before you began trusting your partner? The one who always led? Or leads?" Castien asks, in a more serious than mocking manner. "I'm still a little confused by that situation, though I suspect it has something to do with why we're here."

[Omega1143]

Prologue 1.2 (Adventuring)
579 CY, Goodmonth 10 (11:00pm)
40h/28l, 5mph

"Confused by what situation exactly?" he responds.

HP: Castian - 2/2 ; Ausus - 3/3 ; Quoros - 4/4 ; Karalquint - 3/3 ; Gandrel - 4/4
WIH: Castian – Quarterstaff/Quarterstaff ; Ausus – T.H. Sword/T.H. Sword ; Quoros – F. Mace/M. Shield ; Karalquint – L. Sword/M. Shield ; Gandrel – Bow/Bow
MO: Co,G,Q,A,C,K 5'
Consumables: Torch – 1 hour
Spells: Castian - 1: 0/1 Sleepx1 ; Quoros - 1: 3/3 CLWx3 ; Gandrel - 1: 1/1 Color Sprayx1

[Nuke66]

"Trust is earned, not given. What makes you think there is more than a casual degree of trust betweens us, and you for that matter. Father didn't raise no fool." He stops there, not wishing to discuss it much further.

[dmw71]

"Confused by what situation exactly?"

"Merely the change in tense when you spoke of your partner, from past to present." Castien elects to not press the issue further. "It's none of my business."

A moment later, Castien volunteers the following: "As for any level of concern expressed for Gandrel, the concern may have been self-serving in nature for all you know. Strength in numbers. Losing a talented individual, as you acknowledged yourself, will only make the challenges ahead that much more difficult."

[saalaria]

You hear a loud whisper "Its me"
Then moments later Gandrel emerges from the direction he disappeared in with arms outstretched.

"Ah tis good to be exploring again. I haven't done enough of it recently. Well I went into the courtyard of the building - it appears deserted. There is nothing waiting to welcome us around the gate that I could see. Once in the courtyard, there is a broad set of stairs leading into the building itself.

"Just so you know I will always return with arms out if scouting in the dark so you know it is me and don't mistake me for a foe!

[Alethan]

"Glad to see you back, Gandrel," whispers the dwarf. "Let's go check it out, then."

He waits for the elf to lead the way, then follows.