[Game Thread] 02: The Light of Law and Earth

[jbear]

Solomon can't help but chuckle.

"This plan sounds very familiar."

Solomon finishes off his drink and then sits quietly, listening to what his companions might have to add. At this stage he had very little to lose, and he was content to trust that they would find a way to make this work.

[TheNewGuy]

"So you dabble in gardening, do you?" William asks Nyx mockingly as he takes a sip of ale.

William had entered the bar last, grumbling irritably as he slipped something into his pack. He'd only caught a glimpse of the map before Emul had hurried off.

Taking another sip of ale, William regards Rook with a mixture of admiration and incredulity. A fine line between excessive bravery and foolishness, he thinks, smirking to himself. Then again, the smirk vanishing from William's face as his reasoning continues, we are about to infiltrate a fort full of heavily-armed guards. William considers this for a moment before speaking.

"I'm willing to forgo planning until we've had a chance to scout our target, as Rook suggests. But--please--let's not anyone suddenly decide to act impulsively once we get there." His eyes naturally slide over to Balit as he says this.

"And you, satyr," William spits out as he sets his mug down and takes several steps toward Balit, "Will compensate me both for my cards and for the revenue lost from having to prematurely end my-- m-my--" William sputters momentarily as he searches for an appropriate word to describe his earlier activity. "My performance!"

[Darkling]

Nyx looks at William questioningly, "I was many things in my village. Poultices require ingredients, admixtures demand herbs," She raises to her feet and returns her chair to its previous spot, taking up the map with her gloved hands and rolling it up before tucking it away in her belt. "Did the Satyr tear you from your theft of coin, Mister William? He has more moral fiber than I gave him credit for!" She gives a wry smile as she gathers her gear and slings her weapon over her shoulder, heading for the door outside, "We are wasting daylight," she calls over her shoulder as she exits, setting a brisk pace as she moves to leave down the winding path along which they had first entered the village.

[sammichweasel]

Balit grins wider at the mention of compensation for burning the cards. "We'll consider it a fee for allowing me to watch the ash flake into the wind. Besides, I have little use for coin. You may have my share, granted I may still claim my portion of actual items discovered." He nods to the others as they rise to leave.

"Do not worry, I will not endanger the mission of the sake of setting things alight. I am no pyromaniac; I live to see the Light burn, and use my flames to further that cause. Which includes pushing companions forward." The lat comes with one of his infuriating winks to William. "I am close to Rook in my ability to remain unseen. I can either provide more distraction, or join him on an initial push to secure grapples for the others."

[Troy]

Rook chuckles at Balit and Nyx's response and, as he leaves, he pats William on the shoulder. "Don't brood. You could always steal another deck." He follows after the group's healer, trying to decide what to ask the Shadar-Kai concerning the Shadowfell and how one normally becomes a shade.

[Duderk]

As you reach the path out of the village, the Shadar-Kai, Emul is standing, deep in the shadows leaning against a tree; seeing your approach, he steps forward out of the shadows and performs a quick head count of your group. Nodding to himself he smiles and speaks, calmly and surely. "It would appear you are ready to start out. The fort or the city, if you don't mind my asking? I cannot take you that far either way, but it might be nice to know, and satiate my curiosity."

After receiving his response, and seeing that everyone appears ready to start on the trails, Emul starts walking down the path without looking back, assuming that everyone will file in behind him. Emul moves quickly, but not too fast, taking you down side trails that you would never have found without a guide, and in only a few hours you find yourselves in the small hills surrounding the mountains, and right on the edge of the forest. Looking out, you see a massive grasslands, filled with gently rolling hills covering everything between yourselves and the horizon. Emul's voice sounds out, breaking the silence that hovered over the group "This is as far as I go, if you have any questions, now is the time. You will probably want to head off in that direction." Emul gestures in a direction about halfway between where your shadows are extending in the afternoon sun and your right.

Shifting slightly, Emul stays in the shade, appearing more comfortable out of the sun, he seems to be waiting for confirmation that everything is settled before disappearing into the woods.

 

I don't know how many questions anyone will have for the guide, but as this post seems to indicate, he isn't necessarily the most conversational sort, being the kind to prefer being unseen. Feel free to ask questions, but don't feel that a response is a guarantee.

[TheNewGuy]

William mumbles and harumphs as the others chastise him for what is, in his mind, a legitimate loss. Still, the satyr had been surprisingly agreeable so William had little to complain about.

Nyx's mention of daylight reminds William of the one task he'd yet to accomplish. "I'm going to just need a few minutes to get some writing done," he says, casting his eyes around the pub for a spot that's bright enough to see clearly but private enough to work without anyone peeking at his papers. He considers going elsewhere, but determines the light streaming through a window above a table in the corner would be sufficient.

"Feel free to go on ahead, if you like," William says to Rook as he takes out his writing case. "I won't be far behind." William moves to the table in the corner and quickly lays out a few implements before he begins writing. When he's finished he holds the page up to the light for inspection, marks the page with the official stamp pilfered from the captain's office, then picks up his belongings and prepares to leave.

[jbear]

"Thank you Emul. Hopefully we will meet again."

Solomon has no further questions.

[Darkling]

Nyx only shakes her head at Emul with a smile, "No questions, only thanks. Wish us luck, and we do the same for you." She inclines her head as a gesture of respect and turns to continue on the path to the fort, a sense of duty carrying her footsteps. She assumes the others will be more than capable of catching up to her, and does not turn her head to see if they follow.

[Troy]

Rook hangs back until everyone has started toward the fort and takes up his position at the rear of the group. He nods to Emdul as he passes and draws his rapier, resting the blade on his shoulder. He wills the sun to hurry it's descent. The Shade is infinitely more comfortable in the darkness.

[sammichweasel]

Balit bows, holding his tongue, and simply smiles as he follows the striding Nyx.

[TheNewGuy]

William quietly follows everyone's lead, nodding at Emul as he passes.

[Duderk]

Walking out into the grasslands, You quickly descend below the tops of the hills, shortening your line of sight, but also stepping out of view of anything that might be approaching. Walking through the lowlands, you move forward for over an hour before anything sounds out of the ordinary. Moving carefully towards the sound, you see the hills have faded into flat lands, and just in front of you there is a large building. As you start watching, you see a group of People mounted on Chocobos, from your a few hundred metersmounted individuals you cannot make out the races of the people.distance approaching the barn. As you watch, the people dismount and guide the animals into the barn. Looking at the sun, it would seem you have about enters twilight/dusk around 7:30-8:00 pm; twilight/dusk lasts around 1:303 hours of daylight left, and on the horizon to the south east you can see a small smudge, likely the fort that is A quick estimate of the distances involved, you could likely reach this fort in around 8 hours on footyour goal.

[jbear]

Solomon squints trying to make out any details of the figures entering the barn.

ooc Perception 17

"We should see who those people are. That barn would be a good place to stay until we are ready to attack the fort. Or if we are ready now, perhaps we should avoid it and head straight for the fort. We would arrive there in the dead of night when sleep is at its deepest and the guards are fighting to keep eyes open. But we will be tired too. Very tired. I can manage it. But I don't know if you all feel up to such a march."

From Solomon's tone it is not difficult to discern that he prefers a forced march directly to the fort immediately.

[Troy]

"I think we all proved we could manage a forced march not too long ago. Rook motions towards the large building. "The people down there could have some helpful information about Minos. They could also be guards form the Fort with useful information or guards that may come back while we're about our business and send for help." Rook shrugs and waits for the rest of the group to decide.