Arianna shifts in the saddle trying to ease her aching muscles. Growing up on the streets hadn't given her anytime to learn the finer points of horsemanship and it showed as her calf muscles screamed. In fact she hadn't done much riding before she stole this horse on her way out of town. Some poor nobleman was probably missing it right now but that didn't bother her much.
Eyeing the low scudding clouds and smelling the scent of ozone in the air
Arianna turns to her companions "Looks like rain. Maybe we can ride the storm out inside." she says, pointing to the outpost ahead.
Halloran goes up to the front gate, upon seeing the people approaching the outpost he'll wave to them and once they get close enough he'll call out to them, Greetings! Welcome to Oleg's outpost, come in and we'll get your horses and you undercover before the storm hits. Halloran says with a nod to the onrushing clouds.
As you let the group of 5 in, you spot another group of 5 just coming down the road.
Though the sun's position and current cloud cover is making it a bit hard to see.
You all see a group of 5 enter the outpost. while your a distance away.
Showing slightly more grace than a sack of Potato's Bridgitte descended from the saddle. The adventuring life was proving to be less than glamorous with rain and riding on that spawn of Rovagug disguised as a horse.
"Thank you, it's been a long ride. I don't suppose you have hot food and Ale here do you? Are you Oleg?
She left most of her clutter on the horse keeping only her sword and belt pouch.
Arianna sees the first group of riders approach the pallisades when she hears a voice of welcoming call out to them "At least they're welcoming visitors. Perhaps we should go as well." Taking a quick count of the riders entering the gates, she shrugs her shoulders "Going to be cozy to say the least."
Dante rides the horse, barely able to control the beast. By Abadar, I knew I should have walked. Wouldn't do to lag behind though.
Reigning the horse in before trampling Bridgitte, Dante is visibly relieved when the horse stops moving.
Dropping out of the saddle, he mutters under his breath "Next time I'm walking."
Elaine thinks about how some animals have warmth and seek shelter for their young like birds in nests.She thinks if I could fly I wouldn't want to be out in that storm.
Ardainn rides toward the compound with the ease and practice of years on horseback. He clucks his tongue and rides ahead, reining up just outside the gate. He pats his mount's neck and looks up at the walls.
"Greetings to the hold. I am Ardainn, Jadan's son," he calls out. "May we bring our horses and ourselves in from the rain?"
Looking down at Bridgitte from the walkway Halloran is standing on, he says, No, I am Halloran, this trading post belongs to our host Oleg, if he is visible Halloran points him out, I don't know about "hot" food as it's after breakfast and before lunch, but if you want either food or ale, I suggest talking to Oleg's wife, Svetlana. again if she is visible Halloran points her out.
After being hailed by the next rider Halloran looks down and recognizing an elf, replies in Elven, You are welcome here Ardain, son of Jadan, so long as you respect this outpost and those who dwell within it's walls. It's liable to be a bit cramped with the number of new arrivals we have had recently, but I think you can find shelter for yourself and your mounts.
"I am Dante Pholve, servant of Abadar," he shouts above the wind up to Halloran. "My horse and I need only a small space to seek out shelter from the storm."
Dante stands before the gate, awaiting clearance to enter. When granted, he'll drop off his horse, and find the temple.
Thank you Halloran. I will talk to the owner and his wife about food and payment. But for now its time to get this beast into the stables and then get shelter of my own.
She starts to lead her horse over to the stables
"My thanks to you, Halloran, and to Oleg and Svetlana," Ardainn calls out, and then clicks his tongue, sending the horse trotting through the gate.
He rides into the stable before dismounting. He finds a stall for his horse and strips saddle and harness, and rubs the horse dry with a blanket. When he has made sure that his horse is fed, watered, comfortable and cared for, he will check on the others, and only then will he venture out of the stable.
Oleg:
"Looks like it's going to be a very bad storm, if some of the woodsman are coming here for shelter and we are going to be packed to the brim."
Dante wanders back to the gate, dodging horse manure and mud puddles, fighting the wind for every step.
"Do you need any help with these woodsmen? Are they lost?" Dante asks Oleg.
Oleg:
"They are not lost, just seeking shelter.
Looks like this place is going to be really packed."
"I will wait here at the gate, and help any stragglers caught in the storm." He hoists his crossbow into his arms, "and send any unwelcomeness fleeing for their lives."
Dante finds a position at the gate where he can watch for any woodsmen, and stay relatively sheltered from the coming storm.
Regretting not stopping earlier, I approach the settlement. Seeing a human standing guard, I shout out "Hail friend, I seek shelter for the night.
Raising his crossbow, Dante calls out to Earwen, "I have no holding here, but it appears that they are sheltering anyone caught out in the wilds. Halloran up there on the walk is the one to ask."
Without taking his sights off the elven girl, he shouts up to Halloran, "Visitor at the gate!"
Once she's been admitted, Dante lowers the weapon. "I meant no offense my dear. These isolated trading posts can be prime targets for brigands...especially with this storm brewing."
I debate using my real name or not. I hold out my hand in friendship. "I understand. These woods are treacherous. On my honor, I shall not cause harm to any, except those who mean to do me harm. My name is Earwen Elensar."
Dante accepts the hand. "Dante Pholve, priest of Abadar."
"Well met friend. Now if you will pardon me I will speak to this Halloran" I guide my horse through the gate and towards Halloran. "Hail, are you the one known as Halloran? I seek shelter and food for me and my horse."
Oleg:
Oleg says to Dante
"We are going to have to shut the doors, since this is going to be a big one and it'll take some time to make sure the doors don't flap in the wind breaking the wall, the door themselves, and anything else."
"You can feel it on the wind, soon the winds will be to strong to close them."
I am, I don't believe we are turning anyone away at this point, so feel free to find shelter anywhere there is room. The stables are over there and the bunkhouse is over there. he says indicating each building.
If you'll excuse me, I believe I am needed elsewhere. Halloran goes over to Dante and Oleg and asks, Need any help?
Lina replies to Kira
"I think we should have everyone agree on how to break everyone into groups and who goes with who"
Alkaid runs into Lina and Kira.
"Oh, Lina there you are. I have an idea that could fix your problem, though it may have some risks. These risks could be Physical, Mental and to an extent effect you spiritually. Given that I'm not the original maker of this idea and only remember most of it. The risks of a side-effect are going to be higher and likely some will be permanent."
Lina replies to Alkaid
"That's great, I'll be willing to take any risks."
Alkaid replies
"Even it they changed you into a hulking mass of muscles with your current androgynous state?"
Lina replies to Alkaid after a few moments of silence
"OK, that would have to be a risk I'd have to take."
I quickly stable my horse and feed him. Then I approach Dante, Oleg, and Halloran to see if I could be of assistance. Need help with anything?
Oleg:
Oleg says to Eärwen
"See if my Wife has a task you can help with, she's in the house."
After stabling her horse, Bridgitte heads over to those closing the gate.
"Let me lend a hand here, it looks like you could use some help from someone reasonably strong"
Ardainn finishes seeing to his horse, and walks back out into the rain. Seeing a group gathering at the gates, he approaches.
"I'd be glad to lend my strength to this chore," he says. "If no one objects, I would stay in the stables, where I can keep an eye on the horses."
Earwen moves in haste toward the house. opening the door. hello
"Looks like we need to close the gate."
Dante leans against the massive gate, putting his back into the effort.
(assist with closing the gate)
"Oh, Hello, I'm Svetlana.
If your here to help, you can help me in getting some things ready."
Earwen closes the door behind her. "Well met Svetlana, I am Earwen, and I am at your disposal."
"Since we are going to be packed here for a while I think you can help me setup the house to take in the extras."
Standing next to Lina during her conversation with Alkaid, Kira stays quiet. She waits for the exchange to come to a close and is not surprised that Lina stays steadfasts in her desire to become more feminine. I don't think that I could even imagine going through what she has so far in life.
"Alkaid, you would be waiting until after this storm is done, or are you ready right now? Also, could the risks be lessened by... getting some more knowledge from the outside? Perhaps getting a book or finding someone else in the area who deals with potions and extracts?" Kira turns to Lina and explains, "I know you want this to be done soon, but if we know it will not have so many side effects then a couple days delay would be well worth it.
Alkaid replies
"We have the materials we need here oddly enough, and as for finding outside information.
That'll be near impossible as the originator of this formula liked to keep his discoveries secret, and I have no Idea where he is now."
"The original client asked to buy the formula and he did refuse the offer, which went as high as 500 platinum pieces.
Though after he said something in the client's ear, the client stopped trying to buy the formula."
"But I know of it because I worked with him on the formula. That and given the number of attempts we did at trying to get it right, hammered the process in along with the materials we used. His formula had Zero side effects, the number of side effects with the one me and Halloran are going to make will likely be in the single digits and it might be a major one, or just a minor one."
"Further more potions have a time limit and can be cancelled in anti-magic fields.
The Outside help would need to be an alchemist who also really knows biology, chemistry and bio-chemistry, and that is one hard to find list of qualifications."
Halloran comes over to Alkaid, Alkaid they need your help closing the gate, have you seen Hank, Duke and Frank? Oleg wants them over there.
"I think Hank and Frank is near the house helping with the windows, and I think Duke is near the stables.
I'll get going to the gate see if we can close it."
Dante's attempt at closing the gate fails as the winds push hard on the gate.
Earwen goes about clearing space and what ever Svetlana instructs her to do, singing quietly to her self.
There ain't no rest for the wicked...
Eliane tries to check that the windows are all closed.
Struggling with the gate, Dante shouts to everyone in the courtyard. "In the name of Abadar, lend your backs to the gate! We need to get it closed before the winds rip it off it's hinges!"
Dante will direct the effort, ensuring that the gate is closed and secured.
Bridgitte continues in her attempt to help close the gate before the weather worsens. She pushes hard on the gate
Ardainn leans into the gate to help push, but his feet slip in the mud. He manages not to fall flat on his face, but steps away, scowling fiercely.
"I am searching for an elf," he says to Dante as he recovers himself. "She was taken by bandits some weeks ago, not far from here. Is there someone here who knows the local brigands?"