Freya gives her own words. "Mother brought you, mother takes you. Be one again with nature!"
Hefting her spear she smiles towards the others."Let us move on, time is fleeting!"
"Yes. Please. I wish to get out of these blood stained clothes as soon as possible," Daren says, trying to wipe some of the blood off of his hand. "Hey, lute-boy. You want to hook me up with some of that cleaning magic?"
Fin frown hearing Daren tone.
"Household magic."
He gesture and chant some word, magically cleansing Daren clothes. Then with a grin he continue his magic and change the color of Daren jacket from red to blue.
"My name is Finn. Remember that."
Daren looks down at his new colored jacket and growls. "And messing around with a noble is dangerous. Best you remember that," Daren warns in reply, walking away toward Markam's group. Typical commoner.
Hearing the exchange, Oalin ponders but keeps it to himself, noble? Where does that idea come from?
He is content to continue the march, preferably walking next to Finn if possible.
@Finn- Carth says " Corymr seems to be constantly fighting with the nobles, goblins, war wizards, I thought I could get away for awhile, for a vacation. Haha "
@Brock says to Darens comment "Just because your mom says your a noble don't mean its true, if that was the case, when I stole my Ma's Meatpie I'd be a little troll."
" Why would you want to use your own blood master?, I mean I Suppose it could work."
Finn shake his head.
"Not a good sport. But it was worth a laugh. Maybe I should have made it yellow with pink stripes as I initially thought to do.
When someone ask a favor he should at least be courteous. "
Freya shakes her head and whistles.
"Nobles are men like everyone else. They eat, drink, s%~+ and bleed! The major difference is that they think they are better."
Oalin ponders the conversation being bantered about... What you are born does make you different. It makes me different, so maybe Daren is different too, no matter what they think.
Virid sighs as he witnesses the banter between several of the other recruits from Knob’s Mine.
It could be a long enlistment if people are at each other’s throats the whole time. That Daren seems to be ok, but his “peasant” talk is going to cause problems. It reminds me of grandfather’s stories of the capital. Some act noble and some just speak it.
The litters are ready, the wounded have been tended. I’d like to reach a good, defensible camp before dark.
Virid picks up one end of the litter, to make his point.
"Freya, you think that I can clean Bjorn? Even if it is not infectious, blood rot after a time and it smell awfully."
"And Mor, how it will work with the money you have found? It will be shared or it is finder keeper?"
Oalin leans in and speaks to Finn, "The natural thing for animals is they clean themselves, I mean, that's what I've seen."
"Oh, right, we should share the spoils, for sure. I was just cleaning up the bodies and making sure we didn't miss anything. When we stop, we can count it and distribute a share to everyone."
Whispering to his companion, "Thing, you said power that shocks to death earlier. I can only put that magic shield on, heal and daze a foe. Umm... wha-what else could I maybe do?"
@daren- you walk back to where Lord Markam was at, you see him wiping blood off his sword. "Eh, Daren was it; I see you made it out. good job. How did your group do?"
@virid- You see as you are holding the gurney Gweenth come forward and say prayers over the body, you see several tears going down her cheeks.
@everyone- You see the dwarf move back through the groups, "Ok everyone no more loligagging, its time to move on. Anyone who cant keep up let me know." with that he gives a shout. We got two more hours march. the elf maiden and the Human gather things up and start walking back into the woods.
@Mor- give me a craft skill untrained since you made the gurney.
@Oalin- "I don't know master; the spells just kinda come to me. I feel there should be a way to confuse your targets mind (lesser confusion). I just cant figure it out right now, Don't worry I'm sure it will come to me. "
Craft (durable medical equipment)
"They did well enough for a bunch of commoners," Daren replies to the noble. "A few seemed too scared to lift a weapon, while the ones that did fight had rather unrefined methods. Those goblins seemed rather strange. A lot more...animal than I expected."
Moving towards the group Bjoern will aid Morgabir with the rafer.
@daren- "Yes, they can get a little brutish. Carth says that these are a different breed or somesuch. Very ferocious."
The party continues their march and after about two hours you see the warcamp is made inside the walls of a abandoned keep, probably destroyed during the witch kings attack about twenty years ago but never fixed. the tents are set up in the courtyard, and there are some people on the walls patrolling.
The dwarf speaks up "Welcome home lads, and lasses. At least for a little time. Come lets get you situated." as the dwarf leads you into the keep, you see the other soldiers move away from your group as well as Markam. Once you enter you see a small army inside. apparently the threat was bigger than your group expected. The dwarf leads you to a tent and tells your group "This is your tent, for the time being. You report directly to me. Mor your you be the one currently in charge of the group, don't screw it up lad. Gweenth, will be the Qaurtermaster and support for the group. Gweenth come with me the rest of you go inside. More orders will follow. Don't leave the tent for the time being. you will be known as Squad Four." with that soldiers come and take the body, and when you enter the tent you see about ten bunks, and a sectioned off back area with a privy behind a curtain.
"Yessir, Sergeant." not knowing if he should salute or not, Morgabir elects to simply stiffen briefly while the dwarf leaves the tent.
"Well, okay, everyone. I didn't ask to be a leader here, and I know about as much as the rest of you about soldiering. So, speak up if you have ideas or you think I'm doing something wrong, but let's try and keep it to ourselves. The better we can look to the higher ups, the better gear and stuff we'll get, I reckon."
He slips off his pack and begins to stow his gear in the tent.
[B]"I suggest we get what rest we can, but keep your boots and gear on. No telling when they'll come running to make us go do aomething, right?"[\b]
Taking his own advice, Mor lays back on his bedroll, attempting to take a nap with his cloak as a pillow.
2Maybe we should partition a part of the tent for the women? And a privy in the tent? Ugh. I hope we will stay here for a short time."
During the march, Oalin does a little less distracted-plant-observation and a little more nervous, edge-of-forest-looking-for-enemies.
He tries to take a bunk near Finn if possible. ”Better not wander or explore the place, Thing… you might be mistaken for a pest until others get to know you’re more.”
After everyone settles in, Oalin does go to the flap and observes, “on the sly,” to take stock more of the surrounds -- how many tents, anyone of note walking of moving between, any training going on, etc.
Daren scowls at both the tent and the placement of leadership. "Placing a barbarian as leader. Ridiculous," Daren mutters to himself.
Daren takes the bunk farthest from the horrific latrine and tries to settle in. His side still hurts some, but he wasn't going to ask for help now. Mess with my attire, indeed!
Virid selects an empty bunk and stows his meager belongings beneath it, keeping weapons and armor nearby. He promptly falls asleep the moment his head hits the pillow.
Finn take a empty bunk near the entrance, at the opposite side of the latrine, cast Prestidigitation to clean it and himself, drop his pack, sit on the bunk and remove his footgear. Then start casting Mending on the boots.
If someone look his equipment is of poor quality but in top shape thanks a constant use of Mending.
Selecting a bunk directly behind the door with space for Bjoern Freya drops her belongings next to it and stretches.
"Well, let´s settle in!"
@Oalin- you see several people milling about, many of them notice you as you peak your head out. the groups are sparing, cooking, marching, you get a sense of the command tent (the largest one). and after a little bit of time. you see Gweenth heading towards you with a Gnome. and two other soldiers carrying a large caldron.
as Gweenth comes in the group notices a handful of arms and armor, going through the group. and dumping them either on people or handing them items.
She throws down on Mors bunk, a longsword, a light crossbow, and a chain shirt.
She throws on Finn's bunk, a halberd a short sword, and chainshirt.
She gives Oalin and Daren, a longsword, a shield, and a chain shirt.
She kicks virids bunk to wake him "Here" and gives virid a Battle-axe, a Shortbow and s.leather.
She gives Freja, a Shortbow, a short sword, and s.leather.
She gives Brock a halberd a short sword, and chainshirt. you hear Brock say "Well Brock, here we go again." and starts pulling off some of his clothes, not caring about privacy. you see that even though brock is older he is fit and well muscled for his age.
The gnome introduces himself to everyone, "I'm Grinel Ferrybrook, head cook. I don't want to hear about any complaints I do what I can with what I have. However since this is your first night." he takes on a sympathetic face. "You get some rabbit and veggie stew, with" he pauses for effect "Apple cider ale." he gets the soldiers to drop off some bowls and cups to the group before leaving. Grinel stays to give out the stew. The stew is cooked to perfection with the rabbit bits just a bit spicy.
Oalin is slightly confused, but taking it all in stride. Longsword, shield and chain shirt... hmm
Oalin checks around to make sure no one will be in danger, and very inexpertly swings the sword - bad grip, in the wrong place, footing not set, off balance and left open, etc…
He whispers to his companion, What do you think, Thing? The armor will give protection, but it seems heavy and restrictive. Do you see “Oalin the Sorcerer” smiting foes with his sword AND magic?
He gets in line to chow down, appreciating the warm tasty food.
"Master you cant wear armor and cast spells very easily, I would recommend just leave them there, and as for the sword. Sir Oalin the Vast and powerful Knight of distrucivtiness, might have a nice ring to it. if you knew how to use it of course."
Virid blinks rapidly as his bed shudders. Stretching, he gets out of the bed.
I must have been more tired from that fight than I realized. The bed certainly isn’t that comfortable.
Looking over the assorted equipment scattered on his bunk, he shrugs and puts on the armor provided for him, though he sees no difference. The bow went over his back, but he hesitated upon hefting the axe.
It’s so heavy. I don’t know if I would really use this...
A look of uncertainty on his face, he shouldered the axe as well.
Well, I guess we eat. We certainly have earned it.
Daren sniffs at the equipment. It definitely wasn't the finest equipment, but then again, neither was his...yet. Putting on the chain shirt, Daren puts the sword and shield away while going to get his 'grub'. These peasants probably think this is a feast. Probably even satisfied with it, too, Daren thinks to himself as he eats.
As Oalin eats, he decides Thing is right, better to leave the heavy shirt behind, and the shield would interfere with my hand motions for the rituals. The longsword is better than anything I have, but I don't know how to use it.
He decides if they go on "duty" or whatever, he'll at least bring the longsword, just to show he is not snubbing the proffered gear.
Thing, I will never be a knight. Any I don't want to be a "Knight of Destruction" for sure. Oalin shakes his head, but visions of himself standing on high over some unidentifiable population weilding ultimate respect and fear dances in his imagination...
Gweenth looks at the studded leather and hands it back, together with the weapons."My vows forbid me to use armors with metal, and I am neither trained in sword nor bow. I doubt I will be of much use in booth. But your effort is highly appreciated!"
Hearing about the wonderful dinner she clapps her hands."You are indeed a kind person. Do you have some leftovers for Bjorn by chance?"
"Freya, I don't know if we can trade equipment, but I would be very interested in the bow. The cain shirt and the halberd aren't very useful for me, they will interfere with my spellcasting or my movements.
Gweenth, we can exchange equipment?"
Finn look the food and taste it: "A bit bland but abundant. And for the flavor I can always cheat with my magic."
Finn cast Prestidigitation to flavor his food and look around to see if some of the others do the same or use other magic on it.
Morgabir dons his new chain shirt and belts the swordbelt around his waist. He leaves the sheathed blade at the foot of his bed, ready to clip onto the frog of the belt in a moments notice.
"Hey, Oalin, I notice you don't seem to have much practice with that blade, or the shield. Perhaps you'd like some pointers? Or more specifically, perhaps you'd like this crossbow? I have a feeling keeping the spellcasters and healers put of harms way and supplying ranged support is the best way to go. "
Grinel looks around and hands out ale while your eating.
Brock takes some, and whispers something into Gweenths ear. She blanches a little and then gets up and asks for more ale specifically.
Grinel tells Freja, " Your bear can eat after everyone else does. You better also keep a good hold on him the last person brought a animal in and it attacked another soldier, poor thing was executed the next day. "
"Bjorn will keep at my side, and would only attack someone if I am attacked. But the food later will appease him for sure!"
Freja smiles and nods toward Grinel.
Delighted at the consideration, Oalin walks to Morgabir and tries to reply lowly, ”Thank you. I think trying to use a crossbow would interfere with my rituals to cast spells – I need both hands free. Hmm - I suppose I could shot it, drop it, and THEN cast spells.”
He takes the offered crossbow, turns it over a few times to figure it out, ”Let’s see, crank it here, latch, bolt goes there, trigger… this is actually pretty durn simple, isn’t it?”
"That it is, lad, that it is. I might suggest holding on with one hand while you do your magic stuff with the other. That way, you won't lose it in the grass, or if we have to run, or whatnot. If you're not gonna use that shield, I could certainly make do with it. If you're willing, that is, of course."
Absent-mindedly Oalin replies, "Yea, yea - go ahead and take the shield.
He wanders back over to the gnome, "Mr. Ferrybrook, pleased to meet you, I'm Oalin. We fought a few infected goblins on the way here. And there was this guy in a dark cloak a long ways off none of us got a real good look at - he disappeared into the woods just as it was looking like we were gaining the upper hand on the gobs. Has anything similar happened to any others here? I mean, you must hear a lot, people talk while they eat, I'm sure."
"Sure do, I hear lots of stuff. Did you find anything after the shadow man left? From what I hear from the scouts they have gotten close a couple of times but yet to catch em. "
Suddenly not so open to speaking of his personal performance, Oalin stammers, "W-Well, it all happened very fast, actually. I'd never fought anything and, well, it was a real blur - Daren especially got ALL bloodied up something terrible. We all did... Fight I mean." Oalin casts a look around, "Finn? Can you tell it? You'd be better than me.
Oalin walks off back his bunk hoping Finn will take over.
I don't like being on the spot like that, Thing. My first fight was an embarrassment. I don't want to be like that again... too afraid to even try to fight that goblin. I WON'T be like that again.
Finn, I think you might find that chain shirt isn’t as heavy or restrictive as you think it will be. But, if there are any spare ones around that are going unused, I think it might be beneficial for me to wear one.
That Bjorn is remarkably well behaved for a wild animal.
Daren listens in the nearby conversation as he eats to distract himself from the poor food. Seems that cloaked figure from the battle is a hot topic around here. Might do to keep an eye out for him next time if I want to show Markam what I'm really worth.
"Oalin, it is only the dumb who are afraid. If you haven´t been out of the wilds much, it is new and confusing. Next time you will do better!"
With a shrug Freya undoes her shoes and lays on the bed next to Bjoern and puts her hat over her eyes.
"Take it, Virid."
"Thanks for the food, Mr. Ferrybrook. It was a close call, Freya here did a good job at slowing some of them down with a patch of grasping plants and Bjorn" Finn point at the bear "killed two of them. Morgabir killed another two, Daren one and Virid another, while we keep the others busy protecting the healers. Then the scouts showed up and finished the remnants. If there have been two more goblins or Freya hadn't slowed them down it would have been very different, some of us would have been surrounded by them and probably slain. Working together saved us all. The black man was only watching us, probably he wanted to gauge the militia abilities. As we received the order to march just after the battle we were unable to search for tracks."
"Oalin did well, but I think he will get better with some experience. He is a sorcerer and was able to stop an enemy for a time. People that don't are afraid die young. If you die in a blaze of glory, you end dead the same."
"Freya, if you have no problem I will take the bow. And ... you can cast the food benediction? It is not the standard use, but I think you can purify the water in the latrine, and that should remove all the waste matter. I don't want to offend your god if that is against his teaching, but I don't want to get sick for the vapors too."
"Don't try to sell me short, knave," Daren says, interjecting into the conversation. "I took down two on my own, much as anyone else. And more than some here."
"Very well, Daren killed two of them. On the other hand, Lord Daren, how is that you are in this tent with us common folk instead of having your pavillon?"