While Lothar starts his stretching Gorguk half rises to join him in his sparring nad training ritual. However Gorguk sits back down when he realizes that Lothar has no interest in sparring with him this night. At first inclined to approach Lothar and ask himself, Gorguk turns and searches out Cal to thank him for watching vigil with him at Kylia's grave once again.
perc check on watch
"Dyfrig how hold our stores?"
i am fine either way
When they had camped for the night, Lothar waited until after dinner to try and talk with Rhasadilara once again. Once he was sure they could do so without anyone coming upon them, the magician spoke up.
I need a sparring partner, and I have chosen you. Your use of the bow will mark you as a target and though you are skilled with the blade as well, there may come a time when such will avail you naught. And on that day, you will be glad that I took the time to do this.
The look on his face made it clear that there was only one response he would accept from her: Let us begin.
Her eyes narrow a bit as she tries to judge what the Vudrani has in mind, but she stands up. So... I gather I don't need these? As she says this, she gestures to her weapons lying on the ground where she was seated.
While Lothar starts his stretching Gorguk half rises to join him in his sparring nad training ritual. However Gorguk sits back down when he realizes that Lothar has no interest in sparring with him this night. At first inclined to approach Lothar and ask himself, Gorguk turns and searches out Cal to thank him for watching vigil with him at Kylia's grave once again.
** spoiler omitted **
perc check on watch 1d20-1
"I'm an with you and feel that Barnabus meant no disrespect. He is a unique individual and for me it has taken some time to adjust to his ways. As for Rhasadilara's reaction to what Barnabus said, ...I can only guess that either she was hurt deeply at Kylia's loss, even though they were not acquainted with each other, or there is some other reason. Perhaps Kylia's death reminded her of some other hurtful time in her past."
"It may also be that she is not as familiar as we are with Barnabus' ways and manners, and therefore took what was said differently then we did."
"With time and care we will continue to mesh together as a group. And although at times we may unwittingly do or say something, to rub one another the wrong way, my hope is that we will always be there for each other."
After Calinder's discussion with Gorguk, he decides to forgo his study of Tartuk's journal and spend extra time in meditation and contemplating the events of the day. He then turns in for the night until it is time for his watch.
Lothar stared intently at his partner, the elven ranger Rhasadilara, the barest trace of a smile visible upon his lips. Your bow will suffice. Without taking his eyes off her, the magician gestured for Rhasa to retrieve her bow and quiver. Once she had her fingers wrapped firmly around the bow's back, he advanced, leading with a straight kick that she easily avoided. Lothar continued his assault, throwing a flurry of kicks and punches that kept the elf on her heels as she moved to keep from being hit, Rhasa using her bow as she would a staff. After several minutes of this, he backed off, purposely ending his attack.
Very good. As you know, I prefer options and tactics that aren't very straight forward in their application. The military have a name for this method of combat: 'asymmetric' or 'unconventional.' Essentially, 'weaker' combatants make use of strategies that offset any deficiencies in the quality or quantity of their makeup.
Your bow provides you with a superior advantage over most. But only at a distance, and only if you can use it. Up close, as I am to you now, your weapon counts for nothing. I do not doubt that you will do all that you can to prevent such a thing from occurring. However, realistically, that can only be done for so long. There are those of my order capable of such fleetness of foot that they can outpace horses. The more skilled ones, through the use of chakra, can even traverse the longest distance of a bowshot within the blink of an eye and stand beside you. There are creatures possessing means to cloak their movements so as to remain unseen. I myself can do this for short periods of time, as you have witnessed.
The elves have a saying, 'fortune favors the prepared mind.' You, then, must be prepared for this eventuality. With the proper stance, you can change the outcome to allow yourself the opportunity to continue using the bow, firing even at those that are close up to you. Your usual method of holding the weapon puts you at a slight disadvantage as you aim it. He brought up his hands, mimicking the way one would properly hold an arrow-nocked bow. But with a simple twist, it is a disadvantage no longer. Lothar then moved his hands so that the 'bow' was held diagonally across body. From this position, firing under such circumstances becomes possible without giving your enemy an unneeded advantage. As an elf you were no doubt trained to shoot in such a manner while on the move. But it has applications that are not limited to free-range moving.
He looked at Rhasa, his lips pursed together into a grim smile before backing up to where her quiver lay. Catching the strap with his foot, Lothar brought the container up so that he could catch it with his hand, taking care not to spill a single arrow. Walking back over to where she stood, the magician tossed Rhasadilara the quiver, who immediately slipped it onto her back.
Now, let's see just how well you've grasped what I've told you. Shall we begin again?
Lothar made as though he would charge forward, then immediately threw himself to his right, rolling through to come to his feet. But as the magician came back up, Rhasa noticed that his hands were moving very quickly. She immediately drew and nocked an arrow to her bow, sighting down its length only to see him disappear from view.
Rhasadilara gave a quick glance to either side of her, noting the terrain. Trees and brush, obstructions that could easily shield him from her sight even after his vanishing spell had worn off. And since it was dusk, she was limited to the same spectral range as he was. Mentally, Rhasadilara complimented his cleverness. From what he said though, the elven ranger knew he wouldn't go too far from her. Not when he had a point to make. So where would he attack from?
Instinct and thought became action as she immediately spun about, Rhasa's pivot bringing her bow diagonally across and the tip of her fully drawn arrow right up to Lothar's visible eye.
Very good. Were you to fire now, with that much of a draw, I'd be dead. Again.
They kept at it, Lothar using whatever means to keep Rhasa off balance so that she could focus on improving her technique. Sometimes, as before, she would catch him before the magician could make 'the kill.' Other times, she wasn't able to stop him. Yet through it all, each sought to make the other better prepared for future battles against enemies that were capable of using unorthodox methods of fighting.
When they were done for the evening, the exhausted Vudrani looked over at his tired partner, marveling at her endurance. Next time, we'll bring Gorguk into this as well. Lothar continued between labored breaths. You'll benefit from his involvement. And with that said, Lothar lowered himself to ground and laid down on his back to stare appreciatively at the night sky.
A good end to an equally good day.
Having said almost nothing during the lesson, the elven ranger concentrates on what the Vudrani is telling her, trying to develop instinct and reflex to replace the conscious thought that her actions still relied on.
She marveled, All these years of fighting, and this young human so easily shows me new tactics and shows me the errors in mine.
At least my conditioning did not fail me, she thinks as the magician calls an end to the night's training. She gives her instructor a deep, respectful bow as she has seen some warriors do after sparring, then drops rather inelegantly to the ground.
"A valuable lesson, my friend. I look forward to learning more of this from you and Gorguk."
Sleep comes easily to the weary.
Rhasa moves slowly as she leads the others, motioning for silence once they move out of sight of the plains they've explored. She's on high alert for sign of the over-sized Tuskgutter as she tries to recall what she knows of his breed.
Silence, she wants silence. The only way that I am going to give any silence is if I am either comatose lying on the floor, or in a vaccuum where sound doesn't travel. Silence...well I will try.
stealth check
Clang, clang, clang...[whispered]What Rhasa? I didn't quite hear what you said up there. Did you say you found Tuskgutter? Impressive...Only been in the forest for like 20 minutes. I thought you said you were better in the plains than tracking in the woods.[/whispered] Clang, clang, clang.
Lothar, after leaving his mule with Dyfrig, allowed himself to fall back to the rear of the party and attempted to blend in with his surroundings as best as he could.
Calinder tries to be as quiet as he can as Rhasadilara leads them into the forest once again.
Although it was not really something that was taught in the temple where he was trained and brought up as a follower of Erastil, Calinder is at least a little quieter then Gorguk, but not by any stretch of the imagination undetectable.
In a lowered voice Calinder says, "Well between Gorguk and I, we have alerted every creature within several hundred yards of our presence. Sorry."
Rhasa looks back at the others with a smile, saying just loud enough to be heard, "Be at ease. I don't expect the party to be completely silent, but if we make the effort, our party of many might sound like one or two."
Please correct me if I am wrong Rhasa, but I am assuming that you are 30ft ahead of us scouting the trails and basically doing your wilderness thing where I won't disturb you. If you want me to be closer or farther away just let me know. Since Rhasa is on alert, I will have my lance ready and guide Durok with my knees.
perception check to notice the large fallen tree and anything else strange.
Durok's perception [whispered]Durok nobody likes a smug horse, but nice job. [/whispered]
PERCEPTION
Stealth
Handle Animal
Stealth
Perception
Survival
Calinder sees everyone else becoming more alert and adds his efforts to theirs.
Rhasa signals for the others to stop and be quiet, indicating that she's seen something up ahead. She will lead Sunset just off the trail and loosely hang his reins over a branch to let him know to stay there.
Readying her bow, she will move into the clearing as stealthily as possible (half-movement, the whole nine yards) to get a better view. She will use the fallen tree as cover, not moving to the side to see the 'resident' until she's close enough to identify it.
Of all the requests that the group had taken, this was the one that worried Lothar the most. Hunting for Tuskgutter would test them in ways that none of their previous encounters ever did. The rajah caste, those who ruled the kingdoms that comprised Vudra, hunted boar not only for sport. Because a fully grown boar was large animal armed with sharp tusks that were used in its defense, hunting them were often tests of bravery. And that would be the case here.
The magician looked over his gear and realized it was inadequate for this task. The only thing Lothar had that would be of any use was a 50-foot coil of silk rope, a grappling hook, and perhaps his sunrod. He knew that snares could be used to trap a boar, holding it in place once caught so that a hunter could finish it. But Lothar was not experienced with trapmaking, so that option was beyond him.
Beyond him perhaps, but maybe not beyond Tartuk. From what he knew of kobolds, they were very capable trapmakers. Lothar needed to find their kobold friend and see if he could help set up a snare that could be used for this hunt.
Although he sees Rhasa's signal to remain still and alert, Gorguk still attempts to move on Durok so there is a clear path between him and the clearing that Rhasa is exploring. Simply put, Gorguk wants a charge lane if he needs to deliver an attack with the lance, or be able to move close to Rhasa to be able to lay on hands if she is in trouble. Also, this will put him in front of the spell casters in case something heads towards the rest of the party.
Either way set lance and move Durok into an open lane.
stealth check
Barnabus being neither perceptive nor stealthy just seems to be riding oblivious to dangers ahead......
Barnabus uses feral speech hex and addresses the pig in a series of grunts and snorts....
"How now big pig? Why are you so hostile?"
If Barnabus tells gorguk what he is doing, then Gorguk will not take the following actions as he waits to see the outcome of Barnabus's actions.
Otherwise: Gorguk, chagrinned at making a fool of himself and alerting the beast attempts to rectify the situation before any one else is placed in danger. Remounting Durok, ride check swiftly, Gorguk readies his lance again as he charges the beast.
Charge power attack, dam
Hopefully inflicting a painful wound on the massive beast, Gorguk prepares for the onslaught that is to come.
*Edit* forgot about init...
Ah, Gorguk! May Erastil grant you patience one day!
Rhasa freezes when the ruckus comes up behind her and the great porcine head emerges from the trees. Hearing the tell-tale clop of Durok's charge, she does her best to throw herself out of the charger's path.
As the magician discussed the possibility of setting up snare trap with Tartuk, he heard the unmistakable clatter that arose from Gorguk's fall. Shaking his head, Lothar removed his pack and set it before the kobold.
Take what you need and begin setting it up. Use this to signal that you're done, pointing to the sunrod. Maybe there's no need to do this, but better to be prepared than not.
Gorguk just has no clue as to what you are doing right now. For all he knows you are babbling incoherently because you are scared senseless.
"Tha pig refuses tah bargain."
Initiative
Calinder stops his horse as Rhasadilara signals for silence. He then gasps as Gorguk in preparing to charge, slips from his horse and alerts the boar to their presence. Then as Gorguk charges forward on his mighty steed with lance lowered and in one deft motion spits the boar on his lance, Calinder's mouth hangs open, staring at him in amazement.
Calinder then says, "Erastil is with us today for sure, and I'm glad that Gorguk is on our side." And then with a yell in Gorguk's direction, Calinder says, "Excellent job Gorguk!"
Awestruck by the events that transpired, Lothar could only stare as Gorguk bore down on Tuskgutter mounted on Durok and skewered him with the lance. The sight of the paladin's lance piercing the wild pig's hide, the sound of the horse snorting and Tuskgutter's death squeal, the scent of bovine musk and blood intermingling, all of this converged in the magician's mind and held him in place. Only when it was certain that the boar was dead that Lothar found himself able to move once more. He immediately located Tartuk to have cease making the snare, then went to where the enormous pig lay, transfixed on the end of Gorguk's lance.
That has to be the fastest boar hunt ever. Good work, oh fearless leader. The last was accompanied with a bow. We should make arrangements to transport the beast back to Oleg's. Once there, we can figure out what to do with Vekkel and the others. That's just a suggestion. As always, we await your decision on this, Gorguk.
"Thank you Tuskgutter for providing our need for food, tis sad I did not even get his name."
Busy at work today but will try to get a better post later. Gorguk is ok with traveling to Oleg's scouting as we go.
Calinder then says, "Erastil is with us today for sure, and I'm glad that Gorguk is on our side." And then with a yell in Gorguk's direction, Calinder says, "Excellent job Gorguk!"
Rhasa has just enough time to tense up to throw herself to the side before Gorguk strikes the boar a mortal blow.
She realizes that she is standing there, mouth agape, when Calinder shouts his approval. She closes her mouth abruptly and nods in agreement as she moves forward, drawing her sword as she moves.
If the creature still draws breath, she will perform the coup d'grace. If not, she will sheathe the sword once more. Either way, she will investigate its lair, mostly hoping to find that there are no orphaned young.
Fully expecting a massive backlash as Gorguk spears the mighty boar with his lance, Gorguk is astonished as well that the boar stands there motionless before collapsing to the ground. The mighty weight of the boar almost pulling Gorguk off his steed Durok. As the boar breathes his last, And so ends the mighty Tuskgutter whose name was heralded far and wide in this mighty land.
Turning to Rhasa, he dismounts and bows his head before her. I am sorry for actions on the path just now. It was foolish of me to move when you asked for silence so you could scout ahead. Please accept my humblest apologies. My actions were not done out of vain conceit or because I thought your request foolish. I saw in my mind's eye Kylia in your place as you went on ahead by yourself. When I saw that, I wanted to at least be in a position to rush to your aid if you so needed it. I do not doubt your abilities, I just could not stand idly by.
Turning to the rest of the group, I woud do the same for each one of you if you were in a similar position. I do not seek to sacrifice myself in this venture, only that I do my utmost to protect us all.
Verily the Hunter has guided my lance Cal. Without his guidance, our fate may well have been different. But come, let us have a feast of roasted boar tonight and in the morning head north to Olegs bringing this mighty beast with us. The food he provides will keep us well supplied for meat for some time. Before we dine on him,I would ask a favor though of all of us. This is a mighty creature full of strength that we slew. In honor of him and the spirit of the Hunt, let us each take a bite of his massive heart to strengthen ourselves. With that, Gorguk cuts a great rent with his longsword. Requiring both hands, Gorguk rips the heart out of the beast. After thanking Erastil, he takes a large bite himself before handing it to Rhasa. This is not a slight to anyone that Rhasa is presented first, but meant as well as an apology for earlier. Once done with Rhasa, Gorguk will turn to each member of the party and offer them a bite. When all have partaken, Gorguk will take the heart and offer it to Erastil to be burnt in the fire that night.
Rhasadilara chuckles at Gorguk's apology. "You need not seek forgiveness, my friend. I know that, no matter what you do, you are doing what you think is right. The fey magic of this area pushed you from your horse, but your will and faith in Erastil were greater. All is well."
When he says he's going to cut the heart out of the beast, she looks a little surprised, but she steels herself to receive the still-warm organ when he hands it to her. With it in her hands, she closes her eyes briefly and holds it aloft as she mouths a silent prayer to Old Dead-eye. That done, she nods to herself, opens her eyes, and puts the heart to her lips and takes a tiny bite from it.
She hands the heart back to Gorguk.
"Dyfrig jus knock tha tusks off it, wipe it's dirty ass, hold it o'er tha fire an then slap it on a plate fer me."
Calinder watches as Gorguk first partakes of the great boars heart, and then offers it to Rhasadilara. Calinder notes that Rhasadilara only takes a tiny nibble of the heart, obviously not sure about this act that Gorguk has suggested, but not wanting to offend.
When Gorguk in turn offers the heart to Calinder, he takes it in his hands anc carefully raises the boars heart skyward, saying, "Great Erastil, thank you for the talents and skills of all in this group that have once again allowed us to complete the tasks given to us. Give us all strength and power to continue, and to complete this great task that has been given to us."
Calinder then lowers the heart and returns it to Gorguk.
That evening, Calinder will accompany Gorguk and watch as he offers the heart of the boar. In his meditations that night he reflects on the events of the day and records those events in his journal of their travels.
For the rest of the day, Gorguk will continue to check that the heart is still with him so that he may sacrifice it to Erastil that night. During the day he will check will Cal to ensure that the correct rites and rituals are performed. know (religion)
Scouting the rest of the forest, Gorguk is surprised at how much life there is once away from Tuskgutter's lair. It seems the denizens of hte forest have already haerd of his fate and are reclaiming the ground. If only it were so easy for the rest of the Greenlands once theStaglord is dealt a fatal blow to his regime.
Gorguk will forgo any training with Lothar tonight to concentrate on the Erastil ritual.
perception check as we travel and second is for the watch that night.
Rhasa will lead the group on for more exploring, but will keep her eyes open for a good clearing for a campsite in case they need to circle back. If necessary, she will bring the party back to Tuskgutter's lair.