Hrunndalf is visibly developing a migraine. "Alright... I'll assume most of the time I will have done something offensive, and that being too emotional and formal is preferable to being too cold and disrespectful. So... moshi-moshi... arimasen... deshta..?"
"... We'll work on it," Ameiko says.
Muttering, "It's not like you dodge out of the way of the blows..." She closes her eyes, really trying to beat down whatever it is that is making her so... snapish.
"I'm all right, Melinda. Honest." He kisses her forehead.
Then, to the group: "Funeral pyre it is. Let's get to work." He attempts to disengage from the clinging girl in order to move the bodies to a central location.
Alaric holds Mel, almost glaring at the raider's corpse. "Right before she died, she thought the word 'Asvig.' It seemed like it was probably a proper name. She saw the raven, but it didn't seem like she was involved with it."
If it is a proper name, what nationality or type (assuming humanoid for the moment)? If right roll: K:local
"I'm all right, Melinda. Honest." He kisses her forehead.
Then, to the group: "Funeral pyre it is. Let's get to work." He attempts to disengage from the clinging girl in order to move the bodies to a central location.
As she makes a decided effort to bury whatever is turning her into a ninny, Mel squeezes Alaric's hand once more in parting and turns to start moving bodies.
"So which weapons should we give them in death?" The question directed mostly to Kelda and Hrunndalf.
As she makes a decided effort to bury whatever is turning her into a ninny, Mel squeezes Alaric's hand once more in parting and turns to start moving bodies.
"So which weapons should we give them in death?" The question directed mostly to Kelda and Hrunndalf.
Kelda shrugs.
Thinking as she's moving the bodies, "Asvig... is a male Ulfen name, isn't it?" Kind of glances around, "So are there any warlords or anything with that name currently? At least then we might know who we pissed off..."
Thinking as she's moving the bodies, "Asvig... is a male Ulfen name, isn't it?" Kind of glances around, "So are there any warlords or anything with that name currently? At least then we might know who we pissed off..."
Ameiko considers. "No one tremendously important that I can think of, but there are dozens or hundreds of local chieftains around, and it's not an uncommon name. We probably need more to go on."
After the bodies are gathered and the sacrifice of any weapons to the pyre. Mel will light the funeral pyre with the same spell that she used to burn several of the raiders during the combat.
As the bodies burn, she watches the flames. The red of the fire reflected in her eyes.
There is nothing of interest aboard the ship. However, when Kelda spots it, she says. "Could sail that down to Karlsgard. Sell it. Worth a lot."
"How many to sail it?"
"Not done yet," Rhost says. "Too soon."
Hrunndalf shrugs. "An axe each? They're not worth much."
"Hardly more suspicious than spontaneous death at the mere attempt to divulge information. I'm sure it is connected to the raven somehow, though."
Hrunndalf nods. "That would be most welcome. I drew too few enemies, allowing them to reach the back lines. Shalelu, Kalimac, you're the experts — what should we do differently next time?"
Looking around at the group, though, he adds, "I do think we put up a brave fight though, and we lost none of our number. Well done, everyone."
She heads toward the river, no doubt to rinse the ash and blood from herself in the frigid water.
When bodies are finished burning, Alaric returns to his wagon. A little while later, the back door opens and the uncleric sits with his armor in his lap, mending the brutal axe cut.
Probably around the time that the rended armor is fixed, Mel comes out of the darkness. It full view of anyone around, she kisses the uncleric. Leaning towards him she speaks softly.
Alaric draws Mel back in, alternating whispers and kisses. As he shifts, there's still a tear in his tunic, along with some dried blood around a wound that no longer exists.
Mel's hand goes to the tear in his shirt, as if it isn't just enough to see that the wound is gone. Her own clothes are clean and whole, no sign of the wounds she took evident.
Her hand rubs the part of his skin that had been sliced open. "I need to have a way to help you, next time." Her voice praying that there won't be, the knowledge in her eyes unable to deny that inevitability. Quieter, "And I need to know that you are really okay."
Alaric raises his eyebrows, looks around camp, and shrugs. Then pulls Mel into the wagon and shuts the door.
Sandru finds you in the mist. His eyes flick over you, noting where you have been wounded. "You OK?" he asks.
Myri smiles. "I will live...Silmemir was hurt much more than I, but I think Alaric" "has healed her right up now." she looks fondly at the sleek grey wolf. she protected me you know. I'm fortunate she decided to um, follow us." she touches her wound, which has now completely disappeared. "I am fine. What of everyone else?" She looks him over, not necessarily for open wounds, but signs of past damage already healed.
Perception:
Her gaze rises to look into his eyes, and her hand reaches out to tentatively touch his forearm, "...and Uncle Sandru. Thank you for asking." Her hand falls away and she looks away, a hint of color reaching her cheeks. "it feels nice...that you took the time." The blush deepens.
Myri washes the blood from Silmemir's fur. The formerly grievous wound completely healed from Alaric's positive channeling. "Diolch am gymryd sy'n chwythu i mi, merch, ond mae'n rhaid i chi fod yn ofalus, 'Kay. Bod yn edrych fel ei brifo, llawer. ... Gorweddwch i lawr yn awr."
Handle Animale: +4 companion included
Myri pulls out Silmemir's brush and begins combing any remaining debris out of her fur.
Thinking as she's moving the bodies, "Asvig... is a male Ulfen name, isn't it?" Kind of glances around, "So are there any warlords or anything with that name currently? At least then we might know who we pissed off..."
After the bodies are gathered and the sacrifice of any weapons to the pyre. Mel will light the funeral pyre with the same spell that she used to burn several of the raiders during the combat.
As the bodies burn, she watches the flames. The red of the fire reflected in her eyes.
Lio watches the bodies start to burn from the outskirts of the caravan. After a very short contemplation, she goes to the women's wagon, finds her bow, quiver, and backpack> She looks at Shalelu for a moment, catching her eye, and heads towards the river in the dark.
Bluff
"Think we should discuss it now, while a battle's still fresh in our minds?" asks Sandru. "Or should we set up some time for discussion and practice on the way to Karlsgard? Shae, is there a good time for ... Shae?" He clears his throat. "... Uh ... Shae?"
Shalelu's head whips around.
"Yes," she says. "Certainly. We can. Set aside some time. For maneuver practice."
Myriana hides a smile by hugging Silmemir and facing in another direction.
Her voice, soft, "You aren't hurt. You didn't die. You didn't..." Her eyes open, and he can read fear. Not of being unloved, but of unexpected disappearance. Of inexplicable abandonment.
She shakes her head slightly, trying to wash away the old fears. "I love you. Please don't disappear on me, please?"
Myriana hides a smile by hugging Silmemir and facing in another direction."Think we should discuss it now, while a battle's still fresh in our minds?" asks Sandru. "Or should we set up some time for discussion and practice on the way to Karlsgard? Shae, is there a good time for ... Shae?" He clears his throat. "... Uh ... Shae?"
Shalelu's head whips around.
"Yes," she says. "Certainly. We can. Set aside some time. For maneuver practice."
More blushing. And looking down at the ground. Luckily it's hard to tell in this light.
Myriana approaches Kalimac and Sandru, Silmemir is close by. "Um, Kalimac, Uncle Sandru? My Dad used to critique my tactical decisions. I know you were both pretty busy, and what with the fog and all, I don't expect you to have actually noticed anything, but...I'd appreciate it if you could give me any advice. What do you think I should be doing, considering the makeup of our group?" Myri seems to be genuinely interested in your thoughts.
Hrunndalf nods. "That would be most welcome. I drew too few enemies, allowing them to reach the back lines. Shalelu, Kalimac, you're the experts — what should we do differently next time?"
Looking around at the group, though, he adds, "I do think we put up a brave fight though, and we lost none of our number. Well done, everyone."
"We did do well, no question. But if we are being watched with an eye to ferreting out our weaknesses, we can expect future attacks to be designed to use our fondness for rushing forward against us."
"For us, the front line skirmishers," Kalimac says, indicating himself, Hrunndalf, Rhost and Melinda, "we would be better served if we could provide a united front. As it was, we all headed out in different directions, with Melinda at the rear. If we give Mel a chance to get her armor spell up, then the four of us can be a hammer that falls upon our enemies."
"Alternately, Attatoq and I can range faster and drive enemies to you three in a pincer attack. Either way, coordination is key."
"We did do well, no question. But if we are being watched with an eye to ferreting out our weaknesses, we can expect future attacks to be designed to use our fondness for rushing forward against us."
"For us, the front line skirmishers," Kalimac says, indicating himself, Hrunndalf, Rhost and Melinda, "we would be better served if we could provide a united front. As it was, we all headed out in different directions, with Melinda at the rear. If we give Mel a chance to get her armor spell up, then the four of us can be a hammer that falls upon our enemies."
"A spearhead," Alaric amends, looking to the more experienced soldiers for approval. "With me at the center, healing and empowering."
Myriana approaches Kalimac and Sandru, Silmemir is close by. "Um, Kalimac, Uncle Sandru? My Dad used to critique my tactical decisions. I know you were both pretty busy, and what with the fog and all, I don't expect you to have actually noticed anything, but...I'd appreciate it if you could give me any advice. What do you think I should be doing, considering the makeup of our group?" Myri seems to be genuinely interested in your thoughts.
Kalimac thinks for a brief moment, seeming to replay the battle in his head. "Hmm. Well, given your use of the bow, I think you're taking an unnecessary risk tumbling around in the mêlée. You would probably do well to follow Lio's lead and get on top of the wagons. You can see the entire battle from there, and with your arrows dispense aid to whoever needs it. It's less fun, I admit, to not be in the middle of the fray. But with your choice of weapon it's more effective to be removed from the crush of attackers."
After the bodies are gathered and the sacrifice of any weapons to the pyre. Mel will light the funeral pyre with the same spell that she used to burn several of the raiders during the combat.
As the bodies burn, she watches the flames. The red of the fire reflected in her eyes.
Most of the Caravan likewise gathers around the pyre until the flames start to die down.
"For us, the front line skirmishers," Kalimac says, indicating himself, Hrunndalf, Rhost and Melinda, "we would be better served if we could provide a united front. As it was, we all headed out in different directions, with Melinda at the rear. If we give Mel a chance to get her armor spell up, then the four of us can be a hammer that falls upon our enemies."
"Alternately, Attatoq and I can range faster and drive enemies to you three in a pincer attack. Either way, coordination is key."
Myri says quietly and introspectively from nearby, "Alternatively, how about having Kalimac and Attatoq initially in reserve with the archers to see how the battle unfolds, since they have the best battlefield mobility...or maybe Mel, so she can get her defenses up first, while protecting the archers or providing a "second wave" where needed?"
"How many to sail it?"
"Downstream?" She thinks about this. "Two, if I am one."
Kalimac thinks for a brief moment, seeming to replay the battle in his head. "Hmm. Well, given your use of the bow, I think you're taking an unnecessary risk tumbling around in the mêlée. You would probably do well to follow Lio's lead and get on top of the wagons. You can see the entire battle from there, and with your arrows dispense aid to whoever needs it. It's less fun, I admit, to not be in the middle of the fray. But with your choice of weapon it's more effective to be removed from the crush of attackers."
Myri nods, "I...did not think the wagons tops were so...sturdy. I shall try to remember. Thank you."
Myri says quietly and introspectively from nearby, "Alternatively, how about having Kalimac and Attatoq initially in reserve with the archers to see how the battle unfolds, since they have the best battlefield mobility...or maybe Mel, so she can get her defenses up first, while protecting the archers or providing a "second wave" where needed?"
Kalimac nods. "That's a good point, Myri. Attatoq and I can line up charges that way, while giving the archers cover. We may want to practice a couple of different variations, to give us flexibility depending on what we see coming at us."
"We did do well, no question. But if we are being watched with an eye to ferreting out our weaknesses, we can expect future attacks to be designed to use our fondness for rushing forward against us."
"For us, the front line skirmishers," Kalimac says, indicating himself, Hrunndalf, Rhost and Melinda, "we would be better served if we could provide a united front. As it was, we all headed out in different directions, with Melinda at the rear. If we give Mel a chance to get her armor spell up, then the four of us can be a hammer that falls upon our enemies."
"Alternately, Attatoq and I can range faster and drive enemies to you three in a pincer attack. Either way, coordination is key."
Mel nods, in agreement with most of what Kalimac says, but needs to add. "It depends on the enemy as well. With large groups like what attacked us tonight, it makes more sense for me to use magic that can affect many of them. Which changes my tactics, since I need more space than when I work to flank and harry."
A pause, "At one point I saw you," looking at Kalimac, "headed back towards me. Happily, you were just a few moments too late to be engulfed in flame." Her smile is wry, "I would really prefer not to catch my friends on fire."
Sandru smiles back at you. "I think everyone else is fine, now. Ameiko got hacked at a bit, but Koya and Spivey healed her up."
"And of course I took the time. Glad to see that you're all right."
Myri nods, "I...did not think the wagons tops were so...sturdy. I shall try to remember. Thank you."
"All depends on where you stand, and which wagon you choose. We may want to talk to Tollin about engineering places for archers to stand on the wagon tops."
Myri washes the blood from Silmemir's fur. The formerly grievous wound completely healed from Alaric's positive channeling. "Diolch am gymryd sy'n chwythu i mi, merch, ond mae'n rhaid i chi fod yn ofalus, 'Kay. Bod yn edrych fel ei brifo, llawer. ... Gorweddwch i lawr yn awr." Myri pulls out Silmemir's brush and begins combing any remaining debris out of her fur.
Silmemir moves away from Xanderghul and Attatoq and lies down by Myri, her eyes closed as she is brushed.
"It is always worrying when those we care for get wounded," she observes.
Mel nods, in agreement with most of what Kalimac says, but needs to add. "It depends on the enemy as well. With large groups like what attacked us tonight, it makes more sense for me to use magic that can affect many of them. Which changes my tactics, since I need more space than when I work to flank and harry."
A pause, "At one point I saw you," looking at Kalimac, "headed back towards me. Happily, you were just a few moments too late to be engulfed in flame." Her smile is wry, "I would really prefer not to catch my friends on fire."
"I'm sure I'd prefer to remain not on fire myself, thank you." Kalimac smiles back at Mel.
"That does bring up a point, though. If we think through the kinds of threats we might face, we can work out which tactics we can use. To best do that we should know what we're all bringing to the table. Knowing what you'll be doing in a large group, Mel, argues for you having more support nearby. Again, maybe having Attatoq and myself hanging back while the battle unfolds, protecting Mel until we're needed elsewhere on the battlefield."
Sandru looks like he perhaps got scratched up a bit, but nothing major. He is healed now.
Sandru smiles back at you. "I think everyone else is fine, now. Ameiko got hacked at a bit, but Koya and Spivey healed her up."
"And of course I took the time. Glad to see that you're all right."
"Thank you. Um...can you tell Mz. Spivey I am very grateful that she decided to travel with us?"
Myri nods, "I...did not think the wagons tops were so...sturdy. I shall try to remember. Thank you.""All depends on where you stand, and which wagon you choose. We may want to talk to Tollin about engineering places for archers to stand on the wagon tops."
Myriana cocks her head a bit to one side, eyebrows raised and bobs her head once. She looks around for Tollin.
"Fog means low visibility for the fire. Road is well-trafficked and considered safe. This was an ambush. We are unlikely to attract random assault."
Hrunndalf waves off the question. "Barely a scratch. It pays to wear more Dwarven steel than one can afford. What about you?" His eyes briefly linger on her form, looking for signs of injury and trying hard not to overstay their welcome. "Good job keeping the crew together, by the way."
"I didn't take any damage a cleric couldn't fix," she says. "All good."
It is hard not to notice that her clothes are quite bloody and have been rent by tremendous axeblows in a couple of places, although the wounds beneath are now gone.