I wanted Miya to shift into her fox form. Oh well. Yes, see you in the next game, Phillip. :)
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Sorry to see it end so soon in. But as you said, GM, it may be resurrected down the track. Extending my thanks to you and the other players for the work to this point. :)
Good luck with the renovations, Lydia. Sorry to see you go. Enjoyed playing alongside you.
GM, will we get a tactical map soon?
GM, I can bot Josh in this encounter and you can bot Lucian? We've got a replacement for Josh already so it'll make it easier to npc him and I'm okay playing archaeologist bards.
Again, best of luck with everything Luc. I would generally help out with botting at such times (until Luc's position can be filled) but I've never played a barbarian and don't want to screw it up.
"Yes, let's do this, Lydia!"
"Adam, will you be in the group attempting to lead the goblins away from the camp if they wake or will you remain here as we attempt to stop the ogre?"
"Alright then, I'm in the strike team against the ogre. Lydia and Josh will attempt to take the weapons while the goblins sleep." She tried giving Lydia a confident smile, appreciating her bravery. "I'm the badass? Nah, that would be Luc", looking over to the male in question and winking. "But thanks for thinking so, Lydia." Looking down at the katana in her hand and knowing the wakizashi was in the bag, Miya was relieved that her family's weapons had come into this world with her. "Yes, my swords are very sharp. That ogre should be wary."
Miya pulled her sports bag from her shoulder and placed it on the ground, busying herself with removing the wakizashi from its sheath and stowing the sheath back inside and securing the bag to her back again. Now she had both her swords ready.
"I volunteered to be one of the people taking the weapons and I will go through with it, if you guys are okay with it. If we successfully accomplish it, I will then become part of the "strike" team." "However, if we need me ready and waiting in the 'strike' position, then perhaps Lydia and Josh can move forward to retrieve the goblin weapons and I will wait in case they are detected. Just let me know where I'm needed and I'll be ready with my swords to act accordingly."
Lydia and Lucian, we're just waiting on responses from you guys before we can attempt something with the ogre, weapons etc ... Are you guys around? Just some of my thought processes openly shared: Since Lucian is the one with army training/experience, Miya would be asking him for tactical guidance and she would provide backup. So, Lucian, in her eyes, becomes somewhat of a leader for the group ...
In hushed tone, Miya continued, "Lucian, you are probably the strongest, most trained, to take on the ogre. I shall back you up, of course. But I think we have an added advantage of the shot Paul gave us. She said if we throw it, we can make something bigger. We could make Luc bigger..." Miya looked around the circle, trying to gauge her friends' thoughts/feelings on using the shot Paul had exchanged for Lucian's watch earlier in the woods. "If we can put the ogre out of commission, the goblins may surrender." Miya didn't know that for certain, but it wasn't everyday she came across goblins.
Quietly, Miya responded to Lucian, "I'm all for taking down the ogre. I'm just unsure how we're going to achieve it with those goblin sentinels. So, yes, let's get as many of their weapons as we can. Lucian, have you got a plan re taking care of the ogre? I'm willing to hear it out now before we proceed any further."
Miya nodded at Phillip's clarification/confirmation of what he was hoping to find inside the ogre's pit. At his question regarding the taking of the goblin weapons, Miya looked across to Lydia and Josh and answered quietly, "Perhaps if Josh, Lydia and I were to do it, we may manage to take most, if not all the weapons. But we don't have much time and we can't afford for even one of the goblins to wake. Lydia, Josh, what do you think? I will protect you as best as I can as well as grab as many weapons as I can carry. We need to be super quiet and quick or else we won't succeed." Lucian had been silent during the conversation so far and she wondered what he thought of the plan and whether they could count on him to provide immediate backup. "Luc, this is where your army training will come in handy. What do you think of the plan to take as many of their weapons as possible while they sleep? And will you be at the ready in case we need some goblins pounded if they wake mid weapon theft?"
Miya listened and then quietly added, "The goblins are protecting the ogre. That's why they sleep around the pit he sleeps in." "I think Lydia is onto something -- if we split them up and take them on as a smaller group? But that means we have to distract them somehow and divide them up..." Miya bit down on her bottom lip as she concentrated. "If they go hunting, they'll be armed and more dangerous. There's got to be a better time to ambush them in smaller groups." Miya looked over her shoulder toward the goblin's camp site. Her eyes scanned the area, trying to formulate a plan using any available resources.
Then turning back to her friends, she continued quietly, "We're supposed to stop them from coming after Robin and Derrick. Scrounging around in the pit doesn't sound like the best use of time, although I understand why Phillip wants to -- I mean, I think I do. He wants to find weapons, money and such we can use when we go into town, right Phillip? I think we could send in one or two quiet footed people while they sleep and steal any weapons we can see. This would leave them defenceless apart from any natural means to protect themselves. It's a dangerous tactic but better than leaving them within easy reach of the goblins."
Good luck with the job search, Lucian. And have fun with the family. On a side note: I'll be back from my mini vacation tomorrow afternoon, so I will post then.
I'm leaving for a mini vacation early tomorrow morning. It's only for 3 days and I shall be back on my Monday afternoon. During this time I will not be posting on the board but having fun with the family, so bot me if necessary, please. Thanks. :)
As they walked, Miya declined the offer of food as her focus was solely on their surroundings and being prepared for anything lurking in the woods. Plus, she had enough to eat back at Robin's cottage earlier in the day.
Moving back, toward the edge of the forest, so she was standing close to the others (not sure where Josh is at the moment, since he was coming from a different angle), Miya gestured to Paul and quietly asked the faery, "Paul, are you able to get closer to that pit without being noticed and come back to tell us what's inside, please?"
Miya sheathed her polished wakizashi and put it away, leaving her katana free and in her hand. She lifted her bags over her shoulders and turned her unusually bright sapphire eyes on Luc and Lydia. "I'm ready. And Josh, don't take any risks from whichever side you decide to come in from." Looking for Robin by the front door, she smiled and communicated simply, "We are going to scout the goblins' lair now as the faery has said they are sleeping. Then we'll decide what is to be done with them and the ogre. Be safe and we hope to see you and Derrick soon." She gave the others one last look and began walking toward the woods/forest. Quietly, she spoke to the faery, "Well, Paul, please lead the way."
Miya looked up and smiled at Lydia. She appreciated the older girl's courage. "Good, then it is settled. Lydia and I will scout ahead. Luc? You could follow close behind because your army expertise will be useful. Josh, Phillip and Adam stay right back, out of sight, until we know what's going on with the goblins and their secret lair." The polishing cloth slid with ease along the steel as Miya worked the blade to perfection.
As the others were waiting on the faery to speak, Miya drew her sports bag and began taking out the oil, powder and cloth to polish her weapons. The routine helped settle Miya and clear her mind. So much had happened in less than a day. She sat down, a little apart from the others so as to not risk injury to them as she worked. The wakizashi was still sheathed, so Miya started with the katana, lying loosely in her grip. Her hand moved with practised caution and rhythm as she cleaned the surface, mindful of the very sharp edge. She could not afford rust and mould to form on her weapons, not when she was so far away from home. "Okay, Phillip, you stay in the back." Without lifting her eyes from the Japanese sword in her hand, Miya quietly enquired, "Lydia, will you be scouting ahead with me?", remembering the few times they had wandered into the woodlands in their local area.
Lucian, enjoy your summer/school holiday activities with the girls!
"Would you say we should scout them out first, maybe just one or two of us, before moving in decisively?" - he again turns to Miya - "We could all move into a safe distance, then one or two of us scout ahead and report back. Then we make a decision" As Miya waited for Paul to answer Lucian's question, she answered her friend, "Yes. I think that's best, Luc. I'm pretty good with scouting and quiet on my feet. I'm offering to be one of the two."
"We shouldn't visit a place with bad spirits." Miya's voice was low with apprehension when she spoke of the pool the faery had mentioned. Miya listened as Lucian discussed their lack of currency in this land, something she had already considered and mentioned earlier. She simply nodded her head in concurrence. "We will not waste the faery's gift, if the travel is a one time thing." She focused her gaze on Paul, the faery, and returned to the issue of the acorns...er shots she given to Luc back in the forest. "How will these shots work on the ogre or goblins? What does it actually do and how can it aid us? What advantage will it provide us?" Phillip had mentioned that they check out the goblins and then figure out what to do next. Miya was concerned that if they did that, then they would be noticed and a fight would ensue ... She was not afraid for herself so much as for some of the others like Adam. "There is a large group of goblins, Phillip. I have a feeling that if we all go and check them out, that we may have to fight them. The faery did say she'll take us to them when they sleep. I don't like going in with so little protection. But if that if the will of the group, then I will defer and protect you as best as I am able if something were to happen." Miya's unusual sapphire-blue eyes gave none of her inner thoughts away. She had never fought such mythical creatures, yet she believed in her training and in herself. Well, as much as any nineteen year old could.
"Just make a mark like a passage on a tree and you can pass through to anywhere in the realm." She held up the stone. "Tis a good gift, yes? Paul gives good gifts." Paul? But that was a boy's name and the faery was clearly a girl. But the small creature seemed to really like the name, so who was she to say otherwise... "It is a very good gift. Thank you, Paul. May I ask, how many times can we use it to travel through the realm? If it is just the once, then we need to think wisely on how we use it. If we can use it more than once, then perhaps we can use it to travel into Willowdale and get gear, clothes and other necessities..."
Miya was astonished by Lydia's attitude. Her blue eyes focused on the older girl. "It isn't rude to consider all the options, especially with Adam already hurt. The faery has been paid for her service with Lucian's watch. And she has no problem with showing us the goblin den later, because she said so already." Then she sat down and said no more on the matter until the feary answered hers and Luc's questions.
Miya listened to Phillip's idea and pondered its success. "A movie plot may help explain why we carry weapons. But would it register with these strange folk? I mean ... we need to seem like we fit in. We don't speak like they do, we don't know the leaders ... And regarding the clothing, we may need to purchase some new clothes once we're in town. But I don't think these folk value the good old American dollar. We need their kind of currency to make purchases." Then there was a sudden commotion and Miya saw that the faery had found them at the cottage. Miya's thoughts turned to her. "Miss Faery ... What is your name, by the way?" Miya paused so the small creature could answer her first before continuing. At Josh's question, Miya's mind felt like it was on a carousel. "We aren't ready to fight goblins, ogres or any other monster in these lands. We need better gear and weapons. We need information so we can gain the upper-hand when we do meet up with them. I say we stay here for the night and head out tomorrow morning for this town, Willowdale. We need to ask Robin to educate us as much as he can until we leave." Turning a concerned eye on Adam, Miya asked, "It's a day's walk, Adam. Can you manage on your wounded leg?" They had so little in way of anything in this strange world and Miya grew anxious thinking on how she would be able to help or protect her friends when she had no clue herself. Yes, she knew how to use her weapons and could fight. But what of her opponents? Too many unknowns and it didn't sit well with Miya.
@Shrodingerscat: I think in the beginning we can't lead the direction of the game/story as our characters are newly installed in the fantasy world with no prior knowledge of it (apart from the disjointed memories Adam has, who is run by you). We need a structure in place (perhaps via the current lot of "helpful" npcs) to aid us in getting on our feet in this new world and then we may be able to better manoeuvre it. We're currently waiting for Robin and the faery to return to the cottage, so we can gain more/new information and figure out what our next move is. Thanks, DM.
Josh was ever the enthusiastic one. However, Miya answered Lucian regarding his idea of them posing as travelling merchants or a troupe of performers?... "Those two suggestions seem okay with me, Luc. If we decide to say we're a troupe, perhaps we need to create some kind of act in case they ask us to perform for them. I don't think it will bode well for us if we're caught in a direct lie." Having heard Josh's idea of what the town would be like, Miya tilted her head at his assumption that the townsfolk would be dirty... "If what Robin said is true and the land is under a custodian for the young lord, then I think the town isn't going to be rundown...least I hope it isn't." "And I hope we can have some fun along the way, Josh. But fighting dragons and ogres doesn't sound like fun -- but dangerous and hard work. Maybe we can be serious on those matters, okay?" And staying alive in a foreign world..., Miya mused silently.
Miya had listened as Lucian spoke by the window. There was something in his voice that made her pay attention, more than usual. This place had seemingly changed them a little -- in ways they wouldn't understand until later, or so it seemed. She saw Luc's smile at Adam, the reassurance he was offering, and she slowly and unceremoniously moved toward the window where Luc stood. Reaching out, she discreetly lay her hand atop his one on the sill. It was an unconscious gesture -- she wanted to show Lucian that he was not alone in this either. Miya didn't leave her hand there for too long as it was meant as a private gesture and not a public demonstration. Luc was right -- anything Adam could remember about this place would help them survive it (or at least attempt to). She felt her inner resolve grow firmer; she would not allow anything bad to happen to her friends, just like Lucian promised. "Between Adam, Robin and the faery, if she does come back, we may get some direction. We have weapons, albeit some more makeshift than others. We do need to protect ourselves and each other. Willowdale is the closest town; a day's travel Robin said. Perhaps Lord Volokun's assistant Osrik can help us buy weapons and understand what the laws and rules are in this place. But we have to make up some story ...They will not believe we have come from a different...um...Universe." Miya didn't like lying, but until she got her bearings here, she could not risk telling the absolute truth.
Welcome to Jess!
Miya had read about dragons and had heard the old myths/stories from her grandparents and parents. Yet, here, Adam was saying he talked to one (or one had talked to him in three voices). "You could understand a dragon? Now that is something." Miya responded in quiet voice. There was no sarcasm or judgement in her tone. Miya was puzzled about the part of the story where the dragon wanted Adam to hurt people. She didn't want to push him on the details as it was apparent he really didn't want to delve into the memory. "When Robin gets back with the sheep, perhaps we should ask him if there are any dragons in this land."
To any new recruits, we currently having the following characters in the group: Phillip - Wizard (Diviner)
I'm open for a recruitment post to be made on the morrow and then wait for the newcomer (fingers crossed) to join us at the beginning of next week. But if the break is longer than that, I feel that motivation will start to wane and the game will end up dying. I don't have any players to recommend at this time.
So, it seems time for another recruitment drive to replace Josh...
Good luck, Josh.
"If you're in one of your delusions, then we're all suffering the same one. I think Lydia's right, Adam. You don't need those meds anymore. You must have remembered this place when the rest of us had forgotten, or something like that." Miya shrugged her shoulders, not really understanding how all this was possible and what it meant for them now. But Adam was not crazy; that she understood with fresh clarity.
Miya took a seat on one of the larger rocks in Robin's front garden. She silently watched Lydia with Adam. She heard Luc mention the faery and nodded. "She said she would return for us. I suppose we have no alternative but to trust in her word, for now." Robin had mentioned they could stay and wait for the faery. That was a kind offer, and since they had no idea where they were, being in a warm cottage, relatively safe, was a good option. Lydia brought up Lake Chabot and Miya found herself nodding, again. "The forest here is also pretty, Lydia. If it wasn't for ogres and goblins, we would be able to enjoy it -- possibly go for a hike. Least we can stay here for a little while." She gave Adam a warm smile as if to reassure him. But Adam's eyes kept moving as if searching for something. "Are you looking for something, Adam?" Miya turned her eyes and looked, hoping to spy whatever was distressing Adam. She listened carefully, as well, in case something was coming from the forest.
Miya had taken the lead and it wasn't very hard retracing their footsteps back to Robin's cottage. The forest was so pretty and vibrant, however, she was concerned about Adam -- He was withdrawn and quiet and she hoped this adventure wasn't too overwhelming for him. It was strange enough for the rest of them. Miya took a deep breath and acknowledged her friends, Robin and Derek, and noted the strange crow on the fence near Lydia. "We've returned. We discovered goblin markings on some trees. We also met a faery. Luc gave her his watch in exchange for shot and promise of showing us where the goblins lived when they were asleep. She will come here to collect us when the time is right." Miya drew another breath as that was a mouthful and she wondered what her friends' reaction would be to the appearance of a faery. "So, what have you guys been up to?" And to Robin she added, "The faery seemed to know where you lived. Do you know her? And what is shot?" Miya pointed to Luc and the acorns he was holding.
After the faery flew away with her prize, Miya turned to Luc with an apologetic expression on her face, "Sorry about your watch, Luc. Next time they want something, I have my comb to trade." Observing Adam's antics on the ground, Miya patiently moved over to him and helped him to stand. "We better get back to Robin's as the faery suggested. When the time is right, she'll find us and guide us to these goblins." As she walked through the forest, she glanced at Luc. "Maybe the acorns are magical, like Adam's said. Or they grow acorns as weapons in this place ... We'll ask the faery when she comes for us or perhaps Robin knows what this shot is."
Josh, are you still playing? And Polux, just seeing if you're playing the watch out with the faery or do you want Miya to try her comb?
Miya had a kushi in her hair -- a petite but ornate comb an oba-san had gifted her on her sixteenth birthday. She really didn't want to part with it, but if it was necessary for their survival, then she would. She turned to Luc and Adam and whispered quietly, "I have something else", pointing discreetly to the pretty comb in her hair.
Since they had only just arrived in this strange world, Miya had no clue what would constitute a fair trade by a faery. She pulled the backpack from her shoulder and rummaged within it. She spied something red and shiny and drew it out. "Miss Faery... err sorry, I don't know your name. I have this sweet, red apple I can trade you for showing us where the goblin camp is?"
Miya, craning her head, looked up to the top part of the tree. She managed to catch a glimpse of a very small creature; what could only be described as a fairy from the old faerytales she was read as a child, excitedly waving down at them. Miya cautiously called out to the fairy, ensuring her voice wasn't too loud to draw unwanted attention, "Hello, up there. We mean you no harm. We are looking for the goblins who may have passed through, here. Can you help us, please?"
Miya's eyes followed Adam's directions and she listened to his words. He was the most knowledgeable about trees and alike -- she did not have any further knowledge to share on the matter. She had some skill in locating tracks, however. In lowered voice, she asked, "Is it common for goblins to mark territory in this way? How many trees have been marked?" The question seemed absurd for goblins weren't supposed to exist -- but she had to ask since apparently they did exist in this place. But her voice seemed to carry more than she cared for.
Miya's eyes scanned the surrounding trees, hoping to spot more of the X's or something other. But again, she wasn't able to discern much from her place on the ground.
A smile played across her lips and Miya nodded at Lucian. "Hopefully when we've drawn closer, you might not be heard."
Miya checked her weapons -- both the katana and wakizashi. She lifted the smaller backpack and put it across her back. The other bag she left with Lydia in the cottage. Facing Luc and Adam, she responded, "I'm ready. A dozen goblins, we should be very quiet out there. This is just a scouting mission."
Before leaving with Lucian and Adam to scout the forest, Miya asked the shepherd one last question, "Robin, do you know how many goblins are with Grox? And does the ogre have some traps set in the woods? I'd rather we didn't walk into one while searching for him and the goblins."
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