Map of FortThe fort map has been slightly updated.

Much to everyone's surprise, there are no further attacks during the night. As the night wears on however, fatigue takes all in the company.

Faliol, Beka and Celeste take a walk by the harbor. There are two otters swimming the water and a handful of archers on the two towers at either end of the big wall. One of the archers explains that there is a chain across the mouth of the harbor that keeps out reavers. All has been peaceful out his way. The otters swim silent patrol, occasionally diving, presumably to check on something underwater.
As the companions walk along, Faliol stumbles and realizes how tired they all are. (You have been travelling all day and watching/fighting half the night. Faliol has been the most active.) Under the assumption you all proceed to the inn, you will get a good night's rest. If someone wants to do something before turning in, let me know asap, since I will be advancing the story soon.

Riccoco returns with a doctor for Mako just as Cas and Nuyok are leaving. Stout looks doubtfully at Mako and says, "I can clean and bandage this, but it's a good size wound with a lot of blood loss. Can you do nothing Healer Nuyok?" If you decide to try again with a longer interval Nuyok, let me know (give rolls). Neither Mako nor the doctor will insist on it. Afterward you can return to the inn.

Those who return to the inn discover that Horn has gone to bed. The hostess Cori has prepared room for all, probably 3-4 to a room, courtesy of Mako. Nuyok, your spirit sight can plainly see the man you presume to be Horn, sleeping in an upstairs bed.

The night will pass uneventfully unless someone tries a plan of action. If Nuyok and Cas are planning to go to Ash before dawn, let me know and I will create a separate thread. Otherwise, we can assume that all players meet at the inn at about the same time and can discuss things for a few minutes before turning in.

I will make it morning tomorrow.

I nod at Jareek (if he is visible) and say, "Goodnight..."

I drag my weary body to the assigned room and go to sleep very soon after my head hits the pillow...

Three dots, never four.

Meant to post to next message, close enough for Government work.

Beka take some time to find Rath before turning in.

"Are you alright? Where have you been? Did you help with the gate? Do you think you can help with the defenses? I've been worried about you!"

She looks up sheepishly.

"I think Im more tired than I thought! Let's call it a night."

Cas did all of the driving and did lots of running around when she wasn't trying to observe people healing. As things begin to slow down the full force of here weariness takes over. As soon as room arrangements are made, she will curl up in a comfy spot close to the door.

If the room has enough beds for all, she will curl up on the top of the bed, otherwise it is the floor. She will not argue this matter even to the point of leaving an unused bed.

OOC: Meeting Master Ash would be prudent but she is not one to suggest such an act. She will go if it is Nuyok's plan.

Celeste will inquire as to the whereabouts of the baths. It has been long since she last slept in a bed, or with a roof over her head, and she would like to get the last of the Carnobroc sap out of her hair. That being done, she will retire to room C (for Celeste) if it is available, and sleep until she either wakes on her own or someone comes to wake her up.

Perhaps tomorrow, well, "Tomorrow is another day".....................

To the doctor, "I made one attempt, but had no luck with Mako. Between that, healing the otter, and traveling all day, I'm not sure how much energy I have left, but would be willing to make another effort if you do not think you can bandage him sufficiently to make it until mid-morning."

Assuming the doctor says Mako can make it that long, Nuyok will go the inn to get a bite to eat, and let Cas know that he will need to go to Master Ash, but should be fine to do so alone with morning approaching. If the doctor thinks another try should be made, Nuyok will do so, and then do the above.

While at the inn and able to observe Horn's form, Nuyok will look around the area of Horn's form and room to see if anything either blocks his spirit sight or is otherwise out of the ordinary.

Spirit Sense, 13-
3d6: 2, 2, 4 (STUN: 8, BODY: 3) Thu January 9, 2003 @11:01 AM (EST)
PER, 13-
3d6: 1, 3, 1 (STUN: 5, BODY: 1) Thu January 9, 2003 @11:01 AM (EST)

Entering with the doctor, Riccoco inquires about the others, hanging around with Nuyok and Cas until they return to the Inn. In the interim, Riccoco mentions, "Ol Riccoco met up with a wounded otter by the name of Pep. Seems he be one of the Harbor guards. This 'coon be tellin' the rest when we be at the Inn."

OOC: Who's at the Inn when Cas, Nuyok, and Ricco get there? This is a chance to RP together a bit, guys! Stay awake and reminisce! A quiet talke over some berry ale! You know Faliol loves it!

For some strange reason, a session with the Inquisitor always leaves me exhausted!

(#_#) zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!

OOC: Bah! Damnably weak fox Kits! *sniff* Sorry. I was just havign a little fun. I certainly didn't mean to exhaust you beyond RPing! Sorry!

I was just having fun, too.

Cas and Faliol are asleep. Nuyok has gone to Ash's. Celeste has gone in search of a bath.
Beka is around and waiting for a response from Rath, who is also probably up for a few. Vagrant and Handle may be available, but hey have yet to indicate.

OOC: Nuyok's gone to get some Ash!

"No I didn't really help with the defense. Handle and I kind of hung out
with Vagrant at the Inn. I didn't really want to chance having my shirt
come open and have people forget what side I'm on. So what happened out
here?"

the story.
OOC: But, since I'm at work, I won't type it all out.

OOC: Okay, but since I don't know "The Story" could you fill me in
for real when you do have time?

The spinedog jumps Jareek, pinning him to the ground. I try to nock an arrow, but I am moving SOOOO slowly. An open maw filled with teeth descends upon my foster father...I am not going to be in time...

The Carnobroc towers over Celeste, blocking out the sun. (Strange, we fought them at night...) She chops into its side, spilling that vile ichor that mats my tail. The monster doesn't even notice. I cannot run up its side, I keep slipping back down...It gobbles her in one large bite while I scream in helpless fury...

Riccoco waves to me after setting the lantern. He doesn't see the riven preparing to spring...I scream out his name and he dodges at the last instant... The riven is all legs and teeth, pure blinding speed. My arrow imbeds itself in the ground... Riccoco is fast, but not nearly fast enough. My fingers fumble as I try to nock another arrow. It clatters to ground, far below the tower wall. The riven catches Ricco in mid leap as he tries to jump into the moat. I cannot get a clear shot!!! He is going to die and it is ALL MY FAULT!!!!

I wake screaming, "ALL MY FAULT!!!!" No one is in the room. No one witnesses my sweat-soaked, panic-stricken features. I lie back down, thankful for small favors....

OOC: edited a spelling error

[EDITED on Sun January 12, 2003 @5:22 PM (CST)]

OOC: sweat?

Main Entry: 2sweat
Function: noun
Date: 13th century
1 : hard work : DRUDGERY
2 : the fluid excreted from the sweat glands of the skin : PERSPIRATION
3 : moisture issuing from or gathering in drops on a surface
4 a : the condition of one sweating or sweated b : a spell of sweating
5 : a state of anxiety or impatience
6 plural a : SWEAT SUIT b : SWEATPANTS
- no sweat slang : with little or no difficulty : EASILY also : EASY -- often used interjectionally

OOC: You're more 'hooman' than I thought!!

Celeste feels much refreshed after getting cleaned up. After washing the Carnobroc sap out of her hair, her clothes and generally anything else, she dons the now damp clothing and leaving her armor and weapons in room C (for Celeste ) she wends her way down the stairs to the common room. There, she finds Vagrant sitting alone near the fire, humming an unfamiliar tune. She will search out the innkeeper or hostess for something to eat before approaching Vagrant.

As long as Cas doesn't get bored, she should be fine keeping going for a little while longer.

If Cas want's to stay up and chat a bit before curling up as indicated, that's fine, but I have already moved Nuyok to Ash in another thread.

Cas would very much like to take part in that. I don't mind being late either.

.oO(I still can't find my way round up here!)

I look around upstairs for a rom with a bed, and maybe for the Serving Wench, and see aht may turn up.

After feeling quite useless during the night's raid. Vagrant returned to to the Inn and went up for sleep. During the night he awoke with a hacking attack that rivaled any he has had in the past. Not wanting to awaken any of his roommates he gets up and goes to the common room of the Inn. He stokes the fire and reflects on what has happened to him over the last few months. To fend off his depression he seems to be humming some songs to himself. His gravelly voice, no doubt, does little justice to these odd sounding tunes.

OOC: do I get the odd feeling that if someone walked into the room right now, they might hear the melody line of "born to be wild"??

Actually what you hear as you enter the room is:

"One is the loneliest, number one is the loneliest
Number one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do"

As the fire is stoked it reflects eerily from two pools in the corner.

Riccoco stalks from the corner blinking blearily as if from waking or prolonged staring into nothing at all.

His voice gravelly, he acknowledges Vagrant and Celeste, "Ol' Riccoco be seein' he not the only one not a-sleepin' this night."

Now, quietly regarding the two, he takes a healthy draught of (wait for it) berry ale.

Celeste takes her plate of bread and cheese to the table nearest the fire. She sits with her back to the fire in an attempt to somewhat dry her hair and clothing. This is most likely the first time any have seen her with her hair unbound, unarmored and not in possession of her weapons. (Except for the scars, she could almost pass as a non-barbarian.)

"Well, Ricco, Vagrant. What keeps you awake at this hour?" Celeste will begin breaking off bits of bread as she waits for a response.

"Evening Celeste, I have to say that it is a pleasant surprise to see you in something somewhat less intimidating. This life we lead, well more you and the others then me, seems somewhat overwhelming. When does anyone take in the good of life? *Sigh* Long ago, I too, was a...defender of sorts, but we certainly had our good times and rest and could find a place to rest safely. I have not found anything like that in recent times."

Vagrant prods the fire again realizing that his compliment turned into complaining.

The 'coon flops heavily into a chair near the fire and Vagrant himself. Letting out a heavy sigh smelling faintly of berries, Riccoco speaks, "A long night it be, Vagrant. Full of fightin', Twisted, an' dieing. A night like this needs to end satisfied for a 'coon never knows when he might not see another."

Turning a little to look upon Celeste, his raccoon features twist up a little.

.oO(The hooman Celeste be hidin' a bit more a pink under all that hardness, eh. Mayhap, the Vagrant be findin' it pretty enough.)

Riccoco shakes his head a little with a chuckling chitter. Looking back into the fire he says, "The berry ale be sittin' fine. Could almost die a happy 'coon before the mornin' be comin'."

He eases back in his chair resting his empty paw and ale tankard on his swell of a belly.

Celeste looks in Ricco's direction and turns back to Vagrant with a slight smile, "As for 'the good of life,'", Celeste indicates Ricco with a nod of the head in his direction, " there you have it. You must enjoy it while you can."

Celeste listens to Vagrant's response...
.oO(More words in one sitting, I've not heard from Vagrant for the whole of this journey)
"Intimidation" she responds, "is for the enemy, or to hold a position of power, or travelling in the unknown as I...as we have done since leaving Tallon. It is not for times of rest or between people who consider themselves friends."

"As to the 'good of life,' that is fleeting, even if you happen to live within the safety of walls like those of Tallon."

Celeste pauses a moment to see if Vagrant responds...then changes the subject, "What was that odd tune you were singing? I have never heard anything like that. Is that a song of your tribe?"

OOC:In referring to Vagrant's 'tribe,' Celeste figures Vagrant must be from some sort of barbarian tribe, as he certainly doesn't match what she knows of city folk so far.

If Celeste takes any note of Vagrant's 'compliment' turning to complaint, she does not show it. The man is actually talking and she wants to find out more about this unusual member of the caravan.

Ricco rouses himself of his lethargy and fire-bathing to finagle a worn wooden pipe and tabacco bag from a pouch on his belt. He mumbles, "No thing in the good life be better 'n a smoke in the heat of a good fire."

He pulls a match from a plastic-y bundle and lights up the pipe after tamping in the tobacco. After a few moments and some huffing and puffing, pipe smoke wrathes about the head of the plucky* raccon.

OOC: *- Term used at the behest of our poor MIA GM.

"Oh, man, Riccoco, I didn't hear you there! I had no idea anyone else would be awake. I just cannot sleep and it looks like a number of you are in the same way," pointing towards the stairs. "I'm just taking in the fire. Sleep wasn't for me tonight."

Hearing the last burst of "It's not my fault!" from the stairwell, Celeste will glance to the ceiling and comment, "It sounds as if sleep is more of a problem than lack of sleep."

Ricco's words are accompanied by a large cloud of bluish smoke. "Fort Lizard nearly be the gravesite of the Caravan. Graveyards don't be makin' good sleepin'."

"Ol' Riccoco go word of the Harbor, Celeste..." His voice trails off as he takes another puff of his pipe and stares into the hearth.

As Ricco stares into the fire, he soon realizes that Celeste has not responded to his comment about the harbor. A quick glance in her direction will show that where there once was an apparently alert barbarian, there is now only a sleeping one. Head upon her arms on the table and face turned to the fire.

OOClease continue the in-character conversations. Until I get my router, it will be the most action here.

Rath, Beka explains to you (and anyone else within earshot) that they went to defend the wall. They were told that there have been mutliple reaver attacks and some of the soldiers of the fort are now in the ranks of the enemy. Some cockroach-guy named Houma is in charge of them. He used to be a Lt. at the fort. Others can chime in with more info.

Faliol and Riccoco ran out to light lanterns so the archers could see targets. Faliol twisted his ankle doing this. The Megadeezel nearly sundered the gate, but it was slain. Several riven used its charge to mount the walls. There was a pitched battle and Mako was badly hurt. The riven were repulsed and everyone expected a second attack which never came.

OOC: And I thought it was something serious .

To Beka: "Any does anyone have any idea why there are so many Reavers in
the area? Or what is making them attack the fort in the first place? I
heard that it might be because of some guy that is staying in Inn, but
Master Ash has vouched for him. If it is the guy in the Inn wouldn't
that make Master Ash part of the problem too?"

or Faliol will start dreaming again!!!! The dreams will get weirder and more disturbing the longer he sleeps!!


Anyone ever have the dream where you are in college, you have been skipping class all semester (thereby flunking), yet you may have passed the drop date? Very similar to the "you are taking a test, there is only 5 minutes to go before time is up and you haven't written anything down yet" dream.

Anxiety out the yang...

Why can't I have any pleasant dreams?!?!? I don't ask for much, would it kill the God of Dreams to have the Victoria Secret Ladies visit my dream every once in awhile?

[EDITED on Tue January 14, 2003 @6:38 AM (CST)]

OOC: Oh, him? He prefers nightmares to pleasant dreams....he's such a 'Grim Gus.'

OOC: At the end of the first thread post, it says "I will make it morning tomorrow" - Did that mean, our real world tomorrow, Keith would make a new thread for the morning activities, or did that mean, Keith has now placed the characters in tomorrow morning? I'm assuming the former, given the nature of conversations within. Regardless, in my own supersecret special thread, I'll post my morning activities prior to seeing everyone else

OOC: I think Keith had planned on posting the new morning on Monday, but, his router problems gave him pause. If you'd like to RP with Vagrant, Celeste, and Ricco, have Nuyok stop by the Inn Commons.

OOC: I would, but I'm trapped in Master Ash's manor!

OOC: Oh, I thought you weren't going there until the next morning! Sorry!