Kelewen

Between the hammer and the anvil

Mission: The Boy

Wren pulled back on the reins, bringing the horse's nose almost to its chest, but it plowed ahead regardless. It was headed straight for some thick brush and Wren, realizing there wasn't much hope of stopping now, loosened the reins enough to give the horse his head. He rocked back and jumped the obstacle. He probably would have cleared it easily enough if that wasn't the moment the arrow struck the meat of his shoulder. He stumbled as he landed on the rooted and uneven terrain, sending Wren tumbling over the horse's head. Her back hit the ground hard, knocking the wind from her chest as the horse regained his footing and continued his flight without her.

--

Jek and Drittor whooped as their arrows brought the rider down. The pair rushed toward her the while the two human men, the half-orc, and the horned blue woman were engaged. "Got one! Got one!" Jek screeched as they plowed through the thick underbrush to the spot where the girl was struggling to get up. Drittor bared his sharp, pointy teeth at her as he saw the panic reflected in her eyes. They'd each knocked another arrow to their bow strings by now. "Dun mov, humie," Drittor commanded, pointing his arrow down at her.

Another horse and rider were coming their way. Feel overconfident at their assumed victory, Jek positioned himself with his bow pointing toward Kayden's horse. "STOP!" he shouted as loudly as he could.

Between the hammer and the anvil

Mission: Blackmarsh

Gris

When the party aboard the wagon stopped and began transferring their gear and themselves into the boat, Gris clenched his hands in some frustration. "Shades! How are we to follow them now!?"

He and his companion had paused at the edge of the treeline. "We could simply ask them where they are going," said the other.

Gris snorted, but then reconsidered his quick dismissal. "Perhaps you're right. In any case, we may learn something useful."

And so the pair continued their walk toward the small group and the fisherman. As they approached, Gris had a better opportunity to study them, eyes going from the wagon driver to the swordsman helping a thin man onto the boat. Was he blind, perhaps? Next his gaze went to the boisterous woman who seemed to be wearing a pirate flag on her head and a slight built man who looked as if a stiff wind might blow him over. His eyes landed lastly on the tall elven woman, getting a better look at the cresent shaped brand on her face, and wondering if she'd put it there on purpose. An eccentric bunch, to be sure.

As they came closer he put up a hand in greeting and kept the other hand well away from the hilt of his blade so as not to appear threatening. He glanced back over his shoulder multiple times, pretending to be worried that someone might be following them. "Friends, might you grant us passage on your vessel in exchange for a few coins?" He looked back over his shoulder again nervously, hoping that the ex-prisoners might have some sympathy for a couple of men on the run, "Gotta get outta here quick."

Between the hammer and the anvil

Mission: The Boy

Wren tried to fight back a panic when two dozen of the little monsters came hurtling out of the trees at them. There were so many! She'd only been in a few fights in her life and never one where her side had been so badly outnumbered. And there were no dark alley ways for her to simply disappear into until the coast was clear.

The girl gripped the hilt of the long dagger she'd been given and tried to position her horse behind the others. She'd been hesitant to dismount when her companions had done so, preferring the option to flee if needed, but as 5 of the goblins circled wide around Miri's barrier and rushed at her, Wren realized her mistake. Her mount was no more battle hardened than she was and when the first goblin slashed at the horse's legs with his sword, drawing a line of blood, the animal reared in fright. Luckily, it managed to clunk one of the goblins with it's hooves, quite by accident, as it came back down and then simply bolted, straight through the other horses and the combatants, plowing past friend and foe and ignoring every effort by his rider to halt or turn back around. Wren, determined not to lose the horse in the wilderness, hung on.

Between the hammer and the anvil

@POOHEAD189, do you want to kick off the goblin attack (or whatever else they might do!) since you introduced 'em? :)

Between the hammer and the anvil

Mission: The Boy

@pandapolio@POOHEAD189@ProfessorLambo@Pumpkinbot <--- Team P! :)

Wren turned to look at Miri, momentarily considering the question about Dulcena rescinding the offer of freedom. The thought of returning to that fetid cell was almost more than she could bear and she scoured. "She'd better never let me out again if she does. I'd not rest til she paid for that one," she stated, the words loose before she considered the wisdom of saying that out loud.

But something was happening ahead, drawing her attention. Had they said 'goblins'? Wren shortened her reins in her hands, ready to kick her steed to a much faster pace if needed. She glanced into the thick undergrowth, but could see nothing through the thick foliage. Already, her mount was beginning to grow anxious, not a good sign.

"There can't be too many or else they would be much more bold," Aldrich was saying. Perhaps he was right. Maybe the creatures wouldn't risk an encounter with 5 adventurers. Or maybe they were biding their time. Or maybe going to fetch all their friends...

Between the hammer and the anvil

Mission: Blackmarsh

@Garth@Gisk@Gentlemanvaultboy <-- Team G!

"When I was a child, I was frightened of ghosts," the blind monk said from his seat inside the bed of the wagon, just loud enough that one would have to be paying attention to hear him. He was seated cross legged, seemingly unfazed by the constant bumps and jolts of the vehicle on the rutted road. "As I grew up I realized people are more frightening."

The day was growing cloudier as the wagon rolled southward all morning, finally approaching a small dock where a boat and a fisherman seemed to be waiting for them and Olrik brought the pair of horses to a halt. "Welp," he said, "best of luck to you." By his tone, he could have been wishing them good luck fishing, rather than sending them off into a place where not many ever found their way back from.

Between the hammer and the anvil

<Snipped quote by pandapolio>
I...don't honestly know anymore. >.< I'm a bit lost, tbh. I've always had trouble with jumping in the middle of a scene for this exact reason. I just repled to the half-orc, because he replied to Miri.

@Pumpkinbot

@Pumpkinbotlook at the post a couple up. That is your team, you are on the cart with those people. It's okay.

@pandapolio

I think it's okay. Since we're not that far into it, let's just switch Miri to the group going after the boy and the blind monk to the group headed into the Blackmarsh. That should work out better since the Blackmarsh players seem to have a slower posting rate.

I'll try to get my own In Character post in tonight. :)

Between the hammer and the anvil

I get the feeling all are waiting on me?

(Remember, this is a make-it-up-as-we-go style story. Ya'll are encouraged to drive the plot just as much as I do. In fact, if everyone waits for me, it will most likely not be as fun!)

Between the hammer and the anvil

@pandapolio@POOHEAD189@ProfessorLambo

Both the half-orc and the mercenary seemed to be lost in their own thoughts. So as they started out, Wren steered her own horse beside Aldrich's mount. She gave Aldrich a sly smile and an appraising look. He seemed the quiet sort, she thought. But she didn't mind that.

She let Kayden and Sigmar move far enough ahead that it would be difficult for them to overhear her conversation. "I'm thinking we take no chances with this kid. Wait for him to be alone, then just nab him and haul him right back to Dulcena," she stated, gauging his reaction. "Nice and simple."

Of course, it wasn't likely to be that simple. They didn't even know the boy's first name, just his surname "Thindrel".

Between the hammer and the anvil

@Pumpkinbot, Knapp's Creek was actually the other group that's going after the boy. It was just a way suggested to get to the town where Dulcena thinks the boy might be.

Here's who Miri is with (currently in the wagon) with Olrik as the driver, heading toward a boat that will take them to the Blackmarsh.

Rolf - hedge wizard played by Gisk
Zarwin - fighter played by Garth
Bergoda - woman (rogue-ish???) played by Gentlemanvaultboy
Miri - blue cleric played by Pumpkinbot
??? - Available. No description yet.

And following at a distance (but definitely could be noticeable if so desired!)

Gris - spying on the group for Lord Raullin.
??? - Gris's companion. Available