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Admin
Once the mule train has started to move out, the rest of you head off down the track, searching for Corellon. Rolf leads with Ravn close behind him still lecturing him about the benefits of advice from a war priest, while Elsbeth and Yuri follow along behind, with Laddie keeping pace at Elsbeth’s heel. It would appear that Elsbeth either didn’t hear Ravn’s comments about the Celtic gods, or chose to ignore it for the moment - but who can tell when it will resurface.
Edgar flies slowly above and around the group, occasionally alighting to inspect some thing or just to take a short break - when suddenly he spots the metals bars that Alhevro, the doghead leader, had been carrying at the side of the trail
OOC : Please make at least a quick posts to show me you are still here and to establish marching order etc - BUT also feel free to post and play normally.
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Rolf
“Ravn, I do not mind hearing your suggestions. But, as a leader, it grows tiresome to explain every decision I make, even more so when time is critical. For instance, I have not asked the others to warn Richard of dogheads here abouts as I reported them to him before we set out. What I have asked is that if we do not return from this mission, that they return with word that we have been slain and that we failed in our duty. Perhaps that will bring dishonor on our names, but I would rather that then have more settlers die at the hands of the dogheads.
“As to Corellon…” Rolf’s eye takes on a dangerous glint, “I do not need to hear your words of poison and hate. Think what you will of the Elf folk, but I accepted Corellon as a companion and will not leave him to die alone if it’s in my power to prevent it. Yet I cannot drag those wounded in battle into such peril, so I take what steps I can to see after everyone’s safety as best I may. Should it not be enough, then I’m sure we’ll sit together in Valhalla where you can remind me of my failures until the time of Ragnarok.”
“You were given the task of setting up a camp nearby and so could bring healing to those in need, but you refused that task. Do not now speak to me of the folly of that decision. Return to the others if you wish.”
OOC: As to marching order, Rolf will “suggest” that Ravn and Yuri take the fore. Of course Ravn will complain that any other position is an insult to his battle prowess, but Rolf doesn’t want him to be unaided and would rather have a bit of distance between him and the Cleric for a bit, so Yuri gets tapped by default.
Is Elsbeth also with our party? I assume so as Laddie is listed as being with us. If so, Rolf and Elsbeth can follow behind the warriors with Laddie following behind. That will leave Edgar and Udhugg free to flit about as whim and necessity dictates.
Admin: Yes Elsbeth is with your party - my bad. I got Rolf in the list twice instead of Rolf once and Elsbeth once. I have corrected it now.
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Edgar
Nor does he take issue with Ravn's denigration of the Celtic Gods, having already challenged the Norseman before on the culture of his kin and come off (to his mind) the worse for it. Though he looks to Elsbeth for any sign that the Druid will remonstrate with Ravn and if so will eagerly take her part.
Shortly after alighting on Yuri's shoulder for a brief rest, and to report to the groundlings that naught has been seen thus far, when he spies the metal rods.
"Hold," he cries, voice raucous, indicating the bars with his beak, then softening, lowering his tone, "there lie the means with which the leader of our foe did cast his magics ... but did he drop them ... or are they but bait ?"
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Rolf
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Yuri
Yuri seems a much brighter and happier man now, mayhaps due to the time since the party met him just after the slaughter of his Gypsy family.
... but any more casual conversation is cut off as he overhears Rolf ...
"Excuse me, I think I'm wanted to scout ahead."
Walking up to Rolf, Yuri nods, signifying his consent to scout ahead with Ravn. He places his hand upon Rolf shoulder, part to encourage the man and part to apologise for his own previous stubbornness and arguing, though it is doubtful that much can be read into so a simple gesture.
So with that unsaid, Yuri quickens his pace to move ahead, hoping Ravn will do the same.
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Elsbeth
Elsbeth nods at Rolf's words, her lips pressed tight together. Those who have come to know her see well that fire lurks behind her eyes, but for once, her lips remain shut. She rubs idly at her own wounds that she has not taken the time to heal as she follows.
"I apologise for disappearing, I suddenly felt a need to be... alone in the wilderness," Yuri states.
Elsbeth nods. "Aye, I did much the same, thou my visit to the Isle did much for me. The Gods favor me, the Goddess is please, though others choose... choose not to notice her."
She stops as Yuri goes to consult, reaching down to pet Laddie, her eyes missing nothing.
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Ravn Ashengrey
"You summon the wrath of Odin with your heedlessness, Contable," he says, "be warned! The council granted you by way of his servant was truthful and wise yet you choose to remain both deaf to words and blind to actions! Very well - I will leave it to the Norns to weave as they wish. So be it. Yet I shall fulfill the vow I took in Richard's hall to thricefold prove my kin's worth. Maybe then will you pay heed. Onward, unbelievers!"
Demonstratively, he grabs his spear and takes point with Yuri, his gloomy mood lifting with amused wonder at the gypsy's colourful display as they set a hearty pace.
However, when Edgar points out the strange doghead weapon lying on the track, he stops to look at it where it lays, waiting for Rolf to decide - unadviced - what to do about it.
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Rolf
Later, at Edgar's cry, Rolf moves over to examine the bars, careful not to touch them. "Elsbeth, Ravn, what make you of these?"
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Elsbeth
"I am not sure," she replies, "but they might be a talisman of power. I'd be thinkin' that he'd left these for us to take and be cursed thereby, or mayhap he can detect somewhat through them."
She looks back at Ravn. "Like my folk, these beasties serve old gods, though gods that are of evil ilk to be sure. I'd be thinkin' that those who follow the upstart new gods would know little of these things."
She states the last louder than necessary.
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Edgar
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Yuri
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Elsbeth
She kneels over the bars and concentrates, whispering to it and to the wind itself in a language unknown...
detect magic