[Paradise Lost] On the road

[Kane]

After walking along the beach for about two hours the cliff shrinks down and disappears. The beach turns sharply here, creating a small, sheltered inlet. To the west, the forest spreads before you, thick than before.

"Looks like we can't follow the beach any further," said Dunstan. "Perhaps we should go a bit inland?"

[Ubby]

Galanthas turned to the west and stepped forward, closed his eyes, and breathed deeply. He appeared to be basking in a warmth unfelt to the others. By doing so he opened his spirit to the forest to commune with it as a living breathing entity. He slowed his breathing, still deep, and became one with the wood. He felt the wind pass through the leaves as a caress on his skin. He felt his pulse echo the creaking of tree limbs. Galanthas began a soft song ::Call of the Wild:: to the rhythm of the of the forest... he could feel the creatures stirring within, he could feel the spirits dance within...

Galanthas was at peace as a cascade of feelings flowed over him...

[Kane]

Dunstan and Tristan watched, entranced, as the soft Elven melody was carried over the wind. "Uh... Is that a yes?" asked Tristran.

Galanthas> The forest here seems young, as if it has only seen a few centuries. But you still can't shake the bad feeling that thier might be orcs on this continent.

[Tom B]

Jherak looks about the inlet, gazing inland toward the forest.

"Since we're heading for a port, I'd hate to get too far from the beach. If we can circle the inlet and keep heading south along the shoreline, I think that would be our best bet."

"If we're going to have to traverse the forest, I would like to do so in daylight. Maybe we should camp and get an early start in the morning."





OOC:[We are headed south, correct? I also assumed it was mid-day and not morning.]

[Ubby]

Galanthas opened his eyes and shot Tristran a cross look before turning to the group. "This taurë is young, merely centuries old. As such it may yet be wild, but if we proceed respectfully it should let us pass without hinderance." Galanthas winced as if detecting a faint but disagreeable odor. "Come let us continue until we find a suitable rest point, or until the hour grows late. Once settled I will see what bounty the forest will yield. I am sure you are all rather hungry."

[Tom B]

Jherak held up his empty water flask to gain everyone's attention.

"It's been a rough day, folks. I'd like to make as much distance as possible, but I think we have more pressing matters to attend to while we have enough light.

We need to find fresh water and food. I think we'll make better progress tomorrow if we can rest and have a proper meal this evening. I'd prefer not to go scouting for food and water after dark.

Galanthas, do you feel it would be better to camp within the woods? Or at their verge? I'm afraid I'm more familiar with non-natural dangers than the dangers posed by wildlife. If you feel it safe to camp deeper with the forest, then I agree that we should be on our way."

[Verrain]

"Too early in the day to think about stopping. Its not even noon." Hob replied. "But if we're going to find water its not going to be on the beach. If an elf says the woods are our best bet for bounty, that's good enough for me."

[Ubby]

"You words have merit Jherak," said Galanthas, "we should not push ourselves too greatly until we are adequately provisioned and rested." The elf's sky blue eyes moved to Thimas, "While showing no outward sign, some of us have grown quiet and I fear are struggling. However, I believe we will have a better chance of success to find food, fresh water, and shelter if another storm were to come upon us, under the eaves of the taurë." With a sly grin he added, "Though I do confess I bear a biased preference for the wood.

"I propose we press on for a while longer yet, at least until we find a place to rest with good water, or we cannot endure travelling further."

Galanthas walked over to where Hob was standing and looked him in the eye. "I thank you for your faith, Hob of the Reliant," said Galanthas with a small nod of his head and brief touching of hand to heart. With that he walked a few steps toward the forest, pulling several times on his strung bow, testing its worth. Then he turned to face the party.

"Shall we?"

[Tom B]

Jherak gives a slightly exaggerated formal bow and gestures towards the forest with a slight grin...

"As you wish. After you, Sir Elf..."

[DaGreatJL]

"Traveling through the woods sounds good to me as well. The shade will help keep us cool as we travel. And if we can find water... I remember one pilgrimage I was making, when I traveled across a country of sand and heat. In that land there were plants that, when cut, would spill forth water both cool and refreshing, though the land was arrid and dry. Some of these plants were like barrells, while others grew like leafless trees, stretching up to the sky with their branches like arms worshiping the Sun." As he rambles out his story, Phillip follows the elf.

[Kane]

Galanthas leads the way through the forest while Phillip passes the time with afew tales of his travels. The choice of paths turns out to be a happy one. About half an hour after changing your path to go inland you discover a small, fast-moving stream, flowing across your path. The water looks clean, and it's narrow enough to jump across. The thin canopy of leaves above provides some relief from the noonday sun.

[Ubby]

"We should rest here for a bit," Galanthas said as he studied his companions in turn looking for signs of illness or exhaustion. Then he bent down to eagerly draw some of the stream water to his parched mouth, but careful not to consume too much or too quickly.

Galanthas knew that he or his kin would press on and forego any meal until after the day's journeying was complete, but perhaps men had different requirements? "I would prefer to wait until we come upon our camp for the evening before I set out in search of food. How is everyone faring?"

[Tom B]

As Jherak crouched to fill his waterskin, he glanced toward the Elf. "Fine. Just a leisurely stroll. We've still got plenty of daylight left and it shouldn't take that long to traverse these woods."

He glanced at the others to see how they were faring...

[Kane]

Tristran collapsed up against a nearby tree, sitting down and stretching his legs out. "Tired. I'm a sailor, not a soldier. Give me some riging to climb instead. Master Hob, did you bring any food with you? I lost my fishing line with the ship."

[DaGreatJL]

Phillip stretches his back out, then leans against a tree. He turns his his head to the side as he tries to catch his voice. "I would like, to take a short break, here. But, I should be ready, in a minute." An uneasy smile crosses his face. "I can keep up, I believe. I will be better with a full night's rest behind me."

[Verrain]

"A little food my friend, but enough to share for the moment." Hob nodded to his companion and fished a bit of salted beef out of his pack. "Best eat it now while the water is near." He smiled at him and offers the same amount to Dunstan as well before taking a bite or two himself. He drank deep from the stream after the salt and filled his skin.

Then Hob leans against a nearby tree. "Aye give me rigging anyday." He sighed. "Still and all, at least we've got shade and water. Might as well count our blessings."

[Kane]

After a brief rest to eat and refill your waterskins, you resume your journey to the south. There is roughly a half mile of coastal plain between the shoreline and the edge of the trees. The forest to the west is starting to grow denser, and the trees are more fully in bloom with leaves.

The sun begins to grow low in the sky, but you have yet to see any sign of either farmsteads or ports. Scanning the horizon shows no signs of habitation in the distance yet. There is also no sign of woodcutters at the forest's edge.

[Tom B]

Jherak eyes the lowering sun and looks towards the darkening woods.

"Perhaps we should set up a camp and search for dinner before it gets truly dark. I'm afraid hunting game isn't really my forte. Any of you chaps perhaps skilled at hunting? Apart from Galanthas, I assume?"



.

[Ubby]

Galanthas looked for a suitable (or closest thing to it) campsite, marking it out by putting down his pack. As he did so, he scanned all around noting any conspicuous landmarks he could use to find his way back from his search for food.

"Perhaps someone could begin gathering kindle for a fire? Perhaps someone else might look around for any source of water? No too far from the camp mind, it is easy to get disoriented as dusk approaches."

Galanthas gathered what he needed for the hunt. Before he departed he whispered to Jherak, "Keep a watchful eye. Other than the silent giant, I am willing to wager that our friends are not used to the ravaa, the wilderness. Tensions may run high." With a serious look Galanthas continued, "I do not sense anything near, but I cannot escape the feeling that vile orc have walked under these trees before."

As Galanthas made his way to leave the camp he looked back to the party, "I will not be long," he said, but already his thoughts were turning eagerly to the task at hand. He raised his hood, began his song, and slipped off as quiet as a ghost into the forest. The hunt had begun.

[Verrain]

"Well I suppose picking sticks up off the ground is within my power." Hob grunted as he picks himself up where he had dropped down. "Seemed to be no lack of it on the walk over here."

[Tom B]

As Galanthas disappeared into the woods, Jherak sighed and tossed a pebble in his general direction, "Good hunting!"

Climbing to his feet, he stretched and looked around at the trees. "Well, pass me your water skins and I'll see if I can find a stream nearby. I might be better to wait to actually start a fire until I or Galanthas return. We can make it so there's little smoke to advertise our location."

After collecting waterskins, he gives the camp a farewell wave as he disappears into the forest.

Immediately, Jherak begins moving quietly. Once he has gained some distance from the camp, he stood still and shut his eyes, concentrating on the forest sounds. Listening for anything that didn't belong...listening for the sound of flowing water. Opening his eyes, he moved off into the growing twilight.

[Kane]

Dry firewood is plentiful to find underneath the trees. It doesn't take long for Hob and Tristran to gather enough to last throughout the night.

Hob> "Erm... Master Hob," said Tristran. "I don't mean to judge you on your travelling companions, but are you sure we are safe? I'm a bit uneasy about travelling with an Elf, and that pilgrim has a strange way of staring at people."

Jherak> You close your eyes and try to still your heartbeat, fading into the surroundings while you listen. The ocean is close, which drowns out some of the scents around you. After a few minutes search you find fresh water; barely more than a trickle between a crack in the bedrock. Filling the skins will take a little while.

Galanthas> As you begin your Song, nature seems to open before you. You discern signs of small game in the sparse underbrush, and lie in wait with your bow. By the time night falls, you have brought down two rabbits. Not much, but certainly better than more of those hard, tasteless seabiscuits.

Once Hob and Tristran bring the firewood, Dunstan and Thimas manage to get the fire going by the time Jherak returns with water. It is about an hour later when Galanthas returns to the campsite, his bounty in hand. The sky overhead is a dark purple, and the sun is almost gone behind the trees.

[DaGreatJL]

Phillip stands up and turns to the returning Galanthas. "Thank you, friend elf, for the bountiful gift you have brought us." He turns so that he faces the group; his eyes dart from one to the other, not casually, but as if he were trying to stare at all of them at once. "I propose we give thanks to the Lord of the Morning, and pray for our safe return to civilization." He looks around apprehensively, his smile suggesting that he wants to appease his companions just as much as his god.

[Verrain]

Dry firewood is plentiful to find underneath the trees. It doesn't take long for Hob and Tristran to gather enough to last throughout the night.

Hob> "Erm... Master Hob," said Tristran. "I don't mean to judge you on your travelling companions, but are you sure we are safe? I'm a bit uneasy about travelling with an Elf, and that pilgrim has a strange way of staring at people."


"I'm not sure of anything anymore my friend." Hob replied with a sigh shifting his load of branches. "But so far no one has done anything to harm us. Heck if the Elf wanted us dead he could have slipped off into these woods at any time and left us to die of thrist." Hob bent down to add another stick to his pile. "They might be the Dark Lord," Hob spit after the name and made a ritual gesture against evil with the stick in his hand, "when they are at home but right here, right now they all are just fellow survivors trying to live. If they help me I'll help them in return. Besides," Hob smiled. "We are a group of three to their many one's if things should go awry."

-----

Hob met Phillip's suggestion with a smile and easy nod. "If the Lord of the Morning sees fit to bless me, who am I to refuse it? Go ahead and pray for us pilgrim."

[Kane]

After prayers and a meal, then sun had completely disappeared. The night sky wass clear, but very dark.

Tristran carefully tossed a few more pieces of wood onto the fire, making it flare for a moment. "Well, um... perhaps we should set up a watch? I mean, who knows what's out there?"

[Tom B]

Jherak nods.

"Probably a good idea, although we haven't seen any recent signs of anything dangerous. I don't mind staying up first if the rest of you want to go ahead and sleep. Who should I awake?"

[Ubby]

"I shall relieve you Jherak. I enjoy the peace of the deep night."

Galanthas always preferred to rest in the bough of a tree over the hard and warmth stealing earth. As such he looked for such a spot as he unstrung his bow and instinctively tended to the yew wood. He would restring it again once his watch began.

[Verrain]

"If you'll wake me, I'll take the third watch." Hob nodded to the elf. "I'm used to scanning the pre-dawn skies and seas. Watching the land should be no difference."

[DaGreatJL]

"I don't know if a fourth is needed, but I won't shirk my fair share of the work. Wake me early is you have to, Hob."

[Kane]

As the group settles down to sleep, Jherak takes his watch.

Jherak> The firelight does little to pierce the darkness, but it's enough for your eyes. The events of the last couple of days begin to add up in your mind. Where did that storm come from? How did you find an orcish arrowhead in a land that is free of orcs?

[Kane]

Jherak> Through the gloom of night your sensitive eyes begin to make out several figures in the trees. They are slowly drawing closer to your camp, but you cannot make out too many features just yet. They have long, mishappen limbs and craggy faces. You catch a whiff of something that smells like spoiled meat from across the wind.

[Tom B]

Without moving suddenly, Jherak will start poking people near him...

"Shhhhhh.....creatures of some kind approaching camp...wake up the others carefully..."

Jherak glances up at Galanthas in his hammock. Carefully, he reaches out with the stick he had been using to doodle in the dirt and pokes the Elf. Again whispering..."Galanthas...creatures coming"

Jherak begins surreptitiously closing up his armor, putting on gloves, and readying himself to spring. He squats next to the fire, as if stirring the embers, grasping a hefty flaming stick to throw if necessary.

[Ubby]

Jherak's warning instantly brought Galanthas to life. Adrenaline began to course through him as his training and experience instinctively took over. With an economy of silent motion, Galanthas retreated into the branches to take advantage of his elevated view point. As he began to string his bow, he assessed the situation.

The pungent odor struck him. "Something unnatural this way comes," he whispered to himself.

[Verrain]

"Wha?" Hob said a bit too loudly before the 'Shh.' of Jherak waking him penetrated.

"Creatures?" He repeated to himself staring out into the darkness and drawing the dagger at his belt.

He only looks a moment before gently waking the one next to him.

"Shh. Wake up. Creatures approaching."

[DaGreatJL]

Phillip stirs in his seat, and opens his eyes wide, not seeing what's in front of him, but seeming to bore through it with his eyes. He blinks once, twice, and begins to look around.

[Kane]

As you awaken, the figures in the trees draw closer to the campfire. As the light catches them, there can be no mistake that they are goblins, armed with daggers. One of them hisses as he sees your group moving around, and they spring towards you.

-----

((Hey! Why is the thread locked?

Because we're entering combat time now. I'll be taking over the description duties for the moment. Let me give you the rundown of where people are.

Jherak and Hob are standing up. Galanthas has his bow ready, and Jherak has a fire brand in his hand. Galanthas is a couple of meters up in one of the trees off to the side. Philip and Thimas need to spend two actions to stand up. Because I'm a nice guy, and no one is wearing any heavy armor, I'll let you keep your armor on. Remember, except for Jherak and Galanthas, no one has a ready weapon yet.

The closest of the goblins is about 10 paces away from your group. Here is your Hesitation from surprise.

Jherak: None
Galanthas: None
Hob: 3 actions
Philip: 1 action
Thimas: 4 actions

Please send me your scripts for the first exchange in PM. I will execute the scripts no later than 8PM EST on Sunday. If you have questions, ask them in the Table Talk thread. ))

[Kane]

"Orcs!" screamed Tristan as his nerves broke, and he flung his hands into the air, turning and running away from the campfire. The rest of the group recoved from their shock, are quickly prepared themselves for battle. Hob fumbled for his dagger while Philip took a step away from the incoming goblins, holding up his hands and quickly beginning to shout arcane words. Up in the trees, Galanthas fitted an arrow to his bow and drew it, looking for a target.

The goblins snarled as closed the gap to the rest of the party, their daggers held up at the ready as they started to charge the ambushed travelers.

---

((The first exchange is in the books. All hesitation has been paid, and everyone is standing and can act.

The closest of the goblins is 4 paces away from Hob and Jherak, who are closest. Philip, Dunstan, and Thimas are a few steps back. There is one goblin 4 paces away from Hob and Jherak, and two more about 5 paces behind him. The goblins are jogging, so only the front one will reach Hob and Jherak in this exchange.

Your next script is due by 6 PM, Tuesday. And I promise, I'll be writing out my scripts as well, and I write them before I look at yours. ))

[Kane]

The goblins charged forward at Hob and Jherak, knives held high. Hob drew his dagger and stood his ground, ready to fight. Jherak stood up with a burning stick in his hand, and he lobbed it at the goblin charging him. The brand struck the goblin in the chest and ignited the furs he wore. Jherak smiled, drawing his sword for combat. Galanthas steadied his hands as he held his arrow in position, waiting to fire.

Philip shouted the last few words of his spell as quickly as he could. He blinked his eyes, but nothing seemed to change for him.

----

(( Time is slowing down to one volley per day, so people may forfeit actions as they see fit.

Bad luck for Philip. 1 success on 10 dice to cast! Philip is also at -1 Forte due to Tax. ))

[Kane]

Galanthas' arrow flew from his bow, striking the goblin in the front directly in the teple. The goblin collapsed just inches away from Jherak, instantly dead. Jherak and Hob readied their weapons for any more opponents.

Hob> You are standing roughly side by side with Jherak. Jherak was just about to be rushed by a goblin, but he is down with an arrow in the head. You can see one more goblin ahead of you, sprinting in your direction. He will arrive at the beginning of the next exchange.

You all hear the sounds of movement from behind you.

-----

(( This is volley 2. Volley 3 will come tomorrow. ))

[Kane]

"Hey!" shouted Philip as he looked around him. Hob looked back over his shoulder as he heard the sound of someone coming up from behind, and Galanthas likewise checked the source of the sound.

Two more goblins had come charging at the group from behind. One of them tackled Dunstan to the ground and drove his dagger deep into the sailor's chest. The other leaped at Thimas, knocking him to the ground with the goblin on top, ready to strike at him.

The goblin charging towards Hob from the front hesitated as he saw his companion fall with an arrow in his head, which seemingly came from nowhere. His charge began to falter, but it looked like he wouldn't be able to come to a full stop before he collided with Hob.

--


(( That's all for the second exchange. The next due date for the script for the third exchange is Monday, 8PM Eastern. This way we can give Philip a chance to write a script too. ))

[Kane]

"Dunstan!" Hob cried but realizing he has his own problems turns back to the goblin bearing down on him. The goblin swung his knife at Hob, but Hob jumped to the side at the last minute, and the knife stabbed at empty air.

As Galanthas prepared his next arrow, the goblin who has just cut Dunstan's throat stood up, blood dripping off his blade. "Curse you!" shouted Philip, and the goblin turned to look at him, smiling as he set his sights on his next victim.

[Kane]

"Nightspawn!" screamed Philip as he strode closer to the goblin who has just butchered Dunstan. Jherakran back to protect the rest of the group, but he arrived too late to save Thimas from a gruesome stab wound. His sword tangled in the fur vest that the goblin wore, and the goblin sprung to his feet, ready to fight Jherak.

As Galanthas finished fitting his next arrow to his bowstring, Hob swung his back and forth as fast as he could. The goblin he was facing ducked down low and spring at him, getting close enough to bite him. Hob tried to keep his knife in between himself and the goblin, scratching the goblin's arm.

---

(( This is Exchange 3, Volley 2. Hob now has a goblin on the inside with 1 die. Jherak is now engaged with one of the goblins which attacked from the rear, and the second of the flanking goblins is now just a pace or two away from Philip. ))

[Kane]

Hob wrestled for control with the goblin that he was tangled up with. The sailor's dagger struck true into the goblin's arm, inflicting a deep gash. Foul black blood began to drip from the wound.

Philip just barely stepped to the side in time as the goblin he was facing swung it's knife at him. He held up his hand and shouted an arcane word in defiance. The goblin's eyes widened in shock, and he turned to run away as fast he he could, shouting something in the goblin tongue... just as the goblin came into Galantha's field of aim.

Jherak swung his sword at his opponent, the sharp blade cutting easily through the furs he wore. The strike only glanced at the goblin's body, and the goblin refused to give up.


(( This exchange is over. Here is a status update:

Hob has a goblin on the inside with 1 success of the obstacle. The goblin has taken a B3 and a B5 wound.

Jherak is facing of against a goblin who has just taken a B3 wound.

The goblin that was facing Philip is about to flee. Philip is at -2D Forte due to Tax.

Galanthas has acquired a target of the the goblin Philip was facing.

Your next script for exchange 4 is due Monday night. ))

[Kane]

As Philip's opponent fled screaming into the darkness, he smiled and reached down to the ground, picking up a heavy stick to wield as a club. Jherak swung his sword again, inflicting another shallow cut on the goblin facing him. The goblin hissed in pain, unable to get close as Jherak kept him at bay with his sword. Hob tried to grab his opponent's knife-arm, but the goblin twisted away and flailed at him with his knife, not hitting anything.

(( Volley 1 is over. ))

[Kane]

Jherak continued to keep his opponent at bay with his longer weapon, lunging forward again to deliver another cut that drew black goblin blood. Philip raised the stick he had picked up in his hands, sneaking up behind the goblin.

Hob, meanwhile, fought ferociously against the goblin tangled up with him. Hob sank his dagger deep into the goblin's side, but the goblin dug his sharp, jagged teeth ferociously into Hob's shoulder befor his strength started to fade.

Galanthas' eyes darted between targets, trying to decide which goblin to fire at.

[Kane]

Galanthas hand tensed as he watched Hob tangle with the goblin. He let the arrow fly from his bow, and it buzzed just past Hob's head, sinking into the goblin's shoulder. WIth a loud growl of pain, the goblin collapsed.

Jherak continued to steadily force his opponent back with his longer weapon. The goblin focused his attention on Jherak, and completely failed to notice Philip sneaking up behind him. Philip brought the stick down hard on the gobin's head, and the wounded creature collapsed in a heap.

-----

(( *plays victory music* Okay folks, all of your opponents are down or fled. Bullet time is over, and I'll unlock the thread. We're back to open RP. ))

[Verrain]

Hob just stood for a moment trying to catch his breath and come to grips with the carnage all around him.

"Dunstan." He murmured softly letting his knife drop from fingers tired from clenching it. He knew it was probably too late but had to go look if anything can be done for Dunstan or Thimas.

"Galanthas." Hob called raggedly up to the elf. "Can you see any sign of Tristan? I think he ran off that way." He pointed.

[DaGreatJL]

Phillip stood over the goblin he had just felled breathing heavily. As he looked at the monster, his eyes glazed over. The makeshift club slid from his fingers, and he bonelessly collapsed onto the ground.

[Tom B]

Jherak kicks the goblin's weapon away from its hand and provides a quick coup de grace. He looks over at Hob...

"Would you check our people? I better try and catch up to Tristan before he gets too far."

Glancing around at the woods for signs of any approaching danger, Jherak moves quickly and quietly in the direction taken by Tristan.

[Kane]

The path that Tristran took through the woods is fairly clear. However, it's too dark to see much past the area of the campfire. Philip collapses to the ground, and Jherak and Hob finish off the fallen goblins.

[Ubby]

Galanthas climbed down from his tree and quickly made his way to the middle of the camp. He assessed the scene and his comrades. No time for grief just yet.

Bow still in hand, Galanthas took a branch from the campfire to add light and began to head in the direction of Tristran's trail.

[Tom B]

Jherak confusedly realizes he is still in the camp rather than pursuing Tristan as he had thought. Shaking his head, he goes about straightening up camp...removing dead goblins, etc.

[Kane]

To Galanthas' eyes, Tristran's path is fairly obvious. However, after walking about fifty paces into the woods he discovers Tristran's body. His throat has been cut, and there are several gaping wounds on his body that look like goblin-bites.


Jherak> Hmm... it looks like some of the furs that the goblins are wearing are white. Well, they used to be wite at some point. Now they're more of a dirty yellow.

[Verrain]

After dealing with the goblins, Hob checks on his fallen companions starting first with the unconscious Phillip and then to prepare his dead friends for burial.

[DaGreatJL]

Phillip stirs, mumbling to himself. "No, I... I didn't mean... Forgive me..."

He sits up with a start. As he looks around the camp at the carnage, his face is blank. After looking from one end to the other, he stares off into space, and mutters three words. "I have sinned."

[Verrain]

"Perhaps." Hob comments as he steps back from the now awake man. "But theirs was the greater." He shrugs gesturing at the goblin corpses.

"Do you know any burial prayers?" Hob asks him. "It seems we need some." Hob turns back to Dunstan and Thimas and does the unpleasant duty of removing any useful items from their bodies and then preparing them for final rest.

[DaGreatJL]

Phillip turns his blank eyes up to Hob. "Yes, I believe I know of a prayer that would be appropriate." He stands up, and walks over to stand over the dead bodies.

[Kane]

Dunstan's map seems to have survived the fight without any damage. Definitely something useful to have with you. Thimas has a few short pieces of fishing line and a small set of hooks in a case.

The bodies are cleared away and disposed of. The campside still reeks of blood and violence.

[Tom B]

Jherak looks around grimly, running his hand through his hair.

"I think we should move camp. This will attract predators. Galanthas, do you remember if there was a suitable campsite back along our trail?"

[Verrain]

"I have no desire to stay here anyway." Hob shook his head sadly and shouldered the extra waterskins and the little bit of food taken from his fallen companions. Just one more burden to carry.

[Ubby]

"I passed another suitable camp site not one quarter mile from here while hunting earlier," Galanthas replied to Jherak's query. "It does not have as good a supply of water, but it matters not now."

"Master Hob, the loss of your friends brings me sorrow. It is a terrible way to die. "

As Galanthas gathered his gear to lead the survivors to the new campsite he began his Lament of Mourning for the fallen.

[Verrain]

"Master Hob, the loss of your friends brings me sorrow. It is a terrible way to die. "

"Is there a pleasant one?" Hob asked more bitterly than he intended. He took a deep breath. "Sorry." He mumbled.

As Galanthas gathered his gear to lead the survivors to the new campsite he began his Lament of Mourning for the fallen.

Silent tears drip from Hob's eyes as the elf's song washes over him. Hob couldn't understand a word but its meaning was clear. Somehow it did him more good than Phillip's prayer. It felt more like a real good-bye.

"I didn't understand a word but I thank you for it." Hob told Galanthas when the song was finished.

[Kane]

Galanthas' somber Lament shared his grief with the group, but it did little to relieve his sadness. The flight through the trees in the dark of night was grueling for everyone except the elf. By the time you feel that you've traveled far enough away from the battle, you're all exhausted.

[Ubby]

"We should rest here. Get as much as you can for we must make use of the daylight tomorrow to put this place far behind us.

"I believe it is my watch," Galanthas offered, as he planned to stay on watch as long as possible, to give his human comrades a chance for rest. "Fear not, my watch will be keen. Mara lomë my friends."

With that Galanthas looked to the trees for a good vantage point. With bow in hand Galanthas watched the others settle down as their weariness and exhaustion overtook them. Galanthas knew the sight of Tristran's gnawed upon body would keep him up for hours yet. He then looked out into the night in search of more goblins. Disturbingly, he realized that he planned to stay on watch as long as he could endure not only so the humans could rest, but because he hoped that more goblins would appear. Galanthas felt the need to avenge the fallen, and it was all he could do to suppress his urge to go out into the night and hunt.

[Verrain]

"I'll not argue that." Hob said wearily to Galanthas's offer. He barely unrolled his sleeping mat before lying down on it and falling into a fitful slumber.

[DaGreatJL]

Phillip lies down with an almost mechanical lack of grace. Since giving the prayer for the fallen, he has not spoken. He seems lost in his own thoughts and preoccupied.

[Tom B]

Jherak lay down. Promising it a thorough oiling in the morning, he decided to sleep with his sword in hand. He was tired after all that had happened, but couldn't get immediately asleep. He lay with his eyes open for awhile, listening intently as the night passed until he finally fell asleep.

[Kane]

Sleep is difficult in coming throught the rest of the night. Galanthas manages to stay awake and aware for about another hour before he finally falls asleep. But the good news is that there are no more goblins.


(( The next morning will be in a new thread. ))