The Game: Week 3

"On the Road Again!"

Posted 22 Aug 99
"Since there appears to be stuff left over and no one wants to take it...," Farlont starts to unlaod the chest. He pokes a couple of dram-sized holes in both the sides of the chest and proceeds to thread his newly acquired rope through the holes. After cutting a segment of the rope and further slicing that segment in half, he knots it into two loops.

"Presto, a backpack," he says. He stuffs his own real backpack into the chest and tries to cushion the remaining potions as best he can. "I hope this is good enough. I am not a gentle person. I tend to jostle things a bit." He takes the compass disc an tosses it to/at Shameron. "Here toots, maybe you should have this since your woodland knowledge tells me you should probably be out front. But don't worry, I will be watching your ass the whole way."

Shameron manages to catch the compass and still give Farlont a rather scathing look at his obvious disregard of proper respect for the female gender.

Caledon, still irritated from Farlont's bullying, gathers his things and prepares to depart. "I'll take up the rear and we can put the shek p'var toward the center for more protection."

"Kiranyan, you look pretty tough. Why don't you take the rear, also. Gives me the willies to think that all that is protecting my ass is one sissy whining Laranian. No offense, Pheylan. I haven't heard you whine yet." He laughs.

Kendervon and Shaizan have only been away from their environs for a few hours, yet they begin to fall back into old Savoryan habits. They heatedly debate various scholarly items and still manage to pack up their items for the trip. Varlus just shakes his head, picks up his pack and walks to Pheylan, "Since you don't appear to be carrying a weapon, does this mean you will be towards the middle too? I would appreciate the company. If I have to listen to these two for the next 4 weeks, I am sure I will go mad."

"I guess I can hang to the back of the middle and still lend support to Caledon if need be," says Pheylan as he picks up his belongings.

"Everyone ready? Let's head out... or do ya wanna have to fight a second or third group for that second compass? Makes no difference to me," Farlont says as he hefts his new make-shift backpack into place. He reaches over and looks at the compass. "We following it as the crow flies or general direction? This thing is pointing right up this 20 foot climb."

There appear to be several trees sticking out of the side of the hill, but otherwise it is nearly a vertical climb for an easy 20 to 30 feet. One could hazard a guess as to which side (right or left) might yield a way to continue in the direction the compass is pointing, but neither is immediately obvious as a good alternative to the climb. The small clearing you are in would appear to be the only one within the area. The woods are otherwise thick and teaming with wildlife. The sun is already warming the air. It is going to be a hot and humid day.


Shaizan
I chuckle and say to Kendervon, "Hey Kendervon, do you get the feeling that when Farlont says he'll be `watching Shameron's ass' he's not talking about guarding?"

When we get to the hill, I look up and mumble under my breath, "I knew I should have studied levitation."

"Well, I don't particularly feel like climbing this hill. And if the compass is two weeks' journey away, it's probably not at the top. So it won't hurt if we just go around, right?"


Farlont
[JFTR: To everyone, the DM made those comments, not me. Although, you might also notice that I am not taking them back.]

I hear Shaizan's words, and turn to him and raise my eyebrow. "Now, let's not be too hasty. I could boost you up for a look around Shameron." [Did I mention that I was flexing again?]


Pheylan
Pheylan acknowledges Varlus' comment on his lack of weaponry by simply shrugging his shoulders, and then moves with Varlus towards the middle of the procession.

Upon reaching the hill, he wanders a short distance in both directions to get a better feel for the dimensions of the hill.

[So if I understand the new turn description correctly, we are standing in front of a 20~30' cliff face and the cliff face continues for some distance in both directions, perpendicular to the direction the compass is facing? Does the cliff face seem to end any sooner in one direction than the other?]

[Also can we see anything on top of the cliff face?]


The "hill" is a very very steep incline. OK, yes, it might as well be a 20 to 30 foot cliff. The compass points straight into the cliff, almost as if you were put here as a joke.

There are numerous trees growing out the side though, so climbing it would not be impossible. It might be difficult for some, that is for sure. The cliff goes along in both directions. The dense forest trees make it impossible to determine if one way will end any sooner than the other without scouting it out.

On top of the ridge, surprisingly enough there appear to be more trees as far as you can see in both directions.


Pheylan
After taking a few moments to survey the cliff, he sighs reluctantly and drops his backpack to the ground.

"Well, it seems that the compass wants us to go up the cliff, and there doesn't appear to be an easy way to go around. I'm the smallest and probably the lightest, so I guess it's up to me to try the climb... If I could climb back up to my room on the second floor without Brother Simon noticing, I guess I can probably make this."

"If I do make it, I'll try to find somewhere sturdy to tie the rope off, like a large tree, and then throw the other end of the rope back down to the bottom of the cliff. Then, for what it's worth, I'll attempt to help hold the rope steady and the next lightest person should try to come up... with my backpack of it's not too much to ask. Then they can help with the rope and the next heavier person can come up, and so on and so in until finally we'll get Farlont up."

With a small grin he continues...

"If I don't make it, well... Brother Caledon should know the appropriate rites. Wish me luck..."

Pheylan then asks Farlont for the 50' rope that was in the contents of the chest. Then, throwing the rope over his shoulder, he takes a deep breath and begins his attempt to climb the cliff.


Kendervon
As we prepare to follow Shameron.

"Shaizan, you should`ve studied levitation. Then you could get your lazy butt up the hill. No, on second thought, then I`d have to tie a rope around you, while you levitated and we`d pull you right along like a bleeding balloon. So, Shaizan what kind of magic do you know. Maybe we could trade some secrets of the arts."

"When we get back, we will have some buisness to take care of with the Lords. There will be a lot of hell to pay back!"


Pheylan throws the rope over his shoulder and nimbly begins his climb. His light weight, lack of armor, and chosen climb path make the ascent appear to be child's play. He grasps tree branches, twigs, and weeds on his climb. He utilizes flora for handholds that others could not even attempt to because of their weight. At the summit, he reaches up with both hands and lifts himself over the edge. His voice can then be heard, "Let me find something solid to tie the rope on to."

A few moments pass, and you hear, "Stand clear." After the rope's end lands at the bottom, Pheylan calls. ""OK, send the next person up."


Kiranyan
Kiranyan watches as the end of the rope comes tumbling down the face of the cliff.

"You guys better go up first", he says. "If I were the first up, I'd probably end up setting the rope on fire for kicks when I reach the top."

Not wanting to be in anyones way, he steps aside, and allows the rest to pass.


Kendervon
"Ok Shameron your next ladies first. Besides if you fall all of us will break your fall!"


Kiranyan
"Ahh... a dream it would be to find it raining beautiful women!" [wink]


Shameron
Ignoring the various remarks, Shameron declares "I'll right I'll go next, but [looking around at everyone], how do you know I won't set the rope on fire!" With that remark, she quickly begins the climb upward...


Varlus
"You are all making such a fuss over her, just because she is the only woman in the group. Have some dignity, will you?. You all have to travel a long way with her still. For her to start out in a bitchy mood already is going to make this a very very long trip."

I take the rope and begin to climb to the top of the incline myself. I struggle a bit, hmmm... I think this is the first time I have ever had to do something like this. This sucks. Ouch! Ouch! I think I am getting a blister on my hand.

"There, I did it. Come on you guys! Let's try to keep our eyes peeled for monsters and suck, instead of everyone looking at the same thing." I look at Shameron and shake my head. "I must apologize for their behavior. Some men never learned manners when they were lads. Please, don't hold it against them." [Quietly] "Accept Farlont, HE probably deserves any contempt."


Shaizan
[To Kendervon]

"Well, I don't really consider it magic, Kendervon -- it's more of a...um...mental manipulation discipline. I'll argue with you once we're up the hill, since, (sigh), that's where we seem to be going. I have studied Clairvoyance, Control Sound, and Mass Manipulation, which allows me to temporarily change the weight of an object. However, don't ask me to make your load lighter because it is an extremely difficult and draining devotion. I can also do telekinesis and I will know when someone is watching us intently, and can make them stop if they are using a scrying spell. If I activate my danger sense, I will know when we are going to be in trouble before we actually are. And finally, I can also send my thoughts to other people."

"What can you do?"


Kiranyan
After Kiranyan decides he's waited enough, he nimbly reaches for the rope and begins his ascent. Without much difficulty, he pulls himself up hand over hand. Halfway up however, he stops and takes the time to survey the lush forest they left behind. As if on cue, two birds pull away from the tree tops, and Kiranyan watches with admiration as they dance in the sky.

"I wonder..." Kiranyan absently says outloud as he looks on. "Hmph... nah... It'd take a miracle for me to blast one from here." A slight chuckle, and he's moving up again.

Upon reaching the top, Kiranyan immediately kneels down to rest.

"Wow... that was NOT fun." He stands up again, and bends back a slight. Two pops later, and a few more stretches after, he looks from Varlus to Shameron, with an impish smile on his face. He sets down his pack, and his face grits as if in deep concentration. Suddenly, his face lights up and he withdraws two small objects from the bag. With the two items, he dances to the end of the rope. It isn't until he reaches it do you realize that he's holding his set of flint and steel.

"Hrmm... so, does this mean I'm allowed to burn this end of the rope?" [Laughs]


Shaizan
When my turn comes up, I grudgingly climb up the rope, and pull myself over the top. I stand up and look around.


Shameron
Shameron turns to the others who have made it to the top and says quietly, but firmly "Silence. I think we are being watched." She crouches low to the ground and slowly reaches behind her and pulls out an arrow and puts it into her right hand with the bow. She slowly starts to creep forward when Kiranyan makes it to the top and starts rambling about burning the rope. She turns to Varlus [the closest to her] and says in a low voice, "Will you please silence that imbecile. Also see if you can signal the others to get up here quickly." She again turns back to the forest taking a couple of steps [still crouching] and tries to listen to see if she can distinguish any sounds as human or animal...


Varlus
I slap Kiranyan up side the head. Then I say quietly, "Get serious. Shameron says she hears something, and you can't blow it up until we can find it." I then turn my back on him and look in the same general direction as Shameron and squint to see if I can see anything.


Kiranyan
Kiranyan's face suddenly turns serious at the notion of danger being nearby. As Varlus and Shameron scan the area, he pokes his head over the edge to signal the others to hurry. He then assumes a defensive crouch, just in front of the rope.

Suddenly, the rare face of seriousness leaves his face and is replaced by a pained expression. It doesn't take much effort to see pass his facade however, as a friendly smirk struggles to break through.

"Owwwwwwww," he whispers is Varlus' direction. "You really don't know your own strength do you?"

Despite his humorous attitude, Kiranyan's eyes dance back and forth as he searches for anything that can pose threat to the party. More importantly, he has placed himself near the rope to protect those still climbing up the cliff.

"Don't go looking for trouble... it will find you," He chuckles to himself as he waits for the worst.


Kendervon
After seeing the signal from above. I hurry up the rope as fast as possible.

After reaching the top I whisper, ""What do you hear?"

I use my elven ears and listen for myself.


Kiranyan
I show a sigh of relief as Kendervon climbs over the edge.

"I'm not sure what it is," he replies to Kendervon's inquiry. "... but be on guard. I trust Sham's senses more then my own."

With that said, Kiranyan pokes his head over the edge and signals Farlont to climb with all haste.


Farlont
"Bah! Wait here you sissy, Caledon! I go to join the fight to come!"

I jump to grab the rope. I pull myself up the rope hand over hand, not using my legs at all, mind you. I pause on my upward climb, only hold the rope with my LEFT hand, and itch my nose with the RIGHT. I take my time, just to show that I can. I itch my nose with my middle finger and casually glance down at the last of our party. The thought crosses my mind that a luggie could hit him with no trouble. Then I shake my head, no, not worth the spit. I finish the climb and hurl myself over the edge.

"I smell something," I say quietly. "Smells like death. Over there." I gesture to a clump of woods just passed the elf-maiden.


Caledon
I ignore the comments of Farlont, and allow him to climb the rope. Once he finishes climbing the rope, I take my turn and climb the rope. I know that Farlont will be needing my services long before I will be needing his.

I say quietly "All I can smell is Farlont."

I draw my longsword and prepare my shield for battle.


Pheylan
Pheylan turns at Shameron's warning, but merely drops lower to the ground and continues to hold the rope steady for the remaining party members still at the base of the cliff. However, he does lean over the cliff and signal for quiet to the remaining members. Once Caledon has climbed to the top, Pheylan releases his hold on the rope and begins looking around on the ground. After a few moments of searching, he quietly moves a few steps to the left and picks up a fist-sized rock.

Turning to look at the party, Pheylan notices a few questioning glances and responds with a slight shrug of his shoulders before turning his attention back to the area indicated by Shameron.


Kendervon
With QuarterStaff in right hand I move away from the cliff`s edge. Moving slow and quiet away from the edge when my attention towards the woods.


Shaizan
"Oh yes, I forgot to enlighten you as to what I was thinking on that horrible climb up the cliff. If Vastair decided to cheat and try to influence the outcome of our little excursion, it might be worth considering the possibility that Chunnel will do the same. Only remember, Chunnel wants us to die."

I draw my sword and stand ready.


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