8 Peonu 720

[GM]

Time: Beginning 1st watch - Mid 2nd watch

About high Yael Jurri makes his way to the shelter to wake Kugald for his turn on watch. The temperature has increased some allowing Jurri to open his cloak.

Kugald rising from his slumber wakes to find the camp site as it should be, quiet and with the fire burning low in the centre of the camp. Finding a comfortable spot away from the fire Kugald watches over the camp as the warm night means that Kugald does not need the warmth of the fire to keep warm.

The wind has died down a breeze blowing from the south west and Yael is no longer visible in the night sky, hidden by dark ominous clouds. Within the first quarter of the watch a light rain begins to fall more a mist than anything else but in builds in intensity over the next quarter watch until it is a steady rain. With the rain building Kugald gathers his cloak from the warbands shelter and dons it over his shoulders drawing its cloak over his head. Kugald tries to keep the fire going and is sucessful mainly due to the fire being protected by the canopy of the trees above.

For the next quarter watch Kugald seeks the shelter of the trees to keep the rain off. The rain reduces visibility a little but more importantly it conceals the noises of the forest from Kugald's ears. Judging his watch over he returns to the warbands shelter and wakes Algared for his turn on watch.

Algared raises his head and casts an eye outside and immediately notices the inclimate weather, "Typical" Algared whispers more to himself than anyone else but his comments brings a small smile to Kugald's face as he dries off as best he can and climbs back into his sleeping gear and once again finds warmth and comfort as he drifts off to sleep.

Algared finds a place to watch over the camp and keep himself out of the worst of the weather.

The rain continues for over half a watch before it fades to a drizzle and then stops except for the continual drops from the foilage of the trees above.

Algared finds the footing underneath him now more soft and muddy as the rain has turned the ground into a slight mud. With rain now ceasing the wind has shifted to the north west and has picked up into an extremely strong wind that howls through the trees dropping the temperature of the surrounding area. With Algared wet and despite his cloak the wind sends chills through him as he finds a place near the fire to keep warm and places a few extra pieces of fire wood on to build the flame after the rain.

With the rain now gone it is not long before the first rays of light penetrates the darkness to the east. Over the next quarter watch or so the light increases until there is enough light for Algared to wake his companions and prepare for the new day.

The warband quickly rise and pack up their belongings, wash the sleep from their faces and go about their own morning routines so that by mid 2nd watch the warband are ready for the coming day....

[Kugald Daas]

"Right! Let's do this." Kugald loads up all his gear, making a point of taking the axes that Algared looted.

The group (less anyone going foraging) heads for the tree. When they arrive, Kugald carefully stows his gear safely under a tree, out of harm's way and out of the rain (should it fall). He repeats the instructions he gave to Jurri about running at the first sign the tree is falling. Once he is ready, he takes the first shift chopping at the side of the tree away from the river, a bit above the relief cut on the riverside.

Chop, chop, chop....

TTYL

- Kerry

[Barak Daas]

Barak follows Kugald to the tree, ready to take his turn.

[Algared]

Algared follows to see where the the tree is then looks for a suitable place to fish that is safe from any tree fall. Algared will spend the morning fishing, if he is fortunate to catch a few sizable fish he will return earlier.

[Borygg Raal]

Borygg joins the chopping party.

[Jurri Grebel]

Jurri will take his turn at the tree. Whenever it is his turn to rest, he will move a little north along the river bank (still in sight and voice distance, though) and practice the Yarili songs Neirin taught him.

[GM]

Time: Mid 2nd watch - End 2nd watch

The rain has since stopped but the ground remains muddy and slippery underfoot, the wind continues to blow fiercely from the north west, the day looks to free from rain but the temperature looks to drop further later in the day while the wind will probably remain strong.

The warband heads downstream for several hundred yards when they come upon the tree Kugald has selected for felling. The warriors set up an area where two can rest while another two can attack the tree, while Algared sets up further upstream and begins to fish. The work seems to progress well as first Jurri and Kugald set against the tree with hand axes, while Barak and Borygg sharpen their blades in preparation for their turn.

With two fresh men ready for action and Kugald and Jurri still aching from the days work yesterday they quickly hand over the tree felling to Barak and Borygg. With axes in hand the two men set to chopping the tree with a new vigour.

With Barak, Borygg and Algared tied up with their activities and Jurri off practicing his Yarili song it is Kugald looking up between strokes of his whetstone, who spots a lone figure approaching, he is dressed in woollen tunic and leather leggings, he carries a spear in one hand and a bow in the other, a quiver of arrows hangs from his right hip and a sword still sheathed hangs from his left hip, a backpack is slung over his left shoulder.

It is clear to Jurri that this man has seen your warband as he approaches slowly....

[Jurri Grebel]

If Jurri sees the stranger, he will raise his open hand in greeting. He'll glance towards the others to see if they've noticed as well.

it is Kugald looking up between strokes of his whetstone, who spots a lone figure approaching

Post by GM Kugald is the first to notice the stranger approach

It is clear to Jurri that this man has seen your warband as he approaches slowly....

Should this say "Kugald" instead of "Jurri"?

[Kugald Daas]

Kugald stands up and waves when he sees the man. The weaponcrafter is dressed in just his tunic and leggings. His weapons and armor are stacked while he works on the tree. He has only his dagger on his belt. He slips his hand axe into his belt and goes to join Jurri and determine who this man is. Kugald is careful not to make any threatening gestures.

He lets Jurri (the better talker) make the first move.

TTYL

- Kerry

[GM]

With Kugalds call the rest of the warband stop what they are doing and turn in the direction of Kugald, Jurri, Barak and Borygg can see the stranger approaching, while Algared is unable to see what is going on as the trees obscure his vision of the approaching man. The stranger continues to approach he is wearing a light green woollen tunic with natural leather leggings. As Kugald waves the man waves back and returns a smile in greeting, the man is about 20 yards away when he calls "Well met, strangers! Can I ask what you are doing with the Valhakar's timber?"

[Barak Daas]

As the man speaks, Barak stops his labours and looks him over. 'That is a hunter if ever I saw one' he thinks to himself. Barak goes to put down his axe with the rest of the gear; and then brushes the wood chips from his tunic as makes his way over to stand a couple of metres behind Kugald.

[Jurri Grebel]

As Kugald waves the man waves back and returns a smile in greeting, the man is about 20 yards away when he calls "Well met, strangers! Can I ask what you are doing with the Valhakar's timber?"

Jurri smiles broadly. "Well met!" Gesturing at the river, he adds, "With any luck, we are building a bridge. It is difficult work."

[GM]

The man now wary that he is at a distinct disadvantage keeps his distance. "Who are you and who told you, you could build a bridge here?" the man asks his arm waving towards the river where the tree is intended to land.

[Jurri Grebel]

Jurri touches his chest, "I am Jurri the Red. This is Kugald Petrsson, Barak the Quick, and Borygg Longfingers. (ooc: if Algared is plainly visible, he will also be introduced as 'Algared Skorrisson', but not if his presence is possibly still unknown.) "As for who told us to build a bridge, I suppose in truth, no man. We heard a tree fall during a storm, and as there appear to be wolves about, decided it was safer to cross to the other side. So, if you like, you could say Lynraal gave us the idea." (Jurri carefully watches the man's reaction to his invoking one of the Elkyri.)

"So, you now know who we are and what we are doing. Come, tell us your name and why you are here. This is hard work, as you can see, so we would gladly pause for a while to have conversation and good company."

(ooc: Actually, so far as Rhetoric is concerned, Jurri's not the best 'talker' in the group. He can definitely sing and tells excellent stories, but fast talk is not his strength. One thing he can do, however, is distract...)

Post by GM Algared is some 30-40 yards upstream and probably about 50 or 60 yards away from the stranger. It is unlikely that the stranger could see Algared but you cannot be certain what the stranger can or cannot see

[Barak Daas]

Barak grows bored with the conversation and ambles aimless to the river bank, then follows it down stream for sixty feet, before turning away and heading away from the bank fifteen feet or so to stare at a squirrel half way up a tree trunk.

[Algared]

Algared carefully pulls in his fishing line when Kugald calls out drawing atention to the fact that someone was approaching their position. Algared turns gathers his spear and shield and kneels with his shield infront of him and faces the direction of the stranger's voice. He will remain still and quiet endeavouring to not draw attention to himself, if he is visable and introduced by Jurri he'll raise a hand touch his forlock in greeting.

[Borygg Raal]

Borygg pauses in his chopping and takes this opportunity to wipe his brow and pick up his water skin and take a drink.

[Jurri Grebel]

If in doubt, Jurri does nothing to betray Algared's presence. If the stranger asks about him, he'll respond matter-of-factly ("Ah, back so soon?" And lastly, this is..."). Otherwise, no sense revealing him, in case we need an element of surprise.

For the most part, what Jurri is doing is making use of his voice and hand motions (he's a performer, after all) to draw the man's attention to himself. If anyone else is doing something sly, Jurri will hopefully provide a distraction.

[GM]

The strangers plunges his spear point into the ground as his right hand moves towards his right hip where it comes to rest on his quiver of arrows.

"Four of you building a bridge out here" he says more to himself than anyone in particular "Elkyrie or no, I don't think it right."

Noticing Barak begin to move towards the stream the stranger grabs his spear, turns and heads off into the forest at a run.

[Borygg Raal]

Seeing the man take off, Borygg will give chase (MOV=17). Having been chopping the tree, he is not wearing any of his armour or gear but has the axe in his hand. He will attempt to tackle the guy (unarmed=64) if he can. He has no skill with fighting with an axe but could wield it as a club if necessary.

[Jurri Grebel]

Neil, what's his range from Jurri at the earliest point in time where Jurri could make a missile attack?

Post by GM What do you plan on throwing at him?

Most likely, the horseshoe. However, until I have an idea how far away he is, I don't know if that's feasible. Since we were having a conversation, I'm assuming he started off reasonably close.

Post by GM He is about 20 yards from Kugald and Borygg, putting him about 20-30 yards away from Jurri as he was further to the west around Algareds position but you were moving towards the stranger as you were speaking and thus closing the distance, Barak was moving behind Kugald before veering off towards the river and so is just over 20 yards or so from the stranger when he takes flight.

[Kugald Daas]

As soon as the man turns, Kugald starts to sprint after him (Mov 13). He is not wearing any armour. If he gets within reach of the man, he will attempt to tackle him (unarmed ML68). If he turns to fight, Kugald will draw his hand axe (ML 51) in his right hand and his dagger (ML 75) in his left hand.

TTYL

- Kerry

[Algared]

Algared rises and moves at a run to close with the man, seeking to block his line of retreat.

Post by GM You are further to the west along the river bank and some 50-60 yards from the stranger and about 40 yards from the rest of the warband

If Algared can see that he is not in a position to cut off the mans retreat, and knowing that he is isn't the quickest, he wont run after the man but will move towards the bags and gear, giving the tree a wide bearth.

[Barak Daas]

"Drat" thinks Barak "I hoped to get more behind him before he ran for it."

Barak turns and gives chase too. He has already put his axe with the rest of his gear so he is unencumbered. He will happily justify why he is called "Barak the Quick", quickly overhauling Kulgald, and slowly overtaking Borygg. When he catches up with the runner, he intents to give him a hefty shove to push him off balance and on to the ground. Aware that this man might not be alone he draws his hunting knife with his left hand. Chasing through the forested hills is what Barak lives for, though it is more often deer rather than men that are his prey...

[GM]

The warband are taken by surprise when the stranger takes to his heels and flees. Quickly the warriors of the warband gather themselves and set off in pursuit. The stranger with a head start has disappeared into the trees as Barak, Borygg and Kugald set off in pursuit.

Algared realising that he is in no position to intercept the stranger gathers his fishing line in (without success), gathers together the rest of his belongins and moves near where Kugald was positioned while sharpening his axe head and wait.

Kugald is quickly overtaken and left behind by Borygg as he pursues the stranger. It is long after that Barak leaps past Kugald overtaking him and closing the distance quickly with Borygg. Only fleeting glimpses of the stranger through the trees give any indication of the direction in which he is going. Any noise of his escape is concealed by the solid footsteps each of you take as you pound ahead in pursuit of your quarry.

Barak now leads the pursuit ahead of Borygg as Kugald trails off behind his companions. He is left in their wake and soon Kugald looses sight of both of them as they chase down this stranger. Both Barak and Borygg seem to be gaining on the man but slowly. The warriors have pursued for about three hundred yards into the forest and still the stranger seems about forty yards or so in front after his head start.

It would appear that Barak and Borygg are closing the distance slowly but in doing so they are also increasing their distance between them and their camp. The pursuit has gone on for about 30 seconds and (barring any trips/falls or other misadventure) the first of you might be able to reach the stranger in another minute or so. Do you continue to pursue?

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