(055) Wildwood/The Ivory Wold

[doctorx]

With the secrets of the crystal ball unlocked, Ulric probes it's depths seeking to gain a view of Ket and the Sisters of Mercy.

Josiane watches on anxiously, ready to assist the sorcerer in any way she can.

[Tonneau]

Gustave, being more a close-and-personal type of guy (with sword or...otherwise), forgoes antics with bows and arrows and goes searching for fair maidens instead.

[waysoftheearth]

The Elves giggle at Olaf's jest, but then a second round of "Ooohs!" are forthcoming as Torben produces The Hand of Naat.

The quartermaster inspects the elbow length, green/black glove upon Torben's arm for a moment before declaring "'Tis a worthy wager, it seems. We have a contest!"

The Elves cheer at this, and again as the wine arrives along with half a dozen more elves attracted to the unfolding spectacle.

"A standing wand shoot it shall be," declares the Quartermaster, now with a glimmer of eagerness tugging the edges of his normally grim face. "Master Torben may shoot first or second, as it pleases him. The range shall be 60 yards; the wands shall be 4ft tall and 4 inches wide. A hit will score four, and any arrow within four paces will score one. Each contestant shall loose two dozen shafts at their leisure!"

Several of the elves set about pacing out a 60 yard range, perpendicular to the practice range, setting three white stakes (wands) in the ground approximately a dozen yards apart, and demarking the target areas around them.

Meanwhile, the Quartermaster provides a selection of bows and arrows for the contest. Gwínir gives over his mail shirt to the quartermaster's stewardship before looking over a few of the pro-offered bows indifferently, stringing and testing several of them for flex, and selecting a quiver of arrows, checking that each looks true.

"May the fairer shot win!" declares Gwínir, clapping Torben on the should with an Elvish grin. "Would you shoot first or second?"

[verhaden]

Torben

'It is agreed, then.' Torben hastily removes the glove and wipes down his arm and hands.

'Fairer? I like the sound of that.' he says smiling. He too will inspect the bows and proffered arrows for quality. He turns to Gwínir and speaks: 'The people of the Wold have been kind to us in our time of need. You may shoot first.'

He will study the wind, the range, and the trajectory of his opponent's arrows as the proceedings commence.

[waysoftheearth]

The Barracks (Ulric and Josiane)

With the secrets of the crystal ball unlocked, Ulric probes it's depths seeking to gain a view of Ket and the Sisters of Mercy.

While everyone else is off attending to the serious matter of preparing supplies, Ulric and Josiane have worked tirelessly to solved to mysteries of the crystal ball... and now their efforts are beginning to pay off.

Ulric guides the enchanted lens with his mind as he moves his long-nailed, sorcerer's hands here and there over the spherical surface to coax it to obedience... and gradually the mists within the orb begin to curl and twist and to clear away from a conjured vision of a far away place... it is Ket!

The pair marvel at the manner in which their scrying eye glides effortless through the streets, moving swiftly from place to place, as nimbly as any mouse or sparrow! The street corners which Ulric is personally familiar with appear with crystal clarity, those he knows only passingly are less distinct.

Within a few minutes they begin to form a quite vivid impression; the town appears to be under martial law. There are many snorks about as well as hobgoblin soldiery and wargs in the street. There are fewer men about, and these seem to scurry from place to place, attracting minimal attention to themselves. Many of the buildings around town appear to have suffered some degree of damage-a few have been burned or completely razed.

There can also be glimped--standing at a blurry street corner--one of the so-called Gholums. A 9 or 10ft tall, metal, humanoid bulk that seems quite inanimate...for now.

[waysoftheearth]

The West Gantries
(Gustave)

Having bathed and primped and dressed in fresh attire, Gustave is feeling particularly magnificent, and such is his confidence that he goes in search of the lovely, autumn haired, Lólwen...

...eventually--asking after her whereabouts, and pursuing a number of diversions--he ascertains that she is on watch duty this morning and is to be found somewhere among the west-gantries.

So it is that Gustave climbs the numerous ladders and stairs and positions himself, leisurely, with a full wineskin, upon a narrow bench of living branches on a tree-top platform at least 50ft in the air. The view over the forest is rather inspirational, he has to admit, and is certainly not diminished by any measure when Lólwen comes walking across a gantry toward him, bearing arms but no less lovely for this, with a wary look set upon her face...

[Tonneau]

"Ah...My Lady", says Gustave in , standing to deliver a courtly nod and a genuine grin "my morning has just become several shades brighter."

"Would you join me for a moment, perhaps, and tell me more of the wold?" he enquires, indicating the seat with a sweep of his hand, "The morning is fair, and the forest...a bouquet of life!"

"Actually, I confess, that I had hoped we might share a glass of this fine Elven brew...but I see you are at arms?"

[danhem]

Ulric looks on the scene in Ket in wonder and anger.

"It would appear that the hobgoblins have the city well under control," Ulric says to Josiane grimly. "With those golems under their control, I would say that they have some powerful sorcerers with them as well."

Ulric studies the scene some more.

"I think that the image is more clear when one has been to the location you wish to see. Josiane, can you guide us to the Cloiser of the Sisters of Mercy?"

[Olroda]

"What have you to wager against it?"

"Hang on now, I'm in as well!" says Beringar after some consideration. "I couldn't possibly match such a treasure... But I feel confident enough the wager my good axe, if that is acceptable."
Giving his beard a thorough scratch, he continues: "It's an honest tool which has seen much use, but it is still as sharp as when it was made. I've seen to that."

[doctorx]

Ulric looks on the scene in Ket in wonder and anger.

"It would appear that the hobgoblins have the city well under control," Ulric says to Josiane grimly. "With those golems under their control, I would say that they have some powerful sorcerers with them as well."

Ulric studies the scene some more.

"I think that the image is more clear when one has been to the location you wish to see. Josiane, can you guide us to the Cloiser of the Sisters of Mercy?"

"I shall do my best, my friend."

Josiane lays her hands on the crystal and concentrates on the Sisters' Cloister...