(011) The Expedition North

[waysoftheearth]

verhaden wrote:
Mads the Fair

Mads raises an eyebrow. "I doubt the former, not the latter. What brings you out this way?" Casting an aside glance, he says "Not one of your friends, is he, Gustave?"

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

Michele.

Despite the failing light, you spy a thin waif of smoke from a campfire rising from within the thicket. Plainly, the company is ensconced within...

"Hail, fellow travelers!"

A massive, marginally well-dressed stranger appears at the edge of camp. By way of greeting, he hoists a pair of plump, juicy rabbits. Uninvited, but flashing a winning smile, he moves within bowshot.

"More meat than I can eat myself, if you'll let me share your cook fire? The name's Michele deGrasse, treasure hunter."

"Come on in, traveler." Olaf calls to the tall man, "If you share your rabbit we'll share our mushrooms."

"Say?" Olaf looks around, "Does anyone have a stew pot? A stew of rabbit, mushrooms and pumpkin would sure hit the spot!"

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:

Mads raises an eyebrow. "I doubt the former, not the latter. What brings you out this way?"

It takes him a moment, but Michele chuckles as he gets the joke.

"Well played my new friend! Well played!"

"As for me and my motivations, I seek treasure, the hearty companionship of brothers-in-arms, and most of all a name for myself. I know not if you are aware, but your party has developed quite a reputation in these parts as men of action and fortitude. "

(If there are no objections, Michele will dine with the party and offer to do his part on the night watch.)

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
"Well I for one welcome the owner of any hands bearing tasty morsels", pipes Gustave. "I fear they may have to be smoked, however", he notes, regarding the struggling fire, and prodding it with a blackened stick.
"Still, a smoked bunny is better than a raw mushroom, I always say", he concludes with a cheesy grin.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Michele seems a well natured Man, despite the huge crossbow upon his back, and after a quick exchange of greetings is soon happily involved in the affair of skinning, gutting and cooking the rabbit.

None thought to bring proper cookware as Gustave feared, so daggers and hand axes are used to cut and chop the meat and vegetables upon the back of a wooden shield, while Victor's dented old helm is the most "pot like" object to hand. He reluctantly gives it up for a stew pot, though most likely the stew will have to be cooked in two or three separate batches.

Olaf unhitches the mule from the cart and sees that the stout little beast gets feed and water and a decent rub down, while the food preparation is overseen by Taines (the Dwarf makes hearty claims to be something of a gourmet). He skins, seeds and cuts up the pumpkin efficiently, while Flewellen quarters the mushrooms, and adds a little salt and a few springs of herbs he picked up while gathering.

Gustave maintains the fire which is burning through the light twigs and brambles very hastily once they get properly dry. Dieter, Padrig and Anwyn head in separate directions off with the last of the day's light in search of some larger firewood, and by the time they return with some arm-thick limbs of wet wood, the light is fully faded and the rabbit, pumpkin and mushroom stew is smelling extremely hearty indeed!

A pair of lanterns are lit, and the wet wood is quickly chopped into foot long lengths by Dieter's mighty axe arm, and set to dry over the fire, and at last the delicious smelling stew is inelegantly poured into the small wood and clay cups that each of you has in your supplies. It makes your dried trail bread taste a hundred fold better, and everyone is well pleased with their dinner, and especially Michele's contribution, except Victor who eats in broody silence, lamenting his ruined helm.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Dusk is very nearly spent by the time the party has eaten.

Padrig sees that the trees are too low and mean to be perched in overnight. Most are not twice the height of a Man, and few trunks are thicker than his thigh.

Who will take the dusk, night, and dawn watches?

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Anwyn pipes up with "I will take the night watch, for my eyes are sharpest for the darkest dark of night... who will keep me company?"

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
Eager to impress his new friends, Michele volunteers for first watch, his mighty crossbow locked and loaded in case of trouble.

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
"zzzzzzzzzz", says Gustave, already dossed in his rather upmarket (and very cosy) looking bedroll.

[waysoftheearth]

coffee wrote:
"I'll take the dusk watch," Dieter says. "That way, barring intruders, I can sleep straight through."