(015) Near Saxxon's Gatehouse

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 1:47 am

eris wrote:
Olaf says between grunts as he pushes the cart along, "Highbough is stronger than you think Andaros."

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:25 am

tombowings wrote:
"I hope our injuries do not worsen on this hike," begins Pelenwin, still groggy and concerned for his physical well-being , "or nothing peruses us to out rest."

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:34 am

coffee wrote:
"Anything that wants to pursue us has plenty of dead men to eat on the other side of the ridge," Dieter says. "Plus quite a bit of mule. I think we should be safe.

"From animals, anyway," he adds grimly, looking around quickly before dropping his head and continuing to pull the wagon.

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:35 am

waysoftheearth wrote:
There are many eager hands to help push the cart along, which is fortune for it is by no means light work -- loaded as it is with loot.

Dieter (strength 17) alone does the work of three Men, and Mads, Olaf, Andaros, Pelenwin and Highbough all contribute their stout arms.

"Ah, it's nice to watch some good hard work gettin' done, eh?" observes Boris happily, nudging Wibert as they stride along relatively freely. Neither could get near enough to the cart to help if they wanted to!

Before long Desmond is met, and he explains his find to the company, and in 20 minutes more the cart has been hauled up to the steep side of the rocky face. It appears to be a moderately daunting climb for a lone Man, up some 40 or 50 feet of rocks which are nearly sheer toward the top.

Ulric scratches his chin as he gazes up the precipice, wondering how in Baal's Furious Hole they will get the cart up that?

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:21 pm

danhem wrote:
"Well we're not climbing that," Ulric says simply. "But low ground might be better. Let's see if there is a good cave, overhang, or at least a number of large boulders in which we can make our camp. That way we can stay dry and conceal a fire for the night. But let's not split up into groups smaller than three and don't wander out of shouting range."

Ulric begins to scout for a good site moving up the left side of the rocky cliff.

OOC: How long is this rocky face?

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 9:42 am

waysoftheearth wrote:
With an hour of light left in this cold, weary day, the company begins scouting along the rock face. Ulric estimates that it is perhaps 60 or 70 yards long, and steep all along this side. But as Desmond insists, the slope is much shallower on the other side of the ridge...

"Why didn't you tell us that before we dragged this infernal pile of scrap all the way up here!" snorts Victor, and spits.

Meanwhile, Olaf and Highbough (with the best eyes) trot ahead of the group to the farthest end of the ridge to see whether the cart could be hauled over it where the slope is less rocky. It looks like it might be plausible... with due strength and determination.

"It has better be worth the effort though," observes Highbough (wis 15).

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 9:44 am

waysoftheearth wrote:
Meanwhile the others have scanned the rock-face most of the way along and not found anything resembling a decent shelter.

"I tell you," pipes Desmond, "All the good nooks are on the other side!"

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 10:03 am

waysoftheearth wrote:
Meanwhile...

Gustave & Copernicus

Gustave happily accompanies Copernicus back to his humble "hut", which is further away than Gustave would have ideally liked, but turns out to be rather well appointed considering how far from town it is, and that the dear old codger is merely a grounds keeper.

Copernicus offers Gustave the best, fireside armchair and cracks open a wine keg. Gustave pours fills two generous goblets graciously and samples the fruit of the old fellow's cask while the care-taker gets a nice fire going and then pulls up another chair. The wine is of a surprisingly pleasant quality, truth to be told...

Once the fire is warming them, the two Men settle down to some hearty tales and laughter as the work their way through a goblet or three. The old man must be an avid reader, Gustave notes blearily, for he has quite a few books lying about, but he has a hard time focusing on any of the titles... instead finding himself yabbering happily to Copernicus, telling him all about the members of the company, those which he likes better or worse, and those with a stronger or weaker arm, and whereabouts they were when he left them. The old fellow really is quite a good listener.

At last Gustave is spent talking, and realises he is weary to the bone, for soon he finds himself falling asleep...

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 10:12 pm

eris wrote:

waysoftheearth wrote:With an hour of light left in this cold, weary day, the company begins scouting along the rock face. Ulric estimates that it is perhaps 60 or 70 yards long, and steep all along this side. But as Desmond insists, the slope is much shallower on the other side of the ridge...

"Why didn't you tell us that before we dragged this infernal pile of scrap all the way up here!" snorts Victor, and spits.

Meanwhile, Olaf and Highbough (with the best eyes) trot ahead of the group to the farthest end of the ridge to see whether the cart could be hauled over it where the slope is less rocky. It looks like it might be plausible... with due strength and determination.

"It has better be worth the effort though," observes Highbough (wis 15).

Olaf nods then turns to trots back to the others, "I'll tell them it looks like this is the best place to do it."

Returning the group, Olaf says, "The slope is less rocky up ahead. We should be able to get the cart over the ridge if we work at it."

"It better be worth it." Olaf says to Desmond.

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:17 pm

heartless wrote:
Wibert urging Boris and Desmond says, "Lets get some wood for the fire while standing guard for this lot, they will need a good meal after this, carting!" smiles the Halfling.