(011) The Expedition North

[waysoftheearth]

tombowings wrote:
"I think I found something out about these little earthen creatures: they replace one another," says Flewellen. "Think of that."

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

Dieter, Mads and Thorgrim press their way through the thicket toward the overgrown trial upon which they travelled and locate something of an semi-enclosed clearing at the edge of the copse. The site is both as far as it can be from the infernal bog, and sheltered from general traffic by the gnarled trees. It is as likely a spot as any, so in the frosty grey morning they take turns to dig with the single shovel.

Despite the chill on the air, the three companions soon build a sweat upon their muddy labour, and within the hour have dug a simple, yet sufficient grave in which to lay the body of Taines.

Meanwhile the remainder of the company finish breaking the simple camp, and prepare Taines for burial. He will go back to the Earth in his hide armour, for none care to peel that carapace from his battered body.

"Wrap him in his blanket to keep him warm on his journey to the afterworld and bury him with his axe and shield he'll want them with him." says Olaf as he takes the possessions he mentioned to where the fallen hero is laid out adding with a sigh, "The rest, I suppose we take with us."

"Drink a toast to brave Taines when we get to a tavern." Olaf says, "I know I will, for without his bravery in the face of that monster I would have surely died."

The young warrior looks around at the rest of the party and says soberly, "As would many more of you."

"For now, a moment of silence as we lay the body of brave Taines to his rest is all we have to offer."

Now, I think we move on...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The ceremony is simple and brief, and then the cold mud and hoarfrost is slung into the bleak grave over the top of Taines. Thus is the end of many a would-be adventurer -- an unmarked, shallow grave in the blighted wilderness...

That done, the remainder of Taines' goods are packed upon the cart, and the company moves on.

Ulric assumes charge of Taines' purse as a fund for the the two mercenaries, who happily accept 1 gold crown and 2 silver shillings apiece for their continued service this day.

Once paid, Fix and Boris are both of a merry disposition as the march commences. They reinvent the story of the previous night's ambush a dozen times for the benefit of Thorgrim, who listens on dutifully as the tale, and the mercenaries' role in it, grow ever more exaggerated.

Ulric consults the map and declares that the company might reach a sturdy bridge, mayhap of stonework, by nightfall if they make good time, and so ye set out once more...

(Any special marching orders for this chill day?)

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Anwyn and Olaf keep a lookout ahead, and Padrig and Mads keep an eye on the rear while the rest of the company trudges along as a central column.

Unfortunately, circumstance conspires to make the going anything but good. The rutted track that was following along the watercourse is soon completely overgrowth, and the earth beneath the tall grasses seems alternately rocky, then boggy. Hauling the cart along is difficult and time consuming work.

The blotchy cloud cover rolls overhead, pushed on by a gusty north westerly wind, and occasionally delivers a light shower of chill rain that keeps your faces ruddy with the cold despite the heavy work.

(1d6)

There is no sign of any other travellers or other folk, and even the sharp eyed Olaf and Anwyn spot just a few hares as they scamper off into the sedges, and a few wary waterfoul. Distant birds circling high overhead are your only other company.

In all it is tough going over unfair ground and the noon break can't come soon enough. When it does at last, you find yourself atop a gentle hillock capped by an outcrop of heavily weathered boulders, which at least provide shelter from the wind.

You drop to your haunches and break out your pack rations to chew on a meal of hard tack and dried fruit as you cool your heals for a few minutes.

"Top morning for a march," ventures Boris, trying to stir some conversation as he eats.

"Indeed," mutters Ulric absently, once more consulting the map.

Victor merely eyes Boris accusingly, spits, then gets back to chewing upon his tack.


Meanwhile, Olaf hops atop the highest boulder and surveys the land around.

Looking west, it is plain to see that the river has grown wider, but hardly looks much deeper. Judging by the manner in which foam babbles over rocks, you could soon find a ford if you desired.

East, the rolling grasslands stretch out half way to the horizon to a distant sandy strip -- the north-east road -- and then ever further beyond to a dark green smudge on the horizon -- which mayhap be the shadow of Wild Wood, a place where fell shadows and great spiders are said to dwell.

South is the way back to Ket, from whence you have just come.

North, the river winds a passage through grassy hills and rocky bluffs. It seems, if anything the land descends ahead of you in that direction.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

Meanwhile, Olaf hops atop the highest boulder and surveys the land around.

Olaf makes note of what he sees then comes back down to the party and relays what he has surveyed."

Looking west, it is plain to see that the river has grown wider, but hardly looks much deeper. Judging by the manner in which foam babbles over rocks, you could soon find a ford if you desired.

East, the rolling grasslands stretch out half way to the horizon to a distant sandy strip -- the north-east road -- and then ever further beyond to a dark green smudge on the horizon -- which mayhap be the shadow of Wild Wood, a place where fell shadows and great spiders are said to dwell.

South is the way back to Ket, from whence you have just come.

North, the river winds a passage through grassy hills and rocky bluffs. It seems, if anything the land descends ahead of you in that direction.

"It seems to me," says Olaf, "That we should try to cross the river at a ford, or move off to the east toward the grasslands and the road."

"There might be ruins of old keeps and such along the road to the northeast, and according to the map doesn't it eventually lead to ruins of a large town or city?" he asks then adds, "I suspect more treasure will be found in ruins than in this bloody swampy tangle that we've been trudging through this morn!"

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Fording the stream is something you can tackle more or less immediately from where you are, and doing so will allow you to continue heading more or less north, toward the bridge on the map.

Striking out east will likely take most of the afternoon to reach the road itself, which then heads north-east for many a mile, working its way toward, and then through the Wild Wood.

[waysoftheearth]

makofan wrote:
Caine agrees with Olaf's thinking

[waysoftheearth]

tombowings wrote:
As does Flewellen.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
Olaf looks around and sees Caine and Flewellen nodding.

"So, do we cross the river along here and head north toward the bridge on the map, or do we strike out to the east and try to make the road by nightfall?" Olaf asks.

[waysoftheearth]

coffee wrote:
"Sure!" says Dieter. "It's as good a way as any to meet our doom!" And then he chuckles in his morbid German humor.