(069) Pilgrims & Practicalities

[doctorx]

"As I understand it he lives, but is prisoner in one of the Alcazar fortresses, my friend," Josiane replies, pausing only to give Dorgan a brief hug; "They lie beyond the ring. We prepare for an expedition to attempt a rescue forthwith."

"You must set out for the Southwatch as swiftly as you may," she continues; "I have sent my owl ahead with a message telling them of your need. Watch the skies for hippogriff riders - I have asked them to seek you out."

She presses her share of the precious necklace into Dorgan's hands.

"Take this. It should help meet any payment they may require for their aid."
She looks at her Dwarf friend earnestly.

"On no account follow us through the Ring until you are cured. Time passes more swiftly there. To do so will only speed the poison's evil work and my magic will count for naught. Heal yourself first, please."

"And have an eye to the infirmary," she continues eagerly; "You recall the Guore leaf we found? See if there is any such to be found there. If all else fails, I believe a slumber induced by such a drug will impede the poison's progress. Better the sleep of the leaf than the sleep of death."

She turns her attention to the others.

"Gentlemen - and lady," she adds with a bow of her head and a small smile to Ashtad; "We must make decisions. As I see it we must assign our forces three-fold - the main party to relieve our companions trapped beyond the ring and to make an assault upon Alcazar, a second party to accompany Dorgan to the Southwatch, a third force to remain here and guard the pilgrims. Who shall stand where? Make haste; we have delayed long enough."

She has that worryingly purposeful look about her again...

[ehiker133]

"Here," Desmond hands his portion of the jewelry over to Dorgan as well. "We need more food. Oh, and mirrors, apparently. See if you can get some more mirrors!"

Desmond moves to stand by Josiane, indicating his desire to travel through the ring and look for his friend, The Gustave.

[mushgnome]

Highbough approves of Desmond/Mondes' intention to join Team Ring. "Excellent, we may have need of a burglar on the other side. Wen and I have memorized spells of scrying and detection, and Maester Ulric has possession of the Speculem, which I am cautiously optimistic will give a more definitive reading when used on the other side of the Ring. Wen will cast Detect Magic on the ancient battlefield in search of weapons, and I will use Sixth Sense to scan the minds of our enemy. I do hope our stranded man-folk Otter, Deelaf, and what's-his-name haven't aged too terribly because of the time difference. It would be such a shame were they to grow senile and become a burden to the party."

Stealth, scrying, detection, intelligence-gathering... then strike with surgical precision!

[mgtremaine]

Wen listens to the tale with a smile on his face. "Ogres are always ready to leave, nothing to be done about it. I doubt anyone else would be so foolish as to eat the remains of an Ogre's stew."

[ehiker133]

"Dhren, you should accompany Dorgan, for these elves know you well. Dorgan, if he leaves the silver bowl for us to use, could you trade with my part of that jewelry for supplies plus enough in coin to repay Dhren for use of the bowl?"

Desmond casts a wary eye at the ever-aging elf.

"Hopefully you can remember those spells better than the names of your friends! Let's make haste. If time passes there as you say, then we've already wasted too much of it."

[sully]

Dorgan nods and gives a awkward short bow to Josiane.

I'll make it just like ya said, Miss. And I'll get yer stuff, too, Des. You worry 'bout bringing Gustave back here for a beer and a smoke. Dhren, get a good night's rest. We leave on the morrow's earliest light.

[waysoftheearth]

"Very well," replies Hiridhren, "I shall be your guide, Master Dwarf, for I am eager to return to the Wold!"

So as I understand it the company will now be thrice split:

A. Dorgan and Hiridhren will, on the morrow, return as swiftly as they may to Southwatch seeking a cure for Dorgan and fresh supplies.

B. The main company (comprising Desmond, Highbough, Josiane, Wen, Armando, Helmut, Ashtad, and Morgan) will return to the Ring in the hope of joining Dieter, Olaf, and Torben with all haste.

C. Based on his recent NPC-status, and also his stern command over the Pilgrims, Ulric would appear to be the ideal person to remain behind.

(Bearing in mind that Ulric is not one to be trifled with...)

If this is indeed the plan, I shall make it so!

[Condorcet]

"I am ready to depart to wherever this 'ring' takes us on your command, my Lady", says Helmut with a nod (which seems to be his most elaborate gesture).

"Fear not, dwarf", he says quietly to Dorgan, "I will guard her ere your return. May Thuul protect you."

make it so

[ehiker133]

Yessir! Let's do this!

[flightcommander]

"Matilda!" shouts Armando. "My platter, please!"