Part 1: On the road to Milborne

[Balgin Stondraeg]

As the group travels through the countryside they can see the influences of the city gradualy fading away as they head out into the rural countryside. The first three day's journey are uneventful. On the afternoon of the fourth it rains quite a bit.

[Balgin Stondraeg]

The fifth day is equaly dull but towards evening smoke can be seen rising from the woods to the left of the road up ahead. From the general direction of the smoke come the sounds of tools at work, axes hewing, hammers beating, and the distant voices of mens' merry banter as they go about their daily work. Clearly some woodsmen have a camp up ahead. Taking the time of day into consideration it's highly likely that they'll be settling down for their evening meal shortly and probably wouldn't mind the company.

I've started a player handouts thread with the map of Harranshire that Gordrenn gave you guys. The group are currently somewhere just off the western edge of the map by the lyrchwood (which seems to be comprised mostly of larch trees).

[Woojitsu]

Shen's face brightens again for the first time since the rain started yesterday.  "Looks like we may get a hot meal tonight.  Who knows?  Maybe they have a few spare beds as well."

[Squigface]

Yes, a hot meal would be nice indeed Godric says. For the rain has soaked his clothing and given him a slight cold and nasty chill that won't seem to go away.

[Rod the Worm]

Hasta nods glumly and continues to trudge along behind the others.  The novelty of being above ground has faded, and now the new experiences of rain and wind are unfamiliar, uncomfortable and undesired.  Old Olgerd Ironheart made adventuring sound exciting and romantic.  It was certainly neither thus far.

[PaulH]

Garrick will move out to side of the party.

"Back shortly - just going to have a quick look-see..."

Garrick will then attempt to move off quietly & unseen, using the failing light & whatever cover he can.

[Balgin Stondraeg]

Sneaking up ahead Garrick comes across a clearing in the woods (with a well worn path leading back to the road). Three men seem to be finishing up the day's work. It looks like they've been felling trees and splitting logs. Most of the logs have been loaded on a wagon to take somewhere but a few have been piled up beside a log cabbin (probably to fuel the fire who'se smoke drifts lazily up from the chimney). They're tidying various tools away and chatting about the day's work. Their banter seems a bit forced. It's as if they're all aware of something uncomfortable but none of them want to say it (and as if they are, in fact, intentionaly trying to keep their mind off the topic).

After a bit two head back into the hut and one walks to the edge of the clearing to relieve himself before joining them. They don't seem to have noticed Garrick, no knowing glances were scast his way, no whispered or coded messages. Perhaps they all picked up on his presence subconsciously but he suspects it was something else that's got them all stirred up. From what he could make out he hears that one is called Brud and another Kleggy. The younger one is named Aldred (he's the one who had to go and make water).

[Custom_Hobby]

Amras looks up at the clouds and shakes his head. "If I knew I would be spending most of my time soaked while traveling I would have stayed home. Let's hope Garrick finds a place with a roof to rest our heads." As he looks to his side he sees the dwarven knight smiling with his hand out as if catching the rain. "Sir Thorgrin what are you doing?"

"Ah my friend," Thorgrin put his hand on Mage Tasartir's shoulder "we do not get rain in our halls beneath the mountain so I am enjoying the experiences that great Moradin is putting in my path."

The chat for a few moments about their respective homelands as they stay with the group.

[Woojitsu]

Shen laughs, "I have never been fond of the rain myself, Amras.  I know it is considered strange by others of our kin, but I have always preferred city life. Eh, Corellon can look after us anywhere he wishes, right?"

[Balgin Stondraeg]

As the group approaches the camp Garrick rejoins them. At the sound of voices outside one of the woodsmen (Garrick recognises him as Brud) sticks his head out the door. Spying strangers he calls out "Kleggy, Aldred, we've got company."

The woodsmen step out of the cabbin to inspect the newcomers. Kleggy is a scrawny middle aged man, Brud seems boistrous and cheery, 'though currently on the defensive, and Aldred is a lanky youth with a pipe tucked into his belt. After looking you all over Kleggy takes the initiative. "Well you'd better come in," he says. "Aye," cuts in Brud, "there's bad folks about, robbers an' whot not. If you lot step inside we'll throw some more stuff in the stew and see about having a nice old get together eh?" Aldred touches his pipe absentmindedly.

"Oh come on in," entreats Kleggy, "it might rain or summat and we can't go leavin' you lot out in the cold now can we?"

[Rod the Worm]

Giving the woodsmen a rather dishevelled but grateful look, Hasta steps inside.
"Thank you sirs," she begins.  "I've had enough of rain to last me a lifetime."

[Chrysalis]

"Your generous offer is welcome!" Says Kharsis as he tries to find the tree that will offer the best shelter to his horse.

"Bad folks about did you say? It sounds like some good will just put you on our way then!"

[Squigface]

Aye, ye have my thanks aswell. now let us get inside before we catch a cold...

[Balgin Stondraeg]

Everyone bundles into the hut and it soon becomes very crowded. At Brud's insistence, Aldred produces his pipe, Brud gets out a small drum, and they begin to play a jolly tune whilst Kleggy huddles over the pot chopping up leeks and a few potatoes to add to the stew.

[Squigface]

Godric quickly get's inside and takes off his woolen travelling cloak heavy with rainwater. He sits down by the fire and listens to the music.