Clay Day, Disorder Week, Sea Season, 1616

[BackworldTraveller]

The rain has stopped.

The camp is rising

The sun will come up shortly - whether that is to a blue or grey sky is to been seen

[kwll]

Jargian wakes up, gathers his things and prepares for another long day. He goes out to check if a gathered breakfast is being organised.

[BackworldTraveller]

The camp is rising and building up the fire to get breakfast cooked.

As the sun rises, far to the west, can be seen a huge herd of wild animals of all types just cresting the horizon and moving in the direction of the camp. It might arrive by nightfall.

As a consequence of this sighting, the camp busies.

We want to be away from the pools before that lot turn up. They will bring predators and their trampling will flatten our camp say the clan members. They are nearly a week early this year. But they will cover the tracks of your small herd. Make sure you keep well clear or you'll spend forever trying to disentangle your Sable.

Even as you sit and eat the camp is being struck around you.

We will move due south to the White Rock Falls and wait a week. If you need aid, find us there.

As you are packing up your stuff, you notice the young woman who propositioned you last night is watching you as you do so, and getting chided for idling as a result.

Just before you leave, you are all gathered when the leader of the clansmen calls you over
I have a pennon for your spear. May it bring you luck. Farewell.

You have also been granted dried food and filled waterskins. They even have some fermented milk in a leather bottle.

[kwll]

When prepared to leave, Jargian gathers his troop. He turns to Alameda ans asks: "Shall we chase the hermit, or do you have a better direction to follow?"

[BackworldTraveller]

When prepared to leave, Jargian gathers his troop. He turns to Alameda ans asks: "Shall we chase the hermit, or do you have a better direction to follow?"

Unless you have a better idea, the Hermit it is!
He looks over at the Horizon
That Herd is good. It will cover our tracks well. But I'm not a fan of coincidence. This smacks of deals and divine interference. Hopefully this is good. Maybe the Hermit can tell us more of what is going on.

Do you have anything to trade for his knowledge? I'm sure he won't just volunteer information or magic.

[kwll]

Jargian scratches his head. "Well I don't have very much myself. What would the hermit like as a gift?" he asks.

[BackworldTraveller]

Jargian scratches his head. "Well I don't have very much myself. What would the hermit like as a gift?" he asks.

May be we could catch some food? That's usually welcome wherever one goes. We could move the Sable along while you hunt for something.

[kwll]

Hunting was not something with which Jargian was afraid. However, he was in unknown territory. Turning to the Llama rider, he says: "OK, will you go along with me?"

[BackworldTraveller]

Gladly! What are we hunting?

[kwll]

"What is there to hunt? Could you spot something of interest for me?"

[BackworldTraveller]

"What is there to hunt? Could you spot something of interest for me?"

The terrain out on the plain is similar to the familiar pastures about the village - but different. Spotting the lairs of creatures involves guessing their habits - and for some reason, the local denizens are not where expected. Empty burrows; blinds with no prey. The only immediate success is an accident, the hooves of the Llama disturbs a bird right in front of Arniz - whose athletic leap catches it in one and brings it down.

And then a signal from Androrkar - a small deer scuttling into a shrub filled gully. Sadly it is downwind.

[kwll]

Seeing no other prey of value, Jargian attempts to track down the deer.

[BackworldTraveller]

Seeing no other prey of value, Jargian attempts to track down the deer.

Please note that this skill has been used successfully and a roll to improve is possible, later

Jargian gets to the place where the deer was last seen. Tracking it will be simple, but getting close enough to strike will be trickier...it will stay annoyingly out of reach unless you surprise it. After all the practice at driving the Sable, Androrkar and Arniz might be used to drive it towards a prepared hide. Or you could chase it until exhausted. Or you could let Androkar attempt to ride it down - but it will probably just duck into the scrub where the Llama can't follow. Or a combination. Or another plan!

From the top of the gulley, there is little view of the bottom - but a track into the thicket can be seen, and it was this track that the deer followed.

[kwll]

Jargian checks from the top of the gulley where would be a proper place to set up a trap or a surprise attack for the deer. Then he will ask Androkar and Arniz to chase it towards that spot, where he will strike or activate the trap, whichever seems to be the most efficient.

[BackworldTraveller]

Jargian checks from the top of the gulley where would be a proper place to set up a trap or a surprise attack for the deer. Then he will ask Androkar and Arniz to chase it towards that spot, where he will strike or activate the trap, whichever seems to be the most efficient.

Androrkar says that he'll ride around, dismount and see what he can do. Arniz looks quizzically at Jargian until the appropriate signals and whistles persuade him to flank the bush in the opposite direction. (29% rolled on Animal Lore for handling Arniz - Success!)

There is some scrabbling in the bush from Ardrorkar - while he's supposed to be beating, some sounds more like he's wrestling with something - but he wins free of the entangling thorn bush and his noise spooks the Deer into running. Arniz, hot on the deer's heels, chases it up the trail to the edge, where Jargian (19% rolled on Hiding - another success)

As the deer rushes up, Jargian springs from hiding and strikes...

Please roll for your attack!

[kwll]

Jargian tries to put his spear to good use... and sure does!



Wow...

[BackworldTraveller]

Roll 2d8+2 damage due to the impaling damage from the spear

The Deer dodges as Jargian rears from cover, striking with the spear in both hands - but the dodge fails to save it. Its right hind leg is disabled, the spear-head embedded to the shaft...

[kwll]

Jargian sees the spear plunge into the defenseless deer's body...



Not wanting to leave the animal suffer too much, the young hunter goes as fast as possible to end its life and prepare its body for transport.



Obviously, his hands are still shaking from the excitement of having performed such a formidable strike...

[BackworldTraveller]

Jargian sees the spear plunge into the defenseless deer's body...



Not wanting to leave the animal suffer too much, the young hunter goes as fast as possible to end its life and prepare its body for transport.



Obviously, his hands are still shaking from the excitement of having performed such a formidable strike...

Androrkar sees the dead deer with a neat strike to it's leg being respectfully dispatched by an expert hunter and is impressed.

It is said that "The towns are settled by barbarians who know nothing of the ways of the plains." It seems that there is an exception to this saying.

And he bows to you.

Let us dress it before we carry the carcase as our gift

and with that, he aids you in doing so.

---

You manage to re-join the Storm Khan and the Sable. Looking back, Dorale and Eda can be seen coming up fast - making their way between the animals of the huge herd that is starting to overrun the camp in their attempts to access the water there.

As you move along slowly, they vanish and re-appear as they negotiate their way across the various ridges until they eventually catch up.

Dorale, normally quiet, is effusive...

We have news!

The Lunars have set up in Rockwater and have sent to Pavis for aid. They have offered a 1000L reward for you and the White Sable! Both your Mother (Karan) and Andra have gone missing and they are offering 50L each for finding them too.

No one has mentioned Eda yet.

Androrkar, our family has been proscribed and declared disturbers of the peace!


Androrkar takes the news equably.

[kwll]

Jargian clenches his teeth. He looks at everybody in the troop in turn, giving them a hard look in turn. "This should prove how important this endeavor is. Let's haste, we have no time to lose." Then he starts to move, making sure everyone does the same.