Session 5-1! Welcome to Onyxburg

[Merc]

[08:09] <Kotono> Onward the roads to Paxburg go! As the days peel by the roads become better as you head closer to civilisation. Dirt trails are replaced by foot and hoof beaten roads. Solitude is interrupted more and more by other travelers and villages as two weeks pass. While much of minor note occurs during this time, none of it is earthshaking. So it is three days out from Paxburg - almost there. Approaching sundown you come to a stop in the road. (More)
[08:12] <Kotono> A sprawling village is here - no. Town is a better word. While not much of note compared to the City of Peace, it is grander than anything you have seen in a month.  A few towers soar up - squat towers of stone, speaking of magic and mystery. The structures here are made of sturdy stone, often colored to taste, and a second story common. The chatter of travelers and merchants greets the party as they pass in through an arched wooden gate 'Wel
[08:13] <Kotono> 'Welcome to Oynxburg'  is enscribed on this gate. (More)
[08:14] <Kotono> Right past the gate is a small open space, then buildings take over, forming connecting alleyways here and there. A real city, dirty and wonderful and magical in it's own rights! Clustered in this place is a small group; ten men and one more. The ten are dressed in leathers and hold spears, the eleventh man has a heavy sword and a red plumed helmet. There seems to be some sort of commotion with them, as if he's speaking and they're listening.
[08:17] * Darius yawns and shifts in his saddle, watching the group with only slight interest.
[08:18] * SirGavin heads nearby, seeking to overhear.
[08:19] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Saul
[08:19] * Saul walks alongside Gavin like an advisor, also seeking to listen in.
[08:20] <Kotono> So Gavin peels away from the group. As this happens, Volte keeps to the back and to himself. "We'll go at sundown - we have no choice but to go after the fuckers when they'll show!" His voice is a cannon, a broad chested and bulky man. His eyes bug out as he goes on, reaching louder and louder tones. "You will not leave a single one moving, is that clear?" OOC - Gavin can easily tell that they're likely a local milita or detached normal army
[08:20] * Darius follows after them.
[08:21] <Kotono> OOC - Gavin can easily tell that they're likely a local milita or detached normal army force.
[08:21] <SirGavin> OOC: *nods*
[08:22] * SirGavin tries to head towards the leader, not being hostile in his gestures, but making no secret of being there. If/when he's close enough to talk, he asks "Ho there, what be going on here?"
[08:24] <Kotono> The bulky man stops, a moment of irritation writ large on his broad, florid face - but it dies as he looks over Sir Gavin. "...Ho, Sir Knight!" He stiffens and salutes, the men following with a second's wary pause.
[08:24] * Darius rides up casually behind Gavin, watching the group from his perch.
[08:25] <SirGavin> "Sorry to interrupt, but it seems like something serious."
[08:25] * Seryf pauses along as conversation starts, watching from a littls ways away.
[08:27] <Kotono> "It is indeed, Sir Knight!" Responding in smart, sharp tones, at attention, "My men and I have been commanded to seek out and destroy the source of reports at a local crypt, sir!"
[08:27] <Kotono> Lingering with the back, close to Seryf and muttering, "Is this how you keep interfering into businesses of others?" Volte so mutters, not sounding terribly chartiable.
[08:29] <Seryf> "This isn't interfering, he's an officer of the state, it's his business to keep track of goings ons, particularly militant ones," Seryf snorts, not particularly caring of Volte's tone.
[08:29] * Elaine looks at the scene with random curiosity besides Seryf. Turning to Volte, she notes with an amused smile, "I seem to recall you inviting us to mess with -your- affairs."
[08:30] <Kotono> Strecthing warily and on foot, Volte snorts. "...that's not the point," he mutters to himself, abashed and lookinga way with a pentulant stare.
[08:30] <SirGavin> "What reports?  Pardon, but I've just arrived here on the way towards Paxburg." Gavin sought more information on the issue.
[08:30] <Elaine> "If you say so," is Elaine's simple reply as she turns her attention back to the scene unfolding between the men.
[08:31] * Seryf just rolls her eyes at Volte, like he may as well be a child. Which he probably would be better off as.\
[08:31] * SirGavin (WinNT@metapod-77.dynamic.rpi.edu) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
[08:32] * Dracos (WinNT@metapod-77.dynamic.rpi.edu) has joined #dunes
[08:32] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Dracos
[08:32] <Kotono> "Sir, there have been incidents of...bodies rising from the dead, first seen by local gravers and now by mourners burying their dead!" Very sternly spoken, "Reports of foul necromancy so close to Paxburg is not tolerated by Duke Wormwoods!"
[08:32] * Dracos is now known as SirGavin
[08:33] * Darius mutters to himself..
[08:33] <Darius> "Great... undead now.."
[08:33] <Saul> "Have you ever dealt with undead?" muses Saul, glancing at Darius.
[08:33] <Saul> "When you think about it, they're not so different from those who have been raised by powerful divine magic. It's just.. their form.."
[08:34] <SirGavin> "Certainly, this cannot stand.  I trust your men would not bemoan aid in this?  I would like to assist in seeing this sort of... foulness quickly put out at the root."
[08:35] <Darius> "I ain't ever, yet. And I'd like to keep it that way."
[08:35] * SirGavin glances back ever so briefly at his companions, gauging if they're close enough to be listening.
[08:35] <Saul> "Mmm. You'll fight the living, but not the dead? Understandable," muses Saul.
[08:35] <Kotono> "One of you is wise," Volte darkly remarks, hearing what Darius has to say and looking at the great tiger rider - and gulping at Serith.
[08:36] <Darius> "The living are easy ta kill. The dead.. Not so easy."
[08:36] <Elaine> "You ever fight undead creatures before, Seryf?" Elaine asks of the elder elf besides her.
[08:37] <Saul> "It's difficult to kill what's already passed away," nods Saul. "My own powers give me strength against that which is fueled by negative energy.. but only to a certain extent."
[08:37] <Kotono> "We would greatly appreciate this, sir!" A modicum of relief shows on the bulky man's red face, a quick nod. "Allow me to continue, sir! Last night a child went to her mother's grave...adn was found, withered and dead in the next morning, as well as a rotted, half bone arm besides him!"
[08:37] <Seryf> "No," Seryf admits, smiling wryly. "I was given some instruction on how to do it, but otherwise..." she just shakes her head. "It's something to be avoided."
[08:38] * Darius leans out of his saddle over to Saul and speaks in a low voice.
[08:38] <Darius> "See? That. Right there. That kinda thing is why I don't want to fight undead."
[08:39] <Saul> "Nobody ever wants to fight undead," replies Saul. "They are both reminders of our own mortality, and horrors beyond compare. But in some cases, for the sake of peace, it must be done."
[08:40] * SirGavin visibly twitched at the tale, nodding. "A personal issue indeed. I can see why you're out in full force." Gavin listens to see if there is morre.
[08:41] <Kotono> "Yes - we are to scout out the monster and stop it if we can, and if not, retreat." So he goes on, grim and grimmer. "But perhaps a knight is capable of striking down such a horror directly, moreso if he's aided by a man of the cloth or a wizard?" Looking at Gavin's assembled friends, linger on Saul a moment as if pondering...
[08:42] * SirGavin turns to his friends a moment. "Would you mind aiding in this? I cannot in good conscience head on to Paxburg without seeing this resolved."
[08:43] * Darius grumbles a bit, but only shrugs.
[08:43] <Kotono> "Are you crazy?!" Volte sputters aloud, "Do you want to become ghosts that roam for eternity? By the Gods, have some common sense! Let these soldiers handle it!" Gesturing broadly, "It's a fool's errand and a fool's death!"
[08:44] <Saul> "It takes a fool to see the path of the fool, but to the fool, his path is all around," muses Saul, loudly.
[08:44] * Darius glances over at Volte.
[08:44] <SirGavin> "Volte, you can stay in the inn then." Gavin orded coldly.  "And be waiting there when I return."
[08:44] <Darius> "Last I checked, you ain't got a say in nothin' round here."
[08:44] <Seryf> "Well, not like we doubted it, but that goes to show how far your loyalty to the kingdom you're sworn to goes," Seryf answers Volte venomously, all but spitting at his feet.
[08:46] <Seryf> "I think those goblins had a better understanding of their vows..." Seryf muses.
[08:46] <Elaine> "I dunno, they did give up the info on Volte pretty easily," Elaine comments.
[08:47] <SirGavin> "Anyhow, I take it the rest of you are willing to come along?  I would think none the worse if you wanted to stay at the inn rather than face the undead." Gavin checked before speaking 'for' the rest of the team.
[08:47] <Kotono> Looking nervously about and considering, as several nasty glances are sent his way, "I-I just have sense!" he sputters out, "You're going to turn into zombies...but fine!"
[08:48] <Seryf> "Well, it wouldn't do me any good to haul your body back home, now wouild it, Gavin?" Seryf answers, a touch more amused and tesing.
[08:49] <Elaine> "Oh please, as if we couldn't take care of some measly little zombies," Elaine scoffs before imitating a zombie skulking about. "Graaaarrr, braiinnnsss....Eek! You've set me on fire! Blargh!"
[08:49] <Saul> "IF you'd be gutsy enough to go out and find it after he's done," murmurs Saul, gazing at Gavin. "Have you the steel to fight against that which does not live, Gavin?"
[08:49] * Darius snorts at Volte and turns back to Gavin, and shrugs.
[08:49] <Darius> "I suppose I'll go along with it."
[08:50] <SirGavin> Gavin snorted at the thought and turned to the militant, "We will come with you tonight,..I think I haven't caught your name yet.  I am Sir Gavin." he offered.
[08:53] <Kotono> "Behrman." A single word, "Seargant Behrman. We shall begin at sundown if this is good, sir."
[08:54] <Saul> "Bring many torches," states Saul. "One for every man. Fire does more good than mundane weapons against unfeeling, deadened flesh."
[08:54] * SirGavin nodded to Saul's advice. "Do you have some spare, Seargant Behrman?"
[08:57] <Kotono> "They can be gotten." Rigidly at attention, he waits for word from Sir Gavin, his men in the same state.
[09:00] <SirGavin> "Anything else, Saul?" He glanced back.
[09:02] <Saul> "There is little to say," admits Saul. "Fire is the best cure for that which does not live. I will provide what support I can for this endeavour."
[09:03] * SirGavin nods. "Where shall you be assembling this eve to go? We will join you there, posthaste."
[09:03] * Darius eyes Saul and gets Serith to side-step away from him a pace or two at the mention of fire from Saul..
[09:09] <Kotono> OOC - Do you all want to skip until sunset, and if so, are you all ready?
[09:09] <Darius> OOC- Works for me.
[09:10] <Elaine> OOC - Skip away!
[09:11] <SirGavin> OOC - Yeah, just would add a torch or two to inventory for this, that I'd get from Behrman
[09:12] <Kotono> OOC - That's fine. We'll go in just a sec, phone. -_-
[09:14] <Seryf> "Just remember...when using normal weapons, don't stab, try to maim," Seryf advises, stretching and yawning. "You can't take out organs with zombies."
[09:14] * Midnight (~danchou@adsl-210-9-196.mco.bellsouth.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[09:15] <Elaine> "What? But...that means...no daggers?" Elaine asks, looking quite pouty as her lower lip trembles.
[09:16] <Darius> "You could always borrow a blade from Seryf, since she's still got those longswords around."
[09:17] <Elaine> "Ah! Silmara!" Elaine exclaims, drawing out her recent magical acquisition. "I almost forgot about you!" she says with a satisfied grin.
[09:17] * Saul is now known as Carthrat-Sleep
[09:18] <Seryf> "...You almost forgot your magical sword?" Seryf asks, a look of shock at such a heretical idea, her tone a pained whimper.
[09:20] <Elaine> "Hey, give me a break, I haven't exactly fought much with it. The one time I did, I almost lopped off Gavin's head!" she says defensively before wincing. Oh yeah, maybe she shouldn't complain about Sturm so much in the futur...nah. The bastard stabbed her shoulder!
[09:21] <SirGavin> "She still needs practice." Gavin said neutrally.
[09:22] <Elaine> "Eheh..." Elaine laughs nervously. "I'm getting better! Honest!"
[09:22] <Darius> "So.. Who's gonna train her?"
[09:23] * Darius looks around the group.
[09:23] * Seryf sighs softly. "I found a book on the basics of it in that Griffin castle," she volunteers, glancing at Elaine. "Even if her sword isn't really my style."
[09:23] * Darius shrugs.
[09:24] <Darius> "I 'spose I can help some."
[09:25] <Seryf> "Mah, Gavin knows your sword better, I'd probably be better for sparring practice," Seryf shrugs.
[09:29] * Elaine nods. "Gavin's been helping me get better used to it, but I guess the sparring would help also," Elaine notes.
[09:30] <SirGavin> "Yes, you are.  A few more training sessions and you'll hold your own well enough.  And in time, Elaine."
[09:32] <SirGavin> "If you want, we could have another in preparation for tonight's activities." Gavin shrugged, offering.
[09:35] * Elaine nods. "Sure, that'd be great."
[09:37] * Seryf folds her arms behind her head, closing her eyes for a moment. "I should really get to reading that book in more detail," she hums, mostly to herself. "Mah."
[09:37] * Darius hunches over and leans on the pommel of his saddle.
[09:37] <Darius> "If ya want my help, let me know."
[09:38] * SirGavin turns, leading off to get a little ways away from town where a thrown sword won't kill anyone.
[09:45] <Kotono> So the party heads out - just outside town. With lighter forest and wide roads, there are plenty of places for an easy practice in the afternoon, grassy places more than suitable.
[09:46] <Elaine> "This looks good enough, right Gavin?" Elaine asks as they eventually stand on one of those many grassy fields.
[09:46] * SirGavin examines the area carefully before nodding. "Quite. We'll stop here."
[09:47] * SirGavin turns to face Elaine. "Now, let's see your stance for starters again."
[09:47] * Darius swings out of his saddle and unstraps it from Serith's back, giving her a quick rub down and then settling in the grass, enjoying the warming sun with closed eyes.
[09:48] * Seryf finds a flat rock to sit on a bit away, watching her more human companions.
[09:51] * Elaine stands in one of the many positions Gavin has taught her, a favorite of hers, one best suited for offense, but still providing a good defense by keeping her body mostly sideways. Her grip on Silmara is strong and steady at first, though she grins as she shifts her grip and begins to whirl that sword around her sides, showing off just how dangerous she can be with the sword since she's begun training with it more seriously.
[09:53] * SirGavin nods. "Now, we'll be facing undead tonight. Have you heard anything about them?"
[09:54] * Darius reaches out and picks a piece of long grass and begins chewing on it, then goes back to basking in the sun, cracking an eye open occasionally to pay attention to Elaine's movements.
[09:55] <Elaine> "Fire hurts and apparently stabbing won't help," Elaine replies, giving a nod towards Seryf for the last tidbit. "So I'm guessing pretty much we do what you did with that troll... Decapitate and then set on fire."
[09:58] <SirGavin> "Correct.  So, today we'll work on slashing and striking.  In general, you want to aim for parts that are easier to cut off." He gestured with the flat of his sword to specific portions of the body. "That way you can more easily cripple their ability.  Strike to slice through or smash. Though, as always, remember that not getting hit is far more important than hitting."
[09:59] <Darius> "You should go for joints, too. Easier ta hack through than solid bone."
[10:01] <Elaine> "Now that I knew," Elaine says with a grin at Darius.
[10:03] <Elaine> "How do we handle sparring though? I can't exactly just cut off your arms, and I like mine right where they are," Elaine asks of Gavin.
[10:08] <SirGavin> "I'll block with my shield.  We can't work as if we had real training dummies, but you can work on your striking power and form."
[10:08] <SirGavin> "As well as your defense."
[10:09] * Elaine nods. "Okay, I guess. Just don't chop off any of my body parts, alright? -I- don't have a shield," Elaine says just a tad wary.
[10:10] * SirGavin wraps his sword in a bit of cloth, giving it a little padding around the sharper edges for safety. "Do not worry. I'll mostly just be pointing out weaknesses rather than actual blows."
[10:12] * Elaine nods. "Well, whenever you're ready then," she says.
[10:13] * Dracos (WinNT@metapod-77.dynamic.rpi.edu) has joined #dunes
[10:13] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Dracos
[10:13] * SirGavin (WinNT@metapod-77.dynamic.rpi.edu) Quit (Killed (NickServ (GHOST command used by Dracos)))
[10:13] * Dracos is now known as SirGavin
[10:17] <Elaine> roll d10+3
[10:17] * Elaine sets mode: +v Serith
[10:19] * Elaine launches herself towards Darius, aiming a strike towards Gavin's sword arm's elbow, as if to slice it off, though holding back most of her power in the swing.
[10:20] * SirGavin moves to deflect the blow with his shield, nodding at the force of the strike.
[10:23] * Elaine spins around, shifting her feet to move her towards Gavin's side, and attacks again, this time aiming for his torso!
[10:23] * Darius sits up in the grass and scratches his head, watching.
[10:24] * SirGavin practically skips out of the way, nodding approvingly, foreshadowing a blow with the flat against the side of her shoulder.
[10:28] * Elaine blocks this time, again shifting her feet, staying light and always moving, her arm tensing slightly as she feels the two swords clank together.
[10:30] <SirGavin> Gavin pushes a bit, holding against her sword. "A broadsword as a weapon is good for putting your strength behind, more than a dagger."
[10:31] <Darius> "The way you flail around, you should be able to get some good speed behind it to make up for yer strength, too. Those spins make your arm look kinda like a whip.."
[10:33] * SirGavin nods in agreement.
[10:34] * Elaine grunts a bit as she has to dig her feet on the ground so she doesn't end up falling. "It's easier to throw a dagger accurately, though, even if it won't ever do as much damage," Elaine replies, before pushing her sword upwards, putting force to try and deflect Gavin's blade away.
[10:34] <Darius> "Instead of tryin' ta fight straight on, try to use those spins to make wide steps.. You should be able to get to get 'round someone and hit 'em before they can turn to meet you."
[10:36] <SirGavin> ""Darius is right.  When faced with a stronger foe, it's better to use agility.  When faced with a weaker one, strike hard to disarm."  Gavin though spun willingly with the push, moving backwards while never giving a real opening, his blade swiftly back in position.
[10:37] * Darius scratches his head and yawns a bit.
[10:41] * Elaine nods while switching hands on her weapon as she moves the other way, aiming a hit towards Gavin's shoulder.
[10:43] * SirGavin catches with the flat of his sword, his shield lashing out and stopping right near her.
[10:45] * Elaine jumps away even if he does stop his shield, holding her sword defensively in front of her.
[10:47] * SirGavin nods and continues, briefly testing her defense.