ooc:
Actually, Drak, it's more appropriate if they don't consider your character's intentions. It's not something their own characters would know, and I did say early on to react to other players' characters as if they were NPCs.

If the people in combat wish to discuss events in order to plan out a more theatrical scene, to expediate the process, or to discuss such factors as their characters' physical appearances and proximities to each other, then that's all well and good. However, for one person's character to act based on the unexpressed intentions of another character is in no way practical.

And Drak... it's not exactly like the magic missle would've killed you, even if Aust's aim had been better and it hit for the max. You have a very survival-oriented character.

Taylen smiles at Frey’s concern “I’ll get some sleep soon I wanted to wait until after Khazmon and Aust finished checking out something before going to sleep.”

Taylen looks around a bit at the commotion after hearing first the half human shout and afterwards Aust shouting those odd words "Hmmm what’s going on out there anyway"

It's difficult to discern what's happening on the far side of camp. Some sort of creature has leapt from the grasses at the dwarf, then veered off to one side at the last instant. Twin Moon appears to be circling over their heads. The half-elf has ducked into the grasses, with only a small crest of red hair still visible. The half-human and the elf in traveler's garb are both looking at the dwarf and the creature beside it. All of this appears to be happening very quickly.

Suddenly, the other part of his mind kicked in. "Don't just stand there, lad," he thought to himself, "Fight!"

He raised his axes again, and tried taking a swing at the huge lizard he just saw go by him.

[ 01-19-2002: Message edited by: Reyolen ]

ooc:
Reyolen, if you wouldn't mind, please give your grammar a thorough scan before submitting. Your last post was rather difficult to make out. I know it's late, but this isn't the time to make a poor impression.

Your axe connects with your target, and quite stiffly, too. However, what happens next takes you quite thoroughly by surprise. The blade of your axe lands firmly against its side, cutting through a fine layer of cloth before striking against hard scale. You feel the blade land square and strong, with enough force behind it to break such armor. But at the very instant of contact, the creature flails its tail, and its entire form rolls into a spin, just turning your blade away. It is in this roll that the creature lands, stumbling back up to its feet just beyond your reach.

Drakkenmaw

As you lunge past the dwarf, you catch a glimpse of his motion in the corner of your eye. He swings heavily down upon you, and before you can turn away, you feel the blade strike at your side. Though you have acted upon your most basic instincts, it is not those instincts which save you. Years of training have taught you ways to turn away a blade or a fist. Whipping your tail wildly, you throw yourself into a spin, forcing the edge of the axe, already wedged ever so slightly into your scales, to roll off and away.

An instant later, your body finds the ground. Rolling over and half to right yourself on your feet, you find yourself not far off from the trees, with your path clear.

ooc:
Drak, you lucky bastard. He missed your AC by 1.

The creature, whatever it is, manages to get past the dwarf. While a loud *clank* assures you that he landed an axe blow upon the creature, his follow-through appears unsteadied, and the creature rolls away undaunted by the blow.

Reyolen

After going to retrieve your blade, you look back at the goings-on outside the camp, to see that a large, shadowed creature has appeared almost from nowhere. It has appeared on the tree-side of the dwarf, and from the looks of things, is headed for the cover of the forest.

[ 01-20-2002: Message edited by: Reyolen ]

As he felt the blow grinding against his toughened skin, a series of memorized movements shot through his head. Where instinct has failed, one must use actions learned to the point of instinct. The lizardman whipped his tail rapidly towards the attack, using its weight to move himself away from the strike. Then, continuing the motion in an upwards circle, he spun himself downwards and forced the blade from its contact point.

Drakkenclaw crossed his arms as he spun to the ground, and landed hard on his left shoulder. The roll he had begun in midair was reversed by the momentum of his jump, and he bounced slightly off the earth as he spun right and onto his back. As he reached this point he extended two of his limbs, using them to raise himself on the next turn before catching himself with his other arm and leg and pushing himself up into a small crouch.

As he sprung from this position to begin his flight once more, the lizardman looked back slightly at his attacker. His eyes asked two questions - Why? and How? Then, raising the hood of his cloak from its disheveled position, he continued fleeing towards the woods.

ooc:
MAGPIE PICTURE

The woods are no more than thirty paces away, their sides bathed in a faint light by the campsite's fire. No more obstacles impede your path, as you make your way to the trees.

From behind you, you hear someone shout, "Khazmon, don't chase it, head back to camp!". Judging by the voice, the one shouting them is male, and probably not the dwarf.

Ruvyen

The creature rights itself from its roll, and takes off towards the trees. It makes a quick glance in your direction then pulls a cloth hood over its head and continues on.

From what you could see, the head was that of a lizardman. This makes sense with what you just experienced, though it seems rather odd that the creature did not retailiate. Perhaps it simply didn't like being outnumbered.

Your thought is disrupted by the elf behind you, who had unleashed his spell at the creature a moment before. He shouts, "Khazmon, don't chase it, head back to camp!" then proceeds to mumble something to himself, before extending his arm out straight, pointed in the creature's direction.

Willias

Once again, you feel the energies begin to focus in your hand. This time your target is certain. The creature is a lizardman, shrouded in a deep brown cloak.

Aanile

A lizardman, shrouded in dark brown, makes his way towards the woods. It is headed away from the dwarf, towards the trees, at a full run.

You hear the elf in traveler's garb shout out to the dwarf, "Khazmon, don't chase it, head back to camp!" He then raises his arm to point in the dwarf's general direction.

Taylen

As you watch, the dwarf takes a swing at the creature, but his blade glances off, as the creature dives past him into the grass. It emerges a second later, in full view. The creature is a lizardman, garbed in brown. As it runs towards the trees at the distance of your vision, it glances quickly back, then draws a hood up over its head.

The elf in traveler's garb shouts to the dwarf to return to camp. Then, after a moment, he raises his arm, pointed in the dwarf's direction, or possibly at the lizardman beyond.

Reyolen

The creature dashes for the trees, headed away. From the looks of it, the creature was definitely a lizardman. However, from what you saw of the camp, none of the beasts escorting your misery across the grasslands even survived the attack at sunset. So where did this one come from?

This question is soon displaced in your mind by another. With the threat of attack, you realize that your spellbook is no longer in your possession. It was neither in the supply cart, nor in your backpack, nor in the dwarf's pile of supplies. This is certainly not the time or place to lose such things, but where could it have gone? You haven't had it in hand since... since you went to collect your fee, and those two guards heaved you out!

The elf in traveler's garb shouts out, drawing your eyes in his direction. You hear him shout an order to the dwarf, something quite commendable, and tactically sound. He then raises his arm, pointing it outward, and declares his intentions just loud enough for you to hear. "I should cast Magic Missle again," he says, before beginning to chant.

"What are you, insane?!" she shouts in response to Willias's declaration. "Don't let it get away!"

He quickly flashes back to his younger days, back at home. He remembers hearing some stories of men and women that could take out parties of armed and armored warriors not only by themselves, but using nothing but their fists and feet as weapons.

Khazmon always thought that those stories were just fairy tales. No one was powerful enough to take on a band of warriors unarmed, right? After seeing that... Maybe... Just maybe... Those stories were true.

"Incredible..." is all Khazmon manages to say.

[ 01-20-2002: Message edited by: Ruvyen Warblade ]

[ 01-20-2002: Message edited by: Taylen ]

Saeessira then thought to herself..."Ill just sit back here and wait for a few moments...I'll help if they ask me to, but...Im not gonna go out there and hurt myself for people I don't even know yet..."

Your search ultimately does not turn up your spellbook. In fact, in all the debris, the only item you find made of paper is a single, scribed piece of parchment, sticking out of a scroll case, inside a shoulder bag on the supply cart. You also manage to pick up a couple annoying splinters from the hole in the toppled wagon, though nothing really hazardous, nor terribly difficult to remove.

Willias

Just as the creature reaches the limits of your vision, you shout your final declaration. The spell builds suddenly in your hand, bursting forth as five separate bolts of energy, swirling around each other as they flare towards the creature in a straight line. The pain to your hand is far worse than before, enough to make you pull your arm back by reflex. Afterwards, your hand feels slightly cramped.

The five tiny bolts appear as one, as they streak towards the edge of your vision. After a few seconds, you see a brief and tiny flash in the distance. This is most likely the spell finding its target, though after your last casting, you cannot be certain.

ooc:
Willias, take 1hp subdual damage for not concentrating on either your spell or your target. Don't worry, subdual damage doesn't last long.

The creature approaches the limits of your darkvision, and it's most likely that the campfire does not cast its illumination that far out. It shows no signs of turning back nor sideways.

Again the elf behind you shouts, "Cyros Pyros!" A bright light issues from his hand, and goes whizzing by you towards the creature. While you cannot see the spell once it leaves the light of the camp, you notice the creature stumble slightly just as it leaves the edge of your vision.

Drakkenmaw

As the camp passes into the distance, and the grasses around you grow dark, you feel a sudden, stinging sensation in your back. It feels as though you were hit with a large rock in your back, though there is no accompanying thud, nor any sound at all to explain.

You stumble forward, only a few feet from the trees, before regaining your balance. The trees offer a most welcome safety, with both concealment from your assailants and protection from their swords and spells. An intense, searing pain runs through your back and spine. Your movement, however, proves no more or less difficult after whatever struck you than before.

ooc:
Magic missle for the maximum, take 5hp damage.

The lizardman quickly passes from view, as the firelight between you and it places limits on your range of vision. You can see no other lizardmen about, nor any other threatening creatures, though you cannot rule out the possibility that others lay hidden in the grasses.

Twin Moon turns back, finding a perch on the wagon behind Aanile. She hoots twice in succession, and tilts her head to one side.

Falaanla

"Too dark," came Ithar's reply, "can follow, but not far." You do not see your magpie companion, as such small creatures disappear easily in darkness.

The elf beside you seems quite jumpy, and his fellin companion begins to show signs of the same. Odd, since a moment ago they both spoke of being tired.

[ 01-21-2002: Message edited by: Ford Prefect ]

OW.

I'll post what I'm going to actually do in a bit. Once I take this giant chunk out of my health here.

Aust walks towards the campfire in the center of the wagon camp, and stops near Taylen, "Sorry I couldn't reply to you earlier friend, but I think there was a lizard man out there. I think I got em good though, so he shouldn't be coming back." Aust attempts to smile, but ends up growling in pain again. "Damn hand, just had to get burned when it's the first time I cast a spell real good."

Aust sits down by the campfire and puts down his quarterstaff that he was holding in his left hand down beside him and also puts down his spellbook in front of him. He flips a couple pages into the book and begins to study the page very carefully.

[ 01-22-2002: Message edited by: Willias ]

"Meats, meats, more meats," she rambles off, pulling slabs of preserved meat from the shoulder bag, and dropping them into the wagon. "Ah, here we are, a bag of... teeth? That's just plain wrong! Oh well," she tosses the bag of teeth over her shoulder onto the dwarf's pile. Next she pulls out the sharp-toothed necklace, "Well, this is pretty. Isn't there anything useful in this blasted bag? Hmm, what have we here," she says, dropping the necklace back into the shoulder bag, and pulling out a scroll case, "I didn't figure these creatures for the scholarly types."

When you glance around for Twin Moon, the bird hops from its wagon-top perch to your shoulder. She bobs a couple times, adjusting her grip until she finds herself comfortably nuzzled against your cheek.

Taylen

The elf in traveler's garb walks around the fire and approaches you. He apologizes for not responding to you earlier, most likely about your suggestion of taking watch in shifts. He then turns to face the fire, and settles down to read a book.

Reyolen

Your bag holds enough dried rations for two solid days. Travel is sometimes a necessity, and you have always preferred to be prepared. If only replacing your spellbook was so simple a matter.

You here the jingle of what sounds like a bag of marbles landing on the ground nearby. While this event in itself would not be significant, it draws your attention just enough to hear the words, "Isn't there anything useful in this blasted bag? Hmm, what have we here?" They come from the half-elf, who has taken to digging through the supply cart.

Saeessira then looks to the the fellin.. Sorry, I have yet to properly introduce myself... My name is Saeessira Dawndancer Marigold...what would yours be?

"Hello again," she says, her voice shifting rapidly from the sour tone she presented to Silvan over to a pert and cheery one for this group of more traveled folk. "Whichever of you folk furnished us with that darling campfire, I simply love the color," she giggles.

"Okays!" the little bird answers. A moment later, you hear a soft chirp, and Ithar appears on top of the half-elf woman's red hair. He appears to have nestled comfortably. "Miss me?"

Aanile, Taylen, Willias

The red-haired half-human approaches you with a smile on her face, and a pleasant tone. Her comment, innocent as it sounds, is downright silly. What's more, she seems to have a small bird nestled atop her head. A very strange woman indeed.

Reyolen

The scroll case most likely not yours, especially considering that yours was in your backpack, with several blank pages inside it. The blow to the belly doesn't really hurt, since the hollow tube isn't exactly heavy.

Inside this tube is a single piece of paper, scribed over most of its surface with Draconic writing. The script is very elaborate, making it very unlikely that those creatures scribed it themselves.

Instead, he gave himself the comfort of silently screamed curses. In draconic, since that way they just seemed more satisfying.

Taylen smiles softly at the inane comment from the halfhuman woman "Thank you I think"
Taylen takes in the fact that she has a shortbow on her shoulder but an utter lack of anything to shoot from it "Hmmmm you know that bow would be alot more useful if you had some arrows"

Out in the wild, this could be either a good thing, or a bad thing. The creature may have just retreated... But maybe it was getting more lizardmen. A scout, maybe? Khazmon hopes not.

"I'm already pretty tired," Khazmon thinks, "I dun wanna waste the rest o' me energy fightin'. But still... I should get me armor. No tellin' what might happen..."

Khazmon begins to walk back to his pile, onstantly glancing behind himself just in case.

Saeessira chuckles, then says to Ithar "Like your new "nest" there, Ithar? May not be the...best...choice, I don't know how this woman would take to you resting in her hair, I wouldn't want her to hurt you..."

Saeessira then coninues speaking to Ithar..."We should do what we can to learn more of these people here... Maybe have a little...fun in the process, yes?"

Saeessira then slowly descends, and comes to a rest on the ground, and she sits down...

ooc:
Yes, Reyolen, you can try to read it. You can also put it down, tear it up, eat it, stuff it in your bag, wipe your rear with it, copy it (well, if you had ink ), cut it, fold it, wave it in the wind, or whatever else you can think of to do with a piece of paper.

Your pile is still intact, though it appears to have been rifled through. In addition to the things you left there before, you notice that the bag of teeth you decided not to take earlier now resides at the base of the pile.

Falaanla

"Hair?" the little bird asks at the mention of his nesting place. A moment later, when your comments conclude, the bird replies cheerily, "Fun with string!" It then begins fiddling with a bright red strand in its beak. Oddly, the half-elf doesn't show any sign of reaction to Ithar's presence.

ic: Silvan pulls the scroll close to his face and begins to attempt to read it to himself. He basically ignores what is going on around him to concentrate on the scroll.

[ 01-23-2002: Message edited by: Reyolen ]

quote:

---

Seskalsas,
Once your task in Vista is complete, return to Pyreside with whatever merchandise he can provide. Bring your brothers. We are expecting battle. The Terranos rabble are line-riding the path to Islandway, and the landers have new presence in the Cove. Tossrissics has been captured unexpectedly. Our forces must gather soon. We must strike before we are struck.
+Eskaskagoss+

---

Turning around, she walks over to the supply cart, leans in, and grabs a pack of dried rations. She then turns around, and with a slight hop, heads back to the group she'd been talking with, "Gods, I haven't eaten in days!" she says very cheerily as she takes a bite out of the rations, "Thmfs m gmf!"