In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 444):

OOC: Yes Ondrea means the Port.


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Looking up from his herb search David eyes towards the forest, .. and towards .. well. He didnt really know this place well enough. Letting the majority decide he continued

"Either one suits me fine, would love to find some more of these critters to investigate. Maybe an autopsy would reveal more."

"Pray tell, what is an autopsy?"

David momentarily eyed the knight as if he had trouble understanding .. then David smiled earily. From ear to ear. "Oh, it is a simple procedure to cut open a .. preferable dead .. subject and inspect its internal organs. It and .. usually gives ideas on the diet of such subject. Plus it is a bit easier to disect one to find out a few things that might give you an edge when facing such alife. But, its not an easy task without the tools required."

Getting up with some herbs.

"We should head to this .. port .. you spoke of. Regroup there and plan ahead. Could bring some supplies for a search. So ..?"

In reply to David Von Ersch (msg # 448):

The knight frowns and shrugs.

"I would hope they are dead, yes.  Something like when they find a dead farm animal with no apparent reason of death, they like to examine the stomach and such, see if they ate nightshade or some such.  I have heard of this.  But.. I have not heard of this... disect, and autopsy"


OOC:  You ARE using some rather modern words, if you didn't know!

OOC: Arcanist gibberish, one might call it

Nodding, looking at the knights sword "One could even use an oversized knife as a crude tool. But, I would prefer a set of Specialized knives. dagger .. or such. And .. well, I'll avoid details lest one might think im a necromancer of sorts."

In reply to David Von Ersch (msg # 448):

"Yes, back to Port Strangefellow."

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 451):

Listening to the conversation not saying much, just focusing on the task at hand.  His wineskin, and nodding once in a while, like he is listening.

He pats the hilt of the bastard sword.

"This is far too crude a tool for any delicate work."

Frederick listens to the conversation with interest. He has heard of the techniques David talks about, and occasionally has performed them but only on animals.Perhaps this bore further conversation with David, private conversation.

If the party wishes to go back to Strangeport then it is Strangeport to which we shall return. If everyone is rested then perhaps we should begin the next portion of our excursion.

Looking at all the faces "Can head back to port, .. new supplies. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a sellsword. I bet for a few coins they will aid in putting to rest some of these humanoids."

David settles himself against a tree. Waiting for the vote

The sighs of relief mix with the groans of disdain as the party turns about and begins following the trail back towards the swamp.  Once more both the heat and humidity rise in tandem, assaulting your bodies in the most unpleasant of ways.  At various points the mobs of swarming insects seemed almost maddening as the group descended into bouts of scratching not unlike a stray dog infested with fleas.  With as much enthusiasm as you can still muster, you joyously celebrate once more meeting the apex of the trail at the southern end of the swamp and turning southward, putting the dead bogs well behind you.  As the grass begins to thicken around you, more and more trees begin sprouting up.  Even the soil begins to lose its' squishy consistency in favor of much firmer tread.  However, with so much time spent out walking, the sun is beginning its final approach to the horizon.  By your calculations, the town is still some miles off.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 456):

"I am for continuing to the town, we can all lay our heads when we are behind stout defended walls..." She would take over the lead if needed.


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In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 457):

"Aye, I think that's a good idea as well. I'll keep quiet, not attract any attention if I can until we sight the walls."

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 458):

"I agree.  Lets get to town.  A nice bed, and cold drink sounds better than the wilderness."

"Does this town we approach close the gates after dark and allow no admittance?"

In reply to Albion Hawkmoon (msg # 460):

"We know the guard Captain, they will let us through."



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David smiles, hidden in the shadows. Patting his 'trusty' steed on its decraded semi lose skinned half boned back. "Yes, I am certain most will gain entrance without any troubles. I .. however .. shall not draw upon your knowing the guards to have them admit entrance to my transportation. I'll bound him to a tree beyond sight of the guards. Hidden away from they weary eyes of ordinairy folk who do not trust the unnatural."

In reply to David Von Ersch (msg # 462):

Eyeing David's steed.
"Good idea.  Nit sure they would look at us so friendly to see a zombie horse approach with some sort of unholy paladin.   Which is what I would assume they would think of you, David.  No offense, of course.  People can be so judgmental, as I am sure you have experienced, with your arts."

David eyed the kid for a moment, eyes piercing through and through. Then Davi chuckled and laughed loudly "None taken, I assure you. If I had taken offense you would have noticed it. Though, just to be on the safe side .." His face turned serious ".. it is best to leave those unwitting in the dark, lest they take offense from things they do not understand. Or .. wish to understand. Such as my profession and heritage. There are but a few who have no hidden agendas in these parts. But then. I'm certain where you are from my little friend things can be quite the same for those taller than you."

The trek back towards the town was both long and uncomfortable, both seeming to extend the longer the trip took.  As the darkness engulfed the land, your movement began to slow, from both terrain and caution.  As you had already seen, the land was no stranger to beasts of dangerous proportions; the night brought this into stark focus.  As the light disappeared, the sounds of the land itself seemed to change.  Howls in the distance suddenly took on frightening levels of volume and power.  The calls and answers of unseen creatures began to have darker, more sinister tones.  At times, you even swore you were being stalked as unknown sounds began to echo your footsteps.  It was well into the evening before the first flickers of torchlight could be seen through the trees.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 465):

trying to see off into the distance, but to much can be seen from his diminished height.

"Are we there, yet?  David what do you see from atop your trusty steed?  Can you see the town, yet?"

David held one hand above his eyes, .. gazing into the distance. Uncertain if the torches signaled in the civilized area. Or .. possible something else.

"It .. is a bit to early to say. But. Perhaps keeping one hand on your sword would be safe."

Hawkmoon walks along quietly but alert, sword at the ready... always one hand on it.

Frederick will once again reach into his cloak and pull out a small feather from a dove, then weave the mana around himself until he is lighter than air and begin to rise. He will go up about 200 feet and see what he can tell about the lights.