"Sure... for a 20% brokerage fee," Frank said. "No guarantee here - my margins on the caravan are razor thin on their own, so you'll assume all risk regarding your investment."

"A return on investment compares how much you paid for an investment to how much you earned from it," states James. "So when you said that you 'guarantee a 20% return at the end of the trip', that's actually just a lie, right?"

“Whoah”Ken chuckled “Easy James, he just said he couldn’t guarantee, that there will be risks. Don’t think he lied at all, just a team of phrase, or a slip of the tongue.”

He continued to talk as he laid back in his blanket. “Team Earth is all of like, six dudes right now. Don’t think Frank means to hustle us and run off to…what was that one place? Hepmonaland”

"No, even if I personally took a loss, I would have returned to you 20% more than what you gave me, minimum. It hurts that you don't trust me, James. It hurts." Frank clutched his chest, having a mock heart attack. "I was anticipating a 30-50% return, but accidents do happen, so I'm prepared to cover the potential shortfall."

"Slip of the tongue," says James. "Right. Not hustling. Got it."

When Frank takes over speaking James looks at him then at the ground. No question demanded no answer.

"In other words," remarked Jonny with his typical rogue's grin, "If shit goes down...I'm saving Frank's ass first."

Simon points at Jonny, "Not to mention that he knows more about this place and what will happen than any 3 of us.  I told Frank back on the island that he was more important than anyone else I would meet."  Suddenly he looked up into the air with a worried expression on his face, "Aside from the gods!" and then back down, "and that his knowledge was likely enough to change the course of nations.  All it will take is one king finding out and he lives in a gilded cage for the rest of his life."

Richard nodded along agreeable to the plan to save Frank first. He was easily the most knowledgeable about the current situation and had turned himself into a merchant of sorts in the short time they'd been in this world. Richard on the other hand had worked for room and board with a tailor who had a thing for a tanner.

"So long as I'm around I'm sure whatever is intent on capturing or harming him will get me first. So if I'm up then we're good."

He was, after all, Richard the Bait.

"Everyone sleep okay these days? I mean, all this walking...riding...does wear you down. I'm bushed by the end of the day."

An odd topic of conversation, but Jonny tended to throw out random subjects and discussions, though whether it was for morale or curiosity was anyone's guess.

"Anybody have any...weird...dreams?"

Simon looked sympathetic, and nodded his understanding, "Don't worry!  Whatever it was I'm sure it's not a new kink, it's just been a while for all of us and your brain is... experimenting a little.  It probably doesn't mean anything.  You'll meet someone and get your ashes hauled, and this whole dream thing will be forgotten.  Probably."

He sighed, "All the weirdness I've experienced here I've been wide awake for."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:29, Tue 30 Apr.

"Yeah I can't think of anything weirder happening than getting Jumanji'd into a role playing game," Frank said. "Awake or asleep."

Richard frowned at the topic of conversation.

"I agree with Simon and Frank. My waking life is far weirder than anything a dream could produce. But no I haven't been having any weird dreams lately. In fact I rarely dream, too tired for all that."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Wed 01 May.

James just shakes his head.

Simon turned more serious, "Jonny, tell us about your dream, if you don't mind.  Or at least tell Frank.  He might be able to put it in context for you, and I have a feeling that we should pay attention to dreams and portents.  Trust me, Frank is smarter than he looks, although you do have to take his advice with a grain of salt."

After listening to the consensus Jonny came to a sudden stop, and looked at the others with an expression somewhere between surprise and extreme disappointment. Then he shook his head.

"Just me then? Fuck."

He resumed walking, but his head hung down and it was clear he had already been giving this matter some thought. Finally he lifted it and kept his gaze somewhere up ahead as he kept moving along.

"I've been visited in my dreams, since the night before we left the Keep...by a mind flayer."

Jonny was always the joker, could always find something to lighten the mood in any situation. Only, he wasn't laughing now, far from it.

"It came to me, telling me that I was 'not living up to my potential' - I mean, not like I haven't heard that a million times before. And it then added that 'my competence suits its plans.' Whatever the fuck they are. I haven't asked if it's called 'Vance', or knows of anyone of that name. I haven't asked what the stakes are, or who the sides are, or anything - it has asked for nothing, and offers nothing more than this. If I get a solid night, I get four hours practice on my telekinesis - which I'm sure will change the world, not.

So, there you go. As the de facto leader, I didn't want to carry this any longer, in case it went too far, and then at some point the grand reveal comes and - hey! You've been railroaded to hell by a mind flayer with Jonny's connivance, and he never told you!!

Fuck my life."

"And I just dream about nice toilets, never finding a book of spells and never getting a kiss from Julie," comments James. "But dreaming of an Illithid! That could really mess with your brain."

Simon peered at Frank for his reaction, "Mind Flayers are bad, right?  Beyond the brain eating thing?  They're evil?"  He turned back to Jonny, "Are..." he paused, not having a good way to ask a stupid question, "are you ok?  With this?  Telekinesis sounds awesome, you know?  And if you feel like you can scam training out of this guy I'd take your word for it, but I have to say I'd be getting the bad kind of cold shivers every moment."

"'Julie'? Who's Julie, James? A girl back home? Has she not succumbed to the Bartlet Magnet?"

Jonny didn't like to tease James, who almost never gave anything away, but this was a rare glimpse behind the mask. His humor vanished as quickly as it had appeared though when Simon spoke.

"'Beyond the brain-eating thing?' Yes, they're evil, and yes, I get the cold shivers, and yes, I'm aware that something that sinister never offers anything for free, despite all appearances. I'm hoping I can get what I need from it, without literally losing my mind.

I think they're lawful though, so perhaps us doing whatever we do helps it and the greater good at the same time. I mean, I hope so."

ooc: Use this thread for continued discussion of party tactics and procedures. Assume you had plenty of time on the walk to the house.

Someone summarize the marching order for me, it's spread through different posts.

Let me know if you guys agree:

2x2
James/Simon
Richard/Ken
Frank/Jonny

1x1
James
Richard
Simon
Frank
Ken
Jonny

James puts the shield at the front, and Richard's spear able to reach from the second rank.  In 2x2 Ken can move out to flank the front or the rear, and Jonny can help keep Frank alive despite his need to power bomb goblins with sharp weapons.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:00, Wed 08 May.

If no illumination needed then fine but please keep a 1y (hex) space clear behind me
Previous GM info is that torch should be in front rank.

Yes. Physical bodies will block torchlight. The more bodies, the more shadows the front line has to deal with.

Which is why I suggest Ken take point - can hold a torch in one hand, use his free fist to fight. James or Richard can use their spear from behind him.

Ken
James
Simon
Richard
Frank
Jonny

You can always hit someone with the torch.

Ken can set people on fire with the torch or his fists! :)