The riven is left where he was found and the great game trail is quickly passed. The going is much easier now than it has been. The only thing that seems dangerous is the strangely increased number of unfamiliar animal noises. They are never very close, but some of them seem almost human. Once, the sound of trees falling is plainly audible.
It is a slightly nervous and relieved bunch that finally sees Fort Lizard come into view.
It is situated along the edge of the great inlet. Far in the distance, it looks as though the inlet narrows to a river, but you cannot be certain with the rain and approaching night.
The fort has a wide ditch that connects with the inlet, giving it a moat of sorts. The walls are stone and about 12 feet high. They are built on a raised embankment giving them a total height of over fifteen feet.
There is a large gatehouse at the south end (you are approaching from the north) and towers at irregular intervals.
The towers are manned with guards. You can see them wielding crossbows. They definitely notice you, but any entreaties elicit a hand wave toward the gatehouse. As you approach the gate, you can see that a portion of the wall has been breached and the subsequent hole filled with rubble and wooden posts.
At the gatehouse (the portcullis is closed), you are hailed by a grizzled fighting man wearing a military uniform. He is standing atop the house, about 20 feet up.
"State your names and business! Speak quickly, for night comes!"

Rath, how have you concealed your nature? Be specific.

Edited to add a clearer link to the map

[EDITED on Tue December 3, 2002 @11:26 PM (PST)]

Riccoco glances nervously over his shoulder at the jungle behind them and then at his companions. He keeps silent though. This Beast knows when to keep his thoughts to himself.

.oO(That be a strange welcome! Riccoco... you've got to do something about his luck of yours. From bad to worse and worse. We got to be hittin' the bottom sometime...)

Cas nods politely from the top of the wagon, "You don't remember me? It's Cas! Remember the Woodcarver who sold you the buckle your belt about a year and a half ago? Well its me except I'm with new people now. I'm here as wagon driver and looking for some supplies and a possible buyer for a couple of my wares."

OOC: I have no notion at all whether Cas ever sold a buckle to anyone at Fort Lizard. One thing that is certain is she never causes trouble at small places. She leaves that for the big ones.

OOC: I would like to buy tranport familiarity Wagons as soon as we are able to spend any XP.

"sir, we only seek shelter from the storm and other things that it has driven from out of the jungle. We are mere traders and will be on our way in the morning."

If apllicable trying to sound afraid and not a threat, useing Persuation 12-

3d6: 5, 5, 2 (STUN: 12, BODY: 3) Tue December 3, 2002 @5:59 PM (PST)

I am Beka and we are merchants and traders coming from Tallon, going to Adala. we would like to resupply and stay the night away from the wilds. We will be on our way early tomorrow.

The guard seems to eye your group carefully. He mentions something to a person you can't see.
"All right. Stand ready while we open. Get in as quickly as you can, 'cause I ain't gonna keep this thing open till nightfall."
The gate raises with a creaking groan and you are motioned forward by the head guard and several others.
Once you are inside, the heavy portcullis closes with a solid thump. It is made of stout timbers and shod with iron. It also appears to be animated, moving up and down by it's own power.
(Nuyok, to your sight it is obviously enhanced, as is the wall).

The commander of the guard approaches the party.
"I thought as much: some of you are fighters. You're welcome to stay, but I don't think you'll want to leave in the morning. In fact, I'm amazed you're here at all. By the Stones, there's a whole band of riven out there, and worse."
He looks at the assemblage. "You're going to be required for defense if you plan to stick around." To each of you he directs a question or statement:
"You there, Lady in Black [Beka] and your friend Scarface [Celeste] and Red [Faliol]. Oh, and Slim over there[Kent]. You've all got swords. The Boy [Handle] looks like he's a scrapper, as well you, Big Fella [Rath].
"The rest of you keep your heads down, unless you got some kind of fire I can't see. Even you, Miss Vixie-Beltbuckle [Cas]"
He seems to overlook or dismiss Riccoco, Vagrant and Jareek. He looks closer at Nuyok, "You there, you novice or Master?"

He has a rough take-charge manner that suggests he is used to giving orders and being obeyed. He is apparently in his early forties, with iron grey hair and a weathered leathery face.
Looking about, you can see that some of the soldiers nearby are indeed bandaged. They have a wary, apprehensive look on their faces, and some are casting nervous glances out into the jungle.

Apparently unfazed by the guard's berating, Nuyok responds "I am a Master. What has happened here?"

The commander cheers slightly, "Good to see you, sir. I think it would be best if you were to report to Master Ash directly. We've lost both our linemen.
"Is the rest of this lot your retinue, or are you employed?"

To 'the rest of you' he states, "Those of you that can use bows should report to the armory. There's not much time till nightfall.
"Those of you who are of no use for defense better get to the inn, if you can find room." He gestures up the hill.

However, he won't et anyone pass until he gets a name from each.

Ricco's muzzle twitches as the Captain speaks.

.oO(This 'coon be best off in the Inn... But, what good it do to die there iffin' I be more help on the wall pepperin' the Riven with arrows? Ifin' needs be, ol' Riccoco can always be sneakin' off.) /span>

"Riccoco be this 'coon's name, Cap'n. 'Coon folk be taught the use a bows as young uns. Which way to the Armory?" Riccoco's grin splits his muzzle from ear to ear.

.oO( Pointy Side goes forward, the not pointy side goes in the little rope thing. Pull back and let the arrow fly. Of course I doubt I'll ever hold one right. Then again there is no money available for helping them fight. )

Not to mention a -5 on Attack Rolls

"I've fired a bow several times in my life but I'm not very good. I might be able to help in other ways. I won't be underfoot but I couldn't just sit at the inn when something like this is going on."

The commander snaps a quick question as people are being hustled off to different locations. "What are you good for?"

Cas stands proud, "I took down an twelve foot tall tree that had taken out at least two barbarians all on my own without taking a scratch. I'm good in a fight."

OOC: I really need to get levels in Persuasion and Acting.

The Commander seems to accept without question that a "tree" could take out two barbarians. He nods.
"All right then, off to the armory with the rest."

Cas heads to the Armory with the rest. She will make a couple of attempts to try and find out what the story is about the wall and maybe a description of the Riven that destroyed it.

.oO( Glad Rath left that sword behind... )

See the Armory thread to come...

.oO(Curse their hides! I earned a nice long sleep at that inn. Not sentry duty after working my tail off all day long!)

Mumbling, "Red?!? Wonder how he would like being called 'Gramps'?" I move down the road to the armory, dreams of a soft bed and cold ale vanish as sentry duty beckons.

"Ricco, I intended to buy you a berry ale tonight, but it will have to be delayed."

"My name is Faliol."

.oO(Be civil. You have to come back here again someday... Poor Rath. I can imagine how badly I would feel if foxes were attacking this fort...)

Riccoco's tongue flicks out across his muzzle and whiskers. "No thing better than a nip o' berry ale to quench a hearty thirst! This 'coon will be holdin' ya to that, Faliol."

"I goes by Handle, and I can maybe handle a normal man but I don't have any training with bows or skills with fighting monsters and rivens or such, sir."

Looking around,

" And my large friend there is slow of mind and though big it is mostly fat. He can barely speak and is of no use in a fight. Might be better if we find a place int he inn and if anything gets there I cna do my best to defend others."

using persuation again 12-
3d6: 3, 6, 1 (STUN: 10, BODY: 3) Wed December 4, 2002 @9:34 PM (PST)

Set Ways Psych Limit in effect here.

"If you like, I can tell you the story of how it took us five hole minutes to explain how we needed him to help lift a tree out of our path. After we couldn't seem to get it into his head we had to take a side path. That is why we got here so late tonight. It is quite an interesting story..."

.oO( Forgive me Rath. )

As the others move off to the armory or the inn, Celeste will wait and then approach the commander. "Commander? My name is Celeste, I am familiar with bow and arrow, but it is not my weapon of choice. Tell me, if you will, what caused the breach in your wall? If that is what you guard against, I do not think arrows will stop it." She looks in the direction of the break to assess the damage from inside the wall.
Conversation 12-
3d6: 5, 1, 6 (STUN: 12, BODY: 3) Thu December 5, 2002 @1:27 AM (PST)

The commander looks at you (Celeste), doing a second appraisal. "No, arrows wouldn't do much against the big chimera. That's why we use the ballistas. Arrows are for the riven.
"You got any experience with seige equipment? If not, and if you can at least handle a bow, get to the armory."

Celeste gives the commander a second appraisal herself. "If I may ask, this band of riven, they travel with the chimera, or separately? How long ago did they last attack?"

.oO(I wonder if these riven are dangerous or if these people are just scared of all riven? Rath is certainly proof that not all riven are bad.)

Celeste will try to get more information from the commander before she finally asks the direction to the armory. The last time she fired an arrow, it was most likely aflame and pointed at some enemy ship (large target).

"They attack together, more every time and always at night. They're building of of our own casualies. And if that isn't enough to freeze our blood, they travel with a pack of reavers.
"Now get yourself up to the armory so I don't have to explain the situation twice!"

Pack?

burn the bodies of your dead? I have never heard of the dead becoming riven before, but why let them add to their numbers?" Celeste turns to make her way to the armory,stops and turns back to the commander. "We have a saying in my land. 'Never hate your enemy, it clouds your judgement'." With that she turns and follows the path to the armory. .oO(Reavers and riven together? It makes sense in a bizarre way...like 'parents and children'?) Celeste shudders inwardly at the thought of a reaver 'family'.

"No, they are not my retinue, I am under hire by the caravan master Beka," gesturing her way.

I put a shirt on and wrap my arms around myself again. I try to keep the wagon between the guards and myself..oO(Bands of Riven attacking?)

Concealment 12-
3d6: 12 Wed December 4, 2002 @2:55 PM (EST)

As far as you know, your disguise works.

Perception 14-,
3d6: 3, 5, 2 (STUN: 10, BODY: 3) Wed December 4, 2002 @9:43 PM (PST)
span class="ooc">OOC: If I see through his disguise easily, I wait till guards aren't looking at me and can catch Rath's eye and nod and hunch a little and stick my belly out trying to infer he copy me
If it works and he follows my hint, concealment 14-
3d6: 2, 4, 2 (STUN: 8, BODY: 3) Wed December 4, 2002 @9:43 PM (PST)
if this doen'st work an the guards beginto get suspicious I'll try and slip away and hide in the shadows.

OOC: Was this supposed to be a clickable map?

Celeste will observe the breach in the wall as the caravan approaches. As the group draws closer, she will look to see if any of the guards on the wall carry bows and whether or not the fletchings look similar to those in the dead riven.
Perception Roll 12-
3d6: 5, 4, 6 (STUN: 15, BODY: 4) Thu December 5, 2002 @1:00 AM (PST)

OOC: You need to right mouse click and Zoom In to zoom the map.

OOC: been gone too long.... I forgot! (of course, I could have checked back on the old e-mail.... : ) )

You cannot tell if the fletching is the same, even from close-up. As for the wall breach, it looks like it was rammed from the outside. Some of the base stones are intact. Heavy posts have been set in place and stout timbers hold rubble in the gap. It is literally a stopgap measure and something they will probably repair when they are not under attack.

OK, this is what I have so far:
Armory
Riccoco
Faliol
Cas
Celeste
These last two are somewhat behind the others but within shouting distance

Manor
Nuyok You may request others to come with you, or you may go alone

Inn
Handle
Rath Handle is trying to steer Rath this way, and I figured he wouldn't be happy about shooing riven (or meeting the Master). Let me know if you disagree
Jareek To 'protect' Kent
Kent Although he has a sword, he is not a fighter. Besides, he's an NPC

I need to hear from Beka and Vagrant, or I will assign them later today.

Anybody, let me know if this is wrong.

Cas will sprint to catch up with Faliol and Riccoco, "Wow talk about some excitement!"

Riccoco glances back at Cas as she catches up to the two beasts. "Wow? Ol' Riccoco be thinkin' a few words about Fort Lizard. Wow ain't bein' one of 'em. This 'coon been wanderin' the Sabre for a lotta years. He been seein' a lotta things, but never saw Riven an' Chimeras workin' together. Riccoco be thinkin' this a bad omen, at the least!"

It is weird to see them working together, right? Even if it isn't Ricco might have never seen it happen. I can't help but think some Adept is controlling them and wreaking havok in the area for some foul purpose.

Riven often band together in the wilds for mutal gain/protection. Chimeras are usually solitary.

...but I cannot use a bow. Where do you want me to go sir? My name is Beka.
coming from her pouch...
I can fight too! I'm better them all of 'em! I can use a bow! course it needs to be special and my size but I could hit a reaver in any of it's eyes with it! I can....
"Sorry sir, yes Peaches can fight but she does best with me."

[EDITED on Thu December 5, 2002 @4:40 PM (PST)]

[EDITED on Thu December 5, 2002 @4:41 PM (PST)]

Rath lets Handle lead him to the Inn, his head is down and back hunched over. Anyone who looks closely can see that he looks as if he's in a stupor, or sleepwalking.

" Come along friend, get food..."

I make a motion with my hand to my open mouth

"Food, mmm, Eat. Come along."

I start to lead rath off with the others.

After giving his name, Nuyok will go to the Manor alone, informing the others of his intent.

Nuyok also would like to discuss plans of staying vs. continuing on with the group at the earliest opportunity, mentioning this to Beka, offhand there is danger to staying and it isn't our fight, but it may also be dangerous to continue on.