OK, I split the Horn thread into a new one, rather than monkey with visibility. The ones who can see this post are the ones I believe to be there.
As the thread opens:
Handle is watching from a discreet position. Unless you are actively looking for him, you probably don't notice him.
Cas is coaxing.
Nuyok is helping and waiting for a report.
Vagrant is playing good cop, yet hinting that others might be ill-disposed towards the madman.
Beka is trying to duplicate his speech pattern to connect with him.

Eachof you has a quote of Horn's that you manage to gain some insight from. This takes a considerable amount of time and effort. Please respond to the main thread if you are interacting. Repond to your sub-thread if you have a question specific to your insight.

[EDITED on Sat March 1, 2003 @9:17 AM (PST)]

The best you can determine from his tangled tale is that he and two brothers hired as guards from Adala, and that their caravan met with disaster. His brothers were twisted into something horrible, but he survived. Somehow, he was spared.

Any notion from him on what it was they were transporting?

It's possible that someone else in the group might have gotten that insight.

Is a reaver, of course. You have determined that something broke his mind, but it happened after they met the reaver. He also only met one reaver.
When he says he picked up NOTHING, he honestly has a hole in his mind about that event. You can feel the hole like a yawning pit, threatening to suck you in if you look too closely.

Making sure Nuyok understands, the "hole" appears to have occurred after the reaver meeting?

Meaning the "hole" in his mind, not the "hole" in the night

The caravan Horn was with found something dangerous on the road. Some of them wanted to leave it alone, but others disagreed, probably out of greed. There was an argument, but the greedy ones one. Horn was one of the greedy ones. It was somehow responsible for whatever fate befell their caravan.

[EDITED on Tue January 21, 2003 @10:48 PM (PST)]

It becomes obvious after a while, that Horn is trying to tell you things, but cannot. His mind is broken and there is some block or hole he cannot get around. The sing-songy speech helps, but not much. Nevertheless, he is definitely trying to warn you about specific events to come. He seems positive that reavers won't stop until they get you all, which is NOT reaver behavior.

This was actually said to Riccoco, before you came out, but he repeats it often. He says it often when he talks about the thing they should have left at the side of the road. Could it have something to do with Demon-Kings? an Artifact, perhaps?

"You know," Cas starts after listening to much of Horn's story, "you and I have a lot in common. When I was really young before I can remember everything my family ran into some reavers. My daddy and my mommy both became kinda weird and I ended up living on my own for a while. I found this really pretty..." Cas fingers something from her pouch, nope... not a piece of wood, nope not a knife, okay that stone I added for weight will do nicely "stone clutched in my father's hand. I took it to remember them by. You didn't by any chance find a pretty stone or something did you?"

OOC: One of the things I love about playing Cas the fruitloop is the ever changing story. Imagine my surprise when an origin story for her family crops up. Maybe this is why she is a little manic and excentric.

Horn gazes at the stone for about ten minutes. "Pretty? No. No-no-no. Finding nothing and putting it in my head. All gone now, melted away. Later."

After a long period of observation, Nuyok finally speaks to Horn, saying "What drew the hole in the night to you and your friends? What was it after?"

"After? It was after NOTHING!" His face locks and at first you think he is choking, till you realize he is trying to speak. Nothing comes out, though. After a few minutes he gives up trying and lapses back into melancholy.

OOC: Gotcha!

"Horn, where did you come from and what were you doing when the reaver struck?"

"Adalalalalalalala. Born and bred, sliced bread, toasted everyone of us..."
He pauses one of his long pauses. "Fighting," he says at last.
"Fighting, smiting then running an' hiding"

Quietly to Handle, Nuyok will say "Something in this Fort draws the reavers like moths to the light. Horn knows not what it is, which is why Ash did not find him to be a problem, but Horn *was* involved though he may not have known it. We need a thorough search of the *entire* Fort, starting with wherever Horn has been, to find the source, and we need the search to *very* discreet. Can I rely on you?" Nuyok peers intently at Handle.

Perception14- to hear:
3d6: 11 Wed January 22, 2003 @5:16 PM (EST)

You heard.

out from behind the candle and the corner of the room, I come towards the group, leaning down towards Horn, I whisper in his ear,

"What did the caravan find on the way to Adala? Did they bring it here? Where is it?"

"NOTHING! We found NOTHING and argued about it. Can't take nothing with you they said. And we couldn't. It took us, everyone."

"I don't think there is anything to find in the fort. It may be more of a what happened than a where is it we need to find out. All these riven may be the rest of Horn's caravan mates. But I'll try and make a good look around anyway, jsut to se what maybe I can see, or hear."

"True enough, but there's something missing from his mind, and for all I know, it could be that they had some old world item that attracts reavers, and the old fool dropped it somewhere. Might as well start there, and then worry about the more existential issues later if need be."

"Mr. Horn, I am a big fan of trading," Cas begins trying to show as much respect as possible, "I was wondering if you could tell me what you were trading and if you left the supplies out there?" At the expression 'out there' Cas motions her hands in the general direction of Adala. This entire question is asked immediately after Nuyok's statement to Handle.

I'm tossing in a Conversation 11- roll to give the hint to Handle at possible places to start searching.
3d6: 6 Wed January 22, 2003 @5:23 PM (EST)

"Big people, but little. Made of tooth and nail of the wossname with big teeth. They don't move and you can put them under birds in the park. When they're made of stone. Or on a shelf, 'suppose."

.oO( So were exactly are these gargoyles now...)

"Wow, so you were a guard from Adala for a caravan carrying Gargoyles?" Cas nods with satisfaction, "Do you still have the gargoyles now?"

Horn meets your question with blank incomprehension.

"Sorry, I guess gargoyles is what they call them in Karkul," Cas pauses for a moment and gives an exagerated thinking motion even though she knows just what to say, "Oh! Statues. Is that what you carried?"

"S-s-statues? That's the label! The name of the game that we played."

OOC: Does anybody really care?

What do any of you know of Master Ash? It seems clear Horn is trying to tell us somedthing but is unable. He is definately warning us.

She leaves after speaking to Celeste.

"So, Horn" Cas says with a bright smile, "What do you think of Adala? It's a great city isn't it?"

"Better than here. Or better than dead. Or not. Better-better-butter-butter, melting in the pan. Little vixie, little vixie get out while you can."

Edited to reduce visibility

[EDITED on Mon January 27, 2003 @1:20 PM (PST)]

"I would leave but I hardly think the jungle is safer than here," Cas pauses and thinks about this for a moment, "Why would it be safer out in the jungle than in here?"

[EDITED on Mon January 27, 2003 @5:21 PM (EST)]

class="thought">.oO(I hope the fox can learn more casue I don't think we have much here to go on or even should be messin with it )

I leave to make a sneaky search of the fort, start at the perimeters walking openly around the wall, then work inward and into smeak mode to finaly end at the Mater's place and will look for a way into it to look around without being noticed.

thieve's skills all 14- as is perception, I make a careful look around and once at the master's house, move bery cautiously, so maybe a couple pluses for extra time, I'll spend the betterpatrt of the day unless I see at some point the group getting ready to leave or calling for me or soemthing.

Handle, you see that the fort does not just contain military personaell and the inkeeper. There are a couple of trading posts. One sells caravan equipment, the other sells necessities and surplus trade goods. There is a smithy that makes weapons and armor. But the door is locked.
All the people you see are scared, fearing the approaching night.
You notice that the gate has been hastily repaired. One door is fixed, but the other will open and close. Doom hails you as you pass. Do you go and speak to him, or pretend you didn't hear? This is the last place to check before returning up the hill and checking out the Manor.

.oO(Whois this guy, should I know him from soemwhere Better answer him or he may folow me and get suspicious)

"Yeah, what's up?"

You recognize the big man as one of the soldiers at the gate yesterday. You think you also saw him after the attack, talking to some of your friends. His face is drawn and fatalistic.
"Hello, young fellow," He says as you approach. "You can call me Soldier Doom; everyone does. I was just wondering if any more of your party was planning on going out into the wilds before nightfall? It's their own funeral I suppose, but their business. I also wanted to let you know that until we get the gate properly fixed, I don't think your big wagon will make it through the side that does move.
"You folks are stuck here for another day, at least. Probably till the end." He sighs.

"Thank you Soldier Doom. I will tell the others. Um, you say any other of my group wanting to leave, who all has left the fort, and will they be allowed in after dark?"

"That Rath fellow left about an hour after noon. Said he was going to scout for your party. Damn stupid if you ask me. Leathergirl and Scarface left an hour or so ago. They had a writ from the Commander.
"Yeah, we'll let 'em back in, but only if they get here before dark and we aren't under attack. Mako won't let us open the gate at night."

Handle, respond to this in the "scouting about" thread.

Horn looks more agitated than ever. He is now clearly fighting something. Several times he tries to speak only to start foaming. It's almost frightening enough to make you want to run for a doctor, then ragged gasps and gulps for air follow. It takes some time to calm him. Often he weeps.
In the calm, you notice that it is far later than you would have thought. The far sky is tinged with orange, and dusk cannot be too far away.
Finally he says in a strangled whisper. "I- I- I can't tell you. I want to, but the p-p-pain. Oh, P-promethe--. Beware! Beware the one who bears the hole i n m y m i n d..."

He suddenly bolts upright, overturning table and cups in a shattering crash that makes you all jump and brings the landlord out with an alarmed look. Then he pitches face-first into the mess, landing in an awkward position from which he does not arise.

.oO( Well, I'll be rivened... )

Cas has barely noticed that anyone has left... she is obsessed with the task on hand. She motions the patrons away and gets down next to Horn, "I know it hurts, but once you tell me I'll take the pain. Let me have the pain for you. It is like a cold they say, 'To get rid of it, you need to pass it on.' Let me have the pain and I promise that no one will give you that pain again."

.oO( Like Reaven Hell I'll promise that, but I doubt anyone would want to know once this is resolved.)

Looking carefully and listening for the slightest whisper, you suddenly become aware that Horn is not breathing. Vagrant holds an oddly-decorated mirror up to his mouth to confirm. There is no fog.
Innkeeper Jame asks fearfully, "Is he dead? Oh stones, I hoped he would find his psyche, but maybe this is kinder..." He appears touched and sorrowed.

"Um, please forgive me but I need to make a hasty retreat..." Cas bows and runs out of the door. She will head to the docks which is where she last knew her friends were located.

.oO( Horn's dead and I got a free meal. What a day! )

There may be a slight delay, depending on how quickly the other players resolve the immediate happening at the docks. If they are not timely, I will interject you into the middle.

I'm fully understanding of being put on hold.

Vagrant returns his mirror back under his rags. Grabbing a seat near Horn's body he drops down on it. To himself or whoever else is in the room, "Huh... So this guy meets something darkly evil in the jungle. He ends up here with a hex on him that guarantees death if he devulges too much about his jungle encounter. I made up that bit about the townspeople wanting to torture him. Heck, that would have been better then what this poor fellow went through."

"So who is Promethe? Prometheus? Maybe finding that person we could get a clue to locating the "one who bears the hole i n [Horn's] m i n d..." Of course, I would only want to do that if I was crazy. I guess these rags can double as a straight jacket. Innkeeper? Inkeeper, do you know of anyone with a name like Prometheus?"

Innkeeper Jame looks at you with frank astonishment. His Adam's apple bobbles. "I thought you were City Dweller!" he says. "But surely even a barbarian has heard of the lawgiver?"
At your questions, excuses or evasions, he continues. "Prometheus is the one who banished the Demon Kings. Well, he and his disciples. They made the world free for people to see their own destiny, instead of being the playthings of cruel and inhuman overlords.
He taught the world to see and to use spirit. He gave us our culture... Oh, that doesn't sound right!
"I wish Father Jeo were still around. He could explain it far better than I. He may never return from the mission the Master sent him on, though. It's reaving dangerous out there."

Vagrant again feels the pain of not understanding the
world he now lives in. Still, these simple things
need to be figured out before he will truly understand
how to cope with his new lot in life.

"So, Father Jeo may be able to tell some of these old
time stories? Where would you guess he would be now?
I hate to admit this to everyone but I have lost a lot
of my memory in an accident. I don't know many of the
stories of past times. I really want to. How can I
track down this Jeo?"

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"Father Jeo left several days ago with one of the boats and some soldiers. They were the first party that was sent back to ask for reinforcements. The father was a good'n for turning reavers. I just hope they made it. If they did, we should get a boat any time now. If they failed... well.
If the reavers break through again, you just ahead across to that little church. The father did a good job making it a proper sanctuary. Master Ash holds the lines to it now.
"Anyway, the spirit of Prometheus departed for the Cosmos when his work here was done. There are none left alive who walked with him. That was hundreds of years ago, though.
"Father Jeo can quote you whole passages of scripture from the Book, though."
At your incomprehension, "The Book of Standing Stones. The teaching f Prometheus come from the stones, y'see. He and his disciples left 'em all over the world, so that those what can could read them and learn from them. You'll find them in every City."
You can almost hear the capitalization of the word "city".

The innkeeper suddenly remembers the dead body at your feet. "But that's enough theology for now, sir. If you would be so good as to take his feet and help me put him on this bench, we can take him to the infirmary."
Barring any objections, this is what happens.
At the infirmary, the body is examined by Lt. Stout, the doctor. He listens very carefully, takes a pulse, checks various vitals and announces, "This man isn't dead."
He continues, "Oh, I doubt he'll be waking up soon, but he's in a coma of some kind. It's like his mind has shut down. He's also burst a lot of capillaries, like he's been straining.
"This is the fellow who came in a week ago, isn't he? Horn? Well, put him on that bed over there, and I'll see what Master Ash can do. He's a psychist, and far more able to deal with this sort of thing than me."

"Good, I'd like a word with the Ash fellow afterwards. Is he on his way or should I fetch him?"

"Sweet Prometheus, man! You don't fetch Master Ash. He might summon you, but you can petition him. He's a pretty approachable fellow, but he has a lot to do with all the reaver attacks recently.
"If you want to speak to him, you can go up to the gate and ring the bell. If he has time for you, let him know about Mr. Horn, here."

Half to himself and half to those that are in ear shot
he mumbles, "I'll go and try to speak with him. If he
will grace me with his presence, of course. Too bad
the world hasn't changed to exclude these high and
mighty types. The worst mistake I made was to take
that job at the cryo lab. The clientel there would
have rubbed their nose on the ceiling if they weren't
careful."

Shaking his head he stumbles off looking to locate
Master Ash.

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"Also, what became of Prometheus?"

.oO( Horn leaves Adala as part of a caravan. Horn arrives here. Reavers and Riven attack here. Master Ash reviews Horn and clears him. Horn warns me of the person who bares the hole. Who has that 'hole' and what if it wasn't caused by a Reaver? )

As Nuyok is reaches the infirmary, he encounters Vagrant, who has just stepped outside of that very building.
Nuyok appears conflicted, or at least perplexed.
Vagrant's expression is, of course, imposssible to read. However, he is muttering under his breath in an annoyed manner.
It is nearly nightfall.

Startled to suddenly see one of his traveling mates he
stammers out, "Nu...Nuyok, I am on my way to see if I
can gain an audience with the 'exhalted' Master Ash.
Our friend Horn is in a coma and needs some care. Do
you think you can help him instead?"

[EDITED on Sun February 2, 2003 @5:00 PM (CST)]

"Vagrant, I'm sure Ash will see you, just head back around from whence I came. As for Horn...I will attend to him momentarily, there's something I must do first, however."

And Nuyok moves to rapidly continue on...but glancing back to see whether he's followed.

Lt. Stout notices you enter the Infirmary. (not followed)
"Healer Nuyok. Do you need something Master? Or have you come to help out the rest of these folks?"
He indicates the four soldiers still convalescing.
I have kept Vagrant visible for this, since the conversation is being held in the doorway.

OOC: Moving along.
Lt. Stout does not think your request to see Jakob's body odd. He takes you to the back, where the body has been wrapped in bandages, kind of like a mummy. The bandages are not enhanced, so they are invisible to your spirit sight.
He has a number of broken ribs, some severe internal crushing damage and numerous cuts and lacerations. There is a long cut on his forehead, but rather shallow. Not enough to warrant concussion or delirium in your (uneducated) opinion.
He is definitely dead.

.oO(Weird, the post two posts up didn't show "green" for me, didn't know it was there?? Anyway, I wasn't sure if you saw my post in the "Scouting" thread, where I originally was meaning to go clockwise around the inn to avoid the main path to Ash's (thus the quickest way to Ash's that wasn't the direct path was clockwise around the inn), rather than past the infirmary, but can easily have gone around the infirmary route to circle around the armory, but the plan was to try to get to Ash's Manor ASAP...confused??)

Ash' Manor is surrounded by wall on three sides and water on the north. There is only one gate. Were you planning on climbing the wall and sneaking in?
Sorry for the confusion.

OOC: No problem on the confusion, I'm confused a bit now myself I went to try to find where I described Nuyok's plan after circling the inn, but can't seem to find the post...oh well. I'm sure it's a bit difficult for you to be running so many threads with occasional interactions!

Here's Nuyok's plan: After seeing Mako enter, stealthily approach Ash's Manor from an ideal angle, clear the wall (assuming there is not sort of spirit alarm to be worried about?), and approach the Manor so as to minimize being seen by others as well as limiting viewable windows where Nuyok could be seen from the Manor. Once getting up to the Manor, to get to a position to try to listen in on Ash & Mako, presumably Ash would receive Mako the same place he received Nuyok (IIRC, the front sitting room?), but move around if no conversation is heard between those two, to try to listen in elsewhere. If spotted at any point, Nuyok will attempt to appear as if he is meant to be there and going about his business.
Not sure what rolls will be necessary, but Stealth and Climbing are each at 13- (if he needs to climb up to hear 2nd floor conversation, and for climbing the outside wall).

Nuyok, hopping the wall is difficult, there is broken glass and such set in the top to discourage casual climbers. You could leap from the inn second story into the compound, but it would be risky. You could like wise go down to the water edge and wade around the end of the wall. Pick whichever method you like, any one would be successful. You are probably aided in your stealth by Vagrant approaching the front gate. (I haven't heard from Pete yet.)
One quick note, you see a very wet Handle pass by the inn, apparently without seeing you. (OOC: he has moved on, but timewise, you would proably briefly intersect.)
Once inside, you realize that there is only one opening on the ground floor: the front doors. There are some second story windows, but you can see that the shutters are spirit enhanced, possibly engineered to stop intrusion. While you are wondering what course to take, you hear a voice from the front doors.
"Master Nuyok? If you are still out there, Master Ash will receive you."
You recognize the voice as Devlin's (the servant), but you are around the back. He cannot see you.

Vagrant, I need to move you to your next encounter area ASAP. Are you planning on saying with Nuyok, or going to see Ash? If I don't hear soon, I am going to go with your last action and place you there.
Sorry for the railroading, but I am trying to coordinate 4 groups of PCs and several NPC actions at the same time. I don't want you to fall through the cracks

Noting Nuyok's odd demeanor I linger just outside the doorway listening for a few more moments.

Nuyok asks to see the body of someone called "Lineman Jakob". Lt. Stout agrees to show it to him. Do you continue to watch (and listen) or proceed to Ash's or do something else?

Vagrant lingers a bit longer. I intend to take the
few minutes necessary to get the jist of what Nuyok is
up to.

Vagrant will try to get the idea of what Nuyok is up too, following him a bit if necessary. Once He understands his actions in at least a limited way Vagrant will head off to the manor.

[GM, you may guide my experience here so that we can get on with things. I want to get on to the Ash thing without waiting forever to see what Nuyok is up to.]