It is the morning of the day after Throne's hanging. The city party has just left the gates behind them, while the jungle party has just broken their simple camp near the Lizard Road.

To the great relief of the former party, Celeste is whole and hale and with the party. For some reason, they are a bit subdued.

Those emerging from the jungle are greatly surprised to see that the caravan has nearly doubled in size. Full introducions have yet to be made, but there is a covered wagon (gypsy wagon style), five armored folk, a priest and a (male) human merchant as well as the expected crowd. There is also a HUGE bear leading a horse drawn cart about the size of Kent's. They are all walking/riding together.

You guys can continue any unfinished discussions in the old threads. You can also assume that the caravan is loose enough that private conversations/greetings are possible. I just won't be able to post for a couple of days and wanted to give you all a chance to compare experiences. No NPC will talk till I get back. Other than that, Happy Holidays, All!

Upon spotting Celeste, Faliol drops whatever he is doing and runs full speed into her (exhuberantly, not move a through). Unless she dodges, he is gonna hug the stuffing out of her...

3d6: 12 Wed December 24, 2003 @7:36 AM (CST)

"Big Sister! We missed you terribly! Welcome back! Allow me to introduce our new friend, Angilak. (beckons to the giant bear to come over). Angilak, meet my big sister, Celeste. Celeste, meet Ricco's new business acquaintance, Angilak. You two will get along just fine..."

[EDITED on Wed December 24, 2003 @7:37 AM (CST)]

Softy so only Celeste hears, "I don't know any of that other group, so I cannot introduce you to them. Get a look at Porky (porcupine with metal tipped spikes). Yikes, what a monster. We best keep an eye on that crew..."

Celeste takes a quick glance in that direction.Does Porky fall into the 'beast' classification? That is, is he of comparable size and bearing of our friends?Softly Celeste replies, "Yes, he could be dangerous, or a good one to have on your side..."

OOC: I hope Keith doesn't mind if I answer this one question about the porcupine...

Direct quote from Keith about "spikey"

"One of the armed folk is a beast, specifically, a porcupine. He looks like a rough customer, and some of his quills are actually shod with metal."

Celeste notices a speeding, red blur heading her way just in time to avoid being knocked down. As Faliol launches himself at her, she catches him up in her arms and hugs him back. Smiling a very big smile, "It is good to be back. I missed you too, little brother," looking at the rest of the caravan members a bit away, "all of you."
Celeste kisses Faliol on the nose before letting him slip from her arms. As the giant bear moves over to Faliol's beckon, Celeste will step forward and extend her paw....uh...hand to him. "Angilak, friend of my brother, welcome to our band of travelers."

"Ricco is glad to see you as well aren't you, Riccoco?"

Faliol urges the coon to greet Celeste with a tight little nod of his head.

.oO(Must be more speciest than I suspected. Sigh.)

OOC: Ricco has been away for a few days....give him a chance.....

The bear introduced as "Angilak" is huge, about 8 feet tall and thickly muscled. He is very nattily dressed and armed with a gigantic ax.
He bows low and takes your had in his massive paw. "Felicitations, noble companion of... Red and Bandit. May our association be a pleasant and profitable one. These two beasts had not told me of the nature of their erstwhile compatriots, but it is good to see that they are capable in combative arts, as I assume from your equippage and bearing."
He gestures towards the other group. "We were about to part ways with this other assemblage had not we re-united your caravan. Now we may proceed in all due speed and timely manner towards our ultimate goal of Merikia's Jewel."

May our journey be one of beneficent partnership, well-filled with high regard and

OOC: high regard and... and what?

OOC: I think the baby woke up while I was posting. Uh... Angilak suddenly had to clear his throat and Celeste responded before he began again. Yeah, that's it.

"Faliol and Riccoco...shesh, we told you that earlier. If only your memory were as prodigious as your vocabulary!"

A certain Vulpine's eyes travel up, up, up to a large muzzle.

.oO(Mr. Vocabulary could mash you into a pink smear without breaking a sweat...)

"Call me whatever you like, Angilak! Red...Faliol...Fox...hey, I am easy going!"

Big smile

OOC: Sorry juggling nine characters and assorted NPCs means I often let details escape what passes for my mind. Let's chalk it down to confusion on Angilak's part on precisely when such monikers should be used. He hasn't known you very long, after all.

OOC: Is this the Savage Earth or Zork??
"Yes, Angilak, I think you have the right of it!"

Vagrant nods weakly at any of the newcomers that welcome him. Without trying to be too noticed he moves off to a less public area and sits quietly.

At the fox flying at Celeste Lekchock almost draws his knife...before he realizes two things: First he doesn't have a knife, it was taken from him when he was captured by Throne, and then he recognizes the Fox.

.oO(Lil jumppy der, na used ta havin' friends been on my ow' so lon' hard ta let guard down.)

OOC: I don't think this cajun accent thing is working. It's hard to spell the way they talk. For those not familer with the accent, think Pepe La'Pew if he were from Texas and spoke so fast that the preamble to the constitution would sound like a one sentence. That's the effect I'm going for so just pretend

OOC: I thought it was working just fine...I just imagined it sounding like Gambit from the Saturday Morning X Men. (I was kind of hoping Gambit would show up in one of the movies sooner or later.)

Cas smiles upon the return of Celeste. She seems very delighted and would be rushing over right now except she is tending the ox. She will give a warm smile and a wave in her direction.

Celeste spots Cas waving. When introductions with Angilak are done, she will move to where Cas is tending the oxen. "Cas, it's good to see you again, no problems with any curtains? Did you manage to sell your chess set?"

"Oh yes," Cas says with a smile, "I did manage to get a nice price with Beka's help for the Chess Set. I'm not sure what I want to do with my Gold yet. I think I like being a driver for Beka. Besides, if I stick with her I'll be able to remember at least one person. So I might get myself something really special with it."

Cas has a realization, "Did Nuyok give you what I made yet?"

"Nuyok? Why no, Cas, he didn't?" Celeste casts a glance in the Master's direction. "Is it a surprise?"

OOC: Though it slipped my mind, Nuyok probably would have given it to Celeste by now, but what the hell

Overhearing, Nuyok says "Ah yes, between the rescue and...other events..., I forgot to pass this along," and Nuyok hands over Cas' gift to Celeste, prompting Cas for suggestions as to where best to place it.

Assuming that this comes before everything else.

The item is ring that looks very much like you wood see on a napkin in a fancy restaraunt. It has a fancy Celtic style design on the outside. "This is a friendship knot, you can use it to hold your hair, or hide a knot or whatever you want to do with it. I'm making one for everyone."

Accepting the gift from Nuyok's hand, Celeste looks at it for a moment as Cas is speaking. "It is beautiful Cas, thank you. No one has ever given me such a gift before." She drops down to knee level to better look Cas in the eyes and taking Cas' shoulders in her hands, "I will wear it in my braid...always," and then she gives Cas a great big barbarian hug.

"Good to see you all fair and well. How went the rescue?"

Seeing everyione fauning over Celeste, I move over to where vagrant seems to be making himself scarce as always.

"Did every thing work out alright? None of you look worse for wear at least. I'm glad to see you back. "

I pat vagrants shoulder lightly and quickly trying to show some comradery but without invading his personal space.

"I guess with our wayward friends returned, and new aquantances," I nod to the bear and other merchants now joining the caravan, "we can hit the road."

I go over to the Hamilton wagon, give the wines a second check over to see they are secure, look over the horse and tack climb up on the driver's bench and get the reins.

I sit waiting while others do the same, pulling my cloak around me against the slight early morning mist.

Vagrant looks toward Handle as he comes toward him, "Good to see you Handle. All went well on the rescue. There was little danger but a bit of a mystery towards the end there. I'm sure Nuyok will fill in the group later."

This time Vagrant takes the touch to his shoulder with the slightest of flinching. Awkwardly, he squeezes the arm of Handle trying to return the affection.

The new folks slowly approach your crowd. The merchant seems to be a spokesman for the group.
"Good mornin' to the lot of you. For those of you who didn't catch what I flung before, my name's Merchant Bergen. Adala born and bred, though I've made this trip half a dozen times. That's my wagon there. Some of the lot is my crew, the others are tag-a-longs and paying passengers.
He smooths down his nearly non-existent hair. "If we're going to share the road, we'd probably better get to know each other's names and such.
Those three strappers are Konnur, Drummel and Umbra. They're the guards I normally employ. Rough lads and lass, but well-behaved if there's no foolishness about."
The three he refers to are well-armed and lightly armored fighter-types, two men and a woman. The former have enough resemblance between them that they are likely brothers. They bear matching swords, though one is buckled on the left and the other on the right. The latter is a woman of skin so dark as to be coal black. (Note: this is not "Negro" coloration, but an actual black hue. She is obviously what Merikians refer to as a "chromatic". Her hair and equipment is of similar shade and makes her almost a living silhouette.
"Dashel here is my scout. He's new, since my last one was mostly eaten. Still ,he comes with high recommendations." Dashel is a porcupine, about four feet tall. Some of his quills are tipped with metal ends. He bears no armor, but carries a variety of knives and a short bow. He seems to have a sour expression, but since few of you have dealt with his species before, this may be characteristic.
"As for the others, they're not my company, so I'll let them sound off for themselves."
A lean and wiry man steps forward. He is better than average looking, but has obviously seen hardship and combat. He is clad more like a barbarian than a city dweller. Despite this, he wears a spirit cloak. "My name is Arkis. I'm a traveller. I came from the Shattered Isles and I am seeking... well I'm seeking my place in the world." After this awkward introduction, he says no more.
Bergen gestures towards the priest, who steps forward and says, "I am Brother Cadbury. I am a scribe in the service of Bishop Granick. I am carrying documents and letters to the Bishop Thane of Tallon. Please, don't think you need to 'take care' of me. I have made this trip before and am capable of putting up a decent fight. If the need warrants. Although I am only a Brother, and not a priest, I'll be happy to serve in whatever capacity your faith may require. Blessed be the Word and the Way."
Finally, Bergen gestures towards the big wagon. "Our last traveller wished a bit of anonymity while leaving the city, but since we're well beyond the gates...
"Come out, Mister Wickersticks!"
Out of the wagon steps one of the oddest-looking person you have ever seen. He is obviously an animate. He is a collection of twigs, sticks and vines skillfully woven into the semblance of a man. He stands very tall, though not as tall as Angilak. He cannot weigh more than fifty pounds.
"Hullo," he says, waving a long-fingered hand. He approaches the company and make a low bow that is almost comical. "This is certainly a larger company of travellers than I expected, but I suppose the more the merrier, eh? Oh, you can call me Will Wickersticks." Though his voice sounds friendly and warm, his face is almost impossible to read. He actually has painted nutshells for eyes. For clothing he wears a woven harness almost indistinguishable from his body. He also has a thin oilcloak.
Unless you wish to intentionally misrepresent yourself or withhold certain information, I will assume you are honest and forthright with your own introductions. If you wish to make your own speech, please respond in this sub-thread.

Nuyok will step forward and introduce himself. "Greetings fellow caravaners, I am Master Nuyok, employed by merchant Beka."

Nuyok looks around for anyone other adept (reading quickly, while traveling, didn't see such).

Nuyok studies the animate closely when the time presents itself.

Although I don't have it in the campaign guide, I have established in play that it is possible for an adept to detect adeptitude in others. It is not casual, though and requires some degree of scrutiny. Doubtless over the course of the trip, the opportunity for discrete observation will present itself and I will inform you of any unannounced adepts. Until then, Borther Cadbury, being a clergyman, is by definition at least sighted, but very unlikely to be a master.

OOC: That's funny, because that's the impression I already had from you basically

Nuyok would also look around for lumina, but given the "Brother" was an obvious person to expect to be "adept", he'll check him out, to see whether he might take undue notice of Nuyok (beyond merely being a fellow "adept").

"I've met a few of the animates in Tallon. Brassman mostly because he is always out after dark checking on the city. Are you of Adala? Why are you travelling? Who made you? Are they still here? How old are you? Oh my STONES that was rude! I must have been in the wilds for too long, please excuse me!"
Beka truns from red to green as she remembers her manners.
"I'm... merchant Beka, that's Cas, that's Celeste, thats handle, Faliol, Riccoco, Vagrant, ummm, Kent, Jareek, Peaches, and ummm... Lekchock. Oh my... uhhh. Hi everyone!"

The manikin makes no sign that he is embarassed by your questions. Indeed, he replies, "Don't worry. I'm very much older than I look. I have replaced every scrap of my body many times over. I suppose the short answer is that the person who made me has long since passed on, and I am seeing the world. I do not come from Adala, though I have lived there for many years."
Looking to the rest of the group he says, "I'm afraid I won't be too much good in a fight, but in return I can only offer that I myself do not require much in the way of protection."
The longer you look at him, the easier it is to make out the lines of a face in his twig-woven countenance. Eventually, you feel you might be able to read his expressions, but for now, he is enigmatic to look upon.

Looking at Wickersticks, Faliol snorts from behind Nuyok, "Well, now, Cas will not run short of carving wood on this trip..."

Nudging Riccoco to follow, Faliol ambles over to Porky. "Greetings, I am Faliol, the lead guide of the Hamilton caravan. This is Riccoco, a multi-talented merchant. He is interested in learning the ropes of our profession and has proven quite adept at picking up the tricks of the trade thus far. How do you propose we share the duties?"

OOC: Red to Green?

Celeste will let Beka's introduction stand.

Vagrant cranes forward staring intently at the strange creature that emerges from the wagon. Anyone near may hear him push air out his nose generally equated with a silent laugh. He studies the oddity for awhile before giving a shrug, a head shake and then resting against a near tree again.

Under his breath he whispers, "Out of place...out of place. With each day I feel more out of place."

Cas seems mostly interested in Dashel of the crews introduced, "My name is Cas. Most of my friends here groan when I talk because sometimes my stories get a bit out of hand. My trade is carpentry, stories, and ox driving. I look forward to hearing your stories and telling you of my own. Oh, and Dashel," Cas says with a humourous smile, "do not worry about scouting on our return trip too much. Carnobrocs cannot stand sharp pointy things so you will not have to worry too much about being eaten." There is an implied promise to tell the 'carnobroc' story later in her message. Cas seems much more relaxed than normal.

.oO( Why is does this seem so nostalgic too me? )

The porcupine scowls up at Cas, his voice comes out rough and uncultured, though not particularly unfriendly.
"Roight enuff then. If'n Oi meets 'em Carnobrocs, I'll feed you to 'em. Sweet fing loik you should go down plenty quick-like." He punctuates this 'joke' with a wink that could be a leer.

Cas smiles both interested in making new friends with another troupe as well as an intrigue in the individual, "Well you bet I go down nice and quick in the jaws of some monstrocity. But don't get me wrong, when I say that I can make a quick exit when I have to. I think the road has pretty much been cleared of them by now but you never know. Just in case we do, and I happen get stuck, can I count on you to help get me back out?"

.oO(I wonder what it will be like to travel with a jealous fox and coon?)

"Don't you worry'bout 'at, Miss. I do my part for one an' all, 'at's a true fing. "Course, wif me, Only way out is frough." He taps his spines. "No turnin' round, see?"

Celeste listens as all the introductions are made. At Wickersticks appearance her face remains passive, but her eyes study him intently.