Night Riding
By: TheGM
Posted: Monday, May 3, 2004 08:23:33 AM
Viewable By: TheGM, Faliol
Feeling guilty, but with no other prospects he feels he can honorably do, Faliol digs his heels into the horse's ribs and leaves his friends to defend themselves. Over the saddle in fron of him, the prostrate form of his foster sire moans weakly. Soon, they have left the camp behind and are galloping as fast as they safely can given the conditions. The horse protests at being made to run in the wildly flickering light of the single lantern that the fox holds in his free hand.
Soon, Faliol realizes that the horse will die if he tries to make it all the way to the fort at a run. Eventually, they settle on a pace that he can maintain. Besides, if he saves the horse now, he can make up time on the open mud flats tomorrow, when there is light.

So they travel through the night. Near dawn as you descend the last of the wooded hills, there is a groan and grumble from Jareek. "What in the name of the stones? Oh me poor, poor head! Wh-where..."
 
 
 
 
Relief and an explanation
By: Faliol
Posted: Monday, May 3, 2004 08:41:50 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Faliol jumps a little when Jareek stirs, then relief floods through his system...

Hugging Jareek tightly (probably too tight) with his free arm, the fox kit resists the urge to shout for joy.

"Pops! We will soon be at the Lizard! They will fix you right up! You had me so very worried!"

Then he turns his concentration back to the trail - where it belongs...
 
 
 
 
Mudflats and beyond
By: TheGM
Posted: Wednesday, May 5, 2004 08:36:37 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
The sun comes up, hot and intense. These are the mudflats ahead of you. You remember that the intense heat here nearly killed Vagrant. Also, there are biting flies ahead. To the south lies Black Lake, beyond which there may be a Demon King court.
Jareek is awake, but weak enough to lie across the saddle without comment.
Noon is miserable. The flies begin biting sometime afterwards, worse than last time. Perhaps the recent rains have had something to do with that. The flats were cracked and baked last time; now they are a bit more... squishy. The horse seems well-adapted to such conditions, though.

You pass the rock where you found the remnants of the bandits last time. Nothing remains of them now. The jungle is an efficient housekeeper.
Eventually you find a high place with a bit of shade and some wind to cut down the flies. The horse must rest or it will fall. Deciding to take a half-hour break before beginning the last push to the Lizard, you and Jareek settle under one of the few scrubby trees that dot this strangely barren area.

Jareek is weak, but takes water and a bit of food. He looks about slowly. "Is everyone else dead, then me kit?"
 
 
 
 
Telling the truth
By: Faliol
Posted: Wednesday, May 5, 2004 09:24:52 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Faliol shakes his head "No".

Finding something to occupy his attention (checking Betsy will do), Faliol answers in more depth, "Nuyok told me you would die unless you could be taken to Fort Lizard. I stole this horse from Bergen, who is probably dead by now, and we took off after the Yaraza got their thrice-damned book back. Once we get you some healing, I will take whatever help Mako will give me and go back for the others."

Faliol does not meet Jareek's eyes.
 
 
 
 
What exactly do they do to horse-thieves
By: TheGM
Posted: Wednesday, May 5, 2004 01:18:45 PM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
There is a long pause. "I see. Do ye think they'll want us back? The Bergen crowd, that is? The rest of our own bunch is a pretty good lot." He looks weak, but alert. He winces whenever he moves, and you notice his voice is very raspy. Arkis' knife cut his throat pretty badly.
 
 
 
 
All depends on Bergen's fate...
By: Faliol
Posted: Wednesday, May 5, 2004 07:04:09 PM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Faliol could only check Betsy so much before he switched to looking Jareek's neck wound over.

With a shrug of his shoulders he answered, "Konnur seemed pretty upset. Bergen was unconscious. Umbra was reasonable and likely our only friend in Bergen's group. Kent will likely fire us and I can't blame him for that. Celeste and Ricco will stand by us. I don't know about the others. The Yaraza may have killed them all by now..."
 
 
 
 
Fort Lizard
By: TheGM
Posted: Thursday, May 6, 2004 03:17:28 PM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Jareek takes this in and remains silent. Eventually he falls asleep. Placing him carefully on the horse, you remount and begin the last stretch. The way is long and arduous and filled with not a little danger, but by some hours after nightfall, the lights and walls of Fort Lizard come into view.

A challenge comes down from the wall, "Who goes there at this hour?"
A second, feline, voice says, "Feh Doom! Those eyes of yours are useless in the dark. Can't you recognize a friend? That's Red! And a wounded fox. But where is the rest of their band?"
"Hmpph, Shado. If you say that's Red, I guess you must be right. I suppose the rest are dead. Most likely, anyway."
You hear a shout from inside, "Alright you slugs! It's quiet enough. Pull open the gate enough for a horse and rider!"
You are admitted to the fort, dead tired. Sgt. Doom and Soldier Shado (the black cat) meet you at the entrance.
 
 
 
 
Finally!
By: Faliol
Posted: Saturday, May 8, 2004 08:52:43 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Faliol hands down Jareek to Shado, "Well met, Shado, Sargeant. Pops is hurt bad and needs attention."

As Faliol jumps off the horse, his legs give way and for a second, it appears that he doesn't have the strength to rise.

"Tired. Very, very tired."

He finally rises and then says, "I need to get Pops some medical help and then I need to report to Mr. Mako. Two caravans are in bad trouble."

Faliol limps over to the horse and rubs the poor tired beast between the eyes, "Good horse. I don't even know your name, but you got us here. Rest and eat some oats. You earned it."
 
 
 
 
Can I spend my points?
By: Faliol
Posted: Monday, May 10, 2004 03:47:53 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
All of them? Even the ones I stupidly gave to Handle?
Pretty please?
 
 
 
 
Watcha need?
By: TheGM
Posted: Monday, May 10, 2004 08:14:04 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Just let me know where you want 'em.
 
 
 
 
Nice GM!
By: Faliol
Posted: Monday, May 10, 2004 10:19:39 PM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
You are wise and kind, O' mighty one! I will begin the difficult task of spending EXP!
 
 
 
 
XP
By: Faliol
Posted: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 04:16:35 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
I remember something about STR costing 2 for 1. If so, I owe you 3 points of my EXP to pay for the STR.

Could I buy Discriminatory smell? Maybe it is a sense that has always been in the background but never been trusted or understood to be reliable until he spent x amount of time in the wilds? Make him seem more beasty instead of a furry human?

Another cool idea is to make his tail inherent extra limb with limited manipulation...

I would like to upgrade my penalty skill levels in bow to straight combat skill levels (2 points per +1 OCV with bows). Cost 1 point total.

Spent a good deal of time in Adala, maybe put 1 point into AK: Adala?

Something I noticed on my character sheet - I am not getting the price break for buying the traveller skill enhancer. The Ak's and Cuk's have to be deleted and re-bought in the Traveller list to make it work. I took the 3 points saved and boosted three existing Ak's and Cuk's.

These are some of my thoughts on finally spending my EXP...
 
 
 
 
Character
By: TheGM
Posted: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 08:04:41 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Do you have Hero Maker? I can send you the Savage Earth extension template.
I'll look into the changes and corrections you have suggested tomorrow. Had a bad day yesterday.
 
 
 
 
Correct file
By: TheGM
Posted: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 09:05:59 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Here is the correct Faliol character sheet. I must have sent you the hdc file instead of the hdz, which has the correct template and costs.
My bad and I'm sorry for any confusion or inconvenience.

Faliol1.hdz
 
 
 
 
Hmmm
By: TheGM
Posted: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 09:08:57 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Herocentral just renamed my upload to Faliol1.hdz, indicating that the hdz file was uploaded previously. However, when I check your character sheet online, it indicates that the sheet is coming from Faliol.hdc. Weird.
Anyway, either of the hdz files should work.
 
 
 
 
It was me
By: Faliol
Posted: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 10:29:01 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
This morning, I uploaded a Faliol file...
 
 
 
 
Bad day?
By: Faliol
Posted: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 10:31:47 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
No problem, Keith! Sorry you had a bad day yesterday, take your time.
 
 
 
 
This works now
By: Faliol
Posted: Monday, June 7, 2004 04:01:46 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
You've got to right click and "Save Target..."
 
 
 
 
Nope
By: Faliol
Posted: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 10:30:31 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Heromaker is no more!

I use Hero Designer 1. I have Designer 2 but have yet to upgrade due to laziness.
 
 
 
 
D'oh!
By: TheGM
Posted: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 01:18:03 PM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Slip of the brain. HeroDesigner.
 
 
 
 
Two things to make Faliol display proper
By: TheGM
Posted: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 01:33:21 PM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
I am attaching the Savage Earth Extension Template. Using that will make your strangth costs come out correctly and also add the three custom characteristics for Morphia et al.

When you save, package the character. This will produce an hdz file that will contain all this extra goodness. Upload the hdz file instead of the hdc.

Of course, you'll probably have to upgrade to make it all work... : )

Savage Earth1.hdt
 
 
 
 
I upgraded but it doesn't work
By: Faliol
Posted: Sunday, May 16, 2004 02:13:37 PM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Okay, I click on the link and then see some XML gobbleygook.

I tried to save it and after loading v1 faliol tried to "Package character files..." It doesn't see the template. When I try to choose the Template and load it, I get "Premature end of file" error and no template gets loaded.

Help!
 
 
 
 
Did you decide?
By: Faliol
Posted: Monday, June 7, 2004 04:02:51 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
On how I could spend these points? In all the flurry of activity, I think we forgot to resolve this...
 
 
 
 
Mako
By: TheGM
Posted: Monday, May 10, 2004 08:24:20 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
"Right then, take the old fellow to Lt. Stout and let him see if there's anything he can do." He doesn't look hopeful bout the prospects. A couple of soldiers ready a stretcher and bear the old vulpine toward the infirmary. Fortuantely Commander Mako is in this direction as well and you can give Jareek some words of comfort.

After assuring that this is important enough to disturb the Commander, he knocks upon the door of his office.

"Come!" is the response from inside.

"Sir, we have a visitor"

Mako looks much as you last saw him. He puts down the book he was reading and stands. "Red! We didn't expect to see you so soon." He seems to pick up on your condition. "Well this doesn't look like good news now. Have a seat and tell us."

He offers you some brandy from a clean cup.
 
 
 
 
Won't see many clean cups in prison...
By: Faliol
Posted: Monday, May 10, 2004 10:14:46 PM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Faliol takes the offered seat and downs the offered brandy in one quick gulp. As the liquor detonates in his stomach, he calms down a bit.

"Thanks for the brandy, Sir. I have a sorry tale to tell you. I would be a liar if I told you that I am not tempted to fabricate a story to make my actions seem better than what happened in reality. Maybe if you were not the same man that lead us to victory against those Reavers and the Riven, I might even have given in to that urge. But here is the plain and simple truth..."

Faliol sighs and then gets on with the difficult task. Every moment he delays is a wasted opportunity to help his friends. He lowers his eyes in shame and begins his sad story...

"Our problems began when we left Adala. Another caravan, lead by a Merchant Bergen, was heading this way and offered us a chance to travel together, pooling our resources. Miss Hamilton agreed, since they seemed like decent folk...on the surface. Wait, that isn't fair. Most of them are decent folk to my knowledge, except for one that caused all the trouble. His name was Arkis. An Adept, a thief, and a kidnapper. He is the source of all our troubles. He stole a Holy Book from these psychotic fanatics called the Yaraza. We first learned something was wrong when they tortured and killed a priest and his wife at a Sanctuary near Adala. At the time, we didn't know why they killed those people. Then they attacked us, killed our friend Handle and Konnur's brother, whose name I can't remember, I am ashamed to say. Just too damn tired to think straight. Anyway, they poisoned Pops, Bergen, and most of the animals in a second attack. Then those psychotic bastards told us what they wanted and we found out that Arkis had stolen their stupid book. When ordered to give them back the book to end the attacks, Arkis grabbed my Pops and used him as a hostage, claiming that if we gave him the horse I rode in on, he would take Pops here and get him treatment. I gave the signal to my friends to attack and kill that piece of shit resulting in Pops getting his throat cut. I then stole that horse and left those people to fend for themselves as I rode here with Pops."

Faliol looks into Mako's eyes for the first time so he can understand the sincerity of his next statement. "Sir, I know it was wrong to steal that horse and leave them there but my Pops is the last family I have on Earth. In truth, he is the only family I have ever known. When Mr. Nuyok told me that the only way Pops would live was to ride non-stop for Fort Lizard, I made a hard decision to steal that horse and get him here at best possible speed. (snort) The only reason I even joined the Hamilton Caravan was to keep him from getting killed in the wilds. (Sarcastically) I did a real good job of keeping him safe... Well now you know the story. Unless you slap me in irons, I intend to lead a relief party to those people and bring them in safe. I know that my word isn't very credible, but I promise you by all I hold dear that if you help me rescue them I will surrender to whatever punishment the law deems fit to attribute to my crime. But justice will have to wait until those two caravans are saved. After that, do with me as you will."
 
 
 
 
Judgement delayed
By: TheGM
Posted: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 02:45:17 PM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Mako listens with a growing look of seriousness.
"Horse theft in the Wilds is a serious crime, Red." He rubs his rough, tanned face. "Fortunately, I have some discretion in this matter. The Lizard is a fort of Tallon, not Adala. I'm not beholden to uphold their laws, though it is expected of me to cooperate. If the owner was Adalan, I can intercede to some degree.
It seems to me that 'Pops' is going to be here awhile. You wouldn't have gone to such extreme measures unless you caed for him a great deal. I'm going to hold that as a pledge of your word. You know where these--"Yaraza?"-- are to be found? As well as the others in your troupe?
It's too late to begin now, but we'll start at daylight. I'll send Doom and a squad to help. If the owner of the horse wishes to press charges, then we'll have to go from there. Until then, you'll travel where we do."
He rises.
"Now you look like something a reaver dragged in. Go with the soldier outside that door to the first barracks and get some rest. He'll show you where there's an empty cot. Visit your sire before you leave if you want, but be ready to ride when the sky turns light."
 
 
 
 
Nap time
By: Faliol
Posted: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 05:29:50 PM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Faliol nods his agreement before replying, "Thank you Mr. Mako. I knew we could count on you to help. I know where I left the others (if there is a map, he points the spot out) but I don't know exactly where those crazy Yaraza are camped. I stressed to Miss Beka the need to sit tight until help could arrive, but she seemed bent on moving."

Standing up to go, Faliol looks over his shoulder at Mako, "Sir, there is some information you need to know. Those Yaraza are deadly! They outclassed two caravans worth of seasoned fighters by using divide and conquer tactics. They know how to disappear from sight and how to move without leaving any trace. I think Nuyok said they had Adept powers. Doom and his squad are going into a real dangerous situation."
 
 
 
 
Been there.
By: TheGM
Posted: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 07:32:23 PM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Mako considers your words. He nods and says, "I'll confer with the new Master of the Fort. We'll send at least one lineman. And eh, I think we all have some experience dealing with adepts gone bad..." He looks at you knowingly before showing you the door.
"Soldier Barren, show this fox traveller to Barracks A. Give him a bunk and board. He has the run of the public areas of the fort, but is to remain with an escort at all times." He looks at you not harshly, "Sorry Red, but till we get this whole thing cleared up, that's how it's got to be."
 
 
 
 
No less than I deserve...
By: Faliol
Posted: Thursday, May 13, 2004 03:36:07 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
With a wan smile, "No need to apologize, Sir. You are treating me far better than I deserve. Most other people would chunk me in the darkest cell and throw away the key..." Faliol goes with the soldier, but stops outside the door of Mako's office.

"Can we go see my father? I think he is with Lt. Stout. I just want to peek in and see if he is ok. Then it is off to a warm bunk for some much need sleep."
 
 
 
 
Compliance
By: TheGM
Posted: Thursday, May 13, 2004 07:58:19 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
"The Commander said you had the run of the public areas, 'en. I ain't got a problem wi'it. You know, we still talk about that torch run you did. Dangdest thing." Soldier Barren leads you to the infirmary.
 
 
 
 
Those were the good old days
By: Faliol
Posted: Thursday, May 13, 2004 05:19:02 PM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Faliol smiles for the first time in days, "Ah, the good old days. I did the easy run that night. My raccoon friend, he did the really dangerous run. Surpirse protected me from them, but Ricco went out when they were expecting it. I hope he is ok..."

Faliol heads over to check on Jareek, then he goes to bed. Tomorrow was going to be hard travelling.
 
 
 
 
Prognosis
By: TheGM
Posted: Friday, May 14, 2004 12:09:54 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Lt. Stout is grave. "I won't lie to you, Red. He's in bad shape. There are limits to what I can do. I'm a healer, but I've never studied beast morphia other than otter. I think he'll pull through, but it seems that someone has already been at work on his spirit. There's only so far you can go with that. After a while, the morphia has been enhanced to its limit. I'll tell you now, if no one had worked on him with spirit healing, he would have died from that throat wound in seconds."
 
 
 
 
Bad news
By: Faliol
Posted: Friday, May 14, 2004 04:44:25 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Faliol takes Jareek's paw in his, silent tears begin to stream down his muzzle. "I know you will do your best, Lt. Pops is in good hands."

After a moment, Faliol leans closer and whispers, "Pops...Tomorrow I go back to get the others. Mr. Mako is sending a squad of soldiers to help, so don't you worry about me. Just rest and dream of pretty vixens bearing mugs of berry ale and large platters of brekky." He adjusts Jareek's blanket.

With difficulty Faliol stands up and leaves. As he passes the Chapel, he pauses. "I will be right out, Mr. Barren." He enters the Chapel, taking off his scarf.

"I never had much use for you and you know why. I came into this world in pain and have been struggling ever since. Optimists might say you sent Jareek to save me from the rats. If that is true, I figure you put the rats on my family's trail to begin with. Thanks a bunch. Long and short of it is, Jareek wouldn't be dying right now if you hadn't interfered in some way or some how. You owe him. He is a good fox. He deserves a break. Who knows? Maybe if you help out this one time, I might have a use for you again..."

Faliol turns and leaves, heading for the cot.
 
 
 
 
Riding forth
By: TheGM
Posted: Tuesday, May 18, 2004 11:28:08 PM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
The morning comes. There has been some light rain through most of the night, but not enough to make the trail difficult.
Sergeant Doom greets Faliol with a full squad by the front gates. They are all mounted. Bergen's horse has been refreshed and cared for and looks able to make the reutrn journey. It really is a good animal. The soldiers are armed with spear, short sword and bow. If Faliol lacks any of these, Doom indicates a quartermaster to provide him with them.
"We're most likely too late to do any good," he says by way of greeting, in his perpetually seplulcheral tones. "At least we might be able to avenge them."
The soldiers seem to make nothing of his dire predictions. They are used to it. Shado is a member of the squad of ten, and as he helps Faliol to his mount, he whispers, "The Commander must take a shine to you, Red. It's not often we send out a squad of cavalry."
 
 
 
 
Back in the saddle again...
By: Faliol
Posted: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 03:41:51 AM
Viewable By: Faliol, TheGM
Faliol graciously declines the short sword, bow, and spear but accepts a few arrows to compliment his normal quiver.

He smiles (toothless, friendly) at the cat before replying, "Mr. Mako and all his soldiers are good friends to us Hamilton/Kent Caravaners. We appreciate the help, Shado."
Cripes! The boss is coming!