After another night's stay in Surefall Glade, the group heads out of the glade and towards the pass that leads into the Karana's.

After several hours on the road, it becomes apparant the gnolls are a real problem in these parts. Farm houses are destroyed, crops burned, half eaten corpses laying in the wreckage of the farms and homes.

Toryn: "By the gods!" exclaims Toryn looking at the carnage... He makes the appropriate holy gestures and prays to Mithaniel Marr for their departed souls

Toryn: "Forgive me for not burying you friends, if I wasn't on a quest from the gods I would" Toryn murmurs with guilt looking at the bodies

Rand: "I still think we should visit Qeynos, many of us could use the visit there to catch up on our training" Rand says while they trot along

Ro looks shocked at the devastation

After about 8 hours of hard riding, the watch tower that stands by the enterance into the Karana's comes into view.

Toryn: " I think Sunfall was the only one who objected - we can vote when we get closer if you like Rand? "

Toryn (Toryn): sorry - did we already pass Queynos evil GM ?

Vincent (Rand): there is nothing much closer

Vincent (Rand): look at the map

Toryn (Toryn): doh !

Toryn: " Let's vote now - I have no problem going to Queynos if Rand says it's important" declares toryn

Vincent (Rand): that is the trip we alreayd made

Toryn: Toryn eyes Ro " Any objections to Queynos ? "

Rand: "Not important, but it could be very critical to get our training finished. Ro could visit a bards guild, i can visit a warriors guild as can Aikira, assuming we all can get in" Rand says

As the group approaches the enterance into the pass, a lone rider runs by. His horse is frothing, and the rider seems in a hurry the way he whips his horse to go faster.

Ro snorts at toryn and ignores him

Evil GM: Everyone give me spot checks

-> toryn: the rider is actually a young boy, about 13 or 14 years old

-> toryn: he looks kind of scared

Rand: "Wow, i didn't know Mithaniel Marr took boys in THAT young" Rand says, "He is about 14 and the barding on the horse shows the emblem Toryn wears as well"

Toryn: " Ho squire I am Toryn of the Knights of Truth ! "

Toryn: " Servant of Mithaniel Marr ! "

Toryn: " Thank you - can't believe I didn't spot that " Toryn murmurs to Rand looking embarassed

Rand threatens to smack Toryn again if he doesn't simmer down

Toryn: " What? " says Toryn looking puzzled

Rand: "Don't frighten him if not needed... if he starts yelling and yowling so can you" Rand says with a big grin, pestering Toryn

The boy slows his horse down as he approaches the group.

Rand makes a short bow without dismounting

Ro looks at the boy with interest



A boy: I'm sorry, I really don't have time to spare. I need to get to Qeynos as soon as possible!

Toryn: " We're headed there ourselves, let us accompany you - you can explain on the way " Toryn offers

Toryn: " If you want to be angry at me fine, but at least ride behind Aikira so you can keep up " Toryn murmurs to Ro

A boy starts towards Qeynos again, but at a fast trot.

Toryn: Toryn follows him - " Ro, get on Aikira's horse behind him please " Toryn calls out behind him

Rand catches up to him and starts some random conversation

Aikira rides along, the hood of his cloak over his head and reaches out to ro, to help her on the horse

Aikira: come little one

A boy: I'm sorry that I can't stop to chat awhile, I have an important message to get to Lord Antonious Bayle as soon as possible.

Toryn (Toryn): he means that literally not figuratively Ro :P

Ro jumps away from Aikira and hisses at him

Toryn: " Damn it ! " Toryn says glancing behind him " Better grab her Aikira "

Aikira looks away from her

A boy: Well, that was odd

Aikira: you grab her brother, I'm fed up with her nonsense

Aikira looks a bit angered with ro's behaviour

Toryn: " Damn it ! " curses Toryn again " Stay with the boy - he's of my order, I need to speak with him later - please " toryn adds apologetically at the thought of ordering aikira around

Toryn: Dropping behind the others Toryn snaps " We don't have time for these tantrums little sister !"

Aikira grunts and grabs ro

Aikira: strength roll?

Ro jumps away

Rand: "Toryn, get here and leave Ro alone" Rand yells to the back of the line

-> aikira: yes

Toryn: " She can't keep up with us if we're galloping ! " Toryn shouts back

Toryn (Toryn): roll for initiative there Ro ;)

Rand: "I think she will be fine, remeber she can outrun us all easily" Rand yells

Toryn (Toryn): that may provoke an attack of opportunity from Ro (GM's decision ;) ) if she decided to whack him with her axe whether subdual damage or not ;)

Evil GM: Sure, it can provoke an attack if Ro so wishes

Toryn (Toryn): make a decision Ro ;)

Ro claws at Toryn's face as he tries to get hold of her

Aikira: did I grab her or not?

Toryn (Toryn): sounds like a subdual attack strike unless she's got natural claws or something - do you ?

-> aikira: second

Toryn (Toryn): roll your attack there orc girl ;)

-> aikira: she will actually get an attack of oppertunity on you as well

Kenny (Ro): i did

Kenny (Ro): 14 + 3 was

Toryn (Toryn): doh - I need to learn how to read!

Evil GM: roll damage

Kenny (Ro): what do i roll?

Evil GM: 1d4

Toryn: "Ouch ! " hollers Toryn

Evil GM: Aikira is also trying to grab you, you get an AoO on him too

Toryn (Toryn): I am predicting the dark elf is not going to be happy with her if she hits :P

erus (Aikira): damn skippy!!!!!!!!!!!

Toryn (Toryn): lol

Toryn (Toryn): actualy I think you need to make an attack roll against Aikira first though

Ro tries to kick at Aikira while trying to struggle free

Toryn (Toryn): actually if you succeed at the attack of opportunity the grapple attempt fails automatically I think

Evil GM: Believe so..and give me damage

Kenny (Ro): so i am lose now?

Evil GM: Yup

erus (Aikira): huh? did I roll.

Caelianna sighs

Ro runs off with Selo's

Toryn (Toryn): evil GM that means she takes off at super speed ?

Rand is still on a fast trot with the boy, assuming the rest will follow

Evil GM: Is anyone going to chase her? You're on horses that move 60ft and she's running 35ft.

Aikira looks completly angered and rides his in front of her

Toryn: Toryn sighs " Well we're going to outdistance her at this rate on horseback, she won't be able to keep up "

Aikira he steps off, runs up to her with his sword drawn

Vincent (Rand): she runs a bit faster then you can Phil :)

Toryn: Toryn's eyes widen in alarm and he dismounts too

Toryn: " All right now " he says stepping in between the two of them " No need for weapons "

Aikira: you little brat! feel the steel of my blade

Toryn: " Wait ! Wait ! " hollers Toryn trying to position himself in between Aikira and

Kenny (Ro): ... u guys ... run ur horse in front of me... u step off... by that time i'm past u orso...

Toryn: " I thought we settled this when we freed her from the orcs " groans Toryn as an afterthought

Aikira pushes toryn aside

Toryn (Toryn): oh that's right !

erus (Aikira): again strength roll

Toryn (Toryn): your call evil GM ;)

Evil GM: Just a second

Evil GM: Everyone roll Init

Kenny (Ro): me too?

Toryn (Toryn): yep I believe so ;)

Vincent (Rand): all but me actually Kenny :)

Toryn (Toryn): lol - the cleric is the only one with any sense :P

erus (Aikira): where's bob btw?

Evil GM: Ro...roll init

Toryn (Toryn): if Sunfall was here he'd probably web us all :P

Vincent (Rand): dunno, for ease i would say he is with me

Toryn (Toryn): bobby said he had a cousin from out of town come to visit so he can't make it

Toryn (Toryn): oh you mean Sunfall the PC - sounds good to me Rand

Evil GM: Toryn, Cael, Aikira, Ro

Evil GM: Aikira just got his horse infront of Ro, Toryn just rode over. Cael is off to the side watching.

Toryn (Toryn): uh oh the druid's going to entangle us instead :P

Toryn: Toryn rides his horse (if I'm allowed to declare a change of actions) in between Aikira and Ro " Come now brother there's no need for this - she's young, inexperienced...

Toryn (Toryn): basically Toryn is holding his action unless the move action is considered an action

Aikira: she's stuburn and has no respect!

Evil GM: sure

Toryn: " I know I know " soothes Toryn " I'm sure we were that way too at her age ... again take her youth into account "

Caelianna remains a bit away from the conflict, but is ready to act if need be

Aikira pushes toryn aside

Toryn (Toryn): oy!

Toryn (Toryn): that probably calls for an attack roll ;)

Aikira: she will know what respect is all about!

Toryn (Toryn): unarmed combat I suspect, Toryn does not take an attack of opportunity

Evil GM: You both are still mounted, correct?

Toryn (Toryn): Aikira dismounted I believe

Toryn (Toryn): Toryn is still mounted

Toryn (Toryn): he could always try to knock me off my horse :P

Kenny (Ro): so while the both of u are saying all this... i'm still running in the same spot?

Toryn (Toryn): lol

Toryn (Toryn): in the past the evil GM has given us long speeches as a free action - granted that's probably a bit unrealistic though

Evil GM: talking is always a free action

Evil GM: Ok, to push Toryn out of the way you're actually trying to push his horse. Give me a strength roll.

Toryn's mount tosses his head a bit and flattens his ears as Aikira tries shoving it out of the way. But being a horse which is quite heavy, it stays where it is.

Toryn: " Brother ..... " pleads Toryn " There's no need to be using your sword "

Toryn (Toryn): Toryn acts at the same time as Ro

Kenny (Ro): ... falls flat on her face as her feet move forward while running lol

Toryn (Toryn): lol

Ro tries to run past Toryn and Aikira

Toryn (Toryn): whatever you say there elmer fudd

Toryn: Toryn leaps off his horse trying to grab her " You are NOT going off into the wilderness alone again little sister !!!! "

Toryn's horse: Ro, give me a dexterity roll

Toryn (Toryn): lol - I didn't know my horse could talk :P

Evil GM: A horse is a horse of course of course...

Ro tries to avoid Toryn and keeps running

Ro manages to duck under Toryn as he leaps off his mount

Evil GM: Toryn, give me a dex roll to see how badly this will hurt. ;-)

Toryn (Toryn): pretty badly :P

Evil GM: Toryn's grip slides over Ro's armor, but he loses his grip. Without anything to break his fall, he meets the ground chest first (taking 5 points of damage).

Evil GM: Which way are you running Ro?

Toryn: The last word of Toryn's speech, "sister" sounds muffled as Toryn speaks it into the dirt now stuffed into his mouth

-> ro: which way are you running?

Ro: just away north-west from on the picture map thing

Toryn (Toryn): or to put it another way "I won't have you endanger yourself again in the wilderness alone ! " ... CLUNK ! "sister" (in a far more subdued tone)

Caelianna mutters to herself and says a magic word...

Evil GM: Reflex roll Ro

Thorny vines grow out of the ground and entwine around Ro's legs, stopping her forward motion.

Evil GM: Incidently, Ro also takes 5 pts of damage..

Caelianna: Forgive me, if I could have done it without injury I would have!

Toryn: Toryn sighs getting to his feet " Understood - why don't the rest of you ride along after Rand, I'll have a chat with my sister - do the vines release her by themselves after a while ? "

Caelianna: You have a few minutes before they wither away.

Ro: vines count as ropes?

Toryn: " Good enough - Aikira why don't you follow the others ? They'll need protection if there's anything dangerous out there and it will give you a chance to cool down - Calelianna, you too if you please "

-> ro: you can attempt an escape roll, -4 penalty due to the thorns

Caelianna turns her horse and gallops after Rand and the boy

Aikira sheathens his sword

Aikira: you're not finished with me girl! maybe you still are an orc

Toryn: Toryn winces at Aikira's words

Ro: was for escape

Aikira looks angered and insulted and spits on the ground

Aikira rides off

Toryn: Toryn closes to within spellcasting range

Toryn (Toryn): Minor Healing spell

Toryn (Toryn): and another healing spell

Toryn: [1d10 = 9]

Toryn (Toryn): on himself

Toryn (Toryn): and another on ro

Toryn (Toryn): now you're down only one hit point Ro

Toryn: " Thank you Mithaniel Marr " Toryn murmurs upwards to the heavens as the various injuries heal

Toryn (Toryn): I have an idea - Ro and I can chat on msn instant messenger while the rest of the party plays out what's going on in Queynos evil GM ?

Ro keeps struggling with the vines

Caelianna: Sure

Toryn (Toryn): okay switch over to msn there Ro ;)

After some hard galloping, Aikira and Cael manage to catch up to the boy and Rand.

Kenny (Ro): kk

Aikira turns to rand an cael

Aikira: that little...halfbreed

Aikira: I should cut out her tongue

Caelianna: She can't help what she is anymore than you can help what you are.

Rand: "Hey guys, kind took you long to get the horses into a trot didn't it" Rand jokes in between small talk with the boy

Aikira: she's a pest

Caelianna: She's young and confused with her lot in life. The gods aren't making it any easier on her as well.

Rand: "I do wonder why both you and Toryn always want her to do it your way" Rand muses, "Wouldn't it be infinitly easier to let her do it her own way?"

Aikira: you think my life was easy! learn to live with what you have got!

Aikira: we should let her be.

Rand: "Yes you should, Toryn above all" Rand says, "Leave her be, she has to learn things on her own just like you did"

Aikira: I'm mean we should abandon her!

Rand: "Why? because she doesn;t want to do things your way?" Rand asks, "If that is the case, maybe you should leave all of us behind as each of us has his or her own way of doing things"

Caelianna: That may not be the best answer.

Aikira stops his horse and looks angered at rand

Aikira: don't push me priest

Rand: "You would rather fight, Ro rather not, I am partial, Toryn talks and Caelianna does it harmony with nature" Rand continues, "None of us is wrong"

Aikira: and this is the only warning I wil give

Caelianna: You lot are god touched. I doubt me that you choose to come togeather as you have. Nay, the gods have done it. I wouldn't want to see the consequences of going against their wishes.

Toryn (Toryn): cripes Toryn stops another fight then another one starts soon as his back is turned :P

Aikira puts the cloak of his hood back over his head and starts riding, still looking rand in the eyes while he passes by

Rand: "Give each of us the room they need, in my case you can be more forceful to me then to Ro, she doesn't like that and will lash out if you do"

Aikira: the next time... one off us will die priest, the girl or me...mark my words

Aikira says calmly and keeps riding

Rand: "It's all about respect" Rand finishes, "If you respect someone, you let them do things their way. I respect you as you are a formidable fighter, i respect Ro as the newborn the is among us"

Aikira act as he is not listening to rand

Evil GM: Let me know when Ro and Toryn are done with their talk and caught up.

Toryn (Toryn): yikes!

Toryn (Toryn): lol

Evil GM: oh oh

Toryn: Toryn and Ro catch up with the others - Toryn dismounts, leaving Ro on the horse then tells Rand " You have a new passenger friend preist - all the worse for you, Ro is much prettier " Toryn adds with a chuckle

Toryn: Toryn climbs up behind Rand " Trying to give her the independence she wants " Toryn whispers into Rand's ear " That's her horse now "

Toryn: Toryn looks around " Did we lose our young page ? "

A boy trots ahead of the group

Toryn: Toryn gives the others a fearful look - seeing no one has killed anyone else Toryn sighs in relief then gallops up to the boy

Toryn: " We can chat as we ride and lose no time " Toryn suggests, matching the boy's pace

Toryn: " Am I correct - are you a squire in service to the Knights of Order ? Or perhaps a priest in training to Mithaniel Marr ? "

Toryn (Toryn): little does Toryn notice Aikira trying to strangle Ro as Ro kicks Aikira in the balls behind Toryn's back :P

A boy: Somewhat sir. I be not of your order, but I lived on the hill.

Toryn: " A priest in training then ? " suggest Toryn

Toryn Detect Evil on the boy

erus (Aikira): test test

Toryn followed by Detect Good

Rand: "I think you did a good thing by handing her your horse, we can easily share this mount anyways

Toryn: After he's all done detecting Toryn comes out of his trance and smiles at Rand " Trying to avoid us all killing each other is all - I know I'm overplaying the overprotective brother role but I'm the only family she has "

Petra (A boy): the boy detects as neither

A boy: Nay, my auntie Shania owns Tassel's Tavern. I stayed with her.

Toryn: " Something curious here " Toryn whispers to Rand " Normally the followers of Mithaniel Marr serve the forces of light but I sense no light in his soul as I do in yours , through the god given senses Mithaniel Marr has bestowed on our order"

Toryn: " But I sense no darkness either - he walks the middle path it would seem "

Toryn: " Unusual for a follower of Mithaniel Marr as the emblem on his clothing would indicate "

Rand: "You may think about leaving her room to do things her own way. Respect and giving room to eachother go a very very long way" Rand says

Toryn: Toryn sighs " I suppose - but I can't help worrying about her ... and it's going to be a major challenge keeping her and Aikira from trying to kill each other "

Toryn: " He insulted her orc heritage before leaving - he was angry of course and when you're angry you say things you don't mean - especially Aikira " chuckles Toryn

erus (Aikira): yeah right :)

Toryn: Aloud Toryn calls to the boy " Your Auntie Shania is a follower of Marr then? You wear the symbol of Marr on your clothing " toryn points at it

A boy turns and blinks.

A boy: Nay, nay...we just live on the hill. However, it's been invaded and the paladins and clerics no longer have control. Since I have family outside of freeport and I'm small enough nobody notices, they charged me with sending a message to Lord Antonious Bayle for help.

Toryn: " Invaded eh? By whom ? "

Rand: "I think AIkira needs to learn to respect her as much as she nbeeds to learn to respect him" Rand whispers, "Next time, don't ask him to grab her, it's respectless from you as well as from him, explaining her resistance"

A boy: The militia, whom else

Vincent (Rand): that was a whisper to Toryn btw

Toryn: " Sorry you're from Freeport or Queynos young man ? Or somewhere else? My friend and I hail from Freeport "

A boy sighs

A boy: I'm from Freeport. I love on the Hill...the paladin's quarters. You be sure you're a paladin of Marr?

Toryn: Toryn chuckles " Yes just a particularly dense paladin - I'm sure my friend here would agree "

Rand: "We're just somewhat surprised to see someone from Freeport here in Qeynos" Rand chuckles along with Toryn

Toryn: Toryn then turns sober " If what the boy is saying is true this is bad " Toryn whispers to Rand " My father has overrun our stronghold in Freeport - I'd hoped we could turn to my order for aid but apparently not ... "

Toryn: " There's one area of it - the Hill - where we've held sway but if I'm understanding this boy correctly that's no longer the case "

Toryn: " So the Hill itself has been over-run in Freeport you say ? " Toryn asks the boy

Toryn: " I know that the Militia surrounds the Hill but when I left the followers of Marr still had firm control over it "

Toryn: " The Hill that is, not Freeport as a whole "

A boy nods to Toryn

Toryn: Toryn looks grim

A boy: Aye, they finally rallied their forces and invaded. I slipped out when those on the Hill started to fight back, I've no idea if those on the Hill succeeded or not.

A boy: However, I do know that the resources of the Paladins and Clerics were stretching thin, or so my auntie was saying.

Toryn (Toryn): evil GM has Toryn heard of anyone within the order named Shania ?

Toryn (Toryn): I take that back she runs a tavern, never mind

Toryn (Toryn): player is brain dead just like his character :P

Evil GM: No, but you know of Tassel's tavern which the boy mentioned the woman owned

Toryn: Toryn blinks in recognition " Tassel's Tavern I remember now ! Germ

Toryn: " Gern's soup is superb ! "

Toryn: Toryn sighs " If things were safer I'd take us all there to sample it ... "

Toryn (Toryn): evil GM how close are we to where the boy's taking us - and how many hour's ride is it ?

Evil GM: About another 2 hours hard gallop to the gates of Qeynos...4 more hours at the fast trot.

Toryn (Toryn): the boy's moving at a fast trot or hard gallop ?

Toryn (Toryn): or I guess the evil GM is asking us guys - do we want to move at a fast trot or hard gallop ?

erus (Aikira): as fast as we can is good enough for me

Evil GM: Right now the boy is at a fast trot

Toryn (Toryn): Rand, gallop or trot ? :)

Rand: "Let's not wear the horses out too much and keep it at a fast trot

Toryn (Toryn): how fast is Ro riding ? :)

Kenny (Ro): just keeping up or trying to

As the sun starts to set, the group manages to arrive at Qeynos. There are several guards at the gates as well as a long line of wagons and people waiting to get in for the night.

erus (Aikira): is ro with the group?

Rand: "Let's be smart and keep our hoods up" Rand says to the group

Toryn (Toryn): sorry - I was asking how long for mana recovery evil GM - how long the ride was that is

Toryn (Toryn): yep ro is ;)

Aikira turns to toryn, without looking at him

Aikira: tell that girl to put her hood over her head

Toryn: Toryn sighs at the tension between the dark elf and half orc and looks over at Ro to see if she's hooded

Evil GM: Been riding for about 5 hours at a fast trot so you can have half your mana back per hour

Toryn (Toryn): and Ro is? (drum roll please :) )

Toryn (Toryn): never mind -

Evil GM: Ok, I'm going to make an awful confession here. I didn't exactly prepare for you guys to go to Qeynos this past week.

Kenny (Ro): havent' been singing anyway

Toryn (Toryn): that's okay we PC's can argue and try to kill each other for the next two hours :P

Evil GM: I'm going to go ahead and call it a night (after you guys vote) and next week I'll have Qeynos set up.

Toryn (Toryn): thanks for reminding us I totally forgot ! The strength bonuses to damage vote ...

Evil GM: I need everyone to email me with their "wish list" of items they might possibly seek.

Vincent (Rand): make sure that if you have guild meetings etc that you do them through MSN or mail with Petra

Toryn (Toryn): cool that'll speed things up