Darl, Gerard, Anastasia, Daniel

[jthorson]

"No need ..." Darl responds. "I'm not leaving at least until camp has been struck, and there's no point in thinning the ranks further. If, for example, a certain Shade were to show up, then you're probably more valuable in helping defend the others than with me."

OOC: "Knowing he is the way he is?" Was that meant for Darl, or for me? *rolls eyes*

[giggles]

occ: For Darl since you want to leave..we've known each other for a long time??? remember? I should know how you are and you made it clear how you are? Sorry if I misworded something but us as a group have been together knowing your more nocturnal or however you put it so You wanted to leave I gave you the opt to go so....

[jthorson]

OOC: You've "known" Darl for under two days, and there was nothing 'nocturnal' about him going to bed the same time as anyone else last night. It seemed like an odd thing to add to your comment. *shrug*

In any case, please elaborate on 'how I am', so I can clarify anything that may have been misunderstood.

[jawildey]

I think there was a misunderstanding on how long the various parts of the party have known each other and let's leave it at that.

[jawildey]

"Yep a good time to try and find us some shelter. Thanks for the lift Ethram. If we do catch up to the group of people is there anything you would like me to tell your wife if I see her? Other than I was able to find you and verify that you are ok." Gerard smiles.

“That’d be great!” Ethram proclaims. “Just tell her that I’ll accompany the next mine trucks that head to chisel town. We have friends in town, I’m sure I know where she’s staying.” He gives Gerard brief directions and a description of where she can likely be found.

Gerard smiles again as Zeke plods along next to the ATV. "Be safe on the way back. The other option is you could stay with us tonight and head back once you have better light as there are all sorts of things that could be out there."

Ethram pushes the accelerator lever forward and the ATV coasts to a silent stop. “You must not have been able to hear me over the noise,” Ethram smiles back “I said that I’m not heading back until morning. I’m not stupid enough to try these lands by myself at night. You may be able to look after yourself, but I know my limitations. Besides,” Ethram continues as he steps out of the ATV and massages his arms, “The extra drain on the battery to run lights would definitely mean I couldn’t make it back.”

Anastasia, having gotten out as well, goes over to Zeke to see how he’s doing. “Here you go Zeke” she says as she gives him the last of her water. The have passed numerous springs and pools of water along the road, so she knows it shouldn’t be hard to find more. It’s almost as if Wormwood does what it can to help travellers.

"Well, you got us this far...we'll make it the rest of the way. We just thank you soooo much for everything you have done for us." Anastasia says to Ethram as she pets Zeke.

Taking this as their stopping point, Darl exits the ATV as well. He feels his spine pop in numerous places as he relieves the kinks of being cramped into the ATV. Having removed stretched sufficiently, he surveys the surroundings for a good place to camp and to ensure that nothing looms, waiting in ambush. The groves of pillars would make for a good hiding place, but a quick survey of the ground doesn’t reveal anything that would indicate anybody recently in the area. All is silent except for the noise the party is making and the hiss of the breeze as it passes through the landscape.

"Well, let's see ..." he muses out loud. "So our friends had a 24 hour head start on us ... we can assume that they took at least a bit of a break last night, and if they haven't arrived yet, they must be getting close to Chisel Town tonight. Once they arrive in the city, it's going to be incredibly difficult to figure out where they went from there, so it might be advised to try and catch them tonight."

"Sure Darl, why don't you go ahead and do that.” Anastasia agrees. “I think that it’s a good idea for you to see what you can figure out while the rest of us rest up and then head out in the morning. There is something I think you can do for us to help us, maybe you could put out some kind of markers for us so we can follow which way you’re going...that would help a lot.

Daniel makes an offer to fly part way with Darl before returning to the group, but Darl politely declines saying “"No need...I'm not leaving at least until camp has been struck, and there's no point in thinning the ranks further. If, for example, a certain Shade were to show up, then you're probably more valuable in helping defend the others than with me."

“In that case,” Daniel responds “I am gonna see what I can find for a good spot for us.” Taking to the air he flies off into the surrounding pillars.

The rest of the group fans out in other directions near the road. There are numerous sheltered, small clearings around that might afford them some protection. Gerard even finds one with a burbling fountain of water coming up from the ground. Nothing in the way of caves, though.

As the group, minus Daniel, makes their way back to the ATV to compare notes, they notice that Daniel still hasn’t returned from his scouting. A few more minutes of anxious waiting and the group starts to wonder what’s keeping him.

[giggles]

Anastasia figures that one of the sheltered places would probably be better than the nothing at this point, but thinks that the one with the fountain would be the best.
"I think for now this would probably be the best place to set up until we can find Daniel, don't you all agree?"
Thinking to herself she asks "Does anyone have the spell globe of daylight that they can use? Or better yet, Darl can you go in the general direction and see if you can spot anything there?"
As she waits for a reply from anyone, she looks around still to make sure this spot is still the best one and safe at that.

[jawildey]

Anastasia figures that one of the sheltered places would probably be better than the nothing at this point, but thinks that the one with the fountain would be the best.
"I think for now this would probably be the best place to set up until we can find Daniel, don't you all agree?"
Thinking to herself she asks "Does anyone have the spell globe of daylight that they can use? Or better yet, Darl can you go in the general direction and see if you can spot anything there?"
As she waits for a reply from anyone, she looks around still to make sure this spot is still the best one and safe at that.

OOC: Just thought I'd point out that there is currently still some daylight left...not a lot, but some.

[Ryloc]

"How are we all looking on food as well? Never a bad idea to plan ahead. We can refill our water from the spring as well. I can also get a fire going here in a bit. Going to set it up as not to expose too much light as we don't want to attract unwanted company later on tonight. I'll forage a bit as we have some daylight left and take a look at our campsite to see about the best places for us to bunk as well as watch from." Gerard pauses a second. "Sorry all just habit as it's usually just Zeke and I out in the middle of nowhere so please feel free to voice any observations or ideas you might have as well." Gerard smiles and heads over to see how Zeke is fairing.

[jawildey]

Anastasia figures that one of the sheltered places would probably be better than the nothing at this point, but thinks that the one with the fountain would be the best. "I think for now this would probably be the best place to set up until we can find Daniel, don't you all agree?"

After thinking to herself for a moment she asks "Does anyone have the spell globe of daylight that they can use? Or better yet, Darl can you go in the general direction and see if you can spot anything there?" She was going to go check the spot she found again, but decides she should wait around for anyone to answer her questions before heading back in the direction of the clearing with the fountain. {OOC: The clearing is off the road and I assume that everyone except Daniel met back at the road after the scouting since that's where Ethram and Jordan were waiting.}

"How are we all looking on food as well? Never a bad idea to plan ahead. We can refill our water from the spring as well. I can also get a fire going here in a bit. Going to set it up as not to expose too much light as we don't want to attract unwanted company later on tonight. I'll forage a bit as we have some daylight left and take a look at our campsite to see about the best places for us to bunk as well as watch from." Gerard pauses a second. "Sorry all just habit as it's usually just Zeke and I out in the middle of nowhere so please feel free to voice any observations or ideas you might have as well." Gerard smiles and heads over to see how Zeke is fairing.

Responding to Gerard, Ethram points towards the back of the ATV with his thumb. "I brought enough food for tonight. I'm afraid after that you're on your own."

As Anastasia and Gerard wait for others to respond {OOC: See my comments below} Anastasia spots a flying man sized creature about 200 yards off the road in the general direction that Daniel went. The figure dissolves in front of her eyes into a small cloud of creatures that splits in two with one swarm heading towards the group. Moments later she is able to make out a swarm of bats which she assumes is Daniel.

Having noticed Anastasia's momentary distraction, Jordan peers off in that direction as well. The swarm arrives within a couple minutes and as they watch the swarm makes itself into a gyrating semi-organized pattern. As the same thought occurs to Anastasia, Darl and Gerard, Jordan says "I do believe our friend is trying to tell us something. At least, that mess of wings appears to resemble an arrow. Maybe Daniels has found something as well."

{OOC: Feel free to respond to each other to discuss ideas just as you would in real life. You don't need me to drive a discussion. Just don't let any "actions" get too far into the future. Talking among yourselves is good role playing as well. If a good conversation is going on and there are outstanding questions people are asking others in the group, I'll generally hold off on my post to give you guys time to decide things.}

[Manson-Mage]

The small group of bats that went to group , makes a scene that resembles a cave and shelter. One of the bats goes over to anastasia, another goes over to garard the bats grab their hands and tries to pull them to the bigger group that is pointing to the cave daniel found.