IC: The Sun Never Sets, IC thread for The Sun Never Sets Options

[pbangarth]

"That sounds like a great idea!" says Stogie. "They could do the earth moving and we can do the directing."

[phlapjack77]

Smohalla concentrates on summoning a spirit of the mountain to help with the fortifications.

Nothing fancy, nothing overly powerful.

Even with this consideration, Smohalla was curious what the results of his summons would bring.

[Tecumseh]

The magic at the campsite is powerful; Smohalla already knows. He decides to dip a toe (talon) into the mana. Reaching out, he sees it pooled around him like a tense body of water. An earth spirit, a modest one, Smohalla thinks. Not his specialty, but he had good luck with one the previous morning. Cautiously he breaks the surface of the mana, and is greeted by a fantastic jet of power in the face.

The earth lurches up, a centralized earthquake under your feet. Jake falls into a paroxysm of barking. Everyone staggers a step backward before the ground settles itself. Only the ground didn't stay the ground. It is now a hulking, terrifying, vaguely humanoid form in front of you. It's the size of a massive troll and seems to be composed of rocks, dirt, and moss. There's no head that you can see, just a flat boulder for a chest and shoulders, with rolling rocks for arms and legs. Jake is beside himself.

Smohalla asked for something half his size and yet received something larger than himself. Spirits are often unruly when they are larger than their summoner, but this one seems obedient (but still huge and intimidating).

-- WHAT IS THY BIDDING MY MASTER -- ROCKFALL WILL OBEY --

It's almost as if the spirit wanted to appear, and simply awaited Smohalla's invitation. Calling it was no effort at all. The spirit agrees to five services before the passing of the day.

[phlapjack77]

The sudden rush of mana is still awe-inspiring to Smohalla, even having experienced it before.

He turns to Ellesar and Stogie.

What do we need to do to fortify the campsite?

[pbangarth]

Stogie points to pathways leading into the campsite. "We need to channel potential attackers into areas where the defenders can have a clear shot at them. So, we could build berms, like ancient people did, dig a trench on the outside and use the earth to build a ridge in the inside. Make entry ways that suit the Sisters to go about their business, but also allow them, or us, to fire at attackers. The Sisters have spirits on their side, so those can be used to provide air cover. If Smohalla is here, he can do the same.

"Use the trees as supports for the berm to make it steady. Have ramps that lead up from the inside to the lower branches of the larger trees, so the defenders have fire towers to shoot down on the attackers. That's a good start."

[Tecumseh]

In a strange way, Stogie's experience with dog agility competition course design seems to be applicable here. He's not working with fences and pipes and such, but his knowledge of obstacles and how to create challenging paths seems to translate. Sort of.

Ellie rubs her chin at Stogie's description, seemingly having a hard time picturing it. "Uh huh. Uh huh. Interesting," she says, nodding along, her comprehension less than complete. "But what prevents them from bypassing all this completely? Why wouldn't they just take the high ground and shoot us from a distance? What's it called? 'Sniping'?"

She points to all the high ground around you. Sure enough, there are sight lines to higher ground in several directions. "What if they have drones, or even helicopters? Are we tearing up our campsite to create fortifications for the wrong assault? Did Howling Coyote ever do this during the Ghost Dance War?"

[phlapjack77]

These changes seem like a very large change in what is essentially the Sisters' home.

Perhaps we can make small changes now, then journey into town to seek information.

We will be gone a few days at most.

After we learn all we can, we can help the Sisters decide whether to stay or go.

Then if they choose to stay, we can make sure their stay is as safe as possible.

[pbangarth]

"I agree they are large changes. But they can be changed back, later. Getting shot to death is a little harder to reverse." Stogie's expression clouds momentarily as he recalls the last assault on his home, and the death of three brave dogs.

[Tecumseh]

The troll speaks, a somewhat remarkable occurrence in and of itself, but it's not English. It's also not Salish, Or'zet, or any other language you recognize. It's deep and guttural, fitting for a troll. Is it German? Gaelic? It only lasts a sentence or two; not long enough for Smohalla to cast Translate.

The ork smiles to the comment. Ellie turns her head and seems to consider what was said. Whatever it was, it seems to have improved her opinion of the plan.

Hester and Selene each summon earth spirits. They're not so large as Smohalla's but they're plenty big enough to do some good digging. Jake is having fits with all the spirit activity.

"We'll get started then," Ellie says. "A few days, and you'll hardly recognize the place!" She puts her hands on her hips with a can-do attitude.

"Would you like me to pack you a lunch before you go?"

[pbangarth]

"A lunch from you would be awesome!" Stogie exclaims. Jake runs circles around Stogie, picking up on his change in mood.

[AtroposReborn]

Ellesar looks up, having zoned out at the thought of air support showing up and turning the forest into an inferno. It was a silly notion, he knew, but what knowledge did they really have to work with?

"I'd say it's a good plan overall, and the chance of seeing anything more than another rag-tag group of bounty hunters is slim. Still, I hope that this trip into town helps provide some more information on what we are facing here."

[Tecumseh]

Ellie bustles about, doing her best to avoid the earth spirits and their work as she assembles a lunch from the pot over the campfire, plus various sacks around camp. She taps her chin for a second, looking around for something to put it all in. She finally uses a set of ceramic dishes that are handsome and elegant and entirely impractical for backpacking. The alternative would be lugging around a cast-iron pot.

"Now as long as you're going into town, please pick up a few things for us while you're there." She doesn't have a commlink - or if she does you haven't seen it - so she hands Smohalla a piece of cotton-paper stationery with a hand-written list of supplies and groceries, including sugar, eggs ("unless you have an objection" she thoughtfully tells Smohalla), and Earl Grey tea. "Harney & Sons, if you please," she requests for the latter. "Mariage Frères, if Harney & Sons is unavailable, although I could never figure out why the French were producing tea." She shakes her head at the very thought of it.

[phlapjack77]

Smohalla is touched by Ellie's thoughtfulness.

Thank you, it is no problem to me if you have eggs. Eagles are predators too, even with our lesser brethren.

The tea gives him more pause. He looks askance at Stogie and Ellesar for a moment, hoping they understood.

Tucking the scrap into his pouch, Smohalla gathers his other few belongings in preparation for the trip.

Then he waits to see what is needed of his earth spirit, ready to relay commands from those that know about these things.

[AtroposReborn]

Ellesar walks over to the tree he notices from earlier in the day and kneels down to remove the dead leaves and dirt from the base. He uncovers the hidden rope and lets down the pack containing his gear. A small chuckle escapes his mouth. Old habits die hard I guess. Returning his camera to it's proper pocket, he slides the pack onto his back and moves over to stand with the rest of the group.

"Well the day is wasting. I think Rocky here will be fine without us. Shall we be off?"

[pbangarth]

"Sounds good. It'll take the rest of the daylight to get to Greenwater. Not much left of that town, but we can contact people from there, and with a little ingenuity set up a camp for the night." He chuckles. "Probably some firewood to be found."

[Tecumseh]

Stogie's quip earns a deep and alarming belly laugh from Hester and Selene, rather out of proportion to the quality of the humor and the appropriateness of the joke. Stogie exchanges a look with Smohalla and Ellesar as the laughter continues. Ellie rolls her eyes and then shoos the men out of camp.

Canteens filled, lunch packed, the expected journey begins. Jake races ahead, turns around, looks at Stogie, races back, wags his tail, then races forward again. The process repeats inexhaustibly, as if Jake were a yo-yo tethered by a tight rubber band. Super speed? he seems to inquire. Chase?

After a short distance, Smohalla's earth spirit - Rockfall - registers the distance and informs him that proceeding without the spirit will qualify as a remote service. Rockfall will continue to serve Ellie, Hester, and Selene under their direction but will be unable to assist Smohalla in any further matters. He wishes to confirm that this is Smohalla's intention.

[phlapjack77]

Smohalla confirms that he wishes Rockfall to stay and help the Sisters.

Along with helping, he can guard in case anything happens while the quartet is gone.

Using the spirit-summoner link, the shaman sends feelings of thanks and gratefulness to the spirit.

It will make the trip longer and more arduous but it is comforting to know the Sisters will have better protection.

Sighing slightly, Smohalla tries not to think about his aching feet.

[pbangarth]

As the three walk out of ccamp, Stogie give one more glance at the laughing Sisters. OooooKaaayy. "You know, Smohalla. You don't have all that much gear. If you want us to split it and carry it for you, an eagle eye in the sky could be useful. I've got this whistle I use for Jake when he's far away. I could use that to call to you if we need you close."

[phlapjack77]

Yes, it would be nice to stretch my wings for awhile, rather than my legs.

My hearing is not so good these days, something visual would be better.

Just wave at me and I will see that.

With this said, Smohalla shifts into eagle form and takes to the sky.

His clothes and medicine bag fall with a soft thump to the ground.

[AtroposReborn]

Ellesar bends down and scoops up the fallen garments from the ground. He opens his pack and places the clothes inside. Zipping it back up he replaces the pack, adds the medicine bag to his shoulder, and smiles encouragingly at Stogie. "Shall we continue?"

[pbangarth]

"Let's go." Stogie sets out.

[Tecumseh]

Ellesar, Stogie, and Jake set off on foot while Smohalla soars above. Walking this direction (north, mostly) is definitely easier than the walk in. Greenwater is about 1200 meters below the elevation of the Sisters' lake. The first half-kilometer is quite steep before the trail levels off into an easy downhill stroll.

Smohalla combs the air back and forth, vigilant for any potential predators. He summons a ring of watchers to circle the team like a halo. There is a tense moment as you pass through the stretch of forest where Toothy launched his failed ambush a few days ago but nothing happens. Smohalla's eagle vision can spot the trees that were struck by Stogie's defoliating shotgun.

A cold wind cuts through the valley. It helps to keep moving so lunch is a short affair. Between keeping one eye on the fading daylight and the other eye open for danger, the team is too distracted to fully appreciate Ellie's meal. Jake heroically volunteers to lick out the ceramic dishes once everyone is done.

The pace quickens as the sun drops behind the mountains. The tone of the mana changes as the kilometers tick by. It's wild and natural but lacks the almost otherwordly purity found at the Sisters' camp. For the most part it feels normal. That changes again once the team reaches Greenwater. The background count is still there, making Smohalla and Stogie uncomfortable and vaguely queasy. The watchers, unable to exist in the tainted mana, fade away. Rockfall signals the completion of his service to Smohalla and departs.

It's after dark by the time the team reaches town. There's no sign of anyone in the ruins but cars and trucks occasionally pass on the highway that goes through town. Their willingness to stop for three dirty men and a dog is an open question.

[phlapjack77]

The glorious feel of the wind rushing over his outstretched wings is all too quickly ended as the team reaches Greenwater.

After Smohalla settles back down to the earth, he quickly wraps himself in his clothing to ward off the chill.

We should first make camp in a ruined building, to protect us from the wind.

Then we can see to contacting our friends for information.

Smohalla shivers once again, either from the cold or from the sickening feel of the mana of this place.

He wonders if his time could also be spent doing a more thorough investigation of the astral here.

Perhaps he could find a clue, having assensed the Sisters.

[Tecumseh]

Looking around, there are no ruined buildings to provide shelter. Not a single board stands from the houses and buildings which used to be here. The destruction visited upon Greenwater was total. Some of the houses had basements but these are mostly full of ash and debris. Clearing one out would get the party out of the wind but not the autumn cold. A fire certainly seems necessary, although that may attract attention from the nearby highway.

Staying in town overnight is not an appealing prospect. The background count here is not from the magic which caused the destruction but rather the mental anguish experienced by the town's residents as they feared for their lives and watched their homes burn down. All astral evidence of the Sisters' magic is gone; the local pain remains. Smohalla is uncertain if he could actually get any sleep here; doing so would almost seem to guarantee bad dreams. A tree branch just outside of town seems far more appealing. If only Stogie, Jake, and Ellesar could cling to a treetop as well as Smohalla can.

[phlapjack77]

On second thought, let us not stay in this town.

It is an unsettling place.

With your help Ellesar, we can make an effective shelter in the woods.

Perhaps we can try to keep from making a fire.

This area has seen enough for a while.