Responses to finding a campsite Methos While the others are engaged in conversation, Methos will wander out as if surveying the perimeter. Methos unrolls his blanket and makes himself comfortable on the grass. He then methodically removes his long sword, and dagger and begins to sharpen each weapon. "Darrin, I have never been to the City of Spendors. Could you enlighten us on what we will find there, and the job opportunities available for adventurers such as us." Andrew When everyone has sit down, and a fire is lit, Andrew beckons all gathered in the camp to listen to a story by the fire: He everyone's attention is focused on him, he says: "Friends, everything seems safe for now, so I will tell you an ancient story I learned a few years ago: I am a follower of Mystra, not Oghma's, so please forgive the poor storytelling". "Once upon a time, when the great Elminster was still a boy, there was a great mage. He was the world's most powerful mage. He could do almost anything he wanted: control the weather, travel the world with a snap of his fingers, raise vulcanos at a whim..." "But there was one thing he couldn't have, with all his power: he couldn't obtain Mystra's love." "Don't get me wrong, he worshipped Mystra, but he wanted her to love him, as a mortal woman would. It is said Mystra's beauty rivals even Sune Firehair's. But she would not, could not fall in love with a mortal man. There was no hope for him, and he knew it." "Then, one day, the mage crazed, and disappeared from his tower into the wilderness. It is said he hid even from Mystra, who told her clerics to look for him, but couldn't find him." Years later there were some rumors he was working in a powerful artifact, that could grant him Godhood, so he could attain the godess' love. Godhood isn't a easy thing to attain, though. The artifact needed the life force of hundreds, thousands to fulfill its goal. The mage showed up again and started destroying villages and small towns, stealing people's life forces so he could become a god. "It is said that, when he was approaching Waterdeep, Mystra appeared before him trying to persuade him to give up his evil ways. He said he was doing that for her, because of her, and would not stop. She said she couldn't love him, that this were not allowed, and would have to stop him, because she couldn't allow the destruction of Waterdeep." "A mighty spell was unleashed" < Andrew motions his hand again and dancing lights appear over the party's camp> ", and the mage was no more. He died by the feet of his impossible love. It is said that the goddess cried, and never before a sound so sad and desperate was heard in the Realms. Shooting stars were seen falling from the skies of all Faerun, beacuse of the godess' sadness. She took the mage's corpse and carried it away with her. The legend also says the mage's artifact still exists, hidden somewhere in the Realms, never to be seen again." "Well friends, that's it, hope you liked. We have to be careful with love, for it strikes when it is least expected, and not even gods are immune to it's effects". < The dancing lights are out. The story is over > Craelan Craelan first sees to his mount, then places his bedroll near the fire. He is seen to speak to Calidor, though nothing can be heard. He then listens to the tale laid out before him. " a fine tale mage! Mayhaps it will teach us not to look for godhood, but to let it find you, by the deeds you do, and the purity of ones soul. A fine tale." With that he asks Methos to take first watch with him. Calador I talk to Jesse and after the tale I say a prayer in silence which i remembered. Clavel Patting his stallion, Clavel dismounts. He compliments the majestic creature, "You're fast my friend, very fast. We'd have to see though, if you could outrun Silverfoot. Not many art faster than he." The horse snorts, seemingly in contempt, at this. Clavel grins to himself and makes a quick inspection of the campsite. He then tends to his horse and joins the rest by the fire. Later in the evening, you notice that Clavel exchanges some words with Darrin. Almar Zir Almar dismounts his mare and ties it up to a sturdy tree. "Methos, my friend, would you be so kind to watch my things while I go and gather up some firewood.", he says. Without even waiting for a response Almar heads off towards the nearest wooded area. Settling down at the campsite The campsite is a flurry of activity. Darrin busily sets about taking care of the horses, though Zeptha cares for her own. Darrin combs them down and sets out feed for them and is quick to helping any of the others. Even as the horses are cared for, Methos and Clavel walk the perimeter making sure all is secure and safe. Darrin then starts up a fire after thanking Almar for the firewood he brought back, and as Andrew entertains everyone, Darrin breaks out the usual camp fare. Eventhough it is nothing special, the aroma is wonderful, and by the time the meal is ready, everyone has growls coming from their stomachs. During the dinner, Darrin explains that Waterdeep is always on the change. There is always many things going on. It depends alot on what you want to do or see. At the worst there are always mercenary companies on the hire, especially in springtime. You've got until winter to get all the petty little wars in, before the winter's chill sets in. And in the public square there are always notices being put up about job offerings. On top of this, it's festival time. Ten days of hellraising in the streets of Waterdeep. You may not even have to look for trouble, it may well find you. THE STORYTELLER Darrin is distracted. It is hard to notice, except to a practised eye. He tries to hide his distraction in service to his new workers. He helps care for the horses, he helps cook, and he steps up with ladle in hand, waiting to serve himself until last. Even before he settles down to eat his portion, Darrin makes sure that our mugs are full, drawing some Tabek's Red from the keg which sits nearest the back of the cart. Darrin, without even asking, serves Zantorax from the fresh water barrel at the back of the cart. During the course of the meal, he sympathizes with those who are sore from their first day's ride, and jokes that on the morrow they will feel even worse. All well and good, but at times the talk of his companions passes him by and I see him look to the North, along the road we have yet to travel. And then he shakes himself from his revery and comes back to us to refill our mugs again, though after one round of ale, he has now boiled an aromatic cider, to warm us against the chill to come later. For it is still early spring and the night's can prove shivering cold even after the warmest days. Compared to Darrin's wistfulness, Zeptha is the life of our gathering. She also inquires of our aching thighs and backsides, and is quick to provide a salve from inside one of her bags. She says she is fretfully sorry that she did not visit with us in Daggerford, but she was dreadfully tired. They have already been on the road for a month, and that was the first decent night's rest they have had. Softly she confides in us that Darrin and Tag hardly ever stop for a break even. She mingles with us gracefully, explaining to us that this is her first trip to Waterdeep. She has always wanted to travel in such pleasant company. She says this with a warm smile spread upon her features. Continuing, she explains that Darrin has been the lucky one, growing up on the road, seeing the world. Darrin finally breaks from his revery as he realizes his cousin is speaking of him. He grins and makes a joke about how well he has learned to boil water on chilly nights. He is up again this young one and refilling the mugs of those who wish to be a little warmer. She even begins to flirt with some of the young men, telling them how glad she is that they have come on the road with her and Darrin. And of course she has high praise for Andrew's story of impossible love. The comments seem innocent enough, but Darrin overhears and is quick to reply, "This talk is unseemly, dear cousin. You are to be married in a week's time." Shortly she replies, "Of course, you are right, Darrin. It is late and I should be resting. Good night all." Without a backwards glance to her cousin, she reiterates a gentler good night to the rest of us and makes her way into the carriage with regal air to match her majestic beauty. To my eyes, I can see the regret in Darrin's face instantly upon the words flying from his lips. But his cousin has already turned away. But even so, under his breath, perhaps a bit louder than he had intended, he is heard to mutter to one who is not present, "I was never the lucky one. She will have more than I, eh friend." He is back on his feet and his gaze is back on the road, and for awhile his spirit is gone again from our present location. The Watch first watch Methos and Craelan second watch Clavel and Darrin third watch Calador and Almar Zir fourth watch Andrew and Valimar Watches consist of two hours each The Storyteller As all begin to bed down under the open sky, the last vestige of a full moon shines brightly. Sharply across the sky a star streaks overhead, striking northward along our very course. On the morrow, all awake restless and antsy, a feeling left over from darkly shadowed and unrecalled dreams throughout the night. Just looking in each other's eyes we can see the dream reflected, but none can call it to words, and the day is long ahead of us.