Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter does his best to treat the man's wound while they wait for everyone to return.
He explains how things went down, and that they won't be sure if there are more casualties until the others get back. 'I wish I knew it was Morgan... the way he's been running around killing people, maybe I shouldn't have interfered.' |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Quote:
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Quote:
I use single quotes for 'thoughts' and regular quotes for "Speech" )) |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Senarich: "Then they know who we are. I suppose there are worse ways to do the big reveal than masterminding a rescue attempt. I'm glad we found out about Karokan. Not a bad night, all told, I suppose. Make sure to wash us up properly. It won't do to have blood traces on our hands. And we need to get back to town quickly."
The shrewd man takes over the bandaging of the big man. His rider is apparently the best at this sort of thing. Either that or the two are using magic to recover from the shot. Gunshots still ring out in the woods, but only intermittently. Woman: "So what are we going to do with Morgan? I assume you have a hide away, as you've been walking the edge for years and years. Or we could hide you. Or we could try to operate in the open again. It was only the influx that defeated us last time." Big Man: "Wait for the others on that one." Senarich : <I think it'd be interesting to try running this through the legal system. See if we can't get that peace you wanted> |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter takes the initiative to press the discussion forward.
"I think it's time to go public and mainstream. We have to dispel these misconceptions and start to build a lasting peace. We should contact the authorities and start negotiating how we can all live together, and volunteer to turn Morgan over to them for trial, on the condition that they don't exorcise his Rider, unless that is part of his sentence if he's found guilty. I'm going to let Senarich speak now." And Peter relaxes his control to let Senarich put his two cents into the discussion. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Woman: "A public trial? that's ... quite risky. We went to all the effort to rescue Morgan just to give him back?"
Big Man: "A propaganda attempt? thats something we haven't tried for ... for years and years. I assume you think it will work because of the decrease in superstition among new arrivals?" Woman: "It'll just put a huge bullseye on our backs, even if the authorities make the agreement. They'll honor it, but then the brotherhood will swoop in and --" Senarich: "reveal themselves as having no respect for the law and enemies of the public. We show ourselves to be more law abiding than them." Woman: "And who's going to risk themselves defending us in court. They'll be investigated for being one of us, and probably end up dead anyway." Shrewd Man: "It's at least worth a try. The hosts have a lot more to loose on this than we do. And if nothing else, it will stop this from being a free for all war and put boundaries on where the action takes place." Morgan: "And what if I don't want to stand trial? I've been in a very exposed position and found out a lot of information. maybe I want to get out of this and retire honourably." |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
'I'll take this one, let me talk.' Peter thinks to Rider.
"Morgan, Everything's just hit the fan because of your actions!" Peter scolds Morgan, channeling his mother in the process. You don't get to go on a killing spree and then just retire. For your information I put together this little rescue, and honestly, if I knew it was you, I probably wouldn't have bothered." |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Morgan: "What on earth are you talking about? Its not my fault I was discovered. I've stayed secret for far longer than people who weren't dealing with the brotherhood on a personal basis, thank you very much."
Shrewd Man: "Senarich, are you saying Morgan touched off this war?" |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
"It's not Senarich talking, it's Peter. But yeah, I tracked him from one of the murder scenes... He heard me following him and we had a nice little chat, but he didn't know who he was talking to."
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Senarich <just to peter> We frankly don't usually bother to specify who is talking, unless we wish to make it clear that the other strongly disagrees.
Woman: "And just how did you know it was Morgan?" |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
"Senarich pressed him and his denial didn't last long. He admitted it. He said he was being kept out of the loop and wanted to prove he was a player."
Peter shakes his head and looks away from Morgan. "I think we need to find justice, for ourselves, and the townspeople. Maybe if we do it together with them, they can start to trust us." (Peter will let Senarich talk any time he has something he wants to say.) |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Morgan: "The killer lied then. I have as much to loose as anyone, and my identity is as well known as anyones. I swear I did not kill the first victim."
Shrewd: "At any rate, we need to keep the accusation down, even amoung our selves. The trial of Morgan should be about merely having a rider. Any other guilt is inconsequential and should be ignored -- if we think of him as guilty it will hurt his chances, which will hurt ours. On the other hand, Senarich, do you have any proof other than he sounded like morgan and claimed to be him?" |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter thinks to Seanrich... 'Should we tell them about my visions? They might think we're nuts... but the dreams are real, and I can sense the riders and that priest's mojo or whatever... How do you think they'll react?'
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Senarich: "I can certainly convince them that you're telling the truth. Its easy to verify and frankly that lie wouldn't serve my purposes, however much it may or may not serve you. On the other hand, we will be placed at the front of the battle, and demands will constantly be made on our time. It will also give up an advantage when dealing with internal politics."
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
"Other than tracking him, talking with him and his identifying himself, no. I have no evidence other than what my senses told me... but I'm certain."
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Senarich: "And if I was going to throw someone to the lions I could arrange to do it for someone other than my current employer!"
Big Man: "We can either go through the investigation Irodontus, or we can put you through the trial. In one case, you loose all of the prestige your position over the last few decades. In the other, you become our bravest and most fearless agent. If you were a coward you would have gotten out a long time ago. You would have found another host and you and Morgan would have went your ways." Morgan: "Such a wonderful spin on things. I'll do it. But we do it on my terms. Its my life we've put forward as bait, and I want things done properly." Shrewd Man: "I think that's acceptable. He is taking a large risk." The woman scowls: "I don't think its time for it yet." Shrewd Man: "two weeks ago I would have agreed. Its premature. But the war has started, and that will just stir up ill feeling. If we're going to do it, and I think we should, we need to do it now. Spread the word everyone, and see if we can get this movement going. And we'll need to come up with a good place to hide Morgan in the mean time." |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter hold back at this point in the conversation, not really understanding enough about Rider politics to help at this point... the ball is at least rolling the way he wanted it to... He thinks to Senarich....
'Well, we've certainly started something...Do you think it'll work?' |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Senarich: "Agreed. I think we've done enough. Lets head home. It'll be harder to hide your exhaustion in the morning than many of the rest of them."
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
'Sounds good... I am tired. And I haven't checked on Goliath in quite a while, I think this is the longest we've been apart since I got here."
Peter takes them home to the shed and gives Goliath a scratch on the head and goes to bed. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter felt very satisfied with himself, and Goliath snuggled up with him on the bed. Perhaps this whole thing would finally sort itself out --
That night, he dreamed. OCC: Yep, we're done here! Good work. You may spend 10 points improving peter. Don't feel obligated to post immediately after this, I'm going to move him to another world. Generating worlds ... |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter dreamed of thatched huts of a sort (the leaves were too wide to be grass) standing around a more prominent structure. The central structure was made of something more solid (brick? concrete?) and had been colourfully painted in sharp somewhat meso-american designs echoing the themes of labyrinths, something that is probably writing, and fantastic animals (wings, snakes, bears, elephants (mammoths?) and raccoons are prominent and mixed together -- and horses are conspicuously absent) . Another spot in the village is made of bricks, with a maze large enough to walk along painted on it, along with various images of the strange animals. The maze actually extends beyond the bricks, which are placed in something of a patchy manner, much darker than typical bricks, and often marked with the funny writing. The center of the maze was the blackened sight of a bonfire. Outside of the village were extensive fields, most of which wer full of weeds.
There were a few people in the village, but no where near the number such a large village should have. There were also animals, in quite large numbers: dogs, chickens, lamas, and several beasts resembling bears but larger than a bear and seemingly peacefully grazing while small children sat and watched them with dogs at their side. The people had brownish skin and dark hair -- If Peter had to place them he'd probably go with Hispanic rather than one of the various Asians -- but perhaps he doesn't know his geography well enough. The crop they are growing is most certainly american corn. Peter woke up at night. He was no longer in the bed the old ladies gave him. Goliath was still there, sniffing nervously -- the dog is obviously sensing something wrong. Peter realizes he's naked, and he's lying in what appears to be yet another new england forest. Reaching out with his extended senses, he feels -- nothing. And yet he's sure he hasn't merely gone blind, he can still sense, there just isn't anything to sense. In particular, senarich is gone. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter glanced around in confusion, and down at his naked body.
He sighs and thinks 'Again? Why is this happening to me?' Then there is a rush of excitement. 'Maybe I'm home!' he thinks. He gets up an takes a closer look at his surroundings to see if he recognizes the terrain or plants... or signs of a trail. "What do you think boy?" He asks the giant canine "Are we home, or in Mesopotamia or something?" Comparing his dream vision to the social studies chapter on ancient cultures. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Looking around at the plants, Peter would guess he's further south than before, perhaps in Maryland, Kentucky, or Pennsylvania. And there are a few species that are notably missing. He's fairly sure that he's either in north america or nowhere that has any meaning to him.
Goliath has his nose to the ground-- he's found something that smells very interesting. This is unusual for him -- he usually satisfies himself with a handful of sniffs. He's probably found some smell he's totally unfamiliar with. Ancient cultures -- he thinks hard. He paid attention in class, but there's a difference between knowing who lived where and what they built their houses out of and what their funeral customs looked like -- he comes up blank. Though he can comfort himself that he knows its not one of the classic civilizations, and doesn't seem to be derived from any of them either -- the aztecs and the incans had nothing like the large maze and fire -- his gut told him that was religiously significant. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
"Whatcha smellin' boy?" Peter says as he glances around, hoping to find something to cover himself. "Gonna find us one of those weird critters I saw in my dream?"
Peter looks away from his dog and trembles a bit as his pulse starts to race... but not from being cold. Naked and in a strange wilderness.... again! If not for Goliath's presence grounding the boy, he'd surely fall apart. He looks back to the beast of a dog and his goosebumps settle, and he feels a measure of calm again. "Go on boy, go git it!" he says. He continues to look about, taking in the sights and the sounds of this place, while following Goliath should he choose to follow the scent. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Goliath moves forward, following up on the scent, he picks up speed, moving at a decent pace with his nose to the ground. Peter follows, having to focus on his foot placement in order to keep up with the dog in his bare feet.
After just a short time (10 minutes), they arrive at the animal -- a gigantic armadillo. The animal is an odd size bigger than a dog or sheep, but smaller than a pony or lama (though that may just be because its squat): it certainly weighs more than Goliath. Pehaps it might be the size of a very large goat. It isn't one of those solid-shelled animals from the ice age, it looks just like a very large armadillo. On the other hand, it does seem to have a mouth full of leaves. The animals is fairly aggressive, turning to face Goliath and making a rather threatening display of teeth and claws (it has pretty big claws. blunt, but large). Goliath is wary, but not sure what to do about this creature. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter tries to calm both animals, drawing Goliath back a bit and speaking in soft tones to both creatures... He observes the interesting creature for a few minutes and tries to approach it. If it has eaten most of the lower leaves, he tries to pull town a branch the creature can't reach to offer it a better meal.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
goliath immediately backs off and leaves the creature alone once Peter calls him off. The animal remains agitated, so Peter takes Goliath yet farther away and tells the dog to stay. He observes the animal from far away, and slowly approaches with a nice fresh branch he's broken off, speaking softly. The animal is less agitated, but won't close the gap, remaining stubbornly on alert.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter continues to try and sooth the creature for a few more minutes, hoping to get it to warm up to him and make a new critter friend.
Wether he is successful or not, he moves on to trying to find his way in the woods, looking for signs of a path or trail, as well as anything he might be able to fashion into something that might preserve his modesty should he encounter someone. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
The animal really never calms down, though it does eventually back away far enough that it feels safe browsing and grazing again.
Fashioning something into clothing-- he really doesn't find anything better than leafy branches and vines. Which would make him ridiculous, but may keep him from violating nudity taboos. After half an hour or so, he finds a path that looks like it has fallen into disrepair. A small road, really, given the state of the people he saw in the dream. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
"Well boy, which way? Smell anything?" Peter says to Goliath as they reach the path...
If Goliath doesn't lead on, Peter will travel down the path whichever way seems easiest... The downhill direction, or if it is level, the direction that puts the sun at his back. He doesn't bother with wrapping branches and looking silly. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Goliath looks each way, and with prodding, picks a direction.
Soon enough, Peter comes across a house: a lone hut in the middle of a few fields of corn. The corn was planted nicely, but is now competing with weeds, and seems abandoned. No one is in the hut, and the fire pit outside of it is quite cold. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
"Where do you think they went boy?" Peter says rhetorically to his companion. "Think they might have left some pants?"
Peter has a look around, and tries to find something to wear, as well as any evidence of why this place might have been abandoned and for how long. If he finds anything resembling a water skin, or portable foodstuffs that have not spoiled, or a knife (or other objects he might be able to use as a tool or weapon in the wilderness) he'll collect those as well. If he can find something to write with, and on, he will leave a note apologizing for his petty larceny, and explaining he will do his best to repay them. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Despite the unkept fields, the house is quite clean. The beds (mats of straw) have blankets orderly laid out on them. There are four beds -- one the size of a twin bed, two yet smaller, and one obviously intended for an infant. Everything is clean and put away. And yet spider webs are all over the place. The most accurate guess Peter can make is the corn: it was planted this season, but hasn't been cared for since the planting. That makes it -- he's not sure what season it is. He would guess about two months.
Peter finds various clothes in the hut. They remind him more of underclothes than normal clothes, but they are a good deal better than nothing, a drab tan color. The food stuffs are nearly absent -- just some very strong smelling powders presumably used as spice and a bowl of salt. The other tools he might want are present: a knife (bronze?), and several other sort-of knives -- various metal tools for digging, poking, and cutting. A water skin. a cloth satchel (which really looks like a super cheap purse). |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
He gathers the various tools that can be comfortably carried in the satchel and looks around for a water source to fill the skin. If the corn hasn't gone bad on the vine, he will pick several ears in case he is unable to find more food.
He will hold off at first on drinking or eating anything from the farm, in case it is abandoned due to some contaminate... He will keep a lookout to see if it seems like the local critters have been eating the corn or drinking the water with or without ill effect. ((What time of day is it? Has Peter been here long enough to figure out how long it seems to be til sunset?)) |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
The corn is too young, not too old. The previous crop appears to have been picked clean and left fallow in the field.
Peter woke up around dawn. Its only been an hour or two, so he has most of the day left. The local critters seem to have been drinking from a nearby stream. He can see tracks, some of which are familiar, some of which are strange -- one of the strange sets is probably that oversized armadillo. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Once he's drunk his fill and filled his skin, Peter continues down the path to explore and see what he can find.
If the path ended at the farm, he'll head the other way. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter continues down the path. After another mile, Peter rather suddenly comes face to face with a fierce looking man who steps out from behind a tree. The man has a spear with a giant iron tip -- really a sword on the end of a stick. He's painted his face a garish pink, black, and green pattern. The massive blade swings towards Peter. Peter throws himself backwards, barely keeping his feet. His dog leaps at the foe, grabbing his arm. With a cry of pain the man releases his weapon, and tries to shake the dog off. He is unsuccessful and the animal worries around with its teeth, yanking the man around, and down to the ground. The man reaches up to hit the dog's head. The blow hits and the dog wines, but holds on.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter's adrenaline and overconfidence gets the best of him at the sight of Goliath taking a blow to the head, and he grabs the fallen spear-sword from where the attacker dropped it, and lines it up to stab the assailant (evaluate).
"You better run mister! or you're gonna pay for hitting my dog!" |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
The man gives a burst of effort to try and break free, ripping his arm out of the dog's teeth, He's still down, and peter is still lined up with the blade.
if he attacks this turn:
Spoiler:
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter hesitates to attack the now unarmed man and instead calls Goliath to him, hoping that the ready weapon and dog at his side will dissuade the man.
"Goliath, Come!" Peter commands while continuing to evaluate his opponent, brandishing the sword spear towards him. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
As peter backs slowly away, the man looks around in stark terror for a few moments. then, still prone, he pulls out a knife.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter stays alert, backing off and watching the man closely.
"What's your problem, jerk!" |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
The man snarls something in a foreign tounge at Peter, then plunges the dagger into his chest. He falls back, breathing heavily and bleeding all over the place.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter lets out a sound that half yelp and half scream, and runs away!
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter runs off, shocked at the man killing himself, and still carrying the captured weapon. Goliath comes along with him. The man's gasps behind them soon fade away.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter throws the weapon into some brush in the woods, as he can't get the situation out of his mind carrying it. All he can think about is all that blood. He then just wanders onward down the path in a state of shock.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Goliath follows faithfully behind, seemingly confused. eventually, They arrive at the dwelling he got his clothing at.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
One direction is as good as another... He'll just keep going. He'll keep on the lookout for edible plants as he's no doubt getting hungry.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Finding edible plants isn't hard at all --- at least, plants that will be edible. The corn kernals are still quite small on the cob, and they are hard as well. He finds some very small squash plants with bright orange flowers, and remembers that those are edible. The grubs should be active this time of year, and there are a few other kinds of plants that will work as well, but it general, this time of year makes things hard. He does get a little plant food into his stomach, mostly buds of various sorts, with a few roots to go with it.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
If it's still relatively early in the day, Peter will press on. If not, he'll spend the night in the shelter of the farm.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
As its only about 2 PM (getting that food took a while), so Peter continues down the path. For a long time he sees no one. Then he comes across a visage more horrific than before: A man is lying in the path, dead. He appears to have taken his own life, judging from his bloody hand. His skin has a number of small red scabs/sores all over it. The man has painted himself in a specific fashion, and appears to have laid himself in line with the sun before driving the weapon in. The scabs are regular and random enough to suggest a disease or alergic reaction rather than a physical cause. Peter isn't sure what the disease is. He's pretty sure it isn't chicken pox though. A queasy feeling rises in his stomach -- what did all of the ancient diseases look like? he can't remember. He hopes dearly its an allergic reaction or the doing of some bizarre allergic reaction or poison.
Goliath barks at the death body, then looks up at Peter. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
"Keep away boy"
Peter guides Goliath to give the body a wide berth. He thinks of the other man's suicide and wonders if he was sick and looking for some kind of a warrior's death or something like that when he confronted Peter. He travels on... |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Its getting dark when Peter sees more people on the path, about 30 yards down it. They mounted on -- bears?, armed, and stationary. On seeing them, Goliath bristles, and not just becuase there is a dog with the riders.
The 'Bears' are grazing. They are very shaggy animals with long faces and their eyes are set a ways back in their head. Peter isn't quite sure what they are, but he's beginning to suspect they are not proper bears. The animals are heavy set, and at least horse sized (but much more heavily built). The riders are of the ethnicity of the men he ran into before, and they are painted in the same colors as the man who killed himself. Both of them have the large-bladed spears and bows. They have seen Peter, and are getting their weapons ready for a fight. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter raises his hands, palms out and speaks to them as non-aggressive a tone that he can muster.
"Easy guys... I know you probably don't understand a word I'm saying, but I come in peace. shush Goliath, that goes for you too." He remains there with his hands up if their approach is slow and not too aggressive... but if they break into a full charge or start loosing arrows, Peter will retreat into the woods. ((consider this a Wait, for "definite aggression" to trigger a Move into the cover of the woods.)) |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
They start out moving slowly, but they don't stop getting ready for a fight, and Peter senses hostile intent, regardless of his actions. He runs into the woods, Goliath after him. The two warriors follow him.
If they had been on horses, he would have been run down quickly. Their mounts are fierce and would no doubt tear apart a horse, but the speed of the beasts is enough for Peter to stay out of reach -- if he runs. The riders aren't expending the beast to their limits though -- Peter gets the impression they could go faster and try harder. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter runs and tries to lose them in the woods.
((Assuming he is able to lose them...)) Once he feels like he's in the clear, he will ditch the shirt he's wearing, and cut the legs of the pants short with his knife. He'll try to find some natural ingredients to make dyes or paint like mixture to try and replicate the "savage's" painted look, in case the aggression is because he looks like the farmers who's home he took the clothing from. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Its a hard run, and he's exhausted, but the warriors stop following fairly quickly, merely shooting an arrow at him (that goes wide)
Peter can't find the dyes they are using to paint with, though he can certainly rub mud on him to imitate similar patterns (but not colors). It occurs to him the lone house might have paints in it that he could use ... |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter will head back to the house to see if he can get the ingredients he needs for his "disguise", and if it's getting dark, he'll spend the night there. Once rested and with his disguise complete, he'll head back in the direction he went the first time, towards the attacker who killed himself.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter is able to find some of the paint, adorns himself, and as its late at night, goes to sleep. He might have been cold, but the dog snuggles up with him and they keep each other warm.
His dreams that night are of modern folks, mostly white but with a couple of native americans and a single african, looking at a map of what is quite clearly the Chesapeake bay (the bay of Virginia and Maryland) in some sort of tent. They have little pins all over it, with varying sizes of heads, and they seem to be dealing with reports -- it has something of a military planning feel, but these folks don't quite look military -- at least most of them don't. One of them looks and acts very military. They do speak english, and though Peter can't really follow the discussion, they are planning on sending teams to different areas and the hostility of the locals is discussed at length. Peter wakes up in the same location, stomach growling. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter actually waits until morning to apply the pains, and sets off following the route he started on the first time, towards where the native killed himself when he lost his primary weapon. Peter decides to retrieve the "sword spear" on his way by where he threw it, as it will help complete his disguise.
If he is able to notice any natives on the road before they see him, he will move to travel into the woods. He'd rather not put his disguise to the test if he can help it. ((OOC: I am assuming there was nothing on the map Peter could recognise from his walking around to help him find these english speakers... If in fact there is, he will follow whatever path he thinks will lead him in their direction.)) As he travels, he will continue to look for food for Goliath and himself... If there is nothing but grubs and the like, he'll do his best to stomach them and try and get Goliath to eat them as well. If he finds there are no other options, he will try and hunt. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter retrieves the weapon. Goliath sniffs a dark spot on the road, and Peter realizes its the blood of the man who stabbed himself. His body is gone, and it appears to have been moved rather than eaten by scavengers.
Peter moves slowly into the woods, gathering and eating food as he goes: testing acorns for that one tree that isn't poisonous, upturning logs and eating the grubs, and he even finds two bird nests that have eggs in them already. Goliath doesn't seem to be interested in any of the food but the eggs. They slowly work their way into the woods, running across one or two other roads. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
He hopes they will find better food, but Peter will pack up a little of this and that in case they can't find anything else later.
Peter finds a good stick and plays a little fetch with Goliath as they go, but not too much... he doesn't want Goliath to get too worked up while they don't have a water source. He will be sure to drink and give Goliath a little water from the skin from time to time to make sure they do not become too dehydrated. He keeps his eye out for potential water sources as they continue their travels. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Finding 'good' water sources here is a matter of choosiness. Nothing here is going to satisfy 21st century standards of clean water without boiling.
He finishes out the day feeling hungry, but not unbearably so. Goliath has managed to catch a squirrel as the day comes to a close. Peter wonders how best to camp -- its cold enough he may want a fire, but doing so will alert his position to others -- and it is a good protection against predators. He also needs to decide how long he wants to spend building a shelter -- it will take away travel time, but is he really in a hurry to go anywhere? |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter decides to make a decent camp, and makes a fire. He tries his best to minimize it's smokiness and hopes for the best. He figures Goliath will help him keep a lookout for anyone who might approach. He keeps the weapon close, just in case...
If one of those armadillo beasts or another animal happens by, he will hunt for a decent meal. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter's dreams that night are uneventful and unhelpful.
In the morning, he and goliath run across a giant armadillo fairly early in the morning. Its quite aggressive, but slow enough that Goliath and Peter can double team it. They get it stuck between the two of them. Peter is quite glad to have his spear-sword, but soon finds that simple stabs bounce go off of the armour on it, and the animal is being most unhelpful about displaying its belly. Peter is aware of a lot of tricks for living off the land, but how to kill a aggressive giant armadillo with just a dog and a spear is not one of them. Peter observes that the underside of the animals is less armoured, as are the toes and parts of the head. Of course, he's been trying for the head and hasn't really been able to land a blow, and the claws on the toes certainly can block a hit. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter exercises patience and observes the creature closely until Goliath distracts it and gives him an opening to skewer the critter.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter takes the 'patient' route to hunting. He and goliath keep the animal switching between the two of them for well over an hour. Its exhausting. Luckily, Peter is young and in good shape. As the dance goes on, the creature becomes less coordinated, and peter begins to get in little bloody nicks on the animal. Half an hour after that, the creature becomes too tired to react to the two sided attacks, and Goliath manages to seize it by the back of the neck. Held in place, Peter flips the belly into an exposed position. The animal tries to curl into a ball, but with its head in the dog's jaws, can only do so partially. Peter worms the spear into a crevice and rams it home. He feels the skin give, and worms the weapon around. Goliath lets go, and Peter holds the creature against the ground until it stops moving.
Both he and the dog are exhausted, and somewhere between an hour and two hours of the day is gone. But now they have more meat than they can eat, and with the growling in his stomach, Peter is pretty sure the endevor was worth it. Of course, they made a ruckus and took a while. Two turkey buzzards have already shown up, and who knows what else is waiting out there. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter will rely on their activity and Goliath's growls to keep the birds at bay while he attempts to build a fire and partially dress the animal so he can cook the meat for their meal. He will cook up as much of the meat as he feels he can comfortably carry with them for provisions, and leave the rest to the scavengers.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Goliath chases away the animals while peter cooks. He's not much of a cook, but it hardly matters. Goliath eats a large, hearty meal. Peter spends a good amount of time cooking the meat and cutting it away from the bones so that it won't take up as much space or weight. He's not sure how to properly dry the meat, but figures he doesn't have enough time anyway, and mostly just cooks it on a stick. With any luck the meat will keep for at least a while.
They leave the carcass behind for the animals with full bellies and half of the day gone. He continues walking, and comes across a ripe field of corn -- a sign of civilization. Looking around, no one appears to be about-- the young corn is just growing on the stalks. Other fields are adjacent, and there is probably a house or villiage around here, but he doesn't see one just yet. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter will explore the area cautiously, trying to remain hidden from any prying eyes until he identifies who might tend these fields.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter moves around as stealthily as he can, which necessitates staying mostly out of the corn. After a bit of wandering, he comes across the edge of the village (for its a village, not a lone house). His first sight is a number of children playing -- all with either small bandages or small pricks on their shoulders. In addition, they game they are playing is ring-around-the-rosie. The words are in a different language, but the tune and actions are the same. This is all under the care of a watchful mother on a loom, who has a small prick on her shoulder as well. The people are the local Native American ethnicity.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
"Crap." Peter says under his breath cursing his bad luck... He was really hoping to encounter the English speaking folks he saw in his dream, given the reaction the natives have displayed so far. Luckily he has some food in his pack and his belly.
He stays out of the village and goes around it in a large circle, trying pass unseen while he continues his journey looking for friendlier people, or at the very least ones he can talk to. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
The next few days pass in a similar manner. Peter wanders around the woods looking for signs of the English speakers and avoiding villages. He comes across those that seem on alert, those that seem gloomy, and even one town that's completely empty.
Please give a routine: what does he depend on for food sources and how important is covering a lot of ground. On the third day, Peter is walking goliath bristles and starts growling. Looking in the appropriate direction, Peter sees a giant wolf coming towards them. its larger than goliath, completely wild, and heavy set. He's not entirely sure how big wolves are supposed to be, but he's fairly sure this one is too big. The wolf seems to mostly ignore goliath's warnings, and starts circling the two of them, sniffing curiously. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Quote:
(Note, His Animal Empathy and Animal Friend advantages and Animal handling skill may come in handy here.) |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter is able to get by, for the most part. He's fairly hungry some days, but other days he finds the food he needs, particularly meat. The crops aren't ripe yet, but several abandoned dwellings (and some villages are completely abandoned) have stores of food lying about. His dreams are
Peter steels himself, and presents himself as confident and cool to the animal. The wolf responds by becoming a little more cautious. Peter slowly and cautiously offers it some meat. Goliath growls lightly, but stays put. the wolf gulps down the offering in a single bite. When it comes close again, Peter stands the creature off, but continues speaking in his tones. The animal approaches within 2 feet of Goliath and Peter, sniffs, and then turns and trots away. twice time, he veers away from a hunting party of natives. If they saw him, they didn't react. He's quite aware they are stealthier than him, but he is quite observant, and Goliath has keen senses as well. The third time, they get wind of him first, as he is gathering food in a field. He notices them before they are able to surround him, so they have to be content with just stepping out into the field and demanding something of him in their strange tongue. It seems to be some sort of question as well. The speaker has his large spear, but of the three men standing near him, two bear only bows and large hunting knives. They have a medium dog with them as well, much smaller than Goliath and of no breed Peter can identify. OCC: wow -- he was actually well suited for the wolf. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
If Peter believes they are far enough out and he is close enough to the tree line to make an escape, he will flee into the woods. His previous encounters with the natives leaving him cautious.
If he thinks escape is not an option, he will summon Goliath to his side and call out to them... "I don't suppose anyone speaks English?" |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
escape is just enough of an option to be tempting. The real question is how ready the bowmen are and how good they are at shots on the run. If they aren't that good, the best option is definitely to turn and run. If they are capable of hitting him like that -- bad idea. Peter thinks about his own skill with a bow -- he probably wouldn't hit himself. At least not with the first shot. Perhaps if he ran through the young corn on the way to the trees...
(Its close enough to go either way. do you have a preference?) |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter breaks for cover, hoping that his disguise will prevent them from shooting right away.
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Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
Peter turns and runs. The men yell at him, but he doesn't understand what they're saying and doesn't slow down. He's almost made it to the trees when one of the arrows goes through his left hand. Its quite a shock, but he keeps running and enters the relative safety of the woods without dropping his weapon.
He'd probably have lost them almost immediately if it weren't for their dog. Goliath is just ahead of peter, but the local dog is about 10 feet behind him and howling loudly -- a nice beacon to let his master know exactly where peter is. OCC: if you want to use luck to negate the shot, go ahead. As a note, it was a total fluke -- they had effective skill 7. |
Re: (IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]
((OOC: Yes, let's use luck to hopefully negate the hit... The dog's only 10 feet behind? That's a FAST dog! or the group is much closer than I was envisioning...))
Peter keep s moving and tries to see if there is a river or terrain feature that might let him escape the dog... He doesn't want to have to hurt it. |
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