Posts by Ol'random

Ol'random · The Long Patrol

An explanation: I'm making this thread to serve as a catalog/q&a/announcement/place to yell at me if the snake plot doesn't happen/all things related to the snake plot mentioned in this thread.

To start off, my goal for this mission mini plot is to give the LP something to do for a month or so and act as a pilot RP for more mission stuff like this. Everyone who is in the LP/wants to join can join, and if you have a character around the west coast you want to dust off and use feel free! (John the squirrel will probably be finally making his appearance during this since the siege arc)!

Alright, now for the snake plot mission itself!
Since the summer battles in Halyard and around Salamandastron, despite the overall friendliness to the Long Patrol from both woodlander and vermin citizens alike, the town has been in an even rougher shape than before, with half the place empty - and with many unsavory individuals moving into the open spots to take advantage of what they can.
The problem is, though: quite a bit of them are sneaky about it and fighting a single band of villains ain't gonna cut it this time. Be it a merchant making underpawed deals, pirates being hired as bodyguards, certain town beasts disappearing into the night, or even some hares of the Patrol doing some 'business' on the side the result is the same: the half-deserted town of Halyard is in a rough state.

And that's not even mentioning the rumors of something that likes to hang out under the docks when there's a full moon. Some say it's a great monster that came down from the north to escape the cold, some say it's a snake that came out of the sea. There's no proof of course, and every sighting boils down to "my cousin's brother-in-law's friend's aunt's grandfather saw it".

Yet the rumors have persisted long enough to spread into the ranks Long Patrol as a spooky story to tell over a warm mug in the mess hall, but there's probably nothing to them. Right?

The first RP will be a simple and probably short meeting/briefing RP in the (surprise) meeting room at 2 EST (noon my time) this Saturday the 16th, which will hopefully be early enough to work for Quinten and Greg if they want to join in. I'm not planning on doing much else this Saturday as there's the trial of a certain former lp sergeant planned that day, but I'm hoping I can get this in before that starts or afterwards, if need be. I can also do another meeting RP later in the day (say around 5-7 est) if some people can't make the first one!

What to expect: for the meeting, I'll be making *light* use of Colonel Locke (the officer Jinora used in this log) as he's technically Varus' direct commanding officer, and since Varus thinks he's a private the colonel's been pulled out of semi retirement to try and help the patrol in the meantime. The Colonel and Msgt. Terrence called the meeting, open to everyone in the Patrol, to talk about the situation in Halyard. Feel free to ask questions both in RP and OOC'ly.

Also: the meeting can and probably should be taken as common IC knowledge to everyone in the mountain even if the characters aren't there in game. Maybe they were quietly in the background, or maybe someone told them about it later. Feel free to do whatever!

And again: anyone who wants to join can, and I want to make clear that once this gets going everyone is welcome to RP and people do not need my permission to talk about the plot or interact with it! In fact, if you feel like RPing a day in the life of your hare that's been assigned to Halyard or RP a day on sentry duty or have new subplot popping up, I encourage it! Breath some life into the Western Shore's world!

That's all for now, though I'll add more as stuff occurs to me

Ol'random · Ferravale

I'd add that all of this is a good IC motivation to tell the Long Patrol about what happened - especially considering a trial's needed and that Zolomon is a former LP member (a former officer at that (non commissioned, but still an officer). Perhaps some sort of LP presence can come to at least document what happens?

Ol'random · The Long Patrol

In addition to the reply above, I spent a few hours compiling the first half of the Erg plot from 2019 into a single page on the wiki with hopes of finishing it soon. The idea I had was to make the logs from the plot are all in one place and thus more accessible to new and old players alike (if you're like and you sometimes go back to read RP plotlines again as if they're more redwall books )

Here's the MUCK wiki page link for the "Saga of Erg": https://www.rwmuck.org/wiki/The_Saga_of … log_Slayer

+bonus content: I added an RP that was on the radio but was never actually posted to forums, recounting Zolomon's debriefing with Greg and Isla's encounter with a toad 'healer'.

Ol'random · Logs

"For your information, I'm not a squirrel."

Noonvale, 10/2/21
The gallant members of the Long Patrol: Sgt. Adrian, Pvt. Boaz (drafted), SbLt. Lossow
Noonvale: Elder Birch (the mouse chief played by Lossow)

It'd been a couple days since the devastating raid on the village of Noonvale, but after taking stock of the casualties and captures, it became readily apparent that there had been very few woodlanders actually killed, mainly defenders and beasts that fought back. The majority of villagers had been kidnapped, including fully half of all dibbuns in Noonvale. After finishing a final headcount, Adrian approaches Lossow. "Well, sah, there's no doubt about it. They were slavahs. Only 7 villagers were killed... The rest were kidnapped. If I 'ad t' wagah a guess, Sah, I'd reckon they'd need t' get t' a fort or camp somewhere within a three or four days' walk from 'ere. I'd say they went north, wot d' y' think?"

With a toothpick in his mouth the sub-lieutenant glares eastwards into the vast wilderness. "Slavers, you say? Well," he takes out the toothpick, studying it for a moment, "No choice but to get them back, wot. Pity about the seven dead though, at least they weren't any of ours."

Boaz has been here, off and on and now appears again "Hello...so who ya lot again and uniform and all?"

Adrian pauses, as Boaz comes. "Ah, we are th' Long Patrol, wot. We go around...'elpin' beasts, I s'pose. At any rate, wot th' Sub-Leftenant said is right. We gotta go aftah these slavahs an' bring back their captives. I think they went in a northerly direction... Y' know of anyplace off that way that could be used as a vermin base?"

Boaz's question is pointedly ignored with the sub-lieutenant not facing the creature, as Lossow had figured what he said was a purposeful jab at the Patrol. "Sergeant," he flicks the toothpick away, "If it's north, we go bloody north. Can't shame our uniform not rescuing the helpless, eh? But what IS north of here, only mountains, yes?"

Boaz speaks "Snow..ice...forever winter mostly if ya go far enough, not a lot of slavers go that far"

Adrian hums, and pulls out that map he carries. "Well, their tracks 'ead outta here generally north... I doubt they'd go t' th' frozen wastes. Oy, there is anothah sea off t' the east. They mighta come by ship. I reckon our best bet is t' head nor'east, then."

"Well, back home Slavahs almost exclusively used the sea," Lossow shrugs, "And I doubt they'd have much business in the frozen wastes unless..." He shudders. "No, no use thinking THAT, wot. East. The sea seems the best bet- but how far?"

Boaz listens and speaks "So this Long Patrol need any other fighter hares? I know ya called me a private couple times and...well been with you the past few days. may as well join up suppose. So I will help, I have fighting skills and archer skills."

Adrian looks Boaz up and down thoughtfully. "We could use th' 'elp. We'll need all we c'n get, since these vermin mean business." He looks over the map again, then points to a mark. "Marshank. Could be a place they used as a stagin' point. I'd say head that-away."

"Right then," Lossow turns to Boaz for the first time, "Fall in line private!" The officer turns back to look east. "Marshank, eh? Isn't that a ruin or something by now, wot. But probably a good place to start. Of course..." He looks down at the ground, then back to Adrian, "Do we even know where in the blazes Marshank is?"

Boaz nods, he even salutes, sort of he clearly has to practice but it's close enough for now,he is new after all. "The sooner we free the slaves the better and make sure the vermin don't get a chance to try again"

Adrian shakes his head. "We only 'ave this map t' go by, and it's admittedly pretty old. It's our only lead, I'm afraid. As far as th' map shows, there's nothin' else out that way."

Lossow nods his head. "Of course private! We can't just free the villagehs and leave the vermin to go on their merry way, wot! We gotta hit them hard, enough where the slavahs don't get back up. There's no helping the map, so we'll have to see with our own eyes I'd say. If we head east, following the stream to the sea, we can go north up the coast to see if it still stands - and if the slavahs now live there."

Boaz says, "Can't say I know too much of the land by the sea,mainly lived in a small groove by Noonvle, visited a fair amont over the seasons, least till an old friend died.""

Adrian nods. "I've nevah seen th' Eastern Sea mahself," he interjects, "But I s'pose tha's about t' change. I'll let Mont, Serena and Yerna know we'll be 'eadin' out. T' th' east."

"East. Of course, beyond the private here- sorry for your loss, by the by - we should ask one of the locals exactly how long it takes to get to the sea, and Marshank, then take at least double provisions for that. Hopefully they might know something, wot."

Lossow looks back at the village. "Actually, suppose I'll go do that."

Boaz nods as he listens, if he is gonna join this Long Patrol he needs to learn the different orders and what is needed so he can be a good patrol hare,and learn how to fit into a group sine he sin't fully use to one yet.

Adrian nods. "I believe the village elder is in 'is 'ouse... In fact, 'e asked t' see us all again before we left. 'e's puttin' a lot of faith in us..."

"An old squirrel, right?" Lossow glances at the sergeant, double checking. "Well, hopefully we live up to that. Anyway, I'll go find him now."

Boaz looks around as he speaks "Unsure how de vermin even found the place, Noonvale been hidden from most unless ya know where ta look."

Adrian nods his head. "Yes. I'll join y' aftah I get th' othahs." He looks at Boaz. "It may've been an unlucky accident. It's probable they weren't lookin' for Noonvale at all..."

"Well, we managed to find it..." Lossow mutters, "And ancient or not, they still found it. And we can't do anything about that now, wot. Sergeant, private," The junior officer nods to them both in farewell before wandering off to go find the old village chief.

Boaz shrugs "Suppose a secret can't last forever after all, no matter how much one wants it to"

Adrian nods. "Well, why don't y' come wi' me while I go get the othahs?" And after he asks that, he heads toward the guesthouse they'd been staying in.

Boaz follows the sergeant to see how it goes with the old squirrel.

Of course, Lossow does find the chief's house - eventually - though the squirrel isn't there. "Blasted, what was the name?" Muttering to himself the junior officer can be seen wandering around the village, looking for the old squirrel.

Adrian eventually returns to the Sub-Lieutenant with Monty, Serena, and Yerna in tow. "'Ave y' spoke t' th' Leadah yet?" he asks. "I know he acts senile, but he seems t' be pretty sharp, actually."

Boaz looks around"He has ta be somewhere, right?"

"No I have not, sergeant." Lossow spent the better part of a half hour looking. "Can't recall the name so I can't just call out for him, wot. And none of the villagers seem all that eager to help find-"

"For your information, I'm not a squirrel." The chieftain of Noonvale, a mouse, waves his tail from were he stood behind the officer. "Does this LOOK like the bushy mess they got, Mr. Lossow?"

Boaz blinks, how does the old beast do that appear out of no where

Adrian jumps, as the mouse seems to appear out of nowhere. "Oh, Sah, we were lookin' for...you..."

"So I heard." The mouse looks the hares over, as if contemplating disappearing again. "What for?"

"Sergeant Adrian," Lossow says, stepping back, "Why don't you brief the chieftain on the plan, wot?"

Boaz chuckles a little, he has seen the chieftain a couple times and the old beast always seemed moody or just odd, maybe it was old age who knows.

Adrian blinks. He could swear the mouse had asked to see them before they left. "Uh, Sah," he begins, looking at Lossow, "We're gonna go rescue yahr kidnapped villagers, wot. We're goin' east, towahd th' sea, and lookin' f'r them there. We 'ave good reason t' believe they may be 'eaded tha' way..."

"And we also need to know how long it takes to get to the east-sea from here," Lossow interjects. "And if we can please have the provisions to make it there and back."

The mouse doesn't immediately answer, mulling over the information and questions. "Very well," he says, "Very well. We'll give you what we can, but frankly - no one here really knows, unfortunately. But thank you, sergeant Adrian," the mouse bows his head. "We'll try and help as best we can."

Boaz for now lets the others talk, he has barely really joined the patrol, but he is still helping and listening

Adrian looks directly into the elder mouse's eyes. "This is our solemn vow, Sah... We'll get yahr loved ones back. And we'll do it as fast as we can. They won't 'arm a hair on those dibbun's heads, I promise ya."

The mouse bows again, deeper. "I'll take your word for it then. Though I personally didn't actually lose anyone particularly loved by me, so don't you worry overmuch about that."

Lossow glances at Adrian and Boaz, blinking in surprise, but otherwise doesn't speak.

Boaz tilts his head,slightly confused and is not sure how to react to this bit of news,he hmms softly and is silent for the moment.

Adrian nods. "Well, still." He glances back at Lossow. "It's gettin' a bit late today, so I reckon we oughta get ready tonight, an' then 'ead out first thing tomorrah, wot d' y' think, Sah?"

Boaz watches the old mouse and is still quiet,but once the hares are out of sight and out of hearing range he will clearly speak his mind on how he is unsure of the old chief, what sort of chief...isn't loved by his followers?

Oh, the chief is adored by his followers, and the ones still in the village he's somewhat fond of. But he liked less than half of those captured, and was apathetic to the rest.

But the hares needn't know THAT.

Adrian and the others head back toward the guest house, so they can prepare themselves for the early morning. "Well, lads, we'll be 'eadin' out again..."

Ol'random · Logs

Nearly a week late posting this one, so sorry about that!

Pvt. Donica
Sgt. Felicity
Cpt. Gregorian
Pvt. Rhonwen
MSgt. Terrence
Pvt? (Mjr) Varus
& Lt. Velm

There was still a little while before the appointed time, and Terrence knew most hares would be loathe to leave the mess hall before they needed to. Yet here he was on the beach. Luckily the sky was clear and the air warm for the autumn, a perfect time for what he had in mind for the battalion and recruits. Yes, it should work...

Varus comes out of the mountain, dressed down in a training uniform, but he's followed close behind by his wife Olivia, who's been hovering around him for the past couple months since he was brought back. It's been slow going. "Dear, wouldn't you rather rest in your quarters?"

"SAH!" Terrence can't hide his surprise when seeing Varus, and he habitually snaps to attention. He'd been facing the opposite way, breathing deeply of the crisp fall air. "I hadn't known you'd be joining us personally, sah." The sergeant glances at the retired lieutenant, raising a questioning brow. "Is the major....?"

Donica walks out and gives a salute to Terrence and seems unsure how to address Varus right now, so a simple nod.

Olivia shakes her head. "Not entirely, I'm afraid. We've been workin' with him, but memories are strange things... He thinks he's a Private, right now." All of this said in a whisper that only Terrence will hear.

"Ah. I see." Terrence still hasn't relaxed and frankly doesn't seem all too sure how to deal with 'Private' Varus. "Sah, if you'll excuse me then-" He turns on his heel, rubbing his forehead and marching over to a rock - he'd have to begin soon, regardless of the major's confusion.

Donica waits for the training drill to start, she glances around as if seeing if someone else was around and then reeling a bit as she waits.

Rhonwen walks into the area, followed by another couple privates as they take their places to see what is gonna happen today.

Gregorian wasn't scheduled to be there, officially he was busy. He was always busy it seemed. He'd turned out to watch though, lurking back at a distance and just observing for now.

Varus salutes Terrence. "Sah, I'm 'ere t' train, eh wot!"

Lunch seemed to be over, judging by the semi-steady stream of hares coming down to the sand. After a pause, returning the Major's salute with an unsure one of his own, Terrence leaps up onto the rock and clears his throat. "Alright, hares, you're probably wondering why you'h out here! Well, we've got a cleah sky above us and a mostly empty stretch of land before us. How does splitting you lot up by squads for a race sound? Racing together as GROUP, mind you - you stick with you'h squad and go as fast as the slowest membeh, understand?" He spots Greg coming down as well - "Captain, sah! Welcome - wanna add anything?"

Donica nods in understanding at this, she is not too fast of a runner but also not one of the slowest either so this should be good.

Rhonwen sighs, she so rather not run right now but she still listens as the sergeant speaks.

Gregorian's attempt at being the unseen observer ends as soon as it begins with Terrence addressing him. He kind of figured it would take long "No sabotaging the other team?" he suggests as he gives up lurking behind and approaches the other officer.

Olivia frowns, and goes to try and persuade her husband to sit this one out, but he's having none of that. Instead, he looks at Gregorian. "Hey, aren't you gonna race, too, Greg?"

"Yes, that seems sensible." Terrence calls out, unaware he'd spoiled the captain's attempt. "Now then, I want the hares to split up into companies, then patrols, then squads. Seeing how quickly you do that'll make this all go by fastah. And I should mention aftah we're done today the best squad gets two bottles of thei'h choice from the cellah, and the losing company gets to fill in fo'h the other's the duties fo'h a few days. That'll be a week fo'h anyone who tries to sabotage anyone else, cleah?"

Donica nods as she listens.She still is slightly distracted as she tries to figure out a group that be best to get into.She seems to avoid a couple hares who seem to just want to make her grumpy for what ever reason.

Rhonwen frowns, great groups as she rather just be on her own. She glances around and finds one other hare she knows and thats Donica "Hallo, mind if I join your group of hares Donica?"

Gregorian is watching Varus out of the corner of his eye anyway but becomes distracted by the question of him running the race. He raises an eyebrow quickly at the idea "I'm not sure anyone wants tah see that" an awkward pause and he shifts on to one footpaw, waving his pegleg very briefly in the air and hoping that would get the point across "Tempting though the reward may be I'm sure it's not for the officers anyway" he could run but he avoided it if he could.

Varus stares at the pegleg, mouth agape for a moment. "When on earth did that 'appen? I didn't know y'd been injured recently. Y' shoulda tol' me, mate."

Olivia blanches visibly.

As the hares gathered are already moving into their groups, Terrence adds one more thing from atop the rock (and ignoring the exchange between major and captain. Greg can handle that.........) "The pointof what we're doing today is to get you working together as unit as both squads AND companies." The master sergeant hops down, clapping his paws. "Alright, I'll give you a few minutes to split up before ordering you to come to the start line to explain where exactly you'h going."

Konner waves to Donica and Rhonwen, as they're in the same company. And no ones standing by him yet. "EY! Need a healeh and anothah hare, I'd say- come on!"

Donica shrugs and decides why not, she mutters a "Hallo" to both Konnor and Rhonwen as she walks over and stands, she also has, at least today, avoided the infirm.

Rhonwen grins and heads on over"This should get interesting wot ever tis gonna happen anyways." She tilts her head "Your usually more talkative aren't ya Donica, everything ok?"

Gregorian stares back at Varus silently for several seconds before he gestures to the hares getting ready to run "Why don't yah find yah group and I'll catch yah up on everythin' latah" a run he figures probably won't do Varus any harm and putting off that conversation is appealing. He's not even sure if pointing out its been years would be a good idea.

Varus's wife nods in agreement. "Yes. Hey, how about you run with Konner?" And so the forgetful Major makes his way over to Konner's group. "Konnah, I'll join y' sorry lot. Let's get movin', wot." He nods to Donica and Rhonwen. "We'll show those blokes they don't know wot 'it them."

Terrence eyes Varus joining the group of privates warily, coming to a stop near Greg and Olivia. "I wonder if it's the best idea, sah, to let the majah run amuck among the hares. O'h maybe it'll do them all some good. It'd certainly have been terrifying to have the majoh join my squad, and I wouldn't be keen on tripping up. Anyway, captain, lieutnant, if you want to join me at the starting line, you're welcome to."

Konner, of course, is grinning. "We'll win, I bet, w-" Suddenly the major is standing right there. Joining them.

"S-SAH!" Snapping to stiff attention the private stares out at sea, not making eye contact with Varus. "SAH! YES SAH!"

Donica sighs, "Some males are jerks...."She then blinks when Varus is by them and mutters a "Hi..." and looks ahead as Terrence speaks now.

Rhonwen isn't sure how to reply, "Umm...ok."She tenses a little, it's the Major yet he doensn't know his high rank, she just nods"Yeah...beat the other team sounds good.."

Gregorian watches Varus leaving before he glances at Olivia "I'd heard about" he gestures in the major's direction "Didn't realise he'd gone back so far" he was concerned. His eyes go to Terrence when he approaches "I don't see what harm it can..." he pauses to reconsider his words as he watches Konner snapping to attention suddenly "...They'll be fine. Maybe he'll help, years of experience whether he remembers them or not" Greg's trying to be positive. A short nod and he starts to follow Terrence towards the starting line.

She sighs. "It's been slow going. He didn't know who I was when he first came back. Now he remembers being a Private, but that was a long time ago. At any rate..." The doe watches her husband, and follows Terrence and Gregorian. Varus, meanwhile looks at Konnor. "At ease, Recruit. I'm only a Private, y' don't 'ave to blow yahr gasket, wot."

"Alright, I suppose it'll entertaining eithah way." Terrence replies with a light chuckle, already walking over past the rock he'd used as a stage earlier and to a long rope stretched out across the sand. He turns to face the hares, clearing his throat again.

"Right then, hares!" He calls, "Here's the deal - in you'h squads, line up in single file behind this line in whatevah ordah you see fit." The sergeant points upshore. "That away the quartermastah is waiting fo'h you all on the outskirts of Halyard on a big pile of field kit. You are all to get to him as quick as you can so he can issue you'h pack to you, and you'h watch ration - which I encourage you all to make use of - then march back here. The packs have rocks in them that make them roughly the same wait we carry when we're out fighting, wot, and each one is counted fo'h each of you. So we'll know if you ditch you'h geah coming back, o'h if any of you'h squad doesn't reach the Quartermastah." Of course, Varus kinda threw a wrench into that- but there was no way to really warn the old hare about that now. "First squad to get back to this line with all thei'h kit wins, and the last one to make it loses. Understood? Then get ready on my mark!"

"With all do respect, sah," Konner mutters in a scared voice, as he gets into position at the starting line, "I'm actually, uh, a private, sah."

Donica gets ready to go as she listens to Terrence and the directions, making sure to remember it and keep it in her mind as what is needed to do and how fast.

Rhonwen groans "Heavy packs....oh great, not"She says and frowns, she hated training stuff like this but the idea of what they get if they win seemed fair so she can put up with it today, well if they win that is.

Gregorian nods slowly at Olivia's words "At least he's rememberin' somethin'. Perhaps it will all come back. Is it best tah point out that it was years ago or will that make things worse?" he asks quietly as he takes up his place near the start line. There's a faint chuckle as Terrence describes the task ahead though "The old classics" he mutters.

Varus peers at Konnor, nonplussed. "Well, if yahr a Private th'n why in th' bloomin' hell are ya salutin' me for?" But then as Terrence lays out the rules, he grins. Easy-Peasy. "Rocks? I c'n carry 100 pounds. This'll be a cakewalk, you'll see." Olivia, meanwhile, looks over at Greg. "Tell 'im. Th' healer I've been workin' with says that the more contradictions he's exposed to, eventually his mind will be forced to reconcile them. The hope is that'll jog his more recent memories."

A troubled expression passes over his face as Terrence hears the older hares talk. "It's been nearly a season, though considering he didn't know his own name back then..." He shakes his head. "Well, if you two'll excuse me fo'h a moment, I'll be right back."

"Uh, of course, sah. Though recruits don't salute- well, eh, nevehmind." Konner figures letting it rest might be is best, taking the rear of the squad. "Rhonwen, Donica, you're good? The packs'll be the same ones we always use, I bet."

Stepping out and to the side of the long line of hares, Terrence draws and lifts up a saber. "ON MY MARK! GET SET!" The master-sergeant deftly brings the point of the blade down; the signal. "GO! GO! GO!" He shouts, urging them all on.

Donica nods "I can handle it yes"Of course running time, but also making sure to keep a pace with others at the same time, she glances at Varus and kind of frowns a little but then focuses on the task of trying to help the small group win.

Rhonwen looks at Varus 'Well you're usually wearing a different uniform sur...I mean....." She is slightly unsure how to address him and then, oh yeah the race she almost forgot the race and the pack...well she hates those packs but she will handle it best she can.

Gregorian nods at Olivia "Alright. Later" the next time he had a conversation with Varus he'd have to go over a few things. That was going to be such fun. Maybe he should have stayed in the forge doing paperwork after all. He looks back to the groups of hares suddenly sprinting off with a faint smile "I forget what the record was for this"

Varus takes off with the others, though he keeps a good pace. He's certainly still pretty fit. "Let's get a move on," he calls to the other three. "I certainly don't plan t' do any extra work, wot!" Olivia leans forward, to watch. "Didn't you hold the record for a time, Greg? Or am I misrememberin'?"

"I nevah thought to check," Terrence says, sheathing the saber as he walks back. "I'd wageh it took the captain probably at least fou'h hours, maybe three. I doubt any now'll get back undah fou'h, though. This reminds me of course - which squad'll get back first, you'd say? Addersmith's, Darrick's, o'h maybe Varus', eh?"

Konner, meanwhile isn't having trouble keeping pace with the major, Rhonwen, and Donica, instead huffing and puffing along through the sand.

Donica slows a little, one is to keep same pace of everyone, that is what was said fter all.She does watch Varus. and then back to Konnor "Should we tell him his real rank or just...petend we forgot?"

Rhonwen shrugs as she speaks "No blooming clue worry about it later and focus on the win for now"

Gregorian barks out a sharp laugh at the idea of him holding the record "Ha! I wish. The weight was nevah a problem but always out classed by the runnahs on the speed. I swear some of them knew it was comin' and trained for it, probably passed down tales through the patrol families. No, the strength trainin' was my realm. Had the fastest time in swimmin' for ages" he chuckles faintly at Terrence starting the traditional officer betting "Well, Addersmith does have Odiver but he tends tah get a little overly competitive"

Velm decided to slip out and see what was going on, most of the day in the infirm and then the library doing paperwork.

Meanwhile, in Halyard, Sergeant Felicity stands ready with the Quartermaster, waiting for the troops to arrive. She checks the position of the sun as she munches on a cheese roll. "I wondah 'ow they're doin'? I can't see any yet, can you?"

Varus is keeping very good time, despite his age, and he keeps barking out encouragement to the younger hares. "C'mon, Konnah, y' c'n do it, y' c'n keep up, can't y'? An' Donica, look lively there!" Olivia, meanwhile, sighs. "I'm not goin' to bet on my husband. I'd prefer he not exert himself, honestly..."

"Swimming? I wouldn't have guessed, to be honest." Terrence looks surprised. "But was fo'h the two- they're both b-company, so I haven't worked much with them." He says, shrugging "Suppose the question is whether Odivah and Addersmith actually work togetheh, and don't try winning by themselves. Oh, Lieutenant!" The master sergeant waves the officer over to join the others at the finish line. "Welcome back."

"I'm not sure that'd be a good idea," Konner replies, keeping in step with her, "I mean, maybe he's testing us? And I'm not one to second guess what the major - er, 'private' - tells us. So maybe we just try and keep him happy, wot?" As Varus dresses him, his ears shoot up. "YES SA- I mean, of course, V-Varus!" Saying the officer's name so casual feels so wrong.

Now, at Halyard, the quartermaster doesn't respond to the sergeant right away, having drifted off for a moment. "Eh, what? The hares? They'll be here whenever. There's still a bit of time, I'd bet."

Donica is likely glad she is in the race and not still on the beach right now, she just focuses on the race and getting to where the packs are.

Rhonwen shrugs and just, well she manages to keep up "The packs will like soooo slow us down, I hate those heavy packs"

Velm makes his way to Terrence and Greg, a simple nod. "Hallo...so how is this day been for anyone else so far?"

Gregorian shrugs a shoulder "Raised by otters" he explains so the swimming kind of makes sense. He tilts his head at the idea of Addersmith and Odiver together "I've seen worse combinations" he glances at Olivia "I'm sure he'll be fine, it's nothing he hasn't done a hundred times before and there's plenty of hares around" he says more softly. A quick glance over his shoulder and he nods at Velm's arrival "Lieutenant. Come to watch as well?"

Felicity nods as she pulls out a carrot to munch along with her cheese roll. "Aye, 'm sure we do. Least 'tis a nice day out 'ere, wot!" She finishes her food and pulls out a veggie pastie and a slice of cheddar cheese, taking a sip of cider. "I wondah which group'll make it 'ere first."

Varus looks back over his shoulder. "Rhonwen, are y' laggin' back there? Step up! We're gonna win, wot!" Where is he getting all this energy from, anyway?

"Otters?!" Terrence is completely taken aback by that. "How- what in, I- how, sah? THAT is certainly something I was unaware of, wot. How have you nevah mentioned that before?" Addersmith and Odiver are completely pushed from his mind, distracted by this new information about Greg. "...Otters, really."

Konner forces a grin. "The packs'll be fine, wot! Don't worry about it, right now, we have to actually make it there first - right V-Varus?"

"Well, aren't a few of the hares coming from your company, sergeant? Shouldn't you be saying they'll be first?" The quartermaster laughs before stretching his arms, "And more importantly, where'd you get your paws on the cider?"

Donica glances at Rhonwen and gives an encouraging smile to have her keep up, the group does slow a little bit.

Rhonwen frowns, the worse is to come ...the dreaded rock pack so she best save her energy for that task. "Yeah yeah...." She mutters and does her best and will for the rest of this race here and back again.

Gregorian just smirks at Terrence's surprise as he calmly looks back at the buck "It's not a secret, it just doesn't really come up much" but it's entertaining for him that no one ever expects it when it does.

Velm shrugs. "Watching, seeing how training has been so far. I am back on full time duty now."

Felicity scowls slightly. "If they apply theih trainin' they would be, unless Shorewind's paw is actin' up again. She's a 'Ealah an' no' a Runnah foh a reason. As foh this," the Sergeant holds up her cider jug, "I bought it 'ere in town." She describes which tavern she bought it at. "'Tis new cider, just recently pressed an' spiced. Quite good, an' perfect foh waitin' on a bunch o' lowah rankin' 'ares t' 'urry up an' get 'ere."

Or so she thinks, Lower Ranking. But, there's Varus, of all hares, still mustering on the other three in his group like an old Major. "Konnah! Yahr fallin' be'ind. Y' need to run smaht, not hahd. Remembah, ya'll be wearin' at least 50 or more pounds on th' way back, wot. Y' bloody well not fail us now!"

"It certainly doesn't come up, does it?" Terrence laughs, honestly fascinated. "Of course, now I feel I must ask - how did that come about? If it's not prying, o'course. Oh, and lieutenant Velm-" The master-sergeant sobers up, turning to the healer. "I suppose I should ask you - how's private Donica? She seemed a bit down earlier."

"Wait, is that the town?" Konner breaths, pointing northwards, and completely ignoring Varus. "WE'RE ALMOST THERE!" He speeds up and quickly catches up to Varus and Donica, moving past them in his excitement.

"Hmm, I'll have to go fetch some after we're done then. Speaking of which- sergeant, that dust cloud?" The quartermaster gestures south, standing up. "That might them, or at least the first of the hares."

Gregorian chuckles at Terrence as he turns his eyes back to the beach to keep an eye out "There's nothin' much to tell really. They found us on a rivah, no sign of anothah hare around. Don't know how we got there, nevah will" another shrug, he's not bothered by it. He squints down the beach "How far do yah reckon they could have got by now?"

Velm sighs but replies to Terrence. " Not..sure...she found out was back...but a.." A sigh." A why was not de best reply to give her..." He still has the engagement ring in his pocket and pulls it out." Thee wedding is cancelled...for now, maybe..ling while."

Felicity nods and puts her snack into her own heavily-laden haversack (although her's isn't filled with rocks). "Certainly looks like it, doesn't it? I'll be runnin' back wi' th' last group, but you really ought t' take a gandah at whot tha' tavern sells. They 'ave some delicious stew, too." She closes her haversack and stands beside the ones that have been prepared for the trainees.

And as the Quartermaster and Felicity talk, Varus comes into view as his group nears the town. He calls to Konnor, "Y' don't need t' use up all yahr energy. Y'll nevah make it back, at this rate." Back at the starting line, Olivia looks over at Greg and Terrence. "Pretty sure that tale used to be pretty common knowledge back in the day. But that was awhile back."

Terrence nods, slowly. "Ah, I see...Well, it isn't well known among the younger hares, at least not one's youngah than me. As fo'h the hares running," looking up to the sky then upshore, he shrugs. "Probably nearly to Halyard is my guess, wot." He turns as the Velm answers his question, wincing. "Ah. That'll do it. Though perhaps I don't blame he'h, lieutenant..." He trails off to look northwards again.

"I'll be sure to, sergeant," The quartermaster grunts before he goes out to meet the first hares. "ALRIGHT! YOU LOT- let's get your names and the bags ready right quick, eh? Smoother it is, the smoother time we all have."

Konner isn't quite there yet, but he's close. "NEVER MAKE IT BACK, EH? I"LL SHOW YOU!" He shouts over his shoulder to the squad but this glance costs him: tripping over a rock he tumbles head over heels into the unfortunate squad in front of him.

"Shorewind, here's the water and pack, Addersmith the same - Odiver, is it? you look like you got run over lad- tuck in your shirt, wot. Here's your pack and-" Odiver stumbles forward into the quartermaster, who takes one look behind the hare. "NO SHOVING, KONNER ATTENBOROUGH!"

Gregorian nods to Olivia "Probably. I forget who knows. It's not like the recruits are goin' tah line up and ask personal questions" His smile fades when he looks back to Velm as the ring is pulled out. He doesn't know all the details but he gets the jist of it "Mm. Sorry tah hear it. Time is all yah can give that sort of thing" even then it doesn't always work out.

Velm sighs, "Should I...try and talk ta her or...leave her alone till she wants ta talk?". He puts the ring back in his pocket." I didn't tell her as didn't want ta worry her, just told his Lordship I be...away a short while." Ok it was 3 weeks, but he is back at least now, to stay.

Back in Halyard, the chaos caused by Konner's impulsivity and lack of coordination is spectacular, and beautifully amusing to some of the villagers who are nearby watching. Shorewind squeaks as she falls on her haversack in the chain reaction of tumbling hares. Felicity scowls fiercely. "KONNAH, F' TH' LOVE OF EV'RYTHIN'!!" The Sergeant is in their midst, hauling hares upright, helping them shoulder haversacks, and berating poor Konner. "CAN'T Y' EVEN 'ALT WHEN Y'NEED TO?!" As the first group of hares hopefully takes off to go back to the finish line, Felicity sighs. Oh, look, and there's Varus! What's he doing out here? "Is everybeast alright?"

Varus steps up to Felicity and salutes her. "Sah, I'm here for mah pack." This earns strange looks from the other younger hares. What on earth? Varus' current condition has been carefully concealed from becoming common knowledge, so the display must be more than a little odd. "Konnah, wot did I tell y' about gettin' ahead o' yahself? I'mma have to report y' t' th' superiahs."

"Oh hell, and here I'd though you not telling me was bad - the amount of work that got shoved on my desk...." Terrence shakes his head. "As the captain here said, not sure if there's anything beyond time that can help you, lieutenant."

As Konner is currently being reprimanded by the sergeant, the quartermaster moves onto the rets of the squad, not really paying attention beyond his clipboard. "Private Rhonwen, here you go, Private Donica, here, Private, wait, who the- who, wha- Major Varus, sah!" The quartermaster salutes, obviously not expecting Varus to be there with the privates.

And as the major joins in with the reprimands, all Konner can manage is a squeaky, "Y-yes sah."

Gregorian grimaces a little at Velm's question "I really don't know her enough tah say if anythin' would work aftah that. Work at it and hope but yah might just have tah accept yah consequences there"

Velm sighs, "I am...sorry...look..Sergeant Terrence I will do any paperwork of yours ya need...I am going inside." He walks to head inside, hmmm do his own and Terrence paperwork...was that wise to say, oh well...he will be most likely super busy the next couple days!

Felicity gives everyone around her (except Varus) her best Drill Sergeant GLARE. She knows of Varus' predicament, and she also knows that many of them don't know. "Aye, Varus is 'ere, now give 'im 'is pack, an' you lot, get a move on! This ain't a picnic, 'tis a trainin' session, now MOVE!!" Make them think he's testing them to see how they respond. That's what the doe is trying to do by acting like this is just par for the course. "Konnah, listen t'Varus while y'runnin, y'klutzy oaf. 'E's been in th'Patrol a lot longah than y' 'ave. May'ap y'won't create a pileup once y'get back if y'do as 'e says, wot!"

Varus accepts his pack and slips it on, seeming to not notice all the extra weight. "Y' heard th' Sahgeant," he says. "We'll win this if we work togethah, Konnah." He pats the younger hare on the shoulder. "Don't worry, we all 'ave accidents. Just get up an' dust yahself off."

Terrence watches the lieutenant go, scrunching his snout. "Well, he's back at least. Wasn't sure if he would evah come back...." He looks up at the sky. "They'll be back in a while. Captain, if you don't want to spend all afternoon waiting here with me, I'll be sure to tell you who won - if you don't hea'h it from the hares themselves."

Both the quartermaster and Konner try to move on as quickly as possible. "Right, sarge." Konner again speaks in a squeak, pale faced as he grabs his pack. "Right major, sah." He says to Varus as he keeps pace next to him. "Right."

Gregorian tilts his head, his eyebrows raising "Mm, well work will be the least of his problems" he stares down the beach again for a few seconds before sighing faintly "Aye, I suppose the pile of paperwork has probably multiplied in my absence. Keep an eye out for the Major, I look forward tah the results" he doesn't really want to go back to work but back he goes anyway, heading for the mountain.

Once the last hares have left, Felicity nods to the Quartermaster. "Well, guess I'll see ya at th' Mountain!" Shouldering her pack, the Runner takes off like a shot, swiftly catching up with the trainees. She only shouts at them if they do something ridiculous. Once they're back and the winners and losers are determined, she heads inside to give her sister the trinkets she bought while waiting.

Ol'random · The Long Patrol

Honestly, I haven't really pushed for any of this for a while because since I made the post it feels like the muck was deserted for a while there - last Saturday was the first time more than like three people were online while I was
and i may have forgot i made this thread rip

As for the snake idea, if anyone is interested in that, please feel free to page mail me (page #mail terrence or lossow) on the muck with what days/times work for you + how much RP you want to do/what you want to see happen in RP

Hopefully with that, I can get a clearer picture of how to get things going that works for the most people and doesn't get either rushed or stretched out.

Ol'random · RP Chat

I am gonna use this thread to say for next few hours Terrence'll be online at the beach outside of Salamandastron to run a small training RP with the IC details being that this morning, the hares in the mountain woke up to the following notice:

"All rank and file hares are required to report on the beach to MSGT Cadwallader for a training exercise after lunch today. Ranking hares are invited too.
It'll be fun, trust me.
- Sarge"

Anyone with a hare character in the area is welcome!

Ol'random · The Long Patrol

Welcome back!
also it seems Oz already added Velm back to all the current lists yesterday, so thank you oz

Ol'random · RP Chat

well fooy. I missed the last reply until today! I'm sorry about that!
I've been super inactive the past few weeks as well (had someone staying, they actually left today which is why I wasn't on earlier). However, I am now free of the somewhat chaos my life has been during the summer, so I should be on and at least checking things more regularly

Ol'random · Logs

(RP'd last Saturday)

Sgt. Felicity & MStg. Terrence, hares.

Felicity is completely healed from the injury she sustained while MIA (and that she accidentally worsened while defending the non-combatants during the siege). She has returned to her normal duties. She has continued her big sister duties, as well as her hobbies, mainly reading and sewing. What she hasn't returned to, however, is her relationship with Terrence. And it's been enough time that, while she still thinks she was mostly right, she also is pretty sure breaking up with him was a bad decision. But she doesn't feel right saying so. She has no one to give her relationship advice, after all. So the Sergeant is in the archery range, working on a new skill: knife throwing. The doe has one foot on the line and the other slightly behind, shoulder-width apart. She holds the knife by its handle at eye level, aims, then throws. THUNK! The knife joins 3 others, point into the centre of the bulls-eye.

The reason that Terrence came into the range at that moment was to prepare the room for a general exercise. The mountain has been cleared of nearly all traces of the recent attacks, and now he wished the hares of the Patrol to get back into the swing of things fully. They've been short staffed in the battalion in truth; between the death of his only active corporal, the rehabilitation of the major, and the disappearance of the lieutenant the master sergeant has been stretched thin to say the least. And of course there was the matter of Felicity but he hadn't really the time until recently to reflect on THAT.

And oh, there she was.

Pausing on the threshold for moment and weighing options in his mind, he then steps in and goes about his normal preparations with a polite nod to the sergeant.

Felicity is about to throw her 5th knife when Terrence crosses her peripheral vision. Her throw is off due to her distraction, and it hits the target flat-on and bounces off with a resounding clang that reverberates along the knife until it hits the floor with a clatter. Scowling, she mutters something to herself about focusing better. Going forward, she gathers up her knives, having to jiggles the ones in the target up and down in order to get them loose. "Terrence," she replies, nodding politely. She has no idea what to say to him, and the turmoil inside of her only grows as she walks back to the line, struggling to think of what to say.

"Sergeant Felicity." He dips his head again, repeating the formal words he usually says to her in as of recently. Gathering a set of loose arrows left behind into a quiver he slings it over his back and brings it to a table at the end of the range. Then he repeats, and repeats - the silence is exactly uncomfortable to him as he prefers it when he works, but he can't deny the odd feeling in his gut.

Setting the last of the quivers down he allows himself to watch her with the knifes.

"Eh, Felicity -" He breaks the silence as politely as he can. "Are you currently on duty?"

Felicity has thrown all of her knives with perilously accurate skill by the time he asks his question. She had been trying to ignore both the silence, the buck, and the turmoil in her spirit and instead focus on her weapons. It had mostly worked, although she couldn't deny the anxiety building in her chest as she ignored her feelings. She turns and gives him her attention, shaking her head. "No, I was given th'rest o' th' day off aftah teachin' th'leverets this mornin'." Surely he heard about the Paint Covered Yarn Incident from this morning. "I was told I needed aftah tha'."

* "I was told I needed a break aftah tha'."

"Oh. Understandable."

He'd heard enough to get the general picture. "I hadn't realized you had a paw in that. Well, I couldn't have guessed - you got out much more unscathed than Attenborough did, I'll tell you that. He showed up to the noon meal with the string in his ears. Couldn't hear any questions until aftah I'd left, I'd wageh. Just kept yelling wot." While talking he had been taking out both bows and bow string to bring to the table, setting the weapons neatly in a row.

"Well then. Felicity - eh, well, how have you been?" He asks carefully, wary of her response. "Outside of this morning, of course."

Felicity smiles slightly. "Th' leverets seemed to take tremendous delight in torturing th' poor bloke, I must say." When he asks his question, though, her smile fades, and she unintentionally stiffens. "I've been...alright, I guess." She pauses, desperately wishing for the thousandth time her mother was here to give her advice. "Been...been missing bein' able t'talk...guess we both kinda ruined tha'."

Nodding, Terrence doesn't immediately answer - mulling over the words. When he does speak, though, he cannot hide the sigh.

"Perhaps so, yet I stand by what I've said, Felicity."

"An' I stand by th'fact tha' Zolomon wasn't tryin' t'get inside th' Mountain, an' 'e was about t'leave since 'e saw I was safe when y' 'ad 'im surrounded an' shot at foh no reason. I wasn't tryin' t' 'ave 'im let inside, I was tryin' t' get y't'let 'im leave in peace!" Felicity is staying where she is, so there is some distance between them. The more she continues, the more she emphasizes her words with gestures. "'Onsetly, I don't think 'e would've engaged wi' y' at all if y' 'adn't done tha'! All 'e was doin' was gettin' me safely back 'ere afore 'e went on 'is way. But y'didn't even look at th'facts, y'just let y' 'ate foh 'im cloud y'reasonin'."

"We did have to identify you two." Terrence's jaw tightens. "Do not mistake my reasons. What if you calling out to let you in was because the vermin had a knife to you'h back? I doubt you'd call out, but bettah safe than sorry. And need I remind you it was him who continued the behavio'h that was unacceptable? He has attacked and put hares at risk and actively wounded othehs - of course I'd be bloody well cautious around him, as he's little bettah than vermin. And his behavio'h that night showed little change. In fact, he said much the same." As he spoke he got louder and louder, though now he takes a deep breath.

"I wasn't the one who banished him." He hissed. "Remembah that."

Felicity, too, is getting more angry. "Are y'not 'earin' me? I'm not arguin' 'is banishment! 'E 'as t'deal wi' th'consequences of 'is actions, an' that means 'e can't evah come 'ere again. 'Tis faihr since 'e did such terrible things. But y'didn't need t'keep 'im 'round aftah y'identified 'im! Y'could've let 'im go in PEACE without shootin' at 'im or even bandyin' words wi' 'im beyond tellin' 'im t'go! Thah was no reason foh y't'even speak t' 'im at all othah than t'calmly remind 'im 'e's not allowed in th'Mountain! Whot on Eahth possessed y't' do tha'? 'Tis th' quickest way t'make enemies, an' I guarantee if y' do tha' again t'somebeast, we could very well see that beast again in a few seasons, leadin' a 'orde 'ere t'get revenge on ya."

"I could have, perhaps." Terrence shrugs. "As fo'h what possessed me to do that -" The master sergeant closes his mouth, casting his gaze down the range. His jaw tightens again. "You did say I should be glad to see him again. Even many of the hares he scared and hurt only recently dead. My hares. Saving you cannot wash what he did away."

Letting another sigh escape him he shakes his head.

"Shooting at him - I said it clearly then, it was a warning. What is the purpose of a banishment if one is allowed to wandah up to ou'h very gates? O'h so I'd thought. But it's done now, and I don't feel remorse fo'h it. Anyone who treated myself - o'h anothah hare - the way he has I would treat the same, I think. Yet it's Zolomon -" one of the first time he's said the name since the ex-sergeant was banished - "Who happens to be the one who broke ou'h trust."

Felicity watches him. "Wha' 'e did was wrong. I don't disagree. But I also know what 'tis like t'be lost inside y'own 'ead like 'e was, an' prob'ly still is, fah as I know. An' I also know what 'tis like t'lose those y'cahe about. My mothah, fathah, brothah, an' uncle were all murdered. I was kidnapped by m'uncle's murderah, an' did any Patrollah come t'find me? NO. I was saved by m'friend Rioko -- who's a vixen, which according t'many Patrollahs means she should be shot on sight. But even though I sought justice an' killed Uncle Flint's murderer, I still forgave. I chose t'not let whot tha' monitah an' the pirates tha' killed m'family control me. I refused t'seek revenge. I forgave so I could be free. An' I also forgave Zolomon. Which allowed me t'let 'im save m'life. I forgave so I wouldn't be the slave of those who 'urt me, so I wouldn't let th' past control m'present actions or futah behaviah." She pauses to gather her thoughts and her breath.

"And here's the thing, though - if it was just me that was affected and bore the brunt of what he did, then yes, I could forgive him." Terrence shrugs. "But I cannot forgive what he did to others. As fo'h what he went through - yes, he lost a friend. Yes, it's sad. But that cannot excuse his behavio'h." Running his paws over his head he adds, "Perhaps if he wasn't a sergeant it wouldn't have been so bad. But he failed the hares undah his command and endangered them. It's funny that you mention that vixen - and how the Patrol want to shoot them on sight - the reason there was trouble in the first place was because he wanted to kill all the vermin in Halyard, starting out with the ones who were helping us. Fo'h what? Because they happened to be nea'h him. He was making trouble and tried to get innocents killed. It doesn't mattah if his reasoning, Felicity, is because he lost a dea'h friend - he endangered those hares and friends around him, including myself. Goodness knows I tried to talk to him and calm him, but he refused to listen. I should have protested him coming along at all, but I didn't. I was scared he'd hate me more, and that it would seem to others I only did it because of my own history with him. And..."

Closing his eyes, he continues.

"I had hoped he'd grown enough to do his duty, no mattah his loss. I expect the same of you, and myself. My fathah was killed and so was my brothah. And so was Reuenthal, and now Greenhill - and we all believed by that night you and Zolomon showed up that the majoh Varus was killed, too."

"Then y'goin' t'be controlled by whot 'e did an' 'ow it 'urt ya fohevah." Felicity shakes her head. "Yeah, 'e lost 'is best friend...aftah losin' 2 -- TWO does who 'ad promised t'marry 'im, losin' 'is fam'ly in some way, an' I believe 'e was also at Redwall during the siege of Marek when we lost so many 'ares." Her face fades to blank. "But I guess nobeast 'ere will evah undahstand whot 'tis like t'lose y'mind 'cause o' somethin' tha' 'appened an' not knowin' if y'll evah find y'way out again." She turns back to the target and starts retrieving her knives.

"Perhaps not." He's been saying perhaps a lot today. "But that doesn't change what he did. How many times do I have to say that? I wish he was allowed time to breath and to mourn but he didn't. As fo'h the faithless does - I was there fo'h him during that, as I fully admit I did feel guilt fo'h well," his face flushes ever so slightly red, "What happened between the three of us. But no mattah...."

Terrence tilts his head up, leaning back on the table. "Felicity - you said earlieh hate clouded my mind, and many othahs whisper the same. Angah certainly did - and does - but know this: I do not hate Zolomon. He had my trust, I would say, but he broke that. It isn't a mattah of hurt, no. In fact, if we just lived in a village and not the fire mountain, I would seek him out and bring him back, and offah a fourth chance. But we don't. The Long Patrol requires a harshness fo'h good o'h ill. It isn't the ordah of Redwall; we are by nature of ou'h work are creatures of wa'h."

Felicity has returned to throwing her knives, but her ears still tilt to take in what he's saying. She's down to her last knife when he finishes speaking, and he can't see the tears springing into her eyes. "They may'ap I should leave th'Patrol," she says as she pauses. "Some question if I'm truly bettah, if I'm fit t'lead. An' if th'Patrol is s'possed t'be so full o' 'ate...then per'aps I'm not fit t'stay." She throws her last knife with such vehemence, it sticks deep within the target, farther in than she's ever stuck a knife before. She walks to the target and starts fighting to get the knife out, struggling to not cry.

Remaining quiet for some time before answering, he watches her. Yet Terrence remains were he is.

"That is something you have to answeh fo'h yourself, I think. There's cold comfort in that maybe.... Though I also don't think the patrol is fully of hate, just harshness. Think of it this way - it is one thing fo'h a wooden plank to break as it's only a mattah of taking the time to fix it, but if that plank broke as part of a bridge ovah a chasm?" He shrugs. "The privates and corporals - and even the recruits and those we protect, I'd say - are using that bridge, and I suppose we as officers - non-commissioned and otherwise - are the planks."

Felicity finally gets her knife out, then pulls the others out, too. "I try m'best...but I'm startin' t' wondah if those othahs are right. I'm jus' broken, nevah t'get bettah." She walks over to put the knives away, still trying not to cry, even as tears trickle down her cheeks. "I'm supposed t'go on duty an' do some papahwork -- apparently I 'ave nice penmanship." She doesn't head out quite yet, though.

"Felicity..." His tone is softer than anyone's heard for months. "I wouldn't start doubting yourself now. And if you want - take the whole day off, o'h not. Do as you see fit, and if there's trouble with anyone telling you to be on duty tell them to take it up with me. I do have the authority to tell people to take breaks, I should hope."

Felicity glances at him, then nods, wiping tears from her cheeks. "I'll...okay," she whispers. She then straightens herself up and tries to give him a smile. "I'm goin' t'spend th'evenin' wi' m'sistah. An'...thanks." Her smile seems a little less forced, and she heads off to find Julia.

Terrence nods slowly as she leaves, remaining there long after he's left alone. Then he lets out a sigh before finishing the preparations for the archery drill.

Ol'random · The Long Patrol

Alright, so it's been a while since I made this thread as I've been waiting for the memorial feast to pass first before going forward with some ideas (and it admitted got a bit off topic rip)

Regarding rebuilding Halyard RPs: good idea Log-a-Log, I was thinking the same thing. Plus, I've honestly wanted to do something with a loan-shark figure for almost a year now

Now, starting out with fixing Halyard, the LP has a few things on their plate. In addition aforementioned loan-shark that might lead to a larger conspiracy (maybe), there are some rumors of a snake living in the swamps and dunes going around town. Some even say it lives beneath the village itself since the horde moved.....

Of course, here's the rub:
There's no actually proof this thing exists! And there's no consensus on where it even is. So the LP has their job cut out for them of hunting a possibly imaginary snake across the western shore and maybe finding a clue here and there if they look hard enough.......

Second idea is a training exercise for everyone to take part in! A day or two of marching and camping that also doubles as a patrol to check for any remaining horde members who might still be lurking around

These are ideas I'm interested in getting started soon (within the nest few weeks if possible), and I suggest we should schedule LP RPs during the week (probably around 7PM EST) for those who want to RP more often and explore ideas. If people have ideas or thoughts they want to share, feel free to use this thread or talk to/page-mail me on the muck (I'm Terrence and I'm on Saturdays to at least check for P-mails.)

Oh! And there's a semi planned little fun IC interview thing with a certain general that might be brought up during the memorial feast to take place at a later date....

Ol'random · The Long Patrol

Hello! New hares are always needed!

Now, to add on to Blisa's reply, here is the link to the Long Patrol page on the main wiki - from there you can find all the pages that are somewhat up kept by myself and Oz

Near the top is "Joining the Patrol!" which is a great way to start out.

After that, the four main pages I suggest checking out to get a general feel for what type of hare you want to play are the Roles and Jobs page (to get a feel for what role you want to fill + other details), the Rank Structure page (to get a feel for the LP ranks and what each means & does). the LP Training Regiment for Recruits page (to get a feel for what a recruit would go through before becoming a private), and the LP Equipment page (to get a feel for what the LP typically uses in the field and stuff).

All the other pages are worth checking out too, with the LP Uniform Page showing what most hares wear and the Recent History of the LP page being honestly the most fun page that I'm working on for the LP (even if it's basically half-way finished).

Ol'random · RP Chat

Hey, I'm sorry to see you go!
It's unfortunate we never really go to RP much in the past years, but timing is hard. If you ever find yourself with free time or have a desire to RP on the Muck again, it'll always be good to see you online!
If you ever just want to say hi or check in, feel free to just shoot me a page-mail in game when you're on too

Ol'random · Logs

"We just accept random Privates now. Running for your life will do that."

8/07/21
The Long Patrol: Sgt. Adrian, Pvt. Boaz*, Cpl. Monty, and SbLt Lossow
Plague-Eye's Raiders: Atticus (Lossow), Plague-Eye (Boaz), Halfsnout (Adrian)
Noonvale: Birch (Lossow)
*Conscripted as of this log

The group had finally reached Noonvale, after many weeks of travel from Redwall. This is the furthest north Adrian has ever been, and the cool, temperate weather is unlike what he's used to down south on the Western Shore. In short... It's a good place to rest up and recover. The Noonvalians had welcomed the group into their small community with open arms, keen to hear tales of Salamandastron, the Long Patrol, and their exploits at Redwall Abbey, a location fairly legendary in Noonvale lore thanks to Martin the Warrior. Monty wasn't too keen on the group relaxing for so long, and always remains vigilant, but Adrian is perhaps a little more lax. Yerna is Yerna, and Serena just wants to be with Adrian. And what of Lossow?

For his part, sub-lieutenant Walter Lossow is currently sitting on the lawn alongside the little road, his uniform jacket off and hanging on a nearby branch. He's still silently thanking whatever can hear above that they made it to the north alive and with the winter long past, and that Noonvale actually exists! WITH FOOD!

Needless to say, Lossow is perfectly happy to sit on his bum for a few weeks to recover.

Boaz has seen the Long Patrol hares arrive in the area and was curious of them, but has kept his distance, he has paid more attention to the camp that's a little too close to Noonvale for his liking as he watches the camp and listens in to who appears to be in charge "We strike soon my raven has found their entrance." Boaz mutters and quickly decides to go try to warn the village...if he can.

A little behind the vermin leader a ferret leans on a bec-de-corbin, a polearm.

"Of course, of course." The creature mutters, rolling his shoulders. "So then, great Plague-Eye, who shall lead the forlorn assault? Not I, for sure - I don't have the stomach for such things."

Adrian pads through the grass, to join Walter near the pond. He'd been chatting with the leader of the village, an older mouse, Elder Birch, and had gotten a promise of more supplies for when the group inevitably departs. "We've been lookin' f'r ya," he says to the other hare. "Birch wants t' speak t' ya. He wants t' talk to us all separately... I dunno why. I think... I think 'e might 'ave th' second sight..." His voice drops to a whisper. "'E asked about mah fathah... An' othah membahs o' mah fam'ly." Outside the village, in the camp, Halfsnout the fox, so-named because half his muzzle was lopped off and replaced with a wooden nose, makes to sock the mouthy ferret. "Hush you, when our leader speaks." He's a rather imposing specimen of a fox, and many of the younger lackeys give him a wide berth, knowing he has a hair-trigger temper, and virtually complete freedom to do as he pleases from their leader.

Plaque-eye watches his group and nods "Let's..visit the village shall we?" He smirks "It will be a...lovely surprise." Boaz meanwhile is not yet to Noonvale.

Eye twitching for a moment, the sub-lieutenant soon stands and stretches.
"Very good sergeant, but I dare think as to why. But such is the life I suppose." Lossow grabs the jacket from the branch and deftly puts it on - the green hue of his uniform nearly perfectly matching the green of the woods all around them. "Come on then! We shan't keep the old mouse waiting for long, no, that wouldn't do."

The ferret restrains himself from whacking the fox over the head, forcing a smile.
"Of course, I do forgot myself sometimes - just as you have, my dearest snotnosed friend. Which one of us is being paid more, I wonder, hmm? Recall that I am to fill the role of an observer mainly - and adviser, or so the contract does read - but I forget myself once again!" He hisses, gently slapping his forehead. "You of course can't read, you have my apology, my good fox."

Plaque eye sends a glare "Do be quiet...or someone besides woodlanders will die this eve." He walks on leading the group closer...and closer...and closer yet.

"RABBITS!" The shriek came from the village center, and Lossow - and Atticus, hidden with the other vermin in the wood - winces. "IT AIN'T GOOD TO KEEP ME WAITING! SO RUDE!"

Adrian looks at Lossow, and nods. "Well, Sah, we gotta keep the locals 'appy, right? Y' know th' ol' fogey's blind, anyway, so you don't 'ave to wash tha' Rhubahb Surprise off yahr muzzle there." They near the center of Noonvale, where various houses stand, near the idyllic meadow. Considering some of the places he's been to the past couple of seasons, Adrian could get used to it. Regardless, they arrive at the center of the village, to speak to the old, blind mouse. "We're hares, sah." Outside, again, the fox snarls, and raises his fist. "Why I oughta!" He would punch the lights out of this punk, but the horde is readying themselves for the raid. This couldn't be going better, really.

"THIS OLD FOGGY AIN'T DEAF YOU KNOW!" The blind mouse yells in a way that would say otherwise.

"Sergeant, lead the way." Lossow mutters as he wipes his face anyway.

When the two patrollers reach the village center the mouse is waiting, looking for all the world as if they haven't been shrieking and instead patiently has been siting with his paws clasped. "And I know what you are, rabbits. Hares, close enough. Only do it t'mildly annoy you, of course."

Boaz meanwhile gets close to the entry but gets hit with one of those knock out darts, he hears a voice before he passes out "Naughty naughty now, you almost ruined the surprise."

"Remember," The ferret leans forward, whispering into the fox's ear with a pleasant smile, "Remember that a threat is worth little if you do not intend to follow through." He withdraws, quietly moving far away from the vermin as he slings the polearm over his shoulder and grasps for the little pipe and darts hanging at his belt which is gilt in gold.

Halfsnout grumps. He can strike fear into the other members of Plague-Eye's horde, but this ferret punk shows no fear. He won't let this slide. For now, though, he readies his curved sword, and gestures to the weasel and rats behind him. "You follow me, the rest, follow Plague-Eye." He raises his free paw, to hold them. Almost the entire village of woodlanders is distracted by Elder Birch, so the time is nearly at paw. Adrian, meanwhile, inclines his respectfully. "Yes, sah. We seek yahr wisdom again... Or, rathah, Sub-Leftenant Waltah Lossow does."

"Of course, of course." The mouse waves a paw. "To be frank, hare, I don't much care for pomp, though I appreciate the effort. Now then Lososw my lad! I know neither of you wanted to see me, though forgive an old mouse for wanting to tell you of the last time the Long Patrol came here."

Lossow nods, remaining respectfully quiet as Birch launches into his story.

"You see, many seasons ago, when I were younger than either of you, we had this wonderful troop come through - ate us nearly out of house and home of course - but they were good hares. The 67th they called themselves I recall, and wore a uniform much like your own, Walter - is it alright if I call you by first name? And what about you, sergeant? Does Adrian work? Anyway, back to my point...." He pauses, thinking.

"Ah yes, there were vermin trouble, there was - and you could smell it on the wind. The Patrol helped us back then a great deal, and I sincerely hope you lot do the same, to carry on the tradition as it were. As the same smell - the vermin - I can smell that now actually."

Adrian blanches. "W-wot?" he asks, paw reaching for his rapier... But Noonvale is hidden, there couldn't possibly...

Plaque -eye grins as he raises his blade and gives the signal to attack! Nothing is yelled as that would be no fun, for the vermin anyways, a couple mice are surprised by the entry but quickly fall! The surprise attack, starts now!

Halfsnout nods as well, and he charges in from a different angle. "Remember, no killing, unless they fight back! This is a slave raid!" He has to make sure this kill-happy bunch actually remembers what they're after. As the vermin stream in, the peaceful village turns to chaos, as adults and dibbuns attempt to scatter.

A small hiss is heard as the ferret blows the dart out- another woodlander falls, not dead but asleep. As the vermin all around him rush forward to attack Atticus sets about taking prisoners.

"Oh hell. It's begun..." Birch throws up his arms. "ATTACK! GO BRAVE RABBITS! SLAY THE INTRUDERS! EVERYONE ELSE NOT READY TO DIE COME ALONG WITH ME!"

Few of course, would attack as they are peaceful creature here.One vole does bite a footpaw of a ferret and is stabbed dead. Plague-eye grins, having this many slaves they could easily rebuilt Marshak...heck make the village a vermin post!

With a curse as he draws out his sling and stones, Lossow points to the village. "Sergeant - go get the others - our hares, any guards, anyone with a weapon - ready for a fight, quickly now!" Heading to the entrance-way where the skirmish has begun, the officer shouts over his shoulder, "Meet me up here when you got the creatures, understood?"

Adrian nods, and draws his rapier. He realizes, even with the residents of Noonvale, they are hopelessly outnumbered. He runs to the guest house that the Elder had let them use, and rouses Yerna and Serena. Monty needs no rousing, and soon, all four hares are running back toward the fighting and Lossow. Raising his voice, he yells toward the woodlanders, "SCATTAH! RUN T' THE WOODS!" It's the best hope they have. Already, several young dibbuns have been carried back to the horde's wagon, which they'd kept carefully hidden, and mothers can be heard screaming, "MY BABY! THEY'VE TAKEN MY BABY!" A few more of the stronger residents attempt to stand their ground, but two are struck down, one dead, and the rest scatter. Any resistance is met with death. Halfsnout narrows his eyes, recognizing those uniforms. He points with his sword. "Take out those rabbits!" he orders, "They're Long Patrol!" Some of the vermin here have never heard of the Long Patrol, however, so they look nonplussed.

Plaque-eye cackles as chaos is around him.Most run away, some brave mouse maid charges them when her mate is captured. Boaz meanwhile stirs and groans as he sits up and gasps, it's too late the horde is at Noonvale. He grabs his longbow and dashes towards them, he fires off an arrow and a fat stoat falls over dead. He barely sidesteps a weasel.

Lossow hears the fox, and an idea occurs to him. Loosing the sling the rock strikes a rat dead.

"Aye! We're the Long Patrol!" He shouts with a forced bravado, "Of the fire mountain and badger lord! You hear that? BLOOD AND VINEGAR! EULLALIAAA!" Drawing his saber he clangs the flat of the blade on a stone, making a loud clang. "EULLALIA!"

The sub-lieutenant is not the only creature to hear Halfsnout, and Atticus makes his way to the fox as Lossow calls out. Kicking a squirrel to the ground and tying them up, he says, rather calmly considering the surroundings, "The patrol you say? Perhaps we should be more cautious - there's always more when one hare can be found.... Or so I've heard tell."

Plague-eye narrows his eyes.He is not going to stop this raid just cause of a few hares, the horde outnumbers the hares easily.

Boaz is doing his best to stay out of sight, fire off a random arrow and once stabs a rat that ends up leaving a small slice on the hare's lower arm.

Adrian looks back at Lossow, as he runs a stoat through with his sword. "We can't possibly bluff 'em all off," he says, such that only the Sub-Lieutenant can overhear. Yerna has also readied her sling, and she shoots off rocks, taking out various vermin, but the situation is pretty dire. With most of the resistance fading, as most of the remaining villagers not already captured flee into the surrounding woods, followed closely by members of Plague-Eye's horde, that mainly leaves the smaller group fighting Adrian and friends in the center of Noonvale. "Our best bet is t' flee an' regroup, like everybeast else..." Halfsnout, meanwhile, nods. Seems the ferret punk isn't stupid, at least. "Yore right, and we'd better watch our backs. Their stupid stripedog has got t' be nearby..."

Boaz is a darn good fighter, he sees the Long Patrol hares now and frowns as some weasel is just about to stab Adrian from behind, Boaz fires off an arrow causing the weasel to choke on blood and fall sideways ..dead. Plaque eye meanwhile kills an otter that decided to attack him, the fool otter. "Get what slaves ya can back ta the base!

"AHAHA!" Lossow laughs loudly, falling back. "TO THE WOODS LADS!" Waving his saber he back pedals.

"Sergeant, that may be true but we don't have many options," he hisses, "Do a skirmish line, falling back - use slings and take out the vermin pursuing the villagers."

Then, in a louder voice - "COME ON! WE CAN'T POSSIBLY HOLD THEM IN THE WOODS! RUN!!!"

Adrian looks down, surprised to see a weasel beside him fall over dead. With an arrow protruding from his chest. "Wot..." He looks around, but can't see Boaz, so he has no idea where the shot came from. Hearing the apparent leader of the attacking force yell out, he turns and nods to Lossow. The small group of hares form a line, Yerna also nodding to Lossow and saying, "I'll do what I can." Notching another rock in her sling, she keeps up a cover of rocks as the hares make a strategic retreat toward the treeline, covering the fleeing woodlanders as they can. "WE'LL JOIN TH' REST O' TH' PATROL IN TH' WOODS!" he yells, bluffing along with Lossow all the way.

With narrowed eyes the 'ferret punk' shakes his head. "No doubt he is. I would rather not tangle with the badger, and I have my doubts you my dear fox want to either. But our glorious leader seem rather ready to met his end, does he not? Of course, that hare there - an officer, going off the sword - he seems not quite there in the head or.... And the other hares, falling back..." Atticus has his own private doubts about the bluff, though he's not really paid to say them. So he stays quiet. "Never you mind it. I suppose we shall see, eh?"

Plaque-eye orders some of the horde to take the captives to the base, he himself backs off a little, he nods for some to attack the hares, his plans will not be ruined! But he will retreat and have the others do so too, if needed.

Boaz meanwhile gets closer to the other hares to help them,he has arrows for the vermin who get close. He speaks when closer "Ya be good fighters...we need a plan to free the captive villagers but it may have ta wait till later."

"IDIOT!" Lossow shouts in an exaggerated way back at the sergeant, "THERE ISN'T ANYONE IN THE WOODS! JUST US! RUUUUN!" Cleanly cutting down a stoat that stood in his way, the officer makes his way to woods with the other hares.

"Don't say that! Now they'll chase us!" The few vermin left fighting do, indeed, give chase, as does Halfsnout, realizing they've been played by a group of only FIVE HARES. The village of Noonvale is soon deserted, as the captured villagers are marched away, either tied up or in chains, and the greater force of Plague-Eye's vermin make haste to escape back to Marshank, a trip of at least a day or longer with so many captives slowing them down.

Boaz barely manages to follow the Long Patrol hares.He fires an arrow at a weasel chaseing them, one dead weasel but other vermin do chase the hares.

"Well, hell. My double bluff failed." Lossow shakes his head then points with his saber - nearly the exact opposite direction from where most of the villagers had run. "THIS WAY LADS! TO THE PATROL AND THE SAFE HOUSES! THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE FOR NOONVALE! FOLLOW ME"

He notices Boaz, and could have sworn there were only four hares under his command. But he's not going to complain about another set of paws to help.

"Perhaps-" Atticus had begun to say, but the vermin were already off chasing the hares. "Well, hopefully there isn't a badger lurking around for them." Shaking his head, he looks around at the village as the rest of the vermin begin looting. "I suppose that means I have to get this rabble under control. Oh joy."

Adrian looks askance. "A triple-bluff?" he asks. Yerna just shakes her head. "Bucks," she says derisively. Adrian also notes Boaz, having no idea where he came from. "C'mon, Private, aftah th' Sub-Leftenant!"

Boaz snorts "I am no... wot ever a Private is, Nmae be Boaz... whoever ya are." Seems he... is not liking being commanded, he brings another ferret down and follows the Long Patrol hares.

"Yes yes, very good private," Lossow replies without really listening to Boaz, "Come along! We're in for the run of our lives now! If you can, turn and loose your stones - but don't stop for long!"

Halfsnout won't fall for a Triple-Bluff, so he doesn't let up the chase. Various other member of the vermin chasing the hares either fall to Yerna and Serena's rocks, or just give up the hunt, finding it too much of a bother to continue. Plague-Eye didn't order them to chase the Long Patrol, after all. Halfsnout has a hatred for the Patrol, however, so this is a personal vendetta.

Boaz sighs and just...what ever he is a Private now he supposes, he can ask what that is ...after they stop running for their lives!

Boaz leaves Adrian's group and wanders off on his own.

Atticus, meanwhile, finds the most comfortable chair he can and ropes a sizable group of vermin into helping him move it back in the village - and then the food, and a table, and soon they'll have a feast set up for themselves.

Monty is trailing behind the others by a little, the smaller hare seemingly planning something since in most cases with his speed, he'd be at the front of the other hares. As they head into the trees, Monty suddenly takes a sharp turn and veers off to the left, separating himself from the others in the group. "Keep on goin', mates! Don't worry 'bout little ol' me!" he calls out to the others, apparently trying to draw some of the pursuing rats away from the main group.

The fox and the other vermin giving chase might not have fallen for the triple bluff - but they fell for the quadruple bluff. The runner of the Long Patrol is doing his best to the the hares - and vermin - away from the remaining denizens of Noonvale. Setting another stone in his sling Lossow checks over his shoulder before sending it to whistle between the legs of the leading fox.

The corporal lagging behind though –

"MONTY! YOU BETTER BLOODY WELL KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING!"

Adrian looks at Lossow. "Do WE know wot we're doin', though?" he asks, as they leave Noonvale pretty far behind. They're heading away from the Broadstream, and toward a smallish pond, somewhere deep in the northern woods.

Monty may or may not know one hundred percent exactly what he is doing, but that's never stopped him before. Surveying the area in front of him as he runs, he takes a glance back over his shoulder to make sure he is being pursued by at least some of the vermin giving chase. That at least would give his fellow patrol members a better chance at escaping, themselves, with fewer vermin to have to deal with. "C'mon ya bloody slowpokes!" he calls back at them. "Is almost as if ya never gave chase to anyone before! Ya lily-livered, manure-breathed, stump-tailed idjits!"

"It's called winging it, sergeant!" The officer shoots back. "Or more formally duck and weave and evasive action and all that, wot! Hares are faster than any vermin, less you got fat sitting in Noonvale. Just run, and follow my lead. They'll tire before us, I say- and if not you can punt me into the nearest pond, and that's a promise!" Lossow, despite never having been in the north, knows his woodlands; the time spent training with the 67th in Mossflower not having gone to waste.

Adrian nods, and increases the pace. Most of the rest of the beasts chasing them are starting to tire, and lag off. They've got slaves to help corral, anyway. Halfsnout seems a beast possessed, however, seemingly unwilling to give up his quarry. As they near the pond, Adrian looks to Lossow again. "Well, there's a pond, Sah!"

Monty definitely notices those few beasts who were trailing him beginning to slow, then eventually give up the chase as they return to the village. Seemingly in the clear now, Monty changes his direction and veers back towards the direction that Lossow had mentioned. Also not aware that Halfsnout hadn't given up so easily, the smaller hare ends up crossing into his path as he makes his way towards where the pond is. "Adj, Lossow, am on m'way!" he calls, hoping they were close enough to hear him.

"Half the hares and go left around go with the sergeant, I'll take the other half and go right-" Lossow orders over his shoulder, putting his sling away as he's already breaking to the right, "Prepare to draw swords before we meet up again on the far side, we'll turn and attack the rest of our pursers there - Monty can probably figure something out behind us!"

The vermin returning to the village may be disappointed to find most of the work - and all of the loot - already dealt with. The captured woodlanders are all sitting in a large circle guarded safely by vermin (who were unlucky in the lots that were drawn) while the rest ate and drank with Atticus at their head.

Adrian nods, and breaks off left, with Serena and Boaz, as Yerna follows Lossow to the right, and Adrian waves to Monty coming up on the rear. "We've only got like five or six left, fortunately."

Monty hurries his pace a little as he finally spots Adrian, the hare making his way in that direction. "Five or six? Pah, is child's play! Could handle that many in m'bloody sleep!" He gives his friend a grin, as he gets closer, and his pace slows.

With his sword unsheathed, Lossow matches Yerna's pace, circling around the pond away from the larger group of hares.

And into the clearing stumble the few remaining vermin, a couple stoats, a rat, two weasels, and Halfsnout the fox. "Argh, you don't have th' Long Patrol wi' ya! You rabbits are all out here slone! This'll be like shootin' fish in a barrel with arrows."

Monty smirks, the hare giving an amused laugh at Halfsnout. "Y'know...what's gonna make this even more pathetic, mate, is th'fact that we don't -need- th'rest o'th'Patrol to totally whip yer tails from one end of this clearing to th'other! Then when ya drag yer beaten n'bloody carcasses back t'whatever hole in th'ground ya dug yerselves out of, you can just tell em that there were at least a hundred of us, and ya didn't stand a chance!" He rests his paws on his hips, a grin hovering on his muzzle. "Isn't that wot you lot usually do?"

"Fish in a barrel for who, I wonder..." Lossow mutters under his breath, only now starting to feel winded half way around the pond- they've been running for a long time. "This damn fox - what's his problem?"
He can hear Monty still, and he waves his sword to the other side of the pond. "USE SLINGS! PELT 'EM!"

Adrian nods, and he and Serena let loose, as does Yerna on the other side, slinging rocks at the hapless vermin. Halfsnout raises his paws, to shield himself, but the other vermin aren't nearly as determined, and getting brained with stones is enough to get at least two of them to scatter. "I swore my vengeance on you fools," the fox snarls.

Monty simply laughs, as he adds to the barrage of stones, aiming them right for Halfsnout. "Psssh. Well, y'shouldn't swear, mate, it's not very polite y'know. And from wot I c'n tell, we're not th'fools currently gettin' beaned in the bonces by a handful o'hares!" He lets a few fly at the ones who decided to flee, the hare seemingly enjoying this quite a bit as he deftly bounces back and forth.

"MONTY CAN YOU JUST GET IT OVER WITH?" Lossow had halted, turning round to run back to the by now four(?) vermin left now that the danger of being outnumbered was gone. "We need to link back up with those village beasts right quick, and you shouldn't bloody well toy with your food!"

The officer's saber glints in the sunlight and unless the fox's companions start running it's clear they will die here on the pond's bank.

And die another one does, the sole rat, with a strangled URK. Realizing that he has underestimated these rabbits, Halfsnout bodily throws a remaining stoat at Lossow, a literal meatshield... And then he's off into the trees.

Monty makes a face, muzzle crinkling up. "Food, y'say? Sah, I wouldn't even entertain th'thought of such an awful thing! Could ya even imagine havin' t'chomp on th'dirty, smelly ol' leg of one of those rats? Doesn't even bear thinkin' about! Especially when ya think of all the food we got back at 'ome, y'know..." He grins, watching the vermin turning to flee, at long last. He sends one more stone at the fleeing form of Halfsnout, before giving a nod of satisfaction. "And there's more where that came from if ya show yer ugly mug again!"

The stoat isn't killed - Lossow has enough sense instead to parry the vermin's spear and knock him on the head with the hilt of his sword, stunning the creature.

"Listen," he says, lowering the blade, "I can't imagine myself eating that but the rest of you lot -" He looks around, seeing Boaz for the first time - "Expect for maybe him, maybe, especially considering last winter... Was that private always here?"

After a moment, the officer adds, "And why isn't he in uniform?"

Back at the camp Atticus and the others have finished up, letting the stragglers at the remaining scrapes. If Halfsnout shows his face too soon after giving up the jeers might prove a bit much.

Adrian looks over at Boaz, and peers. "I don't remember him. When did we pick up a sixth 'are?" He watches the vermin flee, then sighs. "Damn, this was a disastah. Do we 'ave any idea where these brutes came from? I wasn't aware o' any vermin camps anywhere neah Noonvale, an' they some'ow descended on th' village with complete secrecy..."

Lossow taps the unconscious stout. "Well, at least we have this particular brute to tell us. So kind of that fox to hand him over, wot." The issue of the sixth hare is ignored for now. "Get rope and a bit of water to rouse him - after that we can dump him in the pond and look for any others that made it out. Sound like a plan?"

Halfsnout has made it back to Noonvale, but he does his best to avoid that Atticus. It won't be long till the whole horde heads back to Marshank with their booty and slaves. Meanwhile, back in the clearing with the pond, Adrian nods his head, and goes to find some rope. "We oughta 'ave some good ways t' get 'im t' talk. Beasts like 'im are cowahds."

Ol'random · RP Chat

I can also play a villain if need be- I can only guarantee being on once a week without scheduling in advance though, and I prefer to keep RP session under 3 hours if I can help because I tend to get a headache if I stay on longer than that.
As for the 67th and Lossow - the latter I'm going to keep as a sub-lieutenant because I like that rank as it's a more interesting rank than just lieutenant, plus if Lossow is made a lieutenant that means I'll have two characters who fill similar roles between him and Terrence- and I want to avoid that and keep them the ranks that they are.

The 67th is still around IC'ly- I imagine most of the regiment is at Salamandastron though, and I've mentioned and used them in RP with Lucia Cadwallader as an officer in it. I'll have to write up a post about the 67th's role in the Long Patrol when I have time/motivation to do it, but in short: the 67th are a specialized group of scouts/rangers/light infantry that usually have companies attached to other regiments. They are heavily inspired by the historical British regiments of the 95th and 60th rifles(even down to the uniforms), so if you're curious as to the general vibe of whats I'm going for look them up on wikipedia or watch the sharpe tv movie series they're fun and got sean bean

Ol'random · Open Chat

LeeJ wrote:

Ol'random wrote:
-
That name doesn't seem to work, mate.

Whoops! Luke_SkyOtter#1438 - forgot it was case sensitive rip

Ol'random · The Long Patrol

I have a few RP plot-lines I want to start with the Long Patrol but haven't because other people have their own plots to play out. I want to try and capture Jinora's style of letting stuff grow pretty naturally - like what happened in training mission that exploded into a whole ordeal to get Dom back - to give scenarios for people to play around with in RP rather than a set plan because planning stuff is more boring but i didnt say that .

Basically, combined with the stuff I've written/edited on the wiki, I want to set up sandbox plots for people rp in!
I'll take part in them when i can, but mostly what I'll give are a sort of writing prompts for people to use as a base, and rp from there when they want to with little input from me on how things turn out.

The Long Patrol stuff on the wiki has a lot of stuff I've worked on and if you haven't checked it out you really should!
Mainly these three pages: https://www.rwmuck.org/wiki/Long_Patrol_Order_of_Battle
https://www.rwmuck.org/wiki/Campaign_Eq … ong_Patrol
https://www.rwmuck.org/wiki/Long_Patrol … r_Recruits

I'm also working on an IC LP camp guide currently tho tbh i have no clue when i'll be done with that inspired by Roman Castra.

These give a good overview of what an LP hare would know and be expected to be capable of, and I encourage people to use the stuff in those three pages in RP if they want to! heck, share your own ideas and stuff

and if you want any clarifications or details about anything that's given in the pages, or just ideas/thoughts/questions in general, just let me know me and I'll try and answer them - just give me a few days to respond of course

Ol'random · Open Chat

I mean, I would have used it! It's very useful for planning things and for keeping people up to date in real time, and is very convenient for me to use- but it does require people to actually use it to work well

Ah well i'm luke skyotter#1438 on discord if anyone wants to reach out - I'll probably respond much quicker there than my email or even on the muck itself

Ol'random · The Long Patrol

Did Velm's player leave?

Ol'random · RP Chat

That's fair. Honestly it's not just management but also time - and three of us haven't really had that.
While I enjoy the side-story and all the plots we've planned and the ideas and all that, it does make sense from a game perspective to stop the plot and maybe finally bring back Monty, Adrian, & co back to the mountain so that all the RP can be concentrated in one place and more diversity in RP in terms of characters and plots to interact with as we won't have to juggle the three busy schedules you, dom, and me have and instead can just RP when we can get on.

IC'ly, it would also work to even bring them back within the next month - from what I can tell our RP has been offset by like 8 months, and that's more than enough travel time I think.

Also it'll take some strain off Terrence, Velm, etc to have another sergeant, corporal, and officer running around to do stuff

Ol'random · Logs

Lord Ciocan, Sgt. Felicity, Pvts. Cole and Slaw, Ret-Lt. Olivia, Gen. Quinten, Pvt. Rhonwen, MSgt. Terrence, Lt. Velm

Quinten walks into the meeting room carrying a pile of papers, he settles down on a bench near the front near the podium. He continues to work however, pencil darting over the figures and reports he is currently working his way through.

Velm makes his way inside and nods to those in the room before sitting down

Felicity has finally been released from the Infirmary, as well as being excused from using a crutch. She still has a limp, but she's doing a lot better. The Sergeant enters the meeting room, looking over a paper. While in the Infirmary after the final battle, she had written awards recommendations for all the Recruits because they had done so well being brave and obeying orders. A trusted Corporal had personally delivered the papers to the General. Felicity decies that now is not the time to ask about them.

Cole and Slaw come into the room and of couse start to fight over a chair before some one makes them sit on oposite sides of the room.

Already sitting by the end of the hall, by the podium, Terrence leaps up to quickly salute the general, upsetting his own stack of papers.

"Well, sah, I'll be waiting for the lord Ciocan before we start." The master sergeant murmurs, just enough to be heard by Quinten over all the other hares in the room. He nods to Felicity, acting his usual formal self while on duty. "Sergeant Felicity, I trust all you'h hares are here?"

Rhonwen sits,this is the first time she might be on a mission or least one like this one anyways.

Quinten glances up and nods to Terrence, "At-ease, no need for formalities in here right now..." he looks at his papers and shuffles one to the bottom and starts reading the next, "As busy as I am i've made time for this, but I do need to get back to my office within the hour... getting everything back in order after the attack is taking time."

Olivia pushes her way into the room, over the protest of a few Privates, who are all silenced by a stern glare from the recently-widowed-now-unwidowed retired Long Patrol hare. She approaches the table, wearing her uniform, despite not being active duty, letting it be known to all present that she refuses to be side-lined while her husband is missing.

Ciocan soon enters the room and nods to Terrence as Terrence is one the main hare leading this meeting. He sits down up front.

Felicity glances up, her blue eyes cold. But she then glances around the room, watching as a few more hares slip in. "They appeah t'be....Sah." Even when addressing the Badger Lord or the General, she's usually not that formal. But the moment quickly passes as she nods to Olivia, a small smile forming. "An' it looks like we 'ave at least one extra."

"Of course, sah," Terrence mutters, drawing back - and the badger lord enters. Most hares rise and give a salute until Ciocan sits, all sitting back down with him. He regards Felicity for a moment, nodding slowly. "Well that's good to hear." In barely a whisper himself he adds, with a sigh, "And I trust you're well, Felicity..."

Taking up a position behind the podium and clearing his throat, the master-sergeant begins.

"Hullo and all that - I shan't beat around the bush and keep you from lunch longah than needed! In light of the recent attacks on Halyard and the mountain itself, in which you all fought bravely - but," his eyes flicker for a moment to Olivia before they dart away, "We're out of a majah - two truly, fo'h the late Majah Pete gave his life fo'h us, at the gates." A pause, and Terrence bows his head for a moment of silence.

"Thankfully," he continues, "We do not have to say the same about the good majah Varus Swiftbuck! He's alive, though obviously not here. That's the job some of you'll have - to bring him home, safely."

Rhonwen remembered those speaking of seeing Major Varus, she just listens quietly,it be rude to ask where do they even look.

Quinten looks from Felicity to Terrence, from Terrence to Felicity, he has noted their attitudes toward each other and if they don't sort themselves out he will get involved and neithe rof them will like that. For now though he is listening and he sighs at the mention of Peter being lost and stares back at his papers, and sets his pencil down on top of them.

Velm nods "Yes finding Major Varus is very important, do we have an idea where to start looking?."

Olivia clears her throat. "Ahem... I will be involved in th' search," she declares, matter-of-factly, gaze levelled at Quinten, as if to dare him to tell her she should stay at home while the Patrol takes care of this. She won't be pushed aside so easily. "From what I've been told, no scouts have seen any signs of my husband in the southern swamps... So that's a start."

Ciocan speaks now "That is good, the swamps can be dangerous, even those who do know thier way around. I believe Terrence has an idea of whom to send on a mission to find Major Varus and yes Olivia will be a part of the mission as well."
Cole raises his paw, as does Slaw, and then glare at each other till they get a look from the badger and then they look at the floor. "We also to find know what damage was done in Halyard. I know the docks are at least in good shape."

"Of course you must go Olivia," Quinten says, "You are likely one of the few people who can get through to him. Ciocan was stood next to him after he killed Zoltar and reacted as if he had never met him before," he frowns, "It is possible he has moved east, toward the Mountains of Bat Mount Pit and the eastern edge of the swamp to get away from the shore?" He then frowns, "As for Halyard I sent the Captain and a squad up after the battle, they are helping the Mayor assess the damage."

Felicity does not notice the General noticing the coldness between hwe and Terrence and instead takes a seat. She listens closely, taking a few notes on the back of the paper she has. She is all business right now and waits patiently for the next thing Terrence has to say.

Raising a paw once everyone has spoken, Terrence's voice is loud.

"With Halyard sorted with the good captain being up there, I shall speak on the mission at paw, if I may - and please save furthe'h questions fo'h the end."

"Now then," the master sergeant begins again, "Ou'h scouts have been running about looking fo'h any sign of majah Varus," he goes on, "And as fa'h as we can tell, as the retired lieutenant has told us, he is not in the swamps down south, so that's a mercy. Which leaves the north and east."

He lets the words sink in for a bit.

"It will the job of Lieutenant Velm and Sergeant Rosinbloom to find out where he is - and the lieutenant Olivia Swiftbuck. The sergeant is an accomplished runnah, and so are many of the hares undah he'h command. The majah may know his way about the wilds, but I trust many his lessons rubbed off on the rest of you, otherwise I'll have to send you all through training again." That earns a few groans from some of the hares, and Terrence lets himself have a small smile, gesturing to Olivia.

"The retired lieutenant here will certainly know Varus' mind bettah than the rest of you lot, and will be a great help in finding him and getting him back."

Rhonwen just waits to see if she is one of the hares going or if she is staying at the mountain, some would need to stay behind.

Quinten says, "We need to do our best to try and find the Major," Quinten said softly and quietly, "I'd offer to go myself, I know those damn swamps but I can't leave my post right now, even to track down the Major. But I have maps, outlining the paths through the swamps I know I can make sure the team have those"

Velm says, "I know the area of the dunes fairly well, we can also ask villagers if they seen him.." He then gets an idea." What about the old otter..."

Olivia nods her head, and sighs. "I've been lookin' in th' library," she remarks. "Specifically, in old medical tomes. If wot y' say is true, Quinten..." She sets a book on the table, that she had been carrying under her arm. "It would seem that my husband is sufferin' from a head injury." She opens to a specific page. "I'd 'eard from some privates that Varus seemed confused, but your description cinched my suspicion."

Ciocan nods as he speaks "The major seemed to be trying to figure out who I was,but then when I turned to speak to the Mayor, Varus sliped off."

Felicity nods and starts scribbling on her paper. She glances up when Olivia speaks. "'Ead injury?" She pauses, then decides to ask about possible recovery options later. "I've patrolled t'th'North numerous times. I know some o' th'dangahs an' refuges up thah." She distinctly remembers that one misadventure with Rioko that included a gigantice coral snake and a tavern run by monitors. She won't mention that. "I'm sure we'll find 'im. Th' Mastah Sergeant 'as created a good team."

"Very good then!" Terrence bows, "Half of Company A, undah the active command of lieutenant Velm with second-in-command sergeant Felicity Rosinbloom with the retired lieutenant Olivia Swiftbuck taking an advisory role officially, and unofficially being the third-in-command and serving as help with the major's head wound. In addition to the sergeant's runnehs, privates Cole, Harolds, Konnah, Rhonwen, and Slaw will be going along, as they are the most fit fo'h duty hares we currently have. You will set out as soon as you are ready, and lieutenant Velm, if you have anything to add, now is the time - whatevah and who evah you seek out fo'h help is up to you, as this is you'h mission now."

"That sounds like a sensible plan Master Sergeant," Quinten said as he stood up, "But first and foremost, no one is going who hasn't had at least forty eight hours off duty first. We just came out of a fight for our lives and as important as it is to find Varus, none of you will do him any good if you are all exhausted..."

Cole and Slaw both ask "Where do we help sur?".."I refush to work with you".."Well your annoying".."No I am not" this goes back and forth, of course during a meeting they act up.

Velm looks over at Cole and Slaw. "I do believe two privates have volunteered for extra chores to help us all out."

Olivia nods her head, and closes the book. "I'll be ready," she replies. "Just let me know when... I need to see my husband again..." She's maintaining a stiff upper lip, but it's not been easy for her recently.

Quinten Stands up and salutes Ciocan then turns to Olivia, "We'll get him back, I'll go fetch out those maps of the swamps for you before I go back to work."

He then salutes everyone and heads out back to his office.

Velm nods "Yes the sooner we start the mission the better." He will head off once its ok to.

Ciocan nods at Velm. "They most certainly have, yes." The badger stands and nods to the General. "Aye, 48 hours rest for everybeast heading out on this rescue mission. It would be good if as many hares as possible could also take that break. Quinten, I leave that in your capable paws. I'll be in my room." Ciocan heads out, only stopping to invite Olivia to his room to chat later. Felicity stands and heads over to Velm. "Sah, unless there's anything else, I'm goin' t'go spend some time wi' m'sistah." After that's through, she heads out the door, not even acknowledging Terrence.

The look the two privates receive from the master-sergeant could whither a rose. "Only Slaw is going then, and Cole - you can serve the general as his personal page until you'h brother gets back, when he can ovah. Lieutenant, I'd advise having Slaw be in charge of the latrines while you're in the field."

"As fo'h the general's and the badger lord's words, those of you who have had the two days rest already - Harolds, I'm looking at you - should start preparing fo'h the trip now." Terrence begins to step back from the podium. "You lot know the drill - tents, rations, weapons, the like. Now then, that's it fo'h me, Lt. Velm can answer any questions anyone might have - I might just have to go pass out now, by the general's ordahs."

The coldness Felicity showed him was rather extreme, he felt, yet he hadn't the time to deal with it- not yet, at least, not before he rests. And so he'd make himself scarce.

Ol'random · Logs

Pvt. Slaw & Msgt. Terrence, hares, Zoltar, a wildcat, and lord Ciocan, spoofed by Slaw/Oz

Zoltar was already annoyed his 2nd in command was captive or maybe dead, he was not sure.He had a tight bandage around his right wrist, the bandage going down his arm a little ways. He smirks as he calls out "Knock knock, its time to surrender or we can just fight and get in anyways!"

Slaw frowned as he peeked out, his brother was back but recovering in the infirm,so here he was to fight without him, but least he knew his brother was safe now.

Any creature of the horde that comes within ten yards of the entrance will be driven back or fallen dead to a shower of arrows and stones from the unseen cracks and slits in the mountain, as several unfortunate ferrets and rats have discovered. Nearly all members of the Long Patrol able to fight are crowded together around the entrance and the various defensive positions and rooms within the mountain - be they from the Mountain, Homegaurd, or 67th regiments - and Terrence stood by the main entry, a barricade having been set up behind the gate.
No answer is given to Zoltar save for a lone arrow burying itself in the sand in front of him.

Zoltar chuckles, about 16 of his beasts die yet he chuckles. "Halyard fell so will this place"

"I wondah what he's saying..." Terrence mutters to himself, peering out the eye hole. "No mattah - prepare anothah volley!" The master sergeant shouts over his shoulder, up into the tunnel, "And aim fo'h the cat- I know he's out of range, but I want him scared."
The volley of arrows is soon loosed, nearly fifty at once, falling ever so slightly short of their primary target - but striking any vermin who might be closer.

Zoltar snorts "That all ya hares have! you cowards that just fire arrows and stones...ha!" He shouts and studies the gate, he knows it would be harder than Halyard of course.

Slaw starts to shout something back when another Private pulls him back.He sighs and gets back into a ready to fight pose.

Terrence glances aside at Slaw, small smile on his lips. "Private, you heah something?" Picking up a conk shell shaped to act as a amplifier, he calls out, "Seems like the kitty-cat is scared of getting closah! And you were sooo brave in Halyard, wot!"
To Zoltar and the horde it would seem like the voice - and the following laughter of hares - is echoing from the rocks and cracks from the mountain itself, the exact source hard to pin down.

Zoltar ears go back "So...you do hid!" He does get a little closer and the beasts in front do have shields and others try to figure out how to fire back.

Slaw whispers "He called us cowards sur..." He leaves it at that, least the twins can be serious in following orders when its truly needed.

"Oh, I heard." The master sergeant replies in the same hushed tone, "But remembah, Slaw, who it was who needed ovah-whelming numbahs to beat us."
"HARES, LOOSE!" He shouts, and arrows and stones whistle out of the mountain. The shields do their job at protecting however, though every so often an arrow pierces the wood.
"Quick, let's prepare the big stones up in the sentry room." Terrence begins to head up the small stairway to the room just above, waving for Slaw to follow him. "Konnah, you're in charge down here fo'h now." The sentry room currently holds a squad of archer hares and a pile of heavy stones.

Zoltar orders "Get closer..now....you two archers fire back toward where they are." He is bound to at least kill one hare. He has skilled fighters as well as he paces and works out what to do "They will tire or slip once,thats when we strike!"

Slaw nods to Terrence and stays where is is for now.This is his first real fight as he was at the mountain when the base was attacked.

As the two vermin archers loose their arrows, only one makes it inside one of the holes - the gap being too narrow for anything else, and the other arrow clatters harmlessly against the stone. Whether the one inside hit a hare or not is unknown.
"As soon as they get close enough, Slaw, help me heave these rocks out the murdeh-hole atop them." Terrence has already begun the work of moving the stones.

Slaw nods, he tenses a little when one hare mutters a little, so one hare did get hit in the lower arm,but could of been a lot worse had they been in the open.

Of course, the two vermin archers - a stoat and a rat - are in range of the many, many hares above them. It may be fair to call the arrows and stones that rain down upon the pair 'overkill'. A grim smile spreads across his face as Terrence hears the thud of them hitting the earth- and he nods again to Slaw. "Private, be ready on my word, then heave, got it?"

Zoltar eyes go wide, other beasts back up a lot as he screams "Idiots...morons...I said find a way inside you wimps!" As for the two archers...they are very very, yep...dead.

Slaw holds back a chuckle at the overkill as he will help with more rocks it needed.

Zoltar gets a few arrows dancing around his feet-paws for his trouble.
"Why aren't they trying to take the gate?" Terrence murmurs more to himself than the private, thinking aloud. "If I were them, I'd have taken those shields and rush it... Unless they know about us up here? Hmm..." He shakes his head, another thought occurring, "I'll need to have the kitchens prepare boiling watah o'h oil soon, pou'h it down on them."

Zoltar knows to be careful, he doesn't want to lose too many beasts "See if they send one out, I will kill them one by one if needed"

Slaw frowns and shrugs "I..I don't, maybe they are planing something sur"

"No mattah- I think I know something to get them to move." Terrence stands up from the pile of stones. "Slaw, go run to the kitchens, ordah up a few boiling pots of whatevah - soup, watah, porridge, whatevah they have on paw - and get them brought up to here."

As none of the horde are coming within range of the mountain, the barrage of arrows and stones have stopped... for now.

Zoltar narrows his eyes, he nods to 10 strong looking beasts"Ram it...break it down!"

Slaw salutes and races off to do just that. He will soon return with a large bowl of porridge that the cook said get rid of, it was way too salty so get rid of it they shall it seems.

Ears shooting up as some hare shouts a warning, Terrence returns to look out the eye-hole. "Oh, now you try it. Bloody great timing." He mutters, crouching down next to the rock pile - he will wait until at least one of the vermin carrying the ram passes below before with a grunt heaving the rock forward and out the hole into the small area before the gate. When that's done, he'll repeat the process.

Zoltar motions for them to go again, one rat is..flattened with a large rock and another just grabs the ram to try the gates again.

Slaw moves slightly as the porridge pot is sit down by Ciocan. "So...the cat has started to try and enter, this likely won't be the last time either"

"Right sah," Terrence gives a quick salute to the badger lord, "And thank you, private."
He peers down to the gates below, where hares are bracing it against the ram. "Sah," he nods to Ciocan, "If you'd kindly do the honohs of pouring that atop the vermin..."

Ciocan has some hares too close to move, waits a moment and then goes to empty the porridge on the vermin. Slaw stays close,but not too close. "Did it...hit any of em'?"

A reply is screaming as 6 of the 10 vermin, it truly hit and one has serious burns. The wildcat hisses as his tail wags "Retreat...fools..This isn't over!" He then heads back out of range, to plan more and next time for for gross hot porridge.

To add to their misery, more arrows and stones are flung at the vermin burned at nearly point blank range. Terrence leans against the wall, watching the wildcat as he orders a retreat. "Well, that seemed to do the trick - they're falling back."

Ciocan nods "For now, they will be back." He looks at Terrence "I need to decide what ta do with the rat we have in the cell, your the one who brought her in after all."

Terrence blinks. "Oh. In truth I'd forgotten about he'h... I'd say leave he'h to rot down there, fo'h now, until he'h mastah is dead and the siege is broken."

Ciocan nods as he steps back and watches the vermin retreat."Sounds fair...Sargent make sure we are good on supplies, we have no clue how long the siege will last.I feel the cat won't give up till either he and his horde is dead...or we are"

"Right, Sah, I'll see to it." Terrence salutes, before going back down the stairs and up the passageway into the mountain.

Ol'random · The Long Patrol

To clarify some stuff regarding who Terrence brought to the mountain:
When Halyard fell varus ordered all the hares to retreat to the boats, and by that point a group of villagers were with them- this can be seen in the log of the fight in Halyard, which I did my best to make clear via my poses. Terrence led the various boats he could wrangle to follow south towards the mountain as that is the only place with food/supplies/defenses left on the western shore, and there is no IC reason for Terrence to have led them anywhere else but to Salamandastron.

As a side note, IC'ly Terrence'll probably face palm when he hears yet another officer is down for the count - and that velm only took four hares, plus the fact that at least two of them where healers! XD

Ol'random · The Long Patrol

Fight in halyard with who? everyone who can fight is in the mountain i though (or am i just confused... XD). I mean there is john but at this point he's in no fighting shape
It could be that this weekend (i'll only be on today for at most two hours really because RL has been extremely busy for the past few days and will continue to be so for a bit) we RP part of the siege of Salamandastron, particularly a failed assault by Zoltar while the hares and halyard villagers inside can fend them off for now. On the 12th is Zoltar's final attack when he dies, and then after that (the 19th maybe?) the LP can attack the 70 or so vermin left in Halyard led by Tiny

Ol'random · Logs

John and Zoltar

In the middle of the Halyard town square, with the rest of the captives, a wooden stake is planted, and with his back against the pillar a squirrel sits lashed to the wood. Face swollen and covered in dry blood, John was stripped of his armor leaving him in his ripped gambeson and trousers, having even his boots taken from him. He rested his head back, eyes closed, having been silent since the night of the attack, and the prodding of the guards hadn't moved him since.

Zoltar walks up, his mood foul. "I want info squirrel," Zoltar asks, "Who are you and how long been following me?"

John simply smiles, keeping his eyes closed. No other sign of having heard the wild cat is given, however.
Zoltar makes a fist with his good paw, the other is tightly bandaged. " The otter was ya friend..wasn't he? Well he got ta be seagull food, maybe you should be seagull food as well woodlander."

Still smiling, John makes no answer. In truth he had no idea who the otter was.

Zoltar goes to swipe a claw at John." That otter caused me to lose my chance to kill the stripe dog!"

The blow catches the squirrel, and through the cloth red appears - John sucks in a breath. "Ye blamin' a single otter, eh, on th'fact a bloomin' badger lord escaped ye?"

Zoltar narrows his eyes, then chuckles." I have plans, some of my beasts will get inside, kill some hares...I can slay the badger last if I have ta. I still have 450 beasts in my horde."

"Ye need more beasts." John finally opens his eyes, looking up to the cat. "That's one o' th' great fortresses in th'land, it is, andnae w'a thousand could ye storm it. It'll be a slaughter, it shall, a waste o' yore time."

Zoltar chuckles. "You're wrong, there be ways inside the place, just have to be patient."

"Mayhaps, bu' ye'd better be damn certain o' it." The squirrel closes his eyes. "Ah were just tryin' tae offer some advice. Won many sieges, defended many a castle."

Zoltar rolls his eyes. " Well your soon die...no water, no food...maybe your talk soon."

"Ah've had worse, mate." John smiles up at him - but it does not match the fire in his eyes. It's a wolfish look. "An' how can Ah speak if ye've nae asked me a thin'?"

Zoltar speaks. "I asked who you are. and How long you have followed me. You seem to know so much about me."

"Och, know Ah recall. A mercenary, truly. Me name's nae matter t'ye, seein' as Ah'm a dead beast." He shrugs. "But fore how long, ye ask? Since ye killed th'badger in Mossflower, an'stole th'babe."

Zoltar listens and just chuckles. "He died, monitor ate him. I could of turned him into a fighting force for me...oh well. My victory is happening, the seer fox said it would if I rid myself of that runt." He smiles coldly." And I did."

John laughs, a cold, clear sound - like a sword ringing. "Ye know, th'babe lives. Ah helped him escape, Ah did."

Zoltar looks at him and just laughs. "Nice try, I saw the blood on the monitor." He grins. " My 2nd in command should be back soon in fact and I trust them."

"Very well, matters little tae me ifin ye believe me ore no, it does." John shrugs. "An' ye wee lizard is dead, aye? Ore so Ah've heard th'rumor."

Zoltar glares, he knows. " I think the sea gulls in town are hungry, maybe you can..feed them fer me hmm?" He has an insane smile.

The wolf-like smile spreads even further. "Sounds lovely, though Ah'm tae old an' stringy fore their tastes, Ah'd wager. Bu' fore ye self, Ah could help ye, mayhaps."

Zoltar starts to signal for them to take the old squirrel away, but he is slightly curious. "You..suddenly help me?"

"Told ye Ah were a mercenary, no? An' Ah've done worse things than ye can dream of, laddy." Whether or not he's bluffing it's hard to tell. But there's a sad look in John's eyes, a sincerity almost as he's picked up by vermin.

Zoltar tail wags." I will...think on this, the again...I been doing well on my own."

John bows his head. "Hopefully, yet Ah did kill least thirty o' yore beasts by meself. An' Ah hope ye shan't forget that, ore them."

Zoltar smirks. "They clearly wasn't strong enough, the weak die and stronger survive to serve me."

"An' what does it say 'bout me, then, Zoltar?" Those are the last words John says, falling silent for the rest of the day no matter what happens.

Zoltar walks off. "I am bored of this squirrel, he is of no use to me...get rid of him" He lets the four guards decide how to...rid the cat of the squirrel.

*

When the squirrel is dragged off a moment of fear can be seen, but John collects himself quickly- and when they keep him tied up for "Payback" for all their dead comrades, he tightens his jaw and prepares himself for a long night.

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#176 The Long Patrol » A Snake in the Sand - LP Mission Mini Plot » 2021-10-15 03:16:50 AM

#177 Re: Ferravale » Misc. FV stuff » 2021-10-11 09:09:07 PM

#178 Re: The Long Patrol » Some half-baked RP Ideas for the Long Patrol+some stuff about the wiki » 2021-10-08 07:06:54 PM

#179 Re: Logs » On the Road Again... Adrian and Monty, + Lossow: Adventure! » 2021-10-08 02:42:48 PM

"For your information, I'm not a squirrel."

#180 Logs » An Afternoon Run - LP 10/02/21 » 2021-10-08 02:32:10 PM

#181 Re: The Long Patrol » Some half-baked RP Ideas for the Long Patrol+some stuff about the wiki » 2021-10-08 02:00:47 PM

#182 Re: RP Chat » When are we RPing? » 2021-10-02 02:12:54 PM

#183 Re: The Long Patrol » Current LP Members Thread » 2021-10-02 02:01:47 PM

#184 Re: RP Chat » Monty and Adrian's Excellent Adventure (Now With Extra Lossow!) » 2021-09-11 04:46:52 PM

#185 Logs » A Conversation Long Overdue - LP 8/28/21 » 2021-09-04 01:52:36 PM

#186 Re: The Long Patrol » Some half-baked RP Ideas for the Long Patrol+some stuff about the wiki » 2021-08-27 04:57:26 PM

#187 Re: The Long Patrol » Current LP Members Thread » 2021-08-27 04:36:12 PM

#188 Re: RP Chat » Sure this isn't a surprise, but I'm officially leaving the muck » 2021-08-14 02:34:48 PM

#189 Re: Logs » On the Road Again... Adrian and Monty, + Lossow: Adventure! » 2021-08-08 04:00:56 PM

"We just accept random Privates now. Running for your life will do that."

#190 Re: RP Chat » Monty and Adrian's Excellent Adventure (Now With Extra Lossow!) » 2021-07-18 12:40:05 PM

#191 Re: Open Chat » We Need A Discord Server » 2021-07-18 12:23:07 PM

#192 The Long Patrol » Some half-baked RP Ideas for the Long Patrol+some stuff about the wiki » 2021-07-17 03:20:50 PM

#193 Re: Open Chat » We Need A Discord Server » 2021-07-17 03:07:41 PM

#194 Re: The Long Patrol » Current LP Members Thread » 2021-07-17 03:01:37 PM

#195 Re: RP Chat » Monty and Adrian's Excellent Adventure (Now With Extra Lossow!) » 2021-07-17 02:54:37 PM

#196 Logs » Aftermath and Mission Briefing - LP 6/19/21 » 2021-06-19 07:55:37 PM

#197 Logs » The First Assault on the Mountain - Zoltar TP 6/5/21 » 2021-06-07 05:40:04 PM

#198 Re: The Long Patrol » Danger comes to the Western Shores!!!! » 2021-06-07 05:09:05 PM

#199 Re: The Long Patrol » Danger comes to the Western Shores!!!! » 2021-06-05 01:59:56 PM

#200 Logs » Another Interregation - Zoltar's TP 5/29/21 » 2021-05-30 05:17:19 PM

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