Hedge Patrol

[Forn Clakes]

Bugger. I blame tiredness. Moving on....

Moving into the relative cover of the memorial itself, its curved walls blocking the view of anyone who may have been observing the strange bedfellows paying their respects so early, it was hard not to feel the weight of any decision under the gaze of the statues around the memorial. The glamour suddenly flooded the gate, which resided at opposite the one the group had entered and for a moment, nothing more than a single breath, it seemed the statues closed their eyes at the portal tearing open between two worlds.

The trod of Sacramento hadn't been opened in sometime, it would seem, but a place so weathered, the pathway on the otherside went on as far as the eye could see before snaking away into the Hedge proper. Still, it was easy to see just why this was the main route for those who knew it, and why it was so sacred. The path was wide enough for three to stand side by side (or Artemis and Green of they ere shoulder to shoulder) but still, it was easy to see where the Briars were starting to creep over the path here and there. Clearly, the trod needed to be trimmed back some time soon.

[Malcolm Green]

Green strode purposefully through the Gate. Once through he slowed to a stop. Perhaps it was to wait for the others. Perhaps it was to have a lack lustre attempt to smashing down some of the larger thorns and vines that threatened to clog the Trod.

He stood, stomping with his great fee; fumbling in his bag for glove and ax.

"Damn this is bad. Should never have let it get this bad."

[unlimited sink]

Helen follows Ava and Malcolm's lead, passing through the gate and into the Hedge. As Green begins his battle with the brambles, Helen takes up a position opposite from Ava, also watching cautiously, surveying their surroundings for anything that strikes her as off.

  failure

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2016-04-20 06:15:38		Helen Powers rolls 6 to Wits(3)+Comp(3) (10 Again)		5, 1, 6, 6, 2, 6		failure

But she's just too overwhelmed by the strange Hedge of her new city to be of much use as lookout right now.

[Teeramus]

Stepping through, the second giant takes a cautious look around the Hedge, perhaps looking for danger, perhaps getting his bearings. Probably both. He looked back at Ramona, taking the rear, and the real world. They said this was a trod, so it should be safe-ish, but it was always nice to be sure. Seeing Green rummaging in his bag he had a feeling of what was going on and took out the machete, ready to follow Green's lead if he began hacking at the briars. "How long since you were last here?" He questioned Green quietly.

Keeping alert he leaned closer to Helen to help her as he had said he would. "Now the machete is a chopping knife. It doesn't have to be too sharp because it uses the weight to help it get through whatever you're hitting. Now the knife you've got won't be much good for that because it's much lighter. You'll need to stab or slice with it." It felt strange instructing another Spring Courtier how to use a knife, when he himself knew so little about it. Especially when it was Helen, the dear lady who despite her frail appearance, had the look of one who has survived much and would be resourceful and competent no matter what situation she may face. He gave her a hopeful smile and hoped the need to use the knife didn't arise.

[InvertedMonkey]

  Perception: 1 success

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2016-04-21 21:14:25		Ramona Bohannon rolls 5 to Perception (HP) (10 Again)		4, 7, 5, 8, 2		1 success

Crossing the threshold, entering fully into the Hedge, Ramona pauses, looking and listening. It seems for the moment that they're still alone, at least on the mortal side. So she takes a moment to open up her bags, strapping on her sword's scabbard, her axe's holster, all the other accoutrements that she wants within easy-reach but can look a little suspicious to a mundane observation. Hearing Artemis giving Helen some abbreviated knife advice, Ramona chips in with a few words; "You'll have to be closer than you think." Knives are shit weapons, their best virtue is that they're better than nothing. Unless you're plotting an assassination, then the small size comes in handy for concealment. "If you're using it right, there'll be a lot of blood. And remember, if you're close enough to hit them, they're close enough to hit you. Expect to get hurt." She shrugs her pack back on, "Hopefully it won't come to that." The look she gives Helen is determined. And hopefully a little encouraging? But she moves on quickly to catch up with Green.

[Forn Clakes]

Thank you for your patience...

Crossing the gate was always a strange feeling especially moving from a place of relative safety to one of alien danger around every turn, which obviously included the thorny walls that made up a majority of the Hedge. Around Sacramento at any rate. There were certainly small touches of the city, an empty Coke can stuck halfway along one errant branch, a few quarters that had dropped from the pocket and rolled straight into the briars. Touches of spring could also be noticed, delicate flowers, despite looking like weeds, pushing through the base of the Hedge.

With a tiny pop, the gate finally closed yet the memorial could still be seen in the mundane, through the walls of this alien landscape and taking in their surroundings, Ava and Ramona take heed that nothing is leaping out at them immediately as worrying, except for the slight overgrown thorns. The trod snakes away from the gate, turning out of sight some 50 yards away.

[InvertedMonkey]

Well, the trod is overgrown and under-utilized, but at least they won't have to go bushwhacking. Right away. Gear secured and in easy-reach, Ramona steps up on Green's left. Theoretically, his weak side, if he's right-hand dominant like the majority of the population. Guarding his flank. "Alright dude, lead on." Because what's the point of having a point-man if you don't let him take point?

... Thank god I didn't say that out-loud.

For the sake of marching order, unless otherwise noted, Ramona is staying a step or two behind Green and on his left.

[Malcolm Green]

By that point, Green had his gloves on and his axe out (oh so small in his huge hands). He had turned from stopping down the furious foliage to actively trying to prune it back, which it was not taking at all well, and was starting to thrash about and rebel against his ministrations.

"Bah! I guess we can come back later and do some work on the Gate!"

Fumbling, he slipped the axe back into his bag.

"So. Yeah? How about we just take a walk down this trod, like? For a bit, anyways. Its still the main way through the Hedge in these parts. If you want to change direction or cut a path through the briars, just let me know, yeah?"

Shouldering his bag, the big Elemental started off. His mantle steamed in the presence of Ramona's blistering heat and snap dried errant leaves and fronds from the Thorns as he passed. The mountain seemed not to notice.

And we are off!

I have no issues with the marching order :P

Also, for reference, Green is activating Pathfinder. Forn Clakes I'll have Green pay for the Contract rather than work out if he had chance to make the Catch (as I never specified)

  

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2016-04-26 04:31:18		Green to activate Pathfinder - Dream 1 rolls 5 to Intelligence + Wyrd (10 Again)		9, 9, 10, 3, 8, 1		4 successes

[unlimited sink]

Helen looks between Artemis and Ramona, her pale face serious. She keeps quiet, absorbing the knowledge being imparted to her. At Ramona's final warning about proximity and the dangers of same she gives a nod, letting the ogress know that she's fully aware of the implications. Please let it not come to that. "Thank you both, kindly," she says.

Her instruction at an end for now, Helen swing her backpack around and unzips it. Rather than extracting the knife, something she'd rather not do unless absolutely necessary, she pulls out her small notebook and a pen. After zipping the bag up, she makes a few notes, pausing to scrutinize the immediate area as well as her companions. When she finishes, she closes the notebook, clipping the pen to its cover and keeping it in her hand.

To Malcolm: "Yes, Mr. Green, let's push on." She'll keep behind Ramona and Malcolm when they advance, looking to stay out of their way.

Time to move, time to take the way of / the lowest, / including your legs. Time to go / contrary, go // sing. Somehow the lines don't comfort her as she'd hope they would.