Deep Hedge Expedition I

[James Turner]

Living with anxiety he was used to the constant fight or flight instinct that thrummed at the back of his head. That low drum beat grew into a heavy, rolling rhythm as he saw the fabric and the glint of a sniper. His mind always went to the worst case scenario, these were Prviateers and they were caught in a trap. He took a deep breath in and another out, this level of panic and discomfort was unfortunately common for the Darkling.


Worm changed tact and spoke and his loud personality seemed to take over the space and the moment, which James used to his advantage. Turning his head to the side, looking around and apparently muttering something softly under his breath as the words dripped out and slithered through the fog to find their way to Anatole's ear.

Whisper to Anatole

"Careful, snipers."

Though he couldn't help but be drawn back to that cloth, back to the clearing. There was a story there, one he wanted to hear. Though the double sided efforts would hopefully chip and chisel away at that iron wall they'd met at first. It was hard not to be drawn to Sera, to keep his eyes on the Wall in front of them to read their ticks, their expressions, to see the truth behind the mask they yet wore.

1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2022-03-18 16:23:40	James Turner rolls 5 to Wits + Empathy -2 Consumptive Voice (9 Again)	2, 6, 4, 2, 10, 6	1 success

Equipment: Survival Knife(+1L) ,Hiking Backpack, Rope, multi-tool, emergency blanket, road flares, full zippo, 4 packs of cigarettes, sunglasses, 1 Box meal bars(partially eaten), 1 3L camelpack, sleeping bag pop-up tent and a flashlight.

[Saber Sloth]

James watches, quiet and sharp. Feeling their opposition out by their micro expressions. Breathing patterns, eye tracking, mouth twitches. What he finds that blue fur isn't attempting to hid anything, though the other two, Swords and Witch Hazel are trying and failing under the Darkling's scrutiny. He can see barely leashed violence, and instability hidden under a paper thin veneer, and he also sees the moment when Colonel Worm's and Sera's words, thaw something inside the Summers.

Swords nods again, not as sharply as before. "Outpost north? You've found it. We're the only outpost going this way. There ain't anything that would scream 'outpost' north-ways from us. What business are you harrying after if you are in need of outpost allies?"

failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2022-03-20 13:18:31	SUmmers rolls 1 to vs CW and Sera's charm offensive -5 CW -2 CV (10 Again, Chance)	7	failure

failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2022-03-20 13:06:58	Swords rolls 3 to hiding something -2 Consuming Voice (10 Again)	7, 6, 6	failure

failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2022-03-20 13:07:41	Witch Hazel rolls 1 to hiding something -2 Consuming Voice (10 Again)	4	failure

[Anatole]

A frown ruffles through the burned dwarf's hairy brows as the Winter's quiet words brush past him.

Moments later the Summer courtiers continue, confirming what the party hoped they would find. The tension blew from Anatole, and he let it. He exhaled loudly and lowered his axe. Carefully, he switched the weapon to one hand; raised the other in a brief sign of peace; then gently rotated the axe so that it was head down and resting on the ground.

He took up a new stance, leaning on the haft of the weapon.

He looked to Sera once more as their spokesperson.

[Colonel Worm]

Things cool down a bit. Good. Though Worm remains on alert. These outpost folks seem...off. Not surprising, given that they're stationed in the Hedge. Still, just because Worm understands it doesn't mean he trusts them.

"The business of staying informed. Of keeping an eye out. We'd heard about an outpost and wanted to see for ourselves. Disposition of forces and all that jazz," he says casually.

A pause. His eyes drawn back to that fuchsia fabric for a moment before returning to Swords.

"We did see a weird disturbance back there," pointing over his shoulder with a knife. "Looks like someone was hacking away at the thorns. Any trouble lately?"

Checking for Lies, 2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2022-03-22 08:48:51	Colonel Worm rolls 3 to Wits + Subterfuge (10 Again)	4, 10, 10, 2, 3	2 successes

Equipment:
Khukri knives (+ sheaths) x 2 2L*
Brass Knuckles x2 1B (in pants pockets)
Bastard Sword (+ Sheath) 3/4L*
Kevlar Vest (thin)
Reinforced Clothing (Motorcycle jacket)
Advanced First Aid Kit
Water bottle (in first aid kit exterior pocket)
Bag of Beef jerky
Cigarettes + Lighter

[Seraphina]

She wasn’t sure if it was how well Worm spoke, her voice, or a mixture of the two, but things appeared calmer. A bit.

“Then luck has been on our side today!” declares the Nix. “The only business we have been after was familiarizing ourselves with the area and knowing what was local. Exploration allows us to meet new potential allies, evaluate threats, and maybe come across useful Markets or supplies.” It was quite simple to her. “A threat to an outpost could be a threat to us, and I'd rather know about those as quickly as possible."

As Worm speaks, she nods, agreeing with what he had to say, sapphires still on the Summers in front of them.

Hedgespun jacket(+1 INT, +1 DEF), Hedgespun Necklace(+1 singing), dagger, steel toed boots, 2 bottles of water, bag of trail mix, gauze and medical tape, costume jewelry for trading(one necklace, one pin) sun catcher for trading, gardening gloves, notebook with pencil

Health 7
WP 3

[James Turner]

John took a second to glance to Anatole, then the rest of the group as the conversation continued. He was still nervous, on edge, but that was his natural state. The Summers had seemed to relax when they realzied they were speaking to one of their own but he wasn't about to assume that would continue for long. Worm had danced around the issue of the fabric in a way that caught the Winters attention, but only for a moment. His main attention was still on keeping an eye on possible escalation, especially with snipers in play. And still he remained quiet, silent, the statue in the back trying to manage threats and escalation.

[Saber Sloth]

"Not more then the usual." Swords answered Colonel Worm. The tightness around her eyes, and the flat line of her mouth belies her answer.

Witch Hazel steps forward, "Love the forward thinking, but as long as we're here nothing'll
get passes the line." She boats, smirk pulling her lips and showing off a mouthfull of thorn sharp teeth. "So, you'll can put those worries to rest
and head back home now."

1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2022-03-29 12:25:47	Swords rolls 3 to hiding something -2 Consuming Voice (10 Again)	2, 9, 7	1 success

remember folks Sera's Nix's Blessing Consuming Voiceis active for anyone, not just the Outpost folks

[Anatole]

Anatole sighs. In part he is being lulled by Sera's hypnotic pull and in part exasperation - where his frustration finally pulls him away from his slowing thoughts. Had not John mentioned something about snipers? That Witch Hazel with her mouthful of sharp teeth, however, roused him.

"You having any issue with renegades from the Autumn Court? Defeated Courtiers of a defunct Queen from San Francisco - they might have ranged this far looking for trouble. Our Freehold has had a few run-ins with them over the past few years."

failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2022-03-31 03:05:27	Anatole is... pursuasive! rolls 1 to Manipulation + Persuasion - 3 Untrained - 2 Nix (hehe) (10 Again, Chance)	4	failure

Ah yes. The wizened's intention was pretty obvious given his absolute lack of timing or, indeed, of tact. He pretty much blurts the words out before anyone else can stop him. Too much information, right?

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2022-03-31 03:02:58	Anatole is perceptive rolls 2 to Wits + Composure - Nix (10 Again)	8, 10, 3	2 successes

The burned dwarf hadn't even realised his faux pas. He was too busy scrutinising Witch Hazel. And he had latched onto something.

[Seraphina]

Sera wasn’t a genius, but she knew when someone was bullshitting her.

Her sapphires slide over to swords, “What is the usual then? Because I just have this, oh I don’t know,” a pause, “feeling, that you’re not being completely truthful.” A light shrug, “Now why would you feel the need to lie? Usually, people do that when they have something to hide, something valuable, are scared or have been forced.” Which was her reason?

The Nix won’t step forward, but her attention will turn to Witch Hazel, “We’re not here to cause problems, and would love to help if there are some. And I don’t think we can put our worries to rest. There is a crazy Autumn lurking around and I’m a little pissed about what she’s been doing to others. Once you heard us mention that, the lies came out. So pardon us being a bit concerned and curious.”

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2022-04-01 18:27:30	Seraphina rolls 4 to Lies? (Wits+Subterfuge) (10 Again)	4, 10, 9, 3, 2	2 successes

Hedgespun jacket(+1 INT, +1 DEF), Hedgespun Necklace(+1 singing), dagger, steel toed boots, 2 bottles of water, bag of trail mix, gauze and medical tape, costume jewelry for trading(one necklace, one pin) sun catcher for trading, gardening gloves, notebook with pencil

Health 7
WP 3

[Colonel Worm]

The Colonel is feeling good. Usually, you have to pay to get leaned like this. And yet, somewhere deep down, a flame is ignited by the obvious bullshit they're getting. It flickers to life and immediately starts to burn brighter.

"You know, it's funny you should say that" Worm adds, picking up what Sera's putting down, "I was getting the same vibe." He sounds very relaxed. Thanks again to the Nix. But that smile is edging toward hollow.

"And when it comes to the security of our borders, I don't feel comfortable trusting people that don't trust me enough to tell the truth."

Nods his head in Anatole's direction, "Especially when there are fucking traitors like Ann on the loose." Because that's what the bitch is: a traitor. A rat. A sell-out.

"I mean, nobody wants to assume the worst here. Maybe a gesture of goodwill might help. Like," his eyes fix on Blue Fur, "you tell us what's up with that wild fabric you've got there. Saw some on the path a while back, right where the thorns'd been hacked into."

He's breezy as can be. Coming off as slightly stoned. But somehow that's even more menacing given the implications of his words.

It's a delicate sort of intimidation, and he really has to focus for whatever reason to pull it off. Worm's not sure he does.

1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2022-04-01 21:18:25	Colonel Worm rolls 5 to Manip + Persuasion + Mantle - 2 (CV) (10 Again)	8, 5, 5, 6, 2	1 success

Equipment:
Khukri knives (+ sheaths) x 2 2L*
Brass Knuckles x2 1B (in pants pockets)
Bastard Sword (+ Sheath) 3/4L*
Kevlar Vest (thin)
Reinforced Clothing (Motorcycle jacket)
Advanced First Aid Kit
Water bottle (in first aid kit exterior pocket)
Bag of Beef jerky
Cigarettes + Lighter