FOE PnP Group2 Sess1

<Strobe> Taverns, for whatever reason, attract all of the best, worst, and everything in between that wanders the wastes. Some travel for caps, some for the adventure, and some don't want to but must. Some are minor beacons of hope to whoever they come across, others ruthless marauders. Nevertheless, they all end up in the same place when they come into town.
<Strobe> when they come into town.
<Strobe> The lack of permanent cloud cover has done wonders to the remote town of Aubarn, allowing for the first real crops in generations. As winter sets in, the town holes up, well stocked for the first time in living memory. Unfortunately, being well stocked is both a blessing and a curse in the harsh wastes. Rumors of the town with more food than it can eat
<Strobe> spread, and brought with them the desperate, the extreme, and the demented. Raiders, slavers, and wild beasts roam the countryside.
<Strobe> It's under these circumstances that the griffon bounty hunter, the Dashite pegasus, the filly bent on vengeance, the luckless repair mare, the melophobic unicorn, the pyromaniac liberated slave, and more find themselves clustered together in the crowded and boisterous inn and tavern in by the name of “The Sun's Song.”
<Strobe> A fire crackles in the pleasant hearth, drinks find their way around the room, and mildly-radioactive snow falls gently to the ground outside, and our heroes' adventure begins....
Bad_News with a long sigh, goes sitting as noear to the fire as possible, without even untying her scarf. first some warm, them, maybe, food.... depending on the cost...
<Strobe> 3The relatively many travellers to Aubarn relax as best they can inside the confines of the warm common room. The barkeep and servers weave between tables serving drinks and chatting up the patrons. Grizzled farmers, and more than a few caravaneers and guards drink their troubles away with the cheap alcohol.
Barometer An electric blue pegasus with a blond mane trots up to the bar and sits down on one of the stools
Ember is sitting next to the firplace, staring into it, her mind wandering about.
Othelo peeks into the bar slowly and scans the area before trotting in and making her way to the bar. "Uh." She says quietly. "Can I get a room?"
Corrigan is struming his guitar in the corner
<Bad_News> takes a look around, to see what kind of patrons dwell in this tavern... a dazed unicorn, a pegasus, a filly.... keeps sitting at the fire for the moment, looking at the unicorn with the stare lost in the fire *sure it's cold out there, uh?* oh wow, even a griffon with a guitar... that's weird
<Strobe> 3The barkeep looks around confusedly before realizing that the pony asking the question is below the normal eye level. He blinks down at her, momentarily confused, but then he's back to his business-like self. "Rooms are 5 caps for a night, 10 caps for a full day. If you've got that in your pocket you've got a room."
Othelo chews on her lip for a second and wonders if it'd just be cheaper to sleep under a table as the bartender is not one for good eyesight. mulling over it for a second she slides five bottle caps over
Barometer notices the olive filly and tries to hide her face in her cloak
<Strobe> 3The bartender slids the caps off the counter and into a mostly-decrepit register before pulling out a room key with a crude "3" carved into it, presumably with some kind of knife. "The door is the third on your left down that hall over there," he says kindly as he points down the hall, away from the common room.
Corrigan chews on the end of a cigar and scans the room for threats
Ember sighs and brakes her stare. Looking around she sees the ivory mare next to her. "Oh, hello."
<Bad_News> With a sigh, not recieving any reply from the mare at the fire, decides to try her card, moving toward the canter. "how much is the salt?"
Othelo nods breifly before trotting over and taking a seat at the nearest table and spitting the lovely key on it. Right after rubbing her mouth of that disgusting dirty key taste she takes a can around the room and catched sight of a... pegasus?
Corrigan content that he could take on anyone in the room, goes back to playing
Banjo cringes at the sound of the guitar "Please stop playing."
Corrigan doesn't look up. "...why?"
Banjo "I really hate music."
Corrigan "Well that's just to darn bad..."
<Bad_News> gives a look ar ember, smiling a bit. "want to join a salt round?"
Ember smiles back. "I would love to, if I had the caps."
Banjo "please, I'd really like it if you stopped playing."
Barometer turns her head to the ruckus
Corrigan looks over the unicorn and smirks. "Make me."
Banjo "I'm trying to be polite here, but please stop."
Corrigan narrows eyes and slowly stops playing. orders a whiskey.
<Strobe> 3The bar quiets, eyes turning to the two arguing in the corner. Caps came out of bags and pooled in the middle of tables. The barkeep, sensing trouble, headed it off. "Hey, if you're gonna have a fight, take it outside."
Othelo looks up at the commotion and reasonably asses that a bar fight is near, so she quickly loosens her pistol in its holster, and nudges up her comically oversized barder. Stepping away from her table she slowlt backs up into the nearest corner
<Strobe> 3"And that'll be two caps for the whiskey."
Corrigan "fuck it then."
Corrigan sits back down on the stool in the corner, tips his hat and leans back
Bad_News sighs and looks at the pony and the griffon arguing. "my usual luck, i guess..." then mutters to the barman "hey, i'm good at fixing things, like, you know, broken furniture... i'm cheap...."
Banjo slowly turns around and sits down in front of the fire.
Ember walks towards one of the tables. "Hey, do you have any job for me? I need the caps badly."
Corrigan watches the annoying unicorn from the corner of his eye...
<Strobe> 3When Corrigan leans back into his corner, the bartender visibly brightens. "Thank you, miss, but I'm not sorry to say that won't be necessary."
Barometer trots over tot the griffin
Othelo rolls her eyes at the ending of the situation almost hoping there was a fight. as interesting as that was, it was now time todo what she came here for, namley make some caps. Trotting over the nearest Carvaaners she gives him her very best of offers. "um. So I was wondering. If you like, need, extra body guards on for your carvaans... raiders are tought this time'a year and I'm a really good shot!"
Corrigan doesn't look up
Barometer “Um, excuse me. Your a talon right? I... I’m looking for work. Any chance you could use a weather mare? Or.. or a technician, I’m good with terminals."
Corrigan "I aint no talon, boy."
Banjo walks up to the olive filly and the caravaners "Did I just here something about bodyguard work?"
Barometer “Oh... I see and, um, I’m a mare. I’m sorry I wasted your time then.”
<Bad_News> me sighs "my usual luck" alright... so.... a salt cube, thanks, and maybe some small talk.... have you heard of somepony looking for a fixer here around?" was going to keep talking, but notices the foal to the merchant's table and stops to listen to what she's saying
Corrigan smirks. "mmhmm..."
<Strobe> 3The caravaneer Othelo talks to bursts out laughing. "You? Guard caravans? Baahahaha. Sorry kid, but we're not in the business of babysitting." That would have been the end of it had Banjo not walked up. "You, on the other hand. You look like you could do some work."
Ember 's eyes perk up at the word 'job'. She trots over to the caravaneers.
Corrigan watches the caravaneers, sizing them up.
Barometer trots back to the bar and sits down
Othelo goes momentarily red before stomping her hoof in a huff, "I am not a foal. I... I bet I'm a better shot then that stupid unicorn!" she says pointing a hoof at Banjo
Bad_News snickers
Corrigan huffs in amusment
Banjo "yeah right."
Barometer turns to the outburst
Banjo "I've been firing my rifle since before you were born."
Ember stops and stares at the argument.
<Strobe> 3The guard sits back, a smile on his face. It might not be a bar fight, but it was still damn entertaining.
Othelo rolls her eyes, "You're a dumb head. Age don't mean skill ma' said I was a natural, and you don't look like nothin but a natural born whiner"
<Strobe> 3The barkeep is not amused. "Hey, you with the banjo on his flank. If you don't stop causing trouble, I'm going to have to throw you out."
Othelo claims victory on account of bartender interference and thusly puffs her chest out with a huge smile plastered on her face
Banjo turns toward the barkeep "Sorry, won't happen again."
Bad_News laugh a bit. "wow, these new foals are getting smarter everyday, uh? must be the sun"
Banjo turns back towards the olive filly *whispering* "You little runt, you think you can match me?"
<Strobe> 3"I should hope not. Next time it happens, you're out on your ass." And with that, the barkeep went back to barkeeping. The Guard, however, was most interested in the group gathering around him for whatever reason.
Barometer chews her lip before slowly flapping over to the table.
Ember floats out her flamethrower, a large grin on her face. "If he won't take the job, I will be more than happy to do it." She says to the caravaneers.
Corrigan has both revolvers ready under his poncho at the sight of the flamer. "here comes trouble..."
<Strobe> 3"Hey! Would ya put that thing away?! Alcohol is *flammable* dammit!" comes the predictable outburst from the barkeeper.
Bad_News steps back at the sight of the flamer "woah, put that thing away, it can go wrong in a lot of ways in a place like this!"
Ember blushes. "Sorry." She quickly tucks it away again.
Banjo steps a bit closer to the door.
Othelo hears the flapping of wings and turns around seeing the electric blue pegasus. And imediatly draws her pistol and aiming it at her. "Enclave! Bastard!"
Banjo steps even CLOSER to the door.
<Strobe> 3The poor, overstressed barpony has had more than enough. "That's it! Everyone over there, outside. Now. Finish your business and cause trouble somewhere else!"
Barometer stops and just stares sadly at the filly
Banjo "Dammit." Opens the door and leaves.
Bad_News "what the- " too much things going on at the same time, why was the foal pointing a gun at a pegasus?
Ember hangs her head and walks to the door. Why is it so hard to find a job?
Corrigan knocks over his stood, aiming his revolvers at the filly and pegasus
Corrigan *stool
Othelo maintains she is not a foal and is, in fact, a big pony but still doesn't dare move, or lift her aim from the pegasus. Seemingly unaware the Giffin is aiming at her
Banjo Slowly pokes the muzzle of his rifle through the door.
<Strobe> 3The click of guns from all over the bar is rather striking in the total silence that follows. A half dozen caravan guards and the barpony *also* have guns, and are getting very nervous at the antics of the group.
Corrigan shifts aim at the muzzle. "Don't even think about it..."
<Strobe> 3"This is your last warning. Get. The fuck. Out. Of my bar."
Ember stops at the door and lookes back at the scene.
Barometer opens her cloak and unbuckles her belt, droping 5 sticks of Dynamite on the bar floor
Corrigan chews on the end of his cigar and smiles at the dynamite. shifts aim from pegasus to one of the guards
Ember decides it would be better not to bring out her flamethrower.
Bad_News very slowly, steps back toward the door, without giving her back to all those pointeguns, even it thy're not aiming at her, then, at barometer's dynamite drop, simply tries to jump out of the place as far as possible
Barometer mumbles into her cloak in the general direction of the filly. “I’m so sorry.”
Othelo shakes her head and puts her gun away. "No." She trots over to the door she was rodered to leave by, but stops to turn and glare at barometer, her face a picture of filly fury, "But you will be."
Corrigan can't help but chuckle at the threats from the filly
Banjo quickly backs down the street.
Barometer picks up her belt and re-buckles it. Turning to the bar keep she asks “Would you like me to go as well?”
<Strobe> 3"All of you. Out. Especially that griffon."
Ember trots out of the bar, away from the explosive situation.
Corrigan huffs, twirls his revolves before holstering them, and exits the bar.
Bad_News not hearing an explosion from the inside, gets on her hooves and peeks in without entering the place, then waits to see what happens next
Barometer follows at a respectable distance, forlorn that she has failed so miserably at making new friends
Othelo upon seeing the griffin exit the bar she quickly runs up to him, seemingly not having realized he was there before, and says, "Are you a Real griffin?"
Corrigan "No. I'm a hell hound."
Ember waits for Barometer to come out. "Not that it's any of my bussiness, but what was her problem?"
Banjo shouts through the door at the caravaners "I'm still offering my services as a bodyguard!"
Corrigan continues walking down the snowy road
Bad_News sighs and shrugs "well, at least i didn't have to pay for the salt...." notices the other ponies getting out "so, filly, what's the big deal? don't you know that guns are dangerous?"
Othelo blinks for a second and pouts and canters away. She would have said something but she didn't have much of either visit her at her farm.
Corrigan flies to the top of a building, watching the ponies below, rifle ready
Othelo looks up at Bad_News and nods, "Course they're dangerous, is why I point'em at them what I don't like."
<Strobe> 3It's still daytime outside, so the light filtering through the not-so-permanent clouds is more than enough to see by, even if it is getting dark.
Barometer “I was stupid and arrogant...” she strangles a sob “In one moronic act I destroyed her entire life and my own.”
Bad_News raises an eyebrow at othelo's words "didn't.... your mom tell you that every pony is a pretty pony until proven otherwise?"
Ember looks concerned. "What happened?"
Banjo walks up to Barometer
Othelo glares at Bad News trying to figure out who this pony thinks she is, "Yes, and far as ah'm concerned Pegasi have proven otherwise."
Banjo looks at Othelo "come on, not all of them are like that."
Barometer “The enclave doesn’t like its rule being broken and... and they are are harsh with their punishments.” she moves her cloak aside to show her dashite scar
<Strobe> 3The caravan guard that was the indavertant catalyst of the whole tense bar situation saunters out of the cantina. "So, you all must be pretty serious about getting a guard job if you're willing to pull guns on each other in a bar that's otherwise notorious for being well armed."
Barometer "they did worse to her"
Corrigan decides these ponies are no threat and sits on the side of the building, finishing his cigar
Ember gasps at the sight of the scar.
Banjo looks at he caravaner "So you are looking for a bodyguard?"
Bad_News "aren't... aren't you a little young, to hate somepony so bad? i was told that we're entering a new age and... well..." seems actually concerned for the filly "well, things are changing..." hearing the caravan guard, she turns back listening to the guard
<Strobe> 3"Well, I *wasn't* looking, matter of fact, but more guards is always welcome on the trail between here and the next few towns.
Othelo instead turns her filly rage to banjo, "What, exactly, do you know?" before turnng back to bad news wondering how she suddenly got so many lectuerers. "I'm not young! ah'm a big pony." She pouts a bit ignoring them and running over to the carvaaner, "So you'll accept my offer?"
<Strobe> 3"I'd have to clear it with the caravan master, but I doubt he'd turn away willing and able hooves just because."
Corrigan perks up at the sight of the caravaner talking to the ponies
Barometer turns to the guard. “Yes, I can keep the weather pleasant, and I know how to work with magical technology.”
<Barometer> 2 I'm not much of a fighter though
Bad_News mutters to herself "i can use some job" then raises her voice "hey, tell your boss that if he needs a guard that can fix a broken whell, i'n game"
Ember is torn between her curiosity for barometers story and the job offering. after a moment, she turns towards the guard. "Count me in as well. If that's okay of course."
Corrigan slowly floats down behind the caravaner. "Need air cover?"
Othelo suddenly realizes she needs a good reason for joinging and puffs herself up to the carvaan, "If ya hire me ah promise I wont stalk your carvaan and kill yer pegasus."
<Strobe> 3Well, this was certainly more than the guard had hoped for. "Alright then. I'll check with the caravan head about hiring as many of you as want to escort us. A half a dozen helpers would get us there even faster."
Banjo Walks up to the caravaner "How much would the pay be?"
<Strobe> 3The guard mulls it over a bit. "Probably up for negotiation. At the very least, it'll be food and friendly eyes for the duration of the trip, and then a cut of anything that might attack us between here and the next town."
Bad_News nods, good news at last maybe she hadn't to pay for her next meal and that's already an improvement "so, we should talk with this boss.... where's the caravan?"
Ember is practically bouncing at the prospect of having a job. Even the food is included. Hopefully it will be better than the grey sludge the slavers used to serve. That stuff was so thick, it was used as glue sometimes.
Othelo jumps up and down to make sure she's being seen, "That includes me right?"
<Strobe> 3"The next town on the road is Clopton, about a day's travel south-east of here, and then on to Hooft a couple days later. You all come by the caravan camp outside of town on the south side, and we'll hammer out a deal, m'kay?"
Bad_News "sounds fair..." nods and turns again toward the filly "hey, it's not a game, you know? where's your mom?"
Corrigan lights fresh cigar. "Sounds like a plan." not quite as interesting as a bounty, but the prospect of danger along the way amuses him
Banjo begins to walk in the direction of the caravan camp "Sounds good, see you there."
Ember salutes the guard. "Yes sir!" and trots down the road towards the camp. She can't stop grinning!
Othelo facehoofs at bad new's lovely question and says, "Dead." before nodding at the carcaneer and trotting off to find some abandoned building to sleep in
Barometer "very well." she turns to Ember “Thanks for taking an interest. Most ponies aren't so kind to pegasi now a days, even dashites like myself.”
Ember nods towards Barometer. "No problem, I know what a little kindness can do."
Corrigan glides up to the pegasus. "Where'd you get those blastin' sticks?"
Bad_News "oh..." well, obvious.... her usual luck... looks at othelo trotting away "hey litttle one, aren't you coming to the caravan? you shouldn't drift alone, night is falling"
Barometer “I used them for work, sometimes bits of debris would get caught in the cloud curtain and need to be cleared.”
Barometer "as I said, I was a weather pony."
Corrigan examines the pegasus, slowly chewing on the cigar... "Trade ya for one."
Othelo breifly contemplates shooting bad News and says, "I drift 'lone whenever I want." Remebers her room in the inn and brushes past Bad News before heading inside the bar, ignoring the glare of the bar tender, and into her room, waiting for the carvaan to set out
Barometer "oh?" she raises her head. “what would you trade?”
Corrigan digs through satchel. Well shit, looks like the only thing i can part with is... *holds out tin of beans* "a tin o' beans?"
<Strobe> 3His business mostly concluded, and having been ejected from the bar room as surely as the group, the caravan guard heads toward the camp.
Barometer smiles weekly. "I'm sorry, but these are all I have in the world and I can't really part with them so easily."
Bad_News sighs and mutters to herself "somepony could use a spanking...." then raises her voice trying to call back othelo before she gets into the bar "hey', we are moving now, if you go to sleep you could wake up and not find a caravan at all! but do whatever you want, grumpy pants!"
Ember looks at the offer the griffin made and smirks. Even she knows that that would be a lousy trade. Seeing the guard trotting by, she follows him towards the camp.
Corrigan puts his beans away and pulls his guitar from his back. "How bout a song for a stick?"
Barometer “While I’m sure you are a lovely singer these sticks are each worth more than that shiny rifle you have there.”
Corrigan sighs, "Fine, but of your starvin, don't come crawlin to me an' my beans..."
Corrigan walks towards the camp
Bad_News shrugs and trots towards the camp, using her scarf to polish the armor plates
Barometer pulls out her cloud and uses it as a belly support for her recovering wings as she flies over to the camp.
Corrigan stops and watches the floating pegasus on her cloud. "I got to get me one of those..." he mutters in slight envy. clouds are comfy....
<Strobe> 3The body of the group heads south, following the guard to the camp. It's a ways there, and the group doesn't arrive until the sun has nearly set.
Corrigan watches the sun set over the horizon. "Watch out for the boogeyman...."
Bad_News "so.... name's Bad... Bad News. Is somepony here ractical with caravan guard duty, by any chance?" keeps trotting while she asks her question and looks at the other ponies and griffin in the group
Corrigan looks at the odd looking pony. "No, but I used to be a bounty hunter with a 95% rate of success."
<Barometer> 2 "No, I've only ever worked with clouds."
Ember "Pleased to meet you, Bad News, my name is Ember. I have travelled with a caravan for a bit before I came here, but I don't really have much experience with gaurd duty." She pauses and adds."I like to burn stuff though."
Bad_News "so.... you captured nineteen ponies with a bounty on their head?" whistles "wow, you're a badass.... so maybe we will get some caps, since we have a celbrity in the group..."
<Strobe> 3"Yeah, there's gonna be some problems if you burn the caravan gear. As in, 'we'll have to shoot you' kind of problems." He tells Ember. Burning what you're guarding is baaad business, after all.
Barometer “Oh, right. How rude of me. I’m Barometer, but you can just call me Bar.”
Banjo "nice to meet you Barometer, I'm Banjo."
Ember shakes her head vigorously. "No no no. That won't happen. Probably. I can control myself most of the time." She gives a reassuring smile.
Corrigan silently walks through the snowy streets, not exactly interested in learning these ponies' names...
Barometer shifts her dinamite to the other side of her belt
Ember changing subjects. "So where is your boss? We'd like to meet him."
Bad_News stops to look at the caravan pony talking... whare the hay that pony came from? oh well, time to seem profezzional. "good evening, i heard you need guards..."
Bad_News "where's the boss?"
<Strobe> 3"He's right this way, ma'am. I'll warn ya, though, he's not the most.... clear-cut mind you'll ever talk to." The guard leads them to a tent erected in the middle of the camp. This was definitely a large caravan. The group can see easily a half dozen other caravaneers or guards, and another half dozen brahmin meandering around the camp.
Corrigan "mmm...Brahimin. them's good eatin'".
Banjo enters the tent
Ember walks in to the tent and looks around.
Corrigan decides to stay outside incase things get...hairy...
Othelo comes galloping out of no where like a filly on a mission, her overlarge barding rattling a bit as she does so. Running through the camp she charges at the tent in the middle of the camp where she assumes the leader is and says, "You looking for good scavenging, cause I got just the sorta thing you need. grade-a untouched premuim stable! Not touched, and abandoned think of all the loot, and all it'll cost you is letting me join, whad
Barometer gets off her cloud and stuffs it back between her wings before entering
Bad_News looks inside the tent, "uh, hello? i've heard you're hiring guards.... i've got here a... uhm... group of many skills that could be exactly what you're looking for....
Barometer stops whaen she hears the filly
<Strobe> 3Inside the tent is a rather bewildered looking old stallion. "What the hay are you all talking about? Why the hell should I care about some kind of stable? And why the hell are you barging into my tent, without asking my permission, to demand a job from me when I don't even know you? You better tread carefully, all of you."
Ember completely surprised by the filly jumps into the air and comes down onto banjo.
Corrigan listens to the commotion inside, chuckles and shakes his head. begins to play a tune to pass the time.
Barometer “Um, sir. We were offered a job by your guard. all six of us.”
Othelo waves a hoof dismissivly at the rest of the group, "Ignore them, they dumb. You're a smart poony. I can see it in your eyes, so you know that these stables had top of the line tech. Top of the line back 'fore the war. Think of what you could do with a completely untouched stable! Hell! You could find a water talismin and be the leader of your own little town"
Banjo startled, tries to dislodge ember.
Ember quickly picks herself up, muttering apologies to the stalion."Sorry, Sorry, Sorry!" She offers him a hoof.
Banjo "Don't worry about it, I know you didn't mean to."
<Strobe> 3The caravan head glares at Othelo. "This ain't a salvage operation, little filly, it's a caravan. You know what caravans do? They trade. You know how caravans die? They go somewhere for a reason other than trade. Now, if you're here for some guard duty job one of my guards offered you, sit down and we'll talk about that and that *only*, got it?"
Ember glances at the filly after picking banjo up, but doesnt say anything.
Othelo sits down and shuts up
Bad_News sighs and enters the tent "thank you... excuse the filly, she seems to be a little.... enthusiastic...." clrear her voice "so.... can we talk about that job?"
<Strobe> 3The caravan master nods, and then gestures for the assorted ponies to take a seat wherever they like. "Now that that's cleared up, gimme an offer, and we'll pound out a deal. Never too many helping hooves on a caravan, no siree, neeeever enough."
Ember sits down, relieved that the caravan master actually wants to hire them.
Corrigan listens intently from outside, still plucking at his guitar...
Bad_News nods. "yup, you can never know what's going on outt there, especially since the caravan are trasporting more valuable cargos... so, what can we offer" looks at the others "air recon, scouting, lots of weapons and godd practical knoweldge of how make a broken cart roll again down the road.... sounds good?"
Othelo grumbles a bit and nods, "Also I have a candle."
<Strobe> 3The grizzled stallion chuckles a bit. "Well, I certainly don't doubt you can help us out around here, but I was thinking more about the cost to me. Do you know how much my guards cost me? A lot more than I want them to, that's for sure! But you speak the truth, raiders are getting more audacious. I have to do something." He coughs and clears his throat
<Strobe> 3before continuing. “Now, I'll ask again. How much will it cost me to take you on as members?”
Barometer ponders to herself, scratching her chin “A watter talisman... You could become a watter caravan without needing any of the bulky tanks that attract raiders.” She looks up to the caravan leader “Oh!, sorry. Well I can keep the weather clear, work with computers and clear obstacles.” She opens he cloak and shows the dynamite. “So how about five caps a day plus food for the weather and scouting with forty five per
Othelo puts her candle away and says, "why not jus' give us a share of the loot from tha bandits an raiders we kill. And like, food so we dun starve or nothin"
Bad_News stops talking when barometer jumps in, glares at her with a uneasy expression, then tries to get the attention on her again "what about the standard pay? no wait, i have a better idea.... two thirds of standard pay, and the eventual loot from any attacking force we can take down... sounds fair?"
<Strobe> 3Laughter fills the tent. "You want me to hire you on for almost full pay *and* the loot? You must not live in the same wastes I do, where the loot's half of our caravan! No, no, I'm afraid that just won't do. If you can't give me a better offer than I could find somewhere else, I see no reason to take you on as guards."
Barometer repeats her offer
Barometer “So how about five caps a day plus food for the weather and scouting with forty five per obstacle and twenty five per terminal, double if it is a cloud terminal?”
Bad_News shrugs "hey, you asked, i replied.... maybe i went a bit overborad, but you could have noticed we have a griffon here, and we are quite well equipped.... since i'm sorry to have been offensive, i guess i'll have to step back.... what about you make an offer? i'm sure it wil lbe more than reasonable"
<Strobe> 3"What the hell are you talking about 'terminals' for? I just told you we don't go scavenging, and the road from here to Clopton is marked as clear on the ground as it is on the map. T'ain't no terminals we need getting through and I don't even know what the hell you're talking about with 'clouds' and the only obstacles are the shooty kinds.
<Strobe> 3"But, you lot look really desperate. Tell ya what, I'll hire you on for food, and half the loot. *After* I get done going through it. Deal?"
Ember jumps up. She is more than happy with food and a few caps. "Deal!" She yells.
Othelo nods a bit, mostly hoping the carvaan goes close to the stable she has info on so she can run away and take all the loot for herself
Banjo Nods approvingly "It's a good offer, I accept."
Barometer “These things don’t come cheep.” she points to her explosives “and they have a bad habit of damaging items so if I need to use them I would like full rights to the things I blow up if you wouldn't mind.”
Bad_News snickers "well alright, it was funny, now we couls stop kidding for a moment and talk abot caps, yes?half the loot is just like rolling on a roulette... and we are offering also different services, like forward scouting and emergency repairis, i think whe should get at least a shre of the pay guaranteed...."
<Strobe> 3Their new boss eyes Barometer evenly. "You just did the next best thing to try to cheat me out of my own caravan. Be glad I even gave you a job. You get the half I *don't* want, or you'll find another caravan."
Bad_News snorts and shooks her head "aw, okay... but don't expect the foal to fight"
Othelo points out that, "I have a gun and do shoot-y things. I can fight, ignore tha crazy mare."
<Strobe> 3"You also can't even see over the sides of the cart, so I'm a little doubtful. You said you can fix things though, unless my hearing is failing me, and that'll do right by me."
Bad_News "well yes, that was about the guard duty.... repairs dont' give loot, so.... it's different"
Othelo resists the urge to say she's a good jumpshot and nods, "So when we leave?"
<Strobe> 3"We head out tomorrow morning for Clopton. It's about a day from here, at the pace we move. If you're not up by the time we leave, that's just too damn bad. Don't miss it." And with that, the caravan master gestured for them to get out of his tent while he made final trades and preparations for the tripe.
Barometer “Fine,” she grumbles through gritted teeth. and leaves.
Bad_News gets out and goes looking for a cart where to sleep under until it's time to leave
Othelo figures this is a good time to leave, quickly exiting the tent and seeing Corrigan standing there. "Hey. mr. Hellhound, are you joining too?"
Corrigan "guess so..." continues to play his guitar, louder now that Banjo is nearby
Banjo happy at the outcome of the negotiations trots out of the tent and curls up in front of a fire next to some other caravaneers.
Barometer “Cheating HIM?!” the pegasus roars as soon as she leaves the camp. “These are all I have left and that bastard was asking me to use them so I can sift through his scraps!”
Othelo points out the obvious, "You could... just not take the offer."
Ember asks the caravan leader. "Uhm, I don't really have a place to stay, so uh, could I stay somewhere at the camp? That way I wont be late as well!"
Banjo grits his teeth trying not to lash out at Corrigan.
<Strobe> 3"Hmmm? Yeah, sure. Whatever." he grunts at Ember, trade deals taking up most of his concentration.
Corrigan is silently amused at Banjo's discomfort
Bad_News ignores the other ponies, doesn't seem very happy of the outcome, tries to get asleep as soon as possible
Ember happily trots out of the tent, joining Banjo near the fireplace. Fires always give her a feeling of security.
Barometer calms a bit and turns to the filly. “No I can’t.” she sighs “I need the job and... I just need to go”
Barometer “You may take your revenge on me whenever you wish, but pleas know. I was only trying to help. And if it means anything I lost everything, same as you.”
Othelo glares at the pegasus, "Why, exactly, do ya think your pain would effect mine at all? Thats just arrogant." She finishes before trotting off to find a warm cart to sleep under.
Barometer sighs and flies her cloud into the air to sleep
Ember , staring at the fire, falls asleep. Tomorrow would be a big day for her.
Corrigan leans back against a cart and tips his hat to sleep
Banjo sighs in relief as the music stops.
<Strobe> 3Snow continues to fall as evening changes to twilight changes to night. The caravan continues to work by firelight, bringing in supplies and food traded from the townsfolk. Then, slowly, the camp quiets and seems to fall asleep itself, with only a pair of lookouts trading shifts awake to watch the countryside.
Bad_News in the morning, goes around the caravan talking with various traders for a bit, before getting ready for leaving; she doesn't seem to be in a good mood, especially after the extensive tour
Barometer flies off to find some sort of heavy stick that she may use instead of her explosives
Othelo wakes up under a cart in the morning. Sitting up she imediatly hits her head against the bottom of the card, swearing loudly she scrawls out from under the cart, and looks around.
Bad_News since it seems all quiet, checks the various carts to see if they are in good conditions and tries to determine how much well armed are the other guarss of the caravan
Ember yawns as she wakes up next to the campfire. She scratches her hear head before standing up.
Corrigan is woken by the cursing filly. grumbles a little while brushing snow off his shoulders and hat
Bad_News trots toward the offended filly, looking at othelo with a little concernement "you... shouldn't talk like that, you know?..."
<Othelo> 2 ,canters up to the campfire to warm herself up, ignoring the fact that her mane is sticking up in all directions.
<Strobe> 3The other guards are formidable, each boasting at least some kind of police riot barding and a rifle, that Bad_News can see. They definitely look like they can handle themselves.
Corrigan "ah, leave her be, News."
Ember sees Othelo coming. "You ok?"
Othelo ignores Bad_News and looks at Ember with a yawn. "Mhmm. Cold is all. It's cold. in the snow."
Corrigan Watches the conversation. "Least its not hot..." he mutters under his breath, remembering the blistering Ponave sun...
Banjo Looks at Othelo "That bump on your head must really hurt, at least the cold will keep the swelling down."
Ember nods. "Thats part of why I slept near the fire. Fires are pretty good at warming you up." She grins at the filly.
Corrigan "got my own ways of warming up..." he lights a cigar with a match,
Bad_News Sighs and tries to pul lout her scarf and put it around othelo's neck "well, it's the hard life of a mercenary, little one.... it was worse when we hadn't the sun...."
Othelo sticks her tongue at Corrigan, and turns to Banjo, "Is fine. Had worse." before nodding an affimative at Ember. "Fire is indeed hot." Blinks and squirms as she is suddenly scarfed, and wonders how she became so popular, "Thanks...I guess. i like the sun, its pretty."
<Strobe> 3Some time after the group mostly rouses, the caravan master yells out several commands, and the seemingly peaceful camp instantly becomes a chaotic mass of hustling traders and groggy brahmin.
Ember looks at the group. "So uh, what should we do?"
Corrigan looks over at the fire toting mare. "Nothin, I reckon..."
Barometer flies back and lands with the others carrying a sharp shovel in her mouth and a bag full of rocks.
Othelo breaks away from the group and jumps onto the back of the nearest cart, "Common, we leavin.
Bad_News sighs in relief seeing that the filly is not just a raging marshmallow; when the camp gets hectic, she simply keep going on her pace, waiting for the caravan to start. "i checked the other guards, they are well equipped and probably get a better pay than ours... so.... i guess we can let them do the job"
Corrigan jumps over the side of the cart and gets comfy, setting his guitar down beside him
Ember follows Othelo and walks next to the cart.
Banjo whoops with excitement as he leaps onto the nearest cart NOT occupied by Corrigan.
<Strobe> 3In a matter of minutes, the brahmin and carts are on their way down the well travelled, muddy, snowy road to Clopton. "Hey! Griffon! Get your ass up in the sky, you've got first watch." comes a shout from one of the caravan guards. Clearly they've had airborne cover before, at some point.
Corrigan grumbles and flies high up above
Corrigan rifle ready
Barometer "here" she hands Colgate her cloud "it can get tiring staying aloft for that long."
<Barometer> 2 Corrigan*
Bad_News trots in the rearguard, looking around without too much effort, sticks with som better armed guard
Ember , taking her job seriously, keeps walking next to the cart, on the lookout for any threats.
<Othelo> 2 ,stands on her hind legs to lean over the side of the cart and says to Ember, "You some come in here. Much easier den walking. And Fun."
Corrigan "uh...thanks..." Corrigan mutters, wandering how she knows his name...
Ember replies to othelo. "No thanks, I prefer walking. But you can stay in there if walking is too tiresome for you." Giving her a wink.
Corrigan sits on the cloud overhead, watching the horizon and wishing he had brought his guitar. He settles on remembering the fact that he can fly this far east and not have to deal with NCR...
Othelo pouts a little but doesn't move, "Not tiresome. Ah'm conserving energy for when we get attacked." She nods confidently, "Ah'm Othelo by the way."
Ember grins at the filly. "Smart move. I'm Ember, pleased to meet you."
Barometer nestles down in one of the carts since she will probably need to take next watch.
<Strobe> 3The scenery around the group is a far cry from the way it was before the curtain lifted. Brilliant sunlight glints off of fresh snow cover. Surrounding them are forests of dead trees, the undergrowth and tiny saplings from the brief summer before freshly buried but not dead. Moutains around them betray an already high altitude, and the countryside is
<Strobe> 3perfect for ambushes.
<Bad_News> keeps trotting at the caravan pace, along with the other grouded guards, stays where she's supposed to be and keep an eye where she's supposed to keep an wye, grumbles a lot
Ember 's gaze wanders off, remembering her own childhood. She used to be just like the little filly. She was even the same age when... No, she shouldn't think about it.
Barometer stares at the hill tops nervously, keeping her wings tensed, pegasi are not used to needing to look up.
Othelo nods, "Charme I'm..." she drifts off as she stares off at the trees and forest, "Oh Pretty."
Corrigan scans the ground below, checking all places HE would set an ambush
Bad_News for her own sake, keeps an eye open to every corner and to any possible falling rock from above
Bad_News mumbles "how long has been since the last time this place has seen a so strong climate change? i mean... with all that sun and then the cold and again the sun.... is not supposed to be the way you breack rocks?"
Bad_News asks to a nearby guard "avalanches are frequent in this place?"
Corrigan content that he sees nothing, he leans back and basks in the warm glow of the sun, thoroughly enjoying his cigar
<Strobe> 3The caravan continues on for several hours, not stopping for anything as they cut through the muddy terrain. Near midday, the caravan ground to a halt. Lunch time!
Corrigan glides down, dragging the cloud behind him and handing it back to Barometer. "Thanks."
Othelo grins and streches before jumping off the cart directly into a mud puddle. Grinning she runs over to the nearest food-place.
Barometer "Any time, Barometer by the way" she offers a hoof
Corrigan "Corrigan." he shakes it. "I guess not all pegasi are bad..."
Ember eagerly trots towards the nearest food place while thinking: "Please don't be grey sludge, please don't be grey sludge"
Bad_News is still grumpy from the night before, eats on her own, still looking at the imposing mountains and keeping the chatting at the minimum. uses this moment to take out the helmet of the armor
Barometer "It only takes a few bad apples to ruin a reputation."
<Strobe> 3Ember is in luck! It's a tan slush, slightly reminiscent of oatmeal that the cook serves to everypony (and griffon) in the caravan. The guards disperse but mostly keep to themselves, eating in groups and maintaining at least a cursory watch around the camp.
Corrigan "seems like it. Dad never did forgive the pegasi for what they did to us griffins." He says, reminising about his father's teachings...
Corrigan looks at the slush and seriously contemplates eating his prized can of beans
Bad_News from where she sits, she mutters in a way that can be clearly heard "i've heard that griffins eat ponies..."
Othelo picks up her grey slush happily and torts over to an eating spot and asks a nearby guard, "Do ya have a map?"
Ember stares at the sludge for a second before diving in. It tastes surprisingly good.
Barometer taste tests the ooze. "Sadly our education on your people is just as one sided."
Corrigan grins at Bad_News and picks his teeth with a razer sharp talon
Bad_News shrugs "you know what they say... the love you give is the love you get.... or maybe that was just a silly song..."
Corrigan "Dad told me that the Enclave rode in, slaughtered griffins, stole our resources and bugged out, leaving us high and dry, ready to die."
<Strobe> 3The guard Othelo approached seems to be a nice sort. "Sure thing. See? Here's where we are now, and Clopton is over here. Next few days we'll be making our way down to Hooft south of here, assuming all goes well." The guard seizes a little branch with his magic and traces the route for easy viewing. "Didja want to see anything more than that?"
Ember after finishing her meal, walks towards the cook. "Thanks for the food, it tasted great!" She gives a big smile.
Othelo gives the Guard her very cutest grin and nods, "Say if there was a hidden Stable around here... where would it be do ya think?"
Bad_News finishes eating and trots toward the borders of the caravan, loking in the distance along the road, then goes back to the caravaneers to see if they need help packing the food again
<Corrigan> "pff, Stables..." he mutters, "Walk-in deal traps..."
Bad_News generally, tries to help those that work, to make the various operations faster or easier
<Strobe> 3The guard stares at the little filly in surprise. "A stable? I'm not really sure. We don't stray much from the roads, tell ya the truth. I suppose, if I had to guess, it'd be here, a little bit to the East and between these two mountains. That's the furthest place up the moutaints that even looks passable from Aubarn.
Barometer “Your probably right about that. We were told it was a preemptive strike against planed aggression, but I doubt it is true.” she gulps down her food. “I’m going to take a look around, make sure nopony is setting something unpleasant for us and maybe find more rocks.”
Othelo noms one her grey slush before nodding, "oohkay. Thanks, you're a big help." she say doing her best to memorize the map, and figure out the best time to leave the group to do some looting
Corrigan "If you need a gun...." he said, contemplating acctually being nice. "I guess I could part with one of my revolvers for a little while..."
<Strobe> 3THe guard smiles happily. "Sure thing! Wasn't a problem. If you need anything else, I'm pretty sure the rest of the guards would be happy to help."
Barometer smiles "Thank you." she pulls out one of her dynamite sticks. "for collateral."
Othelo nods and smiles licking the grey slush off her muzzle mostly. She doesn't actually think the other guards are as helpful as he says, but doesn't really feel like pressing the issue
Corrigan smiles and hands over one of his revolvers and 15 bullets
Corrigan "just try not to lose it, eh?"
Bad_News goes looking for the caravan boss
<Strobe> 3The caravan boss is studying a map near the front of the convoy. He doesn't look pleased.
Barometer "will do," hands him one of the explosives and flies off
Bad_News approaches the old stallion with a slow walk and peeks tryinf not to disturb, waits to see if he reacts to her presence
Corrigan examines the dynamite, "mmmm, hot damn...."
Ember Ember speaks to the cook. "So uh, do you have any more of that? Please?"
Othelo waits until no one is looking and sneaks over to a nearby guard cart looking for a map she can steal
<Strobe> 3The boss doesn't react to Bad_News's presence at all, still glued to the map and arguing with his caravan guard leader. The cook obliges Ember's request, slopping more of the tan slush into her bowl.
Bad_News since nopony considers her, she trues to understand what's the problem they're duscussing about
Ember thanks the cook and walks back to the cart, happy to be able to eat some tasty food for once.
<Strobe> 3Othelo manages to grab a spare map without being caught. Well, at the very least without anypony caring whether she took one or not. There isn't exactly a shortage of them in the stores.
Othelo pretty much assumes she is the cleverest pony every and tros off with her prize hoping to figure out the best time to ditch the crazy caravaan
Corrigan chuckles at the troublesome filly.
Ember hops into the cart and enjoys her meal, savoring the taste.
Othelo studies her awesome captuered map and figueres that if she runs off now for the stable she'd get there by sundown. Nodding confidently to herself she walks over to the food pony to get herself more gruel for the road.
Ember realises she still has her bowl and goes off to the cook to return it again.
Barometer comes flying down with a large bundle, about the size of a basket ball, in her cloak. she makes a direct line for Bad News as she remembers the earth pony mentioning knowledge on repair.
Bad_News comes back top the group "hey guys, i have good news, it seems that we will get a better pay if we can save the caravan from a pinch. there's an obstacle further down the way and if we can remove it, we will get first choice on any look instead of the lousy last pick"
Banjo "What kind of obstacle is it?"
<Bad_News> the boss said it was a barrier, but i guess that we could ask better informations to the guard chief
Banjo "If it's a barrier Barometer's dynamite might work."
Barometer "i'm sure I could blow it up if need be."
Ember shouts "Let's go then!" before stopping and asking. "Wait, were is he?"
Bad_News i'd say that we could go and check, see if we can do something, ask for the explosives to do the work and then solve the situation... sounds nice?
Corrigan "someone mention explosions?"
Othelo canters up and goes to follow the group, figuring it'd be easier to slink away when they';re busy blowing stuff up. Also Explosions are awesome
Bad_News "the gouard leader is that way, the roadblock is down the trail"
Barometer Is bouncing on her hooves with excitement. “Before we go. I found this in the snow,” she unwraps the bundle revealing a damaged sprite bot. “and I was hoping you could help me fix it when we get back to camp.”
Corrigan "Did'ja thump it?"
Othelo pips up at the sound of electronics and trots over poking at it, "I bet I could fix it."
Banjo "I might be able to fix it."
Ember looks at the machine. "What is it?"
Barometer "Its a sprite bot"
Bad_News looks at othelo "really? oh well, be my guest, little one" this could keep the foal quiet for a bit and make her feel useful "well, we go talking with the guard leader then, and then go to see this wall"
Ember "Ooh, is that one of those flying things that make music? I've never actually seen one from up close before."
Barometer "yep"
Othelo nods at New, "Yeah. Seen 'em around the farm. Used ta fix upt he ones my stupid brother accidently shot."
Bad_News sighs "we better move, this is our chance to get a better pay and have a good word on future jobs....."
Othelo pokes at the sprite bot and declares with her failed check, "Looks like it exploded."
Corrigan "Music, eh? might be worth keeping..." he said, examining the machine
<Strobe> 3The guard leader is still at the front of the convoy where Bad_News left him, poring over the map for any alternate routes.
Ember loses interest in the sprite bot and walks towards Bad_News "Yeah you're right. lets go."
Bad_News trots to thje guard leader again *alright, chief, any better detail to spare before we set off?*
Banjo looking at the sprite bot "Is it o.k. if I keep this?"
Barometer "I'll hold onto it, its okay"
<Strobe> 3The guard cheif looks up as the group approaches. "Huh? Yeah, sure. See this part of the map? Well, now there's this really weird wall spread wall to wall across the pass. I don't really know what it's made of, but it didn't look flimsy. I was thinking..." The guard quickly gave them the rundown of the situation, and as the sun began to descend from
<Strobe> 3its midday peak, the group (or at least most of it) was ready to get going at that wall.
<Strobe> 4End session 1 of Group 2.
<Strobe> 4For getting accepted as caravan guards and *not* killing the entire caravan in your first half day, all players are awarded 250 exp.