22:08:59: 3When we last left our group, they were milling about a caravan, ostensibly its protectors. Up ahead is a blockage through the mountain pass that prevents the caravan from moving, and keeping our group from getting where they need to go. Not all the group is so unified in trying to fix that, however. The little filly Othelo is dead set on abandoning 22:10:40: 3the caravan, hunting for buried treasure in a nearby stable. Barometer has found a strangely disabled spritebot in the area and endeavors to get it working properly once more. None of the others seem to really trust each other. It's a dangerous combination for a dangerous wasteland. 22:12:45: 3As we come back to the group, the main body approaches the blockage, minus Banjo. Banjo came down a very unpleasant and very abrupt case of the runs; probably something he ate. The thought isn't lost on the rest of the group that ate the caravan food, but no one else is such afflicted. Othelo also doesn't seem to be anywhere with the main group, opting to 22:12:52: 3remain with the body of the caravan. 22:16:09: Bad_News trots in front of the caravan, trying to see wht the rest of the group is doing. "alright guys, we will get to see some real caps if we pull this clean and straight... so.... are we moving?" 22:16:52: Ember is a little bit unsure. "I don't know, that blockade sounds like a trap to me." 22:17:01: Barometer "Corrigan, would you mind joining me to scout the blockade?" 22:17:18: Corrigan shrugs "Don't see why not." 22:17:58: Bad_News it's more than possible that it is a trap, yes... we just have to be a little cautious and not run in it like foals, i guess? 22:18:25: Ember looks at the two fliers. "Scouting is a good idea, let us know if you get shot at." 22:18:48: Barometer "yeah, will do" she jumps up into the air and starts heading directly up. 22:20:20: Barometer at about a thought hooves up she heads for the blockade 22:20:25: Bad_News looks at the two ponies flying away, "I hope they won't get in trouble..." 22:20:27: Corrigan follows 22:20:32: 3No shots jump immediately up from the barricade or the surroundings. So far as it seems, the blockage isn't a trap in and of itself, merely a delaying tactic to the more determined caravans, and an insurmountable obstacle to the smaller, less capable ones. 22:21:32: Corrigan lights a cigar. "Doesn't look like much..." 22:25:32: Barometer To Corrigain "This is worrisome, this thing is no random trap wall, this was built for a purpose and could kill trade to the entire region." 22:26:33: Corrigan pulls out his stick of dynamite "Why not blow it away?" 22:26:39: 3Indeed. Such a barrier cuts trade and all other communication between towns in the area. As soon as Barometer points it out, it feels obvious to the group. 22:28:20: Barometer "there may be some evidence to who made this thing, I would suggest taking a closer look before blowing it up." 22:29:25: Corrigan I don't mind either way 22:29:34: Bad_News sighs and looks at the block. "well, we could simply find a weak spot and make it explode with sone dynamite... if the boom won't cause an avalanche... is there any demolition expert here?" 22:30:02: Barometer "Besides, I would need to take a closer look to know where to put the explosives." 22:30:14: Barometer raises her hoof 22:31:04: Bad_News "well, if we use dynamite, is it possible that the all the snow from the last days will fall on us?" 22:41:16: 3The question weighs heavy on everypony's mind. However, the newly fallen snow is cryptic, and doesn't reveal the answer easily. Even after a few minutes of contemplation, nopony (or griffon) knows if the explosion would cause an avalance, or if nothing would happen at all. 22:42:35: Bad_News "well, i guess that we can't know until we try, then? whomever feels good enough with the dynamite will place it, someone fast will lit it and run back while we stay at a safe distance.... sounds fair?" 22:42:53: Barometer "I'm not sure, somepony... or griffin who can fly would be the safest." 22:43:16: Ember backs away slowly, explosions are nice to watch but avalanches not so much. 22:43:35: Barometer "I'll do it, might find some clues to who built it while I'm there." 22:43:53: Corrigan shakes his pack of matches, "I got a light." 22:44:28: Barometer "Care to join me then?" 22:44:38: Corrigan "lets do this." 22:45:26: Bad_News "sounds good to me, I'll guard the road while you check the barricade, then" 22:45:36: Barometer flies over, keeping off the ground and watching for mines or other terrestrial traps. 22:46:28: Corrigan sails through the air behind her, chewing on his cigar 22:46:43: Ember remembers that she's supposed to help the others. "I'll keep an eye on the road as well." She says to Bad_News. 22:50:12: 3Barometer doesn't see any traps or mines on the blockage as she and Corrigan approach, but the griffon has a much keener eye. Still, he sees nothing immediately dangerous to their progress aside from a few stray sticks. 22:51:36: Barometer probes around for clues to the builder's identity and looks for weak points in the structure. 22:51:57: Corrigan waits patiently 22:52:21: Bad_News keeps an eye for any incoming trouble, both from the road and from the flanks "sure it's cold..." 22:52:58: Ember shivers in her leather barding. "It sure is." 22:53:31: 3The structure is a very well constructed wood and mud barrier. Much too large for only a few individuals to pull apart, but explosives are a different matter altogether. There are more than a few places where solitary sticks of dynamite could get in and wreak some havoc. From a quick examination of the wall, it would take two sticks, placed in different 22:53:43: 3places to bring this wall down enough for the debris to be cleared easily, if not quickly. 22:55:10: Barometer places the sticks in the appropriate places and then flies over to take a look at the other side of the wall. 22:55:25: Corrigan waits for the go=ahead 22:56:03: Ember continues to shiver. "So uh, who would build such a wall?" 22:57:08: Bad_News "i have no idea... have you seen any flag or tribe marks on the road? anything that could tell if we're trespassing anypony territory?" 23:00:12: 3After a few seconds of consideration, Barometer places the sticks exactly where they need to go to take down this wall. On the other side it looks exaclty the same. Whoever built it was trying to keep *both* sides from going anywhere. Off to one side of the wall on the other side is a small cave. Immediate inspection reveals it doesn't circumvent the wall 23:00:19: 3but does go into the mountain face a fair distance. 23:00:30: Bad_News "know what? that wall reminds me of something... the way it's built, i mean... it's familiar..." mumbles 23:00:39: Corrigan "we ready to go boom?" 23:00:57: Ember shuffles her hooves a bit. "I wasn't really paying attention." 23:02:42: Corrigan waits patienty 23:04:18: Bad_News walks a little away, not wanting to get involved in the explosion "we better keep a safe distance when our flyers will lit the fuse..." 23:04:59: Ember nods in agreement. "Espacially with all that snow." 23:06:02: Barometer is going to take a cursory look in the cave before boom time. 23:08:21: Bad_News sighs "they're taking their time for sure... i hope we will be done before the caravan arrives..." 23:08:27: Corrigan sits ontop of the wall and plays on his guitar as he waits 23:10:13: Ember "Who knew waiting for an explosion could be so boring?" 23:10:56: Bad_News shrugs "do you happen to have brush?" 23:11:26: Barometer hops back over the wall, practically skipping in mid air. "Exploding time now" she says cheerily. 23:11:52: Ember searches her inventory. "Nope, but I do have a flamethrower." 23:12:11: Corrigan "Don't take too long..." 23:12:19: Bad_News turns her head towards the pabbicade. "oh, they seem ready... cover your ears, pony...." crouches and cover her ears 23:12:35: Barometer "3..." 23:12:42: Barometer "2..." 23:12:50: Barometer "1..." 23:12:51: Corrigan flies off 23:12:53: Ember looks from Bad_News to the barricade. Quickly ducks to the ground. 23:13:15: Barometer "light it" lights fuse and flys up as fast as posible 23:14:31: 3Everypony gets very quiet waiting for the explosion. The scene becomes deathly silent, waiting for watever was about to ha- *BA-BOOM!* The dynamite goes off almost perfectly synched, blasting large chunks out of the barricade and causing the rest to come tumbling down. 23:15:05: 3The explosion *does* set off an avalanche. Fortunately, it's little more than enough to bury the ground-bound members of the group in barely two feet of snow. 23:15:10: Bad_News checks the moutain to see if there's any sign of an incoming avalanche 23:15:36: Ember digs her way out of the snow. 23:15:40: Bad_News alright, it seems that the worst is gone.... we should move away the debris 23:16:11: Corrigan spits out his cigar butt and crushes it in the snow. 23:16:21: Ember shakes the remaining snow off. As if the cold wind wasn't bad enough. 23:16:58: Bad_News moves toward the explosion area and checks what is needed to be moved away in order for the carts rto pass through 23:17:47: Ember follows Bad_News. "I hope I don't catch a cold from this." She mumbles. 23:17:56: Barometer flaps back down "WOO! it has been too long since I heard that sound." 23:18:17: 3The wall is destroyed, but the debris is still to large for the group to clear very quickly. The caravan itself would make very quick progress in moving the remains of the huge logs, though. 23:18:23: Corrigan to Barometer, "Next time, tell me what you're counting down for, I thought you'd already lit the fuse..." 23:19:17: Ember climbs on top of the wall. "Should we go back now?" 23:19:25: Barometer "sorry about that, shall we get the caravan now?" 23:19:41: Corrigan "after you." 23:19:50: Bad_News "well it seems that we did a good work..." looks at the cave. "i guess we should go back, yes.... what's in the cave, anyway?" 23:21:17: Ember looks at the cave. "I'm not sure, could be some loot, could be some angry monsters. I don't think it's worth risking." 23:21:23: Barometer "my hearths warming present." she says peppily fanning out a half dozen sticks of dynamite. 23:22:17: Corrigan whistles at the dynamite. "Well hot damn..." 23:23:19: Barometer "I think some pony set it up to use as a high end toll road or something." 23:23:32: Bad_News starts trotting back towards the caravan "so, you found a dozen candlesticks of cynamite in there? wow we were lucky that you found thenm before we lit ours, or we were going to take down half a mountain" 23:24:08: Corrigan chuckles a little at the thought, "Sounds like a barrel of fun, to me." 23:24:34: Barometer "yeah, scary but fun" 23:24:59: Ember follows the rest of the group back to the caravan. 23:25:36: Corrigan points at his wings, "Yeah, but I guess these would help in that situation." 23:26:16: 3The caravan is on alert, having heard the explosion. The arrival of the group, however, sets them greatly at ease. The caravan master approaches them immediately. "That explosion was you guys, eh? Am I right in assuming the blockage is cleared?" 23:26:51: Ember "Eyup" 23:27:57: Barometer "mostly, there is still some ruble, but it shouldn't be too hard to handle" 23:28:47: 3The master visibly cheers up. "Excellent! You all have earned your pay and then some. We come across any raiders, the first pick of the gear is yours." 23:29:26: Barometer "thank you" 23:29:31: Corrigan lights another cigar. "...hooray..." 23:30:01: Bad_News nods "sounds ffair... with my luck, we won't meet anything on the way, but hey... in that case we won't waste ammo, at least" smiles and goes with the others 23:30:08: Barometer "From the looks of it the blockage was set up to be a high end toll rode or something." 23:30:50: Corrigan "lets just hope we don't have to pay for damages" 23:30:54: Barometer "Do you know who may want to set something like that up?" 23:31:15: Corrigan "First thing that comes to mind is Slavers." 23:31:27: Bad_News "yup, but it was deserted... nopony tried to stop us from exploding it, and there were no tribal flags nor anything else distinctive... ther structure had something familiar, but i can't put the hoof on what it is" 23:31:29: Corrigan "Seems to be something they would do." 23:31:50: 3The caravan is whipped into a frenzy of activity in mere moments. Banjo is a moaning heap roughly shoveled into the back of a cart. The carts move, getting closer to the former blockage. "Not a clue. Trade sustains these peolpe, except maybe Aubarn, since they've got a full set of crops then can fall back on whenever they need. A toll road would earn no 23:31:58: 3favors, and bring about more problems that solutions." 23:32:43: Corrigan "and that's where er come in. Just a bunch of problem solvers." 23:32:50: Ember moves back to her usual cart, but seems to miss a certain filly. 23:33:03: Bad_News "oh well whomever built it wasn't there to complain when we sent it to the moon, so.... sucks to be them? alright, i'll be checking on othelo, later guys..." 23:33:44: Ember "Hey, has anyone seen the little one?" 23:33:56: Corrigan "The candle weilder?" 23:34:08: Ember nods. "Yeah, Othelo." 23:34:30: Barometer "The filly is missing?!" she starts frantically searching the caravan. 23:35:08: Corrigan flies up and takes a look around the surrounding area 23:35:24: 3Othelo is indeed nowhere to be seen. Some of the guards remember her rushing off to the north, but none bothered to see exactly where she was going and when she left. The caravan has already started moving on. 23:35:56: Barometer flies north without another word 23:35:58: Ember asks the Caravan master. "Do you know where the little filly is. She was with us but we left her when we went for the blockade." 23:37:11: Corrigan watches the pegasus fly off. "...where's she goin'...?" 23:38:44: Bad_News follows the group, since the others are already making quite a fuss she just stays with them and listen, but it is evident that she is deeply concerned for the filly 23:39:11: Corrigan calls down, "Hey, I said, Where is the pegasus going?" 23:39:30: Bad_News "i... i don't know where she is going, maybe she knows where othelo is? oh damn...." 23:39:44: 3While the others are frantically searching the edge of the camp where tracks are impossible to determine, Ember looks further into the woods and sees a fairly visible trail of little filly hoofprints heading north from the camp. 23:40:14: Ember "Hey guys, over here!" 23:40:52: Bad_News turns on her tail and runs towards ember "did you find her?" 23:41:19: Ember "No, but I found her tracks!" She yells back. 23:42:31: Barometer rushes for Ember, nearly bowling the unicorn over "You know where she went?!" 23:43:13: Ember points at the trail. "I think that if we follow this we find her." She beams, proud to be useful. 23:44:09: Barometer "thank you, thank you, thank you!" she scoops up Ember in a bear hug 23:44:37: Bad_News "alright, so we can follow them and find her.... i mean, we can't let a little filly alone in a place like this, right?" looks at the caravan and sighs. "we better tell the caravan to go on without us..." 23:44:54: Ember is a little bit surprised about the hug but quickly returns it. "Common, no time to waste." 23:45:32: Bad_News "give me just a momeent, i want to tell the caravan leader that we are detaching from them... it will take a second" 23:45:43: Corrigan goes into tactical mode. "Bad_News, you go tell the caravan and we'll go with the tracks." 23:46:05: Corrigan "C'mon, we've got a filly to find." 23:46:16: Corrigan flies off, following the tracks. 23:46:16: 3Ember not only sees the tracks going into the woods, but also is able to track them away from the camp. The filly's tracks continue for about 50 meters from the caravan. Then they vanish. 23:46:17: Ember starts following the trail. 23:47:31: Bad_News runs toward the caravan, looking for the leader "ah, boss, we found the tracks of the misisng filly... ah... i'm sorry but... we have to go and look for her... i guess that we're separating... have a safe travel and sorry for the rudeness" 23:47:37: Corrigan waits for the others where the trail ends. 23:47:52: Ember once the track stops, Ember stops as well. "Should we just continue in this direction?" 23:48:23: Corrigan pulls out his rifle, "I've got a bad feeling about this..." 23:48:38: 3The caravan master doesn't mind the news one bit. Sure, now he's down on guards a bit, be he also doesn't have to *pay* the guards. "Fine by me. Hope you find her. Get a move on, dogs! I'm noy paying you by the hours!" The master goes right back to his caravan as if nothing happened. 23:50:08: Bad_News runs back to the group "wait for meeeeeh!" 23:51:40: 3Nopony else can find any trace of the little filly. Until Barometer at least. While frantically checking, she lands for a split second to rest her wings and get a better look at where the tracks vanish. When she does, her foot goes straight through the snow and into a hidden cave beneath. Unfortunately for their efforts, the hole is much too small for a 23:51:45: 3full grown pony, but a filly could fall in easily. 23:52:26: Barometer diggs franticly 23:52:46: Ember sees Barometer digging and hops in to help. 23:53:06: 3The hole is cut straight into the rock. There just isn't a way to open it wide enough for a pony (or griffon) to get inside without losing either a lot of years or a lot of limbs. 23:53:44: Corrigan "I guess we have to find another way in." 23:53:49: Ember decides to see if Othelo is in the hole. "Hey Othelo!" She yells. 23:54:15: Bad_News "do we have a light? or some rope?" 23:54:52: Corrigan pulls out his pack of matches, "I got light, no rope though." 23:55:24: Ember "But we can't fit in." 23:55:39: Barometer leaps into the air and looks for another potential entrance 23:58:33: Bad_News "alright, don't panic..." is hyperventilating "did she reply? can you see her?" 23:59:06: Corrigan is the only one who has stayed calm, apparently. 23:59:38: Ember shakes her head. "I can't see anything down there. Good thing is that she at least was able to pick herself up after she fell down." 00:01:08: Corrigan "...or was able to at least crawl..." 00:01:55: Ember shoots a glare at Corrigan. "Don't say that. I'm sure she's fine. She must be." 00:02:11: Corrigan shrugs "Sure." 00:02:41: Corrigan "Point being, she's probably still alive." 00:03:34: Bad_News "why didn't we take her wwith us? she could be wounded and scared and all alone!" breaths deeply. "okay, first, we have to determine how deep it is... so..." "takes a stone and let it fall in the hole, counting the seconds" 00:03:46: Ember nods. "Yeah." 'Unless she got dragged away by some animal' she thinks but doesn't say 00:04:08: 3None of the immediate surroundings yield any bonus for the search. The stone Bad_News drops hits the ground after barely more than a second. The fall is enough to bruise, but not do much more than that. 00:05:05: Corrigan "See? nothing to worry about." 00:06:57: Ember "Yeah, but we still need to find a way in. Anypony got an idea?" Before looking at Corrigan. "Or any griffin." 00:07:22: Corrigan looks around. Nothing but trees. Shrugs, "Nope." 00:08:24: Barometer starts hitting the edge of the hole with a large rock. "I can't fail her again! I wont lose her to some hole in the filthy ground!" 00:08:53: Corrigan doesn't really understand why everyone is so upset. He drifts into a memory of his bounty hunter days and realizes he's pretty much been desensitized 00:09:45: Bad_News if we fix the spritebot... maybe we could send it looking for her? 00:09:52: Ember stares at Barometer for a second before walking over to her and holding her. "I'm sorry, but there is nothing we can do." 00:10:05: Bad_News "who has that broken thing anyway?" 00:10:20: Ember instantly perks up at Bad_News' idea. "Nevermind." 00:10:36: Barometer "They Sprite bot!" unpacks it from her bags "You are a smart pony!" 00:10:40: 3A few dozen meters away, a blinding explosion fills the air with debris. Huge chunks of rock crash down around the explosion site, and some of the nearby trees even catch fire. Where an undisturbed portion of ground used to be is now a gaping crater, with a comparatively small hole leading into a cave. 00:11:22: Ember is dazed by the explosion. "What the buck was that?" 00:11:39: Barometer "Lets go! She may be hurt!" flies into the burning hole 00:11:41: Corrigan has his rifle ready in a flash. 00:12:01: Bad_News "what the.... what's going on!?" takes out her wrench and moves cautiously toward the explosion siter "I f'f fow fuf fe fill fisfover foon" 00:12:19: Corrigan steps up beside her, "What?" 00:12:39: 3Barometer encounters a rather dazed and confused Othelo, a strange object lying beside her, and the dessicated corpse of what used to be a pony lying nearby. 00:13:04: Ember runs after Barometer after seeing her fly into the hole. 00:13:25: Bad_News has a wrench in her mouth and can't talk very well "i faif..." puts away the wrench "that we will discover soon... and it seems that the pegasus alrready found out" 00:13:26: Barometer scoops up the filly "Oh, I am so glad you are okay! We were so worried!" 00:13:32: Corrigan jumps down after the two mares, not exactly wanting either of them to get themselves killed. 00:13:33: Bad_News trots toward barometer 00:13:56: Othelo acks and squirms at the sudden hugging. "I;m fine i'm fine!" She says pouting. "I wasn't hurt. I said notta follow me!' 00:13:57: Corrigan gives the corpse a small kick before checking its pockets 00:14:58: Ember smiles at the sight of the filly being safe and sound. "Why did you run away in the first place actually?" 00:15:11: Barometer gently puts Othello back down looking slightly embarrassed 00:15:37: Corrigan the pockets yeild nothing. "Fuck." he mutters under his breath before picking up the strnge object. "What's this then...?" 00:16:23: Othelo squirms on the ground and shakes her slightly stinging head. "I wasn't running. I was looking for a stable and then I fell in this hole but I was okay even though I had to fight this huge monster and I killed it and found this bomb thingy that went boom, but I'm fine." She takes a breath. "I was looking for stable 72." 00:16:58: Bad_News "little lady... you are in big trouble! if i were your mother now your rump would have been all red!" 00:17:22: Othelo sticks out her tongue at Bad_News 00:17:26: Barometer pails at the mention of Othello's mother 00:17:44: Corrigan hands the strange object to Barometer, "You're a smart one. any idea what this is?" 00:17:46: Ember is slightly impressed. "Nice job on the monster, but you could have waited for us." 00:18:23: Barometer examins the objest Corrigan hands her 00:18:28: Bad_News "yeah, sure, giant monster...." sighs "so, what's that thing?" 00:19:07: Othelo rubs the back of her head with her hoof and looked abashed. "You guys didn't ahve to come." She grumbles "I was going to find the treasure." blinking she runs over to the object. "Ohoh don't press that! It makes things go boom and its mine!" 00:19:38: Corrigan deadpans, "...go boom...?" 00:19:47: Barometer "A detonator... well that explains the explosion, C4 magical explosives." 00:19:56: Bad_News approaches barometer and looks at the weird object too "so... a detonator? 00:20:05: Othelo waves her arms around excitedly. "Boom. And its mine. I found it." 00:20:27: Corrigan breathes a sigh of relief, knowing that it won't explode. 00:20:37: Ember "Common, give it back to her." 00:21:05: Barometer "it's already been used, unless you find more C4 it is useless." hands it back to the filly 00:21:44: Barometer "so no danger if it is accidentally pressed" 00:21:47: Othelo stuffs it back into her saddle abg and looks around. "Thanks for the help. I have to go find the stable now." She says trotting off. 00:22:17: Corrigan holsters his rifle. "Fair enough." he looks up at the hole. "well I know how I'm getting out, what about you lot?" 00:23:04: Ember runs after the filly. "Hey wait up! You shouldn't go alone!" 00:23:45: Barometer I can carry ponies out one at a time 00:23:54: Othelo pffts and looks up trying to figure out how to get out of the hole. "I killed a monster. I'mma dangerous Enclave hunter. I can go alone" 00:24:27: Corrigan "Now that's what I call spirit." he chuckles 00:24:28: Barometer "Something's comming and it doesn't sound happy" 00:24:33: Othelo turns suddenly and goles pale. "Uh... did anypony hear that?" Shudders as she hears the sound again. "And that...": 00:24:36: Ember stops dead in her tracks. "Wait, did anyone hear that?" 00:24:57: Bad_News look at the corpse pony for a moment, then turns on othelo "no, you are a little filly and you got yourself in danger! and- hear what?" 00:25:25: Corrigan pulls out his revolver. 00:25:28: Ember "That sound. It's like a roar or something." 00:25:45: Barometer pulls out a stick of dynamite 00:25:49: Othelo pulls out her pistol and quickly jumps behind the first peice of cover which just so happens to be Barometer 00:25:59: Corrigan slowly looks around, "I got a bad feeling about this...." 00:26:07: 3Now that they're alerted to the sound, they can all hear it. A roar, coming closer. It echoes off the mountains, making it impossible to determine the direction, but they can definitely hear it coming closer. 00:26:10: Ember "I don't like it." Pulls out her flamethrower. 00:26:21: Barometer wispers to Othello "Get on my back. 00:26:28: Bad_News "we better move back on the trail..." takes the wrench out again 00:26:52: Ember "I'll take the lead, don't want to roast any of you by accident" 00:27:03: Othelo has serious reservations about climbing on a dirt Pegasus back, but jumps on anypoint pointing her guna round erratically trying to find the sound. "Thoudn't we weave." she mumbles through her gun 00:28:02: Barometer flies into the air, slowly at first so Othello can get a good grip 00:28:06: Corrigan flies out the hole and straight out, switching to his rifle and scans the area for the source of the roar 00:28:36: Bad_News "we feffer fove..." tries to stay next to ember, so that they can cover each other's back 00:29:01: Othelo squeaks and wraps her hooves around Barometer's neck and burries her head in Bar's mane, She's not scared of heights... she just... doesn't like looking down 00:29:16: Corrigan is now high up in the air, providing recon for the group 00:29:19: Ember nods and carefully walks out of the hole 00:30:31: Corrigan goes cold. "Go south. NOW!" 00:31:04: Ember instantly starts running in the right direction. 00:31:07: Barometer turns south and slowly builds up to full speed 00:31:18: Corrigan keeps his rifle levelled to the north while flying backwards 00:31:35: Othelo is pretty sure the stable is north but doesn't feel like complaing as bar builds up speed. She squeals part way between being terrified and having a blast 00:31:50: Ember yells at the griffin while running. "What is it?" 00:32:08: Bad_News moves behind ember, trying to look behind her back while she moves 00:32:12: Corrigan calls down, "Something big and it doesn't look like it wants to be friends." 00:33:13: Ember doesn't need more motivation and runs as fast as she can, which unfortunately isn't very fast. 00:34:01: Bad_News runs behind wmber, not surpassing her intentionally, trying to cover her back 00:34:12: Ember mutters to herself. "Stupid legs, why don't I have fancy wings?" 00:34:29: Corrigan tries to remember any of the creatures he's fought over the years and tries to match the features. he comes up with nothing. 00:35:31: 3The sound is gone. In its place is just the group running frantically south. The caravan is already gone, and has been for more than a little bit; they'll find no help from the guards. 00:35:54: Ember yells back at Corrigan. "Is *pant* it *pant* still* following *pant* us?" 00:36:04: 3A few dozen more yards, and a sound is back. It's a different sound. Not a roar, or a hiss, or a growl, but a rhythmic *thump* that gets louder ever so slowly. 00:36:10: 3And it's now coming from the south. 00:36:19: Corrigan scans the horizon. "Yup." 00:36:36: Corrigan turns his attention south. "That can't be good... 00:36:53: Othelo squeaks and tries to hide in Barometer's mane. its soft and cuddly and seemingly the only thing NOT trying to kill her. 00:37:13: Ember slows down a bit. "You've got to be kidding me." 00:37:47: Barometer keeps well above the tree line 00:37:58: Ember turns her attention skywards once more. "Where to now?" 00:38:11: Corrigan looks over to the pegasus. "See anything?" 00:38:17: 3Less than a hundred meters away, the creature crests a small hill and flares to a halt, roaring to signal the completion of its hunt. Huge bat-like wings guide it almost-gracefully toward the ground, and it lands with an audible thump. A great scorpion tail rises above it's rotund body, already ready to strike when something gets close. 00:38:43: Corrigan "...never mind...." 00:39:06: Othelo peaks up to see the Chimera and helpful points at it ans screams, "CHIMERA>" Because she is a helpful filly like that 00:39:23: Corrigan raises his rifle at the beast. "I think now is a good time to run..." remembering his fight or flight insincts 00:39:50: Bad_News looks at the enormous beat and shivers... nods at corrigan's words but doesnt start running untill everypony else runs 00:40:14: 3The great beast isn't as great as it could be, perhaps. It's a youngling, not yet scarred or terribly experienced, but determined, and much faster than any of the fliers here, much less ground bound ponies. 00:40:55: Corrigan under his breath, "shitshitshitshitshitshitshit...." 00:41:28: Ember points her flamethrower at the beast. "Good kitty." 00:43:25: 3The manticore is currently a fair distance away. It'll have to cross 100 meters of relatively clear terrain to get at any of its prey. For a pistol, the shot is going to be difficult, long range to be sure. For a rifle, no such difficutly. 00:45:27: Corrigan aims at the monster through his rifle sights, waiting for the right moment... 00:49:01: Bad_News moves towards the manticore, more or less stopping at 30 meters from it, then gets ready for parrying 00:51:08: Barometer waits until the creature gets closer and she can accurately judge an dynamite throw 00:53:58: Corrigan fires 00:54:17: 3Corrigan's rifle shot hits the Manticore in the upper torso and punches a hole clean through the thick hide. It roars in anger, making Corrigan its chief target. 00:54:51: Corrigan "Nailed it!" he watches it shift its attention to him. "...fuck..." 00:55:35: Othelo bites hard down on the gun in stress and un burries her face from Bar's mane and lifting her forhooves on bar's head so she can she. She fires a shot before hiding back behind Bar's head 00:57:31: moves next to ember and wats for the monster doing anything, just to be sure, gets ready for dodging an eventual attack 00:58:45: 3Othelo's shot goes wide, missing the Manticore by a long margin, and keeping her from attracting its attention. 01:00:31: 3The Manticore swoops swiftly toward Corrigan, the chief architect of its pain right now. It zips toward him, crossing 75 meters in scant few seconds. This has the rather unfortunate consequence (for it) of being five meters *behind* the part of the group that moved, just asking to be shot at. 01:02:28: Barometer short fuses a stick of dynamite so it will explode in mid air and lobs it at the manticore 01:13:44: 3The dynamite almost makes contact with the Manticore's back when it detonates, enveloping the beast's wings and back in a flaming ball. The explosion hasn't killed it, but it's stuck on the ground for now. And no matter how wounded it may be, it's pretty pissed off now. 01:19:35: Ember grins at the sight of the explosion and runs at the fallen Manticore before shooting a burst of flames out of her flamethrower, laughing maniacilly. 01:29:04: 3The flamethrower catches the already-wounded manticore in the flank. Now it's an angry, grounded manticore that's on *fire*. Arguably a questionable decision for the ponies now less than a single leap from the enraged beast. 01:32:55: Corrigan aims for the, now closer, Manticore's chest. 01:36:06: Barometer draws the pistol the griffin lent her and fires at the manitcore 01:37:34: Othelo squees and grins at the explosion and fire ball deciding it was up to her to finish this. She carefully lines up a shot with the beast's head and takes her shot. Woohoo, she's like a flying cowpony, and totally awesome 01:40:25: 3Othelo's shot goes wild, but Barometer is surer on the draw, and the shot hits the enraged manticore in the head, disorienting it. 01:42:44: Ember smiles at the confused beast and puts her hooves firmly in the ground, taking extra focus to burn the large kitty alive. 01:49:11: 3The mortally wounded beast bellows out something between a roar and a cough, trying to spin toward the most painful target. Unfortunately for it, that was all of them. 01:49:42: Corrigan sees his chance and takes it, firing off a shot 01:52:24: Bad_News looks at the show without moving a hoof 01:53:44: 3The shot Corrigan fires also hits (as if the bounty hunter could miss under these conditions). It enters the manticore's body and apparently does something that all the rest had yet failed to do. It coughs once, twice, and collapses into a flaming heap. 01:54:36: Bad_News puts away the wrench "well that was easy" 01:54:52: Corrigan holsters his rifle. "...and that's all she wrote..." 01:54:53: Ember "That was fun!" 01:55:11: Corrigan approaches the flaming corpse and lights a cigar in the flames 01:55:29: Othelo jumps up and down on Barometer's back doing her best not to fall off. "Did you see, did you see! I killed it! Hah, imma monster slayer. Did'ja see." 01:55:50: Bad_News looks at the dead corpse and sighs. "is there something salvagable from a manticore?" 01:56:00: Corrigan chuckles at the giddy filly. 01:56:01: Barometer "Yes, you did very well." 01:56:18: 3The manticore's tail is mostly intact. Perhaps a pony with a high enough survival could find something valuable to take? 01:56:23: Ember "Well, if you like manticore meat. It's already grilled." 01:56:39: 3For defeating the fledgling manticore, the entire party earns 300 exp. 01:56:56: Othelo grins happily sitting on Barometers back. Until she rembers she's really high in the air and quickly latches herself back onto Bar's neck 01:57:31: Barometer flies back to the ground 01:58:12: Bad_News "looks at the sky" we better move, maybe we can reach a town before we freeze 01:58:34: Othelo blushes a bit and slowly jumps of Bar's back ans shakes her head. The ground! the lovely ground. She turns to Barometer and says. "I don;t like Pegasus... but you're okay... for a pegasus." 01:58:36: Ember pokes the manticore's tail, how the hell was she going to remove that? 01:59:05: Barometer "thanks, that means a lot to me." 01:59:14: 3Barometer, upon inspection of the manticore's corpse, finds a few useful parts to take with them. Most notably, the manticore's poison glands, of which it had two. Those'll catch a fair price at an apothecary somewhere. 01:59:23: Othelo nods, "Like you better if you weren't so... Pegasus...y 02:00:18: Ember is happy that the pegasus knew how to salvage the tail. "Where did you learn to do that?" 02:00:44: Bad_News doesn't seem overanthusiatic about the manticore's defeat, but cheers a bit seeing that the morale of the rest of the group is high 02:00:47: Corrigan lands beside the gang 02:01:08: Barometer "It just seemed logical" she shrugs her wings "Here, to the victors go the spoils." gives one gland to Othello and one to Corrigan 02:01:25: gives Ember the grilled meat 02:01:37: Corrigan examines the gland and hands it back. "I don't need it, you keep it." 02:01:49: Ember happily takes the meat. "Thanks!" 02:01:53: Othelo stuffs the gland into her saddlebag for later use 02:02:32: Ember "That explosion was awesome by the way." 02:02:49: Othelo looks around and checks her map and pouts a bit. "We should be going north..." 02:02:51: Corrigan "mmhmm." 02:03:10: Barometer puts the spare gland back in her bag. "Thanks, now if I recall correctly we have a Stable to find." 02:03:47: Corrigan spreads his wings and grumbles. "....stables....bah...." 02:03:53: 3Group Quest Added: Stable Performance 02:04:01: 3Group Quest Failed: Along a Lonely Road 02:04:51: Corrigan looks up the road. "I guess we aren't being paid then?" 02:06:08: Barometer "A Stable will have far more than that cockatrice oil sailsbuk would have given us." 02:06:22: Ember shudders a bit, she decides to warm herself from the still burning corpse. "Ah, much better." 02:06:30: Corrigan "I should hope so..." 02:06:44: Othelo nods emphatically. "It will. we'll be rich and be able to buy huge guns... 02:07:29: Ember perks up at that. "Huge guns huh?" She looks at her flamethrower, how would it be like to have another one of those? 02:07:32: Corrigan sighs. "Lets get going then." 02:08:04: Barometer nods "Would you like another ride O' slayer of monsters?" 02:08:21: 3Drawn by the explosion and the subsequent battle, Banjo trots over the hill behind the group. He's finished voiding his insides after that gruel, and is rather irritated he missed the action. Nevertheless, he's here, and ready to continue wherever the group is. 02:08:28: Bad_News looks at the group and sighs "i'm after the caravan... good luck" 02:08:44: Othelo turns to Bad_News and pouts, "You're leaving us?" 02:09:08: Ember 's ears drop a bit. "Why are you leaving?" 02:09:25: 3Banjo overhears and speaks up. "If you're headed after the caravan, they're still clearing debris over at the barricade. They should be done in just a few minutes. You could probably get there before they even start moving if you hurry." 02:09:39: Bad_News shrugs "well yes, i'm more into a sure paycheck and a safe trail to trot... this is not my life" 02:09:57: Barometer " very well, best of luck in your travals and I hope we will meet again." 02:10:10: Corrigan "seeya." 02:10:13: Ember shrugs. "Well okay then." She says before giving Bad_News a short hug. 02:10:21: Othelo pouts. "Fine. Be that way." 02:10:29: Bad_News "nopony knows, until them, good luck, and you can keep the scarf, goodbye" 02:11:06: Ember waves. "Goodbye' 02:11:12: Barometer waves 02:11:22: Bad_News waves a hoof one last time and trots away 02:11:52: Othelo perks up at being able to keep the scarf and grins waving. "Okily. See you later~" She says jumping on Barometer's back and latching onto her neck. "Could go for a ride. LIke rides... just don't drop me.,. or I'll shoot you." 02:12:52: Barometer "of course" lifts off and flies north about 15 ft above the ground 02:13:28: Othelo squeaks and shuts her eyes at the height. "How can you get used to this..." 02:14:11: Ember looks at the flying couple and then at Corrigan. "Say, could you uh?" 02:15:17: Barometer "Time, I was born above the clouds so long drops don't really bother me much." 02:15:49: Barometer "being able to fly also helps." 02:17:32: Othelo opens her eyes and peeks over the edge of Barometer and pales. "Its so... high though." chews on her lip as she thinks about this. "Don't crash please." 02:18:02: Barometer "I won't." 02:18:42: Ember gulps. "Is there any chance you could give me a ride as well?" 02:23:13: Othelo points dramatically north, "On ward!" 02:24:11: Corrigan thinks about this for a moment, sizing up the mare before shrugging. "I can try..." 02:24:47: Ember squeels in delight and drops all heavy stuff on the ground. 02:25:57: Corrigan "just be carefull of the wings and guitar, eh?" 02:26:39: Ember frantically nods, making her a bit dizzy, before carefully hopping on. 02:27:26: Ember gets into a good position and puts her forelegs around Corrigan's neck, careful not to choke him. 02:27:43: Ember "Ready when you are!" 02:28:23: Corrigan spreads his wings and flies straight up, getting used to the weight. 02:28:52: Ember lets out a yell of surprise. "wwooooOOOOTTTTT!" 02:30:38: Othelo looks over at Ember and wave at her. "We're flying!" just incase she was not aware 02:31:08: Ember is thrilled. "THIS IS AWESOME!" 02:31:23: Corrigan does a barrel roll 02:31:54: Ember lets out a surprised yell and hangs on for her dear life. 02:32:38: Corrigan laughs 02:33:18: 3With the majority of the party airborne (minus Banjo, who has to trudge through a foot and a half of snow all the way there, grumbling all the way), they head toward the location of the Vault as best they can. The charred corpse of the manticore is already bringing some of the local wildlife out of hiding, and staying away from that is probably a good idea. 02:33:43: 3The sun is starting to set, and camp will have to be made soon. But until then, our group of victories ponies (and griffon) fly off into the sunset. 02:34:09: 3End Session 2 of Group 2 02:34:16: wooo! 02:34:24: I did all the work you lazy butts 02:34:29: suuuure 02:34:33: 3FOr defeating the manticore and helping, or at least *trying* to help Othelo escape the cave, the entire party is awarded an additional 200 exp.