Adventurer’s Wanted: A West-Marches Campaign

[Heidi]

Heidi admires the view from as she looks east. She gathers another ten herbs while wool-gathering about the view and notices that her pouch is starting to get full. The silver dagger seems to fit her hand as though it was made for it.

 

Did a set of ten squats while waiting for my daughter this morning.  They were easier than they were at the beginning of the week, and I think that matters.

[Elastigirl]

1 minute ago, Heidi said:

id a set of ten squats while waiting for my daughter this morning.  They were easier than they were at the beginning of the week, and I think that matt

That is a win that they were easier. I felt the same with the good mornings I did.. It amazed me how just doing a few sets sprinkled throughout the day really worked

[Snarkyfishguts]

Ursina was starting to get grouchy.

 

.  “Stupid, stupid spiders!!!”  She growled as she killed a couple more. “That’s ten!” She said. She sat down next to a twitching leg, and she threw it far away from her.  She feels pretty good, even if she is grouchy.

[Heidi]

Heidi's herb bag was full after gathering a few more herbs before dawn. As she waited for her friend, she added ten more, just in case they were wanted. It's a good day, she thought as she closed the bag and slipped the dagger back into its sheath.

[Radost]

On 9/21/2024 at 3:37 PM, Heidi said:

They were easier than they were at the beginning of the week, and I think that matters.

Glad things got easier for you! I had the opposite - the first couple sets of mountain climbers I was like “why did I think this exercise was so hard?” The next day I could only do half as many, and less still on day 3. I will see whether I can bust out another strong set after a few days’ rest, though. 

[Jarric]

Guglug enjoyed the cartography - it felt like worthy work, and he could get lost translating the texts to match the landscape on the page. Still, it was tiring work, and fatigue eventually set in forcing him to stop earlier than he might like.

 

Super busy weekend, but I did manage to do some mini painting on Friday and Saturday, which I'm really happy with. Sunday I spent all day as a course marshal at a Tough Mudder, and by the time I got home all I wanted was food and my bed, so no painting was done.

 

Finished the week at 5/7 days painting.

[Ranger Hal]

Rezka made one final push to harvest as many herbs as possible before closing her pouch and tucking away her silver knife.

 

Saturday: 10 herbs

Sunday: 25 herbs

[Heidi]

Heidi admires the herbs and hope they are still in a good state when they get delivered.

 

[Sovalis]

Avolen wipes the bar and dares another glance at the door. At a nearby table, Ellereth nurses a pint, their patchwork robe pooling on the floor at their feet. 

 

“They should be back soon, I would think,” Ellereth ventures.

 

Avolen nods. “There was nothing too dangerous in the tasks that would prevent their return. Maybe I should go stoke the fires under the bathhouse coppers for when they return? I know I always want a bath after a few days off attending to things.”

 

Ellereth nods vigorously, their abundant, bushy hair flopping wildly with the motion. “Just so. I am so often scrubbing up after repotting plants and that clean feeling is so excellent. I am sure that your kindness will be thought much of. I’ll watch the bar if you want to do that.”

 

Avolen chuckles and waves woad-tattooed fingers over the cash box. The air surrounding the box shimmers like a heat wave before stilling again. “Try to not guzzle too many pints in the ten minutes I’ll be gone.”

 

Ellereth salutes the barkeep with their tankard, smiling cheekily as Avolen slips through the door to the kitchen.

 

Spider Team:

 

If you ( @Snarkyfishguts )  were hunting spiders and want to return for a bath, that is an option! Your task for this week is to add one self-care item to your regular personal hygiene routine that you appreciate but don’t often perform. This can be a literal long bath, painting your nails, applying temporary tattoos, styling your hair, etc., etc. Something that makes you feel extra cared for and spruced up after combat. If you choose to stay out in the forest with those who were investigating the silk parcels, your task this week is to stand guard over them while they puzzle out the mysteries of the containers. To expand your awareness into the forests around you, please meditate to the best of your ability for five or more minutes each day. Use an app to help with your focus if that is more your speed, follow a guided meditation if that works best for you, or otherwise find your way to stillness and see what comes to you in that time. 

 

If you ( @Artemis Prime, @Elastigirl, @Sea-to-sky, @athousandwords) were investigating parcels you discover that most are full of bundles of carefully collected and finely looped spider silk, exactly as if these creatures are being farmed in a deliberate way. A smaller portion of the parcels are full of what appear to be rations and supplies similar to what you’d take with you on the road if you were adventuring through wilderness. And a precious minority of parcels appear to be miniature portable shrines of some kind. Some appear to be dedicated to the spiders themselves, others seem to be more generalized offerings to the Forest. This is the first evidence that you have of thinking beings living near to Rebel’s Refuge. As you study the various parcels, you can infer a few things: these beings have thumbs, they have a fairly sophisticated material culture, and there seems to be an absence of metal among the offerings (no coins, daggers, etc.). There are small ribbons of delicately woven silk that seem to have thin, spindly writing on them in each of the parcels. To figure out what these messages say, you will need to do some writing this week: Take the opportunity to write something simple every day: this can be a reflection of gratitude, a short journal entry (maybe your workout for the week!), a to do list to keep you better organized for the week, a thank you note for something someone has done for you, even solving the daily Wordle. Just engage with language in a way that is different from your normal practices and see where it takes you. Extra points for adventuring limericks!  

 

If you ( @Radost) were exploring the Forest this week, you find a hammock strung low beneath the drooping branches of an ancient deep green pine. The hammock is unusual in that it attaches at six points forming a hexagon, rather than the two points most humanoids use when creating a sling-bed. The small fire pit is long and rectangular in shape rather than round, its ashes currently cold. A few fired-clay vessels that seem to be cook pots rest next to the hearth. As you look around the space you hear a quiet chiming from above you. Looking up you see mobiles of twigs and stones twirling in the lower branches. To make a more active investigation of the camp and mobiles,  please complete some Sun Salutations! Form can be found here:

 

Please only do what you are comfortable doing. Any attempt is anppreciated and we don’t want you over extending or injuring yourself!

 

Herb-Gatherers!

 

If you ( @Heidi, @titsworth, @DarK_RaideR, @Ranger Hal) were gathering herbs this week, your bags are now stuffed and you are prepared for the return journey to Rebel’s Refuge. As you begin your decent from the alpine meadow back to the boreal forests that surround the Refuge, you notice that there are well-worn paths going off towards the peaks. Investigation leads you to conclude that these are no mere goat tracks, but are in fact used by mounted riders and even small carts. What do you do? Do you go further up into the hills, or do you return to the Refuge and pass along what you have discovered? Please let me know so I can guide you from here. 

 

Cartographer!

 

If you ( @Jarric) were making marks on a map this week, you are now in possession of a copy of Nikko’s most up-to-date sketch. It may be useful later. 

 

New Bulletin Board Posts!

 

1)  Kitchen Help Wanted! - A food prep quest! This task is for making yourself something that will feed you this week: it can be a one-off meal, a snack, a batch-cooked something for future use, whatever best serves your goals. Please share with us any recipes that inspire you and pictures of in-process or finished prep are always welcome!

 

2) Explore for Tunnels! - A walking challenge! This task is for exploring your local area with fresh eyes keen on new details. Go for a short daily walk and really pay attention to what is going on around you. Report back on something you noticed at the end of each walk: might be an unusual rock you saw, someone’s cool bumper sticker, a song on the radio you hadn’t heard for a while, etc. If you are using a treadmill, check out a walking video on YouTube for a change of environment. Try for 10 minutes a day and go up from there if you can!

 

Happy Deciding! ❤️ 

[Jarric]

9 hours ago, Sovalis said:

 

2) Explore for Tunnels! - A walking challenge! This task is for exploring your local area with fresh eyes keen on new details. Go for a short daily walk and really pay attention to what is going on around you. Report back on something you noticed at the end of each walk: might be an unusual rock you saw, someone’s cool bumper sticker, a song on the radio you hadn’t heard for a while, etc. If you are using a treadmill, check out a walking video on YouTube for a change of environment. Try for 10 minutes a day and go up from there if you can!

 

All of the sitting inside and updating maps had given Guglug the unusual urge to venture outside and see a bit of the world himself. Noticing a post entitled 'Explore for Tunnels' at the tavern he sees this as a perfect opportunity to get some fresh air and maybe uncover some hidden knowledge in the process. Heading to the bar, he enquires for more details.

 

Wish I'd read this post before I went for my lunchtime walk, I could have made it longer and more mindful for this goal. Sounds like a fun challenge though

[Artemis Prime]

Oh boy! Adventuring limericks? Challenge Accepted!!!

 

A parcel of silk lies before us

Containing a shrine to the Forest

Who ever can guess

What we will find next

But our DMs are sure not to bore us!

 

 

[Heidi]

10 hours ago, Sovalis said:

If you ( @Heidi, @titsworth, @DarK_RaideR, @Ranger Hal) were gathering herbs this week, your bags are now stuffed and you are prepared for the return journey to Rebel’s Refuge. As you begin your decent from the alpine meadow back to the boreal forests that surround the Refuge, you notice that there are well-worn paths going off towards the peaks. Investigation leads you to conclude that these are no mere goat tracks, but are in fact used by mounted riders and even small carts. What do you do? Do you go further up into the hills, or do you return to the Refuge and pass along what you have discovered? Please let me know so I can guide you from here. 

Oooooh, a path!

Heidi gathers her pouch and heads back toward the Refuge after a day spent meditating and then notices the paths. These seem to hold mystery and she decides to follow one, hoping Ellereth can wait a bit longer for the herbs, which seem secure. 

[Heidi]

10 hours ago, Sovalis said:

2) Explore for Tunnels! - A walking challenge!

OOOO, yes! This is exactly what I need to help reinforce the "long way around" path that I sometimes take to the gym in the mornings. With rainy mornings forecast all week, I was already noticing my tendency to skip the neighborhood walk. Thank you for this!

Onward!

[Heidi]

The morning storm had settled into a mist, and Heidi walked the long way down a path, noticing two apples placed at the mouth of a ramshackle shelter that seemed to have been recently used but was now empty. She wondered if someone left them for that person, or if the person left them as an offering of gratitude. She thought about gratitiude as she started up the hill and noticed she was sorely lacking in gratitude this morning. She gave thanks as she walked along,  for her room at the Inn,  for the makeshift places that have sheltered so many in these tough times, and for walking itself. She passed a bunny looking misted from the storm but in good spirits as it munched some grasses, and Heidi gave thanks for friendliness that can be both given and received, and called good morning to the bunny and to the grasses and to the path as she continued on. Thank you, Universe.

[Ranger Hal]

Rezka studies the path that leads further into the mountains. Who are the people that travel it and where are they headed? Are these travelers friendly? Maybe she should move quietly and stay alert. She knows she will need to get the herbs back to Ellereth soon, but a little exploring won't hurt, right? Rezka sets off, following the path further up into the mountains.

 

@Sovalis, so many options! Wow, thank you for all your work on this!

[Snarkyfishguts]

Ursina stands up and looks around the forest.  "A bear is protective. I will stay and embrace the stillness."  She's feeling overwhelmed and she goes for a short walk, looking up at the trees.  

 

Meditation would be perfect right now. My mind has been full of spiders lately, and I think it would be good to be still and just clear out the cobwebs and messiness. 

 

I found a toad while I was weeding today! I let out a loud "WHOA!" that echoed. It was hiding in stones and when I lifted the stones to pull some weeds, there he was! I let it be, but not before getting a picture.  He's so toady! Now I know what's making so much noise at night too!

[Sea-to-sky]

kaja pulls a large leather bound book, along with a worn scribing tool bound in brassout, out of her pack and crouches. inspecting the split bundle before her, before scribbling in dwarvish (the writing instrument marking the page in crisp black lines despite the lack of ink). 
 

Ive just started a gratitude journal this weekend, so this is a great challenge. Trying to get into the habit of doing one a day before bed and pushing myself to be thoughtful with them and not repeat the same ones ad nauseum (which is what happened when i tried this before). 

[Heidi]

3 hours ago, Heidi said:

This is exactly what I need to help reinforce the "long way around" path that I sometimes take to the gym in the mornings.

 

1 hour ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

Meditation would be perfect right now.

 

14 minutes ago, Sea-to-sky said:

Ive just started a gratitude journal this weekend, so this is a great challenge.

 

1 hour ago, Ranger Hal said:

@Sovalis, so many options! Wow, thank you for all your work on this!

We have the most amazing DMs.

[Elastigirl]

2 hours ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

Ursina stands up and looks around the forest.  "A bear is protective. I will stay and embrace the stillness."  She's feeling overwhelmed and she goes for a short walk, looking up at the trees.  

 

Meditation would be perfect right now. My mind has been full of spiders lately, and I think it would be good to be still and just clear out the cobwebs and messiness. 

 

I found a toad while I was weeding today! I let out a loud "WHOA!" that echoed. It was hiding in stones and when I lifted the stones to pull some weeds, there he was! I let it be, but not before getting a picture.  He's so toady! Now I know what's making so much noise at night too!

That;s a big guy!

[Elastigirl]

Grewynn  tries to write down all that she has learned after studying the parcels, but her eyes feel heavy, and her head nods in tiredness. Finally, she gives up, and makes a plan to record her finding tomorrow..

 

Last night I  saw Sovalis's post with our missions, and I thought I should just write out a quick gratitude journal, but I was tired and didn't do it. It will happen today

[Snarkyfishguts]

54 minutes ago, Elastigirl said:

That;s a big guy!

He's pretty wee! I zoomed in a bit trying not to scare him anymore than I already did. But then...I've never really seen a toad before! This one was about two inches long. Is that big? My phone says it's an American Toad. Do you think he sings patriotic songs at night? I'm gonna google Toad size. OH It says they grow to be about two inches. So he's a grown toad. I thought he was wee! 

 

 

[DarK_RaideR]

2 hours ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

My phone says it's an American Toad. Do you think he sings patriotic songs at night?

He's already in camouflage. Can't tell if he's packing heat, might be a concealed firearm. ?

 

Think my nameless fighter will join the other herb gatherers in exploring the path.

[Ranger Hal]

18 hours ago, Sovalis said:

If you (...) were gathering herbs this week, your bags are now stuffed and you are prepared for the return journey to Rebel’s Refuge. As you begin your decent from the alpine meadow back to the boreal forests that surround the Refuge, you notice that there are well-worn paths going off towards the peaks. Investigation leads you to conclude that these are no mere goat tracks, but are in fact used by mounted riders and even small carts. What do you do? Do you go further up into the hills, or do you return to the Refuge and pass along what you have discovered? Please let me know so I can guide you from here. 

Clarification requested. Do you have something new for us based on what we decide or do we pick one of the new bulletin board posts (explore for tunnels if traveling further into the hills)?

[Elastigirl]

2 hours ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

He's pretty wee! I zoomed in a bit trying not to scare him anymore than I already did. But then...I've never really seen a toad before! This one was about two inches long. Is that big? My phone says it's an American Toad. Do you think he sings patriotic songs at night? I'm gonna google Toad size. OH It says they grow to be about two inches. So he's a grown toad. I thought he was wee! 

 

 

No, I was thinking he was bigger. Comparing him to the other rocks, he really isn't big. They can grow huge.. Yes, of course he sings the American National Anthem that is why he is an American toad?

[Sovalis]

2 hours ago, Ranger Hal said:

Clarification requested. Do you have something new for us based on what we decide or do we pick one of the new bulletin board posts (explore for tunnels if traveling further into the hills)?

Explore for Tunnels if you're traveling further into the hills works!