Newcomers Find Safety in Numbers

[SquareKnot]

Ifion's head swam like a bilge rat in rough water. Since the fall of Roldem, his thoughts had been filled with images of his family. Again and again, his mind traveled countless paths, only to reach the same conclusion.  "I need to find a way to Calishan. A ship is what I need. And a crew willing to travel into dangerous waters," he thought to himself. "Sailors that know the route, too." He reached for his leatherbound notebook, then stopped himself. He didn't need to pour over his journal. The answer was clear to him.  "When looking for a rat, check a rat hole. And when looking for this type of crew, look to Port Valensk." In calmer times, he'd journey there by himself, but reports of dead gypsies had trickled into his ears. And what of the murder of the dockmaster in Port Valensk, the very man who might have arranged passage for him? No, the journey to Valensk was no place for a lone bard.  "If I walk into Valensk with someone well known, the ...", he paused, choosing his words carefully, "the privateers will clam up. I need to recruit some complete unknowns, those beneath notice, to accompany me. Just a few would do the trick."  As if to finish before his resolve faded, he hastily penned and posted the following notice:  New In Hlint? Find Safety In Numbers!   Accompany Ifion Witseeker, Well Known Bard, on his travels to Port Hampshire and beyond   Music, Storytelling, and Drink will surely grace our trip   The notice ends with the departure time and place.  "Once in Hampshire, I'll spring the little detour on my fellow travelers. I hate to do it, but my task is urgent..."    // This is an event specifically for players new to the server, part of the Orienteering series of player run "welcome" events  // Please sign up using this calendar event: Tuesday Dec 6th 7 pm PST / Wed Dec 7th 3 AM GMT http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/calendar/event-view.asp?eventid=1495&year=2005&month=12  // For this event to meet its objectives, the following ground rules are necessary. // Base your decision to participate with the correct expectations in mind:  Levels 1-6 only please Party Size Limit: 6 Max (Probably won't be a problem, but too many people can ruin these things) No running (except from monsters) There will be a "mandatory role-play period" at the beginning and during at least one "campfire intermission" Please arrive with arrows/bolts, food, water, potions, flint, tinder or whatever you need to last the trip The goal is for everyone to survive the outing, so patience, restraint, and caution will be necessary The "bashiness" rating will depend on who shows up and other 'special' factors, but will probably be very low  This IS: A chance to see a little more of Mistone and learn how to move safely between Hlint and the wide, wide world An opportunity to ask in-character questions about world events and locations, NPC quests, where to find CNR, whatever A good place to ask in-character those questions people on the forums tell you to "ask someone in-game" A great time to trade crafting items and resources with people who can't use items better than the ones you can make A setting in which to meet people to go adventuring with later An acceptable time to use OOC tells to ask questions about the more frustrating aspects of the game's mechanics (eg I just can't get my character to smoke a &*(%$&^ pipe! )  This is NOT: A GM run event Run by a player with much knowledge of many in-game happenings (I learn at each of these, just like everyone else) An opportunity to "kite" or "draft" behind a high level tank character, soaking up XPs for fast leveling A chance to quickly group up and go 'hunting/bashing'

[Riodrian]

Ashemar chuckles as he reads the notice, his eyes dancing with merriment.  

"I needed to return home to Port Hampshire anyway, so this seems a good opportunity to do so with company. And with a well-known bard as well.  I hope he's not a dancer...I hate travelling with dancers.  The path weaves far too much when they lead."

Sitting at nearby table in the inn, he orders some food and drink, taking his time in scribing a reply in a languid flowing script:

Master Witseeker,

I would be honoured to be counted amongst your intrepid band of explorers.  While I am from Port Hampshire myself, I am unfamiliar with the routes.  I will meet you here on that day if you accept my company.

Oh, and you are not a dancer are you?  

Sincerely,

Ashemar Arikel Aleanrahel

[Red Monkey]

You can count J. P. Smuggins as your man for wandering about.  Need to get a real good look at the place around me so I can (crossed out thickly).  Nevermind sir, I'll be there.

I promise not to finish your songs anymore as you recite them as well.

[Lilswanwillow]

*woman in brown slides up to the board*

*mutter* hmmm, finally... somewhere to go thats not going to be boring.  Maybe, just MAYBE I'll beable to make it!!!

//ooc: if my boyfriend lets me use the computer on Tuesday!!!//

[Lilswanwillow]

//ooc confused about the time.  in the event box it states that it happens once at 11 am, but here it states that its at 7pm. (4 pm est, ect...)

[Red Monkey]

//ooc Go with the time he posted on this thread. 7pm Pst  8pm Mnt  9pm Cst ect..ect

[SquareKnot]

// Sorry about that. I've tried to correct the time in the event on the calendar. The problem is that the calendar doesn't have time zones attached to it, so people tend to ignore it and just post the time in the message.

Here are the correct times.

Tuesday Dec 6th
7 pm PST
8 pm MST
9 pm CST
10pm EST

Wed Dec 7th
3 AM GMT

If you think you'll be late or need to start a little early, I can try to accommodate that, but I'm not going to change the official event time this close to its start, to be fair to everyone. Let me know if you'll have a problem and we can work something out (meet you somewhere along the way, slightly delay our departure, etc).

[Lilswanwillow]

//haha, I was going the wrong way... doh!!! gotta learn to look at a clock!

guess I'm going to be tired at work in the morning... oh well!  and its a good thing I asked, otherwise I'd have been 4 hours early instead of late.//

*Lyons notices the note and writes his reply*

Master Witseeker:

I offer my services and protection to you on your travels to Port Hampshire and beyond.  

If is falls within your route, I would much appreciate seeing the temple of Rofirein in Valensk.  In addition, I have a letter I have agreed to deliver in Rilara.

In Rofirein's name;

Lyons

[SquareKnot]

// Thanks to everyone who participated in this event. I'm still learning how to run something like this, so if any participant (or anyone else) wants to send me feedback or suggestions via PM, I'd appreciate it.

One thing I've learned is that when most of the group leaves, it's time to stop. Both times so far, I've kept going with undesirable consequences.

Special thanks goes to Vyris, in various forms and characters, and to Luna and the nameless elf druid for support during the grave recovery effort (humm, maybe I shouldn't mention that part...)

[Hadji]

//It was a great time, and I think we were fine continuing on, except for the curiosity of the elf.

I also want to thank Luna and "she who I will name" for coming and adding to the experience.

[Lilswanwillow]

hmm, after I had to depart, it seems that saftey wasn't in the numbers.
sorry all for having to leave so soon.

I wish I had the time to travel that was nessecary to continue on the trip.