Furship Chronicles: Road to Lancton – Conclusion

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Apr 272013
 

The group walked in silence. The night had been long and the sleep short. Raz led the way, followed by Bunwick and Wilhemina. Behind them, Zouly rode atop Teeper’s shoulders. The groundhog had not come back to himself and still acted wild. After some debate, mostly from Wilhemina who wanted to claim Teeper as her pet, the group had agreed to bring Teeper with them and that Zouly would take care of him.

Before leaving the inn, they had helped themselves to some supplies. It wasn’t looking like Dross and Jinni were ever coming back. The moral high ground was one thing, but letting food and goods go completely to waste was another. Wilhemina nailed a warning note to the door that, “Here there be phantoms!”

The sky was overcast and sombre. It would rain soon. They were coming on the final days of autumn and the days were getting colder. There would be at least two cold nights around a campfire before they reached Lancton. The sun was starting to set on the first day when they spotted across a small convoy of wagons a ways off the main road to the west.

“Most likely Rota,” Raz surmised. He explained to his companions, “The Rota are wanderers. They roam the countryside of Pelaria. The convoy is their family, the wagons are their homes. They follow the wind and the wind doesn’t hold to any road.”

“Are they friendly?” Bunwick asked.

“Most are,” Raz answered. “Unless you give them a reason not to be. If you threaten the Rota’s family, they will not hesitate to kill you where you stand. They are fierce fighters when they need to be.”

The last part made Bunwick nervous. “Are we sure we want to bother them then?” he asked the others.

“Do you plan on threatening their family?” Zouly asked.

“Well, no…” Bunwick replied, his cheeks growing hot with blush beneath his fur.

“We should be alright then…” Zouly pointed out. “Night’s coming on and there’s safety in numbers.“ He nudged Teeper with his heel to direct the groundhog towards the Rota encampment. Raz and Wilhemina agreed with his logic and followed suit. Still concerned but ceding to the frog’s logic, Bunwick brought up the rear.

As they approached the Rota camp, a solitary figure walked out to meet them. He was a wolf, dressed in colourful garb. His face was calm yet guarded. “Greetings travellers. What wind blows you this way?”

The others deferred to Raz to speak for them as he was the most familiar with the Rota and their ways. “Greetings. We were on out way to Lancton when we saw your wagons. We were hoping you would allow us to share your campfire with you this evening. The night is cold and the Wild grow bolder as food grows scarce.”

The wolf nodded, “Our fires are always open to furs in need. I am Kastagan, wind-seeker for this family. I bid you welcome.”

Raz smiled warmly, “Thank you Kastagan. I am Raz. These are my friends, Bunwick, Wilhemina and Zouly.” He pointed to each of his companions as he introduced them. The smaller furs each gave a little bow.

Kastagan looked them each over in turn. His eyes then fell on Teeper, “And your steed, frog rider? What of him?”

Zouly looked embarrassed, “Uh this is Teeper…it’s a long story.” He then recounted the events of their stay at the Bridgeside Inn. Kastagan listened to their tale but offered no comment. When Zouly was done, he asked the wolf leader, “In your travels have you ever come across an animal that fell back to the Wild?”

Kastagan considered the question, then answered, “In truth, I cannot be certain. When one meets a wild animal, one does not usually consider that it may not always have been so and therefore does not think to look for signs that prove the contrary.”

“That makes sense I guess,” Zouly admitted. “I don’t suppose then you know of anything that might help Teeper come to his senses again?” When the wolf shook his head no, Zouly shrugged, “Well, it was worth a shot.”

Unable to keep silent any longer Wilhemina finally interjected, “You know, it’s getting cold out here! Couldn’t we move this boring conversation over to the fire?”

Her companions looked aghast at the bluntness of her approach, but Kastagan didn’t seem to mind. He apologized in fact, “I’m sorry. How silly og me? In truth, I am not myself these days since my daughter has fallen sick.”

Mina opened her mouth to say something but Raz quickly cut her off, “I’m sorry to hear that. Have you no healer amongst your family?”

Kastagan shook his head, “It has been some time since we’ve travelled with a healer amongst us. Not many instructed in the healing ways succumb to the call of the wind. I was hoping to find one when we reached the Reunion, but we are still some days’ travel away and my daughter’s condition worsens.”

“Maybe I could take a look at her?” Zouly offered. He hopped down from Teeper’s shoulder and moved up to the wind-seeker. “I’m not a fully trained healer, but I’ve picked up a few things here and there.”

Kastagan did not hesitate, “I am eager to accept any help at this point. This way, please.” He led the group to his wagon. “Forgive me if I only allow your friend into my wagon,” he told the others as he helped Zouly in. The others nodded understandably. He continued, “Help yourselves to a place by the fire. Soup will be served soon.” He then headed into the wagon himself.

The three furs moved to take a place by the fire. As promised, a hearty soup was served to them. After days of cold rations, a hot meal was most welcome and they eagerly consumed the meal. An hour passed before Zouly emerged from the wagon. His companions looked to him eagerly for news.

“The pup will survive,” he reassured them. “I was able to prepare a syrup that helped break her fever. She’ll be bedridden for a week or two before she regains her strength again.”

Raz smiled, “I had no idea you were a healing frog!” Already he seemed to be counting the Shinies that could be made.

Zouly shrugged, “There’s plenty you don’t know about me.” He added, “Plenty I don’t know about you either and I like it that way.”

Raz looked hurt, “Come now! Surely we’re all friends at this point?”

Zouly helped himself to some soup from the pot that hung over the fire. Without looking at the others he allowed, “We’re not NOT friends.”

Raz raised his eyebrows, “Good enough I suppose. Oh look, here comes Kastagan.”

The wind-seeker had a look of relief on his face as he emerged from his wagon and approached the fire. “My daughter sleeps soundly,” he announced. “I thank the winds for blowing you in our direction.”

Zouly looked embarrassed, “I only did what any fur would do given the circumstances.”

Kastagan shook his head, “You did what none of my family could do. You saved my daughter’s life. Our family is forever bonded to you for this.”

He joined them by the fire. The rest of the evening was spent with the Rota regaling their guests with stories of their travels and explaining their customs. In all it was a welcome change to the horrible night they’d spent at the Bridgeside Inn. They slept soundly amongst their new friends.

When it came time to part ways the next morning, Kastagan followed the travellers back to the main road. He clasped Zouly‘s little webbed paw in his larger furred paw, “You will always find friends in the Rota, frog rider!” Earnestly, he said to the little frog, “If ever you are in need, call my name out and the wind will carry your voice to my ear.”

Zouly nodded, “Thank you Kastagan.” He hopped back onto Teeper’s shoulder, “Until the winds blow us together again!”

Kastagan smiled, “Well said!”

The wolf stood aside and let the group pass by him to continue on their way. When they had attained some distance from them, he could just make out Wilhemina’s voice as she asked her travel mates, “How will he possibly be able to hear Zouly if he calls out his name?” He couldn’t make out the answer but he smiled before turning back to the encampment, leaving the travellers to walk the last section of the road to Lancton.

Furship Chronicles: Road to Lancton – Part Three

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Apr 202013
 

DISCLAIMER: The Furship Chronicles narrate the adventures of our gaming group as we playtest the Age of Animus Storytelling Game. Bunwick is played by Frank, Raz is played by Steve, Wilhemina is played by Fab and Zouly is played by Lyne. The interactions you read are not straight transcriptions of their conversations in the game (My memory isn’t good enough to remember them all) but rather my interpretation of their characters as they played them in our gaming session. I hope I do justice to the fun we had playing.

The Bridgeside Inn stood before them. Built on a stretch of land between the bridges crossing the Bunny River and Tinker’s River, it wasn’t difficult to figure out what inspired the name. It was a homey sort of building, solidly built and attractive. Bunwick could have pointed out countless factoids regarding its architecture were his traveling companions inclined to hear them. They were not, so he kept the fun facts to himself. Nevertheless, it was a welcome sight to weary travellers on the long road to Lancton.

“I don’t care what you say!” Wilhemina declared petulantly, “I want to sleep in a bed tonight!” She folded her arms across her chest as she stood her ground.

“I wouldn’t mind that myself,” Bunwick chimed in.

Raz carefully considered the request/demand. It had been a long journey, true; but they were so close to the goal. There would be an inn in Lancton to drain them of their Shinies. However, he wasn’t interested in dealing with the stink that Wilhemina would kick up if he refused. Grudgingly, he grumbled his consent, “Oh alright! If it will make you happy!”

Wilhemina clapped her paws together, “Goodie!” She bounded with renewed energy towards the structure.

“I thought she was exhausted…” Zouly grunted to nobody in particular. He and the remaining furs followed her as she entered the inn.

Inside, the main room was cold and empty. Nobody stood to greet them. Normally at this time of year, one could expect a blazing fire in the hearth to provide light and warmth. Here, the fireplace held nothing but ashes.

The four spread out to examine the room. There was no tell-tale layer of dust to suggest a lengthy abandonment. Everything seemed to be well-maintained as well. Whatever had happened to cause the occupants to leave, it had been sudden and recent.

Taking a chance, Raz called out, “Is there anybody here?”

None of them expected an answer, making it all the more surprising when a small voice answered from the back room, “I am!”

The four companions were wary as they walked over to meet the other presence. They cautiously stepped into the adjoining doorway.

A lone fur stood in the small back room. A dapper little groundhog, clad in a green vest over a yolk-coloured chemise. He smiled apprehensively, “I don’t suppose Dross or Jinni sent you?”

The blank expressions on their faces said it all. “Who?” Bunwick asked.

“Dross and Jinni are the owners of the Bridgeside Inn,” the groundhog explained.

“Well then who are you?” Zouly asked rather bluntly.

The groundhog bowed respectfully, “The name’s Teeper. I’m a tailor by trade. I often travel from my home in Lancton to visit family in Calix’s Cross and I always stop here at Bridgeside when I do.” He peered at the four furs, “And who might you be, exactly?”

Each took their turn introducing themselves. When at last everyone was satisfied that nobody meant any harm to anyone else, all turned their attentions back to the curious situation they found themselves in.

“You’ve stopped here before so you know the innkeepers,” Bunwick started, “Are they the type to just leave like the place empty like this?”

Teeper shook his head, “Not at all! Dross and Jinni built this place with their own paws! They’ve worked hard to make Bridgeside into something nice. I can’t imagine what could possibly get them to leave?”

Raz stroked his chin, pondering, “They don’t have any family anywhere that they’d have to visit?”

Again Teeper shook his head, “Not that I know of. They never had children and their parents are long gone.”

Bunwick looked about suddenly, “Where’s Mina?” Nobody had noticed that the weasel was no longer in the room with them.

Zouly let out an exasperated sigh, “Probably getting into trouble again…” He stood up, “Mina? Where are you girl?”

Wilhemina walked back in, gnawing on a leg of mutton that she definitely hadn‘t had before, “You guys were being boring just sitting around and talking, so I decided to look for secret passageways but I couldn’t find any.” She nibbled at her mutton, “Larder’s full though.”

The others streamed out to examine the pantry. As Wilhemina had said, it was still fully stocked. “None of this food has spoiled,” Raz noted. “Even the vegetables are still fresh. That means a day or two at most since the innkeepers left.”

“Well, they didn’t go towards Lancton,” Teeper said next, “I definitely would have crossed them on the road.”

“And we didn’t meet anybody on the road on our way here either,” said Zouly.

“That leaves the countryside,” Raz mused. “Were either of them likely to go out hunting?”

It was Bunwick who answered with a question of his own, “With a full pantry? What would be the point?”

Wilhemina yawned, “I’m bored! I came here to sleep in a warm bed, not talk about furs who aren’t even here! I’m going up to find a room.”

“For once, I’m with Mina,” Zouly said to the others. He continued before she could comment on how he’d agreed with her, “It’s getting late and whatever happened here, we’re not likely to solve it tonight. Might as well get a good night’s sleep and start again fresh in the morning.”

Bunwick looked concerned, “What about the innkeepers? Won’t they be upset if they return and find that we’ve helped ourselves to a room while they were gone?”

“This is what inns are for,” Raz pointed out. “If they return, we can explain to them what happened and square things up.” He led the others out and up the stairs to claim a room. With his objections neatly answered, Bunwick quickly followed. In a matter of minutes they were all fast asleep.

* * *

Wilhemina, Raz, Zouly and Teeper all stuck their heads out from their rooms at the same time. Only Bunwick remained asleep in his bed. “You heard it too?” Teeper asked the others, who could only nod.

An hour had passed since the travellers had turned in. They were all sound asleep when they each heard a strange sound coming from the hallway. Unsure if what they’d heard was real or a dream, they’d each opened their doors to look out. As they looked at each other in confusion, the strange breezy whistling sound picked up again.

“There it is again!”

Raz perked his ears, “Where’s it coming from?” The next time they heard it, he pointed to the only unoccupied room, “There!”

The four moved quickly and burst through the door only to find the room empty. The window was closed and even more curious was the view. The trees were completely still. There wasn’t even the slightest breeze outside.

Where the others were perplexed, Teeper grew agitated, “I don’t like this!” He left the room to stand in the hallway. After satisfying themselves that there was truly nothing out of place in the room, the others followed him.

Teeper yipped when the windy whistle sounded again. Raz called out sharply, “Who’s there?!”

The loud voice finally stirred Bunwick from his room, “What’s going on?” he asked sleepily.

Teeper looked at him incredulously, “You didn’t hear it?”

Bunwick rubbed his eyes with the back of his paw, “Hear what?” As though in answer, the whistle call sounded again, giving him a start, “Oh my!”

“It sounds like it’s coming from downstairs now,” Zouly observed. He bounded down the wooden stairs to the main room. It was as empty as when they first arrived. The others joined him and they all set about re-examining the room.

“There’s nothing here,” Raz declared.

“I don’t like this at all!” Teeper repeated.

Wilhemina looked non-plussed, “This is stupid! I’m going back to bed!” Yawning, she left the room to head back upstairs. Her companions watched her go, then turned back to each other.

“Well, what do we do now?” Zouly asked.

“We could take turns standing watch,” Bunwick suggested.

“I’ll stand first,” Raz volunteered. “The rest of you head back to bed.”

Teeper shook his head, “No way! I’m not staying one minute more in this place!”

Raz shook his head, “Don’t be silly friend. If anything was going to happen, I’m sure it would have happened by now. Go up to your room.”

“Nuh-uh!” the groundhog grunted. “I’m sleeping outside!” and with that, he marched out of  the building.

Zouly shrugged, “Suit yourself.” He and Bunwick went back to their rooms, leaving Raz all alone to stand watch.

* * *

An hour passed and nothing happened. Raz was slowly starting to doze off in a chair when suddenly a bright light flashed before his eyes. For a moment, the night was transformed into day and then, just as suddenly it went out again.

“AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!” Teeper screamed from outside.

Raz raced out to see what was the matter. He found the groundhog cowering behind the inn. “What happened friend?”

“The light!” was all Teeper could blurt out.

“You saw it too, then?” Raz said simply. The groundhog was clearly scared. Raz felt uneasy himself, but still managed to keep hold of his emotions. “Come friend. Let’s go back inside.”

The fear of being left alone was stronger than his fear of whatever he imagined lurked in the lodge, so Teeper followed the big wolverine back inside where they found Zouly and Bunwick waiting for them.

Bunwick looked concerned. “What happened?” he asked. “We heard a scream!”

“It was Teeper,” Raz replied. “We both saw a bright flash and the poor fellow lost his wits for a moment.”

“Are you alright, Teeper?” Bunwick asked, but the little groundhog was staring at the ceiling, abject terror on his face.

Zouly, Bunwick and Raz all followed the terrified fur’s eyes and witnessed the strangest sight any of them had ever come across.

A strangely glowing light streaked across the ceiling. Dark spots within the light suggested the hint of a skeletal face. The spectral apparition hovered over them for a moment and then it was gone.

Zouly, Bunwick and Raz looked down from the ceiling and at each other. They stood in silence until finally Zouly asked, “Was that a specter?”

They’d all heard folktales of ghostly apparitions that wandered the countryside. But they were just stories parents told their kids to scare them.

“I’ve never seen one before to be sure,” Raz answered, “But…”

“Wooooo!” Teeper wailed. He was trembling now, “This place is haunted!”

Raz tried to reason with him, “From what I’ve read on the subject, specters don’t stay in one place. They’ll move along soon enough.” He was just starting to reach the groundhog when the whistling started again,

Teeper started screaming. Zouly shook his head, “For the love of the Six…” He bounced in front of the groundhog and shouted at him, “CALM DOWN!”

The sharp command had the opposite effect on the terrified fur. Even more frightened then before, Teeper took off, running around the room erratically, toppling furniture over as he went.

“Just perfect,” Bunwick muttered, “Nice going, Zouly!”

“How was I supposed to know he’d react like that?” the frog protested.

“He’s scared out of his mind!” Bunwick snapped, “How did you think he was going to react?”

“Obviously, I thought he would calm down!” Zouly snapped back.

Raz cut them both short, “Will you two stop bickering with each other and help me catch him!”

Working together, the furs and scaley cornered the scurrying groundhog. Zouly held his paws out to Teeper and slowly approached, “Easy there, Teeper. We’re not going to hurt you.” He advanced until finally he could set a paw on the cowering fur, and started to rub his head soothingly, “It’s okay. Nothing’s going to happen. We’re here to protect you.”

Teeper didn’t say a word. He only whimpered. His eyes were wide-open and vacant. Raz peered into them and then looked the fur over, “I think he’s been scared wild.”

Zouly and Bunwick furrowed their brows in confusion. Raz explained the phenomenon where awakened furs suffered traumas so severe, it hampered their ability to reason. They reverted back to a wild state.

“Will he get better?” Bunwick asked.

Raz shrugged, “I don’t know…there aren’t many documented cases. Logic would dictate that if he could be awakened once, he should be able to be awakened again.”

“What are you–” Zouly started. Teeper was rubbing his head against the frog’s tummy, “Get off of me!”

Bunwick couldn‘t help laughing, “Looks like you have a new best friend, Zouly!”

Zouly didn’t see the humour in the situation, “It’s not funny! Get off!”

Raz watched as the groundhog followed the agitated frog around the room. “He seems to have imprinted on you as his protector.”

Zouly looked dumbfounded, “What?” He stared at Teeper, “Are you serious?”

Raz nodded, “Absolutely serious.”

“What are you all doing up so early?” Everybody looked to the stairway where Mina stood, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. The weasel had slept through the entire ordeal apparently.

“Early?” Zouly asked, still trying to push Teeper away.

Wilhemina nodded, “The sun’s just coming up,” she pointed to the window where indeed the first rays of light were starting to filter in. She then looked at the frog wrestling with the groundhog, “What’s with Teeper?”

“It’s a long story,” Bunwick said. Despite the seriousness of the situation, he was clearly amused, “But the long and short of it is that Zouly has a new pet!”

Mina pouted, “That isn’t fair! Why does Zouly get a pet and I don’t?”

The frog stamped his feet, “I don’t want a pet! It’s bad enough we have to be taking care of you half the time!” He looked to Raz, “Can’t we just let him run free in the wild?”

Raz shook his head dubiously, “Teeper’s lived his whole life in civilized society. He doesn’t know how to survive in the wild. Leaving him all alone now would be signing his death warrant.”

“Well what are we supposed to do?” The frog demanded to know, “We can’t very well keep him with us from now on, can we?”

Raz considered it, “He’s from Lancton and we’re going there anyway. Maybe being back in a familiar setting will help him come back to himself.”

Zouly grudgingly caved, “Okay then. Just to Lancton!”

Bunwick was still grinning, “You’re always saying it’s hard to keep up with us, Zouly. You could ride Teeper!”

Mina looked up, “What? No! *I* want to ride Teeper!” She moved toward the frog and groundhog.

“Oh no!” Zouly exclaimed, shaking his head, “If anybody’s going to ride him, it’s going to be me!”

Raz walked past them and back towards the stairs.

“Where are you going?” Bunwick asked.

“To get some sleep,” Raz muttered.

“Now? What about–”

Raz interrupted them, “Look friends, it’s been a long night and we’re still three days away from our destination. I say we catch some much needed rest and start fresh this afternoon.” Without waiting for a reply, he headed up the stairs to his room. The road to Lancton would have to wait.

Furship Chronicles: Road to Lancton – Part Two

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Apr 132013
 

DISCLAIMER: The Furship Chronicles narrate the adventures of our gaming group as we playtest the Age of Animus Storytelling Game. Bunwick is played by Frank, Raz is played by Steve, Wilhemina is played by Fab and Zouly is played by Lyne. The interactions you read are not straight transcriptions of their conversations in the game (My memory isn’t good enough to remember them all) but rather my interpretation of their characters as they played them in our gaming session. I hope I do justice to the fun we had playing.

“That will be two Shinies, sir.”

Raz sputtered indignantly, “Outrageous! Simply outrageous!”

The vendor looked dumbfounded, “But, it’s a fair price. Your friends all paid…”

Raz shook his head, “That’s beside the point! I can’t bring myself to pay such an outrageous price!”

Bunwick and Zouly looked on horrified, as their companion made a scene. Other furs were starting to stare. Wilhemina looked disinterested. They had reached the market in Sunnyvale and were finally able to buy provisions for their travels. The smaller furs and scaley had pawed over the Shinies for their travel rations. Raz apparently could not accept the price even though it had seemed to the others as being rather standard.

The vendor, a rabbit, hesitated. “Then you DON’T want the food?” he asked tentatively.

Raz growled, “Of course I want the food!”

The rabbit was now confused, “You want the food, but you don’t want to pay?”

Raz nodded, “Not at that ridiculous price I don’t!”

The rabbit shook his head slowly, “I’m sorry sir, but it’s the best price I can make for you.”

Raz stood defiant. The two were deadlocked until Zouly finally sighed in exasperation, “Oh for Six’s sake!” He slapped two Shinies on the vendor’s table, “There! Now take the food and let’s get going!”

The rabbit pawed over the bag of trail mix to the big wolverine who quickly snatched it and stuffed it into his satchel.

“You owe me!” the frog told his companion.

Raz smiled nonchalantly, “Of course! Of course! I always repay my debts!” He paused before quickly adding, “Not with Shinies of course. But I’m sure we can come to an agreement!”

Zouly shook his head in derision, “Of course…”

* * *

“One Shiny for the night.”

Bunwick, Wilhemina and Zouly all looked to Raz. They had reached Calix’s Cross and after days of sleeping in barns or camping on the side of the road, had decided to take the opportunity to sleep at the inn. With the decision made, there was still the question as to whether Raz would actually pay up.

The wolverine struggled with the decision. Parting with Shinies was never easy for him. They were just so pretty! He hoarded them avariciously. The compulsion to hold onto his Shinies was so strong that sometimes he found himself unable to pay for things he really needed and had to go without. Such had almost been the case with the vendor in Sunnyvale until Zouly bailed him out.

But on this occasion, his reason was able to overpower his compulsion. He narrowed his eyes to give the innkeeper a shrewd stare, “Is there a meal included in the price?” If he had to part with one of his precious Shinies, he was determined to get the most out of it.

“Of course!” the innkeeper said with a smile, “Here at the Cracked Bell, your stay always includes a warm meal!”

Acting as though he were making a supreme effort, he at last grumbled, “Oh all right then!” Grudgingly, he paid the innkeeper his Shiny.

The others breathed a sigh of relief and followed suit.

* * *

He observed them from atop his tree. The porcupine had heard them long before he could see them. The girl especially had a shrill voice. His squirrel companions were crouched next to him, waiting on his word. They were of the Wild and he had trained them. He considered the little critters like family. At his behest they would swarm any passers-by. Then he would swoop down and relieve his victims of their valuables.  Locally he had earned the nickname of the Critter Bandit.

The foursome drew nearer. There was the weasel and the beaver. They appeared to know each other better than the others. A couple perhaps? The beaver was often apologizing for the weasel’s behaviour. Her guardian, more like. They had a frog, a grumpy one, with them. Curious. More concerning however, was the wolverine. Size and power could sometimes trump even skill such as his. It was a gamble he did not like to engage in. He waved off his cohorts and contented himself in watching the quartet as they unknowingly passed him by.

The beaver pointed, “There’s an inn up ahead. Maybe we could get a room for the night?”

The wolverine and the frog both shot the idea down, the former more vehemently than the latter, “What, do you think I’m MADE of Shinies?” The big fur shook his head, “Absolutely not! We’re trying to EARN Shinies, not spend them! Besides we just stayed at an inn three days ago! Surely you don‘t expect us to stop at every inn we come across? We‘d be bankrupt within weeks!”

“It was just a suggestion,” the beaver said glumly.

The weasel chimed in, “Well *I* think we should…”

“Nobody cares what you think, Mina!” the frog snapped, trying to cut her argument short.

The weasel went on unperturbed, “Well you should! You’ll live longer!”

The frog ignored her as she continued yammering away.

The Critter Bandit wondered how long it would be before the frog and the weasel came to blows. He considered himself a patient fur, but he had to admit that the weasel had a grating personality. She was pretty though. She reminded him of a rabbit he’d once known. That was long ago though, when he was a much different fur. Their lives had gone in different directions. She married into wealth and he made his wealth by stealing it from innocent travelers. What she would think of him if they were to meet today? Not much, most like, if she recognized him at all. Furs like her tended to forget the furs from their pasts once they moved up in the world. Still, he wondered how she was doing…

By the time he emerged from his thoughts the group had moved on. Their voices were less distinct but he found that he no longer cared about what they had to say. There was no profit to be made here. He scampered from treetop to treetop back towards his hideout, leaving the four to continue on the road to Lancton.

Furship Chronicles: Road to Lancton – Part One

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Apr 062013
 

DISCLAIMER: The Furship Chronicles narrate the adventures of our gaming group as we playtest the Age of Animus Storytelling Game. Bunwick is played by Frank, Raz is played by Steve, Wilhemina is played by Fab and Zouly is played by Lyne. The interactions you read are not straight transcriptions of their conversations in the game (My memory isn’t good enough to remember them all) but rather my interpretation of their characters as they played them in our gaming session. I hope I do justice to the fun we had playing.

“You guys should have packed some food, like I did,” Wilhemina declared while munching on her trail mix.

That riled Zouly. The frog hopped up, “Who do you…”

Bunwick quickly interrupted, “You’re right, Mina…” As always, he had to play the peacekeeper. He understood Mina better than the others having traveled longer with her. She didn’t mean to upset them. She just had an innate knack to push their buttons.

“Of course I’m right!” the weasel asserted, “You all would do a lot better if you listened to what I have to say.”

“Any chance you might share that food, friend?” Raz inquired. The wolverine’s stomach rumbled.

Wilhemina looked at him as though he’d just sprouted a second nose, “Share?” She then shook her head, “I couldn’t do THAT. I wouldn’t have any left and then there’d be FOUR starving animals on the road instead of three! How is that better? I mean, really!”

Zouly snorted in disgust, “If we had something to eat we wouldn’t be starving now, would we?”

Mina ignored his comment just as she always did when someone pointed out a flaw in her logic. She resumed her munching.

Wilhemina had been right about one thing. Leaving Sixtus without supplies hadn’t shown much forethought. It spoke of their inexperience as travelers. This would have to be remedied if they hoped to survive a life on the road.

“There’s a farmhouse up ahead”, Bunwick said, pointing to a structure in the distance. “Maybe the farmer will let us buy some food off of him.”

“Sounds good. Let’s go!” Raz motioned for the others to follow him as he bolted down the trail.

The farmer watched as the foursome marched up the dirt road to his home. The badger was rocking on the front porch. With the harvest completed, it was time to relax.

“Hello my good fur!” Raz called out, holding his paw up in greeting.

The badger didn’t get up. He kept on rocking, “’lo..”

Not very talkative, Raz thought to himself. Okay, let’s turn on the charm.  “Nice farmhouse you have here! You must be very proud!”

The farmer shrugged, “It keeps the rain off.” He peered at them for a moment, then finally asked, “Is there something you wanted?”

Raz smiled, his fangs gleaming in the light. “Indeed, indeed! We were wondering if you might have some food to spare. We’re travelers and we’ve run out.”

“More like we forgot to pack any…” Zouly mumbled.

“Quiet” Raz snapped through gritted fangs. He smiled at the farmer, “Naturally, we’d pay for the meal!”

“Pay? You?” Zouly snorted. He caught a glimpse of the sour look the wolverine shot him and backed down, “Fine, fine…shutting up.”

The badger tilted his head, “Hmm…don’t have much use for Shinies myself.” He saw the discouraged looks on the furs’ faces, and considered, “But my shed does need painting.”

The group looked to the small structure standing to the side of the house. The four of them working together would be able to make quick work of it.

“Will you be supplying the paint?” Bunwick asked.

The badger regarded him with a look of disdain, “You hiding cans of paint under your tail or something? Of course I’ll give you the paint!”

Even though the deal was fair, Raz couldn’t resist the urge to negotiate, “We’ll also need lodging for the night…and a little something for the road tomorrow?”

The badger nodded, “There’s room in the barn. Plenty of straw to sleep on. I can give each of you a hunk of bread to take with you in the morning.”

Raz smiled broadly, “Deal!” He looked to his companions, “C’mon friends! Let’s get to work!”

“Work? Me?” Wilhemina whined, “Why should I have to work? I already have food!” She headed towards the farmhouse, “I’ll keep our host company. You look like you could…”

The farmer got up, “I’ve got to prepare supper.” He went in the house and closed the door behind him.

Wilhemina huffed, “Well that was rude!” She went off to sulk.

“Aren’t you going to help?” Bunwick called out after her.

Zouly nudged him, “Let her go! It’ll be nice and quiet for a change.”

Bunwick considered that for a moment. He decided the frog was right and turned to the shed so that he and the others could set to work.

* * *

“Oh no!” Zouly snapped as Wilhemina held out a plate. The farmer was ladling out their supper. “You didn’t help so you don’t get anything!”

“I did too!” Wilhemina pouted.

“So you helped us paint the shed?” Zouly asked sharply.

Wilhemina hesitated, “Well no…but I didn’t NOT help.”

Bunwick looked to the frog, “You’re the one who wanted her to stay away so it would be quiet, Zouly.”

Wilhemina perked up, “That’s right! I helped by staying away like you wanted me to!” She folded her arms across her chest in victory.

Zouly opened his mouth, staring blankly at the beaming weasel. Finally he threw up his arms, “Fine! Feed her!”

The farmer ladled out the rest of their supper and they quickly dug in. The long day’s travel combined with the laborious job of painting the shed had given them quite an appetite. Wilhemina just liked eating.

After the meal was complete, they bade the farmer good night and went out to the barn to settle down for the evening. The boys were so exhausted they were out before Wilhemina could even finish her first comment.

* * *

“Thank you again, my good fur!” Raz expressed warmly as the farmer pawed him a big hunk of warm bread. The smell was intoxicating.

“Don’t get many visitors,” the badger noted, “But as strangers go, you’ve been helpful enough. You’re welcome to stop in again if ever you’re in the area.”

Bunwick smiled, “Thank you. We will.”

Wilhemina cleared her throat, “Maybe by then you’ll learn to appreciate it when a lovely weasel offers to keep you company.”

Zouly gave her a sharp elbow to the shin, “Quiet you!”

The three boys held up their paws to wave, reluctantly followed by Wilhemina doing the same, “Bye now!” And so off they went down the road towards Calix’s Cross, the next big stop on the road to Lancton.

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