Guillaume hisses at Vulcanus, "There are far more other Flambeau than just the two of us here, and such impudence is unlikely to earn you much respect among us. No one has forced you to come on this hunt. At the same time, no one will stop you from going off on your own. Do remember, though, if you consider the Code nonsense, I will likely hunt you down and slay you after your lack of consideration of the Code leads you to imprudent action." If Vulcanus continues listening, "We have the beginning of a plan, and rest is a wise thing for warriors to take when they can. Why not enjoy the company and do battle in the morning?"
Vulcanus snorts. "Don't beat that straw man too hard, brother," he jibes. "You know perfectly well I wasn't suggesting the Code to be nonsense. Rather, the insistence upon discussing the contingencies upon contingencies of what will we do if we find out such-and-such?, without anyone having actually done any reconnaissance whatsoever, is beyond ridiculous. So keep your threats to yourself-- I don't know how your compatriots at Doissetep handled themselves, but in the rest of the Latin-speaking world, 'confront' is not synonymous for 'kill first and ask questions later.' Confrontare; id est com-, et frontem. Konfrontieren; herantreten; begegnen." (C'mon, man. Flambeau doesn't mean Chaotic Stupid!)
Egon restlessly paces a circle on the ground. Vulcanus pats his mane, then turns back to Guillaume. "As tempting as rest sounds, we have unfortunately a-- what were your exact words, Madam Pontifex? The situation at hand, which takes precedence over the security of the Knights of Seneca and our legacy, was, what did you call it? 'The immediate concern of magi facing a dreaded monster, right this very moment?' 'Lives are in danger?' Surely such an immediate pressing concern doesn't allow for the leisure of a good night's sleep." He turns to regard Carmen with a look of deep agitation and unconcealed anger. "The sooner we reconnoitre, the sooner Madam Pontifex will turn her attention to the far less pressing matter of our covenant's security." He then nudges Egon with his knees and they ride out into the gathering dusk alone.
(He's basically going to ride around being really noisy, trying to catch the creature's attention.)
As he turns to ride off, "[strike]Did you not notice us[/strike] We have been spying on it, checking scents, [strike]discussion[/strike] discussing the lack of vulnerabilities we have seen, and more. And from what I recall I got many nights of sleep during the Shadow Wars, which were quite pressing concerns. Ride off and do what you will; you are free to do so. I will stay with my compatriots and develop a trap for the brute with them."
Once he's gone, "I like the basic idea in Maurice's plan. We may freely attack the ogres as they are magical. When the brute comes, we can learn of him what we will with a sound defensive plan."
Meanwhile, Arachne is quietly carving a Web of Lies. She doesn't know how lucky she is to have stayed in Andorra. She'd have hated it out there 
Carmen's temper flares. You can tell because her eyes crackle and subtle swirling winds surround her. She looks less like Taylor Swift and more like Betty Page with Blonde hair.
Carmen is gonna bitch at everyone, so no body take it personally. I am trying to bind things back together in a way that fits her character and (hopefully) rings with your own characters (in character)
She shouts as Vulcanus first begins to ride away.
All of you knock it off! ALL of you!
Vulcanus, no one compelled you to join this expedition, and I would rather that you ignore it or assist it rather than disrupt and denigrate it. I even offered to help open your vault before heading off myself, so your grudge is baseless and without substance. And I resent your implication that this is a frivolous endevor. It is a training exercise. What you call bickering I call uncertainty. The whole point of the Drake Hunt, which has turned into an ogre battle fight, is for this collection of magi, that were not long ago strangers, to learn of each others capabilities and develop teamwork skills. Would you have us idle away in our labs and grow soft until a sudden sneak attack by a horde of Frost Giants or some such? We need to work out the kinks now, our first priority as a covenant, we need to learn how to cooperate and coordinate in times of action.
Now, if you want to help us, shut your mouth and sit quietly. Or go home. I would ask that you not interfere in our training. And curb your tongue. We do not need lessons in Latin from an Alimane (German).
And Estaban, though you are dear to me, you can be a self righteous son of a *&^% sometimes. Were you not the one that told me that I have to learn to pick by battles and when they should be fought? What was that poem you sang to me? About Amaldis and the way he tricked the illusionist? Nevermind. What bothers me is that you are overcritical of Vulcanus being a man of action. Better the wrong decision than Indecision. He had most of the band rilled up and ready to go. Can you not see the benefit of such leadership qualities? And perhaps you feel his decision to move into action unwise. Fair enough, and I would actually agree with you. I think, though, you need to learn to be more diplomatic with crazed Flambeau magi. I would have thought you would have learned just from dealing with me in our years of freindship and companions. Yours was an emotional rhetoric demanding apologies and submission without negotiation. Always leave your opponent with an avenue of retreat of your choosing. Perhaps you could have questioned his logic or distracted him with reasoning.
And I can fight my own battles. I do not need you or my father or anyone else demanding I be treated such-and-such a way. I will the be the one to make such a demand. It is my perogative and mine alone.
Vibria, I admire your enthusiasm to trod off into battle at the side of a handsome warrior, but you need to learn to stop and think. I am not one to talk, as I can often be impulsive. But talk I will anyway. You see disagreement and dispute, yet you silently follow the one who seems to you to be the strongest leader. Why did you not question his wisdom or refute the disagreement of plans the others had with him? You are young and still have much to learn.
One of those things you need to learn that power is not strength, but the wisdom of the application of strength. What do I mean by that and what does this have to do with you? I will talk to you aside, for I have a plan to use your unique attributes to our advantage.
The rest of you, I should yell at you for so many reasons. Yes, you were planning, but planning has indeed turned to bickering. And really, you were not planning. You were waiting for each other to say something. You hardly talk to each other. To plan you need to understand ach other, to understand each other you need to talk, To talk, you need to be social.
This is what we are going to do. We are going to camp here for the night. Veritably in our own back yard, but we must learn. Not how to camp, but how to hold camp with each other. We are going to eat, drink, talk, and plan. At first twilight of dawn, we shall sally forth to Bone Hill, where the Drakes claim the creature dwells. I don't know why you wonder about tracking it, the Drakes have said as much three or four times and that is why Vocis sent Celeste ahead and why she ran into Gardiatius in the first place.
So..
So there!
The three drakes crept back off to the edge of camp as this dressing down takes place.
Venkath: The humans argue over dominance, yet they do not fight. Why?
Maurice: It sometimes comes to that, but like many lesser creatures humans tend to vocalize their aggressions first and use physical force as a last resort. But for humans, they have the gift of speech, and they fight with thoughts and words often as fiercely as the fight with flesh and steel
Simon: Umm... I smell an owlbear. I'm hungry. growf
Carmen's temper flares. You can tell because her eyes crackle and subtle swirling winds surround her. She looks less like Taylor Swift and more like Betty Page with Blonde hair.
Carmen is gonna bitch at everyone, so no body take it personally. I am trying to bind things back together in a way that fits her character and (hopefully) rings with your own characters (in character)
She shouts as Vulcanus first begins to ride away.
All of you knock it off! ALL of you!
Vulcanus, no one compelled you to join this expedition, and I would rather that you ignore it or assist it rather than disrupt and denigrate it. I even offered to help open your vault before heading off myself, so your grudge is baseless and without substance. And I resent your implication that this is a frivolous endevor. It is a training exercise. What you call bickering I call uncertainty. The whole point of the Drake Hunt, which has turned into an ogre battle fight, is for this collection of magi, that were not long ago strangers, to learn of each others capabilities and develop teamwork skills. Would you have us idle away in our labs and grow soft until a sudden sneak attack by a horde of Frost Giants or some such? We need to work out the kinks now, our first priority as a covenant, we need to learn how to cooperate and coordinate in times of action.
Now, if you want to help us, shut your mouth and sit quietly. Or go home. I would ask that you not interfere in our training. And curb your tongue. We do not need lessons in Latin from an Alimane (German).
And Estaban, though you are dear to me, you can be a self righteous son of a *&^% sometimes. Were you not the one that told me that I have to learn to pick by battles and when they should be fought? What was that poem you sang to me? About Amaldis and the way he tricked the illusionist? Nevermind. What bothers me is that you are overcritical of Vulcanus being a man of action. Better the wrong decision than Indecision. He had most of the band rilled up and ready to go. Can you not see the benefit of such leadership qualities? And perhaps you feel his decision to move into action unwise. Fair enough, and I would actually agree with you. I think, though, you need to learn to be more diplomatic with crazed Flambeau magi. I would have thought you would have learned just from dealing with me in our years of freindship and companions. Yours was an emotional rhetoric demanding apologies and submission without negotiation. Always leave your opponent with an avenue of retreat of your choosing. Perhaps you could have questioned his logic or distracted him with reasoning.
And I can fight my own battles. I do not need you or my father or anyone else demanding I be treated such-and-such a way. I will the be the one to make such a demand. It is my perogative and mine alone.
Vibria, I admire your enthusiasm to trod off into battle at the side of a handsome warrior, but you need to learn to stop and think. I am not one to talk, as I can often be impulsive. But talk I will anyway. You see disagreement and dispute, yet you silently follow the one who seems to you to be the strongest leader. Why did you not question his wisdom or refute the disagreement of plans the others had with him? You are young and still have much to learn.
One of those things you need to learn that power is not strength, but the wisdom of the application of strength. What do I mean by that and what does this have to do with you? I will talk to you aside, for I have a plan to use your unique attributes to our advantage.
The rest of you, I should yell at you for so many reasons. Yes, you were planning, but planning has indeed turned to bickering. And really, you were not planning. You were waiting for each other to say something. You hardly talk to each other. To plan you need to understand ach other, to understand each other you need to talk, To talk, you need to be social.
This is what we are going to do. We are going to camp here for the night. Veritably in our own back yard, but we must learn. Not how to camp, but how to hold camp with each other. We are going to eat, drink, talk, and plan. At first twilight of dawn, we shall sally forth to Bone Hill, where the Drakes claim the creature dwells. I don't know why you wonder about tracking it, the Drakes have said as much three or four times and that is why Vocis sent Celeste ahead and why she ran into Gardiatius in the first place.
So..
So there!
The three drakes crept back off to the edge of camp as this dressing down takes place.
Venkath: The humans argue over dominance, yet they do not fight. Why?
Maurice: It sometimes comes to that, but like many lesser creatures humans tend to vocalize their aggressions first and use physical force as a last resort. But for humans, they have the gift of speech, and they fight with thoughts and words often as fiercely as the fight with flesh and steel
Simon: Umm... I smell an owlbear. I'm hungry. growf
Carmen's temper flares. You can tell because her eyes crackle and subtle swirling winds surround her. She looks less like Taylor Swift and more like Betty Page with Blonde hair.
Carmen is gonna bitch at everyone, so no body take it personally. I am trying to bind things back together in a way that fits her character and (hopefully) rings with your own characters (in character)
She shouts as Vulcanus first begins to ride away.
All of you knock it off! ALL of you!
Vulcanus, no one compelled you to join this expedition, and I would rather that you ignore it or assist it rather than disrupt and denigrate it. I even offered to help open your vault before heading off myself, so your grudge is baseless and without substance. And I resent your implication that this is a frivolous endevor. It is a training exercise. What you call bickering I call uncertainty. The whole point of the Drake Hunt, which has turned into an ogre battle fight, is for this collection of magi, that were not long ago strangers, to learn of each others capabilities and develop teamwork skills. Would you have us idle away in our labs and grow soft until a sudden sneak attack by a horde of Frost Giants or some such? We need to work out the kinks now, our first priority as a covenant, we need to learn how to cooperate and coordinate in times of action.
Now, if you want to help us, shut your mouth and sit quietly. Or go home. I would ask that you not interfere in our training. And curb your tongue. We do not need lessons in Latin from an Alimane (German).
And Estaban, though you are dear to me, you can be a self righteous son of a *&^% sometimes. Were you not the one that told me that I have to learn to pick by battles and when they should be fought? What was that poem you sang to me? About Amaldis and the way he tricked the illusionist? Nevermind. What bothers me is that you are overcritical of Vulcanus being a man of action. Better the wrong decision than Indecision. He had most of the band rilled up and ready to go. Can you not see the benefit of such leadership qualities? And perhaps you feel his decision to move into action unwise. Fair enough, and I would actually agree with you. I think, though, you need to learn to be more diplomatic with crazed Flambeau magi. I would have thought you would have learned just from dealing with me in our years of freindship and companions. Yours was an emotional rhetoric demanding apologies and submission without negotiation. Always leave your opponent with an avenue of retreat of your choosing. Perhaps you could have questioned his logic or distracted him with reasoning.
And I can fight my own battles. I do not need you or my father or anyone else demanding I be treated such-and-such a way. I will the be the one to make such a demand. It is my perogative and mine alone.
Vibria, I admire your enthusiasm to trod off into battle at the side of a handsome warrior, but you need to learn to stop and think. I am not one to talk, as I can often be impulsive. But talk I will anyway. You see disagreement and dispute, yet you silently follow the one who seems to you to be the strongest leader. Why did you not question his wisdom or refute the disagreement of plans the others had with him? You are young and still have much to learn.
One of those things you need to learn that power is not strength, but the wisdom of the application of strength. What do I mean by that and what does this have to do with you? I will talk to you aside, for I have a plan to use your unique attributes to our advantage.
The rest of you, I should yell at you for so many reasons. Yes, you were planning, but planning has indeed turned to bickering. And really, you were not planning. You were waiting for each other to say something. You hardly talk to each other. To plan you need to understand ach other, to understand each other you need to talk, To talk, you need to be social.
This is what we are going to do. We are going to camp here for the night. Veritably in our own back yard, but we must learn. Not how to camp, but how to hold camp with each other. We are going to eat, drink, talk, and plan. At first twilight of dawn, we shall sally forth to Bone Hill, where the Drakes claim the creature dwells. I don't know why you wonder about tracking it, the Drakes have said as much three or four times and that is why Vocis sent Celeste ahead and why she ran into Gardiatius in the first place.
So..
So there!
The three drakes crept back off to the edge of camp as this dressing down takes place.
Venkath: The humans argue over dominance, yet they do not fight. Why?
Maurice: It sometimes comes to that, but like many lesser creatures humans tend to vocalize their aggressions first and use physical force as a last resort. But for humans, they have the gift of speech, and they fight with thoughts and words often as fiercely as the fight with flesh and steel
Simon: Umm... I smell an owlbear. I'm hungry. growf
Carmen's temper flares. You can tell because her eyes crackle and subtle swirling winds surround her. She looks less like Taylor Swift and more like Betty Page with Blonde hair.
Carmen is gonna bitch at everyone, so no body take it personally. I am trying to bind things back together in a way that fits her character and (hopefully) rings with your own characters (in character)
She shouts as Vulcanus first begins to ride away.
All of you knock it off! ALL of you!
Vulcanus, no one compelled you to join this expedition, and I would rather that you ignore it or assist it rather than disrupt and denigrate it. I even offered to help open your vault before heading off myself, so your grudge is baseless and without substance. And I resent your implication that this is a frivolous endevor. It is a training exercise. What you call bickering I call uncertainty. The whole point of the Drake Hunt, which has turned into an ogre battle fight, is for this collection of magi, that were not long ago strangers, to learn of each others capabilities and develop teamwork skills. Would you have us idle away in our labs and grow soft until a sudden sneak attack by a horde of Frost Giants or some such? We need to work out the kinks now, our first priority as a covenant, we need to learn how to cooperate and coordinate in times of action.
Now, if you want to help us, shut your mouth and sit quietly. Or go home. I would ask that you not interfere in our training. And curb your tongue. We do not need lessons in Latin from an Alimane (German).
And Estaban, though you are dear to me, you can be a self righteous son of a *&^% sometimes. Were you not the one that told me that I have to learn to pick by battles and when they should be fought? What was that poem you sang to me? About Amaldis and the way he tricked the illusionist? Nevermind. What bothers me is that you are overcritical of Vulcanus being a man of action. Better the wrong decision than Indecision. He had most of the band rilled up and ready to go. Can you not see the benefit of such leadership qualities? And perhaps you feel his decision to move into action unwise. Fair enough, and I would actually agree with you. I think, though, you need to learn to be more diplomatic with crazed Flambeau magi. I would have thought you would have learned just from dealing with me in our years of freindship and companions. Yours was an emotional rhetoric demanding apologies and submission without negotiation. Always leave your opponent with an avenue of retreat of your choosing. Perhaps you could have questioned his logic or distracted him with reasoning.
And I can fight my own battles. I do not need you or my father or anyone else demanding I be treated such-and-such a way. I will the be the one to make such a demand. It is my perogative and mine alone.
Vibria, I admire your enthusiasm to trod off into battle at the side of a handsome warrior, but you need to learn to stop and think. I am not one to talk, as I can often be impulsive. But talk I will anyway. You see disagreement and dispute, yet you silently follow the one who seems to you to be the strongest leader. Why did you not question his wisdom or refute the disagreement of plans the others had with him? You are young and still have much to learn.
One of those things you need to learn that power is not strength, but the wisdom of the application of strength. What do I mean by that and what does this have to do with you? I will talk to you aside, for I have a plan to use your unique attributes to our advantage.
The rest of you, I should yell at you for so many reasons. Yes, you were planning, but planning has indeed turned to bickering. And really, you were not planning. You were waiting for each other to say something. You hardly talk to each other. To plan you need to understand ach other, to understand each other you need to talk, To talk, you need to be social.
This is what we are going to do. We are going to camp here for the night. Veritably in our own back yard, but we must learn. Not how to camp, but how to hold camp with each other. We are going to eat, drink, talk, and plan. At first twilight of dawn, we shall sally forth to Bone Hill, where the Drakes claim the creature dwells. I don't know why you wonder about tracking it, the Drakes have said as much three or four times and that is why Vocis sent Celeste ahead and why she ran into Gardiatius in the first place.
So..
So there!
The three drakes crept back off to the edge of camp as this dressing down takes place.
Venkath: The humans argue over dominance, yet they do not fight. Why?
Maurice: It sometimes comes to that, but like many lesser creatures humans tend to vocalize their aggressions first and use physical force as a last resort. But for humans, they have the gift of speech, and they fight with thoughts and words often as fiercely as the fight with flesh and steel
Simon: Umm... I smell an owlbear. I'm hungry. growf
There may be a hint of a smile on Guillaume's face. Carmen is so much better at politics than he. Now things should move in the right direction. (I believe the fire has been started.) He and Astrid seat themselves beside each other near the fire, hoping others will follow suit but not saying so.
At this point he can no longer contain it. Vocis smiles like the indulgent grandfather he is. 
He then joins Guillaume at the fire.
Vulcanus raises an eyebrow. "Wait. I'm afraid I didn't catch all of that. Go back to the part where you think I'm handsome?"
Vibria shivers visibly at the mere mention of frost giants.
She nods thoughtfully but doesn't answer; it seems to her that these are rhetorical questions rather than an invitation for discussion and debate.
Vibria looks from Carmen to Vulcanus and back, then sits as close as she can to the fire without risking her armour or clothes.
Vibria simply smiles to herself and looks around, peeking at Vulcanus out of the corners of her eyes.
...Yep, he's still handsome.
Awesome! A perfect smarmy comback, instigating no further arguments yet demonstrating that you are indeed the man! Very excellent job of playing your character in character.
You other guys don't know who Ryu is in realife. Well, Ray does and I do. But if you guys only knew how opposite Vulcanus is from the person playing him. Not totally, Ryu is a firecracker. But Vulcanus is a piece of work indeed.
I had similar troubles writing up Carmen's little storm session. Trying to subdue my own personality and think of what a girl would say. A very intelligent girl with a strong personality. Hope i pulled it off
Carmen giggles quietly as she spots you enjoying the beefcake eyecandy 
Gardaitis raises an eyebrow at the series of verbal b*tch-slaps Carmen administers to the Andorra magi, nodding to himself occasionally as her points strike home -- and musing on the interesting differences in apparent age. Mature magi acting like spoiled children, and the little-more-than-a-child Pontifex acting mature and responsible... yep, Andorra's an interesting place.
He walks back to the campfire, sitting down on the stump he occupied previously, and picks up a hand-sized piece of wood, pulling a small knife out of his belt. "As I've said before, I know almost nothing about the fae. What ways are there to tell whether this creature is fae in nature, or whether it belongs to the Magic realm? Aside from behavioral cues, that is." He's not addressing anyone in particular -- his eyes are on the piece of wood in his hand, which he's marking with the knife-point.
Carmen: One way is Apromor's Test of Negative Response, a theory formulated around demons since there is no other way to detect them. Perdo Vim might stripper attuned to a specific realm, how a creature reacts demonstrates if it is or is not of that realm. But I would apply it differently. If the creature is Infernal or Magic, then killing it is fine. If Fae, then we cannot molest. If Demon's Eternal Oblivion has no effect, nor the Magic Realm equivilent, then it is fae and we must not harm it. If they do have effect, then ablate away.
Other ideas...hmmmm....
Faeries have compulsive behavior. The word Fae is of the same root as Fate. They are compelled to follow a singular path whether they know it or not. I think we have an idea what that is, and if the creature really is Gulio from the nursery rhyme, then we have a better idea.
Intellego Vim magics should reveal it's realm of origin, unless it is Infernal, in which case the Negative Response test is our best bet.
Estaban said it correctly. If it is a faerie then the easiest way to discern that and handel it is to play the faeries game until compleation and win. According to the fariy tales, Ghul Gulio had a bride of unearthly beauty, a corpse bride of sorts but she was not dead. She was rescued by him, an orphan girl, and she just stayed with him andf became like unto his wife. So, where can we find a woman of fantastic beauty? Besides myself that is?
Carmen takes a glance over at Vibria, who is bundled in furs and covered in clothing strategically places as to obscure how crippling her incredible beauty really is.
((Actually, Vibria ditched the furs a while ago, when she made the fire.))
Vibria, who had been basking in the warmth of the fire, opens her eyes and looks over at Carmen. [color=red]"What? Me?"
I know you are not as pretty as me (lying to self and suppressing envy), but you more than have what it takes. And you are immune to fire.
"WHAT?!" Vulcanus bellows. "No one is selling off a maga, a Flambeau, as a bride to some fairy monster!" He places one massive hand on top of Vibria's head, protectively.