muninnhuginn

[We were about to head off to the plot, but the thunder rolled in again, drips of rain dropped. So we'll do the indoor stuff first.]

So, the weekend. Unforgettable, say the aching joints, bruised limbs, aching head, and all-round exhausted ravens. It was great fun. Possibly more fun because we helped set up some of the stuff and saw it through to the taking tents down again at the other end.

Friday morning, we flapped around, got packed, soaked through running to Tescos and back to stock up on provisions, and left with JG at about ten to ten. Reached the site in good time, the tents for the players encampment already almost up. We pitched our own tents, explored the extensive woodlands, hung around in the storm hut out of the rain. Various items of kit were kindly provided to get the ravens into costume: we don't have our own armour. Getting kitted out early was necessary since as far as the players were concerned the ravens were one of them: Beatrice the Lace-Maker turned very, very inept fighter. JG joined the players as a roving reporter for the rebel newspaper. She and I hung out together, rather obviously we thought. Friday evening the PCs marched off in groups to join the rebel encampment. Acted like a town-bred craftsperson would in the company off peasant and rebels--and very strange and snooty drow. We went on patrol and Beatrice had to stop to tie her shoe lace and dropped off the end of the file in the sodden dripping woods. Beatrice lurked, returned the way she came, slipped back into camp as the patrol returned by another route. Lurked, acted incompetent. Did get involved in repelling a raid on the camp, lightly wounded even. Just to show willing. Hung out with the "reporter", passed notes between her. Went on patrol again, got "lost" again, was brought back by NPCs who found me wandering on my own. After dark did this again (one PC, maybe, was getting a little suspicious) and wandered back and went to sleep in one of the pavilions. Was woken by a returning PC, and screamed so loud, he later apologized to us out of character! Nope, wasn't scared, had just pretended to sleep through far too many camp fire songs from the neighbouring scout camp.

Slept very little due to torrential rain hammering on the tent. Tent thoroughly waterproof. Warm too. Two sleeping bags was a very good idea.

Saturday morning, lurked, passed notes, wandered off from camp. Met up with mercenary friends, and walked back in to warm ourselves at the "campfire" (breakfast barbecue) before getting disagreeable and leaving. Risked slipping back into camp (did they have enough guards? Nope!) one more time, got into a pavilion and sat down, before the cry was raised. Hot footed it into the woods and threw ourselves into the undergrowth. Hid out and wandered around for long enough the PCs could find me--if they cared. (It turned out they were worried it was an ambush.) Made it back to the monster tent undetected. End of role as Beatrice the mercenary infiltrator. Soaked to the skin at this point. Spent the remainder of Saturday going out in assorted bandit raiding parties and Empire patrols. Later the reporter, actually a spy, was caught, mainly due the deduction that the first dodgy camp member was female and there was one female NPC in camp! Saturday evening's final big scene was the entire monster crew marching up in front of the camp, forming a shield wall, and watching the PCs run for cover in the woods! We looted a little and retreated.

Sunday, the ravens became Josh the village herbalist, rescued from a bunch of orcs. Then a final march up the field as the Empire as the players left.

It rained throughout, letting up long enough to get the barbie going on Friday evening and for a few other brief spells. The wind blew constantly. All added to the atmosphere. Came home sunburned from the little sun we had. We ache. The running muscles, that don't get quite such a work out as th walking ones, hurt. The muscles we haven't felt since we last fenced hurt. We're bruised: we suspect we got hit rather harder as a monster 'cos the PCs felt rather aggrieved at Beatrice's treachery. Want to do it again, though.

Need some more kit: decent breeches and some leather armour that fits properly. And our own dagger and sword.

Sun's out again. Off to the plot!