A Nation Is Born (Inactive)
Game Master Ryuko

A gnome. So small he could ride one of the dogs.

"I have never heard of Gnome people. What do-" his question was cut off by what he saw coming through the doors.

Raxus looks at the woman with surprise and then with unabashed appreciation. As she approaches them he becomes quite tense and uncomfortable in his undersized chair.

Pulling his head down toward his shoulders and his knees closer together the massive man seemed very much like a child trying to make itself smaller in an attempt to be overlooked.

If that was his goal it failed utterly, especially when a moment later the overtaxed chair gave way beneath him, splintering, dumping him onto the floor in a sprawl and nearly upending the table...

Taming these lands will be a prolonged experience. This Stag lord is only the beginning, but removing him is at least. Let us move to planning our assault and begin preparations.

He leans over in his chair, Oleg, when you have time, I would speak with you about fashioning some armor for me. We may need to make a piecemeal set. An armored leather skirt for the legs and an armored belly plate Haramaki. It should affored me a greater level of protection, whilst leaving my arms unimpedded to cast.

Korgun listens intently to the recount of the previous hunt. The fire light flickering deep in his eyes, his cowl now down as he adheres to some of the basic manners in 'civilized' society. His body soaks up the warmth of the fire. Unlike his habits regarding open fires when out in the forests, being indoors he takes the opportunity to stay near to the hearth. He does not say much, having been a soloist most of his life he is cautious within this new party dynamic and is wise enough to let his role and position be determined by events rather than by assertion.

"I have no need for rest right now, I am in sore need of a meal however and would be happy to listen to your plan regarding this Stag Lord. I have already missed some of the fun and care not to miss any more."

Korgun moves to assist the giant after his chair gives way and makes light of the situation. "Not a moment too soon Raxus, the fire is only now starting to dwindle. This kindling should rebuff it's spirit."

He only nods at the well built turning back to the fire. Only the fire see's his face show signs of appreciation at the new arrivals form.

Edit: He only nods at the new arrival, a well built woman and turns back to the fire. Only the fire see's his face show signs of appreciation at the new arrivals form.

Bastagar looks up at the new arrival, eyeing her appraisingly, tracing his fingers along the rim of his pipe before stowing it in his smoking pouch. He smiles to himself and greets her in the tongue of the skalds, drumming a hand against his chest and bowing his head, slightly. "Hej och Välkommen, vän! Har du utseendet på en norr blod om du." he says, moving forwards to greet her. "Or am I wrong? You giant-folk all begin to look the same after a while."

She replies to the 5'10 cleric
"So that explains the troops, and your going to explorer the land.
I hope you know what your getting into as some of the creatures here are deadly."

she sees Raxus trying to make himself smaller and she holds back her minor laughter and puts on a slight smile.

she replies to the gnome
"Das ist einfach zu sagen aufgrund meiner statur, im Vergleich zu den meisten."

Raxus stood up with a scowl and bumped his head on the ceiling. Hunching again he looked at the tall woman with a mixture of anger and embarrassment and stomped off toward the door.

Korgun, taken aback slightly that his humor was lost on the giant watches him stomp off, shakes his head. Perhaps, he was only realizing now, he could not convey his humor for another to appreciate. He bends down and picks up some of the splintered remnants of the 'chair' and looks to Oleg as if to beg the question to throw it upon the fire.

she was being slightly playful and though Raxus was a little cute at his attempt at shrinking

I know. Raxus is just emotionally stunted and doesn't handle embarrassment well.

Alexei looks at the newcomer, impressed by her confidence.

That woman is a warrior. Her ancestors are proud and powerful and that shows in her eyes.

Hearing the discussion, he takes a step forward and voices his opinion in a firm voice.

I worry not for the beasts that roam the land, for they hunt on instinct and for survival. But these Stag Lord bandits prey with malice and cruelty, and they have forgotten the faces of their ancestors such is their shame. Dealing with them should be the priority of anyone planning on ruling the land.

Then he suddenly realizes people are staring at his person.

That's that's what I... think, believe.

I'm terrible at the imperial system (I'm brazillian and we use metric here), but Alexei has as slight build of around 1.65 metres tall and 66 kilos.

Bydar nods as Alexei's words, "Well spoken. It won't be easy but then, I doubt anyone thought it would be." He looks where Raxus left a thoughtful expression in his eyes Raxus is a good man I think, but I suspect he has not been treated kindly in the past and it may have him rightly defensive. I'll talk to him later if he needs some cheering.

Alexei your 5 foot 9

she replies to Alexei
"True, people can be the worst creature found in the wilds."

Waiting on Oleg about the armor

So we act on this bandit's information, head to this Stag lord's lair and attack on his terms? Would it not be better to draw some bandits away first at least?

"Who's this stag Lord?"

Apparently he's chief among the bandits, milady. They move and act according to his orders.

"So he's a bandit leader,
What else do you know about him and
his subordinates?"

"It would appear we've already taken care of some of his officers... as for the Stag Lord himself? Apparently he cultivates an aura of mystery even among his follower. Mind you, this is second hand, but it would his namesake comes in part from an antlered helm that he rarely if ever takes off. He is reclusive, preferring to work through others, but formidable nonetheless of they wouldn't fear and respect him."

"Is there a way of identifying his subordinates?"

"Not that I know. If I recall....One wore a medallion of silver with a stag symbol on it, but I'm not sure if that's typical."

"Thanks, as I now know more than I did."

she thinks to herself
"So it was the Stag lord's underlings that killed my family."

"Oh pardon my manners, I have not introduced myself.
I am Bridgette Etna Asta Valerius."

"Bydar of House Lebeda , in service of Shelyn." Bydar inclines his head "And you are most welcome."

Deacon Nasser. Wizard and Eldritch Knight in training. The pleasure is all mine. And this featherduster on my shoulder is my familiar, Chatterbeak.
Deacon bows.

I... Alexei Yoren, from Restov, milady Valerius., the young man says, offering his hand in greeting.

As Alexei approaches Bridgette, she and the others may notice the color or his is a couple shades clearer than normal; it wouldn't take an expert to deduce he's half-blind.

As he returns to his usual background spot, Alexei appears distracted, looking at a random direction slightly closing his eyes.

He seems to inhale heavily, gathering his willpower around him, and suddenly takes a step forward.

Apparently there is something we need to discuss, good folk. About this Stag Lord and what measures we could take for his defeat. Lady Bridgette, if you have lived on this land and want to see it free from that monter's rule, you could do worse than joining us.

The gnome seems somewhat baffled by the woman's curt reply. He bows his head, excusing himself shortly and ducking out the door, scanning the yard for the giant. He'll begin gathering firewood, tottering over to the chopping block, hefting three large logs in his outstretched arms, his gnarled hands struggling to keep a grip on wood as round as he is. He'll set them down slowly on the much-too-tall block, shaking his head in exasperation as the log reaches up to his chest. If he spots Raxus, he'll give him an entreating glance and beckon him over. "Will you help an old gnome out?"

With or without Raxus, he'll return with an armful of chopped firewood, setting it down by the fireplace in time to hear the exchange.

The gnome murmurs in agreement as Alexei speaks, before standing to his full height of just over three feet tall and dusting off his twisted, gnarled hands. "Bastagar Swiftthicket of Whistledown." he pants, bowing once again, this time in the Restov fashion. "And that, my dear, is not an Ulfen name." he says, knowingly, peering at her from under bushy brows before leaning against the far wall and twiddling his thumbs. "I'm not much of a hunter, but I've never met a bandit I couldn't outwit." he says, pulling a charter from his pocket irreverently and waving it in the air. "Clearly someone thinks I'll be useful, so yes... I will aid you."

"I've never known you to be this quiet, Olef!" he says, chuckling. "Will you put us up for the night, my friend? Otherwise I'll need to purchase a tent..."

Raxus is outside sitting against a tree with his dogs when the gnome steps outside. He nods at the request. Splitting wood is something the big man does exceptionally well. He helps the gnome carry the wood back in, but freezes when he sees the tall golden-skinned woman sitting with the rest of the group. He swallows and sits down cross legged next to the fire, obviously listening, but trying not to seem like he is.

Raxus is about as subtle as a hammer covered in bells.

Korgun pays attention during the introductions, having not remembered everyone's name the first time. "Korgun, child of the forest, hunter of man and beast alike. Well met 'lady' Valerius." He will stay as long as needed for the important business at hand and will then go outside and skirt the woodline for tracks. Animals or bandits. If he gets extremely lucky, he may bring back something to roast as an offering to Olef.

We should question our 'repentant' bandit again, as a group.so we may first hand glean what we can and then decidea course. He may have left something out last time and given our varied talents, no doubt some will need knowledge others may not thinkto ask.

"So you have some bandit prisoners.
If Master Alkaid was around,
she would start redeeming them."

"We're trying to give them a chance at redemption actually. Though there was some debate on the subject."

"Master would have no problem redeeming people,
as she happens to be a an attractive Priestess.
But since she's not here, I would say let those
with a divine connection do the redeeming job."

with a curious smile and tone
"And who's the giant?"

Raxus where did you find the Half-orge template,
and height wise your a large creature (8 feet is the boundary)

I agree wholeheartedly with you, Deacon. What I mean to say is...

The young man walks one or two steps forward and turns to face Bydar.

I am very grateful for your intervention, reverend Bydar. I got careless, the bandits caught me by surprise and I wouldn't be here if it weren't for your action. I had... other motives to come down south, but if you would take me, I would like to fight for your cause. I may not... look much like a warrior, but I count on years of experience and my ancestors' blessings and will work my earnest in achieving peace for this land.

He solemnly offers a bow, waiting for Bydar's response.

"Master would have no problem redeeming people,

as she happens to be a an attractive Priestess.
But since she's not here, I would say let those
with a divine connection do the redeeming job."

"Redemption is much on my mind, but the path can only be illuminated, we can't make them walk it. We'll see how it goes." He says a bit thoughtful.

with a curious smile and tone
"And who's the giant?"

Bydar glances over as Raxus brings in the wood with the gnome, "Thank you, Raxus and Bastagar, that's most kind." The thanks is sincere, but he also hopes it answers Bridgette's question.

I agree wholeheartedly with you, Deacon. What I mean to say is...

The young man walks one or two steps forward and turns to face Bydar.

I am very grateful for your intervention, reverend Bydar. I got careless, the bandits caught me by surprise and I wouldn't be here if it weren't for your action. I had... other motives to come down south, but if you would take me, I would like to fight for your cause. I may not... look much like a warrior, but I count on years of experience and my ancestors' blessings and will work my earnest in achieving peace for this land.

He solemnly offers a bow, waiting for Bydar's response.

Bydar is surprised, "I thank you, but if you think my own motives are somehow free of all selfishness, you are mistaken. And you all have performed admirably, mind you that's by my inexpert opinion. I'm delighted to have you all along...as well as those newcomers I have not seen yet in action if they like. The people of these lands need our help."

she replies to Bydar
"it's true that Redemption can't be forced on someone,
and that the only thing one can do is open the path."