A Song of Mice and Ire (Inactive)

Game Master BastianQuinn

Right, one night's rest, and then I 'ave to get back to Lockhaven. There's a governor what needs a trial. He tells the others, looking around for any bed to collapse in. He'd like to check in on the science-mice, and see if he could get the interim governor to sign Jasmine's tax-thing... but that was morning work, and it was time to sleep.

Health + tough: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 1, 2, 6) = 18

Youre not even going to tell your tenderpaw that you’re alive? Or check to make sure he survived SAVING YOUR LIFE?!?

yeah. He's exhausted and bleeding a lot of blood. Bel feel bad about it in the morning

He cried himself to sleep over your death! You monster! ;)

Well since there are injured mice about and Bry doesn't know about Seyth clearly Bry's only option is to use his two checks to try to make two different poultices for the injured mice who aren't the clearly dead boss mouse.

Healing: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 1) = 8 healing moss if applicable: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Healing: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 3, 4) = 12 healing moss if applicable: 1d6 ⇒ 3

So officially the dice are against me.

Finn, what were you lot doing out here? Seyth asks along the way and, were those weasels beyond the scent border, or did that damned bird fly further than I though?

"To be right honest with you, I'm not sure we got all twisted about," he shamefully answered.

Finn realized he needs to settle down before he does anything else. He finds an oven and starts to bake some sweet bread, some thing that always calms him down. He burns the bread and his mood doesn't improve.

Will: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 1, 1, 1) = 10 Using recipe wise to help if I can.

@Bry: On the bright side, Compassionate should apply to every Healer test because it's tier 2, but I'm getting the feeling Bry might be getting grumpy... What with how everyone is done with their exciting, dangerous adventure, and he's still working...

@Finn: I'd buy it. What's special about this recipe that usually helps destress after a scrape with death?

@Barton: if you're still resting, and using nimble, what position are you in when you get to sleep?

No one told Barton the other patrol arrived. He’s nimbly curled up tightly in his bed (or, if you prefer, his mom aids the roll by singing him to sleep after his big scary day.

I wouldn't mind taking angry to get those extra dice. Ohh and If I am using the moss could I also add moss wise? Ill roll but ignore if its not possible

Compasion 1: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Compasion 2: 1d6 ⇒ 6
mosswise 1: 1d6 ⇒ 5
mosswise 2: 1d6 ⇒ 1

So the second one would be a success regardless. The first is only 2 out of 3.

Nothing really special, it's his mothers recipe and it reminds him of her, which calms him down. also can I spend a point of fate to reroll all those 1's

@Bry: Your choice then, Angry, or out of moss.

@Finn: Fate would re-roll your 6. I misread earlier. A tier 3 trait rerolls all the failed dice.

@Barton: either or both.

Let's have mommy help out. I think that's sweet and underscores how young Barton still is. He's a kid

Angry

Sounds like I'm out of options then.

As he rises from his slumber,aching all over, fur still matted with now dark blood, Seyth bathes quickly, and loses any ability to insist that most of the blood was Midnight's. Then he goes to collect his tenderpaws. Barton, he knew where Barton would be. and Barton would know where Bry would be. and Finn and themwould all open the paths,a nd get back to Lockhaven.

he knocked on the door of Barton's Parent's residence.

Daye calls to Barton as he rushes through their home, headed to his room. After a few minutes, she comes in and sits in a small chair next to Barton's bed. For a village, Sprucetuck is well off. Homes with rooms and beds for every family, hot stones to keep everyone warm. It's been several years since Barton has slept in his own bed, but it's still the way he left it.

Daye pets her son's head and hums an old song. She knows the lyrics, but isn't much of a singer.
Lullaby-wise: 1d6 ⇒ 3

~~~
Elsewhere, Finn has ruined three batches of bread. He still can't get it all straight in his head. If it hadn't been for that freak accident with the owl, there may not have been a way out. Had Niall known their mission was impossible? Had Teigh? Nathaniel hadn't been hurt, like the weasels were keeping him alive and hurting the others. Finn is getting a feeling he was sent to make sure Nathaniel died.
Still angry, still injured, unless we want to say Niall died.

~~~~
Bry, was that two poultices for Injured(ob3), or one for Tired(ob1)?

Daye pets her son's head and hums an old song. She knows the lyrics, but isn't much of a singer.
[dice=Lullaby-wise]1d6

I can't use the support roll I already did (the one that got a 5?) If not, then I will use nimble to cash in that 3rd success

Barton rises from his bed after a surprisingly restful sleep, given the circumstances. He's closest to the door when Seyth knocks and he gingerly opens it, not relishing the idea of transporting a prisoner with only Bry to help.

His jaw hits the ground when he sees Seyth.

Are...are you a ghost, sir?

Oh! Yeah. Use that one.

I can't do that to Niall

Frustrated Finn tried to sort everything out in his mind. The mouse trusts his instincts but isn't sure who' else he can trust and holds his tongue. He bides his time looking for an opportunity to talk to Nathaniel alone.

I can't lie even though it would be a benefit, I did both on the injured one. Bry would be trying to help as many of the workers as possible and regard tiredness as the least of his concerns.

Bry finished up a single poultice after hours of work. He sat down, annoyed. Stupid jerk wasting everyone's time. he began. That stupid leader just had to wast my time. I hope he is exiled for this. Not to mention Seyth! I could have helped Barton and Seyth could have actually done something instead of getting eaten by an owl.

The young mouse looked at the injured and shook his head. No one listened and this is the result. No that's not it. The laborers and harvesters had nothing to do with this. It was that stupid tax plan Seyth and Barton tried to push instead of letting me do my job. Taxes be damned there were people who could have been saved a lot sooner!

Hehehehe

Wait a minute... is he complaining about how Seyth saved Bry in the forest, and some weird plan he had in the courtroom... Oh, he's getting a talking to!

Not a ghost, ya fool. We've things to do, so get your things and tell me where the other lad is. Seyth says. he's combed his fur to hide the cuts, but not well.

Poor Barton, Cries himself to sleep over his metor, and when his mentor comes back, it's to call him a fool and tell him to get going.

He is mad that the Guard didn't say screw this stupid trial lets just help instead. :P He did sign up to save mice after all :P

Bry: You made both poultices. A failure almost never means you don't get what you want. Either I give you a condition, or I present a twist, which usually means you have to make another roll, but still end up with what you were working toward.

Bry sets about dressing Darrow's injuries in the long medical burrow beside the cistern at the base of Sprucetuck. This long hall is dressed with herbs woven into the walls and rows of stuffed cots. Pilib stays nearby, holding Darrow's hand, and running to fetch anything young Bry may need. Since he's not part of the party, you can roll a test to try and heal Darrow's Injury, and then his Sickness if you succeed. Both are ob3. You'll have Pilib's help with Laborer. Sprucetuck is well-stocked with medicine, so you won't risk losing your moss.

Further down the hall, Nathaniel is curled up on one of the cots. Finn eases himself down to the Cartographer's side. "Ay, Finn." Nathaniel pushes himself into a seated position with a sigh. "You holdin' together? -you don't haveta' worry over me. I didn't tell those cat-snakes anythin' they might use." He sounds like he should laugh, here, but there is a deep sadness behind his eyes, which flit down the hall to where Darrow clings to life. “Any word of Arne? I threw him my notes before we were captured.”

Healer+Compassionate+moss+Mosswise: 7d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 4, 1, 4, 4, 2) = 20 Injury try.
3 Successes

Healer+Compassionate+moss+Mosswise: 7d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 3, 1, 6, 4, 6) = 28 Sickness try.
WTF The dice love it when Bry heals the sick. 4 successes, 3 sixes....

Bry wastes no time working on Darrow, using the medical supplies to his advantage.

Barton moved to hug is mentor, then thought better of it. Last I saw Bry, he was helping load up the food we harvested. He might still be there. So...uh...how did you get away from the owl?

"Arne? I heard nothing of him but I'll ask around," he offered. He lowered his voice in a conspiratorial whisper, "I have an uneasy feeling about this whole mess. Was there anything strange about you mission or capture?

So... Bry is going to be busy I take it... Can I just takeover/make a medical ward

Nathaniel gives Finn a sidelong look. "The war's been and gone, Finn, and Tiegh is still runnin' these missions like there's a quota on blood. Paranoia and big risks are what ended that war, but I never thought it was a great idea to send such a big patrol across the new border. You know those catsnakes would take any excuse to march on the south cape cities, and you've seen how close they are to Sprucetuck and Pebblebrook... I dunno. Y' should have kept yer distance. Y' had no business getting that close to a warband, I don't care how good a Fighter Niall is. Somehow I doubt you were sent on a rescue mission."

As Bry works tirelessly, he pictures taking ownership of the burrow. Sprucetuck's Healers are still cloistered with the rest of their scholars, determining a new governor, but they could surely use a skilled apprentice. Then a reality sinks in: for all the beds and supplies, there are no other patients. A few laborers come to him with cuts and scrapes, but in this case, the Guard has done its job and shouldered the harsher realities of the world. There is another injured Guardmouse, but he's speaking with Lockhaven's head Cartographer in hushed tones, and does not seem the type who would appreciate an interruption.

A Sprucetuck Healer enters the ward, shocked to see cots in use. "You Lockhaven mice should go to the great hall if you can. We have selected a new governor who wishes to speak to you."

~~~
Upstairs, Connor returns home, pressing a paw to his temple. Seeing Seyth and Barton, he stops, looking surprised, but happily so. "They're done selecting a new governor, save us." The Armorer cracks his knuckles. "Everyone's gathering in the great hall. They've got Berach chained to a post. Barton, when you're done, come see me before you leave, yeah?" He gives Barton's head a tousle before heading inside.

Bry dusts himself off and looks at his patient. Make sure you get your rest now. I will be back to check up on you later.

Still angry, the young mouse walks to the Great Hall. He had a few things he wanted to say to this new governor.

Finn shrugged his shoulders, " I couldn't leave a fellow mouse to those weasels." He pace about the room and continued, "So you threw Arne all of your notes?

well, it weren't gonn a eat me, what with it's bead lopped off. thanks fer that. and then it came down with a fatal case of spear in eye. He says, and immediately regrets it I got lucky, boy, I lucky. Don't get it in your head to go Owlslaying.

How big a deal is Owlslaying? like, are owls mouse-dragons? is it pretty common, most guard patrols have an owl or two under their belts?

Right, we'll be up promptly. Seyth says to the armourer. what do you figure he's got for you? he asks Barton as they leave for the great hall.

Barton gives a little shrug. We both got lucky, I think. I thought I was done for when it started to rain. But we fed Sprucetuck and we have enough musk for the scent border. I think we’ll be ok. Now to get Berach to justice.

Pain-blind owl brains himself on a tree, and the mouse that performed his lobotomy wants to throw around words like owl-slayer. I'm sure you'll do the responsible thing and represent your tenderpaw's achievement in concrete terms. ;) Midnight's a relatively small owl. The great horned owl has a nature of 8, and is too large to injure with weapons.

Nathaniel nods. "Yes. He should'a made it to Pebblebrook by now." Finn does remember a guardmouse in Pebblebrook. He had said what he had wasn't all of Nathaniel's notes, but that may have been because he couldn't read them. Between those notes, yours, and Nate's recollection, you should be able to draw out a faithful map once you're back at Lockhaven.

With some of his worries settled Finn takes leave of Nathaniel and begins to make preparations for the journey. He worries, "Hopefully we didn't create move problems then we solved.

not sue if admitting the The boy had killed an owl would do good for him. a little prestige, but if he pulls that again, unnecessarily, he might get killed

Also, he grappled with the owl bravely for minutes (maybe even a half-hour) before cleverly driving it to concuss itself on the tree!

Those of you interested arrive in the great hall to find Berach is indeed chained to a post in front of the central fire of Sprucetuck. The scholars are filed into their seats, watching and waiting. On the plinth, Berach’s throne has been pushed over on its side, and standing in its place is the lone laborer from the previous night, still surly. Teryn stands and makes an introduction: “All rise for the twenty-third govornor-elect of Sprucetuck: head Laborer Algomin, first of his discipline to hold office.”

“’bout damn time,” mumbles Algomin as the scholars stand. “You lot ‘r takin’ this dingbat to trial, right? Anything else y’d care to say? Fer savin’ these sorry bookworms’ bacons yer owed damn near anythin’ we c’n offer as I see it. An’ fer the next couple years, things go as I see them.”

Barton leaned over and whispered to Seyth. Ask for clemency for Mitzi. She saved the scentwall and her invention saved your life, my life and the harvest mission. We can bring her to Lockhaven if the Spruetuckese feel unsafe around her.

Three requests, if I may be so bold. Seyth says. Firstly, I had meant to request a brief meeting with you, to discuss a potential change to how the scent border is funded.

Secondly, I've been asked to request clemency for The bellkeeper. we can discuss the terms of this clemency, or your concerns, in the aforementioned meeting, but I can testify that the girl at least seems to have recognized her error, and shown some amount of contrition

And, for the boy He indicates Bry I would ask for medical elixir, if you could spare any. He's a skilled healer, who would put it to good use.

"I'd be a fool not t' hear ye out on yer potential change." Algomin sits back on his haunches, resting his paws together. The old-new governor has the posture and mannerisms of wildling mouse new to civilization: sniffing the air, glancing into the shadows. It's a refreshing and sensible inversion of Berach's utterly un-mouse-like demeanor, if a bit of an over-steer. "Th' bellfounder's to go wi' you, unless y' care to object. If ye'd like to talk it over in private, we can. Most couldn't see her punished, but we can't have her packing our silage wi' green powder, and those weapons should be in the paws what need 'em." There is a pause as the governor seems to consider his words. "Heard Midnight won't be comin' back... Those horns could do fer the sky what the scent's done on th' ground. -only not in Sprucetuck."

For the last request, Algomin crouches down to plant his forepaws and hop forward to the edge of his platform of office. Easing back to his haunches, he looks down to meet the angry Tenderpaw's eyes. "If that's what the jumper wants, he should know he's got the pick of our stocks any time he stops by. Anythin' he can carry on his own, mind you. I'll not have him back with a cart team to clear us out."

Algomin seemed like a wise and thoughtful mouse. Sprucetuck was in good hands and Barton felt safe leaving his family and friends here. As the meeting broke up, he rushed over to Mitzi.

You'll be coming with us, then. It's not ideal, I know, but at least you'll be alive. Lockhaven's not so bad. It's warm all winter and you'll likely be one of the smartest mice there.

Barton was anxious to get back on the road. He was nervous about transporting a dangerous prisoner (Berach, not Mitzi, obviously) and he wanted to get back to Lockhaven as quickly as possible.

He was surprised to realize that he was also excited to bring his maps back to Nathaniel. He'd always through of the mapmaking as a chore, an obstacle to the real fun of being a guardhouse. But after the excitement and terror of the day before, he looked forward to spending more quiet time drawing maps and maybe a little less time clinging to the back of a flying monster.

Plus, it was a VERY good map.

Bry looked at the new mayor and nodded upon hearing Seyth's request. Mayor. If you run out of food again send word to the guard as fast as possible. Don't want a repeat of this now do we?

Finn was so caught up in his own affairs he didn't realize that Sprucetuck went through its own turmoil. He decides that once they leave he will ask Seth to fill him in.

As Barton relays the news to Mitzy, he can tell she is not pleased. He finds her near her foundry, packing the two copper clarions the other mice were previously carrying. Whatever has her upset, though, she's not being forthcoming. "So, not a significant change, yeah?" She laughs weakly. "Better than being lumped in with Berach, I guess."

~~~

Finn and Bry leave the chamber together, Seyth staying behind for his private audience, and Barton running ahead to pester Mitzy.

~~~

Seyth is lead to a small office, still lavishly decorated in Berach's eccentric style. Algomin stands beside the large desk, shoveling papers into a bin by the armload. "[b]Such a waste... 'Finish daily checklist: unchecked.' That's the whole page. I hear you've made more responsible use of paper yerself. What'm I agreeing to?

Bry goes to gather his stuff and get ready to move on to the last town wordlessly. He avoids his fellow guard, still convinced they are partially responsible for everything that happened

Elixer is a Healer supply with the so-called 'deadly' tag. It will add 1s to a successful Healer test during a conflict. It can also be used as a supply in a Health test to overcome Sick or Will test for Angry, which is rare.

Jasmine, the Governor of Ivydale, has proposed Seyth slides it over onto his desk. it proposes a tax across the territories, which would be used to fund the scent border. it is Her and my view that this will help keep the borders strong, and prevent another winter like this one. If you agree, another signature upon the document would lend more gravitas to it

Algomin looks to a large mouse that had been standing in the corner. "Give that a once over, Thad. I c'n read a fair hand, but I know better than to trust m'self with words that heavy." He turns to Seyth, "I dunno how yer gonna get it signed, but let it be known that Sprucetuck will pay from the top, same as Lockhaven."

Thad hands the document back. "It says the details will be worked out at a summit in the fall, but Jasmin's proposal is per head. This document asserts that everyone in the territories will pay for all material and labor, but not how."

"Fair enough." Algomin sets the document down, taps a brass seal in dye and makes his mark on the page.

Couldn't tell ya how it's planned, not my business. I just told Jas I'd show it around. witht hat, he heads out, to go retrieve his tenderpaws

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bry~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Right, lad, we're heading to Elmoss. You can have the afternoon we get there off, while Barton and I sort out resupply and guard matters, you can go see your family. was gonna give the same to Barton, before we almost got hung. He tells him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Barton~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You did right well in that fight. He tells the lad, sitting on the bed so, I'm thinking of assigning you an extra task. you'd be in charge of keeping Berach with us. Not slippery, as mice go, but he might have some trick up his sleeve. can you handle that and the mapping, or should I assign it to Finn, while he travels with us? what he didn't say was why he was assigning this. Seyth wasn't young any more, and even bound, Berach might out-scamper him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Finn~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I think it would be best if you traveled with us, back to Lockhaven. we'll have a prisoner, any of the wounded who can come, and that damned bell-keeper, and I'd like another guardsmouse with us. are you willing? Seyth says. he could, probably, pull rank and order him to come with, but Seyth didn't want to, grudging help was sometimes worse than none.

Barton bit his lip, pondering Seyth's question. He'd like to think he could handle both, but then he remembered how deeply he focused on the landscape, losing himself in the map. It was the best he'd ever done in cartography...and there'd be no way to do both.

I'd like to tell you I could do both, sir...but I don't think I can. I'd either make a lousy map or let the prisoner go. I'm happy to do one or the other, but I don't think I can do both. I'm...I'm sorry if I disappointed you. I should be able to handle both, I know, but...I guess even after all my training, I'm just not there yet.