Sonechka nods at Furiel and Norton. "Just so." She looks over at Dolgrym. "That doesn't prevent him from escaping while we wait for suitable confines to be built. How long would it take to craft a cell made entirely of cold iron and washed with gorgon's blood? We would have to watch him the whole time, all the while knowing he is perfectly willing to return to his master with his information and come back to fight us in the future."
She turns back to Barndoor. "And what would you or your master do, if the situation were reversed? I'm not asking for moral guidance from you, simply trying to gauge what kind of enemies we face."
Barndoor leans enough to be able to glance at Kane, then faces Sonechka as he responds.
"No I see the thrust of your question,and to answer I really bear no objection.
She's not been paid to kill you lot,
and not prone to fire the op'ning shot."
"Be nice to her? Compliment her knitting?
Never touch her belly rolls while she's sitting?
Usual things will muddy her mood.
I simply would think on not being rude."
"Now on to me. I shudder to think
of spending all hours in Gorgon's blood stink.
But it would abate the itch I'm sure to get
wondering if you'd found Old Beldame yet
we could chat about it in my cold cell over drinks!"
Sonechka nods at Barndoor, a small smile on her dark lips. "I think I would enjoy further conversations with you. I have quite enjoyed this one. If you were to pledge not to attempt to escape during the time we have you in captivity, we may get the opportunity."
Hmmm, we need some time to assemble and drill troops, because I refuse to throw a untrained militia against real enemies just to watch them die...
That means we have some time before we strike, I think we should see if we can find this Beldame first, see if we can make sure we are not being attacked by everything in these lands.
"If you vow yourselves to not let me rot,
I'll vow to let you know before I pop off.
Not to say I know if I could do it or not.
Hard to scout out cells under bailey and motte."
"That is the deal, I'll give you my pledge.
Take what you will.. my word or my head."
"You will return for imprisonment."
"Right, so we have a pledge then.
And we also have a task at hand.
This is the way I see it, we return to Stagfall and being preparation to raise an army, while that is in effect, we try to locate this "Beldame" and see if we can strike an accord.
Also, I suspect we may soon get a visit from the Magpies with a report, so we may have to deal with that as well.
Plus, it will get us "old boys" a chance to show the newcomers around."
Sonechka nods at Green and Barndoor. "I think we must accept his pledge." She turns to Furiel and switches to the strange hollow-sounding, echoey language of the residents of the elemental plane of air.
"I don't think we could hold him against his will. Not without a cell ready-made. Unless you will sit with him for however many weeks it takes to craft the iron and make it escape proof? I think our choices are as he said- accept his pledge and let him leave, or kill him here and now. Anything else is inviting him to escape at some time in the future with no pledge from him at all; the same result, except worse for us."
"Well, we can resolve this matter with a tribunal. No way you can make a pledge and go free after what he did. Let us see how a pledge not to escape works first."
"Well, we do need to return and assemble our army. We probably have only a few weeks to get ready. We have had no time to work on our economy, so we can't afford a protracted war. Let me see what weapons we have and we can start training immediately."
I'm going to let them work this out, but later I need to have a talk with everyone about debating in front of our captives...
Dolgrym stood by mostly silently. He had just met half of these people and really didny think he had much of a say in their business at such an early date.
Barndoor is unyielding in his offer, and doesn't seem to understand the problem with it.
"Plan out the crossing a whole lifetime of bridges?
The outcome of this thing I can count on two digits.
Was told once that gnomes are fey minus the fun,
ringing true here, seeing how things are run."
"A General Gnome... nearly brings me to tears.
Shouldn't you be off somewhere fondling gears?
I'll take my bow now my tale feels complete
Won't sit left to wither too long past Act Three."
"Or take me along, and I'll sit in your cell
like a well mannered guest in a well run hotel.
And if after a time things don't quite pan out,
I'll give you fair warning before I skip out."
Furiel tries to maintain a serious face, but can't help but burst out laughing as he brushes away tears. He turns to face Barndoor:
"Fey minus the fun--that is a good one. If you can give us any useful information about the Foul King, it will make your stay shorter."
"I may lend some aid, if the conditions are right,
I'd be out of my beans were I to spill all tonight."
At the idea of having you killed
surely we are no thrilled
If you say you are coming with
a fair treatment we will give
Be warned, we can be kind
miss your word and we will mind.
Barndoor laughs.
"Tell you what friend, your verse hath disarmed me.
I guess spilling out one bean won't come to harm me."
"Stroke his hungry ego or stoke his blind rage,
his playbook - scribed double-spaced - would not fill a page.
One thing the Foul King has... all the troops that he needs,
but food is more scarce than the mouths they're to feed."
"On their own they are.. those outside the lair,
To forage and hunt more than the lands meant to bare.
He keeps all the strongest well pampered within
while the forces without tend to wear paper thin."
A big grin slowly spreads over The Green Man's face, making him seem both more and less bestial at once.
"A muscle head that leads by force rather than true insight, now why does that seem oddly familiar to me hmm?
It does seem like history will repeat itself all over again.
The wolf will hunt and nip at his heels, and when he turns to retaliate, we will shift our focus and strike again."
Satisfied, The Green Man nods and claps his hands.
"Very good, but enough talk for now, let us be going now, we will not see more sleep this night either way."
"Barndoor, who would you prefer to ride with hmm?"
At Barndoor's apparent acquiescence, Sonechka nods. At his nugget of information on the Foul King, she actually smile. It's actually a little unpleasant- like seeing a fox smile at a chicken. She looks at Norton, the smile still on her lips. "We should have had you talking to him this whole time."
Barndoor defers his decision to whomever offers to share their saddle, and is quiet on the ride to Stagfall.
You arrive after midnight. Kesten shows up once he is made aware of your arrival and prisoner, but offers to let you rest before tending to other official matters. Regarding Barndoor,
"Master Broadhammer has assured me the lower level is quite secure. There have been no issues with our current prisoner... this fellow certainly appears less sinister. Shall I take him down...?"
Cloak of resistance +1
Potions: Cure light Wounds(2), Cure Moderate Wounds, Bestow Insight Know(local)+3
Mwk Backpack
Disguise kit(8 uses remain)
"Sketchbook" - Sonechka has this.
"No, I appreciate your loyalty Kesten, but I'll escort him down myself this time."
Turning to Barndoor, The Green Man grins and waves a meaty hand.
"Come along ye purveyor of riddles and rhyme,
your accommodation may be snug but it won't cost you a dime.
Bright and early when the sun comes up,
I shall join you for breakfast that we both may sup.
Tell me now what your preferences in food may be,
I shall make sure to get it for thee."
This rhyming lark is not easy, but a bit of fun.
"My palette she's not fickle, picky, or too strict.
Or my belly drowns her out with calls for Food quick!"
"But to save us some time and our waiter's good temper,
you might as well come bearing salt and black pepper."
You pass the cell of the other prisoner Nihtscada, she looks up.
"Ah milady seems I am to be locked up near thee,
My name is Barndoor. Who might you be?"
He shrugs when she doesn't answer, and continues into his cell.
"That sot was one of the strangest creatures I've ever seen. I don't think I'll be heading down to commiserate with that prisoner, that's for sure!"
Sonechka accompanies Green and Barndoor down into the dungeon, looking curiously at the other prisoner as they pass by. She nods at the two of them. "I will join you for breakfast as well. I've enjoyed our talk."
After delivering the prisoner to his new "accomodations" The Green Man retires to his chamber and sends for Kesten, Kressle, a bottle of wine and three cups.
He is either insane, pretending to be insane, or insane and pretending to be insane.
He might be using his "madness" as a distraction... some hidden agenda, but you have nothing more than a hunch to support that idea.
Dolgrym finds the dwarven building crew and has a late night round of drinking with with his fellows. The rest of the evening, he tries to speak in couplets, but he wasn't nearly as successful as Barndoor.
Kesten takes little coaxing, and Kressle none at all... they join Green to share a bottle.
Dolgrym finds the dwarven laborers (Broadhammers mostly) in their gathering place in Spitch Fowler's pavilion tent. They aren't sure at first what to make of him (and raise their ample eyebrows with Dolgrym's bardic attempts), but cozy up after the usual "dwarven icebreaker ritual" of listing lineage and recounting tales of their ancestors.
Brarim Broadhammer spots Furiel and pivots on the bench to address him without having to abandon his freshly delivered pint. "Ah. Master Furiel, sir! My men on your project are nearly finished - subcontracted pair of arcane builders are doin there imbuements right now. Meh... they like to work alone in the wee hours. Guess that's the nature of the work, but... "Cast a critical eye upon what a man builds in strict solitude". He shrugs off what was likely an ancestor's quote, "Bottom line, Master General... no hitches and we'll have her fired up by midday."
"Good, you are both here.
Let me tell you why I wanted to talk, because I'm afraid it was not just to share a friendly drink, even if that is part of it."
Taking a sip of wine, The Green Man scratches his chin for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts.
"War is coming...
It seems like the Staglord was not the only menace to live in these realms.
Granted, we did not think he was, but it seems like we have gained the attention of yet another ill tempered and ill named creature.
The foul king, if you can believe such a silly name, seems to have decided that we are a threat."
The Green Man pauses for a moment, looking at Kesten and Kressle, looking for any sign of recognition at the name.
Kesten is apparently unfamiliar with the name as he looks to Kressle. She shrugs when both pairs of eyes are on her.
"It has been our intention to raise a military for some time, but these new developments have forced us to put this plan ahead of time.
Both of you have experience as leaders, and both have experience in different types of fighting."
Pouring everyone a new round of wine, The Green Man pauses long enough to wet his tongue, dry from talking already.
"I intend to explain to the people who have arrived and call for volunteers.
Tomorrow me and my companions will finish the exploration of the nearby area, this will allow for you to gather people for my speech on the following day.
We are going to have to do some serious training and outfitting, because from all appearances, this threat is already preparing to move.
I would like to plan further ahead, but we need to see just how many recruits we can gather, and what kind of quality of soldiers we can train before we do that."
"Kesten, The Green Man turns towards the man, You are a military man, so I know you can gives invaluable pointers and tips for this purpose, and we are very glad to have you."
"Kressle, The Green Man turns to address the former bandit, Your knowledge of the area, of skirmish tactics will help us, as it is quite possible we will have to fight in wooden terrain, so teaching the recruits basic woodcraft will be valuable."
"And there is one more thing, I intend to make this recruitment open to all that want to help and can reasonably be expected to fight well, men and women both, all races that we have.
In fact, we expect a visit from our kobold allies...or have we already mentioned that?"
First thing Norton does once home is to find a boy who can take care of Murak after yet another day of long riding. Then he whases up and takes a change of clothes.
Then he looks for Rook.
"Rook, I might have a job for you. Right now it seems that you are the best scout around, and between owlbears and other creatures I am worried that every time we step outside the most beaten paths, we will run into some umpleasant encounter."
"I would like you to set up a small team, trappers, hunters, five to six people who can handle themselves in the wild, at least a bit. They don't need to be combat trained, I don't intend to have them facing enemies. But, while we confront more structured threats, I would like to avoid casual ones, so they will go around, checking the wilderness for possible dangerous animals and other things."
"We know at least of another owlbear closeby, worgs seem to live southeast from here, beside that we sit in the dark, look around, and bring me more useful informations."
"Can you do that?"
Then, later in the evening, if it happens him to find out about the conversation Green is having with K&K, he mentions Akiros to the bulky man. He might have been gloomy, but probably is a valuable asset, and having a purpose could set him back on track.
Later, around midnight, he pays a visit to Nihtscada's cell. Once inside he sits on the floor in silence for a couple of minutes, to see if the late hour is for her a more congenial one
"Can you do that?"
"Sure thing. Rather not take out a bunch of greenhorns if it can be helped. If you're willing to gimme 500 gold and about 4 days, and I'll put together a decent team. And if you've found no use for Budgie's brother Arliss yet, he's worth his weight in salted pork... I could use him. I'd be glad to have someone else sifting through droppings."
Kesten speaks after Green finishes...
"We have some worthy of soldiering. I would be willing to devote time toward preparing a training curriculum and a call for recruits. The sooner you know how many anticipate needing, the better I can say how difficult it might be... I'd prefer at least a month to train if we have that much time."
Kressle keeps quiet for Kesten, then adds... "Yeah. Just let me know what you need. I'm itchin to step off the flagstone for a bit. And I don't have a problem fighting beside any folk or critter who knows how to fight with some sense."
The Green Man rubs his face thoughtfully for a moment, then he takes a sip from the wine before answering.
"I do not know how long time we have truly, while the recruits are trained, we will do our best to delay the foul king as much as possible, but you understand I can make no promises at this time."
I don't know how many of the people who have arrived here are willing to fight, some of them may have come here to ESCAPE fighting...
But I must be fair AND tell the truth. Let the people decide...
"Once I have made the call to arms, we will divide the people into three groups.
One group will be the spine, the best and most likely to be soldiers, the second group will be those more likely to suit hunting and wood lore, the third group will be assigned to guard the city.
I know this is not ideal, and might seem rushed, but at this point we have little choice, and must make the best of what we have."
"We have a lot to do, so unless either of you have something to say, we should all retire for the night."
The Green Man gives Kesten and Kressle a few moment in case they DO have something to say.
"On the way out, please Find Akiros and send him to me as well."
After drinking most of the night away with his dwarven fellows, Dolgrym finds a nice spot to rest for the evening, interested to explore more of this land in the morning. He dreamed of hidden dwarven ruins filled to the brim with gold as he slept.
Furiel smiles as he digests what information their captive divulged.
Valuable information it was.
As Norton speaks to Rook, Furiel awakes early the next day with a plan. He gathers Rook, Kesten, and Kressle with a map of the area with the location of the Foul King's lair marked.
"We will not be committing regular soldiers to guard Stagfall. A militia trained to arm and fight during emergencies should do."
He points to the lands of the Foul King.
"Our forces will be used for hunting and foraging. I need these lands depleted of as much food as possible. Hunters will be removing game, scouts will be picking all usable fruits and berries, and any farms with crops anywhere close to harvesting will be left depleted."
"Then,,,we will prepare to field our regular troops when the hunters have reduced the forage."
"We have a lot to do, so unless either of you have something to say, we should all retire for the night."
Kesten has one last piece of advice "I believe it would be wise to involve General Furiel in this matter. Once war is declared, he will have the final word. It might be better to reach an understanding now."
Nihtscada is unresponsive. You may make rolls or if there was something in particular you had in mind to say to her, go ahead.
"I need these lands depleted of as much food as possible."
Kesten looks wary of Furiel's plan. "Hmm... not a terribly honorable action, but that tactic... or something of that nature does sound familiar. However, from my understanding General, war has not yet been declared. Depleting their food supply is an act of war."
Kressle adds "You can't raze a village without breaking a few heads..."
There was some (historical cavalry fighting force) who used the tactic of depleting the resources of the terrain while in false retreat. They fared much better than the much larger infantry chasing them.
Akiros sends a servant to deliver his regrets for not being able to join you. He cannot say for certain his current ague is not something contagious.
Rojeune arrives in the morning with Errol at her side... interrupting Furiel's meeting. She immediately sends Errol off to fetch the other leaders. "What do we have here? How I love walking in on people hunched over maps." She lifts an envelope. "I have my report on Kinsilvi."
"Ah, lady Rojeune, pleased to see you again. And you will no doubt be pleased to know we have begun plans for building our army, per our agreement."
The Green Man takes the envelope, but does not read it right away, instead he indicates the maps to Rojeune.
"Why not have a look? This may end up interesting you as well."
While Errol may not know her, Sonechka is observant, curious, and forceful enough to barge in on a meeting even when she isn't invited. She shows up soon after Rojeune sends Errol off to collect the other leaders. She looks at the maps, then at Furiel and Green. "Planning the coming war, I see. A shame we don't have the kind of intelligence gathering capability as the Foul King. Barndoor was easily able to infiltrate this town, but we have no friendly fey to send to spy on them in turn." She shakes her head. "This will be a short war if he knows all about us and we know nothing about him."
"Something we may be able to alleviate if you can find this "Beldame" and come to some sort of accord with her. It does not pay to underestimate our foes, but we should not underestimate ourselves either."
Sonechka nods. "It is easy to underestimate someone you know nothing about. That goes for both the Foul King and the Beldame."
Furiel smiles at Kesten. "I understand your reservations, but we do not have the resources for a protracted conventional war. The Foul King has been established here longer, much longer than we are. Hunting the lands is the right of a free man. Many free men hunting systematically could be seen as an act of war. But he is already planning to get us."
Sonechka looks curiously at Furiel and Kesten. "What are we talking about? Hunting?"
"I am not familiar with this Beldame or Foul King. Though this is outside the territory I know, we would be willing to see what we can find out.. I will repeat my cause for concern regarding the area here where - I was told - all divination has been resisted."
She points to the "?" on the map between Stagfall and the Foul King's lair.
Research: Lost both parents to an unknown disease... they suffered for years. He was taken in by an uncle, and began schooling in the medical arts. Allegedly driven by his loss.
Before finishing his studies, he joined his uncle on the Lurleton expedition.
The expedition had many difficulties, and the Lurleton's staff withered. Only a handful remained. The Lurleton's daughter - their only child - was married off. Kinsilvi was one of the last to remain with the aging matriarch of the Lurleton... the end of the family name.
Infiltration: Several dwoemers visible throughout the house. Security insignificant and mundane. Second-story window suggested point of entry.
Structure behind the house contains a small kobold hatchery. Females within appear to be resigned to their conditions. Without direct interference, it could not be determined whether they are there willingly or do not see escape as an option. Agent described a smell which was later attributed to prolonged infection.
Determination: Mild threat level... further investigation would require more than casual trespassing.