DM-Tareth's Modified Kingmaker Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Tareth


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male Human Bard (Detective) 2

For the record, from what I recall we only brought back one prisoner, there were two others incapacitated, but Imon killed them while they slept.

Imon overheard Anwel's question, and decided to move closer so he could talk to the stranger. He turned and followed with his eyes who the elf was talking about. When he saw her, he replied, "That would be Kressle, one of the major bandit leaders. We set up a nice ambush for her, and she gave up when she saw that she'd been beaten."

Imon watched the broken form of the bandit leader as he spoke, smiling smugly. He frowned at the thought that she would recover. He turned away, and looked an Anwel. "Seems she hadw a boss of her own, that put some kind of magical heartstopper in her in case she ever turned. When she surrendered, Thad, over there," He pointed at the spot where Thad was when he said that, "cut a hole in her and fished the thing out, then he crushed it in his hand." Imon's tone suddenly took a turn for the bitter. "I can understand the use of keeping her alive for questioning, especially if she has a boss, but I don't see much reason why she should live a minute longer than that."


Elf Paladin 2

There was the prisoner who surrendered to Warren, and Kressel herself.

I love how the story of the amulets grows in the telling ;)


Male Elf Shadowcaster 4

"Interesting," says Anwel, for more than one reason. He turns his head and gives Imon an appraising look. His story tells Anwel at least three things, and further thought would probably reveal more. First, that Thad was not the surgeon who had dissected the spider. Kressle was too messy for that. Second, that Thad was a decent person, and that Imon...was at least worth getting to know better. Third, that Happs was a liar. The Stag Lord - and who else could Kressle's boss be? - did employ mages or magic.

"I suppose it is too much to hope that you kept the pieces," he says, "or that it was in the shape of a spider." Death magic was new to Anwel. Meldon had not known it, but his mistress had. Maybe she, or her contact here, could identify the effect without the device, but Anwel does not think he can. That the devices and the dissected spider they had found were connected was unlikely as well. He scowls. Maybe it's because he knows that Kressle's wounds weren't from torture now, but once again his first thoughts are for the problem and not for the people. Why?

"In my experience," he says, trying to impress upon the human how much that meant, "one keeps a prisoner as long as they want something from them. The question is what is wanted. You want information, and no more." That was being generous, Anwel thinks. He recognizes the look in Imon's eye. He wants to see her in pain, though perhaps not for her to realize she deserves it. "Thad may want a change in her behavior. Oleg may want her labor - even compared to the settlers, she looks strong." He pauses for a moment, then turns to the table. The stew smells underdone, like the meat hadn't had a chance to properly ripen. Not all the newcomers could cook like Svetlana, it seemed. And Anwel still is not that hungry. So he takes bread and cheese instead.

"For example, when we first arrived he and Svetlana were being harassed and extorted by a man named Happs and a couple of his lackeys," he says. He's not done talking, so he holds the food in his hands. "We captured them, and figured they could repay what they had taken by their labor. I have not seen them yet. What happened to them?"


Human Druid(Eagle Shaman) 6 | Per +12(+20 as eagle) AC 11 (15 MA), t11, ff10 (14 MA) hp 47/47 Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +7

Warren observes the interchange with interest. Others felt the need to interject themselves into awkward pauses and answer questions, but not the druid. He calmly puts his eagles on strategic perches to watch the surrounding area, then grabs some food from Svetlana and returns a big smile and a nod. Saying a quick blessing to Gozreh, he begins to eat his food.

Warren then remarks without preamble, "We brought settlers here to begin to form a nation here, they are our primary concern. Some bandits attacked our charges, and after defeat their leader was the victim of one of those death charms. Thad's heroism is all the more remarkable because he knew what these ticking deathbombs can do. Imon here is a lawman from Brevoy and chased these bandits a long way. Rather than have him return and have has bandit hunting talents go to waste, we informally 'charterized' him."

Warren eats for a few moments and adds: "Charters seem to be awarded quite freely. Could be group of twenty with more charters appearing on the morrow. I don't put nearly as much stock in them as I did when I first saw one."


She chuckles at Anwel's comment, "Oh, you can be sure everyone has been pitching in to help in many ways Master Elf. Why I think Donal has performed miracles with his tools and those former bandits. He's done more mending and repairing in the last few days than Oleg or I could've ever imagined. All of the others are pitching in and doing their bit, you've no need to worry there."

Svetlana nods her thanks to the two women as they drop off the platters. Placing her hand on the older woman's shoulder she turns back to Anwel and says, "This is Andrea Meyerson and her daughter Alexis."

Both offer welcoming smiles and greetings before sitting down at one of the tables themselves.


Hearing the questions around Happs demise, Oleg pipes in, "Aye, he apparently didn't learn his lesson the first time around."

"He ran off shortly after you lot left. He didn't cause any more harm here, but he met his final end when he took on these folk as they traveled south. Judging from the tale they tell, he managed to round up some reinforcements in the process."

His eyes flick toward the gate as he continues, "The others you left behind met their maker as well. But they stayed true to their word. They were killed during the first day of the small siege we suffered. Their own fellows arrows took 'em while they stood the wall trying to keep them scoundrels from gettin' in."

With a slight shake of his head he grabs a chunk of cheese, "Course most of those men ended up seeing the light after their leader was killed. Another nasty bit o' work he was. But then Warren and Thad there could tell you more I'm sure."

Popping the cheese in his mouth he grabs a pitcher and pours a pint of ale for himself and anyone else who seems thirsty.


Elf Paladin 2

I'm not sure what we're doing about the first wave of charter bearers who became inactive. Tityanna figured out a lot about the charms' origin and function, and I don't think it's a stretch that she would have shared it with us 'off screen'. Stephanus made detailed sketches of the charms and I think he also kept the one we took off the worg. He is the one who probably would have examined the new charters to satisfy himself that they were legitimate.

Before Thad sits down to enjoy his repast after the excitement and the long morning's ride he puts together a large basket and makes some rounds. He brings lunch to the guardsman on the wall then to the ex-bandits. He inspects their work with a critical eye then gives a satisfied nod and chats with Cal and the others while he passes out the food, "You've made good progress here, honest work seems to be agreeing with you. I'm sure you all have heard by now that we brought Kressle back. I got the charm off of her, and she'll have a chance to say her piece just like all of you got. There's no telling yet if she'll go to the gallows or work a year and a day with you, but I figure I should ask: does anyone have something they want to say for her or against her at the trial?"

He gets back to the table in time to hear Andrei ask if anyone wants to share their stories but pretends that he doesn't hear as he takes his seat... he doesn't like to talk about his past. A short time later a thunderous boom and and odd mix of smells interrupt the meal and Burdo offers his welcome.

Burdo wrote:
"Welcome back elf." Pointing to the prone Kressle and new prisoners he says, "It looks like you had some good hunting."

"Aye, we did what we set out to do. After we're done here I'll wake her up and see if she's well enough off to stand trial and answer for what she's done... those charms are nasty business."

Oleg wrote:
"Course most of those men ended up seeing the light after their leader was killed. Another nasty bit o' work he was. But then Warren and Thad there could tell you more I'm sure."

Thad pushes back his food and his tone turns grim as he tells Anwel and the others what had passed, "The talisman Happs wore... whatever he said to you before was nothing but lies. He was planning to escape from the moment you captured him; it would have killed him to surrender honestly. I tried to save him when it came to that but I couldn't get it off of him in time. The other men we captured, they're not much different from the settlers we brought with us. None of them started as bandits but the stolen lands turned them to that just the same. Only one of 'em did it because he liked the life, and he got what was coming to him. I'll see about waking Kressle and that other fellow when we're done here and they can stand to answer for their part in all this."

Thad nods to Anwel, "Your point that it comes down to what we want of these folks was well put. Most of us are of the same mind about letting them pay penance through their work and earn a spot in the settlement, if they're judged to be genuinely repentant and willing to forswear banditry. He suddenly changes his focus and turns to their new companion, Imon. "But I gather you feel differently. Was it necessary to cut those men's throats while they slept?"


male Human Bard (Detective) 2

"I believe it was, for a number of reasons," Imon said, sounding more defensive than he intended. "I didn't know when they would wake up, and our attention was turned away from them. It seemed the easiest way to ensure that they were not a problem when they awoke. Also. . ."

Before he continued, Imon looked straight at Thad, and watched him as he spoke. "I won't begrudge you your beliefs. Redemption is wonderful and delightful, but I remind you of who and what we are dealing with here: bandits, theives, murderers. I don't believe that it matters why they became bandits, only that they did."


Human Druid(Eagle Shaman) 6 | Per +12(+20 as eagle) AC 11 (15 MA), t11, ff10 (14 MA) hp 47/47 Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +7

Warren speaks again, taking a pause in eating: "Well, the bandit I brought back hasn't seen a decent meal in forever. We have made Thad the moral authority here, and he has done quite well. I think in the future we try to keep prisoners alive if we can and he will administer the justice. In a dangerous situation where sleeping prisoners can be woken by active companions, I may make a different call. Kams and I were leading the martial effort here, but Kams has been exploring and wandering as rangerers are wont to do. Tityanna was our magical expert, but she was deafened. Zavac, the scarred was our healer, but he was called back. So, in short, it appears the nobles in Brevoy are not idiots: attrition among charter bearers is high."

Warren will make sure the bandit he captured gets fed well. He adds:
"Don't run off, or when we find you, you will not like it."

Warren speaks to Donal: "This hide armor is slowing me down. Can you make a hide shirt?"
hide shirt is 90gp with one more ACP than the chain shirt


Stellan asks Svetlana for a meaty bone for Vinur to chew on rather than the guests and tucks into the lunch himself until the explosion brings his attention to the dwarves and Thad, "What was that? Oh, more Eldar here, seems they are taking an interest. Who are those injured? They need help?" Stellan listens to the various explainations.

Stellan is dismayed at the information at the talks, "Dark times indeed, foul magics, and people so desperate as to be despicable. Did anyone have a chance to examine these horrific items? Do we know if they are made by wizardly arts or by some devotee of some dark god? That may tell us what we are up against. Necromancy seems to abound here, that I did not expect."

When Warren brings up the issue of the charters, Stellan chimes in, "Our group speculated a bit about the Aldoris' motives, while not idiots, they seem disorganized, and to us at the time undersupporting, now I suspect that my earlier thoughts that they are overextended is true. These settlers and the need to send enough supplies to keep them alive, until they can support themselves, is expensive. I wonder if there are different factions, with different goals?"

Stellan smiles at Svetlana, "I'm glad you have the help you need to take care of this place, it seemed like too much work for few people." After Oleg says his piece, "We'll do our best to rid these lands of the evils in it, but bandits are the least of it. I hope you and yours prosper here, Oleg but it's going to take a while."

The talk at the table becomes even more intense as it turns to issues of morality. After a while Stellan adds to it, "I wish redemption as much as anyone, still I'd have to harden my heart, if I thought the innocent would suffer, better my concience suffer instead, still it's much easier to take a life than give it, deserving or not." Stellan waves toward the children eating, playing, or napping. "Younglings are here now, we cannot bar all risk, but we must balance prudence and a loving heart. Most that feel forced to banditry are just thieves, for those of proven cruelty, maybe we can find an alternative. If the adventurous of nature and skill are willing, maybe they can be taken as hunters of their former kind. Set a thief to catch a thief, and no I'm not blind to the very real risk."

When Thad mentions checking on Kressle and the others, Stellan adds, "When you further treat the prisoners, may I go with you Eldar? I have some skill in the healing arts." Stellan will finish his meal, Vinur now feed, drowsing at his feet. He will go with Thad to check Kressle and company.


Donal greets Warren with a friendly handshake and pat on the back. "Welcome back to civilization, such as it is, Master Warren." Says the big Ulfen with a chuckle.

Taking a look a Warren's hide armor he ponders the question for a few seconds. Pointing to the developing foundation for his forge he says, "Well, I'm not properly set up yet as you can see, but I've likely got enough metal for buckles here and here." Running his hands expertly over the hide he points out a couple of thin spots. "I might have to repair these, add a second layer or replace it altogether if we've got some good strong material.

Finally, he nods, "I could come up with something, but it'll take a few days."

He turns and looks quickly at Tityanna who's resting in the shade under a tent watching the workers. With a grin he leans in and whispers to Warren, "Thanks, for bringing her back safe and sound. She's a fiery lass, but until she comes to terms with her affliction, she's better off sticking around safer territory. To show my appreciation, consider this job paid in full. Let Master Thad know the same goes for him as well."


Cal, Dell and Grubby all greet Thad warmly thanking the elf for the food. The other former bandits also offer their greetings but with a more mixed response of guarded caution and wariness.

When asked about Cal shakes his head sadly. "Well sir, I'm just not sure about that one. Don't know much about her really. She was a tough boss, but then she'd have to be out here and among a bunch of rough men on the down and out."

He runs a handkerchief across his brow and shrugs his shoulders. "Truth told, she seemed okay 'til the Lord an' his Blackrobes came along. Sure she was a mite tough an' 'ud kill ya for not follow'in orders, but again that's the way things work out 'ere."

"I heard once she grew up in these parts. Folks were bandit's, so its all she knows. Don't know much else beyond that. Cept after the Lord got his 'ooks into her she seemed to take a turn for the worst. Meaner, darker."

He shrugs again, "Like as not, you're a better judge o' folk than me. I will say some o' the lads, might be a bit nervous 'avin her back around."


Male Elf Shadowcaster 4

"A pleasure," says Anwel, twining his fingers together and nodding his head to the Meyerson women. Both seem to want to eat rather than talk, however, so he lets them be for now. He breaks off a piece of cheese and chews it thoughtfully, thinking about what Svetlana had told him. She had not mentioned any of the charter bearers or the guards, the ones over whose airs Anwel had been concerned. Donal was new, though. He seemed to have taken command of the bandit gang turned work gang, and to be a craftsman in his own right, insofar as humans meant the word.

Anwel takes Oleg's news about Happs and his erstwhile cronies fairly well, considering. It was another failure for the list, but the list was long already, and contained items of greater magnitude. He accepts a mug of ale from Oleg and knocks it back as quickly and completely as he can. It burns his throat and makes him cough, but then, Anwel has had more severe penance too. Somehow none of the sputtered ale ends up on his face and robes. "Tell me more, Thad," he says, the words forming in the back of his prickling throat and an intense look in his eyes. "We searched Happs and his companions when they surrendered, but did not find a talisman on his body. Was it implanted under the skin? How might we recognize it in the future?"

Alexis and Andrea seem to have settled in now, so Anwel puts down his food and turns to them. "I feel I should apologize," he says, "for Happs. But for my friends' and my carelessness in searching him and our decision to scour the land instead of guarding the prisoners, you would have had one less trouble on the road."

He smiles to hear Stellan giving voice to his line, and decides to strengthen the argument. "But as flawed as we are, we are all here, together. Restov is far away. Like Stellan says, we can barely count on being our direct patrons' primary concerns, and whatever aid we get out here will likely be in the form of other cheap and expendable charter bearers, rather than goods or much professional help. To me, that implies two things." Anwel is starting to get excited now. His hands make small motions over the table like he is considering a move on a Keleshite battle board read "a chessboard". "First, that we can count only on people willing to commit to building a life here. Second, that we ought to try and attract as much commitment as possible. Practically speaking, since we cannot count on more settlers arriving from Restov—welcome though they would be—this means subverting the hold of fear the blackrobes have over the bandits."

Anwel's smile turns into an ironic smirk as he gestures toward his own clothing. He looks to Imon and Thad, who seem to be having the same argument his friends had had over whether to keep Happs and his gang prisoner. "Vindictiveness on our part would corner the bandits between two fears: fear of the blackrobes, and fear of us. And a cornered animal fights more desperately. Our default attitude, for strategic reasons alone, should emphasize conversion wherever possible." In the back of Anwel's mind is another possibility. The blackrobes were not his mistress' servants. But they might be among the people she had sent him here to bend to her will. That would make an interesting revelation. "Happs' situation cannot repeat itself. There are too many folk here now to escape easily, and now the amulets should not slip past us."


Elf Paladin 2
Imon wrote:
"I won't begrudge you your beliefs. Redemption is wonderful and delightful, but I remind you of who and what we are dealing with here: bandits, thieves, murderers. I don't believe that it matters why they became bandits, only that they did."

Thad answers Imon back, curt and to the point. "And I remind you who we're dealing with here: farmers, woodcutters, teamsters. Men without direction or hope who were pressed into a bandit gang at sword point or else went to the Stag Lord because the only other option was to watch their families starve. I've talked to these men and each and every one of them wants nothing more than a chance to build an honest life and is willing to work for it. They came to the Stolen Lands as settlers with families and dreams of their own... and ended up like this. I don't know what the story is with these two, but I'll give them a chance to tell their side of things before we send them to the headsmen. And I will die defending them before I see their throats cut while they sleep." He did his best to maintain a civil tone but make his feelings clear. This lawman's arrogance reminded him of everything he'd hated about human civilization from back when he'd lived a more 'liberated' life.

Quote:
Stellan is dismayed at the information at the talks, "Dark times indeed, foul magics, and people so desperate as to be despicable. Did anyone have a chance to examine these horrific items? Do we know if they are made by wizardly arts or by some devotee of some dark god? That may tell us what we are up against. Necromancy seems to abound here, that I did not expect."

"Stephanus made quite a studying of them, he has sketches and fragments of all of them. From what Tityanna could tell us the charms are something to do with an ancient Thassillonian cult. We don't know what the link is, but she swears she saw it in one of her books."

Stellan wrote:
When you further treat the prisoners, may I go with you Eldar? I have some skill in the healing arts."

"Of course. I'm a poor hand at bandages and poultices myself, it's only since we set this lot on the right path that my prayers have been answered in a more direct, tangible way. Ursulla is our professional healer, she's the only reason we all made it to Oleg's in one piece."

Anwel wrote:
"Tell me more, Thad," he says, the words forming in the back of his prickling throat and an intense look in his eyes. "We searched Happs and his companions when they surrendered, but did not find a talisman on his body. Was it implanted under the skin? How might we recognize it in the future?"

Thad looks frustrated, "I don't know. I've never seen one buried under the skin; I can recognize them because of my vows. Ever since I stood my vigil I've been able to recognize the presence of Evil, and those things are creations of the blackest soul I've ever seen. There seem to be different types, we've come across at least three different kinds- one bent a beast to the Stag Lord's will but didn't try to hurt it when it fought the charm. Others were shaped like a scorpion or a small hand, and came to life and tried to tear out the heart if their wearer betrayed their oaths. We saw one pull a man halfway back from death and raise up a terrible shade. Thank the gods that someone had the presence of mind to pack along a flask of holy water.

Since I never rolled it before, has Thad ever heard anything about the worship of Lissala? Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25


Male Human Bard 3 (Arcane Duellist); HP: 4/30 AC: 15/11/14; Saves: F +3, R +4, W +1; Init: +1; Per: +4

Andrei pulls up a stool next to Anwel and pulls out a small book. "You don't mind if I take notes do you? I find the key to a good story is the details and I don't want to get the details of this story wrong as my life might depend on it." He says smiling at Imon and Thad.

He listens for a while. How you tell if someone is being compelled, anyone could be working for this puppet master. 'King' Surtova could be compelled, or could I convince people he was...

In a pause in the discussion Andrei stops writing and looks at Imon "Can you really punish this Kressle for being stealing if she stopped she would die? How many of us could say with one of these things in our chest would not also do as we were told while looking for a way to escape? I for one would have a very hard decision." he lies Well no I wouldn't it would be easy, but if I every got free the puppet master would be in trouble. "I'm usually no defender of thieves but It seems to me that she would have more reason to hate the 'puppet master' who did this than we do and may well be grateful for what you have done. The puppet master is the one we need to string up." Turning to Thad "How do we tell if some one is being compelled without cutting their chests open?" He asks.
Edit: Piped by Thad, concider that last question answered.


Thad:
You recall one of your former religious studies instructors had an interest in some of the old Thassilonian gods. From what you can recall of his lectures on the topic, Lissala was a goddess of Runes and Fate who demanded strict obedience and duty from her followers. During her rein she was often portrayed as a being with a serpentine body and woman's torso.

The Cult of the Black Hats was one of the most powerful and reclusive groups of the goddesses followers. But little about their ways and internal workings were evet recorded.

It was believed that Lissala was banished from existence during the fall of Thassilon. However, there have always been myths and rumors that she and her followers still exist somewhere within the multiverse. Although, many of the same stories follow the other denizens of that long dead pantheon.


male Human Bard (Detective) 2

"A man with a knife to his throat who robs another is still a thief."[/] Imon paused, realizing even as he said it that he was making a losing argument. He sighed before starting again, [b]"That these people were forced to become bandits does not absolve them of their banditry. Kressle might have been forced to become a thief, but by all accounts she took to it like few others, do you mean to tell me that she should not answer for her crimes."

He turned to Thad, "You have not convinced me, though your point is well made. I will leave the fate of our incapacitated foes to your judgement. Though I wonder, do you intend to try these men? Have they received amnesty for their surrender, or are there plans to enact justice?


Human Druid(Eagle Shaman) 6 | Per +12(+20 as eagle) AC 11 (15 MA), t11, ff10 (14 MA) hp 47/47 Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +7

Warren looks first at Thad and then Imon.
"We have found that things are not so cut and dried out here. I think the Brevoy rulebook has been thrown out the window. We judged each man, and found most of them deserving a second chance. These two prisoners follow the pattern of the ones we have allowed another chance. Thad knows better than I do and will make the final deterination. After he makes that assessment, we go out and continue to secure the land for our charges."


Elf Paladin 2
Imon wrote:
"That these people were forced to become bandits does not absolve them of their banditry."
Imon wrote:
"Though I wonder, do you intend to try these men? Have they received amnesty for their surrender, or are there plans to enact justice?"

"Of course it doesn't. The things they have done have left a stain on their souls, and they will have to live with their deeds to the end of their days. If should be so fortunate as to find absolution it won't be from any of our actions as charter bearers. It will be borne of hard, earnest labor toward a worthy cause. Those men are sworn to work for a year and a day in service of the community here. It's no amnesty, and is as good a justice as any I know. Would you have them chained? Whipped? Beaten? Starved? Justice and punishment and vengeance are not the same things."

"As to Kressle, I'll not guess as to her motivations and crimes or the justice they may merit, she'll have a chance to speak for herself soon enough." Thad finds that his appetite is gone, possibly from the modest meal he consumed but more likely from the turns of the conversation. He looks to the healers as he rises and asks, "Stellan, Ursula, will you join me? I'm sure I made a mess of dressing the wound, and I'd like to see that she's attended to properly before we try to wake her."

I don't recall seeing anything about whether Ursula was at the meal with the rest of us. If she was still out gathering herbs, Thad will seek her out and request her presence as he checks on Kressle.


Male Elf Shadowcaster 4

"The moral arguments could go on forever," says Anwel, brushing his hair behind his ears, "unless one of two things happens. Either the problem is laid at the feet of some unimpeachable authority and everyone agrees to their judgment on faith, or a calculus other than the moral one is adopted." He steeples his fingers and frowns, sure that what he is about to say next will get him in trouble with somebody. Oh well. "Nothing against you, Thad, but I do not consider your authority unimpeachable. Not yet. Maybe it would be different if we had adventured together, and if you and your companions hadn't threatened me with arrowy death for my fashion choices less than half an hour ago." That was laying it on a little thick. This costume had come from his mistress' household, and bore her colors if not her mark. Anwel opens his mouth to continue, but hesitates. He'd been about to remark that Thad seemed to take the issue of judging the bandits personally. But that was dangerous. It might alienate Thad entirely, and it might invite questions about Anwel's past before he is ready to answer them.

"The moral calculus applied to each individual case is flawed anyway," he says instead. "We should be thinking of the welfare of the community. The way I see it, we are at war with the blackrobes and their master." This was doubly so if the blackrobes were really a Thassilonian cult. If they were, they were not the shadow mages he was supposed to coerce into obedience, but might drive them away or co-opt them for themselves. Besides, who ever heard of Thassilonian influence this far east? This had been elven territory before Earthfall. "We have not the resources for a real campaign against them, so we have to look for other ways of disrupting their assets, including manpower and loyalty. Offering amnesty from the wrath of their masters and liberation from their eldritch shackles in exchange for loyalty and labor seems to me to be more effective than trying to match fear with fear." There are some fearsome powers at their command, but nothing that could match the things Thad described. And unlike the blackrobes, they would not be acting according to a unified theme. His and Stellan's powers, and especially the way they were thought of by the masses, simply did not jive with what Thad had revealed of his own.

"Then again, Thad," admits Anwel with an embarassed smile, "this leads line of reasoning to the same conclusion your personal judgment would likely make - that clemency should be preferred over retribution, and that the judgment should be conditioned on the subject's change in loyalties. So maybe there is hope for us yet. Forgive me - in Iadara they are accustomed to using many words to arrive at an obvious point." He breaks off another piece of cheese and holds it thoughtfully. "Thank you in any case for your description of the things. Given the variety, though, it would not surprise me if the next one that turns up is different somehow, in appearance or function or both. Thank whoever blessed your sight that it is unnecessary to recognize them by such means, I suppose."


Got the flu today, now weak. Quick post, if you need to, DMPC me.

Stellan opens his mouth to speak further, then realizes that he has nothing further to add. He shakes his head, then as Thad asks for his assistance, he nods. "Better actions than talk to get things done. Anyone have a healing bag I could use, I'm afraid. mine old old is all used up."

Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Heal 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 +2 if a proper kit is supplied.
How is Kressle? Can I help her? Would a healing hex have a good result?


Listening to the conversation around the table, Ursula has little to offer. She's already heard most of the arguments before on the way south and trusts that Thad, Warren and the others will maintain the course already laid out.

She frowns at the tips of her fingers, noticing they are still stained from the shingle root poultice she had worked up earlier this morning. The purple and brown stain made a stark contrast to her usually light skin. It was good for dealing with the minor blisters, cuts, and bruises she was dealing with lately, but the stains were always an irritation.

At Thad's request, she gives him a quick nod saying, "She was still asleep before I came over for a bite to eat. However, I should wake her just to get some broth into her body. Judging from her clothing and your tale, she lost a lot of blood and will need to start replacing it."

Grabbing a mug, she pours some hot water into it and then joins Thad, Stellan, and the others in her makeshift cutter's tent.

The tent is sparse, but warm and comfortable considering the location. A small brazier burns in the center to provide warmth and a little additional light. A sturdy workbench and Ursula's familiar chest filled with her herbs and antidotes sits along the north wall while tow empty pallets line the west.

Kressle lies on another simple straw pallet along the east wall. Her face is pale, sunken and her breath is shallow and ragged. A blanket covers her body from the neck down.

Ursula hands the mug of hot water to Duella and instructs the halfling to prepare a mixture of herbs and a few pieces of dried meat.

Hearing Stellan's question, she turns to him and asks, "Are you a healer?" She points to her collection, "I've most of the makings of a good kit already. If you can give me a day, I can get a basic kit put together for you."

Turning back to Kressle she frowns, "As for her, I've done what I can for now, but I've no magical powers. If you've other means of easing her wounds, I'd do so before we wake her and the potion of numbberry wares off."


Stellan sees that the injuries the woman sustained are very serious. He thanks Ursula, "Thank you, yes mother trained me in the healing arts, I can also work some minor cures, I'll try that then." Stellan looks for the most serious and deepest wound and attempts to call the power of winter cold to help seal and ward the wound.

Spellcraft 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 Imitate a Cure light Wounds but using healing hex that is similar but not the same.
Bluff 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Pull off the imitation.

A cold blueish white light eminates from Stellan's hands and a frosty breath comes from his mouth, coating the wound in ice that draws the fire of injury from it and freezes it shut.

Healing Hex: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Anyone with some knowledge and bothering to look would know that that was not a normal CWL. With the right skills, it's obvious he used a hex to heal.


Ursula watches as Stellan brings forth his magical energies to heal the wounded woman. Seeing the ice suddenly cover the wound her brows knit into a slight frown. "That was..." she says with a puzzled look at the tall Ulfen, "A most unusual healing spell."

She leans over and checks Kressle's breathing and heart beat, both of which our stronger. "But it seems to have helped." She adds while offering a quick, respectful nod to Stellan, "I thank you for your help. Now let's see if our friend here will prove worthy of the effort."

She gently lays a hand on Kressle's shoulder a gives the woman a slight shake. Slowly, Kressle's eyes open, they are the color of freshly turned spring soil and seem quite puzzled and lost at first. Her voice is rough and comes out as a slight whisper when she tries to speak. "What? Where..." She starts to raise a hand up to her chest but winces in pain and slowly lowers it back down.

Glancing around the tent, her gaze suddenly focuses on Thad and its easy to see her memory return in a wave. Her eyes at first filled with returning life, turn away and that light diminishes as she says, "So you saved me. I don't know why or how, but I assume you want more than just to hang me?"


male Human Bard (Detective) 2

When Imon noticed that Thad was questioning the healers, he decided to follow. "You make for good conversation friend, but I want to see how this turns out," He said to Anwell as he stood and followed after Thad.

He stayed well to the back, not trying to hide, but not making any attempt to be noticed either. He couldn't help but quietly scoff when she asked if Thad wanted to do anything but hang her.


Male Human Bard 3 (Arcane Duellist); HP: 4/30 AC: 15/11/14; Saves: F +3, R +4, W +1; Init: +1; Per: +4

The conversation over, Andrei wanders over to the dwarf "Is your... friend alright? What was he trying to make?"


The dwarf turns to Andrei and in a typical taciturn, dwarfish manner says, "Bah! I doubt I could call the fool a friend. Family. My adlebrained brother, Porter. I'm Burdo by the way."

He shakes his head while taking another hunk of cheese from the dwindling block. "One o' these days he'll end up splattering himself all over the walls with his alchemy and concoctions, but not likely today. No that was more bang than boom."

About that moment the other dwarf wonders back into the courtyard. His cloak, shirt and pants all stained with a coating of dirt and mud. His hat, however, is still a clear striped red and yellow although it seems a bit droopy. Almost as if it was...disappointed.

Turning away from the sight of this brother with a sigh, Burdo focuses his attention on Andrei again, "I don't believe I caught your name or why you're wandering these parts."


Male Human Bard 3 (Arcane Duellist); HP: 4/30 AC: 15/11/14; Saves: F +3, R +4, W +1; Init: +1; Per: +4

Smiling he offers his hand "Hi Burdo, I am Andrei, Andrei Avotrus. My full story is long and can be left for fire side one cold night but the short version I believe in my family's motto 'What was stolen will be restored'. I wouldn't want to say this to Porter dirrectly incase I impuned his skills but if your brother needs some help I've seen Udoeak" He say points at one of the newly arrived elves, "mixing chemicals which haven't ever seen go bang or boom. Also if you continue down the road from Rostov for maybe 3 hours their a hermit named Bokken, who I've been told is good with such things too. No how about the two of you what brings you to these parts?"


Stellan looks around to Thad and Imon, seeing they are not going to start, he opens the conversation. "I don't wish to tire you too much, right now, but I, at least, want to give you a chance at repentance and to start making amends. You can start by telling us how you came to be one of the leading bandits of this land, and the story of how that horrid thing was put in you."

Stellan looks critically over his work, and then folds his arms as he prepares to listen to Kressle's tale.


Burdo shrugs and his eyes take on a far away look at Andrei's question, "We've come to find a new home. New mines. A place to forget the past and start over."

Nodding toward his brother he sighs and shakes his head as if warding off bad memories, "Crazy as he is, he's the only family i have left and I should make sure he doesn't cause any more trouble."

With that he gets up and excuses himself from the table.


Kressle tears her gaze from Thad and turns to Stellan. Wincing as she shifts her position on the pallet. A series of emotions dance across her face at his question, stubborn resistance, followed by anger, fear, and finally resignation.

Her raspy whisper of a voice is barely audible over the noise outside the tent as she begins.

"I grew up in these lands. My parents were...independent types. Like most folks who scrape out a living among the dangers of forest and swamp, they didn't have much care for politics, nobility or books of law." A bit of fire comes back into her eyes as she looks at Stellan, "You'd call them bandits. They thought of themselves as freedom fighters. Seeking to keep the law and order of noble Brevoy and the other petty kingdoms from placing their boots over the throat of those who didn't wish to be ruled by a bunch of dandies from a far off palace."

Turning her face to the canvas wall, her voice catches a bit as she continues. "But they were careless one day. Our camp was discovered by a Brevian military expedition. One of the previous attempts to try and claim this land. My father and many of our friends were killed defending the camp while the rest of us could get away. My mother...suffered worse...before they hung her. I was twelve. Made it out, I can still hear the screams of those who were captured and died for the amusement of some Surtovan Lordling as we watched, hidden in the trees. Eventually we gave up on any idea of rescuing the others and fled for good."

She pauses for a moment, lost in memory. After a few deep breaths she goes on.

"From that day on I vowed to fight any and all who tried to impose their will on the Stolen Lands. Looking back, it was a childish and foolish promise with little hope, but it was all I had and it kept me going through those dark, hunger filled years."

"Eventually I fell in with a rougher group of men, likely closer to real criminals and bandits. Fortunately for me, I knew how to fight and looked more like a wild animal than woman at the time. I could hold my own in a fight and proved it multiple times over the following years. Soon enough I was running a small band of my own. Unlike some of the other bands, we ignored the locals focusing instead on military outposts and Brevian merchants. We camped in the woods. Wet, poor, hungery, and cold. But I was free and that kept me warm on many a night." A shiver runs through her body and her knuckles turn white as she grips her blanket tighter. "Then everything changed again."

"Last fall, word came that a new face had come up from the south. He was promising the folk of the Stolen Lands wealth and a new way of life. Most of all security from Brevoy. Dovan Norry. He's a good looking man. Charmer. He used his charms to get a bunch of us leader types together for a meet and to make a long story short, we bought what he was selling. It was a good dream."

She pauses as Ursula hands her a mug of broth. With a weak smile she nods at the healer and takes a few careful sips.

"The dream started out okay. Dovan recruited more men, even had enough gold and silver to outfit most of them. Then rumors started that the noblemen in Brevoy were looking to try moving south again this spring. We all new we couldn't stand off a full push from Brevoy. Not yet."

"I remember it was a cold winter day, rain and wind pummeled the rundown fort Dovan calls home when, Akiros showed up. That masked, mystic son of the abyss with his acolytes in black." She spits out the last words in pure hatred.

"Akiros knew of our situation and convinced all of us that with his help and leadership we could drive Brevoy out for good. He sold Dovan right away. The two of them together convinced the rest of us."

Her eyes flick toward her wound and she nods. "The charms were part of his grand plan. We didn't know what they really were at the time. Akiros said they would help us in battle and keep us in touch with him. We had no reason to doubt so we accepted. After all if Brevoy was really coming in strength, we needed all the help we could get. That is, until men started dying when they opposed his will."

"The horror of our mistake was truly shown when Auch, one of the other band leaders, tried to take the thing off one day. He was a big man, bigger than anyone I've ever met. A friend. He...died a hard death."

"Since Auch's death, I've followed orders and been at the mercy of that blackrobed devil. It's a bitter beer to swallow that for all of the dreams of freedom, I ended up in a stronger prison than any set of bars or bricks could ever offer."


male Human Bard (Detective) 2

Sense Motive 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Imon wondered how much, if any of her story was true. Regardless, he couldn't help but savor the irony of it. He couldn't keep it to himself either. "You lived your life in such terror of a distant, unknowable sovereign that you pledged your life and service to an equally distant, equally unknowable, and apparently far more malignant sovereign of your own?" He didn't think Thad would care to hear the last part, so he kept it to himself, but he couldn't help but smirk at the fact that the grand invasion that these bandits feared so much as to offer up their souls against came not in he form of a marching army, but through groups of volunteers.


Elf Paladin 2

Thad watches carefully as Stellan performs his healing spell, alert for any harmful influences. He likes this new group of charter bearers but he's not sure he trusts them yet. He's concerned at first, but the ice seems to soothe her and soon she is awake.

As she tells her story Thad comes to realize that he understands it well. The camps weren't an easy place for a child and those who were born into the life rarely found peace. When she is finished, he corrects something she said earlier.

Quote:
"So you saved me. I don't know why or how, but I assume you want more than just to hang me?"

"You got it wrong before, ma'am. I didn't save you, I'm just flesh and blood and I don't know anything about healing magics." He nods to the layer of ice coating her wound. "It was the Stag's light that did it, I was just in the right place at the right time. I can't say whether ol' Erastil just hates that black magic more than he hates bandits or if he saw something in you worth saving, but here you are."

How does Kressle appear to detect evil now that she's not wearing the charm and not trying to kill us?


Human Druid(Eagle Shaman) 6 | Per +12(+20 as eagle) AC 11 (15 MA), t11, ff10 (14 MA) hp 47/47 Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +7

Warren speaks to the undernourished bandit he returned.
"What is your story?", he simply asks.


Male Human Bard 3 (Arcane Duellist); HP: 4/30 AC: 15/11/14; Saves: F +3, R +4, W +1; Init: +1; Per: +4

With his conversation with Burdo over Andrei walks over the action around Kressle and catches most of what is said. An natural ally, although it is far too dangerous to tell her that and it might prove impossible to keep her alive. Shame that they killed her companions, they would have been easier to save.

Andrei kneels down next to Kressle and speaking kindly, "You have done the right thing volunteering this information, you might not have noticed but there are bandits here who have chosen set aside their old ways and pursue good of this settlement. Volunteering all this information is good start and I'm sure that your hatred for this Akiros is stronger and true. These men need to hear and believe that you intended no harm to them or their charges." Andrei pauses a moment thinking I need something both sides might buy "Maybe some like this"
Andrei clears his throat and when he speaks again his voice is more powerful and more at home in a town hall or from behind a pulpit. "I, Kressle, hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign king, lord, kingdom, or other power of whom or which I have heretofore been subjected; that I will support and defend the freedom and laws of this settlement all enemies, from outside or within; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms of other duties on behalf of the community to defend it when required; that I will perform work of national importance under direction when required; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me Erastil, who has saved and can take me at any time." He drops out of his stage voice "or something similar, and then you ask to assist us with tracking down this black robed Akiros." I wonder, did I push it too far.
I'll use a couple of rounds of inspire courage during the speech
Perform Oratory: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15


Male Elf Shadowcaster 4

I'm still not back, not really. I'm posting from my blackberry, which means I can't type as long, or as well, as I'm accustomed to typing. But it's something, anyway.

Anwel's face hardens at Imon's curt dismissal. Who did he think he was? Anwel took orders from two kinds of person - those who could cow him with their magic, like his mistress or his old master Meldon, or those who, like Anadhon, Darl, and Andrei, had earned his loyalty. He would have gone after Imon had not the whole party broken up around him just at that moment. They litter the table with plates, bowls, turreens, and utensils, and he had promised Svetlana he'd help clear up.

The copper stew pot is both empty and near to hand, so Anwel begins piling clay and wooden dishes into it. Someone had set a giant cauldron to boiling water, and this debris is clearly destined for a thorough scouring. Anwel could do the job with the flick of a wrist, but the point was to commiserate with Svetlana, Andrea, and Alexis, and that would be impossible both if he demonstrated power beyond theirs and if they all dispersed.

Still, they hadn't had much to say to each other yet - the Meyerson women had not spoken at all. As he tries to think of something to say, Anwel hears Kressle's story and Thad's and Andrei's declamations from the other side of the compound. He pauses in his labor a moment, a sad look on his face. He knows that story, of striving for good, of naievete and betrayal from without and within. The plate he's holding slips from his fingers and smacks into the hard-packed ground.

"Oh," he says, picking it up and finding the edge chipped. He shows it to Svetlana. "I'm sorry, I heard them talking with the prisoner and couldn't help it." Anwel looks to Andrea and Alexis, inviting them to contribute to the discussion. "What do you think should be done with her, now she's said her piece? Even among all the others, this case sounds like a precedent-setter, both in terms of the judgments' principles, and in the persons doing the judging. If it turns out to be a charteree-only affair, I'd like your thoughts so I can share them if asked for mine." The similarity of Kressle's case to his own suggests to Anwel another precedent. If she is not condemned for her coerced allegiance, he'll feel more comfortable sharing his own desperate story.


Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 Any deception, incompleteness on Kressle's part?

Imon then gives his thoughts. Stellan frowns at Imon's words, they seem truthful but feel deliberately hurtful as well.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Assess Imon.

Andrei's speech derails Stellan's train of thought. That's ... formal... is he noble? I thought he was a poor squire...

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Assess Andrei, more than meets the eye for sure.

"Please, mi'lords, don't badger the patient. Let her have some time and rest for healing. Just promise, Kressle, not to try to escape or to harm any in this camp for now, and you should rest." Stellan is now being the ever so respectful, annoyed healer. Stellan gets up from Kressle's side, moving away protectively. He is subtly herding the others, except Ursula, away from the sickbed.


Human Druid(Eagle Shaman) 6 | Per +12(+20 as eagle) AC 11 (15 MA), t11, ff10 (14 MA) hp 47/47 Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +7

Warren speaks to Imon, "We have to try something different, the Brevoy law and order idea is not working here and why Brevoy has given up and is handing out charters to anyone who would take one. And, although in nature once an animal leaves the pack I have never seen it return, I think with humans it can work."

Warren speaks to Thad, "Let us know when she is ready to be judged. We have seen the danger of handing out blanket paroles with Happs."

Warren speaks to Andrei, "I think what you are trying to accomplish is good, but telling someone what you want them to tell you when you have power over them makes those words immediately cheaper when given. Maybe that is how the Happs incident happened. But that is the opinion of one who is not 'civilized'."


male Human Bard (Detective) 2

Imon was getting rather tired of this conversation, and it just might have showed. It wasn't as if he was taking a contrary position to be contrary, he worried about the consequences of his new compatriots' decisions. "What is the alternative? We clearly don't have the resources to maintain a prison, and if we can't trust them to behave on their own, what is the alternative, other than simply not taking prisoners?"


Male Human Bard 3 (Arcane Duellist); HP: 4/30 AC: 15/11/14; Saves: F +3, R +4, W +1; Init: +1; Per: +4

Stellan:
You have heard Andrei tell a few stories while travelling with him and he isn't bad actor putting on voices for each character in the story. His speech sounds like he was acting noble but a little different like he wants to believe that is really himself, but currently it is still an act. Additionally he seems really want to liked by everyone, including apparently tied up prisoners.

Andrei smiles at Warren, "You are right of course, I was foolish. However she does have every reason to side with us but she can't be trusted on words alone. Unless of course any of you super naturally good at telling a lie from a truth or magically compelling her, which I suspect would make us no better than this puppet master. Only through deeds can any of us prove ourselves but that requires opportunity."


Imon and Stellan:
From what you can tell Kressle is telling the truth. She seems defeated, weak, and incapable or simply unwilling to fabricate another story at this point. Also judging from the various minor scars crisscrossing her hands and noticeable on her face, her thin but strong frame, calloused hands, layer of dirt she's clearly spent most of her recent time in the woods and around a rough group of people.

Thad:
The overwhelming since of evil you detected before is gone. Its departure seems to have left behind an 'opening' or opportunity in that there is little dedication to good, evil, or neutrality. Perhaps whatever happens over the next few days could influence her outlook and philosophy in a significant and life altering way.

Kressle's eyes flare for a moment at Imon's comment but the anger fades just as quickly. "I believe I just acknowledged that...mistake." She glances as the others surrounding her in the tent, "But then I'm sure no one here has ever made a decision or choice they regret or would take back if given the chance."

When Andrei finishes his short oratory, she offers him a quick smile, but shakes her head slightly. Her voice is quiet and almost sad as she says, "Pretty words from a handsome face. But you'll forgive me if I don't agree to another oath at just this moment." She looks pointedly at Imon again and says with a smile, "After all, this good man here just pointed out how foolish that could be."

She smiles gratefully as Stellan steps in and places her head back on the thin pillow. Reaching out to grab Stellan by the sleeve she offers a silent thanks and then says with humbleness and sincerity. "I thank you for your help and I will swear to do what I can to help you bring down Akiros and his schemes and I'll not try to escape or cause harm or trouble to those under your protection."


Warren wrote:

Warren speaks to the undernourished bandit he returned.

"What is your story?", he simply asks.

The skinny man looks up at the druid with frightened eyes. He goes by the name Tam and stammers out a story about being a woodsman and hunter until he was rounded up by some of the Stag Lord's men and pressed into service. He came north with the cultist Kraiq. Tam was the blackrobe's lackey and grunt. He's perfectly willing to swear allegiance to the group and work the year and a day to pay for his crimes.


Anwel wrote wrote:
"Oh," he says, picking it up and finding the edge chipped. He shows it to Svetlana. "I'm sorry, I heard them talking with the prisoner and couldn't help it." Anwel looks to Andrea and Alexis, inviting them to contribute to the discussion. "What do you think should be done with her, now she's said her piece? Even among all the others, this case sounds like a precedent-setter, both in terms of the judgments' principles, and in the persons doing the judging. If it turns out to be a charteree-only affair, I'd like your thoughts so I can share them if asked for mine." The similarity of Kressle's case to his own suggests to Anwel another precedent. If she is not condemned for her coerced allegiance, he'll feel more comfortable sharing his own desperate story.

Svetlana laughs lightly and pats Anwel on the hand and says, "Don't worry about a little chip. It's not the first, nor will it be the last dish I've owned that has suffered such a fate."

Andrea Meyerson looks thoughtful after Anwel asks his question. Finally she says I a motherly voice, "Well, we discussed this quite a lot after our first encounter with these bandits and rogues. At first I was worried for my family and the rest of us. Having those men living with us just seemed...dangerous." She glances over to the gate where one of the former bandits is making repairs to one of the gate's hinges. "But now I'd say, I was wrong. They're proving themselves to be hard working and invaluable help out here on the frontier. I'm not sure I would trust them completely, but so far they've been true to their word."

Alexis pipes up after her mother and says, "I think it was very honorable and the most chivalrous thing for Thad and the others to spare those men's lives. It would have been easy to act just like one of the sword lords and execute those men. But instead a higher form of justice was done and those men will be better for it, as will our new home." She turns a little red in the cheeks as she realizes the amount of passion that slipped into her voice, and the possibly treasonous nature of her outburst about the nobility of Brevoy.


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Male Elf Shadowcaster 4

"If you say so," says Anwel to Svetlana. His first instinct is to flinch at the touch of her hand on his, but he masters it long enough for her to finish her gesture. Her hand is warm. "But the others were not my fault." Anwel's eyes cast about on the ground for the missing piece, but it's either so small or so well-camouflaged that he soon gives up the search. Instead, he places the plate inside the stewpot with the others, and picks it up off the table.

It's heavy, but not unmanageable. Anwel carries in front of him, the weight of it stretching his arms and rounding his shoulders towards the ground. It's slow going, and the plates and utensils rattle a couple times as they settle, but he manages to reach the bubbling washing cauldron without any further mishaps. He sets the stewpot down by the fire to be washed, and turns to listen to the Meyersons.

"It is good to know we are of one mind, broadly speaking," he says, talking to both Meyersons. "That is, we all consider the material development and moral welfare of this community paramount, and believe that accepting those who wish to enter it serves both. I think I incline more towards your more pragmatic, materialistic position, Ma'am," says Anwel to Andrea, "but we all have our priorities and modes of thought. Perhaps it is best that others consider justice and honor and chivalry first." Anwel's regret, that Alexis is more fit to comment on honor and chivalry than he is, has crept into his voice by now.

"Do not worry," he says to Alexis with a kindly half-smile. Despite her making him feel his own inadequacies, it bodes well that she among them all has enough independence of mind to recognize that they need bear no loyalty to Brevoy. Or at least that they all should hold each other in higher regard than the lordlings who would not accompany them. "It is not my business to report what people say here to the headmen of Restov or New Stetven. They are far away. Say what you like. Say it often, and loudly. Make yourself heard and understood." Anwel can feel himself getting warm. It's not from the fire. Those were Darl's words at one time.

Something induces him to share this. "My colleague and friend Citizen Jubannich used to say that often," he says, giving Darl his republican title. "They used to open Council meetings with those words in Isarn. I do not know if they still do. It has been a long time since I was there." Anwel is talking quickly now. He is not sure why. His mistress had to torture this part of his past out of him, so why did he want to share it with these people so badly? By now they could probably figure out he used to sit on the Council. Still, he plows on. "It is a dangerous idea. I have seen humans live by that philosophy, seen them topple tyrannies and seen them caught up in the euphoria of it. But at bottom is the idea that it is better to live free than to live in fear. And I have seen enough to know that that, at least, is true."

Anwel takes a plate and plunges it into the water. He makes a show of scrubbing it, but really it was clean as soon as he had picked it up. Some of the boiling water bubbles up onto Anwel's hands, but he welcomes the pain. It helps him think. The Meyersons, and Svetlana, and anyone else who might have been listening, could figure out he had involved himself in the Red Revolution. They weren't stupid, they knew. Given that, how could he use that knowledge? "Anyway," he says, a little jocularity beginning to creep back into his tone after the heavy words he's been speaking, "since it's healer's orders that we don't talk to the prisoner, after we're done with this I'll be writing her a note to read at her leisure." He pulls the plate from the water and sets it aside, perfectly dry. "If you want to give play to your ideas, now or then, I'll be happy to listen."


Andrei is a good actor and well-trained orator, ambitious for more though. Well, that's OK.

Stellan looks down at Kressle, adjusts the pillow and blanket for her, saying, "Thank you for that promise, that's reassuring, now rest; I've done all the magic I can for you today, so take it easy while you can, life rarely offers it." Stellan leads the other away from her.

Stellan says apologetically to Imon, "Sorry if I seem argumentative, generalities go on forever, specifics are needed now. I think her story and desires ring true. Perhaps you disagree. Let's take Kressle as an example. Are you willing to consider mercy or is the law paramount to you? By law and custom she deserves death for her deeds, true mercy, by definition is undeserved. I, for myself, an willing to risk letting her live and find redemption, knowing she may turn on us. It's harder to ask others, innocent and less able to protect themselves, to bear such risk but I'll speak for it and suffer the consequences. Yes, I know, innocent men, women, and children will pay with blood if I'm in error, a terrible thing to live with. I'd still will ask she be given a chance. For the future, we will need to see, if we sense lies or unredeemable evil, we will do what we must." Stellan sighs, "Your pardon, again I'm lecturing. I've said, what I've said; I do not control you."

About halfway through Anwel's speech, Stellan comes nearby and overhears. As he listens Stellan thinks, So Anwel was a leader once, where was that?

Stellan asks, "Isarn, where is that? I seem to feel that something bad happened there but I can't place it."Stellan's back to the country bumpkin, isolated and unaware of the big picture.

Stellan goes on a bit, "Live free and fearless, sounds good but what is freedom? Everyone has needs or obligations, even animals, living free in the woods, are free to starve or be eaten. There is always some give and take, and fear can save a life, though I'll agree that a fear-ridden life isn't worth living."


Male Elf Shadowcaster 4

"I did not say that what is best in life is to be free," says Anwel, a little smile playing on his face,"or that fear is always a bad thing. I simply made a comparison between two possible principles by which one can guide one's life. Any generalization" continues Anwel, smugly turning Stellan's admonition of Imon against him, "of that comparison into an absolute admonition to 'live free and fearless' is your invention, not mine.". He gives Stellan a comradely wink to show it's all in good fun, like a show duel between two Restovite swordsmen. "It would be silly for you to debate yourself, however, and since we seem to agree that what I actually said is broadly true, perhaps we can let the matter drop?"

Anwel turns to the Meyersons and Svetlana. He's almost been playing a skit with Stellan for their benefit, but now he wants to include them again. "Isarn is the capital city of Galt, that country where the people have learned to live in the most complete freedom and the most constant fear, in my despite, and Darl's.". Anwel is of serious mien again, and his breathy voice is quiet. "We sat together on the first revolutionary Council before we were all driven out. I was just an illusionist then, dealing in symbols and perceptions. My job was to review art and architecture, to see if anything could be repurposed for the new regime.". Anwel sighs. "There were many beautiful things in that city, even after the war. But much could be saved only by barest sophistry, and more perished when that was inadequate. To say nothing of the white terror that followed the fall of the Council.

"It is always hard to build a new world. I have only seen attempts at it fail or fall to counter-revolution. My hope is that this attempt will be different."


Andrea Meyerson looks at Anwel with sympathy in her eyes and her voice carries a kindness that speaks of her own knowledge of hardship. "It sounds like you have suffered through some terrible times, Master Anwel." A wistful smile crosses her lips, "But then I suppose all of us on this journey have suffered in one way or another. Otherwise why would we risk out lives and families to be here?"

Just then the cries of the youngest Meyerson echo through the courtyard and the young Sari scurries up tugging at her mothers dress.

"Mama, I think Mikhail needs changing." Making her announcment, she turns and starts to scamper off but not before calling back over her shoulder, "And Porter said I could help him mix his next batch fire powder."

Turning a bit pale at her daughters last announcement Andrea turns to her older daughter with a bit of exasperation, "I swear this frontier life is turning your sister into a the gods own terror. Alexis go make sure she doesn't loose a hand or worse. I know Porter is mostly harmless, but his powders and alchemy aren't. I'll take care of Mik."

She offers Anwel a quick bow of the head and smile, "You'll have to excuse men Anwel, but I've got to see to the children."

Alexis curtsies quickly and also offers Stellan and Anwel a quick, shy smile that makes the blue in her eyes sparkle in the midday light. With her own apology she follows after her little sister toward the Deepsilver's wagon.


After a few minutes Ursula follows Stellan and the others out of the tent, letting Kressle sleep.

She slips over to Stellan and places a small, rolled up piece of paper in his hand. Blood stains mark the outside of the parchment, but otherwise it seems intact. "Kressle wanted you to have this." She says. "She says it was her most recent orders from this Akiros. She doesn't know much more than whats written there, but she thinks the location of the site is an old shrine located in the foothills west of her camp."

Stellan:
The note is written in an elegant hand, but several portions of the text are illegible because of blood stains caused by the bandit woman's earlier wounds. It reads "Captain Kressle, Your management of the north is lacking. In order to insure the proper implementation of my instructions I'm sending.....in the west. Seek out this shrine.....latest interlopers do not restore Erastil's.....necessary, join with Tartuk and his tribe to drive....Once secured, bring the relic to me. Do not fail in this or my mistress and I will be most displeased. Akiros


"Best if we do Anwel, to much philosophy for one day. Let's shelve all of this for a later time. We should rest today; we'll need to go on exploring soon." Stellan smiles at the ladies taking care of the kids, then even he seems disturbed at Sari's desire to help the dwarf alchemist, folowed by an oddly intrigued look. He starts to say something then stops, shaking his head, when Ursula comes by. "Hi, Ursula, oh, thanks for bringing this."

Stellan reads the letter, looking increasingly worried as he reads. He says in a cool, detached tone so different from his usual friendly one. "No rest for the weary it seems. I think it best if we assemble the more active ... charter bearers. We need to talk about this. Imon, Anwel, Andrei, and Warren, since you are already here, please read this and see what you make of it. I can't make all of it out and the implications are even more troubling than I thought." Since Imon is likely nearest, Stellan will hand the note to him. "I'll get the others."

Stellan gathers up Gorax, Udo, Thad, and anyone else missing or should be part of this. "Thank you for letting me hustle you here, anyone who hasn't please read Captain Kressle's most recent orders; it answers one or two questions and raises an army of others." After everyone has read the above note, Stellan resumes, "Captain Kressle is far too valuable right now to hang, morals be damned right now, we have deeper problems. To start Kressle needs to be protected during her recovery, I think the garrison has its hands full, as little as I like it, one warrior from us should stay here, watchful, she's worth more dead to Akiros now than almost anything. Any volunteers? And what do we do with this information? I'm not a general or lord, or even a councilor, I'm not sure what to do."

It case I wasn't clear, the spoiler labeled Stellan, in the previous post may be read by all.


Human Druid(Eagle Shaman) 6 | Per +12(+20 as eagle) AC 11 (15 MA), t11, ff10 (14 MA) hp 47/47 Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +7

Warren is lost in thought after he reads the dispatch to Kressle.

"Thad can stay here and supervise Kressle's recovery, guard her, and begin to assess her character. The rest of us better leave tomorrow and be ready to travel cross country. We need to find this shrine and this relic."

Warren seeks out Svetlana "We will be leaving tomorrow. Tonight may be our last hot meal for a while. Maybe you can pack us some leftovers so we can avoid eating trail rations tomorrow on the road."

Warren finds his recently captured bandit and looks him in the eye: "Eat up, your coming with me. Tomorrow we head dead west from Kressle's camp. Don't make me chase you again. You can bet the next time I chase you will be the last. We'll take it day by day--but every day you keep out of trouble puts you one step closer to redemption."

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