Xantria Aldori |
"Xantria Aldori, Swordlord Apprentice under Master Larek Aldori of Restov." Xan repeated to the other half-orc who arrived. She got a sense from how he spoke that he was familiar with the group. "As for how good I am in a fight, you'll just have to wait and see."
The large travelling cloak she wore would make it hard for anyone to tell just how she fought - sure, skilled fighters would probably be able to make out enough of her movement to tell or notice whenever her sword shifted to push the cloak out, but for most people the cloak made her almost a blank slate; giving away little information that would let them plan an attack. It wasn't an edge she felt she needed, but it couldn't hurt.
Hell; at least one bandit she'd run across shortly before crossing the border out of Brevoy had assumed she was a mage from the cloak and rushed to engage her in hand-to-hand, only to find out too late just what a mistake that had been.
Khargol Uzgurn |
"Aye, we will know how good she is in a fight when we get into a fight. How did things go Kressle?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Kailee Daikov |
Kailee listens to the newcomer and then is glad when Sugua reappears.
Um . . . I think . . . I think we should decide on how to respond to Kressel, and then we can proceed into the Stolen Lands. Logic would dictate that leaving one such as her behind with her big pet would be foolish. She pauses and considers that there are a divergence on opinions on how to proceed amongst the group. Um . . . and, also, we were mostly prepared and ready to head out when the puppy arrived, no reason we need to return to Oleg's unless someone forgot something.
Khargol Uzgurn |
After thinking on his own question, and Kailee's concerns, Khargol responds.
"Sugua came back unharmed; it seems to me that is evidence enough of her sincerity. As sincere as she is capable of being, at any rate. If one day she proves to be a significant enough threat, we will deal with her as the charter or law dictate we deal with her."
"Regardless, I believe you are correct, Kailee. We are all uninjured and at full capacity at present; there is no reason to return to Oleg's that I can discern. We would be better served continuing our charting of the Stolen Lands. We will eventually find where this 'Stag Lord' has himself holed up and, when that time comes, I have no doubt we will be prepared for the confrontation."
"Regarding that confrontation, Sugua...we know that he is fond of the bottle, but after further thinking on it, I cannot condone sending him a batch of poisoned alcohol. For one thing, I doubt he is so foolish as to not have a taster just in case one of his lackeys gets the same idea. For another, poison is...well, frankly, without honor. If we send him a few cases of grog and he gets himself drunk on it before we fight, that's his problem; but to poison him before that chance ever comes...it strikes me as outright cowardly."
"To be forthright, I am surprised that you would suggest such an action. You are always going on about getting stronger, fighting worthy opponents, the merits of armed combat. How do you think the Lord in Iron would want you to handle this? With poison or with your sword?"
Kailee Daikov |
Kailee listens to Khargol, and an idea suddenly springs forth in her head.
Perhaps we do not need to poison him per se. Instead, I could work to greatly enhance the alcoholic content of the ale that we deliver to him. We could simply call it "Special Ale". After all, what alcoholic would not want an even stronger drink. And, we all know that strong ale is much more likely to make him and his men less able to respond quickly.
She smiles, and then pauses.
I do not know if this is honorable, but it is not poison. Or, at least, not any more poisonous than any other drink. It is just . . . more potent.
I assume as an alchemist Kailee could concoct some type of stronger alcohol that could be added to the ale/grog, without actually changing the flavor and consistency too much.
Zeleysa |
While I am unsure how honrobale that is, it feels more honorable than poison. It is an interesting idea Kailee, if you can pull it off.
Zel adjusts her pack, at looks at her new companions, The day is young enough yet, let us get underway....whose leading the way?
Kailee Daikov |
Kailee looks to Zeleysa:
Um . . . well . . if . . . if it involves chemicals or anything of that nature, I can probably . . . probably pull it off. No guarantees, but I . . . I can make lots of stuff and alcohol is not that complicated.
Xantria Aldori |
"Bandits like booze, this is just giving them the strong stuff. Only reason I can see for this not working would be if this Stag Lord is anything like Master Larek, then it would just backfire spectacularly. I swear, that guy could empty a brewery and still be in fighting condition.". She didn't say it out loud, but she was sure Larek was constantly drunk to a mild extent.
"Biggest hurdle'll be getting it to them in a convincing way that won't get any of us killed."
Khargol Uzgurn |
"Poison seems problematic to me not only because of the dishonor in it...as I mentioned, it's likely that the Stag Lord, as he is known to locals, has some peon who tries his food and drink for him to make certain that it isn't poisoned. As dishonorable as many of in banditry are, it seems almost a given to protect yourself in that way."
"Finding a way to make the brew simply stronger, though, would probably be a good way to go. I do not believe that getting in will be as big a hurdle as it might normally be, as our last encounter with the bandits gave us the password to get into their base. My primary concern is for the paranoia their main base is under because of some apparently mysterious deaths and/or disappearances."
Miro of House Orlovsky |
"Poison also doesn't make for a very good story. And when you are trying to secure an area, legends and heroes help inspire the populace. I'm not opposed to Poison however, just as long as it is done... discreetly. He should be poisoned so he is weak THEN killed in a duel. Always better to be safe than sorry!"
Kailee Daikov |
Craft(Alchemy): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35 <-- rolling more for knowledge. If she can use this for producing the actual drink, all the better.
Kailee considers the possibilities.
Hmmm. Um . . . yeh . . . I think that will work. Um . . . do you think Oleg can get some Brevian Clear? It . . . it is made from potatoes. But, has almost no taste. Yeh. I think it would work. And . . . um . . . probably some unicorn root and red hicanth sap. Those work like catalysts and sort of enhance the potency of alcohol. More drunks would use them. But . . . um, well, they are not the easiest to get and mixing them just right is a bit of an art. Fortunately, I know how to do it.
She starts taking notes on a sheaf of paper.
Oh, and I suppose. That we should get some drink to mix it with, Um . . . ale or bear are best, easier to mix. Grog would work, but . . . um, it is usually not that potent and someone might notice. Um, I doubt a few bottles of the strong stuff would be enough to share with the whole fort, but several kegs might be enough for a party.
Suddenly her eyes light up.
Oh, and orcish obsession. She looks over at the orcs. Um . . . sorry, thats just its name. No offense intended. Orcish obsession is interesting. It is sort of a short term addictive. It makes people want more. Not the most effective, but should get those drinking to drink a little more than they might otherwise.
Kailee Daikov |
Kailee shrugs:
Um . . . well . . . there were some in my dad's shop. Um, but, I . . . er . . . well, it sort of burned last week.
She looks over at Zeleysa:
If I ever ask, remind me that playing with bombs in places with things that burn is not always a good idea.
For . . . for the ingredients. Um, I think I could order them from Oleg. Might . . . might take a few days to get from New Stetven.
Xantria Aldori |
"Okay, the password could help. You're right about them wondering what happened to their lost guys, though. Then again, from what you were saying before; the Stolen Lands don't sound all that safe, think they might have just written them off as casualties of the local wildlife?"
In truth, Xan was a bit disappointed that they had the password - although that could've just been from reading too many novels about con artists lately.
I'd be shocked if there wasn't at least one novelist in Avistan who hadn't written the literary equivalent of Hustle or Leverage. :P
Khargol Uzgurn |
"No, the Stolen Lands are not safe at all...and they will never be made safe by our continuing to stand around, talking about it. I'm ready to move on. Let's be on our way. The best way for you to learn about the dangers of this place will be to experience them." he says matter-of-factly, his longsword rasping as he removes it form his sheath and takes up his shield, preparing himself for the next inevitable confrontation.
Kailee Daikov |
Kailee looks about at her more martial companions:
Um . . . then lets go. We . . . I don't see us doing much exploring standing and talk . . . talking.
It is clear that the young woman is uncertain of what she has gotten herself into, but also has a great desire to learn more of this wild land.
Xantria Aldori |
"Guess we should head back to Oleg's for now, then, and hammer out a plan." Xan said before heading down the path. Only to stop as she felt something catch under her foot an instant before a dart flew past her face, missing it by bare millimetres.
She stood stock still for a moment before slowly turning back to the others, now looking a touch paler.
"Hokaythat'sthewrongway."
DM Tuyena |
The party arrives back at Oleg's the sun now fully risen.
It's still early, and Trent and Oleg has set about gathering ingredients for Svetlana who is preparing breakfast for the guards at the post who seemed to have slept in.
Spotting the group approaching, Oleg gives you all a wave as you enter back into the camp, "Have a seat down if you're all feeling hungry."
Miro of House Orlovsky |
Miro takes a seat at a table, taking out his pipe and filling it, before sparking it up. He sighed as he sat there, lost in thought, exhaling the occasional smoke ring. 'We need a plan and we need it fast.'
Kailee Daikov |
Kailee also gets a small meal. However, after the quick bite, she is back up and ready to move on.
Daylight's a wasting. We need to respond to the bandit queen, and then get on our way. Otherwise more creatures are just going to move in on the territory you all previously cleared.
Khargol Uzgurn |
"The charter from the Swordlords is for the specific purpose of mapping the Stolen Lands; I believe we should return to that as our main purpose. If and when we run into threats, we will deal with them, but our primary goal was and remains the mapping of the wilderness."
Miro of House Orlovsky |
"Aye. An admirable plan. We should get back to that as quickly as possible. Have you documented the whole area directly around us currently?" Miro exhaled a ring of smoke after he had finished smoking, smiling at the large Half-Orc.
Kailee Daikov |
Kailee looks at the diminutive bard:
I could probably make that stuff more potent. Or make it have purple smoke. Or blow up. Or . . . Her mind appears to wander off into the world of strange things that she could to with the tabac in the pipe.
Khargol Uzgurn |
"As I recall, we have documented all of the area immediately surrounding Oleg's and have made small inroads toward other areas of the Lands. We have not continued our full sweep of the next areas, further out, because of other distractions that have required our attention."
Kailee Daikov |
Kailee looks at the map pointing to various things.
Um . . . Why don't we just make sweeps back and forth starting in the north and then moving south.
She points to the land adjacent to Brevoy in the north.
We can . . . can start with the unmapped areas here, and then return - she points at the next row of unmapped hexes - through these. When . . . when we finish, we come back here to . . . to resupply. Before heading out for another loop.
Khargol Uzgurn |
"As long as there is room for the occasionally early return for rest or resupply, it is sound. As I've stated before, we may come across things dangerous enough that one or two wilderness encounters is enough to leave us dangerously drained."
Khargol Uzgurn |
"Not this close in, anyway. Further to the edges of them things might get a bit rocky, but from the things I hear tale of, those areas are even more dangerous than where we are now. I don't plan on seeking out trouble there for a good long time."
Sugua Bran't |
Sugua seemed uncharacteristically quiet, as if he were thinking on something or several somethings at the time. He had been asked questions but at the time didn't know how to properly phrase them, that was frustrating. Often he responded with a grunt more out of indecision rather than rudeness.
" Just gunna say, we've been doing a sweep the whole time... it was from this place out.. so we can return save somethin' happens. You all want a little blood on your blades.. its fine by me. We have to meet Up with Kressle again sometime soon though. "
Miro of House Orlovsky |
Miro arched an eyebrow at the Alchemist, before laughing a little, shaking his head. "I'd rather my tobacco not explode in my face and turn me purple, but thank you for the offer m'Lady." He inclined his head slightly to her, before turning to listen to the rest of the discussion.
When Sugua spoke Miro shrugged before replying. "It isn't blood I want, it is just I feel we should explore more, map the area as well as we can. The more we know the stronger and more well defended we are."
Kailee Daikov |
This is the problem with things getting this dragged out, it is hard to recall what was being discussed almost a month ago.
Kailee would prefer having Kressel and her bandits as rangers/scouts on the fringes of the land if they are unwilling to join the nation formally. Otherwise, they will have to be considered outlaws.
Sugua Bran't |
The only reason we didnt do whatever were you all being hesitant, Sugua had a decision at the beginning. He isnt a goodie goodie. He also wasnt worried about her, her threats were pretty empty especially since we killed like.. all her men and when we kill the Stag lord.. we will be much stronger by then.
Kailee Daikov |
Kailee is good. This is why she effectively offered an olive branch in the hope of getting Kressel to agree to work with the nation. There is really only two choices. Join with the nation, or be considered an outlaw.
I am ready to move on. We can always retcon the discussion with Kressel since that seems to be holding up everything else.
Kailee Daikov |
We can be any alignment we want, LG, CE, or anything in between, each has bonuses and drawbacks. Some help economics, others the safety of the country, and so forth. I do not think that the alignment of the nation has been discussed. Kailee is speaking from her vision of things, and since she is decidedly good, that is what she will push for. I know that we have the following alignments in the party:
N x1
NG x3
CG x1
CN x1
LN(G) x1
Thus, while a non-good alignment for the nation is acceptable by the rules, I am guessing that the party is going to favor a more good aligned system.
Khargol Uzgurn |
"What to do regarding Kressle is, to my mind, not an issue of immediate importance. Continuing our explorations is. If need be we can discuss her as we travel, but let my opinion be known now: I am loathe to leave her be, but sometimes we must make bargains we would rather not enter into. If she honors our accord to leave be what we are trying to build here then I am satisfied with leaving her to her own devices until such time as she becomes a problem."
"That said, let us be on our way. I still have much stamina and would be glad to get back to work."
Sugua Bran't |
Sugua is not Good, nor would he be misconstrued as such, his lifestyle is practical and fun for him. It works
Sugua arches his back and cracks a few bones, " Yeah yeah, you are almost as bad as her. Deceivingly forward. She'll honor whatever because she knows we have the cards right now. And by the time she could react it won't matter. It seems the fire has been lit under you all. " He unsheathes his blade. " Let's go raise some hell! "
GM it is time to scene change