Living in the Lands of the Linnorm (Inactive)

Game Master Aiunder

i'm anticipating a couple of bits of drama shortly (barbarians at the south gate, Samuel descending on us to harangue us, etc.). So I was holding off on this conversation, but it looks like we're here, so... Let's do the do.

Seeing an entre into a discussion he had been trying to figure out how to approach, Isham jumps in, perhaps somewhat sharply, "Look, we all have a problem here. I think I have an understanding of what Ana was thinking, because I've spent a fair amount of time among pirates and scoundrels. The problem we're going to have is conveying to an Ulfen chieftain how such a thing came about, and doing it in a way that shows we weren't insulting anyone on their side, while also avoiding the appearance of being total idiots."
"well, maybe I can look like a bit of an idiot, but we have to get across that Savol values them as potential allies, and that Savol puts his faith and seal on people with character and judgement, even if not the judgement or experience of Ulfen warriors."
"for right now, we have three native Ulfen to use as sounding boards. Some more sympathetic, some less - which is very good right now. We need a lot of skeptical review so we are well prepared to make our case to some actively hostile and annoyed chieftains."
"So Anastasiya, can you explain to Jediah, tgorvan, and dagmar why having a cousin tell you the chief is returning soon, then explaining that there's a surprise arranged at the South gate sounds to you like an incitation to conspiracy?"

"Perhaps when Julian comes back he can tell us what he has seen at the southgate.", Thorvald sounds hopeful if only a bit so.

As Isham speaks to Ana, Rutilux adds softly, "And perhaps you could tell us why you didn't consult any of us before deciding to try to trick the man?" He sighs, "That one is one I am wondering. But Samuel may bring it up as well."

"tgorvan"?

"A feast? No ... why would they? Why would they keep that a secret from us?"
Ana looks puzzled.

"Samuel would not talk to us about official matters, until the day his cousin was expected back. Now why do you think he did that? The most logical explanation to me is that he believed his own standing would be much better by that date. That he would be in a better position to bargain with us. And then he tells us to stay away from the south gate, because there is something going to happen there he doesn't want us to know about - or to get involved in. Coincidentally the surprise is scheduled around the same time as his cousin is scheduled to return. At this point it was quite obvious to me that this surprise was part of a coup that Samuel was going to stage against his cousin. Either he was going to take his cousin as a prisoner on his return there, maybe even assassinate him. Or he was going to let an enemy army into town, right before his cousin returns. Maybe even these raiders Savol warned us about - raiders in the south, surprise at the south gate - funny coincidence, don't you think?

So I was sure Samuel was going to do stage a coup against his cousin. Only I didn't know how exactly. And I thought the right thing would be to try and stop him. Because Savol should better ally himself with the righteous chieftain of the Oakrun, instead of with his treacherous cousin. But maybe that was a mistake..."

As Isham speaks to Ana, Rutilux adds softly, "And perhaps you could tell us why you didn't consult any of us before deciding to try to trick the man?" He sighs, "That one is one I am wondering. But Samuel may bring it up as well."

"But I did tell you about my suspicions. I didn't tell you of my plan because ... because I was too certain that it would be successful. I was too confident in my abilities. Thats what doomed us all: my hubris"

Meanwhile, rat is still in Samuel's house, watching him, stealing food from his plate when he looks the other way, trying not to get caught by a cat.

I'm not sure how the empathic link between Ana and her familiar works: would the animal be able to understand the general emotional situation in Samuel's household and transmit that to Ana? Or can it only share its own animal emotions? (In other words: can Ana tell through her familiar how samuel feels/acts right now - or can she only sense whether her rat is currently chased by a cat?)

"You did tell us your suspicions, I meant the plan" He nods, "But if we had known of your plan, we would have tried to sway you from it I think, and...with good reason given where we are. But hindsight, as they say, is eagle eyed. There are things I would do differently as well if I could do it all over again." He gives her a gentle look, "And I'm sorry for that. I am..." A breath, "Very angry with you, Princess. I hold to a code where I strive to protect the honor of myself, my family, my companions, and my liege: Not necessarily in that order. Now, I worry no matter what I do, some honor will end up tarnished. It was brave of you to try to take your actions wholly on yourself. But we are all bound by a common lord and shared battle. That is our greatest strength and yet a weak point if forgotten." A shrug, "We will all find a way to wipe this from the slate. And, for what it is worth, I am with you in the effort to do so."

"Rutilex, I am glad you have some deeper understanding, but for now I would rather the Ulfen among us provide their insights without our opinions swaying them. It is critical that we find a way to communicate this that is sensible to an Ulfen perspective."

"I'm sorry, but I just can't think of a way to communicate that theory in a sensible manner. What clan would willingly follow a kinslayer? Surely even his own ancestors would curse him for so vile an act and he would bring shame to his whole house? I worry about the shame my own family will feel when they hear of what's happened here. How could I have helped to damage a cause that my brother gave his life for?"

[dice= "attack"]1d20+7[/dice]
Suddenly, an arrow flies in through the window where the bird had earlier landed. Attached is a note.

Rutilux takes the note, and reads it, "And suddenly I don't feel like apologizing to him anymore." Reluctantly, he puts up his index and middle finger as directed while the others can read the note. "After the insults, he makes an interesting comment about the party to the south. I wish he'd given more details."

Called it!

"Hopefully he's behaving himself. It surely won't help us if he is caught spying on anyone."

"I'm sorry, but I just can't think of a way to communicate that theory in a sensible manner. What clan would willingly follow a kinslayer? Surely even his own ancestors would curse him for so vile an act and he would bring shame to his whole house? I worry about the shame my own family will feel when they hear of what's happened here. How could I have helped to damage a cause that my brother gave his life for?"

"In many of the greatest sagas there are bumps in the road such as this. Heros caught sleeping with Kings daughters, imprisonments, kinslayers. As Zethyis pointed out our saga has not come to a close and redemption is only possible out of disgrace. But information should have been gathered about Samuel and Hod before any further actions were taken. but that is like crying over spilled milk now."

"at this point to my Ulfen sensibilities predict that Ana will be seen as the most guilty for she tried to pit blood against blood, a vassal against his chief, and most damningly those words are Savol's. Then she was outed as Irrisean. Isham by placing her chains on you and Rutilux his words and oaths probably below that. I am guilty of breaking the peacebond, but I believe I will be held with Isham and Rutilux, or perhaps under them in guilt, but I have no protection nor do I speak for anyone, but myself. Julian, is an outsider, but currently a possibly lethal threat to them. Jediah, the least guilty, Zethyis perhaps will be seen as innocent as well, but I don't know how their mixed blood will fare them. Dagmar somewhere in the middle."

"I really don't think figuring out where everyone is on some scale of guilt is of any help or even matters to them. She is one of us and we chose to be imprisoned with her rather than condemning her outright and just leaving town without her. "

"I really don't think figuring out where everyone is on some scale of guilt is of any help or even matters to them. She is one of us and we chose to be imprisoned with her rather than condemning her outright and just leaving town without her. "

Rutilux smiles at that but doesn't comment.

Thorvald is going to give Julian the hand signal of his middle, index and pinky finger extended with his ring finger and thumb tucked.

Is Thorvald just f+*~ing with Julian now? :)

"I really don't think figuring out where everyone is on some scale of guilt is of any help or even matters to them. She is one of us and we chose to be imprisoned with her rather than condemning her outright and just leaving town without her. "

Thorvald looks at Ana with searching eyes as though he tries to find the truth in Dagmars words.

"That isn't exactly what he asked for. I think he was asking for us to explain more of our culture to Ana so that she would better understand what she did. Also perhaps to make her understand the great differences between Ulfen culture and Irrisen culture. I am perfectly willing to accept that such foul betrayal may be common place in that country, but turning on one's own kin is such a manner would be unthinkable to most Ulfen and it would be a grave insult to a whole family's honor to imply such a thing."

ARC can you give us what time of day it is? When was Hod supposed to arrive? What is the manner of the guards. Also I am guessing the food and water were clean and decent.

"Rutilux, since you have offered the information that you have a bird, I suggest we send word out giving the news of the situation we are now in before something happens to it or us and we lose the ability to do so. We don't have to put every detail in it, but we need to let Savol know."

"I would, but Herald has yet to return, and I don't have a quill or ink upon me."

"we can use blood and my pin to write on the back of Julian's note."

Thorvald: Positively SHOCKING! Arc: Thanks! He's sooooo different from most of the party that a lot of the interaction goes by him without notice. He's living in a different world.

Its currently late in the afternoon, and Hod is due back either tomorrow night or sometime the next day and .the food appears to be the same as the guards are eating.

I am going to give Ana a chance to respond to everyone before I move to the next part.

Ana the bond allows you to understand your familiar emphatically and to sense their emotions, not those near it.

"we can use blood and my pin to write on the back of Julian's note."

"Drastic, but it may come to that. I can call for Herald if you like, but I'm not sure he's in earshot."

Ana turns to Dagmar, shaking her had sadly, and says:

"I've seen too Ulfen men pledge their loyalty to the witch queen, seen them testify their love towards her to Baba Yaga's three knights. What makes you think the people here would be so fundamentally different from their kinsman a few miles east? Surely, not all of them would follow a Kingslayer. But those that survive would learn to adapt quickly. Don't underestimate people's will to survive."

After a moment she adds "Even the Ulfen people's."

She turns pale when reading the end of Julian's note.

No, that can't be ... It has to be one of Julian's jokes ... It must be ...

Ready to move on.

Thorvald stands and mills about while the women are talking and Ana is taking her turn at reading the note from Julian. He then moves towards the princess and after a slight hesitation reaches out to her and places a hand on her gently then uses his other hand to guide her to face him,"Ana . . . were you honestly just trying to do the right thing? Or are you conflicted about what side you stand on? Please speak true."

If she resists or pulls away at all he gingerly lets Ana go, but still asks his question

"I ... I just tried to be good."

Ana looks at Thorvald with tears in her eyes.

"But you were wrong, Thorvald - last night: my evil blood keeps deceiving me."

Rutilux sees the tears, and is tempted to move forward, then he Thorvald's hand on hers. She has made her choice, and I must respect that. I had my chance to be bold, and I blew it. I...wish them happiness.

Thorvald appearing somewhat awkward and out of his element brings one ham sized fist up and tenderly wipes away a tear with a large sausage finger. He tilts her chin so that he can see her eyes. As he easily encircles her shoulders with the other arm. "Your blood is red just like ours. We have all made mistakes. Sometimes we Ulfen are blinded by pride and honor and rigid adhearance to our belief that things are a certain way. We need you to help us see that there are other possibilities. You don't have the heart of a hag Ana, you have the heart of someone who has been hurt deeply and you find it too hard to trust. I stand by my words Ana. May you one day see the beauty in yourself as I do." Thorvald will hold her a while if she will let him. "If I had not been so weak last night and had had been better at speaking with you this may not have happened. Losing my temper and breaking my peace tie has hurt the party's standing as well. Your actions can be excused, but mine cannot. These are my people and I knew better. Now we need your intelligence and grace to help us find a way to fix this hurt. I am sorry I thought of the exact words you said last night, I overreacted out of weariness, and let my own emotions cloud things. If I wasn't such a . . . I don't have the word for it."

Well, apparently we just need Ana to start crying in front of Hod, Samuel and everyone and then surely all will be forgiven... As Thorvald places his arm around Ana, Dagmar takes a quick glance over towards Rutilux. I guess he didn't get his chance to apologize before all this and it looks like he isn't going to get it now. I really hope that this doesn't cause any problems between the two men...

The tears of a woman has always been their best weapon. Hrumphh.

The night in the cell is rough for everyone. There are not enough bunks for everyone so three of you have to resort to lying on the hard flat benches that line the far wall. The next morning from outside you can all hear the sounds of laughter and cheering as the townsfolk seem to enjoy the festival Julian wrote about in his note.
Again you are fed a simple fare and left to your own devices, watched from a safe distance but not bothered. Stuck inside close quarters with each other and no real privacy leaves many of you quite grumpy by the time night falls.
After dark as you are preparing for another night stuck in the cell you can hear a much different sound coming through the windows. The sound of frantic movement and heavy shod feet stomping through the streets in a hurry.

Thorvald rolls off the hard bench he has been sleeping on and tries too look out the window. "Isham, Zethyis! Something is happening can you hear or see what it is?"
Thorvald then looks to see the reaction of the guards. "Maybe Hod has returned."

"If it is Hod returning, we will know soon enough when the guards come to get us. So you may as well just sit back down, try to relax and think about what you will say when we are brought before him."

Rutilux rubs his eyes, "I think it might be worse than that..the pace of the footsteps is more like they are getting ready for a fight."

Zethyris peeks out the bars as best he can, watching if possible, and listening to try to pick out any voices amongst the clamor.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7"Well, チェ." Really have to learn how to track in these cold environments. You'd think it'd be easier. For now ...perhaps to focus on what I already do well.

Julian will use whatever materials he can find, be it dirt, rearranging his clothing, or whatever, to make himself look different and hopefully less Tien. Disguise: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

"Yes, these do not sound like normal to me, unless Hod is coming directly to lynch us."

Quick rules question ...is it possible for Julian to take ten or twenty on disguise ...he'd obviously know that last one wasn't good enough.

Hmmm...perhaps any magic should be done before we get dragged before Hod. Damgar looks over to Rutilux, concentrating for a moment. There, that should be useful if he is allowed to champion Ana. Assuming of course that he still wants to.

Casting Ward Hex upon Rutilux

"Yes, these do not sound like normal to me, unless Hod is coming directly to lynch us."

"I don't claim to know your people, but that seems unlike what I've seen so far. We're unarmed, unarmored, and in a cell. They might have us executed, but to be in a rush about it as if it must be done NOW? I think we're safe. I wonder if the raiders had a larger force than any new and are pressing."

Standing up, Rutilux calls out, "What transpires?!" He calls out, "If the Oakrun are in danger, maybe we can help?"

"Rutilux, if you were being attacked by a foreign force, would you release traitorous foreigners to bear weapons at your side? If there's an attack, then we're going to have to shift ourselves loose if we want to contribute. If we're wrong about what is going on," with a laconic glance at Ana, "then we can make our situation much, much worse very quickly."

"Let's remain where we are unless we have more information from Julian, or unless we have direct evidence of invaders in the city. There are times for swift and decisive action - boldness in the face of poor information. This is not one of those times. We must act very deliberately. We have resources, we have sources of information. We need not act rashly."

"If things were going badly enough, I might," he answers, "Though I do see your point. Maybe Julian will contact us again soon."

Yes you can take the ten on disguise but you've lost them Julian

I know. His hope is to be able to enter the city as "a random new visitor, not that handsome ninja that was with the traitors."