*pat*
:P
Anumil lashed out at his opponent as he moved.
for a possible piercing, magic and precision damage.
The croc takes the offered aoo.
Sunny hits the wounded fleeing monk just right... he stumbles and falls.. out cold or dead. The crocodile gnaws on him a bit.. quickly confirming the kill.
Anumil lunges before his foe can slip away, and skewers his spine... enough to finish him off.
There is no way (that I know of) to do a full x3 or x4 movement.
The croc moves to K,L/17,18 and attacks the monk there.
Arcthyl moves forward to M18.
Anumil flicked the blood off his blade and moved up quickly to (K,19) and lashed out at the monk to his north.
"En guarde!" He shouted as he lunged.
for a possible piercing, magic and precision damage.
*Scamper, scamper, scamper, scamper.....JUMP....*
(^_^)
Seeing the monk standing over the knocked out man, Corum fires three bolts of force that hit the monk.
The nearest monk avoids the crocodile's first bite, but not Anumil's rapier. "Hmmpf.."
He throws a massive punch fairly close to Anumil's head, then yells over his shoulder.
"Help Braihan, and get out of here! ... See you back at Crownsgate when you wake, Brother. We will learn from -"
Corum's arcane bolts pummel him dead.
The monk he was speaking to - the one who'd claimed the fallen leader's weapon - sees Sunny leap over the horse.. heading straight for "Braihan". He gestures to the horse "Kill her!", turns and runs.
The horse glances at Sunny, but does not become hostile.
Anumil blinked. "Crownsgate. As in... Oppara?" He wondered aloud.
He quickly moved up to (E,24) and attacked the monk NE of him.
"En guarde!" He shouted as he lunged.
but the monk parried.
Corum fires another ball of exploding acid (centered in A 23). It engulfs the two monks (D25 C26) and no one else.
"No one leaves without feeling the caress of acid!!"
The crocodile charges forward, but isn't very fast... it moves toward the enemy monks and then winks out of existence.
Arcthyl runs forward as well and casts Ice Spears under the monk at C26.
Corum's explosion of acid drops the further monk - who'd been corralling the horses. He growls in pain and frustration, glares at Corum, then gets struck by Arcthyl's icy spear. His injuries bring him down.
"From what they were saying, they die to be reborn elsewhere... None of them feared death, simply said 'see you later' to each other. Tho that could refer to something theological, I got the impression it was more almost mechanical. I hope I'm wrong."
Sunny comes to a stop and looks around for a moment... Before scampering back to the lass who's still fallen down.
"Hey ya there. Is ye bein' all okeys...?"
And tries to see if she can get the girl/woman/lass to wake up.
"It would be unsettling to have enemies that can keep coming after dying with no fear of death."
The female soldier opens her eyes soon after Sunny attempts to rouse her. She blinks a couple times... "you look cold."
She scrunches her face - trying to clear her haze, then tries to get up, but winces.. and remains lying on her back "The others?..."
Sunny looks around and tries to explain to the woman what is the state of affairs around them.
At the woman's wince of pain Sunny frowns, "Where is ye be hurnin'?" She asks and peers at what injuries the woman might have sustained.
She vaguely gestures toward her head, then ribs and gut as she responds in a slightly haughty tone. "They did their best to knock me out.. with a couple blows to the head. Switched to body blows when they found I do not go down as easily one might expect. I am Dianith... blood of Farmlord Vyoder. My brother Arrick is captain of the guard." She nods toward the soldier who'd been last to fall.
"The men who ambushed us seemed intent on taking us alive, but unconscious... if you would.. please check on the others."
They look mostly human. The faint blue glow in their eyes and tattoos is gone.
They all share the same type of tattoos covering most of their skin. Thin and precise faded blue lines, simple shapes, circles with radiating lines....
Sunny at least tries to help the woman sit up and be comfortable. (^_^)
Corum looks at the fallen monks. Curious, he identifies their magic trinkets with ease.
After a few minutes, you find that all of the soldiers are alive.
Madame Shkoata arrives... she and Dianith know each other by name. Madame Shkoata gives her a flask to sip, and Dianith is soon able to get to her feet.
"Your efforts here have earned you seats at the table.. as guests of honor. If you would assist me in getting my men home, we can join the mainhall festivities." Dianith smiles awkwardly - the surroundings and recent near-death experience in mind... "We have a wedding to get to."
She looks beyond you just noticing the crowd of refugees milling forward.
"Eyes say we were not the only ones to have a day of unfortunance." she nods pensively for a moment.
"The marriage feastday for the son of the Jarl must be a joyous one. They will be given shelter food, and drink... if they can shed their worry, and make merry for one night."
The clasp holds a >Blood Reservoir of Physical Prowess<
the leader's mace is a +1 Thundering Merciful heavy mace.. glows as light spell when held at will.
Sunny nods to their new found friend and again helps people in their travels to where ever it is that every one is going. (^_^)
"Your efforts here have earned you seats at the table.. as guests of honor. If you would assist me in getting my men home, we can join the mainhall festivities."
Anumil smiled and bowed.
"We are honored of course to join you in fest!" He said, smiling.
Corum nods and follows.
Dianith confers with her fellow soldiers, then joins you.. walking her mount. With the refugees trailing behind, she leads you down the Palanquin Path to Volksfelt...
"Capital of the north.. home to Lady Uraba, Shaper of the Tundra.. ruled by Jarl Bastijn, the Drakefeller."
There is an impressive twenty-foot wall of stone and oak around the entire perimeter of a hundred or so buildings. The largest of which looks like the hull of a massive sailing ship turned keel up. At one end of the long structure there is a wide squat tower. An un-walled portion on the north side of Volksfelt (to your left) abuts a wide lazy river - which runs east-west, and disappears on either end into mountain ranges.. miles away. North of the river are forested hills.. as far as you can see.
Soldiers on the parapet call out, and the gates creak open with a gesture from Dianith. "Madame Shkoata..." she calls over her shoulder... " if you would see to the good people of Jorunea, I will requisition a shaper to provide housing."
As Madame Shkoata moves off to confer with Gramps and his people, Dianith turns back to you."We're not too late...", and points to some kids climbing and rolling a large empty cask near the main keep. ".. only one mead barrel down."
There are six long tables set up outside the main keep and twice as many cooking fires with boar, ox, elk, and large game birds on spits. The locals of Volksfelt are scattered about the area chatting steins-in-hand in groups. Few seem to notice you.. fewer give a second look as you pass on your way to the doors of the main keep.
Sunny skips along her eyes wide at looking at all the new things around her.
Dianith opens the doors into the main keep. The entire interior is one long hall... a raised area with throne on the far side, a flaming brazier and stacked barrels are in the center of the room, and long tables along either side. Several dozen people are at the tables... all with steins. Some fresh fruit, breads, and other nosh are set out.
Those inside appear to mostly be soldiers and spouses(?)... all appear to be big boned and sport long hair from slightly scraggly to well-groomed the closer their placement to the throne, and dressed in light parade armor... the spouses' outfits are understated versions of what you'd expect at a winter wedding. A flowering vine with a white and speckled gold bloom is repeated throughout the hall, and attire accessory with baby's breath.. as well as something similar to a poinsettia.
Dianith gestures to an open area at the left table.. near the entrance. Two of the soldiers you rescued escort you there while Dianith and Arrick head toward the throne.
"We will inform the Jarl of the situation... and your assistance."
Arrick snorts... "Assistance? .. Saved our lives." He leans in to Sunny. "Ice in'er veins, that one." Seeing Dianith is not waiting for him, he's forced to speak up as he jogs to catch up with her. "If you wanna see'er smile, y'gotta apply 'bout 200 stones of force with yer thumb'n'forefinger to the corners of'er mouth."
Your escorts introduce you to those nearest you at the table...
Ser Kjerzig, and wife Vaenyn... Ser Raulthim, and wife Ulfini. The hair of the two rather large men (Kjerzig blond, and Raulthim grey-tinged chestnut brown) look as though they'd slept in their helmets, but their faces look like they've never worn them in combat. At the moment at least they appear smiley enough.
Sunny is still looking about in seeming compete amazement at every thing around her. At Dianith's long stride the tanned Elf quickly skips along besides the other woman, though Arrick's words seem to give Sunny some slight pause. Sunny smiles brightly upon being introduced. (^_^)
Ser Kjerzig nods to you "Lets put a %$^# drink in those hands." He looks down the table "Ring the &^#$ bell lad."
The addressed soldier picks up a small bell from the table and rings it.
"We'd norm'ly have our Henrys serve us, but Elof wanted busty lasses." the blond beefy man shrugs.
Raulthim adds "And if you get to askin who put that idea in the boy's head, no one's talkin."
His wife Ulfini rolls her eyes, and he winks as servers come in.. as described.
Sunny nods and smiles gratefully accepting the large mug off.. stuff... even as she sniffs and sips at it experimentally. Finding some place to sit she pipes up.
"We's come from over tha' hills wiff lots'a peoples an' we's runnin' away from sumfink an' we's lookin' fer somfink.... um... I fink???" And Sunny blinks as she looks a little bit closer at what ever it is they've given her to drink.
Before entering, Anumil brushed what dirt and debris off his clothing he could and pulled/adjusted his cape and tunic to the most fashionable arrangement he could.
On entry Anumil took his hat off and bowed respectfully to the throne.
Escorted to the table set aside for them, he accepted the mug with a smile. He sipped at it cautiously.
Ser Kjerzig's wife Vaenyn sees Sunny inspecting her drink, and Anumil only sipping... "Molasses and cliff currant mead... sort of a house special." she is a petite plump with a cute though slightly pinched face... deep red hair dark eyes. "We could have them bring wine or ale if you'd like... but I think it goes so well with the fruit and torn sweetbread."
Kjerzig tries this by biting into a hunk of the nut-crusted sweetbread, then downs a gulp of mead. "You know yer right!" He grabs her by the hip and yanks her onto his lap. "Got me a good one." Vaenyn pecks him on the cheek.
Ser Raulthim then addresses you "But you're not from High Gaia, are you?" He rubs the top of his ear with a finger then points to Sunny, before realizing the need to clarify. "Err Feyeater Retreat if you've come by way of Jorunea. We call it High Gaia. Well if you're running from the Matron, she will not come to Volksfelt. Lady Uraba and her mother do not get along, but the Matron gives Lady Uraba her space... and Lady Uraba walls off Palanquin Path to prevent any of her mother's hangers-on from wandering north to our lands. Perfectly safe here. Safe as anywhere." Raulthim raises his stein, and looks to Ser Kjerzig - who raises his once he notices.
Corum nodded formally with a small bow.
"Thank you for hospitality and sanctuary. I am sure some stories are in order, as we are quite uninformed."
Vaenyn leans over the table "I just have to ask... are those pointy ears real, or have you been to the facemaker?"
Ser Kjerzig clears his throat.
She defends her question... "What? I like them... they're.. exotic."
Dianith returns "The Jarl has invited you to sit as honored guests at the foretable."
As she leads you closer to the throne, someone yells out "Hear ye! Hear ye!"
There is a man in blousey tunic, a suede helm with jester-like drooping points, and matching shoes which turn up to points at the toe.
"Eyes and ears on me, lades and gentry, new friends, and old mates...
This wedding hath fallen on one of the more auspicious of dates.
Gather round if't please Jarl-for-the-day Elof and Bride-to-be Kaia,
Now.. comes the time to crown this year's most impressivist liar!"
The crowd shouts in unison "", and they begin to gather in a circle on the throne side of the brazier... right where Dianith has led you to sit.
The crier in the jester hat continues "Mjodhall Lie Tell King title holder Skald Kvasir will begin round one...."
As people continue to form up in a circle, they make way for a man approaching you. He is a large wide shouldered man in a finer set of parade armor than the others. He has stern features, but large calm blue eyes. He bows his head to you.
"I am Jarl Bastijn... I've been told you saved the lives of my men. Please... we will talk... tomorrow. Today... eat, drink your fill as a Huskarl... and you will have the finest rooms on Volksfelt."
"If you will excuse me.. I'll give you time to conjure up a tall tale before your turn." Jarl Bastijn smiles with a slight wink.
Skald Kvasir speaks "It was my grandfather who taught me to hunt elk with a knife-" Jeers and boos come from the crowd already, but he continues... telling about cutting down "sleeping elk" from the trees in the neighbor's yard. Hanging from the branch by his fingers for a night and a day (after his grandfather bolted at the first sound of trouble) was what gave him hands perfect for playing the lute.
The crowd seems to consider it acceptable for a first round.
The Lie-Tell is a skill encounter that every character can participate
in and consists of three rounds. The goal of the Lie-Tell is to find
who can tell the most outrageous tall tale while keeping it credible.
Participants in the Lie-Tell may make skill checks using either Bluff,
Diplomacy, Intimidation (to dare anyone to challenge the authenticity
of your story), Knowledge (history, nobility, religion), or Perform
(act, comedy, oratory).
To pass the first round, participants must
succeed at a DC (10) skill check. GMs should
reward players that come up with a tale with a +2
bonus to their skill check. The first round of Lie-
Tell weeds out the worst storytellers. There is
much laughter and drinking in celebration of
successes and failures.
Vaenyn leans over the table "I just have to ask... are those pointy ears real, or have you been to the facemaker?" Ser Kjerzig clears his throat. She defends her question...
"What? I like them... they're.. exotic."
Suny stops rubbing at her own ear where she thought there'd been a smudge of grime as the other fellow had indicated and blinks large blue eyes back at the other lass. She shakes her blond mop.
"Nuh-uh. They's all-a-ways bin this way..." She replies still sounding confused.
Dianith returns
"The Jarl has invited you to sit as honored guests at the foretable."
As she leads you closer to the throne, someone yells out "Hear ye! Hear ye!"
Sunny wanders up and begins listening to what people are saying fro a time before she steps into the area and begins to speak..
"Well.. t'were after Great Storm blowin'. When a great storm what lowers permanent t' North of Home Island gets bigger an' blacker an' meaner fer a time a'fore calmin' it-self agin." Sunny slowly begins to turn in a circle so as to project her voice to all those listening.
"Kin were comin' from all'a round. From tha' deeper ocean. From th'a leeward isles. 'Cause, with tha' easin' of tha' great gales an'a huge waves, t'is time fer Kin ta' be celebratin' another turnin' of tha' season." Her arms spread wide and high to give a sense of scale to the weather she's describing.
"All sorts a festive things were bein' readied. Flowers strung amongst th'a tree's fronds. Lots'a fishin' bein' done ta' be all readied fer tha' cookin' fires. Extra huts bein' raised fer Kin ta' be sleepin' in." She sips from her cup before setting it aside for a moment.
"Up in'a high hills, above tha' village, older Kin be puttin' finishin' touches on'a big...um..." The tanned Elf searches for the right word, finally settling on something she knows with a shrug,
"Rock throwers... While other Kin be puttin' up tha' great poles with tha' flags an'a streamers on 'em whut all flutter an' uh, stream in'a wind. Up on'a highest peaks of tha' island." Again, she waves her arms sinuously to represent the banners motions in the ocean breezes.
"So, with every one gettin' all ready an' gatherin' things tha' first of tha' Sea Peoples comes swimmin' in't bay." Sunny's large blue eyes seem to grow even larger.
"From tha' islands heights tha' great horns did sound they's welcome." She nods.
"A fine young feller they wus. Long pale hair all wove through with fresh weed. A garland made of salvaged nets all worked through with coral about his brows an' then he stood up!" And Sunny bounces and stretches towards the rafters.
"Tall he were! Just more'n tha' height of a family hut. Water washin' an' cascadin' of 'im in'a rush." Sunny continue to stand on her toes, arms raised, "Tha' Kin, we's all a come runin' at tha' soundin' a tha' horns an' we's all bright an' freindly an' wavin' on'a sands fer tha' greetings." She stands down and reches for her drink. "An' some Kin, they bring forth a great...um... big around wooden...um.. Barrel! Aye, barrel. Held up be four Kin an' offerin' it ta' tha' Sea Folk in way of welcomin' greetin'." Sunny smiles and raises her own tankard as if to show how the Sea Folk took the barrel and quaffed it back.
[b]"An', with tha' acceptin' of tha' drink we did start our festives!"[b] Sunny grins brightly, indicating her tale has come to an end as she gives a slight bow and steps out of the talking circle.
(^_^)
"Well, my pointy ears come from falling all the way to earth from the highest heavens for daring to attempt to snatch the stars from the sky. As I fell head first, the rushing wind heated my ears to the point that they became points. Get it!!"
Corum mimics falling through the sky and trying to touch his fiery hot ears.
"One day, I was out hunting with my brother and father. Dad warned us to watch for falling carcasses because leopards dragged their prey into the trees to eat. He failed to warn us about leopards hunting on the ground though, and while we were watching the trees above us, a leopard attacked and would have killed my brother had I not stepped in and stopped it by smacking it with a fallen tree branch. My father, a hard man to be sure, just laughed and called it a good lesson to us both."
The crowd has polite smiles during Sunny's first tale... quite a few questions murmured to each other, but she gets through the first round.
Skald Kvasir palms his face during Corum's lie tell, his shoulders shake as he stifles laughter. Corum gets consoling words, and pats.
The crowd's impressed with Arcthyl - you see they are affected just by the sight of him. They enjoy the brief tale, and give him a pass to the second round, but is reminded by one nearby soldier that it is supposed to be a lie. The soldier next to him says he's fairly certain Arcthyl was lying.
Ser Kjerzig steps up. "Quite a few years back... Ser Raulthim and I took a little trip to Jorunea. This was... before we were blessed with the wise council of our wives, mind you. We went half-drunk, and looking for... adventure. We came upon a quaint establishment - presumably where Northerners are unwelcome... ditching our furs, and tucking our hair into hats was our fool-proof disguise. We found ourselves becoming involved in a tavern brawl after catching some attention from the wife of the sharp-eyed proprietor - he'd somehow seen through our disguise, and rallied his fellow patrons against us."
"I admit.." Ser Raulthim interjects. "I'd let my sleeve slip... my massive forearm is a girth unseen in those lands."
"Yes yes." Kjerzig waves off Raulthim and continues. "We fought back to back, of course confounding their sluggish punches and countering with cheek slaps without fail.. until one fellow got the idea to use a chair, and broke it across Raulthim's back. It must have appeared effective to the others for they all lunged for their own flimsy excuse for a chair, stool or table. We stood there with our guard up until the swarm had thoroughly smashed every piece of furniture against us, and had worn themselves out. As I held my fist ready to strike at the ringleader, his assumed wife came to us pleading. 'Whatever you want is yours. Please... don't hurt him.'
Ser Raulthim gets up real close to her, and says in a low voice...."
He speaks with an over-the-top "man to his lover" voice. "Alright... I'll take that hog you have tied up out back.... and a saddle."
There is some laughter... during which you hear Vaenyn say "If you were fighting back-to-back how did they smash the chair-"
Ser Kjerzig kisses her on the cheek "Hush woman."
Anumil accepts another glass of wine.
"Well then, let me recall a tale... This happened to a friend of mine." He said.
He looked up and started tapping his foot.
"Now Angus was a happy man for soon he would be wed
"He'd found a brisk and bonnie lass to take him to his bed
"But happier still his mother was that he had found a wife
"For truth be told she'd often feared t'be stuck with him for life!
"In honor of the grand affair their wedding it would be
"She set about to weave a kilt the finest ever seen
"The night before the wedding when the kilt was finally done
"She called young Angus over and she tried it on her son
"She wound the kilt about him and she wound and wound and wound!
"But when she'd finished winding it was still eight yards too long
"Oh never fear, me bonnie boy, we'll simply cut it off,
"And to your blushing bride we will give the extra cloth."
"Now Angus was so pleased you know his heart it swelled with pride
"He felt that he must rush right out to show it to his bride
"It was raining so he grabbed a cloak to shield him on the moor
"And in his haste to be away, his kilt slammed in the door!
"Now Angus was in such a rush to show off for his bride
"He never really noticed that he'd left his kilt behind
"He knocked upon her door, cryin' "Let me in I pray,
"'I've something that you've got to see before our wedding day"
"Well Brigit let him in you know but says, "You cannot stay.
"For I must have my beauty sleep before our wedding day!"
""I'll only be a moment love, but it's so grand, my dear,
"You've really got t'see what I've got hidin' under here!"
"Now when the cloak was set aside, and Angus stood quite bare
"We must admit, she was impressed, and tried hard not to stare
""My love, I'll ne'er see finer, though far and wide I'd roam!"
""Oh, lass," he cried, "That's nothin'! I've eight more yards at home!""
He bowed and sat down again.
XD
Sunny totally appreciates the joking tale! (^_^)
The crowd is blown away by Anumil's lie tell poem. Stupid grins and mouths agape fixed on faces, then suddenly roars of laughter, applause, and cheers.
Jarl Bastijn steps over to Anumil and clasps his shoulder. "You are a skald in your lands, yes?", then after getting a quick explanation as to what a kilt is. "Ha! Magnificent. You could have passed first round with I knew a man in a skirt! Ha! I will pay you for that tale if you would allow us to pen it to page."
The crier yells out upon gestured command..."Imbibe now, fine folk! Another round of drinks, then another round of lies!"
Still laughing and giggling at Anumil's wondrous rhyme Sunny skips and bounces towards the main doors, heading off/out to see how all the other village folk they've been escorting are fairing.
Slouching back in his seat, Anumil idly swirled the wine in his glass.
"Hm? Oh no, I'm afraid I am not much of a skald. What you heard is the product of growing up at my father's court, where artists and performers of all kinds were welcome..." He said to the others at his table.