"We would like to try and attack the beasts that raided our town. However, I am familiar with the creature that still drapes your shoulder, mighty minotaur. It comes from a tribe of gargoyles that calls itself 'Metalstench.' We managed to capture one a couple of years ago. It is in league with Maelrix, some kind of scout or a ranger, that one is. They are foul creatures, but nonetheless honorable. It actually called for a truce about three winters ago."
Martoss gestures towards the creature still passed out over Ruul's shoulder. "That one, or it's 'wingmate' came to our trenches, carrying a white flag and wished to parley with us. It called itself Gbudn , and said that it had found some children near its encampment. Apparently, this group has some feelings towards killing innocent children, although we didn't believe it at the time. It wanted to exchange some foodstuffs for the children. To my admittance, I thought about calling its bluff, but I had a feeling they would just kill the children and call it a day."
"In the end, we traded some wheat, and a few other items to their tribe, and sure enough, they brought the children back with them." Martoss smiles at the recollection. "They weren't any of our children, thank the gods. It turns out that a group of mercenaries brought their children along and began settling in the Camp. One day, they simply never came back from wherever they went. The children just wandered off at some point, I guess trying to find their parents, and fortunately for them, the gargoyles found them first." He shakes his head, not quite believing himself. "I never thought I would say something like that in all my days."
Martoss shakes his head one more time and then goes on. "My point was that, this tribe has its base only a couple of miles from Malerix, form what we have seen and heard. Attacking them would almost certainly bring an attack from that foul demon. We do not have the men to deal with both groups. If the gargoyles perched closer to us, I would feel easier about sending my men forth into battle. As it is, I must keep them here."
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Calendir had been silent up until now, following silently in toe with his companions but then his voice is heard - Surely you do not mean to say that these gargoyles are good and honorable..? I do not understand... He throws a suggestive gaze towards Digory - They are SURELY simply acting out of fear of a stronger foe. There is a HUGE difference between doing the right thing because it is so, or doing it as leverage...
Calendir had been silent up until now, following silently in toe with his companions but then his voice is heard - Surely you do not mean to say that these gargoyles are good and honorable..? I do not understand... He throws a suggestive gaze towards Digory - They are SURELY simply acting out of fear of a stronger foe. There is a HUGE difference between doing the right thing because it is so, or doing it as leverage...
"I'm not saying that they are good, just honorable. My point was that these creatures have a way of throwing you off."
Looking over at Macavity, Martoss says, "Now you, dark warrior, why do you think that you can do the near impossible? I can hear what the...azata, is it? is saying about destinies and so forth. But why do you follow these people's path? You look like someone that has some common sense about him."
Looking over at Macavity, Martoss says, "Now you, dark warrior, why do you think that you can do the near impossible? I can hear what the...azata, is it? is saying about destinies and so forth. But why do you follow these people's path? You look like someone that has some common sense about him."
After a pause with the proverbial spotlight on Macavity, he again replies with quiet conviction, "There isn't a place in Golarion that I can't get into. That's not posturing; that's decades of experience."
Then he grins and continues, "I travel with these people to get back out alive."
"You really think so? Many have tried, so many in just the few decades that I have been here that I have long since lost count. And do you plan to just walk in and make yourself at home? Take its riches? Defeat the horrendous creatures still living there? Do you think it will be that easy?" Martoss is red with near rage at this point. He keeps his hand, but everyone notices the tension in the room.
"You really think so? Many have tried, so many in just the few decades that I have been here that I have long since lost count. And do you plan to just walk in and make yourself at home? Take its riches? Defeat the horrendous creatures still living there? Do you think it will be that easy?" Martoss is red with near rage at this point. He keeps his hand, but everyone notices the tension in the room.
Macavity maintains his grin and replies, "Walk in, yes. Make myself home, no. Take its riches, some. Defeat horrendous creatures, some. Easy, no."
After another pregnant pause, he finishes without his grin, "I have a mission that I will complete, and it involves going into Tsar."
"And the rest of you? Do you share in your burglar's confidence?" The clanliege looks at all of you, with the look of a lord expecting to hear from his subjects quickly.
"We are not foolish enough to believe that we will succeed easily where so many others have failed before us", Ruul interjects. "But we will succeed. If anyone on Golarion can, it is us."
"Now there was the matter of the attack on the gargoyle tribe..."
"In a moment, minotaur. I wish to hear the words of your group, before I weigh my options."
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The Minotaur is Ruul, the burglar is Macavity, and I am Calendir - surprisingly enough we all have actual names - the half Orc takes a step forward as he speaks in growled tones - If you are looking for a straight answer, it is YES, I do believe we can succeed where others have failed. Else I would not be here. I don't think any of us expect it to be easy, but I haven't come across much easy stuff in my life, so I care not for any difficulties that may lie ahead. Does that satisfy your questioning?
Burglar? Please. Macavity thinks to himself. Usually, I take lives first when I am sent to places and trinkets as proof. However, if they are more comfortable with Burglar, then so be it. Now old man stop talking to me, so I can explore your private chambers.
"The dragon specifically sought us out, something, as you said, has never happened before, only to warn us away. The Harbringer seems to fear our gaining access, what with this not being the first time its agents have confronted us. I am inclined to believe its fears and suspect that we will indeed enter Tsar."
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I shall go and have a look at this Tsar Clanliege. It is a big place and there are many walls to guard. I shall at least study it from afar, and try to discern why so many have failed at even getting a peak inside. We elves are a long lived race and I am very young for an elf. I shall at least learn about this city and its defenses, If I cannot bypass them now, perhaps as I grow in power I will be able to.
After all the others have had their say, Elen manages to say something quietly. The Clanliege asks her to repeat it, and she manages to increase her volume, saying simply but with conviction, "It is written in the stars."
The clanliege looks at Lavinia steadily, measuring his words with care. "No, I typically do not give a fig to people who think they can simply amass fame and fortune up in the Desolation. Many just assume that Tsar is laid wide open for their amusement. Some actually do a little research, but think that their path lies in the Desolation. Almost all of them never come back, at least, not as they were. Do you know about Maulf, the owner of that tavern in town?" Martoss pauses for a moment; "You probably do. But ask how he came back here."
"For some reason that I cannot fathom, dear lady, I believe you when you say that you can go where others have failed. Yet...it is hard for me to believe." Martoss looks to his men for a moment, before turning back to you. "Should you survive the Desolation, come back here and I will pledge my full support as clanliege to your cause. That is all that I ask in order to assuage my concerns."
As their eyes cross, Calendir nods at Ruul in confirmation -It will be so.
"Good. It would be great if we could get a copy of your maps too." Macavity says to the Clanliege. "Now that that's settled, maybe you can dispense justice for our prisoners. Maybe someone can explain."
Hopefully whoever does the explanation of the boat adventure will keep his attention, so I can explore his private chambers.
The clanliege looks at all of you for a moment, without saying anything. Gathering his thoughts, he says, "Good. I will provide you with the maps that we have available before your ride to the Camp. Also, do you need provisioning?"
"Quite likely that we will need some supplies for some things now that we know what we are likely to be facing, but we'd need to know what you are able to provide... we have these unique crossbows we captured from the Gargoyles, which are a little bulky for us, I think, but perhaps they would be excellent additions for your guardsmen? They could be traded perhaps. And we have other trade goods as well -- silk, linen, trinkets, and spices."
Ally glances around at the other members of the team, "I didn't think anyone looked like they wanted the repeating crossbows, did they?"
"It will take a day or so to make you adequate copies of the maps that we have available. Beyond that, how soon will it be before you can depart?" Martoss looks genuinely pleased that there might be some hope of cleaning up the surrounding areas of corruption.
"Quite likely that we will need some supplies for some things now that we know what we are likely to be facing, but we'd need to know what you are able to provide... we have these unique crossbows we captured from the Gargoyles, which are a little bulky for us, I think, but perhaps they would be excellent additions for your guardsmen? They could be traded perhaps. And we have other trade goods as well -- silk, linen, trinkets, and spices."
Ally glances around at the other members of the team, "I didn't think anyone looked like they wanted the repeating crossbows, did they?"
After replying to Ruul, Martoss looks over to you. "May I see one of those crossbows?" The clanliege inspects the heavy weapon for full on a minute before handing it back. "I do believe that we can make excellent use of these weapons, mounted in some way to the top castle wall, if you were able to find enough working models for our use, of course."
"Then perhaps it is time to make preparations. The hour is late, mighty warrior, and there is much to do." With that, Martoss turns to walk back to his commanders, making it clear that the conversation is over.
"So I suppose you'll take care of those fools that tried to attack us on some other occasion, then. Works for me. Just realize we won't be around to make any further statements regarding their actions and guilt, which may make it difficult for you to determine a proper punishment. But then, I guess that's why they pay you the big coins. Nighty-night," Kallistiel says, waving as she heads outside.
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Outside, Calendir surveys how well Gundrun defenses have managed to stand up to the attack - a shudder running down his spine while he again observes the area devastated by Malerix breath - Lesson learned my friend... he comments to Lagash.
A few streets further down, he checks the state of the site defenses, and of the wounded. He will also take a further look at the corpses of the fallen foes - discerning anatomies and how to best stand up against such creatures.
He will assist with the watch into the first hours of the night, even going so far as travelling outside the town limits, in search of clues as to where these creatures might have flown in from - though not expecting much return since they approached by flight.
Outside, Calendir surveys how well Gundrun defenses have managed to stand up to the attack - a shudder running down his spine while he again observes the area devastated by Malerix breath - Lesson learned my friend... he comments to Lagash.
A few streets further down, he checks the state of the site defenses, and of the wounded. He will also take a further look at the corpses of the fallen foes - discerning anatomies and how to best stand up against such creatures.
He will assist with the watch into the first hours of the night, even going so far as travelling outside the town limits, in search of clues as to where these creatures might have flown in from - though not expecting much return since they approached by flight.
[dice=Tracking]1d20+14
Unfortunately, there is little to find of their path. You know that they came from the north, and that it is likely that they flew for awhile given most of their flight patterns that you spotted earlier on. Beyond that, there is little.
"That is a good idea. We should update the innkeeper on what's happened. He and the other patrons may still be waiting in the cellar."
Bor gives you a dirty look and says nothing.
"He seems unmoved. Let's see if the reach of the Harbinger extends to such a creature."
Elen steps forward, and begins with a detect poison cast on the captive. she then fixes the gargoyle with a stare that causes him to doubt his own sanity, and a lilting, eldritch laugh chills him to the stones.
She then draws upon her mystical connection with Ally to cast a spell that she had not previously prepared, concentrating intensely for several seconds, then stepping forward to touch the bound creature.
As her eldritch energy attacks Bor's spirit, Elen trembles, her breath becoming labored.