Torque Mitabu |
"I don't doubt your martial expertise Fury but I can advise about magic. Valen can't use his talents when weighed down with armour. He's right to want to stay with the cart - his magic will set attackers up to be your bolt fodder. Acune, on the other hand, is protected by both a measure of armour and her elven agility. With the two of us backing them up Nine-tail and Gremm will be hard to stop. And if we are hunting wizards I want someone at my side who can be garunteed to stay awake"
Torque Mitabu |
Torque looks over to the wagon train getting ready to go.
"Hate to be the bearer of bad news guys but I don't think we'll have any pretty company until we hit Lepistadt. But even if we were shipping a cargo of fair damsels, where's the crime in wanting to look out for them? My grandfather told me once that a murderer fights because he hates whats in front of him but soldier fights because he loves what's behind him. Not sure if this is exactly what he meant, but still"
Valen Morse |
Valen sighs and begins to help Torque look over the carts. "Well, I have to say I'll be glad once we reach Lepistadt." Valen, looking around to make sure none of the other group is listening, leans in and whispers to Torque. "Because I've heard a fair number of rumors about Ustavalav and being out in the open at night here is not exactly welcoming."
Torque Mitabu |
Torque too keeps his voice down as he responds
"Gremm told us a few monster stories before you arrived last night. He didn't seem to be overly concerned by them though. I don't know what's lurking out there, but we're as prepared as we can be to face it. We should try to stick to the middle ground between caution and confidence. Leave the bravado to the swordsmen"
Valen Morse |
Valen nods and continues to keep his voice low. "I completely agree. While my magical muscles are certianly useful I do lack in the actual sense. Hopefully thought you, Master Silverfist, and I should be able to temper any rash decisions that could be made." Taking one last look over his spell pouches and pack Valen speaks up. "I am ready if everyone else is!" Lowering his voice, Valen turns back to Torque. "So, do you know anything of our fair half-elf companion Acune? She seems to be very quiet."
Torque Mitabu |
"Nothing I'm afraid. She just came into the camp late and went to sleep. All I can see is she's a divine spellcaster, which probably means some amount of healing. I can't even tell what her deity is - I know next to nothing of the gods themselves, where I come from studying them carries a lengthy prison sentence"
Torque Mitabu |
"Rahadoum - the kingdom of man" Torque says, his tone somewhere between pride and disdane
"You may not of heard of it Valen - after all sorcerers hone their powers by living life rather than reading books. It's far, far to the south over the Arcadian sea. It's people decided - rightly or wrongly - to reject the gods. All of them. We make our own destiny, though thus far that destiny seowems to consist mostly of encroaching deserts and the threat of famine. Now, we're not Alkenstar. We use arcane magic to it's fullest potential. But the absance of the gods leaves use lacking many things you take for granted, most notably healing. Hence the positive energy syphoning."
At that he pauses, clearly thinking of home
"I'm going to be honest with you, the cons of rejecting the divine outweigh the pros. Origionally it came about as a response to a horrific holy war. The land was wrecked, and not just by evil black-robed cultists. Shining paladins riding through the land killing evildoers according to their creed is all very well, but sometimes a bit of evil is what it takes to keep a community running. Things aren't that clear cut. But that was then, back when my grandfather was young. Now, deep down Rahadom is rooted in pride at the thought that we don't need the gods."
Another pause.
"I don't know what to make of that anymore. Not everyone is so certain of the First Law - no religion, that is. There's a...police force, I guess. Called the Order of the Pure. They make sure nobody practices a faith. Preventing religion 'taking root' as they say. They're why I ended up in Ustalav"
He stops staring off into space and looks Valen in the eye again
"But hey, you don't need to know about that. I bet everyone here has got a sob story of some kind. We're all drifters after all. You seemed interested though, so that's a brief explanation of where I come from. Hopefully it'll make me make a little more sense. And besides, maybe we're misguided in our pride but, then again, look who's got the flask of positive energy."
He taps the glass flask jutting from the elbow of his applicator gauntlet. It's full of white light, glowing much more brightly than the night before.
"No prayers, no commandments, no strings attached"
He smiles at Valen but then apparantly remembers his present company
"I mean not offence of course, Acune. Just think of me as a follower of a different religion. I'm not sure if I agree with what Rahadoum is becoming, but I do know that mortals - all of us - are worth having faith in"
Hiros Gremm |
Gremm puts on a high, somewhat mocking voice and yells out at the squad.
"Now everyone best be getting into this wagon or else you'll be sleeping on the rocks with no supper and the spiders will lay eggs in your eyes while you sleep!"
He begins to crack up at his own antics.
"Oh, boy. I'll tell you, papa really knew how to scare me into hurrying when I was younger," he sighs.
Torque Mitabu |
Torque mutters to Valen and Acune.
"I think that explains a lot about Gremm. Most parents would have stopped at the no supper part. Let's get to our places. Us frail casters get to ride the whole way"
He walks to the center of the column and clambers onto the cart seat next to the drover. His light crossbow is readied, for what it's worth.
Hiros Gremm |
Gremm nods.
"Until a few weeks ago, our wagon was my home. I sold that thing though. I'm no merchant. Except for the occasional stop in the cities, it was just us and the road. Ma used to laugh and say we traveled so much that Varisians would ask if we would ever settle down."
A smile come across Gremm's face before quickly fading.
"Whenever we're ready, though. I'm in no rush."
Pvt.Fury |
Patting the big man on the shoulder Jax looked up at him for a second. "You got a new family now Gremm. And we travel nearly as much. I can even try clip you around the ear like Mamma Gremm would if ya like?" Smiling halfheartedly at the man, Jax cinches the straps across his chest a little tighter.
Nine Tail |
"You have to reach his ear first. Ha-ha-kip" Nine Tail lets out his unusual laugh-bark. With his mask riding high on top of his head, he sets out for the front of the wagons.
Matters of religion and especially the law are not matters we choose to share, he thinks as he clears his mind and opens his senses for the day ahead.
Pvt.Fury |
"Not really... I can wait till he is sleeping! Could be a way to wake the Gremlin up!" Nodding softly, Jax pulls his shortsword from its scabbard, studying the cleanly polished blade with its razor sharp edges. "Besides... I can jump!" Grinning, the man rams the blade back in to its scabbard.
Valen Morse |
Valen listens intently,holding back any questions that came to mind. It was obvious that Torque had a mixed view of his home. He wasn't the only one. Valen certainly had his own tales, but he wasn't going to be sharing them. At least not yet.
"Huh, I'd heard the tales but never thought to believe them. I can potentially see why they reject religion, but with such a strong evidence of the divine existing it's hard to turn away from it," Valen said thoughtfully. "At what of you lady Acune? You seem to be cut from the divine jib. To whom do you worship? Calistria?" He asked with slight innuendo.
Pentor Lionsmane |
Location: Ustalav, Vieland, on the road to Lepistadt
Date: Toilday, 4th Sarenith 4708
NPCs: The rest of the 3rd Company of the Blood Hawks
The Iron Carnival Squad - Corporal Two Bears
Merchant Caravan - Merchant Iris Olaman
6 Drovers,
Corporal Two Bears shakes his head in reply to the question about having a map.
"I ain't got a map but the merchant might. Let me go and have a word with him," says Two Bears before shambles over to the caravan and the merchant.
He returns a few minutes later with a glum look on his face.
"He doesn't have one either, but he says he knows the route by heart. Don't see how that helps us much though. Oh well, we'll go with the plan you lot came up with and hope for the best."
It doesn't take long for the the caravan to get ordered and the mercenaries to get settled on the wagons. As they pull out on to the road a few of the other squads from 3rd Company wave and yell farewell as they pull slowly away from the village of Sonam.
The rest of the day is relatively boring as the caravan eats up the miles at a steady pace, occasionally stopping to feed and water the horses before continuing onwards. There see several travellers on the road throughout the day. Farmers taking their goods to Sonam, religious pilgrims heading somewhere, a group of peasents travelling to Lepistadt and several different couriers on their way to somewhere to deliver a message.
As it gets later in the day though you see ahead of you in the distance a structure of some kind across the road and a group of people gathered around it.
Corporal Two Bears frowns when he sees it and calls for the caravan to halt. Looking around at the squad Two Bears takes a second to consider his options and then says.
"I need volunteers to go and find out what that is. Who's going?"
Torque Mitabu |
"Why do I get the feeling we're about to be charged a toll? I'll go and check it out, I've talked my way out of paying for passage in the past. Like I said before we set off though, we could be surrounded right now. We should keep the wagons guarded. Anyone who blocks a road like that must be up to no good"
Torque glances up the road again
"On that note, I wouldn't mind some muscle to back me up"
If any of the front liners are up for watching my back I'll head briskly down the road towards the roadblock, weapon holstered
Valen Morse |
"I'll stay with the wagons and keep my eyes peeled. Should you need any help, just yell."
Perceptions check to look for anyone sneaking up on the caravan and I'll ready an action to cast a spell if someone and or something attacks the caravan. Perception check 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Woo hoo! I can see my boots with a check like that!
Pvt.Fury |
Staring towards the structure, Jax frowns. "Don't like the look of this. I'll come with you Torque." Nodding, he lifted his crossbow again, checking it was loaded, before following on after the man. "I'll keep to my Range and let you both approach. If it goes bad signal and I'll drop em one by one!"
Nine Tail |
Nine Tail nods as each member passes him toward the roadblock. He then draws his blade and steps off the road. He tries to find a spot that will let him view the exchange but remain relatively unseen, while he also listens to the surrounding underbrush for any ambushers.
Stealth 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3
Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Apparently Nine Tail finds a shrub to hide behind with his mask still on top of his head, clearly visible above it.
Pvt.Fury |
Crossbow held loose and ready by his side, Jax makes a point of blending in as best he can to the brush at the side of the road.
Stealth-1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15
Scanning the area ahead of them, focusing on the Toll booth, Jax frowns softly. Something felt extremely off.
Perception-1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
I know we are not in Initiative order yet but can Jax ready an action, so that if things go wrong, the first enemy to move gets attacked?
DM - Pentor |
Location: Ustalav, Vieland, on the road to Lepistadt, near a roadblock
Date: Toilday, 4th Sarenith 4708
NPCs:
The Iron Carnival Squad - Corporal Two Bears
Merchant Caravan - Merchant Iris Olaman
6 Drovers,
The road lies in some fairly flat farming country. Fenced fields surround the stretch of road you are on providing a clear field of view in all directions. You can make out several sheep grazing peacefully in the paddocks not far from you.
As Torque and the dwarf Tok move towards the roadblock, Nine Tails attempt to find a spot to hide but is unsuccessful and ends up being in full view to those standing by the roadblock. Jax also attempts to find a spot to blend into and manages to do so, but it is not in a great position but the people by the road block don't seem to be paying him any attention, and he readies himself for action.
Neither Valen Morse, Jax, Nine Tail, Tok or Torque can make out any details from near the caravan.
However Hiros and Acune can make out several details. The roadblock is a roughly built wooden barricade facing outwards in both directions. There are about a dozen or so rough looking figures manning the barricades and on the side that the Squad is on there is about a half dozen travellers milling about in front of the barricades.
As Tok and Torque get closer to the barricades they to make out these details. As they see the two approaching one of the men manning the inside of the barricade yells out to them "What ho! You lads with the caravan over yonder?"
DM - Pentor |
Location: Ustalav, Vieland, on the road to Lepistadt, near a roadblock
Date: Toilday, 4th Sarenith 4708
NPCs:
The Iron Carnival Squad - Corporal Two Bears
Merchant Caravan - Merchant Iris Olaman
6 Drovers,
6 Travellers
12 men inside the barricade
The main speaker, an ugly looking red haired man with a lot of missing teeth, looks back at Torque with an amused look before turning to the grizzled looking gentleman next to him and nudging him in the ribs.
"Well actually stranger we're charging a toll from all those who travel this road. Seeing as you've got some wagons back there a rich merchant like yourself should be able to afford a decent price. So I'm going to charge you twenty gold pieces for each wagon you've got, plus one gold piece for each of you in your party. You couldn't ask for fairer than that! Why I'm practically letting you travel this road for free at those prices!" says the man with a grin.
Torque Mitabu |
Torque whispers back to Tok as the two thugs exchange nudges
"These guys are scum but they aren't monsters. Let's try to avoid killing them"
Then, calling back to Gremm
"Toll collectors Gremm! Give me a sec to get them up to speed on who we are!"
Finally, he turns back to the red haired man, wearing the same smile as him though much more convincingly
"Ah, I see. Well, you've picked a good road for it - plenty of victims here for warriors with the wit and muscle to take advantage of them. The owner of these caravans, though, is rich for a reason. He had the foresight to hire plenty of security against an encounter like this. Me and my comrades are warriors like yourselves. There's no sense in men like us coming to blows with one another - let's leave the glory of combat to knights and savages so that we can all concentrate on lining our pockets"
Diplomacy (Influence Attitude): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Uh oh, not looking so good. Hopefully I've avoided making him hostile - I'm going to have a crack at talking my way through this. Also, sorry I stepped up as negotiator then took so long to post, today has been unexpectedly busy. Responses will be more prompt tomorrow.
Torque Mitabu |
It's just occured to me that it's going to take days to role play out an exchange with the bandit. No sense in everyone having to wait for what is almost certainly going to be a fight, so I'll make one more attempt to influence his attitude and then request that we be allowed to pass the barrier without paying the toll
Over the next few minutes, Torque talks to the bandit, trying to make him see the Iron Carnival as fellow men of the sword.
Diplomacy (Influence Attitude): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
He then gets to the crux of the issue:
"Anyway mate. I'm afraid we've got a command structure, and we haven't got permission from the higher ups to pay expenses like this. There'll be other, much less heavily guarded caravans coming through here soon enough, how about we make all our jobs easier and skip any violence? We'll clear a path through the barracade and set it back up afterwards. You guys put your feet up for half an hour"
Diplomacy (Request Aid): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
DM - Pentor |
Location: Ustalav, Vieland, on the road to Lepistadt, near a roadblock
Date: Toilday, 4th Sarenith 4708
NPCs:
The Iron Carnival Squad - Corporal Two Bears
Merchant Caravan - Merchant Iris Olaman
6 Drovers,
6 Travellers
12 men inside the barricade
The red haired highwayman (was Unfriendly now Indifferent) looks unmoved by Torques appeals to allow the caravan to pass, but at Toruqes last request the highwayman let's out a loud belly laugh.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that! But you ain't passing through unless we get paid. Now you go back to your master back there and you get him to pay us and we'll let you through quicker than a weasel down a rabbit hole!"
With a grin the red haired highwayman makes a scooting gesture towards Toruqe and Tok indicating that they should return back the way they came.
At the caravan Corporal Two Bears looks around at the squad gesturing for them to close up on him.
"Not sure what's going on but if those thumbsucking yokels up ahead don't let us through we're going to cut our way through them and get this caravan back on the road!" growls Two Bears to the rest of the squad.
"Suggestions for the assault?"