"Why would he think we wanted to kill him? As Sturk says, we were simply walking down the path when he assaulted us. The only time we even saw him before then was at the bar in town talking to Finch."
"Which brings us to this question: If he was your man, and Finch wanted a box to come to you, why entrust it to us at all?"
Sturk gets close up on this Grima character during this exchange...
"Perhaps your man was playing you false?
was his loyalty to you beyond question?"
"I think Sturk may have hit on something. Did Finch know he was your man? I mean, if Finch knew he was returning to you, why give us the box at all? Why not just give it to him?"
Turning to look at Grima, "How well known were the instructions you gave your man to attack anybody he thought posed a threat? If Finch knew about them, then sent us the same direction following your friend..."
"Or alternatively, Finch was playing us false by sending us after your man, knowing that he'd attack us...
Finch does seem the type to do that."
"What may be, may be." Says Sturk exasperated. "The gods damned box is here now. Give us your leave and we will be away." He turns to leave.
"Let's go get paid gents. I have no time for falsity and mind games."
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"You said you wanted work from me.", Ardent confirms tentatively, "Stay for a while, and I might be able to give you some."
He smiles, barely seen under the shadow cast from his hood, and waves his arm towards the forest on one side. The brush rustles and tree leaves shake, hailing the appearance of close to two dozen armed thugs as they rise from hidden positions where they where as silent as the dead, crawling from farther into the forest.
Sturk will drop his Axe and pull a poisoned dagger and put it to Grima's throat. "Bad choice Worm food"
Grapple check
"Do you recognize the venom of your spiders? You may out number us but YOU die first"
Bloody hell! Digital dice SUCK!!
Daven backs Sturk's play, drawing his bow, nocking an arrow and aiming at the sneering ranger's face.
"Your men might get us in a rush Ardent, but not before I put an arrow in your eye!"
Hahahaha...these dice are getting ridiculous.
When the one you can see has others hiding in waiting, a boy on the street is going to get a beating.
Sturk is playing it as he sees it...
The word THUGS did it for me. You really don't see that word used except for ne'er-do-wells and criminals.
UNLESS it was pointedly obvious that they were not raising up in arms but just coming out at the request of the Ranger (arms down, no drawn bows etc..) in which case he would have seen it differently and maybe wouldn't have put a poisoned knife at Grima's throat.
One of the drawbacks of PBP I guess Not enough detail to get a full picture.
Darien holds his hand up and attempts to intercede, "Mr. Ardent, what is the meaning of this? We do not wish violence, but as you can see, we are prepared to defend ourselves."
"They likely could have killed us where we stood had Ardent wanted them to."
And how do they behave at this point. Does the Ranger's offer seem legit or was his sly smile an attempt at wit while he has his goons thrash us?
Could you provide as many details as you can?
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Grima's job offer does seem legit. He obviously doesn't want anyone to know what he's up to though. If anyone tries to escape, his men will trap and savagely beat, if not kill, the runner.
There are 22 "associates" around the outskirts of the clearing if you took the time to count them all. Several are armed with clubs and light crossbows, while others carry shortbows and knives. A certain few, seemingly the higher caste, also has shortswords dangling from their cheap belts.
Sturk Sheathes his knife then and hefts his axe.
"What need you from the likes of us when you've this unruly mob at your whim?"
"Perhaps you should invite us inside and ply us with drinks while we negotiate the terms?"
With a side glance at Sturk, Darien responds to Grima,"Or just let us know what you want us to do, and what we'll get for it so we can get started."
"That said, I would also ask your understanding that Milani guides me, and I will not willingly violate her precepts in whatever you may ask of me."
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"I do not drink ale, Orc, and I don't think your body could handle much anyways.", he replies dismissively, "Though I am more than ready to negotiate said terms"
He turns to Darien.
"The Rangers have tricked me long ago, which is why I am not one of them anymore. At least one, accompanied by an armed guard, are ferrying a chariot. Milani is a goddess of uprisings. This is one. Ambush and kill everyone but the Rangers. I want to talk to them. How many of my men will you need?"
Sturk settles back on a fallen log and observes his compatriots negotiate to become bandits and murderers...
not quite the hero he had recently envisioned himself to be.
"Are these evil men you mean for us to slaughter Ardent? If not we may have a more pressing concern to deal with first."
"He meant YOU jackhole." quips Sturk from the log. He stands up. "You have the tactics of a coward and a murderer. How are you not the evil one in this?"
"We just saved a city from goblins but these appear no better."
He puts his axe to his shoulder and gestures around to the thugs.
"By what right, other than 'To your mind,' do you wish to condemn these Rangers? That they kicked you out of their club? Based on your behavior and demeanor, I'm not sure I could stomach you in my clubhouse either..."
Darien winces slightly as Sturk speaks his mind,"My friend may not be the most diplomatic, but I think there is an interesting point to be made. You ask us to ambush a party, commit murder, then bring others to you for questioning."
Darien continues, "While I am most definitely interested in work, I would know some reasoning behind these actions. Revolution is all well and good, but I haven't heard any talk of revolt yet. What have these men done, what vile deeds have they done? I do not choose my sides purely from a love of coin, and you're asking us to throw in with you before we know anything about your cause. Surely you can understand our concerns?"
"I'm all for doing what needs to be done and the rest of you are with me on this, right?"
Thought: These guys might just as easily kill us and playing along to give us the option to make an escape at the earliest possible convenience if necessary seems the practical response. We can always leave later if the morality can't be stomached.
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My whole operation is a revolt against the Ranger Corps of Selsey. Once it's people find that they have no protection from any crime, they will turn to the most powerful man for help. That man... will be me. (Waving his arm again to the mass of brigands about the clearing)
Those Rangers deserted me in my time of need. They left me to die! That is why they must be silenced. And if you are not with me then you are against me. Will you help... or will you die?
Darien seems to agree with Festric, then hears Grima's response. "So it's a situation where the powerful refuse to care for those they claim to protect?"
Darien visibly relaxes, "That's more like it! Why didn't you say so in the first place? I'm in, so that's me and Festric."
He looks to Sturk and Daven, "Come on, I'm starting to get a better handle on things here. I think this has just been a misunderstanding. What do you say?"
Daven winces at the sorcerer's words. It is becoming more and more clear to him that Ardent's motives are misguided at best.
"Enough of these riddles ranger!" Daven interjects. "Speak plain and speak true. Your words thus far seem to indicate that it is you that should be put down, not these nameless men you would have us kill. A wise man once said that 'he who passes the sentence should swing the sword.' There is no honor in killing on the whims of men such as yourself. I'll not be your puppet nor will I dirty my hands with the misdeeds you don't deem to carry out yourself. Give us a reason why we ought to hear any more of the filth you've polluted our minds with until now."
"They left YOU to die? Just you? Where, pray tell, have they gone, and why? What are you blathering about there being no protection from crime for the people?"
Can we get a rundown of who this Rangers Corps of Selsey are and what the recent history of the area is? Little background as to common knowledge and rumors?
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The Selsey Ranger Corps has been very reliable in protecting it's charges. Only until recently have the real problems started. A few citizens where found dead around the city, arrows in their bodies. Rangers had still been seen (investigating) after these killings, yet most citizens are now pointing their fingers at them. Most of the Selsey Rangers fled to various remote places after the accusations started. Whoever remains is badmouthed and scrutinized.
The standard equipment for a Selsey Ranger: Longbow (usually composite), Buckler (exclusive to them), and at least one kind of bladed weapon
"It was during a mission.", Grima began, "I was wounded and we had to flee. The others outran the bandits, but I was overtaken. They never came back for me. Now I am against them. We will make the Rangers disperse, then with no protection, I will be the one the people come to."
What would cause the citizens to think that the Rangers were culpable? Who was the main voice against them?
Who was paying them to protect the populace? Arming/equipping them? What sort of government are we working within?
"So you got left for dead and now you have a vendetta and a plan to usurp their responsibilities with your bandits? What makes you, a former Selsey Ranger, believe that this ragged lot will treat the populace with concern and care and not just become an armed squad of thugs?"
And if you are not with me then you are against me. Will you help... or will you die?
"Watch what you say Ardent. We are not a group to be bullied and manipulated by threats. Though I don't doubt that your men could send us all back to the mud, I would remind you that I still have an arrow trained at your eye socket. We will not be cowed by a would be tyrant. So speak sense or get to fighting. I've grown bored of all this chatter."
Theriandas waves his hand at the 'associates' surrounding them.
"Hard as it is to see why you'd want more help with this, ah, fine bunch of lads at your beck and call, evidently you do. My friend here's pretty good with his longbow, so before someone does something they (or you) might regret, how about sitting down and discussing things in a more civilised manner?"
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"Sorry, but we've just ran out of time for decision making. Look!"
Suddenly, there is the sound of metal on metal, cries, and the thud of bodies hitting the ground. Into the clearing rides a green cloaked Ranger, a sword in each hand. He effortlessly gallops towards Grima, knocking anyone who tries to unseat him away. Grima runs.
Sturk steps back out of the way and Vanna White's Grima for the Ranger with a slight nod of his head.
Reflex to change point of aim from Grima to the assailant's horse -
Attack -
Damage -
"Daven! What the hell are you doing? Grima is attempting to usurp the rightful authorities for vengeance and power!"
If there are any thugs in range, Sturk will attack with his Axe.
Damage:
"For the love of..." Darien mutters as his companions begin fighting against the mounted ranger and the thugs.
Darien moves to Sturk's side and draws his morningstar. "Well, this took a turn for the manure wagon, huh?" he says with a wry grin.
"Indeed friend but this is a glorious fight to go down in!"
His grin is wide and his tusks gleam. His eyes are bright and he seems to be laughing under his breath as he puts his back to Darien's.
"Fight with me comrades! he yells.
If the Ranger can pin down Grima, Sturk will move to provide a flank. And on his next action will attack.
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The Ranger deflects the first arrow with a flick of his Aldori Dueling Sword, but takes the second in the side. It seems a very minor wound though, with a barely audible grunt his only reaction.
One man of Grima's had the sense to gather a few more and charge the horseman. As he runs past, Sturk blindsides the man, swinging his axe into his chest and knocking him clear off his feet.
Grima has made it past the tree line, the Ranger (with a short sword and kukri) galloping on his heels. Do you wish to pursue, or fight Grima's men in the clearing (Sturk seems more than ready to do the 2nd)?