Gameplay thread is open.
Pyron stopped in his path and listened to Gauis. Help me tie him up to something for a moment. Once that is done, he motions the children to sit down and relax for a moment. Turning back to Gauis, Pyron continues in a low voice: I know that you want Lamm dead. I have to put a good show on for the sergeant, which is why I have been keeping the other scum alive. I also want a reward for my bounty. I still might get a reward for Lamm even if he is dead for all the crimes he has committed. He has a list of crimes and I want to collect on them not just from the militia but also from some of the wealthier people in town against whom he committed the crimes. I won't stand in your way of getting vengeance if you won't stand in my way of getting my bounty.
In fact, I am for vengeance and purifying this world of scum, so I think we make a great team. I will also see to it that you get a good share in the reward too including the others in the team that will work for it. I can find the work, we can cleanse the souls of those who need purifying, and we can collect the ransom for whatever reasons we choose. How does that sound?
These terms are agreeable. And don't worry about any consequences from the law with what is about to transpire here. Even if we announce our presence to Lamm and try to arrest him, there is no way he will come quietly. We will have no choice but to kill him. And I will testify to this for your superiors, if the need arises. As to your bounty--you are welcome to it, and I will use my share to compensate the victims of this monster. I'm ready to move, if there is nothing more to be said.Gaius will stow his other weapons and draw and load his crossbow, awaiting the others' responses.
Good. When we go see Lamm, I need to question him like I told you before. I need to know if he was behind my parents' deaths. I exacted my vengeance on the murderer, but if Lamm was behind it, then I need to know.
He turns to the children. It looks like I am needed in order to stop Lamm from hurting you guys again. I will be back. You stay here and keep an eye on Crookshanks. Then we will go to the sergeant where we will get you back to where you belong and to see if you and your parents can be given some kind of recompense, uh money or other useful stuff, for what has happened to you all. If you leave, you might not get anything at all. Do you understand?
Once the children agree, he knocks out Crookshanks, ensures he is secured to something permanent. Then he goes with Gaius to find Lamm.
I want to change a part of the last conversation to include everything that has changed.
In fact I think we should go to when Crookshanks gave up and after binding him up but just before Rakdon went to the shark area. We won't have to change much. This is how I see it happening:
GM_Fenwick Mon, Jun 16, 2014, 05:55 AM | FLAG | LIST
@Rakon:
The gnome quails under your stern gazes and shrieks, "That's all there is to it! I swear on my mother's grave that the only one left in this piss hole are Lamm and his stupid Crocodile!"Anything in specific that you want to ask?
Also, you hear the sounds of a violent struggle outside where Rakon walked off to investigate.
Strike out: "Also, you hear the sounds of a violent struggle outside where Rakon walked off to investigate."
Then lets continue
It seems that he's given as much useful information that we need. Pyron turns to the gnome. Well, like I said, I will tell the sergeant that you didn't resist and that you gave information up willingly. Maybe it will help you, but we are not done here. Then he knocks the gnome unconscious.
He turns to the children. Stay here and keep an eye on Hookshanks while we get the last guy. Then we will go to the sergeant where we will get you back to where you belong and to see if you and your parents can be given some kind of recompense, uh money or other useful stuff, for what has happened to you all. If you leave, you might not get anything at all. Do you understand?
Assuming they agree, he ensures the gnome is tied up well. He turns to the rest of the party and speaks, Remember, let me take the lead during the arrest. This has to be done in a lawful manner. Even though we can't guarantee how he will react, we will do this right so that justice will be served correctly.
The link sent us to Google Drive. You could either share the link to the file to us to be able to update or there is a way for it to be available on the forums, but I am not exactly sure how that works.
Hookshanks opens his mouth to speak before being unceremoniously knocked out. The children look at each other wide-eyed, terrified. They look at Hookshanks as though he is going to rise and beat them mercilessly, then look towards the door and freedom. Terror and intimidation has been a part of their life, and they are obviously frightened that this is yet another cruel trick.
Finally, one older boy of maybe 11 or 12, a jagged scar running down the side of his face, picks up a broken piece of wood and looks to the group.
"Yeah sure, mista, we'll take good care o' Hookshanks here. Make sure he don't run nowhere." Emboldened, the other children start picking up club-like items from around the room. They glance downwards on occasion, but every second that no one comes to punish them makes them even more bold.
Hookshanks is NOT to be harmed; otherwise, you may not receive any money.
There are really only two options here. The first option is I take you guys and Hookshanks back to the sergeant, where Hookshanks will be judged, and you will receive some money; however, Lamm may escape and kidnap you guys again. OR you stay here and keep an eye on Hookshanks without harming him in any way, we handle Lamm, and THEN we go to the sergeant where you will receive money AND will know that you NEVER have to be worried about Lamm again. It's up to you.
The boy looks at Pyron, hot tears coming to his eyes, his body shaking with barely controlled rage. He takes a step toward the group, shaking the makeshift club with every word.
"Look here, mista, we does thank ya for everthang, but this one here knifed my brotha last week. Prolly fed that gator of Lamm's, for all's I know. I don't care bout ya sergeant or no damned money! The only justice this one will git from us is a swift trip to Hell, suh!"
The other children stand back, wide-eyed, switching glances between the fiery youth and the party. Near the end of the boy's speech they start nervously nodding in agreement, although they might not be so inclined to deliver justice as opposed to making sure Hookshanks never tracks them down.
Wednesday will step toward the fiery youth. "And do you think your brother would want you to do something like this? This wretch's life is over, whether he dies today or later his day are numbered."
Wednesday will step toward the fiery youth. "And do you think your brother would want you to do something like this? This wretch's life is over, whether he dies today or later his day are numbered."
Gaius approaches the boy as well, revealing his holy symbol of Calistria, and places a hand on the boy's shoulder as he looks into his eyes.
I know a thing or two about justice, and sometimes a quick death is a blessing, and in Hookshanks' case it's far better than he deserves. Lamm killed my mother. Not himself, but it might as well have been. No matter who peddles the drugs or who holds the knife, all of this leads back to Ghaedren Lamm. I give you my word that when I am done with Lamm I will see to it that Hookshanks gets what he deserves. It will be far less merciful than you giving him a quick trip to the Boneyard and he will be...incapable of ever finding and harming you again. Now, do you trust me to enact vengeance for all of our sakes?
At first the youth looks like he might be contemplating hitting you, the club is raised high over his head. Then he hesitates, his scar stretching taut across his face as he grimaces. He looks first at Wednesday, nodding, then listens to Gaius deliver his speech. You can tell from the blank look on his face that he knows nothing of Calistria, but he DOES know about cold vengeance and contemplating the day when you will die. Those of you who worked for Lamm understand.
His grip relaxes somewhat on the piece of wood and he backs off a step. His brow furrows as he slowly processes what you have said. Then he says, "So ya sayin this wretched bastid is gonna die no matta what? Promise me!" Those tears return, and from the look on his face, you can tell you'll likely have to intervene on Hookshanks' behalf if that promise is not forthcoming.
"I promise." Daud will announce solemnly as he extends his right arm to the youth, the pinky finger instead of his whole hand out for a shake.
The young man solemnly takes the offered finger, giving it a rough shake before turning back to his fellows, shaking his head ever so slightly. They each take up positions around the gnome, but none move to harm him.
The youth turns back to you. "Lamm's underneath us, suhs and misses. Gotta use the ship ta get down there. Don't know no more n' that. None of us who's gone down there comes back up."
Well then, there is only one thing left to do. Let's go find Lamm. Looking at the kids. You promise to not harm him and leave his fate to the authorities? If you want him to suffer and be punished, then when we go to the sergeant, he will ask you what has happened. If you tell him everything, especially the deaths of every single child that has come by the hands of the people here and by Hookanks, then you will see your vengeance. Promise? With that, he smiles and reaches out his hand to the one who had been speaking with them.
Assuming everyone is good with the arrangement, Gaius says: A boat, huh? Let's go take a look.
With crossbow readied, he'll head outside (when everyone is ready) looking for any signs of danger/Lamm.
One more thing, we have captured two other bad guys, so the only way they are going to see any punishment and to not hurt you ever again is if you tell the sergeant everything. Now, how do we get to that boat and are there any traps waiting for us around the boat?
The boy locks hands with Pyron for a moment, gaze intense as he slowly nods. "Aye, I promise. Ya just make sure ya keep YA promise, suh."
He shrugs his narrow shoulders as he walks back near Hookshanks. "Be lyin if I told ya I knew, suh. Likes I said, only death came for those poor bastids that got called down there, an we sure didn't go near it by choice."
Alright then. We'll be right back with Lamm. He takes the makeshift wooden stakes and clubs from the kids, turns and walks to where the boat is located, and tosses them into the water.
Tolenn allowed the others to dissuade the children from thier revenge, glad that they were successful. She frowned at the mention of vengeange, but could hardly blame those that thought so, Lamm's brand of evil deserved justice, be it a the sword or gavel.
She thought on her hesitancy to talk to the children, having been one of them, and seeing their misery and ill-treatment brought back many memories, most of them of a ill nature. With a shake of her head she brought her mind back to the present and addressed the head-boy, "Your choice will serve you best in the future, look to me, these scars were made by Lamm's own hand and see what I've become...that or a similar future lay before you should you choose it."
Her piece said, she nods at Pyron and his sensible decision to take the weapons from the children, then moves forward with the others.
All the children look with fascination upon the scars on Tolenn. These were children who had until recently had no hope, and now freedom and a new life, whatever that meant, were close at hand. Obviously the strain of living through this Hell would destroy some of them, but if even one child turned to the cause of righteousness, it would surely be worth it all!
The party travels outside, walking along the planks of the docks to the ship docked nearby. The ship looks in terrible shape, missing boards and rots clearly showing to even those with no nautical sense. Pyron tosses his load into the nearby waters, and Gaius quickly scans around.
Tolenn, let me go first and speak first. Remember, we will not strike unless he attacks us.
Tolenn appraises Pyron calmly, "Pyron, I had not thought otherwise. Take the lead, if it please you."
"Sure" Daud will reply in an indifferent voice that yet almost makes one believe he had raised his hands to do air quotes as he spoke.
Gaius levels his crossbow toward the boat and yells, trying to impersonate Yargin's voice:
Boss, come quick! It's Giggles--he picked a fight and now there's trouble!
The rotten deck of this ancient barge seems to be barely
intact, its hull worn and thick with seaweed and barnacles.
The barge is held together primarily by the layers of old rope
that lash it securely to the pilings that support the fishery and
the nearby boardwalk. A single wooden door leading into the
aft cabin bears a crude painting of a red fish on its surface.
Pyron moves forward to the door, switches his wand out for his morningstar, and opens the door. Perception: take 10=10
Tolenn glances sharply at Gaius' yell, then waits expectantly for any response.
When none is forthcoming, she carefull steps over the gunwale, following Pyron, raising her crossbow in readiness, looking about for threats.
Perception
As Pyron hops the gunwhale to board the ship, the rotten planks give way beneath him. He scrambles to catch a grip, but catches only more rotten planks that give way as he falls with a short yelp to the hold below. Tolenn, you are at the edge of the ship at this point.
Pyron jumps upright, looks around a bit surprised, and takes a moment to wipe himself down. Then he looks at the others and says, I'm alright. Then he keeps going forward watching his steps.
Seeing Pyron fall through the floor of the ship Daud will move to the edge to check on him.