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Iorskan shook his head sadly. So what if the human had a broken bow? He could breathe fire! And could *almost* fly. Why didn’t anyone else see his majesty? It was a heartbreaking injustice.
Awn nods.
"It seems the Stag Lord is the power - the power of might, and force of personality. But power is nothing unless directed. And this Akiros may be the director. So yes, draw him out and annul him. Then, as you say, create a better show than a warped madman with an unlikely bow and prodigious strength. Like say...an army of dragons, kobolds, mites and....equally dirty humans as they already have at their disposal."
The woodborn frowns.
"I am afraid, my dear Iorskan, that even you and our flightless wyvern friend may not be amazing enough to sway popular support. We need something really big, amazing and flashy. It need not be real, or thoroughly exact, but it does need to be convincing. If we could just get something else, something big and bright to rally to our cause, we might have enough."
Awn thinks for a moment.
"Or we just kill the Stag Lord. Sometimes the lack of something is just as good as something better. I imagine his head on a pike might sway the crowd...."
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Iorskan stared at Awn in surprise.
"...not amazing enough?" He slowly said this, as if though he understood the individual words, but not the sentence as a whole. "Not amazing enough?" His eyes narrowed. "I am going to set the stag lord on fire! I am going to eat his toes and...and...fly over his castle!" He angrily slapped his tail on the ground, fuming inside. Before long people would start calling him a wyrmling! As if though he were some kind of child. Luckily he knew better. He was Lord Iorskan, the magnificent, the mighty, the god-emperor of all that fell under his shadow. All he needed to do was keep trying to fly. Otherwise his shadow wasn't going to cover much...
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Abaos turns Iorskan. "You have a point, Iorskan. They may have a really strong man, but we have a dragon, and that's got to count for something, right? We'll have to think of ways to get this news spread amongst the men."
"I think it's time to gather our allies," he says. "All of our allies. Which means that, yes, we need to finally go and meet this Garess character. After we've gathered Happs, Chief Sootscale, Viceroy Dragonfly, and a contingent of honor guards. If we're going to meet one of the nobility, we're doing it in style, and in strength." He flashes a charming, roguish smile.
He pauses. "I still think we can win this without bloodshed. If we ignore the Stag Lord's men, while providing enough of a force to deter them from banditry, we win. We don't have to play by their rules. If they're going to be a problem, then let them come to us."
He looks at the taztlwyrm. "Then, perhaps we can negotiate for the release of your eggs. Do not worry. We keep our promises, and if worst comes to worst, we'll think of another plan to recover them. This I vow." Fierce determination is writ across his face as he says this, and his eyes burn with a fire that seems irregular on the man's face.
Abaos takes everyone's words, and looks back to Norry.
"Norry," he begins "what's the biggest problem facing these woods?"
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He pauses. "I still think we can win this without bloodshed. If we ignore the Stag Lord's men, while providing enough of a force to deter them from banditry, we win. We don't have to play by their rules. If they're going to be a problem, then let them come to us."
No! Ozzy growls, looking up through tear-soaked eyes. She has been silent all thought Norry's interrogation, and the others may have forgotten she was there. They have to die. Her cheek quivers. ALL OF THEM! Auchs, the STAG LORD... She turns to Norry, ...and you. As she says this, she thrusts her spear into the helpless archer's chest.
Did I miss the part where Norry was tied down?
When Ozzy comes at him with her spear, he does the sensible thing and runs for his life.
A+ for roleplaying, tho
Awn fractures the weave of happenstance to assist Ozzy - vengeance must be met.
Immediate Action: Second Sight +1 to Longspear attack.
Iorskan slapped his tail happily. Abaos was as wise as he was tasty! He was so happy that he didn’t eat the man. He had a good head on his shoulders.
And that’s when everything got strange. Oz was going to kill the man! Finally! Iorskan took a deep breath, ready to burn the prisoner...but then Awn said no! Iorskan held his breath, his chest puffed out, belly full of flames. Abaos even was wresting with Oz. His eyes shifted from side to side.
...hopefully Guthruc would know what to do.
Well, if he was restrained, no one interrupted Ozzy's full round coup de grace, and if he wasn't restrained, then both the attack and AoO got him.
Either way, Norry gasps as the fetchling bairn plunges her spear up beneath his ribs. He clutches the haft with both hands, eyes wide, disbelieving even as he draws his last ragged breath. He looks at the child's face, contorted with rage, and then his gaze drifts over to Bright Awn.
"I did ... everything ... you asked," he gurgles. "Answered all ... all ... all."
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...hopefully Guthruc would know what to do.
Guthruc knows exactly what to do.
"Guthruc eat large man!" as he rips off the man's arm and takes a big, messy bite.
...Iorskan couldn’t hold it in anymore. Right over the bandit’s head:
He coughed, a small pound of smoke coming out.
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Abaos rushes over, and kneels somberly next to the fallen man. "He was unarmed, Ozzy...." he says. "He cooperated.....did everything we asked....."
He starts when Guthruc and Iorskan begin to desecrate the body.
"Stop! Stop! Get away! Leave the man alone!" He begins to beat at Guthruc, forcing him away, wildy throwing his hands about at Ozzy and Iorskan as he circled the dead man protectively.
"Don't you touch him, you- you savages! Monsters! Each and every one of you, monsters! Get away!"
He looks painfully to Awn. "And you didn't even try to stop her! You, who should know better!" He kicks dirt up at the tall woodborn.
"I'm going to bury him," he chokes out, after his agitation is finished. "I don't want to see any of you. Not right now."
He points to a nearby copse of trees. "I'm going that direction. I'm taking him with me, to bury him." He points to the body of Fat Norry. "If any of you come near..... I'm not responsible for any actions I may take."
With that, he heads off.
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Iorskan listener to Abaos with confusion. Why was he so angry? The man had no idea how hard it was to hold fire in! And besides, the bandit was dead and everyone knew bandits were for eating. Still Abaos looked a little bit scary, so Iorskan let him go. Then, once he was gone the little dragon looked up at Guthruc and said ”Is he angry because I cooked the food? I thought humans like cooked-...oh...” Now it made sense! Abaos was going to eat the bandit himself! He never ate bandit before because it wasn’t cooked.
Pleased wirh his deductive reasoning and insight into human nature, Iorskan reflected that it was only fair Abaos get this one. He had other bandits to eat.
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Awn's gaze hardens, and if anyone took the time to look hard enough they might see the foliage and plant matter darken on the woodborn. He has lost honour, even that held by his own. His path blurs, and he cannot clearly now see the way. Awn's head drops, and he murmurs to those near.
"The balance is met. He brought pain and misery, and thus he paid the price. Live by violence, die by violence. It is no different for any of us."
The morning dawns bright and clear.
Awn nods.
"So. Back to Oleg's. We must be swift ere the news of our...activities causes the Stag Lord or his director to change matters beyond what... Nor...we have had described.."
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Ozzy can be heard sobbing late into the night, until eventually, Mr. Winky fades away into the girl's shadow as she finally falls asleep. When the sun's rays wake her, she groggily goes through the motions of her morning ritual out of habit, not even opening her eyes. After she finishes, she continues to lie there, trying futilely to delay the onset of the morning. She raises her arm, trying to throw it over her face to block the light that filters ruddily through her eyelids, but she has no shadow to block the sun.
A long, slimy tongue drags itself across the girls face. She starts awake, her eyes opening wide, and she sees large, shadowless beast standing over her. Its thick, dark grey fur blows in the morning breeze. The beast's bulbous eyes look down at her expectantly.
Mr. Blinky! she exclaims, sitting up and burying her self in the beast's fur as she wraps her arms tightly around where the creature's neck would be, if it had any discernible neck. When she does this, she can feel that the skin underneath isn't fully healed, but it also feels tougher somehow. Where before, he felt like he was made of nothing but fur and claws and teeth, she can now feel flesh there too. It feels leathery. Hardier than before. She continues to embrace the beast that has been her constant companion since she was so young. The tears begin again, soaking into his fur. This time, they are tears of joy. Her constant companion has returned.
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"So. Back to Oleg's. We must be swift ere the news of our...activities causes the Stag Lord or his director to change matters beyond what... Nor...we have had described.."
At Awn's suggestion, Abaos speaks. "Awn.... you've met them before. So you have final say. But, when you described them before, you seemed... apprehensive. Would it be best to meet with Garess alone, or to bring along a group? I thought it might be best if we bring all of our forces together, or at least the leaders."
The tears begin again, soaking into his fur. This time, they are tears of joy. Her constant companion has returned.
As he returned from his vigil, Abaos saw the girl, Ozzy, frantically hugging her beast. Must've run off in the fight, Abaos thinks to himself logically, "but I'm glad it's returned, nonetheless. He swiftly brings some rations out of his pack, and offers them to the beast.
"I'm glad he's returned," he says to Ozzy, smiling, but not meeting her gaze.
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Awn chews his cheek, thinking.
"Abaos - our original charter was to scout and secure these lands for the Swordlords. I am not sure any of our party wish to stay within that charter. At some point we will break with the Swordlords, and possibly each other...though I myself am ambivalent about when that might be. My apprehension stems from trying to keep that knowledge from Garess."
Guthruc awakes to the sound of birds chirping... and quickly silences them. Knowing that he needs a larger force under his command, he asks Anura, "Anura, do you know of any boggard camps or individuals that you believe would be willing to join our cause?"
Ozzy was too distracted by Mr. Blinky's absence the previous evening to heal anyone who didn't have life-threatening injuries, and is too distracted by his presence in the early morning, but will use the wand to provide any healing that anyone still needs before the party sets out again.
"Abaos - our original charter was to scout and secure these lands for the Swordlords. I am not sure any of our party wish to stay within that charter. At some point we will break with the Swordlords, and possibly each other...though I myself am ambivalent about when that might be. My apprehension stems from trying to keep that knowledge from Garess."
"Anura, do you know of any boggard camps or individuals that you believe would be willing to join our cause?"
Anura licks his eyes pensively. "Most of the boggards I know live in the Hooktongue Slough, and as they do not understand the glory that is Moloch, I am not welcome back there." Moloch is briefly overcome by the injustice. "It's also a long walk, and your comrades aren't the best of swimmers."
"There are other boggards, outcasts and their descendents, who live among the sticks and dry dirt, apart from our grand culture. Alas, I am ignorant of where they live and where they roam."
Anura licks his eyes derisively. "The lot are savages, anyway. Useful as fodder, perhaps, but don't we have kobolds for that?"
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"Abaos - our original charter was to scout and secure these lands for the Swordlords. I am not sure any of our party wish to stay within that charter. At some point we will break with the Swordlords, and possibly each other...though I myself am ambivalent about when that might be. My apprehension stems from trying to keep that knowledge from Garess."
"Well, I'll admit to some hesitation. The boys here, I've really grown to like them. If the Swordlords take over, they get the axe, and I won't let that happen- but it's not like we can stop them if they really wish to impose. So, for now- play nice?
Perhaps, if we go alone, and only list our allies, they won't think anything is amiss. After we've gotten what we can from them, we'll send her packing. Make sense?"
Iorskan wasn’t even there. He didn’t know why but he was so hungry. It was as if though even eating an entire bandit wasn’t enough to fill him up. And while those who were with him every day might not have noticed, the little dragon was growing...
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Awn nods, but seems pensive.
"Mayhap she is crafty, I sense that she wanted to see more than I showed her then, and in my eagerness to withhold information misstepped, and thus gave her pause, if not caused her to distrust. I may be overthinking, or overfeeling, but I think she will benefit from a show of our force, though a band of more monstrous creatures may drive alarm rather than ardor."
Awn nods again.
"So - we bring mighty Iorskan...Iorskan? Yes, Iorskan. We bring Guthruc. We bring Ozara and Mr. Blinky. And we bring all the men - we'll say they are reformed bandits, and that we have forged them into a new fighting force, both eliminating their former threat and become a worthy addition to our mandate. If Iorskan wills it, bring the kobolds as a unified draconic force, commanded by a wyvern, or Iorskan. Something. But let us leave the mites out. For now. What think you all of that?"
Awn feels something fluttering nearby. He laughs, the old smile warming to his wan features, a sound you haven't heard for days.
"Yes, and you too Mr Winky. We cannot forget you, greatest of all our scouts."
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"There are other boggards, outcasts and their descendents, who live among the sticks and dry dirt, apart from our grand culture. Alas, I am ignorant of where they live and where they roam."
Anura licks his eyes derisively. "The lot are savages, anyway. Useful as fodder, perhaps, but don't we have kobolds for that?"
"Figures as much, its not as though just because I'm an orc, I know the locations of nearby orcs... and yes, while the kobolds make decent fodder, i would prefer to strike fear in the enemy's hearts with soldiers that see the enemy barrage as mere arrows against a mountain. Unfazed, uncaring to the assault. In addition, the kobolds are not mine to command. They are the young dragon's and we get along well enough that i respect him.
On a separate note, might I suggest you learn common, possibly even draconic. Those languages are the most commonly spoken in our forces, and I'm sure you'd like to understand and give input. In fact, i am trying my tongue at learning draconic soon myself."
But let us leave the mites out. For now. What think you all of that?"
"Bring Anura? Man no like boggard."
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Abaos frowns at Awn's suggestion.
"I.... think I understand where you are coming from, Awn," Abaos says politely. His eyes are pointed to the sky, as if in deep concentration. "But.....I don't like the idea of leaving anyone out just because they are different. Truly, if she's afraid of other species," he waves his arms at the group "well, she picked the wrong people to sort with- between Iorksan, Guthruc, Ozzy's friends, and you, Awn- I don't see how it can get much more "monstrous" than that. Besides, singling out the mites will make it seem like we're abandoning them for the Captain."
He finishes speaking, still pondering.
"If you truly believe her a danger, than perhaps we sideline a few of each- of the bandits, of the kobolds, and of the mites- but I think, if we want a show of force, we should bring along a fair amount of each. This way, she can't get an idea of our full force, if and when she does report back. Or, he pauses, licking his lips "we go in honestly, and see if we can't sway her to our side. But, I like that less, from what you have been saying."
"Oh, and bring Anura as well. Seems alright." Abaos shrugs in response to the offhand question.
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"Historically, honesty has kept problems to the forefront of a situation, where they are dealt with. Much better than dishonesty, which, discovered late tends to turn false positives into true problems and then the resultant reaction and distrust causes an escalation and multiplication of the original problem. So we all go. She has a problem, we send her packing."
Awn dusts his hands together in a very final and human gesture.
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At Awn's finale gesturing, Abaos claps his hands. "Ok," he says. "That's decided then. We'll gather everyone up, swing by to talk to this Garess character, then strike for the Stag Lord. For now...."
He stops, pausing, and looks puzzledly at Iorskan. "For now," he begins again, weaker, "Awn and Iorskan, you travel to Chief Sootscale, while Ozzy, Guthruc, Anura, Tazty, and myself will go to the Mite's Tree. We'll meet up outside of Oleg's. Take a day, and head over to Garess in the morning. Does that sound like a plan?"
”Yes! Eat the stag lord! I will bring the best Kobold bards to sing of our great victory. Maybe the best chefs too so they can cook him.”
For the first leg of your journey, the routes the same and paths need not diverge, so the party makes their way back down the banks of the Thorn River together. It's just as long a walk this time as it was before, so when Ozzy's legs are aching from keeping up with the other's long strides (Iorskan has to hustle, too, but he's got 18 CON) (and Tazty (is that her name now? works for me) has to slither faster than is strictly comfortable, but she won't show weakness in front of humans) and the sun is on it's way towards the horizon, you set up your camp.
Tazty stays awake through the night, body turned to face the Stag Lord's distant fortress.
Nothing's dumb enough to bother you while you sleep.
In the morning the party splits into Team No-Pants and Team Mixed-Pants, who strike out for the kobold warren and the mite tree, respectively.
You're approaching the tree from an angle you haven't before, but despite the unfamiliar terrain it really is impossible to get lost en route to the Sycamore.
Bydon and his folks have pitched their tents along the hilltops in sight of the tree. They've posted watches, so they see you coming as you do. A small knot of humans and mites come out to meet you, excited and babbling with each other.
Viceroy Dragonfly is riding his signature winged insect high overhead, a dragonfly large enough to carry a person away. Trailing behind it, sometimes gliding, sometimes dragging along the ground, is some manner of giant kite or hang glider, which Dharak attempts to maintain hold of to the gathered people's laughter and cheers.
Despite the language barrier, the humans and bandits seem to be getting along fantastically.
...and Tazty (is that her name now? works for me)...
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Despite the language barrier, the humans and bandits seem to be getting along fantastically.
AS the mites and the bandits meet them, Abaos cheers.
"Friends! Hello, how has it been! What's going on over there!" He points to Viceroy Dragonfly and Dharak, and then breaks from the group and rushes over, eager to see what sort of game is being played.
”Kobolds sleep. But they should still have someone standing guard. I shall speak with the chief. Come nightfall, when they are roused, we will gather them.”
"My friend, all may not be well. Why are there no guards?,
The woodborn makes a careful assessment of the hidden village, missing many things.
"Perhaps it is more than sleep that stays them..."
Iorskan’s eyes widened. Awn was a proven leader, possessed of near supernatural wisdom. How could he ignore such counsel?
”Truly?! We must hurry then! Come, let us charge in to learn their fate.”
Dharak is covered in mud from dragging along the ground, and groans as he finds his feet.
"It's a kite pulled by a dragonfly," Dharak states the obvious, "but I'm too big for it. What's with the new dragon, and where's Bright Awn?"
Happs Bydon assumes the worse. "Were ya'tacked at the old campsite?"
The woodborn and the dragon go into the mine and wake someone who knows the layout who wakes Chief Sootscale, who sleepily but quickly comes running out to meet you, unarmored but having paused to grab his weapons.
"Is there an emergency? Or . . . just that you're diurnal. It is nice to see you and I am happy to entertain at any hour."
”Chief, we go to war!” He knew that humans like grinning, which if he got it right, meant showing all of one’s teeth. He did so, to put the chief at ease. He hoped that kobolds were similar in that regard. The last thing he wanted to do was be too alarming.
”I need volunteers. Scouts for our army, who can keep watch at night and forage. And bards! To sing of what happens! I have ordered that this lair be kept a secret, so any Kobold who comes should know that. No telling anyone where my tribe is located. Do you understand? We march tonight!”
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He looks at Happs. "Have everyone ready to go. Keep a minimum number of men and mites here to defend the tree; everyone else, get packing."
"I'll explain everything on the way."
"A draw?" Happs taps his cheek. "Well, you can't win them all . . ."
"Have everyone ready to go. Keep a minimum number of men and mites here to defend the tree; everyone else, get packing."
Happs raises an eyebrow. "Long walk . . . why do we need to bring everyone with?"
"Nah, man. You beat me last time, and don't look to be much weaker this time around. I'll stick with letting the dragonfly drag me around."
Despite the chief's tiredness, his Lord Iorskan's enthusiasm is contagious. This is a momentus moment. Nonetheless, he's somewhat grim. He is acting against generations of traditional isolationism. "The Sootscales have hidden from the world long enough. It's time we step into the moonlight and claim our place under the stars! I can have shieldbearers, spearfolk, and scouts ready to march by midnight."