"I agree with Gliadel. I'd rather not lie unnecessarily about Ging, particularly since I'm not entirely sure why he has stayed with us rather than wandering off."
Kern turns to Cromwell, "If you plan on staying within 100 feet, I will prepare communication magics so that we can stay in quiet contact. Once we establish if the trading post will allow him in, we can rejoin."
"Honesty may be der best policy" Dyrm finally agrees. Though how folks expect to make an ogre agreeable to society eludes him, comments about wardrobe aside.
Theodric looks extremely disappointed. "Psh, you all take the fun out of having a pet ogre." As quickly as the look was there it is gone."Oh well, at least this way Oleg won't be as surprised when Ging starts trying to eat all of his supplies and animals. I think putting armor on Ging would be a bad idea by the way. It will make him tougher to take down when he turns on us and cost us a significant amount of money"
Remembering his companions like this ogre, he thinks to tackle the issue from a different angle. "Oh, and armor is hot and uncomfortable! I myself am sweating like a pig in mine. Poor Ging is miserable enough in what little he's wearing now, it would be cruel to make him feel even worse then he already does! Not to mention armor actually is way more of a hindrance then a help in combat if you aren't trained in wearing it. He could get hurt, and I know that's the last thing any of us want!"
"நீங்கள் உண்மையில் வியர்வை, மற்றும் நீங்கள் ஒரு பன்றி போன்ற பல வழிகளில் ஒன்றாகும்," Gliadel says drily, but spares a few Prestidigitations to make Theodric a little less porcine.
Kern chuckles a bit at Gliadel's comment before turning his attention back to the horizon.
"Oh, why thank you Gliadel, that feels much better." says Theodric, completely unaware he was just insulted. He assumes those unintelligible words were the verbal components needed to cast the spell, and Kern's chuckle was at Gliadel's lack of finesse at casting it.
Cromwell looks at Gliadel in concern for a moment then lets his look relax before Theodric sees him.
Hmm, I don't speak celestial but I recognize it from the training at the Church. I wonder what she said.
As they get nearer the outpost, He will check the straps on his buckler and give it a quick polish so the silver key embossed on it is very visible. He will then pull his Holy Symbol out of his jerkin and make sure it is visible on his chest as well.
Around 100' from the outpost he will stop and wait for Kern to cast his spell. Saying to Ging
"We wait here my overlarge friend. The others will go on ahead to see if it is ok."
Standing between Ging and the outpost, showing his symbols of Abodar, he will also look around to see if things are ok.
The dwarf nods and prepares to go to the outpost. While all should be well, the earlier talk of bandits has him on guard.
Kern casts, then whispers to Cromwell, "Link is set. Keep in Touch"
"Let's go. Might as well get ourselves introduced."
As he walks forward, Kern begins considering the idea of a private language, designed for the party's tactical needs, hrm, I'm going to need to study linguistic structures...and then convince the others.
Lanya walks next to Ging before they split up.
|
Oleg's Trading Post rises up out of the flat-ish grasslands. It has only one gate which stands open.
Upon approaching the run-down fort, the party is greeted by an attractive woman in her early 40s, while a gruff-looking man hammers away on the roof of what looks to be a guesthouse of some kind.
"Greetings! You are most welcome! Thank the gods you've come! I have prepared supper. Come and eat."
She pulls on Dyrm's shirt sleeve and motions vigorously to the rest to follow. A trestle table is set in the yard and an aromatic stew, fresh bread, and two bottles of win sit on the table.
"Do you have a plan already, or do you need more information?"
"Vhas is das?" The dwarf seems confused, "Kind voman, My name is Dyrm. I und mien friends ARE here to help vit exploration, und bringing law, but I do not know vhas you speak of vit dis 'plan'?"
"You don't have a plan?" She looks worried, but shrugs it off and puts on a false humor. "You don't have to tell me: I understand."
"But, do you need any information? How they do it? When? etc?"
Cromwell will hum and sing a few hymns to Abodar, looking around and watching the outpost for some sign from the others that its ok to come closer, or not ok as the case may be.
" Ahh Ging. Isn't it a wonderful day! Nice weather, a clear sky and a slight breeze. Things are good my large companion."
Gliadel looks for a brief moment at the woman as if she's gone out of her mind, and then nods in understanding.
"Yes, of course," she says. "We will certainly need as much information as you can give us. While we would certainly love to join you for supper, I am afraid we are not all here yet. Our party has an unusual member, and we thought it best to send some in advance to prepare the way. Please do not be afraid, he's quite friendly."
"You see Lady?...." Lanya asks her, obviously inquiring about her name.
"Svetlana? that's a beautiful name. Well Svetlana, we have a mercenary ogre travelling with us, he is quite nice though a bit unrefined at the worst. He is a boon to us and our allies, but a terror to our enemies. Might it be a problem if he enters your establishment? We would hate to leave him all alone outside."
"Forgive me for asking, but who are ? Like our friend Dyrm tried to explain we came here to explore and eventually settle this area. That is after we cleared it of unwanted and dangerous beings of course."
"Dank de gods you said it better den I could, Lanya," the dwarf says to Svetlana, "You zound as if you are beink harrassed? Or sometink? Who is der instigators?"
"Varn mentioned that the Oleg has been requesting guards be sent from Restov to garrison the post against bandits..."
Kern turns towards Svetlana, "I'm afraid, madame, that we are not the guards you were asking for. However," Kern stands straight and gives a little half-bow with a click of his heels, "we are explicitly enjoined to strive against banditry in the area."
"In short, if you need help against bandits, tell us your need and give us what information you have, and we will develop a plan."
Svetlana looks back to see Oleg climbing off the roof. She leans in conspiratorially.
"We are beset and blackmailed by bandits. They'll be here tomorrow to take their 'payment for protection'. You have to stop them."
She raises swiftly to walk away as Oleg approaches, but she spins back briefly.
"Oleg will have to decide about the ogre."
Oleg steps up as Svetlana walks away. He turns his head to watch her go,clearly puzzled.
Finally he shrugs. "I am Oleg. You pay for your stay here. Sleep in tomorrow."
He turns and starts to follow Svetlana.
"Der bandits vill be dealt vith, rest assured."
"If you please, Svetlana," Gliadel says. "In what strength do they generally come, and do they ride into the compound?"
Theodric puts on his most charming smile. "Pleasure to meet you Oleg, my name is Theodric. Quite the Trading Post you have here. Were those catapults I noticed on the roof as I rode in?"
"Greetings and well met Oleg, I have a question for you, one that your lovely wife told us to ask you again.
At his point we have a mercenary ogre travelling with us, he is a great asset to us, friendly although he might be it a bit coarse at times, ogres don't learn many manners I'm afraid." Lanya puts on a warm smile at that last part.
"Foes tend to be scared of him and that's why we hired him. If you would please be so kind to let him stay in your fine trading post, we would hate to leave him all alone outside in the cold. We would be much obliged to you if you would lend us this favor."
Seeing as how secretive Svetlana was about the bandits, Lanya asks Oleg quite casually.
"Oleg we are here on a charter to explore and settle these lands after we clear them of dangerous creatures and groups. Are there any creatures or groups in the immediate vicinity that need our attention?"
Svetlana does not seem to hear Gliadel's question from inside her home.
Oleg, however, turns back.
He looks at the dwarf and his eyebrows draw down. "What do you know about it?"
Oleg's eyes shift to the knight. "They are. They're broken though. Don't suppose a little lordling knows how to fix one?"
Finally, Oleg addresses Lanya. "Dangerous creatures to eliminate?" He puts on a mockingly pensive expression. "Ogres are pretty dangerous I hear...how is it you come to have an Ogre mercenary? Restov would never allow such a thing."
"Can't say I've ever seen a catapult much closer then this. I only have a vague idea how to shoot one, let alone fix one. One of my companions might know how to though. Kern, Dyrm, this seems like one of your areas of expertise"
"As for how we know about the bandits, another one of the expedition leaders bound for the Stolen Lands told us you've been sending requests north for troops to defend your trading post from a group of bandits lead by someone called the Staglord."
He looks at the dwarf and his eyebrows draw down. "What do you know about it?"
Dyrm eyes the human, "Not as much as I vould like. Der schedule, der usual manpower. Vhat I DO know ist, ogres or not, you have trained and capable varriors before you now. Und der bandits vill not find tings so easy. So, fill us in and let us prepare for der ugly vork of slaughterink bandits. Ja?"
He also eyes the catapults, trying to appraise them and how they might be repaired.
Lanya is taken aback by Oleg's answer she had hoped to gain knowledge perhaps about the bandits, however Theodric should be more straightforward for that.
Putting up a warm smile she continues.
"Well Oleg, I'm sorry I can't get into many of the details involved in acquireing these services or the many detours and backdoors needed. Suffice to say that a resourceful emissary like myself can get around behind the eyes of Restov if need be.
Even for a mercenary ogre he is friendly enough Oleg, he is even taken to learning the Common tongue as I found out to my surprise. Surely you wouldn't object if he just stays at your stables right? I will vouch for him and take responsibility for him though him being one of the more civilized ogres would be a great story to tell you know?"
As the others attempt to extract information and cooperation from Oleg, he begins to eye the fort itself for defensibility .
While he eyes the catapults , he reluctantly dismisses them as being of little use in a small-group skirmish.
I don't think we'll be coming under siege here.
Gliadel blinks and wonders why she was asking a door for information, when she had started to ask the question just as the woman was beginning to walk away.
Time is strange in these lands. I should be wary.
"If the bandits are troubling you, it would be in your interest to tell us what you can about their numbers and when they are expected," she says to Oleg (or possibly to thin air) "Of course, if you're content to continue doing business with this Stag Lord, we'll let Restov know you've got the situation well in hand."
Oleg is visibly nonplussed.
How do these people know so much?
He lets out a deep sigh, and hangs his head. He rubs a thumb and forefinger on the bridge of his nose.
"I don't know where you people get this information. I try my best to stay off the grid. I want a peaceful life, but no! I get dragged into it every time. Oleg, you old fool. Now you're in it. This time, it's the last straw."
"The Ogre can stay in the stables, but if they seem him, they'll know something is up and then I'm truly in for it. And you," he points a meaty finger at Lanya. "Your sleek shape and pretty words don't do it for an old sour slurk like me. Any damages come out of your pocket our your pretty hide."
"They'll be here in the mornin'. Probably 5-7 of 'em. If they saw you lot comin' they'll bring the whole set. That would not be good. The usually come on horseback, but the dismount in the yard. I will play bait if you want, but Svetlana won't be outside. Anything happens to her and I'll kill you all myself. Finally, this is my place. I built this heap and I love it. Sure I need help defending it now, but that don't mean we're partners. You better not scratch your asses without my say so. Am I understood?"
"They'll be here in the mornin'. Probably 5-7 of 'em. If they saw you lot comin' they'll bring the whole set. That would not be good. The usually come on horseback, but the dismount in the yard. I will play bait if you want, but Svetlana won't be outside. Anything happens to her and I'll kill you all myself. Finally, this is my place. I built this heap and I love it. Sure I need help defending it now, but that don't mean we're partners. You better not scratch your asses without my say so. Am I understood?"
Dyrm looks Oleg up and down, appraising the seemingly unarmed and no longer in his prime human. Then he looks to the others, Dis human ist blunt to point of rudeness, bossy und territorial. Then with another nod, one of approval "I vould swar he hast dwarf blood! Ve must help him, ja?"
Theodric flashes a bloodthirsty grin. "I'm for it as well. There's glory to be had in slaying bandits." Putting on a more friendly look, he continues. "Oh, and it is my knightly duty to protect innocents like our dear friend here and his kindly wife as well."
Lanya looks surprised at Oleg pointing his finger.
"Fair enough Oleg, it shall be as you wish. Though usually people appreciate some kind words and politeness, I'm used to do that as an emissary, not to sweet-talk you Oleg."
She then starts walking out the trading post, in the direction of Ging and Cromwell.
"O Kern, could you let Cromwell know they are both welcome to come in? I'll meet them half-way."
Kern rolls his eyes a bit at Oleg's tirade, then shrugs.
He's not required to be polite. As long as he is cooperative, that'll do..."
Nodding at Lanya, Kern speaks to the air, "Cromwell, we have permission for Ging to stay, let's bring him in. Lanya will meet you half way."
Turning to Oleg, Kern's voice shows no sign that he is offended, or even particularly concerned, with his attitude, as he starts firing off questions,
"You expect 5-7 bandits, and it sounds like they operate more as 'tribute-takers' than raiders. Is that correct? What are their capabilities? Do they seem competent, or are they relying on the fact that they have you outnumbered to force your cooperation? Is there any indication their mounts are war-trained? How are they armed and armored, and should they arrive with the 'full set', how many is that?"
Gliadel nodded at Oleg's words and slid off her mount. Despite his unpleasant attitude, the man had done well enough by them, with little reason. Perhaps he would be friendlier when he saw that they truly were going to help him deal with the bandits, or perhaps he'd remain suspicious and stand-offish. It didn't matter if he was nice, as long as he was helpful.
"Of course we'll help," she said, agreeing with the dwarf and knight. "But there is more we must ask."
"Have you had any word from Fort Serenko?" she asked Oleg. "We passed it on our way here and found it abandoned. We thought some of the soldiers may have passed this way."
"So many questions!" Oleg sighs. "Where to even begin?"
"I'm sure you meant no offense. I'm just not used to people trying to help me. Worse, those that have tried were so miserably incompetent that I've grown used simply not to ask."
"The bandits mean business. Brutes, the lot of them. Some are probably better than others, but all have good sharp steel and seem to know how to use it."
"The first time they came, there were 15. A woman led them. She was spit up from the abyss and no mistake. No demon ever had a fouler temper nor a crueler sense of humor. She nearly took my hand for no reason at all."
"There was a big man with her that first time. He's led the bandits the other 3 times and he seems to favor the bow. He is quite and stupid, but he doesn't give warnings. He'll just kill you."
"When they come, two generally harass Svetlana and I while two more load their horses. The big bowman sits on his horse a few paces back. He always has an arrow or two nocked."
"I'm not sure about their horses, but they might be trained to combat."
"All things considered, I would have fought them to the death the first time they came, but I can't leave Svetlana to their sport. I am ashamed to ask it, but I need your help to defend my wife and property."
All the fight out of him now, Oleg stands with eyes downcast and shoulders slumped.
" Ahh finally. Thank you Kern."
Turning to Ging, Cromwell claps once and says ( in Giant)" Come my Behemoth, they call for us." He starts briskly away, then stops and turns around."I meant you , friend Ging. lets go.'
Walking with his hands in the air, motioning as if directing an orchestra, Cromwell marches forward, singing a marching Hymn.
"Arranging for der safety of hearth und vife should never be a matter for shame, Oleg. Nozing dishonorable about vanting competent help in a vorthy cauase. Ve vill aid."
He looks to the others, "I zuggest ve try to find some vay to lure zem in, lock the gates, and give dem no chance for escape."
"Ging follow sing song man!"
Ging starts out after Cromwell, but his big strides put him out in front in no time. He stops. panics. Cromwell passes him. He follows. He overtakes Cromwell. He stops. panics...
"I don't want the aid. I need it. The difference is my pride: foolish as it may be."
He shakes his head at Dyrm's luring suggestion. "They won't fall for that. At least one is always outside the gate and they never bring their horses inside."
"That's where I come in Oleg. As part of our initial strike I can charge out of the gate and take out whoever they leave to guard their horses while you seal the gates behind me. After I kill the ones guarding the horses, I'll lead their mounts a fair distance back up the roads and send them running the opposite direction from here. Afterwords I can head back and take out any stragglers who attempt to escape."
"While I make my charge, the rest of you would ideally open up with a powerful strike that would hit as many of the bandits at once as we could. Theodric stares up at the broken catapults. "For the first strike we attack with any spells that can hit multiple targets that Lanya, Kern, and Cromwell can cast. Ideally we would use a catapult as well if we could get one working in time, but I'm not sure if that will be possible. Dyrm and Gliadel would operate the catapult if we do get it working, or provide ranged support with bows or thrown weapons if we don't. Turning to look at the aforementioned pair, he continues. "You two would need to avoid melee combat until our magic wielding companions unleashed their spells to avoid accidentally being hit by them. After the initial strike then the two of you along with Ging could engage the enemy in close range combat. Kern and Lanya can provide magical support, while Cromwell and Oleg guard them from any bandits who attempt to harass them. Cromwell would of course provide medical support as needed." After giving this long speech Theodric takes a deep breath. "So what do you all think of my plan?"
Half way to the fort....
" HAhahahahahaha. G-Ging s-s-stop your killing me. Hahahahaha. N-not really of course. heh.haha. hee hee."Cromwell sits down holding his stomach, and laughing fit to burst.
"Whoo. O-ok. I think I can walk again."
Rising to his feet he will pat Ging on the arm.
" I am glad I met you Ging. Really I am. That was the funniest thing I've seen in a while. So... How about You take smaller steps and I will try to take longer ones. Maybe we can make it all the way there."
He will start off again with a different march, a slower one this time. Though Cromwell will walk double time to it.
At the fort....
" Sounds like a plan Theodric, though I don't have many spells that will effect more than one enemy at a time tho. I would rather bless us as opposed to bane them for instance."He ponders for a moment.
" I can raise a small fog to confuse them, or I can cast the Doom of Abodar on one of them to weaken that one. Or I have some small defensive magic. But I do not have much of an area effect spell as it were. I can use the powers bestowed upon me to aid you in your first charge if you like. If we prepare a little ahead of time I can request the guidance of Abodar for each of us."
with a shrug he will look at the rest of them.
" However HEALING I can do!... I'm also not bad with a crossbow."
"Not a bad plan sir."
Oleg nods his head slowly: impressed by the level of tactics going into this.
This might just work...