Morgabir, with a full belly and a cup of cider in him, happily retires to the squad tent and lays down on his bunk.
He adds the shield next to the long sword at the end, then pulls all his gear out to inspect, clean, repair, and reorganize as he had been taught.
"Say, Finn, if you can do that clean-up and fix-up magic on others, I'd sure be happy if you could help out here. Almost everything is in good repair, but getting the mud off boots and cloak is a pain while it's wet."
He gladly removes his boots and cloak, but conspicuously keeps the chain shirt and sword & dagger belt cinched on.
"We did good today, honestly. We fought off those goblins and won without a casualty, despite having never worked together before. With this new equipment, and actual weapons instead of hunting and farm tools, I think we'll do just fine in this militia thing."
"No prob, Mor, it is only a flick of the finger and a couple of words. I love magic. Household magic."
Finn use prestidigitation to clear cloak and boots and dry them up.
"Keeping stuff in top shape require a longer casting, so I wouldn't do that every day, but if something need fixing I will do that, as long as it is asked courteously. As long as all the pieces are present I can repair small objects, or pieces of larger ones."
Finn get near Morgabir and whisper:
"I know what you have done, and you are right, but he really get on my nerves with his air of superiority."
Daren bristles at Finn's comment, but lets it slide as he gets called away. Irritated, Daren quickly finishes up and moves to his bunk to get some sleep. They'll all see soon enough. And once they do, none of them will act so snide with me.
"Freya, if you have no problem I will take the bow. And ... you can cast the food benediction? It is not the standard use, but I think you can purify the water in the latrine, and that should remove all the waste matter. I don't want to offend your god if that is against his teaching, but I don't want to get sick for the vapors too."
Shaking her head Freya replies to Finn. "Waste is a part of the natural circle and it would be very frivolous to use the gifts the nature gives to me if a shovel and a bucket have the same effect.
We just should take turns.Even that highborn stallion who thinks that the loner can live without the herd.
Time will tell him that the lone stallion will soon be a gelding."
As if understanding Bjorn lifts his head and makes a snickering sound.
Oalin organizes his gear and lays back in the bunk, mulling over what Thing has talked about, the conversations and advise so far and evaluating possibilities. I really shouldn’t fight in hand to hand. I need to pay attention to try to avoid it at all costs, in fact. Most of the others are far better and more prepared for it. The ranged thing I can do, but the rituals are where I can make the biggest difference…
He glances over at Freya, she was able to control the plants, which was pretty cool. He brings Thing up, whispering to him, I really wish there was more revealed… All my life I was told there was this big scary power inside me, inside each of my family, but the stuff I know right now… I’m just not seeing it, Thing.
Keeping Thing steady, Oalin bolts up in bed speaking aloud, ”Hold on. Finn, I can do more than the spells – I just remembered, I can make acid. Acid burns. I can make flasks of acid to throw. Umm… there are other things, I think… yeah. If only I had… Umm… it’ll have to wait, maybe. There is this sap and resin mix that acts like glue, if I can make enough of it, it can stick people’s feet to ground, and stuff to make sneezing fits, or stuff that smells so bad it’ll make enemies throw up instead of fight.”
He lays back down, frustrated, ” I just don’t have the supplies or the equipment to make any of it though.”
"Thanks, Finn. Appreciate the neighborly gesture."
Morgabir claps the bard on his shoulder, lightly, then lays back on his bunk.
"Ya know, Oalin, we can probably find that kind of stuff out in the woods. I'm sure Freya and I can turn up saps and resins and whatnot. As to the equipment, though, can't help ya there. Maybe beg some of the cookpots off the mess tent?"
He looks in the general direction of Finn, barely keeping from rolling his eyes, and ignore the "noble's" prwttle.
Grinel chat while serving the stew, "Well, the reason I asked about the footprints is from what I have heard there ARNT any found near the battles, which the scouts seem to think that the Order of the Thorn sect has returned. "
After Grinel completes giving out the food he throws the remained to the bear. leaving a few extra jugs of ale, Grinel says his goodbyes to everyone and he will see you in the morning.
Brock lies back in his bunk listening to the conversation. He appears to be brooding.
Gweenth, on the other hand comes and grabs one of the Ale jugs and starts drinking it. looking around, she shakes he head then sighs. Before taking another drink. Wiping off her mouth with her sleeve, "How long you figure? brock."
Brock says without opening his eyes, "not long now, proly."
Oalin will see if anyone told tales around the home fires...
Nope.
Oalin wants to ask what Brock and Gweenth are hinting at, but he recalls the years of insults back home and decides he really wants nothing to do with them.
Morgabir's ears prick up as he hears the obviously more experienced rangers talking.
"Not long before what, exactly? Most of us are new at this, and any hints or knowledge before something bad happens would be great, you know."
Finn look at Gweenth.
"Something we need to know?
Gweenth, points towards Brock then chuggs a little more.
Brock not even opening his eyes, " In a little bit, I expect we are going to get branded, Cheers." he holds up his right hand with a thumbs up while laying down. " I wasn't going to let anyone else worry over something like that, after seein how Gwen took it, but since you asked........ I didnt know how Mr. high and mighty would have took it, or some of the little bit more squimsh. Why do YOU think we are resticted in a tent."
and continues I suggested drink, it will make it easier..... waving his hands as if its no concequence.
Virid pauses, then grabs another of the ale jugs and sits down near, but not exactly with, the other two. Although curious about what Brock is suggesting, he can’t help but feel that those thorn order people sounded familiar...
I guess not. Everyone is stories is always named something grand like that. “The Honorable Order of the Wildnerness” or some such. Blast that branding though. Sune hardly smiles upon blemishing your skin. I’ll have to talk to them about an alternative. The pain itself is of no consequence, but there must be a better way still.
Freya shrugs.Never heard of it. But what do you mean with getting branded?"
"What!? What are us, warrior slaves?"
Brock calmly states, " Last time I was in, they branded all of us to keep track of deserters. " with that he gets up and shows the brand to you, pointing out the different parts."you see here, they give the date, and the lords stamp. the terms of conscripting are about a year. From what I hear most people leave them on. not worth th money to pay to remove em."
"plus, I thought your god would like this kinda thing, eh gweeny."
Gweenth gives him the finger. "the are a lot of kindas of suffering for Ilmater. That does not mean on my wedding day I want a reminder on my shoulder."
"This is ... well unexpected. But pain is a way of life. We do the same to trees, cut in markings. And as you said, it can be easely removed!"
Finn give the finger at Gweenth reply.
He seem very angry.
"Suffering for the sake of suffering, how typical of Ilmater."
After a second he make an effort and calm himself.
"Gweenth sorry, that wasn't what you were saying. But when I hear something about 'suffering for Ilmater' I recall the priest sermons about accepting suffering without reacting. And I will never accept abuse without reacting."
Well, worrying over it won’t help anything right now.
Virid begins attempting to carve a small animal with his belt knife.
"Bah, a little scar won't do much to you. It's not like they're gonna burn an arm or hand off, they want us fighting fit after all."
Morgabir guffaws and lays back on his cot, awaiting the inevitable.
after a couple of hours, evening time arrives and a group of three men come in the tent. you recognize Vi, one of the previous soldiers on the march. she looks around and counts everyone then says "Fieram wants you to strip down to your smallclothes and come with me, leave your weapons." and with that the soldiers open up the tent to lead you out.
Gweenth gets up wavering slightly strips down, and goes outside.
Brock looks at the rest, chuckling to himself, "Damn, I hate being always right." Passing everyone on the way out.
Daren stays within the tent on his bunk, ignoring the call. Like I'll submit myself to branding. Who do they think I am?
Oalin looks away shyly from Gweenth and takes his time complying.
He considers for a bit on whether they'd brand animals and how that would work with Thing's chitin... then sets Thing down "I think it best you stay here, Thing. Watch over our stuff, y'know... I'm sure I'll be back soon.
Noticing Daren has not budged or made any effort to do as told, Oalin shakes his head slowly...
Probably not going to go well for him...
"You really intend to brand us like slaves? The paladin ruling this country allow that?"
Dammit, I don't have the strength to fight an army, what I can do?
"If you want to do that you should do it by force!"
Vi says "Everyone get up, strip down, and move. Final warning this is not a democracy. " looking at those that are not heading out the door following the other guard. she looks at Freja. "You, leave your pet."
Brock, Gweenth and Oalin have already left and are waiting out front of the tent in the cold.
Virid removes his tunic, grumbling under his breath.
Huffing, Daren gets up off the cot. Making himself look as imposing as he could, Daren tries to reply back in a stern, commanding voice. Instead, he ends up making a squeaking sound. Clearing his voice, Daren tries again. "I refuse to let my skin be marred as if I was but cattle. I am of the house of Del'Him, a noble. I demand that Lord Markam be made known of this. He will let you know that such a thing is unnecessary."
Freya stands up and instructs Bjorn to stay, before moving out of the tent, after leaving weapons and loincloth. "I wouldn´t have brought him anyway. Wouldn´t do the brander any good."
After Daren´s words spill out, she looks at him and smiles."You brand your cattle, your horses, but you are afraid of the same happening to you. PUSSY!"
"Humans brand their property, I am not anyone property! I am under a unwritten contract and there are rules for breaching it, but this people want to treat me as someone that break his word from the start. That show that their word is worth NOTHING!"
Daren snorts at the taunt. "Even Fits here knows enough to know that it is unfitting. No noble would willingly degrade himself into such a humiliated state for life."
Freya raises an eyebrow. "Oh and aren't we the property of the nobility. And is not the nobility the property of higher nobility. And did you not volunter?"
"No, we aren't property. We are subordinates, but that mean that we have duties and rights."
This time Finn let's slide Daren taunt.
"I don't make the rules I just enforce them, sorry not my call.", Vi looks around. points to the ones waiting outside, "follow Hendrick, he will show you the way."
she looks at the other one. "Billi, go tell Fieram. we got trouble. I'll stay here."
as far as I can tell. Gweenth, brock, Freja, virid, Oalin, are leaving.
and Finn, and Daren are staying.
waiting on Mor to post where he is at.
Morgabir gets up slowly and glares at the two defiant ones.
"Stop being stupid, you two. All you're gonna do is add some bruises, maybe some lash scars to your pain. Oh yeah, and make the rest of us look bad while you're at it. Grow a pair, take your brand like the rest of us, and let's get going."
He doffs his gear, walking out the door without looking at Finn or Daren directly.
"Well, SQUAD, what are we waiting for?" Morgabir deliberately emphasizes the word squad as he goes.
"We're waiting for... oh..."
Oalin's a little slow on the subtle/not-so-subtle message.
Finn remove his hide shirt as he don't want it to get damaged, his weapons and sit on his bunk.
"Principles, Mor"
@-Freja, virid, Oalin, Mor.- Hendrick leads you across the yard of the Castle ruins. You see several Large group tents set up, as well as the commanders tent, you see Fieram walk out of the tent with two soldiers. you get lead to off to the side of the wall with a blacksmith shop set-up. in it you see the fires burning. Hendrick leads you directly to it. you see several extra soldiers standing near the blacksmith, who is a large man with a bald head and clean shaven face. he looks up as the group approaches. "Aye, I thought I heard there were new recruits." the blacksmith tells everyone to get in single file, while he gets information from Hendrick. Brock goes ahead and gets first in line. The blacksmith says after looking at Brocks arm, " A two- timer eh?"
Brock replies "yes sir."
"lad you don't need it. You have already proven yourself."
"don't matter sir, if I'm with them. I'll take my turn like everyone else."
And with that the blacksmith, shrugs. while heating up the bellows.
@- Daren and Finn- After a few minutes you see Fieram step into the tent followed by two soldiers. "So, Vi what's this about two causing trouble?" Vi replies. "well sir, someone told them about the branding ahead of time." Fieram looks at you , "Well lads, I don't like telling people ahead of time because of this exact thing, are we going to have any trouble? I would prefer if you just go ahead an get it over with. And If you want to voice your complaints that's fine, I'll listen, but this is how its always been done to track any deserters." you notice the three soldiers all pull out Saps. Fieram holds out his hand to stop them. "Well lads ? I'm listening."
With his failure at intimidating so fresh in his mind, Daren decides to change tack and reason with him instead. "I am Daren of the house Del'Him. My word as a noble should be more than enough. I was not drafted but volunteered to help serve the lord of this land. I have already proven myself in battle as well without running, so I see no reason to blemish my skin and rank for such a trivial thing."
"We aren't slaves. Branding is not right. I will not use violence, but you will have to carry me if you want to brand me. And I will raise a protest in court if I ever get a chance."
"We aren't slaves. Branding is not right. I will not use violence, but you will have to carry me if you want to brand me. And I will raise a protest in court if I ever get a chance."
Fieram, says to finn and daren"And how would you do it lads, take everyone at their word? Lord Felldane has a kingdom to run. Laws are what hold together society." He stifles a chuckle. After thinking a little bit. "I'll tell you what, I'll talk the baron instead. I think I'll try a experiment on you two boys."
"I'll draw up a agreement that if your character is to ever desert or go missing, and not return within 5 days from reporting to me, Lord Felldane, or a special representative. The baron will be able to go claim your home, your families land, and your whole family will be executed for Treason. Would you like that deal? If not, your going to get branded because then all you have to do is worry about yourselves. "equal risk vs equal reward, its a dwarven saying".
@everyone in line- As Brock stands in line the blacksmith pulls out a hot poker with a dragoncreast with a scimitar and lance through it. along with a secondary poker with todays date on it. he places it together and asks. "Do you want any help?" as the blacksmith motions to the others. Brock nods no, and stepping forward he leans down and leans over a large stump with his arm out. you see brock reach down and take a large wood piece and sticks it in his mouth gritting his teeth. he then nods to proceed as the smell of burnt flesh fills the air when the blacksmith places the poker down. Brock barely manages to stand up afterwards and moves over to the side cluching his arm. he grabs cold water out of a barrel to put on his now bleeding and burnt arm.
Freye waits for her place, seeing the hot poker and doubt comes to her mind.Will I manage that? ----------------------
Other have passed this before! -------------------
And I will be strong!
Just before her turn she quickly goves the sign of her goddess, and casting guidance on herself.
Taking a deep breath she focuses on the pain and suddenly smiles.
Morgabir approaches the smith, intent on giving a good impression to the rest of the team.
He nods to the blacksmith, then grabs a leather strop, folds it over and bites down hard.
Fort
nonlethal damage
fire damage
Gritting his teeth and grunting through the pain, he looks the man holding the brand dead in the eye and keeps his gaze until his arm no longer sizzles.
As he dunks his burn into water, he grimaces. "Well, I'm off bacon for a while, then. Who's next?"
Seeing others before him go through it with a brave front, Oalin steels himself a bit to get rid of the shakes from the cold (and anticipation.) He takes a cue from Brock and places a piece of wood in his mouth as well before bending down to the stump.
Oalin spits out the wood and follows Mor's lead to cool off the brand with water, says to Mor, I'm surprised... That was actually not that painful... I've experienced worse.
Daren frowns at the offer. While he had no lands yet and had lived in a ramshackle hut, the idea of being threatened by this man was insulting. But despite this, the offer was still better than the hideous idea of becoming cattle. Plus, once he did have land, he would have more than enough power to come back and 'deal' with this lot.
"Deal," Daren says, conceding.
"As long as if I die fighting and my body isn't recovered because you have to retreat nothing happen to my family, it is fine for me. I will not desert.
I think you will be able to confirm if I have died in a battle or fleed away. Well, if there are survivors."
I thought that Fieram was a good dwarf, and he is. He made an honest offer. The nobles are treating us as cattle, but we will show them that we are men. I will never flee from a battle.
Face set in a very grim line, Virid steps up to the stump.
Let’s get it over with then. An ugly thing to do to men who sign up to defend your lands, but I’ll not be making this an even uglier affair.
Virid nods to Vi, and drops to his knees, muttering a few words, presumably to Sune.
As soon as the blacksmith indicates that the process is over, Vir stands and walks stiffly over to the others, spitting disdainfully to the side. He glances at the water barrel, but makes no move toward it.
I’ll heal it later. For now, let them think about it.
After gathering everyone together out of the line they are taken back to the tent for the evening. Fieram makes the agreement with Finn and Daren the leaves the tent.
As soon as the group is back in the tent:
"Hello, how are you? Someone need healing?
I can cast another cure spell, and it guarantee a neat scar and no risk of infection, so ladies are the fist if they want it."
Finn seem in a good mood