GM Captain Trips - Kingmaker! (Inactive)

Game Master Chad Newman

Her asking us where we are going next and telling us she has other matters to attend to. It struck me as a dismissal, which usually implies us leaving her. It could be Trips being funny with a "Where are you going now? Oh yes, to your GRAVES!" kinda thing, guess we'll have to see.

Hadin looks at the hand holding his arm, surprised of the strength of the grip. He manages to say as calmly as possible, with a gentle smile

May I ask you to release my arm? I'd be glad to keep it, as I've become quite attached to it with each year passing.You're way stronger than you look, milady....No wonder this bandit couldn't harm you.

does the lady wear gloves, or are her hands bare?

Karse does not smile. Nor does he release his grip on his flail.

"My but you are the polite and witty one aren't you. Full of surprises is your little band." the strange woman comments as she releases Hadin's arm. "Just see that you roam not good man, this tower is a dangerous place indeed."

"A story for a story, I suppose I should oblige, seeing as you have given me such a fine tale today." In a grand motion the woman waves her arms in the air, as if to indicate the land around you, "Not too long ago, this place was inhabited by a group of wizards, a clandestine lot to be sure, if you noticed the basement. They delved in dark magics, the kind not acceptable to the more tamed lands of men. Their experiments were held in this very spot, twisted acts of depravity and malice, with living creatures as their subjects." She lowers her voice to a whisper, as if revealing some dark secret, "Necromancy is the most impure of the arts, and here it was honed to a razor's edge."

Her voice returns to normal tones as she continues, "Maybe a year or so ago something disastrous happened, and the mages were wiped out to a man, leaving nothing but their corpses here to guard the secrets they once uncovered. Their souls still dwell here, preventing the uninitiated from claiming that knowledge, waiting until one would arise to carry on their forbidden works."

Her asking us where we are going next and telling us she has other matters to attend to. It struck me as a dismissal, which usually implies us leaving her. It could be Trips being funny with a "Where are you going now? Oh yes, to your GRAVES!" kinda thing, guess we'll have to see.

Not really a dismissal, just carrying the conversation. And I have a specific understanding of the encounter that you might not of course. :)

"If what you say is true, this tower is a blight upon the land. Best it be razed and forgotten," Karse says.

But there is cool stuff in the basement… :)

Will's eyes boggle slightly as Karse so casually talks of razing a stone tower. "And if she lets us, which I doubt, and those spirits let us, which I doubt, how would we go about doing that?" asks Will, "I doubt a flail or even Krasa could do much to the tower, and my magics certainly cannot. If she'll let us," he adds, motioning to the woman, "I think we should be going now and leave her and this tower alone. We're explorers, and we've explored, lets note this on the map and move on."

Karse turns to look at Will. "There is evil here. The scent of it is strong. I did not say that it would be easy, but that it should be done. I would dismantle it brick-by-brick with mallet and chisel if need be. Does the Dawnflower's light blind you to the shadows in the world? The spirits here do not frighten me, and I have already given my opinion of our 'hostess.'"

Will’s mouth drops slightly as Karse turns on him. Steeling his resolve, Will answers the zealous paladin, ”No, she does not blind me with her radiance. However, she does teach temperance and patience, and that all people can be redeemed and brought to the light. Because this woman’s values are not your own, and she resides in a place of dark magics, does not mean she deserves nothing but death by a flail. I would have us continue on our MISSION and our purpose here, and not get sidetracked by hermits living in a lonely tower who we’ve encroached upon. I would have thought completion of our mission would have held more value to you good sir knight.”

The woman quietly listens to the conversation, taking in the argument between the two men in rapt fascination, speaking not a word. At the end of Will's statement she even offers a smirk and a snarky nod at the paladin that is reminiscent of a younger sibling having a parent side with them and giving a "neener neener" look behind the parent's back. In fact, she does all but stick her tongue out and put her thumbs in her ears at the paladin, obviously delighted in the cleric's comments.

Yes, she is a bit strange!

Brom pays close attention to the story, and is irked by the trouble within their group, "Let us not be fighting togezher."

He turns his attention back to the smirking lady, "Zhat is all vell and good Lady, but vhat is you part in zhis? Do you seek to claim zhe knowledge left behind? To carry on as zhose evil men of old?" He tries to arch an eyebrow at her, but isn't very good at it and just manages to make an odd face, "As you say, ve are all strangers to zhis place. Ve vould see it laid low," he says with a half apologetic look at Will, siding with Karse on this matter, "vill you help destroy zhe evil zhat resides here?" he asks, watching her face intently.

Oh, I'm fine with destroying the tower later if she's an enemy, but when Will can cast stronger spells that can affect stone. :)

Ooooh we need to level up first... :)

The woman chuckles to herself, "Help you destroy my home? What in the nine hells would I want to do that for? You might be taking a few too many liberties with the hospitality I have shown you I think. This is my home now, and you have no claim to it nor any right to presume you will be making any plans on its future."

She makes a strange face and flashes a smile at Hadin, "Silly barbarians!"

"My mission," Karse states plainly, pointedly ignoring the woman, "Is first to eradicate evil. Anything else is second. I will abide by the desires of the majority of our band, but I wish it known that my objection was stated."

"That is fine, and we can discuss the diplomactic solution to this location and its residents when we rejoin the rest of our group. Now, unless we have more to discuss with... I don't think we ever even learned your name. Well, I suggest we move on." says will, hoping to bring forth a name to attach to this woman and her tower.

"Names, names, but they hold such power. Surely you know that. If you please, you may call me Alsa." she smiles demurely at Will in response. "And its rude to talk about people's futures when they are standing in front of you I hope you know."

"I do not feel it rude to believe you are intelligent enough to know that we would be talking about you and this place long after we have left. If that did come as a surprise, I apologize and will try and speak with more subterfuge in the future." responds Will with a polite smile.

Brom notes that she did not deny she'd be taking up where the previous evil denizens left off, and she claimed this place as her own, and comes to the likely conclusion, "So you are vanting to continue zhe evil knowledge done here? Ve Barbarians may be silly, but ve are not stupid. Alsa, zhis evil cannot grow and fester in zhese lands." Brom is feeling more and more like they need to (try to) eradicate this woman who talking in circles and says nothing. "Vhat vill you do if ve ask you to leave zhis place and never be returning?"

"Will I continue in the accumulation of knowledge here or pursue its study? Don't be obtuse! Necromancy is a blight upon the face of magic and goes against all that is natural. Never would I stoop to such levels. But nor will I leave this place. Consider me a custodian if you must, for my place for the time being is right here." the woman responds, a firm tone to her voice.

Brom runs a large hand across his shorn head, clearly not sure what to do from here. Shrugging to himself he leans back against the wall behind him, "Vell, you do not seem zhe custodian type, Lady. You seem more zhe... tell people vhat to do type. Yes?" he asks, trying to get at who this woman is.

"Me? A commander of men? A leader of thralls?" she giggles clearly at the notion, "What ever would give you that idea oh bulging one? In my own home, perhaps to an extent. However if you are alluding to the prospect that I have a secret army hidden in the shadows ready to strike at you with but a word from my lips," which she runs a tongue across in a suggestive manner, "then you have read me wrong. Forever alone I have been." which she lets out an audible sigh after speaking.

Brom, who had definitely not been thinking of a secret shadow army, eyes the suddenly-suspect shadows warily. He shakes his head, at a loss of an appropriate course of action, and looks helplessly at the others, hands upraised supplication for some direction. "Vell... I am now zhinking I have not read you at all, Lady Alsa."

Karse says nothing, merely regards Brom with a look that indicates that he has made his say.

Lady Alsa, might we look fully on your face so that we will know you if we were to meet in another setting?

The woman smiles at the ranger and says, "But of course beautiful one, I must apologize for being so rude before and not presenting myself before you properly."

Alsa brings her hands to the cowl of her robe and pulls it back to rest it upon the back of her neck. Before you is a stunningly beautiful human woman in her late 20's. Her skin is pale, silken, and unblemished. Her hair is fiery red and wavy, full and long, obviously flowing beyond her neck and hidden by the robe she wears. Her eyes are a brilliant green, the color of emeralds when exposed to sunlight.

"Is that better wild one?" she asks, her tone carrying a hint of a pout.

Was half expecting a Medusa… :)

Yes… the ranger manages. Its all he can do to not say Wow. With your leave we will depart from your home Lady Alsa. But may we call upon you again from time to time as we are in the area? he asks tentatively. We seem to have common goals. I think we would make strong allies.

Karse growls audibly at the notion that they could be allies.

While the woman-Alsa- gives her speech about necromancy, Hadin tries to read her face to see if she's telling the truth..or not.

Sense motive 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

But he's so not at ease with a woman holding his arm that he can't concentrate, sweating a little and blushing.

When she let his arm go to push her cowl back, the young man even forget to use this moment of inatention to rush to the corpse, and cant keep his eyes out of the gorgeous face.

Nevertheless, he seems troubled, and not only by the woman's good looks, saying in low tone while he massages his arm

"Forever alone" seems too much time wasted to me.

The lovely woman smiles at Dendarial, "Allies, what a strange gesture. I would say that stranger things have happened, but maybe they have not." and she giggles just a bit at some secret thought.
"As far as leaving, well that is something we must discuss. See, you now know my secret, where I make my home, despite my efforts to remain reclusive. You also know about the treasures that this place holds, and being adventurers may decide to come back one day. That is a problem that we must solve."

"I obviously know where the knight stands. He's just as soon drive that head-basher of his into my skull than to honor any agreement made with the lowly likes of myself, and has expressed a keen desire to level my home to the ground. So no matter what the terms, I could not count on him to honor them. Code first, and all that. I've dealt with that kind before, and have learned that honor has its limits." She ponders for a moment, her mind awash with possibilities. And then a smile creeps across her face, and she nods to herself.

"One of you will remain here with me. And they must do so of their own free will. They will be protected and cared for, my oath on it. In return they will act as a guarantee that I will not suffer from further visits meant to do myself or my property harm. If they attempt to break our covenant and escape, you will be hunted down to a man and killed, which in itself promises their good behavior. If you attempt to return and do me harm or harm my property, they will face the repercussions of those actions."

"Do we have an accord?"

Will's shock over the woman's beauty is quickly dashed when she demands someone stay with her as collateral. "I think I speak for everyone when I say absolutely not. We shall have to come to another arrangement."

Karse scowls at the woman. "You underestimate me, lady. If I were to give my word that I would remain here with you and that no harm would come to you, be assured that I would honor it. No, I do not like you, and would see you killed as soon as have dealings with you, but my word is my bond. If I were to promise that no harm would come you, then I would defend you even unto death."

Dendarial looks saddened at the lady's words and shakes his head, agreeing with Will. Your price is too high. We will all leave together, or all stay, as the fates my allow. With that he raises his bow again and takes aim. We will be leaving now, in peace unless you break that peace. If you have the ability to hunt us down then you do not need one of us to stay behind. Consider that this land is changing, regardless of what happens to us this day. You would do well to consider allies who will respect your property and border. Others that come, and there will be others, might not make such a offer.

Brom watches as the lady's beautiful face is revealed, feeling a flush creep up his face as he takes in her beauty. Her demands are like a bucket of ice water over his head as he can't believe what he's hearing. He looks at the faces of his companions, giving honest consideration to her request. The charter is all well and good, but to remain here with a beauty such as this for the foreseeable future... That certainly has an appeal to it as well. Then the picture of the bodies and the dried blood from below come to mind, and he shakes any thought of staying from his mind.

Maybe there's another solution he thinks to himself. Eying Alsa warily he asks, "What if you vere to come vizh us instead? Ve have a place vhere many are velcome, some of zhose vizh previous lives as bandits." He offers up the counter offer with an open, hopeful look on his face.

My friends...

Hadin starts, and suddenly stops. Taking a good breath, he starts again.

My friends, I believe we have not much choice in the matter.Yes, Sir Karse, i can nearly sense the lady's evilness within my skin too. When she hold me in her grisp, there was nothing I could do to free myself, she's much stronger than she looks. I guess she could kill us all right here, right now if she wanted to. So please Dendarial, lower your bow. You all see that she doesnt feel threatened by our group, whatever our weapons and armor are, while she seems weaponless and doesnt carry more than her dress. There is no need for all of us to die now, don't you think?

A pause
Erastil teach us to be vigilant against evil, to take care of other and to protect them. Sorry for the parable, Milady, but you don't get into a fight with a bear in his lair while a pack of wolves threaten your folk at home.There is nothing to gain, and too much to lose. I therefore consider it my duty to offer myself as your... guest, Lady Ayla, if you agree, so my comrades can go.

Looking directly at Sir Karse
There is more than one way to fight evil, Sir Karse, and there are more than one evil, unfortunatly. We all signed the charter to pacify this land, and the greatest threat so far is the Stag Lord and his bandits. I suspect Lady Ayla to be much more powerful than he is, of course, but at least she was keeping to herself in this tower, until we came in. We are responsable of what could happen if she wanted to exact vengeance, and so we must act wisely. If, in this bargain, she vows to remain neutral and to keep to herself in this tower, one man's liberty isn't a price too high to pay for the hopes of thousands.

Looking at his comrades as a whole
Remember people-innocent farmers, families in the making, honest workers- are waiting for you to bring peace and justice to these lands, because they have nearly no chance to defend themselves, and need you to fight when necessary. I am willing to stay here, and will of course pray for your successes. There is simply too much at stake.I am not the stuff of legends, just an humble servant of Erastil and this may be my "last stand". In this tower haunted by death, cold and tourment I will be a little spark of hope, guarding the outside from evil at the best of my possibilities, even if there is nothing I could do.

With an uneasy, sad smile, Hadin looks around him, and finally says
Besides, this tower nearly falls apart,and I'm the only decent carpenter in the area, it's not really as if there's much choice.

Will shakes his head, ”No Hadin, you can’t. What will we tell your Aunt and Uncle? I’m sure there can be another arrangement. We have two paladins, both of whom can give their word and their honor that we will not share your secrets. I would not want to ruin my friends honor, so that will seal my lips on the matter, and I believe it would do the same for Brom and Dendarial. Please, can there be no other way than to hold someone hostage?”

During Hadin's impassioned speech the barbarian feels tears coming to his eyes, though the situation still seems salvageable. There's a certain finality to the Paladin's words that brooks no argument. Still, Brom is nothing if not stubburn, and so protests along with Will, "Vill is right Hadin, zhink of your family. Ve are now your friends, and you cannot be so ready to give in to zhis lady's altima... ultomi.. zhis lady's command?" Brom looks at the man sadly, confused and saddened by the direction this exploration has taken them.

Hadin puts his hands on Brom and Will shoulders

I understand your concern, and I thank you for your friendship. I am thinking of my family. They will be safer if I stay here, I believe. My goal is to protect this land, and everyone i care for. Sometimes it can by done by sword, sometimes words and oaths are better. Remember every battle cant be won by mighty deeds.

Will starts to oppose again, but falters as he sees the determination in the young man's eyes, "Well, I suppose we can tell them you found a beautiful woman that you couldn't bare to be apart from..." Turning to the woman, Will asks, "Alsa, would we be able to visit Hadin? To tell him of his family and the progress of our quest? You say we cannot return to intend harm comes to you or your new home, but sharing news does not do that."

hmm. Posted this but now its gone. Here it is again.

Dendarial is stunned. He wants to loose his shaft, but knows that to do so now would disrespect Hadin's sacrifice, and might get everyone killed. Hells, this could just all be an act. She may be holding garbage and bluffing. He stands indecisive, but still holding his bow.

Brom dips his big shaven head at Hadin's comments, feeling a weight of sadness. He was about to ask the same question as Will, so awaits her response with an expression a mix of frustration and sadness.

"Hadin, I do not like this. Yes, lady, if you will allow us to go in peace, then I give you my word that we will not speak of you to others."

Hadin blushes at Will's suggestion, showing once again he's not a ladies man.

Tell my Auntie and my uncle that I'm alive, and that I hope to come back, even if I don't know when. Tell them ... that I keep them close to my heart, every moment of everyday,and that they don't need to be sad. They helped me to be the best person I could be, and by surrendering myself to Lady Asla, I only pay hommage to the good education they gave me.

nodding to Sir Karse
I know you don't like this, but i hope you will respect my choice.Speaking of my family, could i give you whatever money I have left, so you give it to my auntie? It will truly ease my mind...

"If this be your path, then it shall be done."

Brom sighs, "Vhat do you vant us to tell your family?" he asks quietly.

"Visits might be arranged, I somewhat fancy the idea. I'd simply love to hear how your exploits unfold. I'm a sucker for a good story." the woman says, a sincere tone in here voice. "But do write first, as this strapping young man and I may very well be off on an adventure of our own now and then." and she winks suggestively at Hadin, despite the somber look on his face.

"Worry yourselves not. He will be well taken care of. He will provide me with the company I have needed for so long, and in return he will want for nothing. In fact..."

The woman hitches up a section of her robe, exposing a well shaped leg with a dark pouch wrapped around the upper thigh. She removes the pouch slowly, teasingly pulling on the string until it releases. She then tosses the pouch to Sir Karse. "The lad mentioned family. See that they get that."

Karse scowls, but nods solemnly.

Dendarial, scowling, not liking this at all, fires an arrow at the ground at the feet of the woman, clearly not shooting at her, but demonstrating his skill.

Parting Shot: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Something to remember me by, my lady. Since you force these terms you forfeit the chance of friendship. I would have preferred a different outcome.

I can't believe this is the end of our time with Karse. He's been a good lad, a trifle innocent, but... and sighs internally.

Brom jumps as the arrow is released in the close confines, the arrow zipping past him and Karse, not really coming close to hitting them, but startling him nonetheless. "By zhe zpirits Den! Varn someone vhen you are doing zhat!"