Is that wise? There might be dozens of these slave masters! Unless, of course, you have no intention of doing as you say. Oh my, I do not like lying to these people but I do not see how we owe them anything either.
No, I am simply trying to move this along so that we can explore and not endanger these people by bringing them with us. I thought they would NOT want to visit their masters, and we may indeed have to deal with them on our exploration. Let's call it bending the truth to everyone's benefit, eh?
Filios smiles broadly.
I personally would rather help end a slavers reign than give opportunity to let it fester and breed. I've seen it too much in my own home land. Letting them stay here is by far safer, but if they fear being enslaved we should defend them for sure!
I vote we set an ambush for the slavers! he looks alive and invigorated by having a clear oppressor to confront
Dristen smiles and dances back and firth on his toes. I like the idea of on ambush. Ariston, can you ask them how often the slavers come?
The man's voice was firm as he responded, but the fear in the woman's eyes showed the feelings lurking inside them; they had no desire to see their masters again.
Ariston looks between each of them, frowning heavily, before nodding. "An ambush... very direct. I like it. He says they come by night. It seems we'll need to make ourselves ready soon, before they're upon us. Let's give them hell, yes?" He cracks a small grin before asking a bit more from Jall and Misha.
And please, do not be fearful. We will take the fight to them, and we will win. You will not have to fear being taken ever again. All we ask is for you to trust us."
The couple is visibly upset about this plan, but more worry than anger shows on their faces.
Eyeballing the thatch huts in the village more closely reveals no other denizens - at least none who want to be found. A radial spread of the other 5 homes doesn't reveal one to be more special than the rest, and there are no true distinguishing features of the addresses. Different crops grow by each hut, though some of the ones other than the couples' have overgrowth.
A fire pit adorns the focal point between the huts, but it doesn't seem to be used recently, and there is no wood nearby it. You may imagine the plethora of jungle trees provide an ample source.
Well, we should light this place up with a good fire and lure these two to their doom tonight. If we can manage to keep one alive for questioning, that would help.
"An ambush seems the best tactical strategy at this point. I am all for taking one alive for questioning though."
I'm not comfortable with this at all! Ambushing something we have no knowledge of? Oh my, I do hope you guys know what you are doing. Haggin looks very troubled by the idea of planning for combat with the unknown.
Fear not, if these are ignoble people, they will make themselves evident and our cause will be just against them! We'll have to face them or their likes sooner or later, and better to do it on our terms!
As the group leans toward the ambush strategy, the agitation/worry of the couple grows. Finally, the woman runs off towards the path you took into the meadow. Shooting you an angry look, the man stomps-off towards his running woman.
I suggest we occupy the hut that they were in and set a fire in the pit. If they are coming to collect, I imagine that they would come there first, especially if these are the only people remaining. Some of our ranged combatants may want to hide out on the roofs and attack from above. Ariston, do you want to ask where our new friends are heading?
Gansukh, you know something about fighting devils, right? Do you think my negative energy will hurt them? If it does, I can hide behind my shields and hit a lot of them in the middle of the fray.
"Yes, I'll go see where they're going."
Ariston pursues Misha and Jall, catching them at the edge of the clearing.
The woman is too far away to respond to Ariston's request, but the man turns around and takes a moment to reply.
The non-answer does little to tell the alchemist where the couple was headed - if they were even headed to the same place, at that - but it seemed they were headed towards the path the group took to get to the village originally; it wouldn't be a far cry to assume they may end up at the same place you began.
A look around the huts during the day while the couple is away reveals nothing indicating other people were still living here; indeed, even in the couple's hut, a pail of water and a few pieces of salted meat were the only perishables remaining. The other huts each contain a variety of "hut"hold items, including but not limited to a dagger, some bland garbs in the make of the couple's, wooden buckets and baskets, gardening tools, and a few stones of various sizes (though none too large).
of course it'll hurt them! We can do this, devils are confident bastards that are easy to trick in their over confidence!
"This sounds lie a good plan, as long as Gansukh says it will work. I am more than happy to get up on one of these huts. All things considered I should be able to hide well up there and I don't weigh enough to cause any issues with the roof holding me."
You expect me to get up on the roof of one of these huts? How long do we plan on waiting for whatever it is you expect to show up? Haggin doesn't seem to like the idea of staging an ambush but he will follow along with any plan that is currently being hatched since he doesn't have a better plan.
We have the day to plan. I was just making an early suggestion. By all means, what would you have us do, Haggin?
I'm thinking we can just wait inside the hut all together, anyone with stealth and raged weapons to wait on the other huts roof
I won't have you do anything. We owe these people nothing and far all we know they could be trying to take advantage of us somehow. If you folks really feel they are slaves to some demon or devil or whatever, then I suppose we could try and help.
Haggin pauses for a moment, as if to try and get his bearings on the situation. I guess this is one way we can learn more about this place. Its a good a plan as any. Where do you want me?
While the group deliberates, the day moves on, and mild wind streams blow through the clearing. While the occasional bird can be heard from the trees afar, nothing is heard nearby.
As evening takes hold, silence blankets the area. Eerily silence, twilight hangs in the air.
Ariston, did the lady say where the devil's come from? Dristen points to the opening inland. Probably from there?
Ariston walks back to the group shrugging helplessly. "She didn't say. I would assume that you are correct, though."
"I'm not sure where they're off to - hopefully we'll find them on our return. She did say that they came with armor and chains, but that they had no magic. Hopefully that will even the odds. It seems that they haven't taken anyone in at least a fortnight, judging by the state of the other crops. It makes me wonder if they've been here at all recently..."
"And no, we don't owe them anything, but if we do manage to take one of these masters alive, we can hopefully get more out of them then some poor farmers that we can barely communicate with."
I agree. Let's stay in the hut, with the exception of those who wish to get on top. A signal of when they are approaching would be great.
Dristen will nod along and position himself with his shield equipped, when the time to hide arrives that is.
Sal is dead set on sitting up on one of these huts, she will even take to sleeping up on one if this drags out too long. One must be ready for this after all.
Haggin will also camp out on one of the huts, preferably one close to where Saladraxis is stationed.
nods as folks take their position
I will stay in their hut nearest the door, if one of you spot the intruders before they break in make a sound like a dying giraffe!
The day passes without incident.
Shortly after sunset though, the moon's pale light casts an eerie level of illumination on two tall, dark red creatures. Bipedal, they approach from the treeline, massive maces wielded in their hands. Though they don't look on the hunt for anyone, per se, it is clear they would be able to hold their own; thick sets of chainmail cover their lengthy-but-not-overly-girthy bodies. No boots are worn by them, however, instead having their clawed feed pad the ground bare.
Though the party's positioning in/on the huts keeps them concealed for now, the 7'-ish height of these warriors would let them see anyone so much as sitting (as opposed to laying) atop the huts.
The creatures' approach is audible by the clinking chains from afar as they take an almost leisurely pace in reaching the village.
Sal holds her position and waits for them to get closer.
Dristen will shift into his shield as quietly as possible and wait, tense for the action to start.
Haggin gets as low as he can, hoping to not be seen by these foreign creatures.
will quietly hum a field working tune in the hut he's in, hoping that it'll lure the captors to the building he's in and keep their focus there
As the two wander closer, they hear the humming and give each other a glance. Hoisting their large clubs, they approach the settlement with a guarded stance.
Filios skirts around the edge of his tent, away from the enemies with blades drawn; the elf seemed to be finding the opportune moment to strike.
"Shonsak. Shonsak!" One of them says the name? phrase? twice. With no response, he gives a snort. The two touch their maces together at the heads, and the weapons begin to glow faintly, as embers sear away in the night.
He smiles as he pretends to cry and grips his tetsubo tightly
Filios waits until they are near to the hut for support, then leaps to the offensive as he brings his Curveblade down on one of the unsuspecting brutes.
Rushes out and shouts at them Come and get me slaver scum, you'll not find easy prey here tonight!
If surprise round
And this adventure is actively trying to kill me.
Gansukhs taunt does seem to provide the red-skinned enemies. Their eyes fixate on him, and they don't pay much mind to Saladraxis's projectile which sails by them.
Haggin sees the party go into action and decides that he needs to try something to help.
There's only two, so maybe we can take them without me hurting the others. Dristen, hiding behind the shield in his left hand, appears in the doorway of the hut and forces a blast of wind at the supposed demon in front.
Ariston stands off to the side, hands moving fast but face remaining resolutely casual. He mutters a bit to himself as he works. "Might as well soften them up, don't you think?" This doesn't seem directed at anyone in particular.
After a moment, he looks up sharply and flicks something towards the "masters".
The party's onslaught is stunning. With spell, blade, and projectile, the first outsider falls to the ground - only to be encased in ensorcelled roots. Ensnaring magic not at all anticipated by the creatures, the one yet conscious easily falls prey to Haggin's tactic. In fact, Saladraxis shot was the only thing that didn't go as planned.
Struggling against the overgrowth, the second enemy tries to escape and bursts free in a show of vicious strength.
.
He takes a step back, still facing the group, but obviously contemplating what just occurred.
Not know what else he can do, Haggin arms his sling and flicks a bullet at the creature.
steps up and swings
(so sad, that probably doesn't confirm)