Corum shrugs. "We'll talk. But like I said before. If it goes wrong then blood is gonna spill."
The party follows the directions provided by the old man. eventually making their way to the largest wooden shack in the village.
The windows of this large, ugly, unpainted building are boarded shut. Its construction is rough and haphazard, as if it were once a smaller shack that had many additions tacked on later. The word "guard house," along with a crude symbol of a shield crossed by a hook, is painted on the building's only door.
"It can't just come down to life or death. If we want to make some real change we have to stand above it, not fall to their level." He brushes him off, knowing they have already had this conversation multiple times and it will take a lot more than this to change the barbaric man.
He moves alone, double checking his stock making sure he has his vials ready, he moves next to Elleros and Saphire. "I've devised a way of stunning the people we fight, it's a potent cloud of poison." He hands over a small green vial of liquid with flakes of what look like egg shells. "It will nauseate those of lesser fortitude, I attempted to test it in that last fight but i'll have to observe its full potential next time."
Elleross rolls his eyes slightly as Corum flippantly answers their concerns over his violent tendencies.
he is a product of his upbringing I guess and tempered by his slave masters. He cannot react to confrontation in any other way, I cannot argue that he offered them a fair fight but even armed they were not a threat to him. He deals with all adversaries equally though, he destroys them as quickly as possible. We will have to explore the depths of his rage , it is a part of him that he cannot separate himself from it seems he thinks to himself and rubbing at his sore leg he looks up at the warrior.
I must concede you are correct Corum, we are heading into a confrontation with this Marcian fellow, but try and let us get Ringierr out peacefully, we need to keep a low profile in the city. Greyston is quite correct about that. If we make too much trouble we will make our task here much more difficult he says.
As try make their way toward the camp he takes the vial that Greyston has offered him and holding it up to the weak sun he watches the pale flakes swirl around inside the alchemical concoction.
your skills improve young Greyston, these could prove very useful. If you can incapacitate our enemies even for a short time it will give our warriors a great advantage.
he says impressed, he has grown to like the young alchemist. He sees great potential in the youngster and his drive to improve his skills is admirable.
I am on the verge of my own breakthrough he thinks to himself I believe I have a solution to Corums curse, but now is not the time to test my theories. But soon, I will see if I have the power to break NAzheenas curse
"When words suited we let Del mince them. When blades were bared. we returned in kind. Should we protect ourselves from steel with silks and wine?" Nasrin chuffs at the denseness of her pack.
At the approach to the house, she points to the door. "No steel here. Words should suffice."
Sapphire nods at Greyston as the group assess the ramshackle guard post.
That's a good design for those times when we don't want to kill, or many opponents need inconveniencing at once, glad you are on our side Greyston!
I agree Nasrin, let's open with Del and then if they prove... impervious to his charms?!... we'll deploy our Corum she grins at the wolf shaman.
Either way is fine with me, these thugs will get what they give...
The magus flexes her shoulders to loosen them, just in case.
He nods at Elleross pleased with the words of praise."Thank you Elleross, Sapphire. Spending time with you both seeing the magic you wield while also through necessity i have taken my art far beyond what I thought I could achieve." Greyston smiles at Sapphire. "I'm glad you're with us to Sapphire." It's nice to feel appreciation it's nice to have some words of encouragement, It's nice to finally have someone to look up to.
"If it breaks into a fight we can't stop that but you're both right, let's at least see what Del can do. So far he's proven himself very resourceful." He looks to the half-orc. "Think you've got another in you?"
"Shall we surround the house, perhaps? If Mancian is like other, ah, businessmen I've... had the displeasure of dealing with before, he'll be quick to run and save his own skin if things start to look unfavorable for him." Del bounces his eyebrows before adding, "And if he actually has ogres here like that wrinkled old fisherman claimed, then this will probably go from 'Hi, how are ya?' to Corum's preferred means of bloodletting in short order. Should that happen though, let's do all that we can to keep Mancian alive. He'll be a ripe source of information and information is what we'll need lots of if we're to make our way through the White Witches seat of power and not come out dead on the other side."
Sapphire's forehead wrinkles as she considers Del's suggestion
We don't know the territory as well as they do, splitting up could just mean dividing our forces rather than catching them in a pincer move. If I was a wise crime boss, I'd have lookouts back and front.
she rolls her eyes at the sky in sudden realisation
...which just goes to show that studying is no replacement for street-savvy, they probably already know there is a well-armed group of strangers clustered in front of their hideout. He's either already run or he's preparing for us
she taps one finger on her lips contemplatively
..so I've been waiting to show you anyway... I promise that if he runs I can hunt him down... I seem to have developed the ability to fly...
she looks almost apologetic at this revelation.
The stocky warrior shifts his weight impatiently. He grips his axe and looks around them to make sure no enemies approach. The others continue to debate and he fights the urge to go and smash down the door. When Sapphire reveals her new ability his eyes narrow in distaste but he nods and says. "You're full of surprises. Keep that for when we most need it. Might surprise our enemies."
To the others he says. "Are we doing this or standing here all night talking. Del, see if you can talk us in I'll stay close just in case."
Del shrugs and starts to to approach the only entrance, but stalls for a moment, turning back around and looking hard at both Corum and Nasrin, though his gaze holds longer on the former. "Just remember. We're taking Mancian alive. Yes? As in, not-dead. Breathing. Head still attached to his body. Et cetera. Please?" Del sighs, then adds, "Well if we're all going in through the front, I'm going to knock on the door, spin some grand lie, and when the door opens, we're going to rush in, save Ringierr provided he's here, and take Mancian alive. Sound good? Excellent." Whatever worry or concern clouded his face a moment before vanishes as he flashes a broad grin and a playful bounce of his eyebrows. "Awww, don't worry, guys. This'll be fun!"
Hoping his point is made and that the pair of wildfolk understand the importance of what he's saying, Del then approaches the door. When everyone nods at their readiness, he knocks quickly and whispers harshly through the barrier, "Hurry up and open the door! I saw what happened down at the docks! Quickly, quickly! Let me in! I've gotta talk to Mancian about this! He'll want to know!"
Corum stares hard at the half orc for a moment after his lecture then he breaks I to a wicked grim and winks as he jests. "I'm sure he won't miss a limb or two though. Lead on."
After a few moments you hear great stomping thuds from inside the wooden shack in response to Del's urgent pounding.
The door opens wide but is filled by a massive ape-like creature. This creature’s tree-limb thick arms and stumpy legs conspire to drag its dirty knuckles across the dusty floor inside. The stooped giant blinks its dim eyes and an excess of soupy drool spills over its bulbous lips as it considers the small man on the doorstep. Its misshapen features resemble a human’s face rendered in watercolor, then distorted by a careless splash. A massive hook on the end of a four foot length of wood is held in one meaty hand as it grunts;
You wot?
"Whoa." Del briefly stalls in the face of such disfurgement and brutish size, but he recovers after just a breath, "Ah! You've got to let us in to see Mancian right away! We saw what happened at the docks and he'll be real angry if he doesn't here this, my friend!"
Wot-chu on abahhht? the ogre says in it's slow, dimwitted way. What 'appened dahn the docks? You let me know an' ah'll let the boss know.
Del shoots the smallish hill giant a "you sure about that" look before demurring, "Uhhh, ok, but I think the boss'll get real mad if you don't get all the details right, my friend. Do we want to make the boss mad? I thought making the boss mad like that was bad. But hey, if you want to upset the boss, who am I to stop you? Not like I could if I wanted to, right? Heh heh." The half orc gives the brute's massive shoulders and arms a look before continuing, "So. At the docks, Yu went after Hee and Shee, but he didn't catch Shee before Shee stabbed Hee in the back, which is when Yu turned on Hee before Shee could betray Yu too. That's when Mee and Hu both showed up and things started to get messy!"
So Yu stabbed Hee and Shee stabbed Yu and Shee stabbed Yu. the ogre looks confused. Who's Yu, Hee and Shee? he asks.
He then turns his head and shouts;
Uh hey boss there's some people here about ummmm.... Something. You want me to let them in?
There's some shouting from inside and the ogre turns back saying;
He says he's busy. Got an important guest I fink. he looks somewhat apologetic. Ummmm.... Sorry. Do you want to come in and wait? he adds helpfully, opening the door a fraction further.
"You? I don't know you yet, my friend. You haven't introduced yourself. But yes, we'll happily wait inside. Don't want to interrupt the boss but we don't want him mad either, am I right? Ha ha! " Del offers a laugh and a smile as he nods the others through the door while he himself steps in, opening it further for the others to hurry in behind.
Sapphire stifles a grin, quickly reminding herself that this was a life and death situation despite the levity of the party's half-orc scoundrel.
She hurries through the door whilst the large creature is distracted, blinking her eyes to try and accommodate them to the dark as swiftly as possible.
@ Sapphire
The old elf raises an eyebrow quizzically as Sapphire reveals her new abilities.
that is useful sapphire, very useful Have you managed to add this spell to your book? If so I would very much like to take a look at the arcane formulae you are using he says genuinely interested and eager to expand his own spell book . We should be careful not to draw too much attention to ourselves though and you flying through the fish camps is likely to cause quite a spectacle. Only use it if you have to, we don't want to show the witches we have that sort of power, not until we want to use it against them he says offering his opinion
As they reach the shack that forms manic and base he hangs back and watches with a wry amusement as Del ties the ogre in knots.
poor creature, I almost feel sorry for it. Dels quicksilver tongue has quite overwhelmed it's simple mind. It is all brawn and no brains got sure, but we need to be very wary of this one. It could decapitate an ox with that hook. If this goes badly I must deal with that brute.....if I can he muses to himself and as the ogre ushers them in he moves in with the others, keeping his eyes on the large guard.
"So tell me, ahhhh- what's your name again, my friend? I mean, I know we don't want to make Mancian mad or upset, but can I ask how he treats you? Because he's pretty rough on me. You ever wonder what it'd be like to have a different boss ever?"
Gog. the giant says simply as he shows you inside.
The shack is a simple wooden construction, absolutely bare of any furniture. You enter a small, dingy room that is barely illuminated by light coming in through cracks in the boarded windows. The room adjoins another and, oddly, the intervening wall appears to have been removed or broken down at some point to create one larger space.
Best keep quiet and out of his way. Like I said he's busy and he hates being inter-
a voice shouts from the other area.
....see.... Gog says, downhearted.
The man in the other room is a handsome young man. He is tall and almost willowy thin but his young face is currently dark and frowning in anger as he glowers at the much bigger giant in the other room. A second ogre, even uglier than Gog, lumbers into view to see what all the shouting is about.
Tied to a chair is an older man with long hair and a bristling grey beard. He is slumped over and looks barely conscious.
Gog pouts a big lip and mumbles;
News from the docks boss.
The willowy man eyes you suspiciously, his hand resting casually on the hilt of his rapier.
Well? he says expectantly of you.
Nasrin waits, a cauldron of seething energy ready to burst. But, she does her best to stifle it by stroking Jagar's hackles.
Corum smiles briefly when Del manages to talk them into the house. well. He did it again. Good on him. Watch this brute though. As he passes the ogre he makes eye contact and nods.
They pass into a larger space and Corum's instincts begin to scream at him that this is about to erupt into violence when the man, who is obviously in charge, begins to talk. He becomes more wary when the second ogre appears. Larger and probably more deadly than the first.
stay cool. Let Del play this and see what happens. But make sure you can't get surrounded.
Corum walks into the room and takes a position to one side of the first ogre. Leaning against the wall about 10'away from it.
Sapphire's cheeks flush slightly at Elleross' words
It's um... it's not a spell, I just seem to be able to do it... sorry...
she quickly continues
You're right though, need to keep quiet about it, only use it if necessary...
Sapphire's eyes track where everyone in, and she casually walks across the way to stand by Del, close enough to step in between him and the ogres at a moment's notice.
"Ah, Mancian! Del Drinnar, at your service. Gog is quite right, there was some trouble down at the docks not half an hour past, but that's actually immaterial to my coming here." Del looks up at Gog then and nods gratefully, "Thank you for your help, by the way. I like you."
Turning back to Mancian, Del continues, his tone cool and confident, "Manny, can I call you Manny? I'm here to make you an offer, my friend, and I sincerely hope it's one you'll accept. You see, things in Whitethrone and the Fishcamps are about to go through some tumultuous changes and you, dear Manny, have the chance to be standing on top when they do. Are you willing to hear me out?"
Corum watches Del at work with a growing respect for his way with words. Thought he was just gonna try to bribe him. Where is he going with this? Keep watching that big bugger though! He warns himself and casually looks over at the nearest ogre, looking for any sign of aggression.
Weasel. Why do you have to dance with this chicken before striking!? Nasrin holds her tongue, letting Del wag his.
He *is* good, didn't see that coming, play to the man's greed. Has to be worth a go!
shaking her head slightly to rid it of distracting thoughts, she catalogs the spells the has available, the angles of attack she might use to cope with the unusual indoor setting, whether concentrating on limbs or torso would work best attacking the ogres.
Greyston keeps quiet, happy to watch as Del talks his way past the door and in.
As everyone shuffles in he spots who they're looking for in the back, he quickly looks to Nasrin and Corum hoping they don't burst into violence. Del's gotten us this far, just give me a chance.
Mancien regards you with a cocked eyebrow and a curled lip. He clearly doesn't seem impressed with you all and his fingers drum impatiently on the hilt of his rapier.
He looks over his shoulder at the barely conscious Ulfen man in the chair and says;
I have... some time. Certainly before I can teach him any more manners.
He sucks on his teeth and levels a steely glare at the half-orc though.
But it seems to me I already am at the top of the pile here in the Fishcamps. Don't you agree Ringeirr? he moves to the Ulfen man and grabs a clump of hair, yanking back his bloodied face and rocking it violently forward and back whilst putting on a mocking voice;
Yes, Mancien. Yes you are!
He shoves the man's face and turns back to the party. You notice Gog chuckling away behind you like a simpleton.
See? He agrees. And he's been swanning about this place like a bloody pirate since I was a kid. So what do you know, that me and old Ringeirr here don't then?
"Oh, nothing at all, to be sure. Not about the Fishcamps at least. I'm talking about the city, but if you can't imagine yourself in Whitethrone proper and are content in this hovel, then it seems my time here was wasted. I was hoping to find someone with a bit more drive and imagination. Alas." Del looks around, a frown on his face. Pointing at the door he adds, "Is this really the only door? Hmpf. And I use the term 'door' in the loosest way possible. It's a shame, really. Things could be so much nicer in the city."
I can see what Del's trying to do now, but it's greed versus pride, I wouldn't bet on the outcome of Mancian's decision
Sapphire bites her lip and summons to mind her concealing magics, ready to cast at a moment's notice.
Mancien bursts out laughing;
You’re an idiot. Or ignorant. Which is worse I suppose. What you think you offer is not for the taking. You must have absolutely no idea what is going on in that city or else you wouldn’t come in here with such ludicrous claims. Do you have even the slightest inkling about what you’re saying?
He begins counting names off on his fingers;
Logrivich, Nazhena, the Jadwiga, Piotr, Rastovach, the Trolls, the army of Frost Giants, the Winter Guard, Khala, Gaj,... do any of these names mean anything to you? Because if they did you wouldn’t be in here wasting my time with this foolishness - ou sound like this old coot. Now, you better start making some sense pretty soon green-man, or you’re going to regret setting foot in the Fishcamps at all.
His mood darkens considerably.
Del sighs and shakes his head chastisingly, "Manny, you really don't have any vision do you? Nazhena will be dead before the week is out. Her lackeys will either be beside her in the Boneyard or will flee Whitethrone entirely. The Winter Guard will be left aimless and the rest of her forces scattered and in disarray. That kind of chaos is the perfect opportunity to fill the power vacuum in Whitethrone. If you're not interested though, you're not interested." Del voice shifts from disappointed to irritated, a sharp, steely edge creeping into his words. "And make no mistake, it's you who risk wasting my time." Del visibly takes a breath at this, pausing, then has his charming smile on display as if he were talking to an old friend. "Look, let's sit down and go over the details, hmm? You'll see, we're poised to put it all into motion and you can get in on the ground floor. This isn't an opportunity you'll get again, Manny."
Really? And what reward do you think I'd receive if I hand over you and your little band of partisans? I'm a kind of bird in the hand man, you understand.
Corum thinks to himself You're about to become a blade in the guts man!
Then he clamps down on his rising anger and decides to wait a moment longer before impaling the Scum.
"Likely none. But if you're that confident that you and your two friends here can do the job, you're welcome to try." Del shrugs, unflapped by Mancien's threat. "You should know we routed Nazhena's prized tower and left her apprentice's corpse staked to the floor though. I'm a kind of see my enemies slaughtered man myself." He pauses once more then levels a serious gaze at Mancien. "So do you want to be my enemy or not, Manny?"
You've tested my patience long enough. Let's see how smooth your words are when my brutes pull your tongue from your head! Gog, Magog - kill them all. Leave the the silver-tongued one alive. For now.
The ogre names Gog looks a bit crestfallen at the order.
I said NOW, Gog! Mancien roars and the ogre is surprised into action.
The ogre pulls out the massive hooked weapon and sweeps it down onto Greyston. The weapon catches in the alchemist's shoulder and takes a great gobbit of flesh with it as the beast rips it out.
Similarly the other ogre strides forward, pulling it's own hook free as it does so but it's own attack on Sapphire is more clumsy and simply smashes into the floorboards instead of the magus.
Greyston
Hit
Sapphire
Miss
Mancien darts forward like a viper, his rapier in his hand before you can even blink. He dashes toward the party and with a deadly thrust runs Elleros through!
Hit
and
Del is unsurprised when Mancian surges forward and shrugs at the turn of events. "Enemy it is then. Right." Deftly sashay through the press of bodies and slipping free with a spin, Del positions himself near to Mancien, Jairess' dagger sliding easily into his hand as he moves. Instead of striking though, he looks up at Gog and earnestly entreats, "Gog. Gog? We could be friends, Gog. Help us, help me instead of Manny and I'll do right by you, friend. Come on, Gog, trust me here. You want to be on the winning side, Gog!"
HP: 25/25
AC: 18 (14 T / 14 FF)
CMD: 18
F/R/W: +5/+8/+4
Grit remaining: 2/2
Hero Points remaining: 2
Regular bolts remaining: 65/80
Cold Iron bolts: 40/40
Ongoing Effects
Vigilant Loading
Gunslinger Initiative
Greyston reels back from the massive blow he wasn't expecting from the large ogre. He feels the blood start to soak into his shirt its
Stepping back he quickly downs a vial of green liquid.
He then mixes up a vial shaking it and lobbing it at Mancien. "You started this!" He shouts over clenched teeth, as he lets loose his
It is without surprise the encounter descends into violence, they gambled and lost.
Dells lies could only go so far, the truth stretched so thin that it was bound to snap, this thought is the last he has before the white hot pain Sears through him.
Grunting in agony he clamps his hand over the wound as the man pulls his blade free, but it is no where near enough to stem the flood of warm blood that suddenly drenches him.
The pain and sudden blood loss is almost enough to send his ageing body into shock and a darkness hovers around his vision as he doubled over in pain.
Coughing violently his own blood fills his mouth and plumes outward in a crimson spray.
Clenching his teeth he forces his mind away from the pain .....
A part of his conciousness retreats within himself and the pain recedes as he separates that part of himself, the rest of his mind focuses on self preservation and his mind now clear of distractions is able to draw upon his arcane power to protect himself.
...Imago , speculo, reflexionum
Drawing upon every ounce of his abilities he boosts the powerof his spell, doubling its effectiveness and in an instant his images multiply and shift around him.
Hp 5/27 [ouch!]
Sapphire follows the events unfolding around her, and an almost serene calm descends on the magus as action explodes around her.
The spell in her mind seems to simply burst in to existence, infusing her form with a shimmering and otherwordly quality. She spins away from the ogre in front of her, drawing her sword at the same time and watching almost distantly as it immediately bursts in to flames. She finishes her movement dancing around the others to catch Mancien in between her and Del, thrusting her blade straight at his heart.
plus
Jagar immediately lunges at the stinking man that just hurt Old Wolf. The wolf's teeth snap on nothing but air as the nimble bastard pulls back his exposed arm!
for and
Nasrin begins to howl, calling out to her totem for help. However, she warbles and scratches (even Jagar cocks his ear!) and can't seem to get the sound right.
Failing to bring allies she simply draws her scimitar in anticipation of blood to be shed.
Corum gives in. This talking is getting nowhere and then Mancien decides to attack. The ancient fury in his soul screams for release and Corum obliges. His power swells as he pulls his bardic he free and, swinging from the hips, he smashes it into the ogre nearest him.
Pa using furious focus
Damage