"I don't have any ironwood or darkwood, we need steel or iron. That will take time to make a cage maybe a week or two. From what you said you need a cage that can go onto or into a wagon. Though I would suggest just tie them up with chains and throw them in the back of a wagon. That can be done quickly enough." The smith relays with a furrowed brow.
Quince looks at Kevros, "I think that will have to do." Quince looks back at the smith. "The cuffs at the end of the chain. Add some silver with a sharp edge so that if they twist or pull too much they have to deal with the irritation." Quince takes the time to explain adding a jagged silver ring, more like spikes or teeth than blades to the cuffs. "Don't want it to bite them unless they move too much or pull on the chains. . . .yes from silver."
Kev nods at both the smithy and Quince, "Smithy is there a way to make the chains both strong but change size because our prisoners can change shape into something larger?"
"I am not sure, I have heard stories of infusing chains with magic which should make them stronger. Also most magical items do change to fit their weilder, though a magic item crafter would know a lot more about that than I. I will start getting to work on the silver spiked cuffs, spikes on the inside." The smith relays before heading off to make the cuffs.
Before the smithy leaves, "Isn't there a clever engineering way to allow growth between smaller or weaker to larger or stronger chains? Magic will take too long or may not be possible at this time."
"Not that I know of," the smith relays.
Quince thanks the smith, and looks at Kev as they move on, "You go to war with the army you have. Not always the one you want."
There are many chains ready to be used, though only three sets of bladed manacles are ready in 6 hours. The wagon is easy enough to procure.
Kev was going to give Quince a hard time but decided against and just simply nods.
Quince notes Kev's hesitation. "Its an issue of time." He shrugs, "Do we have another option?"
Kev shakes his head, "No, I believe its both time and the enormous cost to counter time. Besides, we should be able to handle the werewolves and if we get cursed, we can jump in the pool ourselves which I hope is still an alternative to healing magic."
Quince nods, "Hopefully they will not test the limits of our mercy."
"Just remember I am the one that looks like a fox."
"Yes, we can knock them down a peg should they get roudy! True Kevros, very true. Fox?" She jests and confirms with Kevros. Then questions Quince by his statement.
"Yes, we can knock them down a peg should they get roudy! True Kevros, very true. Fox?" She jests and confirms with Kevros. Then questions Quince by his statement.
Quince looks at Larina and then looks to see who else is around but speaks quietly. "I thought that you might have seen me as a Fox in battle. The prisoners are cursed wolves who can't control themselves. I at times take on features of a fox. I can control it . . . mostly." He looks back point to the prisoners, "Cursed wolves," he points to himself, "Friendly Fox."
”Ah yes, got it. They are afflicted as I was when you found me.” she relays a bit unsure, looking to Tristan for confirmation and eases up with his nod.
With the prisoners locked up in the wagon under the weight of the chains, you head out. Larina out in front upon Ash. Likely the rest of you riding your mounts around the wagon. Krazok takes up the rear with Selena who walks with ease keeping up with the mounts.
After 7 hours of travel the sun begins to set... do you keep traveling or stop and rest?
Kev looks at the sky, "I suggest we stop the convoy for the night, detach the wagon from the horses, and keep watch of our transforming friends for the night? If they change, their growling and smell may scare the wagon team horses? In addition, we can watch them more carefully and control them better while standing still. Lastly, we can check their bindings which may have loosen up during the convoy."
She nods in agreement with Kevros. Once the prisoners are tied to a tree, the wagon set aside, and the horses put even farther from the prisoners she asks rather confidently, "I know hurting them likely will start them to change, but shouldn't we try to just knock them out for our safety?"
"I would agree but more for their safety. We can knock them out now and they will awake with a headache or they change and then we have to do worse then knocking them out."
"Is there a way we can knock them out with other means besides an aggressive way unless we can knock them out in one hit? I am a little bit concern if we don't they may turn."
"They are going to turn one way or another. Do you want to wait until we are not prepared for it, on their terms rather than our own?" She asks concerned.
"Anyone got a spell that can knock them out? But to my knowledge it would be easier to hit them on the head with the blunt side of my axe, unless you got something better to hit them with like a sap and a rogue who knows how to use it to crazy effectiveness." He states then looks over at Selena.
"I have a whip! Will that help?!" He exclaims as he rummages through his pack.
"Yes I know how to use a sap... not as good as old tusk orc guy. Though he did a great job at it." She looks up remembering the fellow she speaks of and then looks at each of you thinking about something. With a scrunched up face in thought she then says, "Perhaps..."
After a few minutes she shakes her head a bit and focuses on those around her again, "Nope, pure defensive and offensive powers for battle. Nothing versatile."
Kev looks at Larina, "Of course I want to knock them out but if they turn when we do, that may also wake them up and then we will definitely be unprepared since we expected them to be knocked out longer. Unfortunately, I believe the ones that could knock out the trio with magic are not with us?" Kev then looks at Quince (and Katrina if she is there which she usually is), "I currently don't have anything in my list. However, if there is no magical or herbal way we can think of to knock out a human or a large dog, let's just sap them and keep sapping them and not wait until they turn? And be prepared if the sapping does not work."
The men are awake and Neold keeps as far from them as possible. Some of the clouds begin to move and the full moon rears its ugly head. The two men begin to scream! The transformation has begun...
Round 1
The two tribesmen begin to transform, their wrists bleed with the blades cutting into their flesh. Neold screams himself, "Get me out, get me out!"
ROUND 1
Kev looks at Selena, "Selena please try knocking them out now. I am not sure if you can due to the transformation process on the body. If it is safe, you can try again once they change which we may have to because of the blades."
Just in case things go bad, Kev nocks an arrow which glows red and points it in the direction of the Trio but does not aim at any of his allies who step in the way.
Kev thinks to himself, "I wish we had more time to do this more safely and less painfully for the Trio."
Quince walks forward, " I can try something to knock them out for a short while." He motions to his allies to look away. He then begins a prayer. A vibrant display of fey like rainbow rays of light burst forth from his hands.
Tristan would have studied one of the men knowing all along they may have to knock them out. When the changes start he moves in drawing his greatsword after Quince blast them.
Non Lethal
Neold drops to the ground out cold, as the other two stop mid transformation and just stay where they are standing.A few minor transformations continue to get them to a hybrid form but it doesnt allow them to defend or attack.
”I don’t need the whip, nonlethal coming up!” As she begins to bash the nearest werewolf with her hands in a display that of a monk.
Quince readies his morningstar and strikes.
Tristan will step and attempt to knock out another after studying him.
Non Lethal
Kev nods at Selena and is impressed that the sapping is working after all, "I didn't think the knocks in the noggin were going to work but still be cautious. They may be faking."
Round 1-4
She keeps close eyes on the two all night unless someone lets her meditate for four hours. Every 10 rounds or so she smashes a fist into their noggin to make sure they are out cold for the night.
Even before Krazok gets ready with his axe the two transformed figures are out cold on the ground once they can move again.
With Selena's crude direction the two hybrids don't have a chance to wake up, the four hours she is meditating Krazok takes over or lets the others have a chance at them.
The next morning with the horses fresh and the sun coming out with a light mist about, you make good time. The two tribesmen have reverted to their human forms and look very black and blue.
Another 8 hours of riding finds you eating dinner and resting.
Another 8 hours of riding finds you eating dinner and resting.
"I can use that spray of color a few times and we can whack them again if needed."
Kev looks at the tribesman, "Sorry that you have to go through this. Once you are cured, you will be released and treated as citizens. I believe we need to create a holding cell or facility and an armored wagon so next time someone is cursed or has a contagious ailment, we can transport them safely without anyone getting injured, sick, or cursed. Hang in there men, the healing waters that we are going to will heal you of your curse and your injuries for it has already cured one Werewolf and those inflicted of the Vine curse."
The troupe gets to the Elk temple and dip the tribesmen in the pool of healing waters. They are angry about the whole ordeal. Neold on the other hand is thankful, ”Thank you for saving my fellow brothers. I hold honor to our old ways, unlike my brothers. I am endebted to you for saving their lives.”
Tristan offers a nod to the man when given thanks. He then looks to the others.
"Well done wardens. We need to have word spread around that these men have been healed and cured. Are we ready to return?"
Quince hears the complaints of the men. He moves over to where they are sitting and leans down. He is calm and even but an aire of dread authority gently shadows his words. "My people risked lives to give mercy. There are families who would call for the blood prices on your heads. I have asked them to slake their thirst for justice to bring you an end to your affliction. Take care how you speak. " He stands and moves off.
Kev shakes Neold hand with a grateful smile, "At least one person is grateful that we decided to show you three mercy by bringing you here. A place of worship for some of us and share our pool of healing with you." He releases Neold's hand and gives the other tribesman a dangerous stare, "Perhaps we should have treated you other two like we did the werebear that used to live here? At least we knew what to do this time to show mercy. And since we showed you mercy compared to the werebear that used to live her and gave you a second chance at life, maybe you two should be more grateful for like I said, this is a place of worship for some of us. Then Kev relaxes, "Like we promised, once you were cured of the affliction, you three would be released as citizens. Before you go back to your tribe? Do you know where you picked up this affliction?" Kev looks to Tristan and Quince, "One of these days, we have to build an armored prison wagon that can safely transport dangerous prisoners without having to beat the crap out of them so the majority of them will be grateful instead of ungrateful."
Kev looks to Tristan, "I am ready to return after a short prayer." Then looks to Neold, "If you need help Neold, don't hesitate to contact us and I hope the next time our paths cross, it is about a friend sharing a fire with us."
Kev walks off to the alter for a short prayer and looks back at Quince as he starts off.
Quince nods at Kevros' words, "Not a bad idea." He also moves toward the temple and prays.
Quince hears the complaints of the men. He moves over to where they are sitting and leans down. He is calm and even but an aire of dread authority gently shadows his words. "My people risked lives to give mercy. There are families who would call for the blood prices on your heads. I have asked them to slake their thirst for justice to bring you an end to your affliction. Take care how you speak. " He stands and moves off.
After that any complaints are said quietly, away from the group, thus no more are heard.
Neold shakes his head as the other two do the same. One of them speaks up, ”We did fend off some wolves about a week ago, now that I think of it.” A bit sheepishly he adds, ”Thank you for granting mercy on us, sorry for our words before.” The other one nods but still unwilling to say anything.
Neold goes with Quince and Kevros sitting with them as they pray. Once the prayers are over he offers, ”I can bring the cart and chains back to the capital with my brothers. You don’t need to wait for us.”
Krazok joins the prayer listening to the others.
Once done he points out, ”If there is not anything else we will do some exploring and be looking for a troll and a mount for Selena.”
Quince lets out a sigh, "This is my map. About where do you think you ran into these wolves."
"That is a good plan Krazok."
Quince looks at Kev and Tristan, "Wolf hunt?"
"If that is what the king wishes whom am I to say no. A hunt then." He smiles.
Kev smiles and nods at Tristan's comment, "I second that, let's go dog hunting and hopefully find Selena a mount along the way." Kev makes his way to Hala (his Horse) and mounts up. "Unfortunately, we will not have my love's fine cooking for this trip." Kev looks to Neold and his fellow tribesman with general concern, "You all be careful heading back. Safe and happy travels to you. And thank you for returning the wagon and gear."
The tribesmen take a look at the map and do their best to tell where they were fending off the wolves... which reveals that they were South of the capital,