|| Loot List || Male half-orc Bloodrager 1 / Inquisitor 6 / Fighter 1 <> AC: 20 // HP: 64/64
"Brodin, can you ask them what lies beyond, and behind that door?" - Garrosh addresses his companion, moving closer to inspect the chasm.
Trying to gauge how deep it may be. Don't think you can take 10 nor 20 crossing something like this, right? I'm assuming we need to roll 'something to walk across :D
Before he moves, I gotta know: how are the prisoners secured? Are they tied to Garrosh? Or does he have them on a rope? Are they tied together? Or apart? How is he controlling them.
Garrosh Saurfang wrote:
Don't think you can take 10 nor 20 crossing something like this, right? I'm assuming we need to roll 'something to walk across :D
Nope. Its more than wide enough for a single medium-sized person to cross without problem in normal circumstances. And it can hold two people at once.
Running across, or casting spells on it, or fighting on it, anything more complicated than that? THEN you gotta roll some checks.
"On it," Brodin replies. When he speaks the first few words of the question, the older hobgoblin takes a deep breath and steps up behind Garrosh. Letting out a short yell, the hobgoblin rushes at Garrosh's exposed back. Garrosh steps aside and the hobgoblin stumbles, falling into the pit. The rope in Garrosh's hand goes taut as the hobgoblin bounces against the side.
Spoiler:
Garrosh Saurfang wrote:
The way I see it they have their arms and hands bound, and from those ropes somehow there are two extensions by which Garrosh pulls them along.
Belle takes the mad charge in stride, almost as if expecting it. She starting to develop a healthy dose of cynicism that wasn't there before.
"I don't think they trust us. And I don't trust the looks of that bridge. But I guess if we do the rope thing like that hobgoblin down there, one of us can go across safely enough."
"Come on!" - the half orc roars - "I said the rest of your tribe is safe, didn't I you fool?"
He catches the rope, halting the hobgoblin's fall with a single hand. Muscles rippling under his skin, Garrosh pulls the old hobgoblin up to the edge of the pit.
The younger hobgoblin falls to his knees, yammering and pleading. Brodin, trying to translate, lowers his bow, trying to focus. Tony, livid reaches to pull on the rope, helping Garrosh to secure him again.
|| Loot List || Male half-orc Bloodrager 1 / Inquisitor 6 / Fighter 1 <> AC: 20 // HP: 64/64
TheOasysMaster:
Yeah, I got the feeling I was setting myself up for that :)
"Thanks Reynaud" - Garrosh nods at his companion - "We need to get this under control"
---
When they manage to pull the old hobgoblin up, Garrosh is about fuming from his nostrils. Without a word, he rips a piece of cloth from each of the hobgoblins, gags them, and sits them down together - "Please Brodin, help me translate this once again" - he asks of the dwarf, and crouches down next to their captives.
"Now... Shut up and listen" - the holy warrior begins - "We are here for THREE reasons. One - there have been hobgoblin raids on the countryside just around the corner. The tracks we followed apparently bring us here" - and waits for Brodin to translate.
"Two - I don't care if you were cooperating or if they were bossing you around, we have defeated those two bastards back there after they tried to kill us, so as victors I claim our right to go over their quarters, and take whatever possessions they had. This will help rebuild the lives destroyed by them and your tribe - YOU are going to get us there!" - again he waits for Brodin.
"Three and LAST - if you warn your friends down the tunnels not to attack us, we will NOT kill anyone else" - he looks around at his companions - "No male nor female, and much less children" - he again asserts the notion - "HOWEVER, you are to pack your stuff, gear, food, whatever... To leave these caves, AND the region without any further incident whatsoever. If you get accosted by humans along the way, you RUN, you DO NOT FIGHT"
Garrosh leans in real close - "You have seen us plow through your ranks have you not? Once you leave this place you will tend to forget it, and dismiss it as less important that it feels right now" - he chuckles - "But we will not forget, and if we ever come across any of your tribe in the region after this, there will be no one left to tell the story" - he nods - "This is the ONLY possible deal. Do you understand me once and for all?" - he finishes, standing back up and waiting for Brodin's final translation.
"Now... Shut up and listen" - the holy warrior begins - "We are here for THREE reasons. One - there have been hobgoblin raids on the countryside just around the corner. The tracks we followed apparently bring us here" - and waits for Brodin to translate.
The older hobgoblin glares at Garrosh defiantly while the younger keeps his head down, defeated.
Garrosh Saurfang wrote:
"Two - I don't care if you were cooperating or if they were bossing you around, we have defeated those two bastards back there after they tried to kill us, so as victors I claim our right to go over their quarters, and take whatever possessions they had. This will help rebuild the lives destroyed by them and your tribe - YOU are going to get us there!" - again he waits for Brodin.
At this, the younger hobgoblin's head snaps up. An angry reply is muffled by the gag.
Garrosh Saurfang wrote:
"Three and LAST - if you warn your friends down the tunnels not to attack us, we will NOT kill anyone else" - he looks around at his companions - "No male nor female, and much less children" - he again asserts the notion - "HOWEVER, you are to pack your stuff, gear, food, whatever... To leave these caves, AND the region without any further incident whatsoever. If you get accosted by humans along the way, you RUN, you DO NOT FIGHT"
At this, the older hobgoblin seethes through his gag, enraged and struggling with his bonds. The younger one, sinks back into defeat.
Garrosh Saurfang wrote:
Garrosh leans in real close - "You have seen us plow through your ranks have you not? Once you leave this place you will tend to forget it, and dismiss it as less important that it feels right now" - he chuckles - "But we will not forget, and if we ever come across any of your tribe in the region after this, there will be no one left to tell the story" - he...
The young hobgoblin is nodding furiously, but the older one only stares up at Garrosh with unwavering fury. Tony crosses his arms, tilting his head.
"The old-timer does not seem to like the arrangement, Garrosh... We can keep him back. Let the young one do the talking?"
"I can make sure he does not say something he shouldn't," Brodin promises.
"Ask them about what's beyond," Gilda suggests, "It's a good idea."
The dwarf nods and translates the question before removing the young hobgoblin's gag. Brodin repeats the question and the hobgoblin answers immediately.
"He says children. Then 'Drogaar's chamber. And the women."
"There'll be those who retreated too," Tony warns, "They might not surrender. We could still have to fight. Women and children. Could get ugly whether we like it or not."
The older hobgoblin, sensing something in Tony's voice, tries to twist around, to glare up at him but Tony steps out of his field of view.
"Maybe you should take the lead, Garrosh? Play it up like you're really taking charge until we've got this whole thing fully locked and tied down."
"But if we can get this thing settled without killing any other hobgoblins, we will, right. I'm really not happy about all that, though I don't know what I was thinking would happen. Killing undead and offal monsters is one thing, intelligent live beings is another."
She repeats herself
"I really don't like killing people, even if they are nasty customers. But then again, I really don't like that you all torched poor farmers houses and Daikitsu knows what else... Maybe we could just leave? They probably won't bother anyone else at this point, don't you think? Especially if we take all the weapons.""
|| Loot List || Male half-orc Bloodrager 1 / Inquisitor 6 / Fighter 1 <> AC: 20 // HP: 64/64
"That is my wish also Belle, solve this without further death" - the half-orc nods, still staring at both the hobgoblins - "But they cannot stay and we cannot simply 'leave', or all the future harm they can do to the region will be on our hands" - he seems adamant as he stands up.
"I am no good at playing pretend Tony, and I will have no qualms in defending myself against those who attack us" - he offers - "If they refuse to leave, we will uphold the law, and take them to the sheriff of the closest town" - Garrosh states.
"And yes, the young one will do the talking" - the warpriest seems ready to move out - "I just hope they understand their options"
I say onward toward Drogaar's chamber, Garrosh taking the lead with the tied and now 'ungagged' younger hobgoblin next to him to speak up if they encounter others. Reynaud, could you the older, more headstrong one?
"That is my wish also Belle, solve this without further death" - the half-orc nods, still staring at both the hobgoblins - "But they cannot stay and we cannot simply 'leave', or all the future harm they can do to the region will be on our hands" - he seems adamant as he stands up.
Tony massages his temples but says nothing.
Garrosh Saurfang wrote:
b]"I am no good at playing pretend Tony, and I will have no qualms in defending myself against those who attack us"[/B] - he offers - "If they refuse to leave, we will uphold the law, and take them to the sheriff of the closest town" - Garrosh states.
Tony nods.
He turns away from the hobgoblins and examines the plank of wood. Using his dagger, he levers under it and flips it over, checking to see that it has not been rigged to break under pressure.
When he's satisfied with his inspection, he straightens up, "Myself and Gilda will take a peek ahead while the rest of you cross. Two at a time."
"Why me?" Gilda asks, alarmed.
"You and Brodin are the lightest but Brodin can translate."
The dwarf laughs.
"Are you afraid of heights?"
"No," Gilda protests, "Just of leery of what could be beyond... I agree with Belle. I say they've seen justice. And I imagine they'll leave of their own accord..."
Tony shakes his head.
"You heard the man! Garrosh has a claim to the recently deceased effects. And I... just want to make sure all is on the up and up."
|| Loot List || Male half-orc Bloodrager 1 / Inquisitor 6 / Fighter 1 <> AC: 20 // HP: 64/64
"Sorry Gilda and Belle, I wish we were done here, but we cannot in good conscience say we are. Just leaving and assuming they 'have seen justice' is just too much" - the half-orc shakes his head - "Even just sending them on their way is already a longshot. Leaving them here is even worse" - he insists.
Garrosh's deal is harsh, but it makes sense. However it makes me wonder if we are being too harsh. Making children endure a forced overland march is not a thing I would normally consider, and I'd bet that the experience would only serve to make them hostile wherever they settle. Even if it isn't can we honestly say that the tribe will be able to survive living under the restrictions of what we would call justice?If they turn to raiding and pillaging somewhere else in order to survive the way we are all sure they will have we just made them someone else's problem? Dawnflower what should I do?
Tony flips the plank of wood back onto its right side and steps across. It's wide enough that he does not really have to balance. He reaches the other side and crouches, sneaking up to the stone door.
He sees a dimly lit cavernous chamber, with cooling firepits dug into the floor. Hobgoblin children, from wailing welps in rough furs, rags and torn cloth as swaddling to pre-pubescent brats, punching one another and scrawling on the walls with charcoal fill the chamber. Against one side, hobgoblin women are nursing, snapping out at one another and any child that strays to close to the flames.
He can see another cavern beyond this one and double doors against a western wall. Tony smells the sweet, yet foul stench of unwashed flesh and charred meats cooking. Over the sounds of the hobgoblin children playing and fighting, he can hear screams of pain and shouting.
Stepping back from the door, Tony notices a natural looking stone depression set into the door. Above it is a carving of a skull, carefully traced with fine tools and craftmanship.
Interesting, he thinks.
Walking back to the plank, he sees Gilda crossing and gives her a hand, guiding her across.
He calls across the chasmm to the others, "Hobgoblin children. About a dozen and a half."
I do hope they are not eating intelligent beings. That might put us over the edge. There's evil, and then there's evil.
Belle crosses with the rest, but makes sure she's nowhere near one of the hobgoblins when she tries.
And what is making all that noise. Torture? I hope its not torture. It's probably torture.
Belle is surprised at how calm they all are. Life as usual, in the face of disaster. Without thinking, she quickly pulls out a sketching pad and tries to capture the emotion of it all.
|| Loot List || Male half-orc Bloodrager 1 / Inquisitor 6 / Fighter 1 <> AC: 20 // HP: 64/64
Garrosh turns over to Reynaud the rope for the older hobgoblin - "Will you hold this one while we cross?" - then moves off with the young one, again asking Brodin for translation.
"Make sure you tell EVERY other of your tribe we come across, NOT to attack us - do you understand?" - then raises an ear at the screams, before turning to the young hobgoblin again - "What are those screams? do you know? And do you have a name?"
Brodie is still translating when the older hobgoblin shouts something, interrupting.
The younger one snaps back and they begin to argue.
"What are they saying," Gilda asks.
"The younger one is saying that they have prisoners," Brodin explains, "And the older one is..."
He listens.
"Well, besides insulting me. Threatening that they will kill the prisoners. Threats. He does not trust me. Or you, Garrosh."
"Prisoners? Kill them? No, no, we can't let that happen! Surely they realize that will only result in more hobgoblin deaths too? Tell them, Brodin, tell them."
Give him an escape artist roll to shuck the gag. Frankly I'd be surprised if any makeshift gag would stay in place for very long.
It would sort of depend on whether or not Garrosh had simply stuffed the rags inside their mouths rather than secure 'em.
Garrosh Saurfang wrote:
Agreed :D Though I don't think you will be happy with the results Belle - Garrosh is 'almost' done negotiating with hobgoblins...
Ah, that is very interesting...
...when Garrosh is assured he has the upper hand, he's free to make demands and give orders. When he might learn that he'll have to negotiate on equal terms again...
...he's done.
That's not a criticism, just an observation.
I suppose that the older hobgoblin could still be gagged and the younger one could spill the beans.
|| Loot List || Male half-orc Bloodrager 1 / Inquisitor 6 / Fighter 1 <> AC: 20 // HP: 64/64
Spoiler:
Actually I see it more as Garrosh giving them a chance, an opportunity of not being trounced upon by us after their ignominious choice of lifestyle :)
Also, if we are not simply running all over them (and I am sure by now they understand we would probably win such a fight), it is because we decided so.
He thinks they deserve a chance at redemption, and is willing to give them that and maybe more. But make no mistake, they are still wrongdoers in his eyes. And he is no Evangelist, he is a WARpriest - if they insist on the error of their ways, by Ragathiel he will leave behind him only a smoking ruin (plus non combatant women and children of course :D).
Just a few lines to point out how I see the character.
Here's the link to Myth-Weavers: https://www.myth-weavers.com/showthread.php?p=12873509#post12873509
=P
Please continue play there.
Pick a single color and/or font. I suggest not using "Bold." as a font choice. Only because you can later use 'Bold' as an emphasis for entering a rage or a trance.
