The chronomancer moves back to Hargran, retreiving his bardiche and escorting the object of the hanging by the arm. Looking over him, Caillus offers a simple healing spell to stabilize his wounds.
Master Hargran. Be at rest. We will fortify this building until you have recovered.
Caillus pushes the convict forward gently, changing the subject. Is this man of value to you? Or is it the location you require?
Denat goes back to the others and looks around at the landscape.
Eastern Avistan I guess..
"Escaping devils to be nearly killed by humans..what's happening here ?"
He gives an approving look to the frozen corpse of the woman and follows Caillus, curious to hear the hanged man's answer.
The floating rune spun once in the air and drifted off, copies of itself seeming to split from it and fade from sight as it went.
The bodies began dragging themselves away, their clothes peeling off as they went. Potentially useful items began drifting out of windows to arrange themselves neatly in the yard. Soon the entire fort was a bustle with activity.
"Healers take care of Hargran. Once he's well enough he can explain what we're doing here. In the mean time we need to fortify."
"Molly, Scout the surrounding area and report back when you can."
"Righty - O!"
Molly takes flight.
"Zekat, seems the fight is over, maybe you could have a look and explore a bit ? See if there is something useful in this fort."
As soon as Zekat leaves the bag, Denat goes to Caillus.
"Sorry about the incident. Those devils scared me and I fear I aimed badly. That was unintentional."
He waits for a couple of seconds and continues.
"Thinking of that, now that we are.. not in Cheliax anymore, maybe we should have a little chat about what we can do so we can have a better cooperation. I fear that's not the first battle we'll have to fight."
Zekat jumps out of the bag, nods once in answer to his master and begins to explore the fort.
"Hmph," Thkrull shrugs and leaves his meal behind. "You get to have the bodies for whatever you want to do with them, but I can't have a little snack?"
He stalks back to Taerine's side, keeping an eye out for any other threats.
Taerine, using the power of her bond with her eidolon, suddenly feels filled with a surge of knowledge and begins helping tend to Hargran.
Hargran sits propped against a wall. His lifeless body looks sightlessly ahead.
The servant's body Hargran is currently inhabiting shivers then looks away.
"My loyal disciples" Hargran begins
"It seems obvious that I have suffered severe damage. I hate to use the word irreparable but indisputably the magic at our disposal will not suffice. Were it not for your efforts it is likely that I would have perished. Let this be a warning to you all to be cautious about stressing your body past its thaumic threshold."
"Still - we are alive. I gather the supplies we were taking with us will have been confiscated by now. I do have some supplies outside of Cheliax, but it will take some time to arrange for their arrival. Without my staff it might now be impossible."
"As I stated briefly earlier - I have excellent news. Following a divine vision I traveled to the Swordlords of Restov this morning. There I discovered that they were in the process of establishing new colonies in the Stolen Lands. They had just recieved word that one of these colonies - the only we are in now - was in the process of falling."
"I then negotiated Swordlord support and charter for my own claim to the kingdom, provided that I could rescue one Kesten Garess - the man who was in the process of being hanged. The Swordlords have appointed him official Ambassador to the Kingdom of Hargran from the Swordlords."
"I have warded this area from divination as best I can. I will reside here and attempt to find a way to restore my body to operation. This particular spell is at best a stop-gap, and it will take the vast majority of my magical power simply to avoid unconsciousness."
"The news in Brevoy suggested a large body of bandits took this keep by storm. Most worryingly the message suggested significant magical resources. Find out what you can, then we must decide whether to prepare for defense, or strike while we have surprise."
"While I am in some doubt as to exactly what has happened recently - I spent some time unconcious it seems obvious that we have done an admirable job under hard cicumstances. I commend your efforts."
Hargran rarely commends anyone - from him this is as a round of applause. While his speech is logical and disciplined, there is the glimmer of a tear in the servant's body's eye.
"Then our efforts had best be worthy of such commendation." Arioch replies, bowing & placing his cap over his heart as he leaves the presence of his master.
Striding towards the now unbound messr. Garess, Arioch replaces & adjusts his cap, in the process shifting his likeness to one more ruggedly martial in demeanor. "Ambassador Garess, what can you tell us of this redoubt, it's present occupancy, and of the force which laid claim to it?"
This would have been easier if we hadn't the Bandit's commander...
Garess looks around
"Ambaddador?"
Putting it off to some strange verbal tic of the people who saved his life he continues anyway
"This used to be Oleg's Trading Post. Set up by Brevoy to help civilise the Stolen Lands. Only ones here now are your men and myself. The Bandits finished looting it and were on the way out - they just wanted to wait to hang me first."
It is obvious the ambassador has had a hard enough day that he is mentally and physically exhausted - and probably emotionally numb.
"The Trading Post was to be the core of a new kingdom. A bunch of heroes and mercenaries were recently given a charter." the bitterness when he says heroes is palpable.
"About a week past past they all set off chasing rumours of some local Bandit 'King' and vanished."
"One of 'em - the only good one - was Seelah. She came racing back on her horse yesterday. Sent Svetlana off to 'get help from the swordlords', but I now think that might have just been an excuse to send her off and save her."
"There were only eight of us here trying to guard the fort. We had fortifications, but the Bandits turned up with thirty men, half of the 'heroes' and some deer-horned Bandit."
"Astounding we held off as long as we did. Seelah kept us all going, and her horse killed at least two men when the gate fell. I was knocked out at that point, so I'm not sure what else happened. The horned bandit woke me up and gave me a chance to swear to him, but I spat on him instead."
He smiles grimly at the memory of defiance.
"So he said to hang me, rather than killing me in battle, then to bury me in the midden and torch the keep. Fortunately the Bandits took long enough getting drunk first they made my hanging a party, which meant I lived long enough to be rescued."
"Not that I wish to question my good fortune, but I do wonder why you showed up."
This would have been easier if we hadn't the Bandit's commander...
Grey did not concern himself with the rescue of the ambassador. Grey was never the sort who needed to know why the Master asked him to do anything. He was content to serve.
At the Master's praise he simply inclined his head.
"I will find you suitable chambers, Master."
Then he rose gently into the air and drifted into the fort, heading for the largest building first. All around him, objects continued to make their way into the courtyard carried by unseen hands.
"Why? Why?.."
"Why would any sketchy, hobbledy cobbledy band of mystics & malcontents, devil's-at-their-heels maladriot's show up where least expected & thoroughly unwanted by the neighbors...
We're hear to spread the good word!"
Pausing for a moment to gauge his audience's reaction, Arioch continues. "Too over-the-top? I'll tell you, what plays well to the proles in Egorian often falls flat in the Marble Halls...
Vice versa of course, but it's often difficult gauge just how much of the reaction is genuine & how much is 'Oh gods, the Hellknights have just broken my spine...'"
"Still too much eh? I know that look. Alright," As he placatingly raises his hands. "The truth is, I represent another band of...
Well, lets call us Homesteaders, how does that sound. Besides this...
Seelah, how many of this band of heroes were there? Had they any arcanists, god-talkers?"
"Anyone actually able to assess the land? Make a plan? For that matter, how old were they? Callow youths, grizzled veterans, wizened elders?"
"Eighteen more. Not all returned with the bandits though, and I heard some were going elsewhere."
At odds with his educated background he spits on the ground
"They had everything. A more mixed group of adventurers I've never seen." here the ambassador uses adventurers as an epithet.
"Mostly youngish, but experienced. Except for one old man who cast the spell that put me down."
Brows furrowing, Arioch continues. "I'm sorry, perhaps I misunderstood. Do you mean to say the adventurers commissioned by were in league with the ?!"
Garess looks at Arioch and obviously takes this as some sort of snide attack on his country.
Well he believes it. Also, he doesn't seem to have been very keen on the idea in the first place... although there are some of them he seems to miss - presumably Seelah and the others who didn't turn up.
He's taking the comment as a snide attack on his country, but is biting his tongue because you did save his life.
"You work out the details of what happened. I'm going to start fortifying and organizing the remanning people."
We're supposed to rule a kingdom? I don't know if we're up for that. ... We were just students a few days ago.
She looks around as Arioch talks with Garess, trying to figure out how many people died here when her friends and companions arrived. 30 bandits? How many are left...
Lissala, I promise, I'll take cover and be careful of bows, arrows and those who use them.
"So we should expect to see more men coming from the Swordlords if that Svetlana managed to go there ? "
Caillus stands next to the "ambassador", looking to each of his companions. We have a defensible fort, kindly provided by this rogue lord. Lissala has provided, our timing for the assault perfect. There is providence in this. We'll not lose it in the coming days. If we are wise, it will be the place from which our new rule hails.
The chronomancer looks to Hargran, then to Garess. We offer you shelter and a full pardon from your alleged past crimes. We require someone who can profit by their knowledge of the surrounding hazards. We will watch you closely, but if you are inclined to keep your word, there's a life to be made assisting us. You'll consider it?
He tires of being told where his allegiance lies. Caillus thinks to himself. He turns to the others.
While the ambassador decides whether to accept his new post, we have work to do. Arioch, see to the morale of the servants, and assure they are working. Simon, once Grey has found a place for the Master's body, the building should be scouted for supplies. If there was magical support, there may be weapons and charms we can use. Denat, can we scout the woods and get eyes on roads and bottlenecks?
Caillus rises up confidently. We are all equals here, but we have left the order of our home and arrived amid chaos. Our service to Lissala and the Master requires our action now. This is the Kingdom of Hargran, and we carve out our claim today.
The chronomancer edges closer to Taerine. By the rules of our old land, we have no right to speak to your bondservant unless you give us leave. I will ask you directly, what are its capabilities? Can it scout?
"Who do you think I am asks Garess, eyes narrowing. I haven't committed any crimes, AND I'M NOT AN AMBASSADOR!"
"I don't know, Caillus, I don't think--"
"What?" Thkrull interrupts Taerine. "You can't talk to me? You think you're too good? Think Thkrull's too dumb? Phaw!"
"I'm not leaving Taerine, so you can go do your own scouting. Oh, and I'm not an it. You're an it!"
"Enough, Thkrull," Taerine says. "You heard him. He meant no offense."
"Grey, can you speak with the dead? Maybe that woman with the axes can give us some hints as to where her companions are and what they are capable of."
"I think Simon has a point. If we are to stay here we should fortify as soon as possible."
Denat smiles broadly to Garess
"So ... as you are not an ambassador, enlighten us : who are you and what are your domains of expertise ?
For me, I'm Denat Leroung, student in the arcane arts and member of the Leroung family.. even if I'm not sure they're proud of the association."
His smile becomes ironic with those last words.
Caillus is not moved by the summoned creature's outburst. I am simply curious to know how it hunts and whether it can track spies or game or returning soldiers. And although you are expert in summoning, I recall that Thkrull is not your only ally. We will need as many such companions as we can muster when conflict arrives.
Smiling toward Garess, he softens his tone. Please don't misunderstand, sir. It was this bandit king who saw to execute you. We came to save you. Now that you have your life back, I am clearly offering you an office with our company. You'll be safe, well-compensated, and remain in contact with those who appointed you ambassador to Hargran. If you don't want the job, we'll see what the Master arranges with the Swordlords.
Grey's mask maintained a permanent Message spell that connected him with up to five of his brethren at a time. He tended to rotate who he had contact with, but he hadn't had a chance to change his targets since Taerine had asked for his help with some planar research the day before, so her words echoed in his ears as if he were right next to her.
His low disembodied voice echoed in response from behind her ear.
"Unfortunately, such magics are firmly in the jurisdiction of the gods and are thus outside the realm of the arcane. I mean to create something which will allow me access to those magics, but until then I must rely on the aid of Anglon. He has agreed to pray for that power tomorrow."
Kesten Garess is obviously confounded by the conversation
"Kesten - of the Garess family, of Restov. I'm a soldier. What do you mean I've been appointed Ambassador? Who's Hargran? The dwarf? Isn't he dead?"
he shakes his head
"Look - I appreciate you saving me. Not sure how - even on a good horse Svetlana could only barely have gotten back to Brevoy before you turned up. But can someone explain what's happening!"
"Are you thick! I'm not an it! I've got man parts! Come a little closer over here and I'll show you!"
Taerine lays a hand and gives the eidolon a withering look as he threatens to roll over and fully expose himself.
"He could patrol around the fort a bit if he had to, but I prefer he stays close to me, Caillus. And I'm not sure what you mean about other friends."
"Keep it in your pants, Thkrull. I sent Molly to scout the area. She should be reporting back soon. "
"If you plan to use summoned allied Caillus, I fear I'm not yet powerful enough to master interesting invocations. And anyway we will need some specifics installations for that."
Denat looks at Kesten, still smiling.
"What's happening here ? well, seems we are going to build a kingdom. Isn't it a marvellous idea ?"
He laughs softly.
"Sorry Master, I should have thought of that sooner but I was pondering our options about this kingdom. I think you'll need it more than me. I had to use it two times."
Denat gives the staff back to Hargran.
"Build a kingdom? Fortify? This place fell to the Bandits once... you should strike at them now, before they know you're here!"
As Molly returns Hargran summons his students via his traditional mystical and altogether illusionary bell - though this time it is for the First Council, rather than a lecture on Thassilonian architecture.
Although the exact spell used has since been lost, a recreation has been used to mark the formal opening of every Great Council in the last century. Few realise the sharp, discordant tones were originally designed to cut over the chatter of disruptive students.
"Do you know where those bandits are ? how many they are ? what kind of forces they have ? As long as we don't have more informations I think our first duty is to protect the civilians and our servants so they can at least hope to stay alive."
Denat smiles once more.
"But of course, I'm only a poor student. I know nothing of what life in those conditions really is."
Molly lands in Sinons shoulder and the two talk quietly. She's reporting what, if Anything, she discovered.
Thinking aloud to Molly and whomever else happens to be nearby as they walk to the meeting,
"We really should consider finding a more fortifyable location to act as the Capitol of our new country. In the mean time we should fortify and use this location as a staging area, bu with the long term intent to build elsewhere and leave this as a way station of sorts. I saw a mountain range that looks promising. Perhaps we could build a fortress there with strategic ingress and egress points to hold off any land based army. I don't like the idea of having to defend from 360 degree angles. We should move somewhere to use the terrain to our advantage."
"Build a kingdom? Fortify? This place fell to the Bandits once... you should strike at them now, before they know you're here!"
"Actually, If they possessed magics such as you imply, they already know we are here."
"Regarding your earlier query; I suspect the fact that miss...Svetlana, you said?"
"Miss Svetlana making for Restov is in fact a culmative factor in our arrival & your present 'elevation' as it were. Our first act in accord with the Swordlords being to prevent your demise & see to it you were regarded as their agent here.
How they might be so immediately aware of your dire circumstances, without being made aware of the immanent attack staggers the imagination."
The notes from the First Council, handwritten in Hargran's travelling spellbook, are still available to scholars at the Great Library. These notes go on for several pages and include some cryptic notes, drawings and shorthand. A quick summary of the meeting is thus
Summary of available resources.
Keep was ransacked previously. Some armour, hatchets and bows found. Two excellent quality hatchetts found. Warding ring found - identified as having originally belonged to the Paladin.
Student's supplies largely abandoned back in Cheliax and almost certainly confiscated. Hargran has significant supplies and resources, but these may be confiscated by Cheliax if discovered.
Survivors
The midden was found to contain the Paladin, Garess' warriors and seven colonists also killed in the attack. A number of colonists had recently been sent out to the surrounding area and may have survived.
Military
Molly reports no Bandits in the surrounding area. Bandits appear to have moved back. Garess strongly suggests a surprise attack.
Decision
The major point of the meeting came down to a single question.
(A)Attack the bandits now (B) fortify and stay hidden (C) fortify while trying to establish control over surround lands.
Hargran called for and recorded voting, which was:
....Caillus Mordent Attack the bandits now, using guerilla tactics and magic to eliminate advance scouts and lay ambush at enemy camps. Utilize the confusion to break morale and send the bandits back home without a larger conflict.
"Upon consideration a surprise attack would be best. They already know we're here, but they'd never expect us to track them down and wipe them out. We can hardly stay hidden and if we have to continually deal with bandit raids we'll never establish control of surrounding lands. Taking them out is our best option."
Denat looks at Simon's sketches and grins at him.
"Ah Simon, nobody can say you are not ambitious."
When it's time to vote.
"Can't we attack the bandits like Caillus and Simon suggests while the civilians and master Hargran fortify the outpost ?"
Denat looks at Simon's sketches and grins at him.
"Ah Simon, nobody can say you are not ambitious."When it's time to vote.
"Can't we attack the bandits like Caillus and Simon suggests while the civilians and master Hargran fortify the outpost ?"
"We could, but my concern is that we'll give them time to organize. They have the ability to resupply. Presently we don't. However if we take them out we can confiscate their supplies as well as open trade routes. Essentially they're a clear and present danger that needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later. "
Anglon had been contemplating what he thought their next move should be all the while he was looking after the wounded.
Do we even know where these bandits are? Maybe those who don't travel should establish a new headquarters here, while we explore the surrounding area. Either way, it can wait until tomorrow. I've got a lot of dead bodies to take care of.
Anglon had been contemplating what he thought their next move should be all the while he was looking after the wounded.
Do we even know where these bandits are? Maybe those who don't travel should establish a new headquarters here, while we explore the surrounding area. Either way, it can wait until tomorrow. I've got a lot of dead bodies to take care of.
"We should definitely wait until first light to move in force. We can tailor our spell selection to increase chances of success. Though in the mean time we could send some advanced scouts/trackers to find where they are. Scouts will need to avoid being seen and definitely should not engage. Only gather intel. "
"Will one day be enough to gather intel ? What will happen if we attack and lose ? Not saying it's a bad idea, I just want to be sure we think of everything."