The Iron Carnival - Pentor Lionsmane's Mercenary PbP - #2 Squad

Game Master Monkeygod

Laughing softly, Jax strides over to Gremm and pulls him up off the ground. "Come on Big Guy, lets go have us a walk around the camp, see what's to see hey? Maybe find a stream that you can wash that juice off in. Don't want no bandits sneaking in and taking you for some pretty young maiden!"

"If I didn't run the risk of Valen wanting to give me a kiss, I'd just wait until later."

Gremm chuckles as they search the nearby area for some water.

Survival
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

After a few minutes, they stumble upon a small creek.

"That is a danger... I mean he is an Officer now. You can't very well say no if he tried, could ya?" Jax grins, following the man as they scoured for any stretch of water.

Gremm laughs as he bends down and washes his face.

"I guess I couldn't!"

Jax slaps the big man softly across the back of the head. "Wrong! If I am not conscious and he tries to do something likely to get himself and the rest of you killed, take that big ham shank you call a fist and punch him in the teeth!" Jax laughs, bending to fill his skin from the pool, before straightening.

"In field promotions ain't promotions in a true sense. Valen is just a man like us all. He is a smart man to be sure, but if he, or I, try put you all in needless danger, knock us down and stamp us out. We need a heavy hand to guide us Big Guy!"

Gremm stares off for a moment. A weight almost visibly falls upon his shoulders.

"Jax, do you mean that? Are you trusting me to go against orders if need be? I'm just a man who always says 'yes.' It's just..."

He stares at his reflection in the water.

"All for one. The squad comes first."

He stands up and salutes Jax.

"I won't let you down, Specialist Fury"

Oh, he's special alright. Window licking, helmet wearing, short bus riding special ROFLMAO!!

Back at the camp, Torque thinks back to when they first learned of Miri and Helena's home village - when they broken through the bandit's barricade.

Gremm strides up to the older highwayman and calling upon his father's wisdom and strength neatly cuts the bandit in two.

"Of course we could give them a couple scars. Every good story involving a fight for your life should leave you with at least one." A wolfish predatory smile spread across Valen's face as his hand begins to glow sickly green and small drops of acid fall to the ground.

What we done for these people, really? We killed one of their fellows and then came back from Grimatar's keep with an unbelievable sounding tale. And yet here they are travelling with us - heavily armed

"I am a devout follower of Erastil, and he teaches us to always be prepared to defend our community. It's why I chose to accompany you on this trip."

We're a band of outsiders who killed a member of their community. And we're about to bed down for the night and trust them to watch over us?

Torque straps on his shock gauntlet, takes out a screwdriver and starts fiddling with the casing. It looks like he's maintaining it, but in fact it's ready to be triggered. He than walks through the tents and sits down with Miri and Nine-Tail.

"Evening you two. Thanks again for taking point. Nine-Tail didn't hold you up did he Miri?"

Jax pulls the mans hand down and shakes it. "No saluting between you and me Big Guy. I don't want a guy that may need to punch my teeth out, to salute me. Kay?" Jax reaches up and pats him on the shoulder with a grin.

"Don't worry. I am sure it won't come to this but... When the chain of command goes wrong, it can go bad for everyone. If that happens you pick up that chain and beat us with it till we are quiet!" Jax laughs before pushing the large man forward. "Come on. Lets finish the circuit of the camp before we head back hey?"

We like the term "Crayon Eaters" here! :P lol

Nine Tail laughs as he sits at the fire. "If I'd known I would have had competition today, I might not have eaten as much of Mirri's cooking this morning. I suspect a plot. Yip-yip!"

Valen makes his way back to the group and stops near Torque. "Could I have a word with you Torque?"

"Sure thing, boss"

Torque follows Valen to one side.

Gremm follows Jax as they return to the caravan, a pair of laughing fools.

Walking a little away from the camp. "I hope you're not upset for my choosing Fury to be second in command. I had thought of you first, but we seem to have similar ideas and approaches to things. I know we won't always agree on everything but I wanted to have someone I knew would speak their mind if they disagreed with a decision I made. I know you'd tell me as well, but I knew Fury would help keep me in check and honest. Plus he seems to have a unique view on things. I also didn't want the rest of the group to think that if I'd chosen you it was because we're friends. I guess I thought that they might resent you for that fact and I didn't want that to happen. I know what it's like for others to think that you've been given something due to your relationship with someone else and it's not pleasant. I admire and respect you Torque and I think you would have made a good leader. I know someday you'll be given that chance and that you'll do a great job. I hope my candor is rude. Friends?" Valen asks offering his hand to Torque.

Not rude!, Not rude! Lol, at least I hope that's what you meant

Today on Golarion Hills, 90210...

"Hah"

Torque shakes Valen's hand

"I've got no interest in leadership Valen. I've got plenty to be getting on with, I don't need to be worrying about issuing commands as well."

Torque then lowers his voice

"For example: a leader has to make sure recruits can be trusted. We've got two armed women along with us who we barely know. They're great, though, aren't they? When we tired from the road they're cute tavern girls serving us pancakes. Then we get ready to march, and by the way they're seasoned soldiers ready to back us up. It all seems a bit convinient. Barely anyone in the village mentioned the bandits - one of whom we killed - who we know came from there. I don't know what Eristil is but it sounds like community is a buzzword for people who follow it."

He clenches and unclenches the shock gauntlet

"Volunteering to join us is a safe way of slitting our throats to get some payback for our spot of backwoods law enforcement. If they'd tried knives or poisen in the tavern and botched it they'd have had a squad of angry mercs loose right in the middle of their precious village. If they try it out here, they can just leg it into the wilds."

Torque glances over at Miri, who's no doubt still a picture of tough innocence

"Or maybe we really have got a couple of allies who are battle ready free of charge. At least, we'd better hope they're battle ready because the first time we'll find out they're a liability is when the dead claw their way up for round two"

Valen arches his eyebrow. "Sorry, sometimes I forget you're from Rahadoun. Erastil is the god of hunt and harvest. Many farmers and small town folk offer him homage to ensure good harvests, crops, and hunts. It's nothing to worry about." He replies and claps Torque on the shoulder. "As for the trusting the villagers themselves I think we'll be alright. They had a number of chances to kill us. Not to mention the entire time Fury was sick. Plus their mayor is a paladin. If they were evil I think he would have known. We killed them in self defense and are now trying to save their village. I don't think we have anything to worry about. But if it does worry you we can have one of the others with them on watch. Should deter them from trying anything. Come on let's head back to camp I want to get some more food before it's gone." Valen heads back to camp and while grabbing some food notices Fury and Gremm's return. "Good everyone's here. Before we get any more settled why don't we get watch figured out. I thought we'd do 4 shifts of 3 hours in pairs. Helena and I will take first shift. Gremm and Acune will take second. Nine-Tail and Miri will have third watch. Finally Torque and Fury will cover the last shift. Any questions?"

Torque will spend his watch rebuilding the applicator gauntlet now that Fury's illness has cleared up.

It great that this thread has got back to it's old form RP wise. Nonetheless, perhaps it's time to skip to us arriving in Vieland - or meeting the next thing that aims to stop that from happening

Jax nods in assent, smiling encouragingly at Valen. 'He'll do alright... I'm sure of it. Won't tell him but am sure!' Setting up his sleeping roll next to Gremm, Jax shares some jokes and stories with the man, before they slip off to sleep.

Rising for his watch, Jax salutes Torque, before taking a seat beside him, and beginning to clean and repair his Musket.

"Here is to a quite night my friend!"

Nine-Tails, do you give in to Mirri and regale her with tales of far off Tian Xia?

Nine-Tails, do you give in to Mirri and regale her with tales of far off Tian Xia?

@Previously around the fire

Nine Tail will share nothing too personal about the events of his past. But will share amusing folk tales, and explain briefly about the Emperor and Samurai. And conclude by saying that all the Tian women are so demure and timid that they rarely venture forth from their homes or shops, let alone, join strange caravans filled with even stranger characters.

Acune spends her watch in companionable silence with Gremm, occasionally watching the stars.

Valen will chat with Helena. Swapping stories and various thoughts on arcane theory and lore.

Helena doesn't actually seem to know much about arcane theory, though her herbal lore is profound and she also knows a fair amount about animals and how to treat them.

While on watch with her, Mirri asks Nine-Tails "Can you keep a secret? Your the only person I've ever met from Tian Xia and I want to share something very personal with you." The way she's speaking, she's talking about some very important to her, and that it's not romantic or anything like that.

Taken a bit off guard, Nine-Tail stammers, "Well..um...sure. Most people don't believe anything I have to say anyway" He says with a recovered smile but then puts on a more serious face. "Sure, go ahead. But I am intrigued on why you must tell someone from Tian Xia."

"You'll see" Her form starts to blur and shift and suddenly standing before is a foxlike woman, what you know to be a Kitsune. "Nobody in the village knows the truth. My parents came here from Tian Xia when I was an infant, and disappeared about ten years ago. I've kept my secret this whole time and hope that for now, you will too. I figured coming with you was my one and probably only chance to occassionaly be normal." She says with great sadness in her voice.

Nine Tail - Jaw meet floor

"There is no shame in being oneself, but I understand when you feel you are different. I have never met a true kitsune before, for your kin are shy and reclusive around where I grew up. But I have met one of your ancestors..."

Nine Tail pulls off his armor chain shirt and then his tunic. "You see...this is not exactly a tattoo. Stand back because he can be dangerous." With his back to the fire, Nine Tail releases the hold he shares with his spirit. With a flutter, the colorful tails on his back ripple and move on his back..and then begin to flow out from his skin to wave in the firelight. He concentrates, and the tails revert to their inked form.

He starts to dress again, "I made a deal with one of your ancestors. I think he lived in a tree, I am not sure, it was raining and at night. But he agreed to save me from some troubles I got into if I agreed to carry him from that place. Well I agreed, and woke up on a Varisian beach with this tattoo on my back and his presence in my mind. I think he brought us through the First World, although I remember only brief glimpse as if in a fevered dream."

"I know that must sound weird, it being your kin...it's not that he talks to me, but he likes new things and to travel...I guess spending so long as a tree spirit can do that. So now we travel the roads. I can tell if he gets bored at staying in one place too long. So a mercenary caravan guard is the perfect job. It means I have left my art behind, but for the second chance he has granted me, it is worth it."

"So yeah...We can be pretty safe with your secret"

:O

Mirri's eyes grow wide, and a small gasp escapes her lips at Nine-Tails' display. "I..I don't know much about my people. But it seems as if you have been blessed by one of them. I thank you for keeping my secret." She steps over to you and gives you a warm hug.

Can I get Perception checks from Torque and Fury

"Indeed. May we have many more. That said, where did you learn that song you sang earlier?

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Torque is more intent on chatting than keeping watch

Jax laughs softly and shakes his head. "There was this girl... She sang it to me the day before I left the River Kingdoms. Aliane was her name. I fear I do not do it justice. She could play the harp and sang like the sweetest of birds. It has been a long time..."

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Frowning softly, Jax stands, reaching slowly for his musket.

May have taken a slight liberty there but I assume I sense something!

Jax, perched in one of the trees you think you see a sort of large humanoid, bat-like creature. You fire off a shot from your musket, but hit nothing, and when you look again, whatever you thought you saw is gone.

"Hells! What are you firing at Fury!?

Torque springs to his feet alongside the rifleman, trying to spot whatever it is the rifleman attacked. Of course, it's already gone.

"G#$&#%n it... I never miss. How did I miss? It was a bloody huge man-bat!" (Dinna-ninna-ninna-ninna-BATMAN) "How did I miss?"

Frowning, Jax reloads, and looks at Torque, signaling for him to remain where they are, as he sets off, intent on making a circle of the camp.

'Come out come out wherever you are...'

perception check to hear the incredibly loud firearm 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11. Well with my being asleep that still nets me a 1 and I think that should be good enough to hear a black powder rifle not too far from my tent.

Stumbling out of his tent in a robe and bleary eyed."What in the nine hells was that?!?"

"Fury took a shot at some kind of monsterous humanoid. And...looks like he's off to look for it"

Torque calls after Fury

"Are you sure going solo is a good idea? Whatever it is it's quick!"

"Just making a perimeter. Not going to leave the camp!" Jax kicks Gremm softly in the side as he passes.

"Wake up Big Guy. Might be trouble!"

He moves towards the wagons and hops up on top of one, looking around the camp slowly. "Where are you...?'

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

"Stoke the fires high but not on this side!" Jax gestures over his shoulder, out in to the darkness. "I'll continue my watch from here, that way I can watch the forest better. Also, keep an eye on the sky. It had wings!" Jax looks over at Valen and inclines his head apologetically. "Sorry Boss. Didn't see you there. You cool with all this?"

Gremm jolts up, eyes bloodshot. In an instant, he is sword in hand, looking about with suspicious eyes.

"What is it, Pa?! Is it that damned weretiger again?" he yells out groggily.

Valen shakes his head trying to gather his thoughts. "Yes, it's fine. Make sure you have a torch with you. Your weapon woke me is all. I'm not used to that loud thing yet." After a moment or two Valen seems to clear his head a bit. "Torque let's go through camp make sure everyone is still here."

Nine Tail separates from Mirri with a jolt and the crack of the rifle. "Sorry to have our story time interrupted, but danger beckons. Or Jax has finally had one too many jokes out of Valen."

With sword in hand, Nine Tail finds his gear to retrieve his shield.

"We're accounted for...I mean Mirri and I."

Helena wakes with a start as well, and as she rubs the sleep out of her eyes, is staring at Jax's arms. "Oh Jax, your bleeding! Look at your arms!" She sounds both alarmed and concerned.

Jax, as you look at your arms, they are tiny claw marks, that are bleeding, though not badly No actual HP loss. Oddly, not only did you not notice them, but you also have no idea how you got them.

Nine Tail grabs his new mask and fits it in place. He proceeds to look about and up in the trees.

Perception -> 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24

Jax laughs softly, shaking his head. "Not the Tiger Big Guy!" Tossing Gremm a water skin, Jax hops up on to the wagon, staring out in to the darkness. "Don't know what it is. Pour that over your head and get your head in the game. I need you at the foot of this wagon!"

Nodding at Valens words, Jax gives him a small salute, before turning back to the forest, raising his rifle, so he can stare down the steel sights.

At Helena's words, Jax flinches slightly, staring at his arms without lowering the rifle. "We can worry about that in the light of day..." He frowns for a second, before looking over his shoulder at Torque, making sure to avoid looking at the light, to peserve his night vision. "Torque... I am not sure if you can manage this but... If you can, ready an anti toxin. I do not know if it is poisoned, but I do not want to go down like that if it is!" Nodding softly, Jax turns back to the trees.

Perception-1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

"Ninetails, don't range too far!"

Neither of you see anything, other than darkness and shadows, plus the night sky. It really does seem as if whatever Jax saw was just a figment of his imagination.

Once you are sure there's nothing around and no danger, Helena walks over to Jax and gently checks over his wounds. When she is sure they're nothing more serious than mere scratches, she wipes them off with a soft cloth from one of her pouches. "There ya go, all cleaned up."

Was this during Fury and Torque's watch or was it before we went to bed?

Everything that has occurred since I asked for those two to make Perception checks has all been during their watch

Ok. About roughly what time is it since theirs was the last watch?

On an unrelated note, sorry about making that item stat block and story so dense

"It'll take too long Fury. I'd say eight hours to break down what I'm currently working on and repurpose it into a toxin supressor, and even then we're talking delaying, not curing. We need to get a stock of potions and tonics together for this kind of thing."

He looks to Valen

"It's close enough to sunrise, perhaps we should get moving. If there's gribblies about we should be guarding, not napping."

How many days' travel are we from Vieland?

Valen nods. "Agreed. I know we need some time to pack up and get ready. Let's get some chow ready and get packed up. I want to be out of here within an hours time."