Miyuki would lean to Valkus, whisper a few things in his ear and then try to sit next to Raven, eager to learn more about the dark haired woman and the strange man with the shadow companion. She nods to each gracefully and introduces herself, asking politly about permission to have a quick glance on ravens map. She would encourage her to tell her more about the dangers ahead and the land, if there are forests or plains to be explored. Meanwhile her little fox would sit in her lap watching the summoners eidolon.
White Eagle nods to Oleg content of a fair trade. He has traded furs here enough to know that Oleg can be trusted.
when approached White Eagle nods, acknowledging Anton
Greetings, An-ton; slowing his speach to ensure he says the name correctly. I am White Eagle, Son of Ten Bears; and Yes it was a good hunt. I have 4 good bison skins. the meat will feed my people for several days. the skins will bring good cloth from Oleg here.
before he has to unload his furs White Eagle requests a whisky.
rturning his attention back to Anton. You approach without anger, this is good. meeting with the Chief of Restov has been favorable then. I will uphold our end of the deal then
When the next patron enters the inn a small eagle flies in right behind. he perches himself in the rafters of the common room looking over the whole place.
not expecting trouble, but with strained releations between White Eagle's people and the native inhabitants of Restov, Elangomat (the eagle) keeps an eye out for trouble. if there is trouble that is about to start and he notices it he will warn White Eagle with a screech.
also the furs are traded for blankets and/or tents for traveling into the stolen lands.
Natalya shakes Hunter's hand firmly and gladly takes the proferred glass. She raises it with his and offers a toast "May Deadeye bless your bow" then nods at him after taking a large gulp.
"So, an Undine no less? I've not met your kind before, but you are welcome at our table. Are you here on your own to answer the swordlord's crusade? If you're not already part of a team we are looking for another bow or blade to join our group" she indicates Miyuki.
As Gareth approaches the table and asks the ladies there to dance, anyone watching might see a flicker of annoyance and distaste flit across Natalya's face as the well-mannered and bedecked man displays his good manners and charms. She turns her attention to the fire and ignores him as he swoops in to take Hithil's hand and marches to the dance floor.
I belong to another Patron, but our houses might be small enough for us to join, I'm sure we can come to an agreement, let me just consult with Hithil.
She yawns and stands up from her seat
"Im bored. Im gonna go for a walk." with that the Drow walks into the night? Air
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"Your words are kind too. And it's ice to meet you, White Eagle.
We follow the path of the One who gifted us with the first bow, trying to live in a simple life of hunt and farming. What we calls the Old Ways.
I don't know what's your deal, but if the Lord Mayor sends here, I'm fine with that."
Anton also smiles to the near Miyuki while speaking so.
Alexio frowns when Svetlana delivers the news. "I suppose that will have to do if those are the accommodations available, " he says, "I would appreciate it if you would select an appropriately stationed acquaintance for me. There is no need to cause rumors or other gossip."
With that, Alexio turns back to his meal and his ale. The crowd continues to get larger and more loud as the evening progresses and more ale is consumed. Alexio remains aloof, trying to maintain his appearance of detachment. I'll never understand folks behaving like this. It is almost as if they want to cause a scandal.
While being as inconspicuous as possible, Alexio looks at the various items of heraldry that announce people's allegiance. He often hears the name "Orlovsky" being said like it carries some weight.
Raven obliges Matsu, giving her a slight nod before she retrieves the map and unfolds it for her and Kazz to see.
"Unfortunately the wine here is as common as snakes in the Slough out west, but due to the mountains in Brevoy, the water isn't too bad." She points to the map, describing a small area. "We are here. I believe your charters all state that the area just south of us and to the east and the west are the boundaries. The area to west of us is a forest called the Narlmarches, to the south is the Kamelands plains and to the east is Nomen Heights. Hill lands that lead to the northern end of a large mountain chain." She pauses for a moment, looking for any adverse reaction. "As to what is actually in these places, well, that's what we're here for, right?"
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Miyuki is seen trying to engage Oleg in conversation but he is less than interested, he waves her off, managing a fake smile. "I'm busy right now devochka, maybe we can talk in the morning, after the business is done with."
She has a bit more luck with Bailey, the trapper, he starts telling her a story about how he once saw a unicorn in the woods. If anyone expresses any doubt he quickly follows up that many others have seen it as well, at least until recently. No one has spotted the magnificent beast in some time. He speculates that perhaps it was driven away by the bandits.
Oleg seems lost in thought when Natalya approaches him and startles when she addresses him. "Hmm, happy, yes, quite happy." He's does not seem it, but hands her a mug of ale and returns to his rumination.
@alexio a 19 is good enough to recall the basics about house orlovsky, particularly that they often rival or oppose the Surtovas
It's starting to get late and the ale cask is nearly empty. The hunters and trappers have mostly taken off to bed. Svetlana announces that enough beds have been made up for everyone, even if most people may have to sleep on the floor, or double up, she winks at that.
Zartana, already outside notices the sudden exodus from the bar. Suddenly crowded outside, she goes back in
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As Gareth approaches the table and asks the ladies there to dance, anyone watching might see a flicker of annoyance and distaste flit across Natalya's face as the well-mannered and bedecked man displays his good manners and charms. She turns her attention to the fire and ignores him as he swoops in to take Hithil's hand and marches to the dance floor.
Once Natlaya gets up, Hunter says. Hey wait for me, I'd love to join my new group on the dance floor as he gets up and starts dancing.
After Svetlana's announcement Anton bids farewell to White Eagle
"Excuse me. I need to breathe outside a few minutes before going bed. Hope to see you tomorrow."
Before walking away he peers at the others adventurers, lingering especially the noble ones.
She was very happy about the fact that she hasnt had any major incidents because of what she was. The guarded looks were there, but no open mockery or cries of fear. Still. Too many people in one place still kind of made her uncomfortable.
Walking over to Oleg,
"Whats wrong sir? You are clearly troubled"
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Lorald finishes his water, his hounds finally refreshed. He thought he would check on Mith before finding a suitable place to sleep. If it was cramped indoors he would settle for sleeping beneath the stars and cool night breeze. As he stood so did his hounds, escorting him outside towards the stable. His crossbow ever at hand, after all this was no city but an outpost. As such the unprepared suffered bandits and worse for their assumptions. Something he was not above exploiting himself when needed.
High charisma dark skinned elf teasing him:
High Charisma, tattooed Drow Sorceress is teasing him :
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Anton already outside moves to Lorald.
"Hello. It's going to be a cold night, and we still are in the last part of the winter. My name is Anton Medvyed of the Church of Erastil" he says politely to the newcomer
Roak and Sai's ears come up in response while Lorald takes a moment to study Anton.
"I was considering braving the cold over the conditions inside. As well as checking on my horse. I am Lorald Orlovsky formally of the militia."
He gives a slight bow to Anton.
"It's an honor to meet a noble son of the Orlovsky." Anton nicely says to Lorald
How many of them there are in this expedition? he started thinking, than he looks at the dogs
"Such beautiful creatures are your dogs... So, are you here to explore the Stolen Lands too?"
As Miyuki wanted to know that too, she will listen to Olegs blight. She would offer her aid and what aid she could gather to help him get rid of her malefactors.
He wonders if the man was being insulting or not but pushes the thought aside.
"Yes I was given a charter to explore the Stolen Lands. While it is not my first time into these lands it will be deeper then I have ever gone before. The patrols I was part of normally remain with in one or two day's ride of the border. Are you among those exploring these lands as well?"
"Yes, I was given a charter to explore too. Many ruins and lost temples dedicated to Erastil are said to lie hidden in the wilderness here." Anton says sincerely.
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Oleg begins to say that's its nothing, that it's his concern and no one else need worry themselves.
Just them Svetlana interjects "Stop being proud you foolish medvet. You know as well as I they will be back tomorrow and they will take everything, we will be ruined!" At that she burst into tears, sitting down she hides her face in her hands.
"It is true, I have been a fool. Each month they come on the first day, an hour after sunrise and take all we have. Their leader threatened to burn this place and take Svetlana for her men, she nearly took my hand off to make her point."
"That is a noble pursuit, I wish you luck in it. My own is more worldly, sadly closer to home as well. The wild lands grow to wild and must be tended less rivers run with the blood of men rather then that of mother nature. Do forgive the poetics of it all as it grows late."
Miyuki would again say that she will help and gather natalya hunter Anton and chief white eagel tell them of olegs problems. She will say to white eagle that she noticed that he was allied to oleg.
As some of the others head out into the night air, Kazz pauses for a moment, as if listening to something only he can hear before returning to study Raven's map.
The constantly flowing form of Ammanas detaches itself from the press and makes it's way outside into the night air. Standing a few feet off it regards the dark night silently as the others talk.
Inside, as Oleg and Svetlana begin to tell their tale, Kazz moves in their direction. He puts a hand gently on Svetlana's back as she slumps into a chair.
He gives Oleg a hard look, "You say they come with the dawn tomorrow? You would let all drink and be merry knowing they will wake to bandits waving swords in their face?"
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Hithil's keen senses pick up on the sobs of the woman, and she walks over to give her comfort. "Besides the time, about how many bandits show up? You do realize that there are lots of people with weapons inside your pub right now, right? If you were ever going to make a stand, now is the time to do it."
Hithil picks up her spellbook and pets her rat in her pocket. "I mean, how many bandits can stand having acid thrown at them?"
Kazz nods at Hithil's comment his gaze softening somewhat, "As I understand it a good number of use are here precisely to hunt down banditry in the Stolen Lands. You shall have no shortage of volunteers to not only drive them from your trading post but to route out their source and scour them from the region."
Taming the Stolen Lands it's not a less noble scope. Our nation will only prosper in such operation. Now I don't want you to waste your time too much, and as druid I don't want your horse to miss yours attentions before bedtime. Have a nice night sir.
Breathing the pure air for a last moment Anton moves into the Inn again only to notice the tense atmosphere.
He moves near Miyuki and asks her in a low voice "What is happening?"
While waiting to be shown to his room, Alexio overhears Oleg explain their situation and sees Svetlana burst into tears.
Ah, keeping a clear head has shown its benefits, he thinks to himself.
Walking across the room to the scene of the commotion, Alexio speaks up, "I could not help but to overhear your predicament, " begins Alexio. "Why has your lord not dispatched his soldiers to put down these bandits? That is a gross abdication of his responsibilities. In any case, lawlessness and extortion cannot be allowed to stand."
If he can get Oleg apart from the crowd he asks in a low tone, "The leader of these bandits is a woman, you claim? What else do you know of her?"
Raven's ears perk up at the mention of bandits, for two reasons. Listening to the story, she watches as several of the newcomers offer help to the beleaguered man and his wife. How noble of them. She searches her memory to see if she knows of this gang led by a female.
White Eagle listen to the plight of Oleg. pondering his charter.
Cheliax! Slavers, these are no different.
White Eagle takes his leave on the tavern. as he approaches the door he turns and makes some clicking noises. the eagle perched in the rafters swoops down landing on Whit Eagles padded forearm.
He steps outside and unties his horse leading it to a barn nearby. He then unloads the furs and moves them into the barn.
There are only 4 large furs and the task does not take very long.
he then shuts the door and ties his horse up outside the barn.
taking a seat on the ground he pulls out some incense and lights it with a whispered chant. Tekeziekze Saptakatalksa repeated over and over. he then looks to the Eagle perched nearby. and with some odd screech White Eagle appears to be giving the Eagle instructions.
The Eagle then flies off circling the trading post out a distance of about a mile in all directions.
White Eagle remains seated as if in a trance.
cast Speak with animals and told the Eagle to circle the perimeter of the post out about a mile scanning the distance for signs of these bandits. he is thinking that with a daily appearance they may not be setting camp to far off.
using the empathic link to keep tabs on the Eagle as he scans the horizon
Word of the bandits and their extortion reaches Gareth and his mood instantly turns foul. He wastes no time seeking out Oleg and pledging his sword on his behalf. Instead of his usual smooth manner his speech is clipped and betrays agitation, as does the fact that his leg trembles as if he were about to fly into a rage.
"Bandits? If they are coming at dawn then we can wait for them. I will be only too happy to meet them, even if no one else does."
"How many come? Do you know where they make camp?"
When Raven matches Josef's gaze and declares herself as his guide, the young man breaks into a broad smile. "Well, I would be foolish to refuse the guidance of knowledgeable tracker who is also an attractive woman!"
As Raven unrolls her map and displays it, Josef cranes to see what he can, trying to get a feel for the area.
As the group moves to listen to Oleg's tale, Josef frowns, listening to others declare their intent to assist the merchant. "An hour after sunrise? There's not much time to rest and prepare for a fight, then. How many of them do you expect? Do they all come within the walls? Most? Some? None? What sort of arms and armors do they wear? It is easy enough to promise help, but more useful to learn about the opponent."
Natalya looks surprised, then slightly self-conscious, but takes a very quick turn as Hunter's partner. She's not very good, but she does try hard for all of the two minutes she dances with you before making an excuse to go back to her ale.
So are you here just to entertain us and earn some coin or are you going to put your talents to work exploring the Stolen Lands? I ask as I'm part of a team that could likely use some cheering up, if you're free to join us..
I think you have more than enough muscle here to dissuade those thieves Oleg she indicates around at the packed room, even though several patrons are asleep or passed out on the floor.
Fear not for your tavern, the lot of us here are very fond of it judging by the success of tonight.
She turns to the others here assembled.
So how to do this then...Do we form up and confront the thieves when they arrive? Or wait till they make their move then swoop from hiding?
Marlani crawls out from underneath a table, squinting against the remaining light.
*Looks Gareth up and down* "With so many strapping lads around, perhaps we can simply encourage them to take their business elsewhere? We can ask them nicely; barring that, we kick their rotten behinds back up the river."
"I would recommend a blend, actually. People being at the inn can't be that unusual. As many hidden as we can manage given the facilities, with a select few who should look less threatening out and about. At least, that's what makes sense to me."
Miyuki will gather her comrades and say: " I am not skilled in such decisions, but I will tell you what I can do. I can will people to fall asleep and make the blade to heavy to swing. Also I can distract people.
The question is, do we want to ambush them, always a wise plan, or do we want to stand close to Oleg and give him courage. I would like to hear what other people have to say?". But know this, we won´t stay here forever and as soon as we have left them, they are again defenseless!"
Dregan follows as the group he was talking to surround Oleg and Svetlana. The throng Oleg his so thight with offered swords and questions he instead goes to Svetlana. "I am so sorry, I should have realised if the bandits were hitting our farm they must have come here too. I should have thought and come here. Dad and I could have had a good go at defending a walled place like this. I should have stoped this months ago."
Kazz gives Alexio a bitter smile, "You're not very familiar with the Stolen Lands are you? No lord holds dominion here, those who live here must look to themselves for protection."
He shakes his head as Marlani suggests simply seeing them on their way, "Simply scaring them off will hardly suffice. Many of those you see here are gathered because Brevoy means to bring order to these lands. These extortionists cannot simply be left to plague the populace."
"Brevoy law requires unrepentant bandits to dance for the crows, if taken alive."
Anton nods to Miyuki
"Yes, we have to put this to an end. Definitely. We can't allow this bandits to escape and continue to put in danger this place, and all the local community. We have the numbers, we can do it. Together."
He moves near Josef
"I support your plane, and maybe some of us could hide outside the outpost if they are used to enter the walls, and then trap them between the anvil and the hammer"
How about we all leave the bar, hide outside, wait for them to come and ambush the bandits. They ain't gonna try anything with this many people here, but we can set up a trap.
The kayal nods to Josef, "Indeed. As to the taking I believe you have the right of it. Have those best suited blend in and hide the rest. The last thing we'd want to do is spook the bastards and have to chase them through miles of wilderness they undoubtedly know better than we do, only to have them warn their camp and prepare for us in full force."
Marlani smirks; "Of course all the big strong boys with big swords want to kill things. Can any of you even spell negotiation?"
Marlani crawls out from underneath a table, squinting against the remaining light.
*Looks Gareth up and down* "With so many strapping lads around, perhaps we can simply encourage them to take their business elsewhere? We can ask them nicely; barring that, we kick their rotten behinds back up the river."
Gareth returns Marlani's look with a smile and a nod to her proclamation of violence.
"An ambush is a good idea. That is what bandits typically do to their victims. Also, some of us should try to cut off any escape routes. Some of you here must be able trackers; we might need to pursue those that flee."
"I am not a tracker myself, and I lost my horse to bandits while making my journey here. I am an able swordsman and would gladly give pursuit, he pauses and looks both embarrassed and angered "but only on foot."
Kazz gives the lady a grin, "In more than one language actually. But these in question threaten those I care about. Not to mention my mission here in the first place. We can negotiate once they are safely in hand."
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"Well, I have a brilliant plan, which is rather ingenious if I do say so myself. Those of us with ranged abilities hide out outside the tavern across the street, while those of us with melee weapons await their arrival inside the tavern. Once they reach the door of the tavern, the ranged adventurers shoot the bandits. Once the shooting starts, the bandits will turn their backs to the tavern, and then the melee fighters come rushing out of the tavern and attack them while their back is turned. The bandits won't know what hit them. Should the bandits have any money on them, we can return it to the tavern owner as a refund on past taxes paid."
In a rather loud voice, Hithil asks, "Who's with me to kill the bandits?"
Oh adventures are as fun as they've been described.
"Anton, Kazz and Gareth are right. We should have some ambushers hidden outside the walls. We haven't heard, yet, how many bandits, if any, enter the walls, though. It is possible any fight will need to be staged outside the walls."