Flandrion comments, "I am no expert on the arcane, but I have friends and family who are. I can think of several ways somebody could keep track of the prisoner. If you're worried about his master seeing through his eyes the obvious solution is to tie a bag over his head."
"The more pertinent question is whether we want to try to fort up here or push on to your destination. I do not know how close it is, but if we are talking only about a day or so worth of travel then it may be best to push on as fast as we can. The fact that Mr. Devil as he has been called attempted to threaten the townspeople into doing his bidding could be an indication that he's not strong enough to force the issue himself. In which case he would likely ignore them if we left."
"Sungai pengetahuan pergi hanya ke depan, tidak pernah kembali."
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"Anda masih bilang apa-apa untuk meyakinkan saya tentang kebenaran utama Anda, kecuali hal itu terjadi untuk merujuk ke waktu. Saya masih menunggu jawaban yang meyakinkan."[/ b]
Translation: [b]"You still have told me nothing to convince me of your ultimate truth, unless it happens to refer to time. I still await a convincing answer."
She then turns to Flandrion.
"I'm sorry, Hailey states in Common. "I should explain. None of us saw him, but we heard him speaking Infernal, which is a tongue used by devils and those who agree with them. So, I simply made a presumption, and didn't even call him Mr. Devil until he sent out the birds to scare the community., but now I rather like the moniker Mr. Devil for him. Luckily, I now speak Infernal."
She turns back to the magician.
"Jadi bicara. Yakinkan aku." [/ b]
Translation: [b]"So talk. Convince me."
"Anda masih bilang apa-apa untuk meyakinkan saya tentang kebenaran utama Anda, kecuali hal itu terjadi untuk merujuk ke waktu. Saya masih menunggu jawaban yang meyakinkan."[/ b]
Translation: [b]"You still have told me nothing to convince me of your ultimate truth, unless it happens to refer to time. I still await a convincing answer."
She then turns to Flandrion.
"I'm sorry, Hailey states in Common. "I should explain. None of us saw him, but we heard him speaking Infernal, which is a tongue used by devils and those who agree with them. So, I simply made a presumption, and didn't even call him Mr. Devil until he sent out the birds to scare the community., but now I rather like the moniker Mr. Devil for him. Luckily, I now speak Infernal."
She turns back to the magician.
"Jadi bicara. Yakinkan aku." [/ b]
Translation: [b]"So talk. Convince me."
"jalan hanya terbuka pada awal, bukan bagian jalan. Pilihan harus dibuat pada iman, jika tidak di kemunduran pertama Anda akan goyah."
"Jadi kita harus menyelam tepat di dengan ada kepastian,"[/ b] Hailey stated. [b] "Apa jenis kemunduran? Kurangnya hasil langsung?" [/ b]
Translation:
[b]"So one must dive right in with no certainty. What type of setback? Lack of immediate results?"
kita harus bergabung dengan iman, tanpa itu apapun kemunduran akan menciptakan masalah.
"Iman dalam apa, tepatnya? Atau siapa?"[/ b]
Translation: [b]"Faith in what, exactly? Or who?"
"iman dalam keputusan seseorang"
Flandrion comments, "So, long story short, he hasn't really answered any of the questions he was asked. I would recommend gagging him again, tying a bag over his head, in general trussing the rest of him up like a package and getting him out of here. If it looks like we're going to get taken out before we reach the destination, one of us chops his head off. Hia master is a Necromancer, having a dead assistant should be no problem."
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"Quite. He keeps offering me the ultimate truth, but without specifics, it's not even tempting. Faith without fact is an affront to Nethys." Hailey said, speaking more to Garekk and Swift-Palm than to anyone else.
And Hailey then happily goes off in search of an itchy sackcloth or burlap bag to cover his head with.
I'd offer you one of mine but tying his head up with components or tools would probably reduce the captured-apprentice-necromancer's life expectancy...
She trails off, tilting her head.
Upon reflection, why is he still alive? The birds aren't.
She pauses, then pastes a smile on her lips.
Well, no matter. It's past time to be on the road. I assume you wouldn't mind some company?
"We would be honored to be in the company of elves and knights such as yourselves."
He looks back at the prisoner.
"I would prefer to keep him alive. The information he can give us would be invaluable. And those who follow my philosophy do not believe in careless theft of life, regardless of how vile this man is."
Flandrion says, "I had decided to help you as soon as Mr. Devil made his obnoxious announcement. For one thing I am obviously an outsider here, and given the circumstances I seriously doubt that Mr. Devil would see fit to leave me alone. For another, I think that it is the proper duty of all good people to attempt to bring serious criminals to justice."
"Finally, and possibly even more importantly, my family has a righteous grudge against necromancers. Over 900 years ago my great grandfather and my great grand uncle joined the Shining Crusade against Tar Baphon. My great grand uncle, being the older brother, carried the heirloom family longsword into battle with him. Neither they nor any of the people serving with them made it back to Kyonin to tell us what happened. The obvious assumption is that they fell in battle somewhere. While I would like to hope that they received proper funeral rites, there is a pretty good chance that they were simply left to rot somewhere. Or worse, had some necromancer turn their mortal remains into sword fodder for the forces of evil."
"Given the amount of time that has passed it would take a miracle for me to simply locate the longsword, let alone find out any other information. But trying to get a handle on all that is the main reason I came to Ustalav. So, if you'll let me toss my backpack in your cart, the only thing that would remain to be settled is whether you want me on point or rear guard."
- Very well, sir... - Abbo smiled to Swift Palm - ... for Evil shall be vanquished, but cowardice leads to Evil itself. Killing a surrendered enemy would make us no better than him. He shall lead us to more Evil to be redeemed, imprisoned, banished... Or destroyed if nothing else works.
The Paladin proceeded to do a small prayer for Sarenrae.
- It is my pleasure, as well, to follow you in your quest.
He bowed his shield and moved his head friendly.
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Hailey is happy to see the two elves, though she is still dreadfully nervous about this paladin. Still, she will be polite . . . and watchful.
"So where are we going? Take him back to the fort so we can more readily guess Mr. Devil will not bother these people or continue on to the baron?"
And she's still searching for that itchy sack to put on his head.
I was wondering why his master didn't dispose of him, as he did these.
She gestures to the burning birds.
Still, it's the sort of question that answers itself, given time. Taking him to the court is a simple matter, and we should have no difficulty.
She doesn't seem as confident as her tone suggests, glancing at the necromancer.
Hopefully your master cuts his losses here.
You do want to cooperate, I'm sure. The alternatives are really quite unfortunate and would only further inconvenience your master. Why, compared to his likely response to your failure, the baron's mercy must seem a blessing.
Eventually, if hailey has no luck finding a sack, bendalis rearranges her gear to provide one. It is unfortunately pink and frilly.
The bravest of the locals have begun advancing towards you, pitchforks and other tools ready to kill you. Their courage will spread to the others soon and the prisoner that Hailey, Garrak and Swift Palm have captured is still secured in the stocks.
Flandrion says, "Guys, we need to get the prisoner and ourselves out of here."
"Indeed, it seems the hospitality lent to us has now expired. We would do well to leave with the utmost haste."
He furrows his brow, obviously frustrated at the town's reaction.
"Calamity, if only we had more time..."
Some shouting from a rather frightful voice starts coming out of the crowd.
A short barrel-chested, almost rotund, Half-Orc traveller with a Falchion over his shoulder pushes himself out of the angry mob. Those in the crowd near him give him room and look at him fearfully with their eyes raised at his unabashed gall as he walks to up to the party and addresses them:
Hello! I just wandered into town here and heard there was some sort of ruckus about talking crows dropping dead after demanding someone in the stocks be released. That sounds. Mind if I join you? Looks like this lot…" pointing to the crowd casually with a thumb over his shoulder" … won't be much fun! Looks like you'll need a bit of extra 'charm', like mine, to help you get out of here."
"Oh, sorry. Manners! My name is Draalûsh. Weapon-smith by trade and now a sorcerer in the making. I'm handy with fires."
Flandrion draws his longsword and advances on the prisoner with the obvious intent to pommel him (striking for nonlethal damage). Flandrion says, "It might make things a little easier if the prisoner took a nap."
"That prisoner doesn't seem like much of a threat! Draalûsh says with a chuckle.
"So, why is this sorry fellow the centre of attention here? Perhaps he needs some of gentle nursing!" Draalûsh glowers at the prisoner to try and cower him.
"That prisoner doesn't seem like much of a threat! Draalûsh says with a chuckle.
"So, why is this sorry fellow the centre of attention here? Perhaps he needs some of gentle nursing!" Draalûsh glowers at the prisoner to try and cower him.
[dice=intimidate]1d20+11
The prisoner is unimpressed by your attempts at intimidation. Though the crowd seems to have paused at your appearance.
"Hmph! He's probably made of sterner stuff than most. Most people get all fearful when I do that!"
"Sir, sir uh,... Draalush, is it? May I ask what it is you intend to do? It seems a bit out of the ordinary for half-orc to come stumbling out of nowhere and join our growing party."
Looking at Swift-Palm, Draalûsh says: "Hmm? Draalûsh ('DRAAL-oosh') is my name. I'm not from around here. Nor ordinary. Quite right." He says with a laugh. "I am looking for interesting experiences. And Friends. What could be more interesting than THIS? Besides, if I did not like you, I could have joined that mob instead of coming to offer my help."
"Sorry! Another lapse in manners. Forgot to ask all of your for your names. On the other hand, it might be best to save formal introductions until after we're clear of this little problem of the mob, don't you agree?"
Flandrion proceeds with his plan and hits the prisoner's head a couple of times with the pommel of his sword. After checking to make sure that the prisoner is knocked out but otherwise unhurt Flandrion sheaths his sword. He goes ahead and puts the gag back in the prisoner's mouth and releases him from the stocks. Using his dagger to cut some strips of cloth from the prisoner's clothes, Flandrion ties his hands behind his back, ties his feet together, and blindfolds him. Flandrion struggles a bit, but manages to get the prisoner in the back of the wagon. Flandrion takes his backpack off and puts that in the wagon as well. Flandrion says, "Now that's all taken care of let's get the heck out of here. We can talk to our heart's content once we get on the road."
"Agreed!"
The party begins forcing their way through the crowd which seems unwilling to press the issue.
As you approach the gate however, you see Captain Vilovich standing there with 4 of his militia. All armed and blocking your way out. Captain Vilovich has a longsword, metal shield and a breastplate, his militia have wooden shields, spears and hide armour.
"I am sorry, but I cannot let you leave with that man," the captain tells you.
- Captain Villovich... - Abbo starts, shiny armor and firm voice - I'm Abbo Lyrio, paladin of Saranrae. My companions and I are transporting the prisoner outside the town, in a mission of peace.
He smiles and shake the hand, friendly.
- The voice with the threats will have to come to us, and the will of Good shall persist. Please, as a token of friendship and trust, allow us passage to follow our quest.
I find it's better to stay out of the way of paladins and priests when they feel their duty compels them captain. You can sway the normal folk with talk of law and procedure, and you have your duty to tend. The safety of this town, the protection of the frightened men and women back there, it weighs on you I'm sure. It's a mortal authority though.
She gestures to the crowd in the distance then at her companions, standing easily atop the wagon.
They answer to their gods before mortal authority, and they feel that duty as keenly. The townsfolk will understand if you tell them you protected them by seeing us off. Go have a drink, and try to calm those idiots holding scythes like they're poleaxes down before they hurt themselves. You have enough trouble without this...
She kicks the unconscious warlock.
Offal causing more.
"Look, as the Gnome lady here said so nice, we are trying to take this nasty piece of work" … pointing to the unconscious prisoner for emphasis … "back to your baron. Your baron might be some kind of upset with you if you let one of his enemies go just because a crowd got scared, would it?"
"Fine the man can leave with you, but the results shall be on your heads."
Thank you. We'll just go then.
Bendalis keeps her bow close at hand as the wagon moves out. Once they're away from town she sighs and rests against the side.
Tense. How did you come across the klutz here anyways?
Draalûsh seems more curious than concerned.
"So, what next? Kind of strange this nasty piece of work, this warlock. He's even more delicate than me, but doesn't seem to know what fear is. And who's this baron fella we're taking him to? I haven't been in Ustalav long. Just been wandering through Lastwall for a while. People there were nice to me. A bit stodgy, though."
Flandrion breathes a sigh of relief. Once the group has left the village he jogs ahead to take point.
"I'm surprised the people have been so receptive to orc kin. Usually my people carry a great disdain for orcs, after the constant threat of raids from the Hold of Belkzen. But it is of no concern to me."
He gives the new half-orc a trusting grin.
"And as for the baron, he is a man we have met with several times. We've delivered a few miscreants to him in the past."
"I'm actually from the Human town of Trunau in Belkzen. I was adopted by a couple of the blacksmiths there after my Half-Orc parents were killed helping Trunau fight Orc raiders when I was an infant. So, I have no loyalty to Orcs, despite my appearance. I made a good number of weapons that were used against Orc raiders. Both in Trunau and Lastwall."
He bows awkwardly to the monk.
"Thank you for you confidence."
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"Well, I am certainly glad you people showed up." She immediately reconsiders this when she remembers the paladin, but maintains her politeness. "Those townies had me convinced I was about to burn at the stake. I am so glad to be out of there.
"Sister Hailey Besh, priestess of Nethys, the only re . . ." she quickly coughs, "I mean, reason I'm still alive in the first place. These are my friends, the most honorable Garekk, who I can tell you is, in my experience, a great warrior yet a gentle soul, and Swift-Palm, who is a master of meditation and has a fighting style I don't understand but completely admire."
The party makes it out of town and heads south back towards Silvam. The journey takes most of the day, and towards the end of it you feel like you are being watched.
With all the introductions done:
"Pleased to meet you all. Kind of boring, and dangerous, travelling alone in Ustalav, I'm sure. I'm not a warrior. I only recently found out I have some magic connection to fire. Don't fully understand it yet."
Bendalis sits on the side of the wagon, talking comfortably with hailey.
I still think coercion is a danger, when you merge your thoughts to affect the change you're completely open to them, but you make a good point about the dead being indifferent to morality. It is the caster's intent that matters there. I suppose most of the people drawn to answers beyond life are a little mad, but that's unkind. We are all mad in our own way I think. Still, to me the wonders of magic lie in the creation of new things...
She gestures to the trees around them, trailing off as she spots something.
Look there.
Flandrion looks around to see if he can spot anything.
Meditating on recent events, Swift feels the piercing gaze of an unseen entity intrude his thoughts. He opens his eyes and takes a look around.
Abbo follows his companions, taking the front here and there on the way. He smiles and prays a lot, seeing sometimes obsessed with the prisoner. In times, however, he tries to look around and keep an eye for eventual interlopers.