Justin, your turn.
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Brian smiles tightly. "We're only gettin' warmed up here. Nice job going nova round 1. How do you fare on round 2?"
He takes a step back and repeats the words of power.
The remaining eagle shifts 5 feet and is joined by three of his brothers and the four corners of a square, giving each other a flanking advantage.
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Against his original foe and his new brethren, the eagle, he attempts to parry the attack away with buckler...
...despite his best efforts two attacks make it through, and a couple feathers in his hat wilt.
He makes a repost attack against his old foe, the first eagle...
Killing his foe.
Turning attention to the summoner that should have been right next to him, he takes a five foot step, stabbing at the man...
Attempting to Intimidate the summoner, cause him to be shaken as he eases in close to his ear, following his blade as it pierces the man...
Saying, "You haven't hurt me much, torn cloak, missing plumes, a scratch or two...that samurai I killed was more of a challenge..."
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"Spam more– Just keep creating more of them, he shouldn't be able to handle too many attacks at once!"
(He has two claw marks on his buckler shoulder not much else. Need a will save against intimidate. Don't fail by too much...it can be bad.)
(Heal check to find out his state, knowledge checks to figure out more about him are free actions (can make only one check per turn, for those in combat) and anyone else is free to do them as well.)
"Ach, blast this! I won't let you people be shown up like this! We should fight as a team, where we are strongest!" In a sudden move, Jerimiah decides to aid his comrades by drawing and firing his crossbow...
Hitting true, in a moment clearly inspired by his desire to aid his party where it counts.
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o.o
Using dodging panache, the Captain steps to the side. (+5 to AC plus a +4 from mobility. attack of Opportunity from the two eagles and Brian) the crossbow misses (I mistook when I said it was your turn Justin I meant Brian. If Justin revokes his attack, than this content is also reversed.)
Stepping towards the captain, he tries another slash at the captain as he moves from Jerimiah's shot.
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Brian nods in perfect agreement. "Yep. Ain't done much to ya. Yet. I better not fight you then...personally."
Brian takes another step away and says the Words. But this time...something different emerges.
In front of the Captain a large green shape tromps out of the aether, and 200 lbs of frog *plomps* onto the ground in front of him. With a ground-shacking RIBBIT is launches it's two massive hog-leg fronts arms at the Captain, trying to pin him down and hold him immobile.
Brian nods. "You sure do dance real pretty. How you gonna fight when ya can't dance?"
The Eagles re-arrange themselves around the Captain and continue their feathered attacks.
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As the eagle swipes and misses is comrade catches the Captain unaware slashing at him. Brian misses him completely before summoning a large frog. The frog leaps at the lithe, thin captain. Pinned by the frog, the Captain, holds out two fingers as a sign of surrender a smirk on his face suggesting he takes it all as a light hearted jest...just then the attacks come in one by one, pummeling his prone, skinny frame, fear crossing his face, blood running freely as he goes limp. Immediately his mage calls out a command word and his captain disappears, appearing behind the mage. They immediately go to work. The mage says, "We will need a moment...He is very badly injured...I fear the worst..." guards immediately close in surrounding the group, eyes glaring, but brow wrought with worry.
The air tense... Almost an hour later, the unarmed and unarmoured captain steps out, blood still wet on his cloths, but wounds closed up, haggard looking from the recovery. His guard ask what to do with the group that nearly killed him. In response he holds up his hand, "I asked for them to fight me. It was my foolish thought that they would not find a strategy against me and that I could parry every attack they had for me. You have humbled this old man, Summoner. I never did catch your name..."
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At the sign of the missio, the red mist that clouds Brian's vision begins to thin. Propoket demands glorious victory, and it seems he has delivered such this day.
As the guard inquires about action, Brian tenses, his hands instinctively make the Sign of the Hammer, and he readies himself to lay low this cruel town of judgmental people filled with lackeys that would ask for any action that is not honorable humility in the face of Propoket's glory.
But as the Captain shows proper honor and remorse, the Diplomat comes back. His face splits into smile and he shakes the man's hand vigorously. "Greetings to you and your health again. I am Brian. White Angel. My companions and I are newly come to this...land. A word that might accurately describe us now is 'ronin'. We seek to right wrongs and win honor and glory. After you bested us I could not stand the stain that so low a defeat carried, so I thank you for toeing the line once more.
And at that, I believe our business is at an end? I think we have proved ourselves capable of guarding whatever Westward sojourning party there might be, so might we now join our friend Jaarn and be about it?"
The German man takes a momment of pause, as the garrison's ensamble encircles them. But he decided to instead pay no mind to them, staying his weapon and instead moving up to Brian, hands wrought with healing magic. "Perhaps we went overboard in this confrontation, Mr. White." He mutters in his native language, having since caught on that he seems to understand it.
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He rolls his eyes at the Fallout reference, but nonetheless seems to agree.
"Yes, yes...you all are capable and valiant warriors. Before you head out...you now have in your possession two wands for curing light wounds, one is missing 12 charges out of 50, but there are plenty for your wounds (I'll allow for you to keep your spell slot spent for healing wounds just now), might want to use that before spells, I would think. Do, when you return I would ask to hear more about your travels and your quest for 'righting wrongs' and such. I await your swift return, Brian and friends."
"Yes yes, us and our edler quest, as it were.
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Aghast at your defeat of the Captain, Jaarn stammers out, "He...you...what...when you...how did... YOU JUST TOOK OUT THE CAPTAIN!" Covering his mouth immediately after letting that escape. Wonder and amazement sparkling in his eyes as he watches the group get ready to leave...wait they're supposed to follow him, so he should lead the way. "Follow me, friends, we'll be on our way soon."
Saluting the captain with a grin, the rogue says, "We'll definitely be back. Maybe next time you can teach us a thing or two about parrying! Glad sparring with you, sir."
Turning back to face his friends, he is practically hopping as he returns, announcing to Dmitri, "Wonder Sword's honour has been restored!! We did it! Jerimiah was right too - we should always focus our might together. If we act as one, we're unstoppable!"
Lanx hears the musing of the large framed summoner, responding from a few steps behind, "Alle gleich in krieg und eroberung, wenn auf dem schlachtfeld. Sie kämpften tapfer, Herr Brian." Looking to the deft spell caster, "...aber, ist ehre vom gewinnen der eigenen schlachten gewonnen?" Walking up to pat then both on the back, walking away before he can be questioned by the guards, disappearing.
He stumbles a bit at the back pat, almost loosing his glasses. Pushing them back up his face and straightening up, he looks about. "Yes- I'm very much starting to see that now, and this little bout has proven such. Quite wise, in those words. We should move on then, yes?"
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"Yes, please, let's start to the gate. The other guards have rounded the questionable people up there." Hurrying to the samurai's side, "Follow me, Sword Saint, Dmitri! Oh gods this is amazing! These guys took out the Captain! I hope I can stay with them a little longer, learn to master the sword from the first man to get a hit in on the Captain...and BOY was it a hit!" Walking ahead to lead the group to the gate.
Dmitri chuckles and rolls his eyes at once again hearing "wonder sword," and replies, My honor was intact, it was an honorable defeat. Though I am impressed with you and Brian being able to take him down, even if you weren't exactly playing fair, he says with a smirk and a shove to Brian and Justin, though I appreciate the gesture all the same. Maybe we're getting into the swing of things here, he thinks as he is being led by Jaarn, the first person Dmitri thinks they could consider a friend in this new world in which they find themselves.
Snickering with a mischeivous smile, Justin sticks his tongue out to Dmitri before saying, "Pragmatism, my friend! As long as the desired goal is accomplished, I honestly don't mind how it's achieved.. Save for a few exceptions, of course. Looks like we're off to a good start with our reputation too, right? Surely word will spread about the 'magnificent strangers that bested the guard's captain in combat!' They'll probably write books about us eventually!" With a hearty laugh, the rogue continues along with the others.
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"Um...well, the Captain may not sing your praises to the town...but you are known to me to be amazing. Dimitri, you and your comrades are a great team...to travel with you is quite a grand excursion! I'd like to learn to be a better guard...you all are the best to teach me. What time I have with you, I'll learn all I can." Continuing to the gate, "Guards, at ease, the Captain sent me to escort the questionable citizens out of the city. These warriors are with me at the order of Captain Tinvaak. The message surely got here with the letter before I did." The other young guard nods and shifts his stance nervously, he motions toward the gate, it begins to open. A few sickly looking people are escorted out, tied with ropes with their hands in front of them, a sad look on their face as their eyes plead for mercy. Keeping up a face in front of his comrades, Jaarn prodded a more healthy looking yet older man toward the open gate. "Let's get moving! Come comrades, we had west!" Going out of the city walls he stands outside the gate area and waits for everyone.
He keeps his hands behind his back, attempting to look somewhat regal as well as mystical. Always good to leave some sort of impression. He'll look over the people once he's able, trying to see just how sick some them really are.
The unwanted citizens look as if they need some time off work, but not bad enough they should be cast out. Possibly just a simple illness that might be cured, but they don't seem like they have enough to pay for healing. As the group exits the city, the gates shut and Jaarn escorts all the exiled citizens to the south of the city away from gate on the east edge of the city.
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At some point after the battle, Toby would have uncharacteristically been excited as school girl at a basketball game over her colleagues' efforts, and would have remained happy and grinning until they began the grim work set before them.
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As the group gathers at the south part of the wall, Jaarn cuts the bonds of the citizens helping the two older people, a couple by the looks of things, stand. Offering them a little water and food he has in his field pack. "What do we do now, valiant warriors? We've freed them from the village that spurned them and their bonds, but where to now?"
"I was... under the impression that we would be led to where they all had been led to, so that we could understand what was being done with them all. Freeing them from their bonds, yes, that was planned, but I believe you have ah.. jumped the crossbow, as it were, here." He muses out lout, visibly disgruntled, but obviously trying to work out a new plan. "Please give me a moment...
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Brian nods. "Ya, lead us to where they would normally go. For two reasons. First, we want to see what their set up is. Is there a village of easily cured people and hard-working retirees? Also, and this does play to pragmatism, Justin. We don't -currently- have a base of operations. We don't have anything else to do with these people. If there is a village from which to operate, then we should see it."
Brian goes up to the healthy yet older looking man. "Ho there. I am Brian, WhiteAngel. By what are you called, and what has lead you to your current misfortune? We are but strangers to this land and would know what goes on here."
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The old man shuffled a little, obviously uncomfortable being approached so briskly, but readies himself and responds in heavy Nordic accent, "I am Bjorn Scojelstadt of Niversthgardt. It was long taken over by the elf armies to the north, likely before your time. I was discovered in my home by one of the Golden Hand Worshippers in the city, they reported me to the guard, but they aren't happy with keeping an old man like me in their village...even if I am a skilled Blacksmith. To be honest with ya, I ain't had much an idea of where we go from here. I only knew I was being escorted out of the city." Jaarn, listed carefully, expectant of information or a lead to where to go next, but nothing of it was had.
A dark cloud crosses Dmitri's face, and he wears an expression like he just bit down on a lemon, So they just end them off into to wilderness to fend for themselves, rather than a different village. Deplorable... He rubs his chin thoughtfully, walking over to Lanx and whispering to him, Lanx, how many people are at the temple? and can it handle a few more for a time?
"Hm, yes. Perhaps you could escort them back there, and we could stay behind to do some investigations."
Lanx looks a little concerned as well, seeking to wonder what to do about this dilemma. Just as he is about to respond to your concern, his head turns briskly toward the west, a smirk grows on his face, he simply says, "Our solution is on its it's way it seems." (Don't bother rolling perception, you could not see it if you tried. You could have a natural 20 and a bunch of huge bonuses. Unless you are a high level monk you wouldn't have a chance at seeing it...also true sight might help.)
You all were talking to the old man from the village, and just after you turn to talk to Lanx, you hear an ancient man's voice...much older than the seasoned Blacksmith from the city. He says, "Lanx Kotan, I never could sneak up on you. Although I never had any reason to. Everyone, my name is Sharazeh Finaak...don't bother trying to figure it out, it's a mix of draconic and elvish...not many would get the joke. You may not know me, but I know you..." pointing right at the rogue "Justin," directly at the woman in the group, "Toby," pointing at the summoner, "Brian," pointing at the samurai, "Dmitri" motioning with an open palm to the magic user, "and the Unlettered Arcanist, Jerimiah, of course. You all have many questions, I can tell...even though I am blind." Pointing to his milk white eyes "For now, let us get away from this dreary place, gather round your nearest old man...to qualify, he must be at least 300 years old. Sorry, Bjorn Scojelstadt of Niversthgardt..." Looking directly at the old man from the city "...blacksmiths don't get that old, usually. Hey, I see that look, you rogue, keep it sheathed...I am friend not foe. Now gather closer to this ancient man, don't want to strain me too much do you?"
Barely any of this registers, as he's quickly overtaken with an odd sense of rage. "My name is not to be spoken, not by some stranger, s-some, some supposed freind of Lanx! Where did you come from, why must you go out spewing as if you truly know us?! Herr Kotan, you will explain this at once!" Speckles's ears twitch worriedly, easily sensing her master's change of mood. "What is even going on here anymore?!"
Lanx Kotan realizes the unease in his comrade, hoping to settle him with some truth, he says, "You know his name already, but you seem flustered by his knowing things he should not know. He is blind but he sees more than any of us. His deity, Nethis is the God over knowledge. This man has transcended time itself to gain great knowledge. I feared he might have died, but age can not take him. He is an Oracle Seer who travels the Mysterys of Time and Lore. He glimpses the future and speaks with his deity for the knowledge he has. He once traveled with me for my quest against the great evil. He stayed with the druids to learn more about them, but after I left, I knew nothing of what happened to him. I only saw him approach because he hops through time to travel great distances, similar to a teleportation spell, my mental training as a monk gives me advantage over this traveling method, that is why I saw him coming. He may not bee very tactful in his approach, but he is surely your greatest asset. Speak with him all you wish, but as he says, we need to move quickly and he is our only hope of that with these destitute, elderly and ill. Sammeln sie ihren mut, reisen mit seiner geschwindigkeit, Herr Spilane. Come let us gather near our friend, the blind seer."
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Brian sighs with obvious relief. "Oh FINALLY! A mysterious Old Mentor is going to give us some exposition and tell us about the Main Quest, and probably about a Big Evil. Whew. I'm not sure if we're still on disk 1, but I guess better late than never."
He takes a seat. "I admit I expected you to meet us during the tutorial, or even better with an opening vignette, like they did in TOEE the video game, but I'm hardly one to turn down a cheat code when offered, so yes, I'll jot you down in our J-is-for-Journal and if you grace us with the infinity-minus-1 sword, even better.
Guys, no use asking questions--we're probably just in a cut-scene anyway. It won't be interesting unless any of you downloaded some adult-only mods, and judging by how poorly my romance sub-plot went, I'm guessing those odds are pretty frikkin low."
He looks up expectantly.
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"Don't blame him, Brian. I'm sure he arrived precisely when he meant to," Toby joked.
"Yes, Dumbledore number two in his starring role as the terror of Bilbo, the Ring Bearers Father. I'm sure we all can have a big lol about this later...unless you prefer a cutscene to my interactive dialogue akin to some new video game on your new console system. Did they come out with PlayStation VR yet? Regardless, you all seem close enough to your new spawn point, one moment..." he begins focusing really hard, you feel time slowing around you, then, just as a bird flying by simply stops moving all together, a bright flash of light and you are all at the entrance to a secluded slum built from dumped building materials. Many older and poor people line the small streets just outside their makeshift homes. The sickly members of your group are being healed by the blind seer and he directs them down the street to the center of the town where someone seems to be directing things. He looks directly at Jerimiah, "Young man, I know this is new to you and all, but you must, as Lanx puts it, 'Gather your courage', for there are many more things ahead that may test your mettle. My good man, I will gladly offer you first questions...but I warn, if I do not already know the answer, we only have a short window to ask my deity the questions before I am unable to commune with him for the remainder of the day. I might not speak your Germanic Dialect but I understand you just fine. Not unlike Daniel Jackson of the SGC. So what questions have my good Mr. Spilane? Am I pronouncing it correctly?"
Dmitri counts of his questions with his fingers once he recovers from the sudden arrival of the old oracle, and again from the transportation, One, where are we and where are these people going? Two, Lanx says you studied with the druids, where did they go? Three, What can you tell us about the golden hand? And four, I find myself sorely lacking in the knowledge about this realms deities, who seem to hold sway here unlike in our time. Could you teach me about the gods and those who worship them? He pauses for breath, I understand these questions will need to be answered after we have done whatever it is you plan to do, but I thought I'd get them all in the open for you to formulate answers. Forgive my forwardness, he says, finishing his apology with a deep bow. And I suppose my question for your deity would be, "Are we on the right path to begin ridding this world of the great evil Lanx so fears, and what can we do so we are ready in time?"
"These people are going here and we are west of the city about half a day (mumbling) and I thought I was the bind one. They left to the east...the druids...I saw that confused look. In fact if you head east to the forked tree you will find a path leading south...You may find one still camping near a wolves den there...just a thought for food...did I get the saying right? Regardless, what I can tell you about the Golden Hand, the Elves of the North, the Usurpers of the Free Peoples of Inastgradt, what this land used to be called...this knowledge could span the contents of a volume of books...you'll need to be more specific on what you wish to know. Once again you ask a question that has a vast amount of data...If I were to type it all on my dusty dead Mac Book Pro, it would span many terabytes...of simply word documents. You'll need to either be specific or offer to study under my tutelage for a...hehe, time. Ah, know we come to a question I would need to ask my deity...I'll wait on it for when others have asked their questions."
His eyes twitches slightly, as he tries and fails to understand and comprehend this so called 'time-traveler'. He in the end makes no motion to respond to anything he's said, and instead just walks off, wishing to busy himself by helping anyone wounded or in pain there in the camp rather then listen to the ranting of what's more then likely a figment of his own imagination. He had a feeling if he stood there any longer, ill conceived violence would begin to play at hand.
'Damn damn damn... I thought I was over this, but all this... all this nonsense, perhaps I'm suffering an episode right now? All this, another delusion? It certainly makes more sense to the contrary...' The thoughts that reached him were neither plessent nor promising, but the rat on his shoulder was more then willing to act as an out for his troubles, which he welcomed.
"Not at all, Young man...", looking at the empty space beside Jaarn. "I am of a race that is reincarnated after death, in this current form, from birth of this body till now, it has been more than 300 years of relative time. I probably confused you a little...suffice it to say, at my highest peak of study as an Oracle Seer of the Mystery of Time, I stop aging completely. I may have lived a long time, but my body will no longer age. I hope this answers your question, young Jaarn of Higraratsu Village." Looking directly at Jaarn, "You are so far from home here, must have taken a position with the guard from the Golden Hand. How long have you been in their service, young man?"