Borden ambles to the outskirts of town and leans against a wall, just waiting with the air of one who's content to do nothing for hours on end.
Oh Harran.*cough* Must have missed you. Have you landed in the town now? I would have thought you left the region. If you mean Nogwier, he's the same old. Pretty disappointed it seems, but that's really not my business. How are you doing?
"Well enough. Just wish I had more information on what happened to Senna," Harran answers, somewhat on guard. From what he knew, Tomoe was thoroughly in Nogwier's clique. "But that's not here nor there. We should get to dealing with the insects first before more people around here get hurt. Don't want another child to get killed playing out in the fields." He rolls his neck and shoulders loose as he glances in the presumed direction of their prey.
When Dragomir is about to leave, he calls to him. "Might want to check if there are some healing potions and the like. Just in case we somehow get more hurt than I can heal. We can always return them if they're not needed. That they don't have antiplagues doesn't mean they don't have ways to treat wounds stored in there."
Afterwards, he sets out to the edge of town and waits there for everyone to be finished with the preparations. Just in case, he draws out his many-ended spear and keeps a close eye on the sky.
Mac, seeing he already has a bow, stealthily makes his way out of town (you never no who is watching after all) and joins Borden and Harran outside the walls. He nods to each of them. So what do you think our odds of surviving this are?
Mac, seeing he already has a bow, stealthily makes his way out of town (you never no who is watching after all) and joins Borden and Harran outside the walls. He nods to each of them. So what do you think our odds of surviving this are?
"They're just blood-sucking bats of sorts. If they prey on small animals and children, that tells me they don't favor their odds against larger prey like us. So we should be safe," Harran reasons, waiting for the others to join them.
Then he remembers Mac wasn't that much larger than said children. "Oh. right. I'm... sure you'll be fine too! You also have some combat experience, right?"
This little outing? Piece o' piss mate, no worries at all.
Mia follows Borden adn Harran out of town. She keeps back from them and is content to let the others talk for now.
The lieutenant bids the others goodbye, then nod to Dragomir and says, "This way ,then."
After first giving the two soldiers a quick glance and a hand wave of dismissal, after which they salute then turn to begin their patrols, Dragomir is led by the lieutenant up the hill to the Garrison.
There Dragomir sees only two soldiers on the battlement, and only a few others within going about the business of the fort.
Trent snaps his fingers and a grizzled old veteran trots over, "Give this man access to the Armory, on the Captain's grace. He may loan out any gear within." he commands. Then with a nod, stalks off towards the keep.
The veteran squints up at Dragomir, then motions him to follow, "Come along ..." leading Dragomir into a building set into the wall. Pulling out a ring of keys, he opens an iron bound door to reveal an orderly Armory. Well maintained , well used weapons of all sorts, neatly stored in racks and on shelved.
"Have at 'er" the veteran declares, leaning against the wall as Dragomir chooses .
Dragomir thanks the veteran as the paladin takes a functioning heavy crossbow, a quiver of 10 crossbow bolts, and another quiver of 10 arrows.
"How late can I returns these items today?" The pharasman asked the soldier. "In case, the striges take a while."
As Dragomir pulls items from the racks, the veteran himself pulls out a a large ledger, and in a neat, concise script notes each item Dragomir has chosen.
The soldier shrugs, "The lieutenant d'in't say, keep 'em till it's done, I reckon." he drawls, then turn the ledger towards Dragomir.
There he can see that the soldier has written "Dragomir, Citizen: one crossbow, one bolt quiver, one arrow quiver". At the end, the soldier has drawn a line. Indicating the line with a single, squared finger, he says, "Make yer mark, or if'n yer edgucated, yer name in whatev'r script ya ken."
The paladin signs his name Dragomir Venchev.
"Anything else, sir?" The holy warrior questions.
Piece o' piss mate, no worries at all.
"I wonder who came up with those expressions of yours and whether they were in the habit of freezing their pee." Harran says, watching the sky. "That said, I hope Dragomir makes it back soon. We should really get going."
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"Well enough. Just wish I had more information on what happened to Senna," Harran answers, somewhat on guard. From what he knew, Tomoe was thoroughly in Nogwier's clique. "But that's not here nor there. We should get to dealing with the insects first before more people around here get hurt. Don't want another child to get killed playing out in the fields." He rolls his neck and shoulders loose as he glances in the presumed direction of their prey.When Dragomir is about to leave, he calls to him. "Might want to check if there are some healing potions and the like. Just in case we somehow get more hurt than I can heal. We can always return them if they're not needed. That they don't have antiplagues doesn't mean they don't have ways to treat wounds stored in there."
Afterwards, he sets out to the edge of town and waits there for everyone to be finished with the preparations. Just in case, he draws out his many-ended spear and keeps a close eye on the sky.
Tomoe gives Harran a sideways glance...
Senna? Haven't seen that one in a while, but i wasn't in the Lodge every day either, spent a lot of time in the forest. Ah yup those insects. Wonder what they are and where they came from. Probably should focus on that instead of spilled wine. There's more than enough children, especially human ones, but no reason they need to suffer from the unnatural. Let's put an end to this.She extends a hand and the big cat escorting her immediately strides up putting her neck underneath so she can tickle her.
She seems ready to follow and get the task done.
"I wonder who came up with those expressions of yours and whether they were in the habit of freezing their pee." Harran says, watching the sky. "That said, I hope Dragomir makes it back soon. We should really get going."
I agree that certainly is a colorful expression as I cannot fathom who would want a piece of piss.
"He means it'll be so easy, it's a joke," Mia says from where she's been waiting quietly. She'd grown up around a number of soldiers and some of them had brought back bits and pieces of other stations in their speech and mannerisms.
The old soldier snorts, slamming the legder shut, giving the typical noncom response, "I'm no sir, I work for a livin'" he says, then guffaws to himself.
When he's recovered, "Naw, naught. Take'em and good luck with them beasties, we'd have handled it...."
The soldier leaves the 'but' unsaid, but is obviously one who might be tempted to offer his opinion.
"But..?" Dragomir asked, continuing the thought aloud.
"He means it'll be so easy, it's a joke," Mia says from where she's been waiting quietly. She'd grown up around a number of soldiers and some of them had brought back bits and pieces of other stations in their speech and mannerisms.
Borden snorts, grins and puts his finger on his nose.
I am sure the overgrown insects have other ideas! Mac says wishing he could share his companion's enthusiasm.
Tomoe gives Harran a sideways glance...
Senna? Haven't seen that one in a while, but i wasn't in the Lodge every day either, spent a lot of time in the forest. Ah yup those insects. Wonder what they are and where they came from. Probably should focus on that instead of spilled wine. There's more than enough children, especially human ones, but no reason they need to suffer from the unnatural. Let's put an end to this.
"I hope you're referring to the dead child as 'spilled wine', and not Senna," Harran states, his features hardening. "Though even then, speaking of the dead as such feels disrespectful to me, and the boy's parents probably don't share the view of 'there being enough human children' already. Nogwier might have filled your head with dogma about the end of the world being nigh and all, but that doesn't mean what happens to those around us ceases to matter. Especially since it very much remains to be seen if he's even right."
He crosses his arms and throws an impatient look back at the town. Then he wipes some sweat from his forehead and sighs. "Perhaps the town's atmosphere I wearing on me. I do thank you for your offer to help here despite his teachings."
The soldier blurts out, "What? Oh...yeah, well....I shouldna say, but the ol'Cap'n's gone and lost his marbles. See, he goes an' takes the whole core o' the Garrison off on a friggin' lizard hunt! Don't make no sense!" he says, shoving the ledger back into it's place.
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The end may or may not be nigh, doesn't change some things. There's plenty of humans and most of them love the sports of making others miserable in some way or another. Just ask the city guard how often they control random halflings and why. At some point things are going to balance out, that's just the way of nature and fate, but i'm sure you know that.
She clears her throat.
Of course i'm sorry for the boy and his parents.[/]
[b]And yes, the town might be getting you. Just look around. Do you think any of this is natural? Or that digging in the mine? Sooner or later that must attract evil things i guess. Whether they dig them up or they wander in...
She let's out a big sigh.
Not the time for this now though. When's that other fella comin back? What's he needin anyways?
"Dragomir is gathering some equipment at the fort, Tomoe," Mia says, her voice a bit cool. "He should be along soon."
Whatever her feelings about the town may be, Mia finds herself agreeing with Harran. Tomoe reminded her too much of the soldiers she'd encountered growing up. Hard and callous, cruel even. They cared not for others, so long as the rules were followed and orders obeyed they couldn't care less about those that died as collateral damage. Mia stews for a moment longer before her simmering anger brings the words out of her mouth.
"As for the boy, for all children, what does it matter what others have done to you and yours? Should children be punished for the sins of their parents?"
The cool edge is gone, and her tone is sharp and hot, despite the quietness of her voice.
"As for the boy, for all children, what does it matter what others have done to you and yours? Should children be punished for the sins of their parents?"
The cool edge is gone, and her tone is sharp and hot, despite the quietness of her voice.
"No. They shouldn't," Harran continues decisively. "And for what it's worth, whether it's true or not, I don't think 'but their race abuses mine elsewhere' is a valid reason to be callous to humans or any other one up front. That kind of thinking leads to an endless cycle of hate. You're wise enough to know that, too," he adds to the small druid, then looks back down the street they came from.
"But you know, Tomoe... given the way this town looks and smells, and the depressive feeling I'm getting from the inhabitants, maybe there is some truth to your words. Perhaps it would have been better if it was never founded? Would the people have been happier somewhere else?" The spearman wonders.
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Tomoe blinks in suprise for a few moments after the outbreak.
Oh.
It seems there are some misunderstandings.
I am very sorry for the boy and i think it is a tragedy. Children are - usually - the most innocent, regardless of race or their parents. And no i don't think children should be punished for their parents actions. Maybe made aware of them and tought differently, yes, but not punished.
It's not really a race thing either, humans undoubtedly have the lead here, you see that in the numbers, but others follow and join in as well, even my own brethren.
She gives Mac a sideways glance.
What i really want to say it, fate and nature don't care. They seek their balance. And - let's say people - are curving that balance here, carving a big hole in it, literaly. It's just a question of time untill there is a big offset, a rebalancing, a compensation. Usualy that comes in the form of some desaster, be it the forces of nature themselves, ravaging or tribes, or like in this case, something smaller, a few stirges. Might be the beginning of something bigger though. Maybe Nogwier is onto something, who knows...
You can see a moment of stress on her face during the last words, as if she were picturing some form of apocalpyse.
Dragomir meet up with the others north of town. The paladin tosses a quiver of arrows at the tiefling ranger, as his borrowed crossbow and bolts hang off his shoulder.
"Thank you for waiting", the pharasman says in greeting. "If there is nothing else, let us be off."
Agreed said Borden, who decided it was too much like hard work to get involved in the discussion between Tamoe and Harran.
He slung his shield off his shoulder and readied it.
Keep a weather eye out for the little bastards and we'll see if we can't shoot em at a distance... but I'll have this ready in case they get the drop on us.
Dragomir nods silently, notching an bolt in the crossbows barrel; making his ranged weapon ready.
She gives Mac a sideways glance.
Mac gives the fellow halfling a look as if to say 'what'.
They seek their balance. And - let's say people - are curving that balance here, carving a big hole in it, literally. It's just a question of time until there is a big offset, a rebalancing, a compensation.
I'll get compensation all right - when I pick your pocket later! he thinks with a smile.
Yes, let us be off, kill the stirges and go our own way!
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Thus readied, the group of strangers headed off down the dusty track, climbing slowly up into the hills surrounding Diamond Lake.
A quick look over one's shoulder as the last rise was crested, revealed the sore that was Diamond Lake on the shore of the despoiled lake.
One's mind could not help but picture what the scene would have looked like had the enterprise of man not interfered.
Workers on the occasional farmstead look up from their toil, watching warily as the group trudges by.
Such places are few , for water was scarce this far up in the hills, but still beauty could be found: in the stark stone faces of the higher hills, the hardy flora with colorful flowers straining up toward the sun, and the strange shapes at the tops of some of the hills, the famous cairns.
Further on, as the group round a curve in the track, the top of a tall tree appears. An uncommon sight, this must be the tree the Lieutenant mentioned. Coming closer, the group is able to look over the rise of the track and see the tree....an enormous oak. The ground around it is dry and brown....it must be delving deep to find the water needed to grow so large. It's roots expand across the track , towards the abandoned mining office.
Made of smooth stone blocks, the building stands in shambles. Thick vines creep up the side and most of the windows are broken. The front door hangs open, barely on its hinges , under a sagging and partially collapsed porch. Just walls remain of the second story, the room having collapsed inward.
Just as the Lieutenant reported, perched on a branch over hanging the overgrown yard of the building, three forms lay in wait....their attention focused solely on the front door of the building.
"Well, I can see why they'd give it away so readily," Harran dryly comments, drawing his crossbow and loading it with a bolt. "Just let me know when we're ready. I have some magic that can help us focus in the fight."
"They appear to be resting. Perhaps those of us who are light of foot should end them while they nap," Mia suggests. She has her bow out and nocked, and with the fight at hand, she isn't as wary about keeping her cloak close to hide the more unnatural features she bears hidden.
Borden carefully lays his shield down and prepares his shortbow...
I have a funny feeling we should probably be closer for the best shot but we can't risk spooking them... and at this range? We might get off a second shot if they take to wing.
"They appear to be resting. Perhaps those of us who are light of foot should end them while they nap," Mia suggests. She has her bow out and nocked, and with the fight at hand, she isn't as wary about keeping her cloak close to hide the more unnatural features she bears hidden.
Harran looks at the Tiefling girl in concern. "Are you sure, Mia? If we split up and one team is noticed, the other one will be far way. I'm not that good at sneaking around and won't be able to help or heal you."
"I have a funny feeling we should probably be closer for the best shot but we can't risk spooking them... and at this range? We might get off a second shot if they take to wing."
The ranger nods. "Yeah. That's what I was hoping for too. Though getting a little bit closer probably wouldn't hurt."
Oookay, he says nocking an arrow. Say when....
Dragomir move to meet Harran and Borden, crossbow at the ready.
With Mia having her bow drawn and at least half the team ready with their own ranged weapons, Harran nods and begins the incantation.
As he promised, everyone feels slightly more focused and brave as a result.
"Stay close and get to your preferred firing position. On my count. Three. Two. One. Fire!"
When he hears Harran say Fire! Mac launches an arrow from his crossbow at the nearest one.
vs flat footed I hope...
Mia really would have liked to get closer, but it seems that the others are more willing to shot from afar. Unfortunately for her, it has been some time since she has put much practice into her bow, and it shows.
"Well, this is embarrassing," she mutters to herself as she readies another arrow.
Only Harran and Borden find their range, Harran's bolt speeds across the intervening space and buries itself deeply into the body of one of the stirges, toppling it out of its roost to the ground. Borden's effort glances off of one of the other's causing it to take flight to find it's attacker!
Initiative order
Stirges
Borden
Tomoe
Dragomir
Mac
Harran
Mia
Round 1
The two striges see new prey and lost no time flying directly towards the party, buzzing loudly. As they bumble along towards you, you see three more emerge from the ruin of the mining office's upper floor!
Round 1 Bardic inspiration/inspire courage
Lets give 'em Hell - onwards an' take the fight to them!, he yells out inspirationally, before dropping his bow and hooking his shield onto his arm.
Mac will take aim at one of the approaching stirges with his bow.
"Figured there'd be more than just three..." Harran mutters, dropping the crossbow and drawing his branched spear, then quickly taking postion just in front of Mac.
There, he braces himself to face the oncoming stirges and readies to strike them down!
Mia slides another arrow onto the top of her left hand, pulls back and fires...
... but the erratically flying stirges prove hard to hit!
Dragomir notches another bolt in the crossbow, aims, and fire again.
If we are round 1? I already posted above... if we are new round/round 2?
Still bellowing encouragement and curses Borden wades in with his sword.