"We have time and resources left. And Ambassador Pikmik would be quite the hero if word get out the idol is secured."
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I am loathe to give up the badge of my office, but if need be, we can still defend ourselves. Caillus hands his bardiche over to the Master in Grey. I do concur that dealing with the tribe in peace is better than taxing our immediate resources with another approach. Time is of the essence.
Taerine, a bowshot ahead, there is something in the branches. We should bring it down for questioning.
Caillus Mordent looks broadly to survey the terrain as they walk. At the large tree, he narrows his eyes, trying to recall if he has, or later will, read of such a majestic thing.
I believe we must be cautious, but our mission is unchanged. We should prepare the best we can, and learn about our bandit neighbors. This Green Lady is a threat, but she has resources. Draining or taking them benefits our cause.
I make my prayers at midnight, where one day ends and another begins. I am happy to take watch up til the witching hour, and then catch my rest.
Caillus casts a spell that detects magical auras and concentrates on the assortment of items looted from the dwarf and brigands.
Caillus looks over the minor scrapes he received from subduing the badger. I am no warden, but badgers eat any meat smaller than themselves. This wood just inherited a new, ravenous predator. As we grow, even moreso. I say we eat the badger, and remove its appetite from the local game. We'll have to do the same with other predators if we want the forest to be plentiful enough for humans.
With a focused stare and the wave of his hand, Caillus produce another illusory form of himself, the projection a bit younger than the current student-teacher. The image walks into the tunnel and turns the corner.
The chronomancer judges that he is still not close enough to the badger to influence it with magic. Instead, he brandishes his bardiche and charges it with determination.
Are we able to go to round three yet? REady for some badgery goodness.[/ooc]
The Grey Master's spell quickens Caillus' steps beyond even the enchantment of his enchanted boots. He pauses to catch his balance, intoning another quick spell before rushing another 60 feet. He runs behind Thkrull, and passes within twenty feet of him before continuing wide. Several Cailluses appear where he is, or perhaps it is one chronomancer caught in a series of rapid movements. The whole effect makes him seem blurry and impossibly fast.
Seeing the bandits draw weapons, Caillus purses his lips. Unfortunate they have chosen to die rather than to serve. But they are not living as raiders for nothing. He looks to the sky holding his hourglass aloft and says in a homiletic tone, Lissala, our Divine Queen. You see forwards and backwards into the smoke of time. DO you recall when Taerine's comapnion, Thkrull was older and more powerful? Grant him your vision today! He leans over to touch the eidolon, nodding to Taerine as he does so. By your leave, my friend. As Thkrull's muscle stretch and riple, the chronomancer steps away from the group, stepping lightly over stumps and branches.
[ooc]Perception
Caillus murmurs in a low voice, barely above a whisper. Fallen tree hides a caravan of brigands. Trouble with their wheel. Dire badger skulking under the wagon. We either rescue and subsume their loyalty, or we strike from surprise. The badger will betray us soon.
Easy, Caillus whispers to Taerine. Indigents might be friendly if we pose no threat. Or they might have to be pacified. But with a certainty, they have eyes and ears that we don't. He carries on with the group toward the brigands.
The false Caillus strides out into the forest, circling around for a while as the real Caillus moves forward with the group. When nothing leaps forward to ambush him. he ceases to focus on the image and it fades from view a few seconds later. Boss:
Spoiler: The reason for the illusion was just to draw out attack from anything moving around ahead of us. Just trying to sniff out an ambush.
Caillus flips his hourglass upside down and concentrates for a second. An image of him steps forward, walking as Caillus walks, upright, proud, eyes flitting left and right to take in details. Let's see what would happen if we walked this path. the chronomancer whispers. It's not me, only potentially me from another time. But it may give us a clue. The image walks directly into the path of the shifting creature, moving nonchalantly in a straight line.
Caillus cast a few spells before helping assign watches and catching his rest.
Caillus nods towards Simon. Agreed. The tale told by any survivors must be that we appeared, claimed the land, and defended it with conviction. If we discuss our options overlong, the only options left are what the enemy gives us. He looks at the men and women around him approvingly. We not only want to enrich ourselves with their supplies, but to hamper them. Guerilla strikes and killing their scouts make a great start. We can effectively herd them away, buying the host time, and harry them until their size warrants an all-out assault. We scout by air tonight, and then those of us making the assault attack after dawn. Agreed?
....Caillus Mordent Attack the bandits now, using guerilla tactics and magic to eliminate advance scouts and lay ambush at enemy camps. Utilize the confusion to break morale and send the bandits back home without a larger conflict.
Caillus is not moved by the summoned creature's outburst. I am simply curious to know how it hunts and whether it can track spies or game or returning soldiers. And although you are expert in summoning, I recall that Thkrull is not your only ally. We will need as many such companions as we can muster when conflict arrives. Smiling toward Garess, he softens his tone. Please don't misunderstand, sir. It was this bandit king who saw to execute you. We came to save you. Now that you have your life back, I am clearly offering you an office with our company. You'll be safe, well-compensated, and remain in contact with those who appointed you ambassador to Hargran. If you don't want the job, we'll see what the Master arranges with the Swordlords.
Caillus stands next to the "ambassador", looking to each of his companions. We have a defensible fort, kindly provided by this rogue lord. Lissala has provided, our timing for the assault perfect. There is providence in this. We'll not lose it in the coming days. If we are wise, it will be the place from which our new rule hails. The chronomancer looks to Hargran, then to Garess. We offer you shelter and a full pardon from your alleged past crimes. We require someone who can profit by their knowledge of the surrounding hazards. We will watch you closely, but if you are inclined to keep your word, there's a life to be made assisting us. You'll consider it? He tires of being told where his allegiance lies. Caillus thinks to himself. He turns to the others. While the ambassador decides whether to accept his new post, we have work to do. Arioch, see to the morale of the servants, and assure they are working. Simon, once Grey has found a place for the Master's body, the building should be scouted for supplies. If there was magical support, there may be weapons and charms we can use. Denat, can we scout the woods and get eyes on roads and bottlenecks? Caillus rises up confidently. We are all equals here, but we have left the order of our home and arrived amid chaos. Our service to Lissala and the Master requires our action now. This is the Kingdom of Hargran, and we carve out our claim today. The chronomancer edges closer to Taerine. By the rules of our old land, we have no right to speak to your bondservant unless you give us leave. I will ask you directly, what are its capabilities? Can it scout?
The chronomancer moves back to Hargran, retreiving his bardiche and escorting the object of the hanging by the arm. Looking over him, Caillus offers a simple healing spell to stabilize his wounds.
Master Hargran. Be at rest. We will fortify this building until you have recovered. Caillus pushes the convict forward gently, changing the subject. Is this man of value to you? Or is it the location you require?
Spoiler:
AC: 16 Hp: 5 --> 15/33 Actions: 5' adjust away from Kressle, cast cure moderate wounds, move action to stand
The last axe strike inflicts a dizzying amount of pain as loss of blood finally takes its toll on Caillus. As his muscles go lax and the floor rushes near, he sees a brief outline of himself - one possible future where he dies on the floor. Somewhere in the translation of possibilities, his bardiche leaves his hand and joins with the lifeless form on the ground, left to itself when the other Caillus winks back out of existence. Darkness closes in around him. The pain when his eyes re-open is immense. He still suffers from several bruises, and the axe-woman stands over him triumphantly. When the summoned beast Thkrull slices at her from behind, Caillus takes his opportunity. He rolls backwards, ignoring the awkwardness in his legs, and intones a brief prayer, restoring his body to some of its former health. Rejuvenated, he stands, surveying the new positions of his allies and enemies. He notes the Hanged Man's confused expression. Fight if you can. Get clear if you can't. Your rescue will be explained in a moment.
[ooc)Did someone inspire courage? Should Caillus have included that?[/ooc]
Caillus whips his pole arm nehind him and brings it down before his advance. Eyeing the space his ward will appear in after only seconds, he steps toward the soldier with the twin blades, completing his strike. I say again, surrender and live.
Caillus moves to the entrance where, he can inconvenience the archers filing out of the front. On the way, he intones a brief blessing from Lissala, closing the wounds opened by the soldier-woman's axes.
Caillus takes the axe blows with a tight grimace. His wounds are serious, but his focus does not waver. As one of the archers draws back his bow and attempts to step clear, the oracle lashes out with his bardiche.
The blink dog appears next to him, wide-eyed and tongue lolling. Caillus brushes the dog with only a finger and nods to the other archer. Lowering his eyes at the hand axe warrior, he says quietly. You heard the man. Your men will surrender or die. He vanishes with the blink dog.
The world blurs for a second, the trees and stone nearby reshaping themselves when they return to focus. Caillus takes in his new surroundings, calculating the distance between himself and the prisoner. The speech of the officer before him is muted, as if his first words were spoken while Caillus was under water. As the language becomes more clear, the oracle gains his bearings. ....Mr. Bydon, take it away!
Caillus lays his hand on Denat's shoulder as he prepares to be shunted through space. He mutters, I have the prisoner.
Seeing the exchange, Caillus leans forward and whispers to Denat, I believe the staff was meant to engage us with the executioners. You can move several of us into the fight once Grey is ready.
Caillus kneels down to Master Hargran, whispering quickly, May the power of Lissala enable you to complete your work on time.
Turning to Denat, he says calmly, Can you do what he says? If so, do it wth haste!
Caillus gestures broadly at the encroaching devils, addressing the two who survived the fall. I will give you a vision of the future, barbezu. Even now, the temple of Lissala reaches farther than you know. To prove his point, Caillus gestures again at one of the devils, snapping out a foreign phrase before pointing to the other devil and demanding, [b]Kill this loyalist sycophant.[/i]
Caillus floats to the ground and steps to Hargran's side, hoping to have purchased his mentor a few seconds.
Caillus is surprised to find himself face down inside the suddenly appearing pit. Staring at the feet of the devils, he wills away the vertigo and whispers a prayer, forcing his arms up without rising to his feet.
As he re-enters the common room, he sees the disturbed faces of the students and notes the whorls of reality washing away from the space where his companions disappeared. He notes the others from his group have returned. Agents of the state will be here soon. We are grateful to Mother Cheliax for all she has given us, but we serve a higher power, one that the motherland would be wise to submit to. He locks eyes with the young student he was growing fond for. Speak truthfully, all of you, when you are asked if we served loyally and well. Do not resist the soldiers who come, for we do not require your sacrifice. Looking down the hallway past the door, Caillus sees the armed men coming.
Anglon, secure the door and we'll wait for Hargran to bring us back.
Caillus hands the fine glass back to Taerine. Get your creature moving, Taerine. He said now. As quickly, he addresses the dwarf master We will go now, but you are hurting yourself. You must rest a few minutes once we arrive. Caillus head to the near room, not turning his head as he sounds off again Get him water, and prepare to hold hands. I'll be a few seconds only. Mordent rushes back to his near classroom and stretches out his hand for the silver hourglass next to the door. A whisp, imperceptible to those ignorant of the vagaries of time, brushes against the glass, pushing it. Caillus' eyes go wide as the glass begins to fall just out of his reach. aillargo muin-tempee, the oracle rushes through his teeth and gestures with his left hand. A softly glowing replica of the hand appears beneath the hourglass, catching it and guiding it slowly back to him. He grabs it, the visible disturbance of his hurriedness sending eddies of time across the hallway. When he returns, he looks to see who is ready. He carries only the glass. His only other act is to cast a brief regretful glance to the young student he'd admired after class. We are ready, sir.
Spoiler: With his handy haversack, Caillus keeps a neat track of everything he needs on his person, and wastes no time accessing his wares. He does not carry his bardiche openly, but it is in the haaversack if he needs it.
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