Aw man, that sucks, but thank you for running.
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"The fog is tainted, and affecting you. Let us fall back to the edge and recover for now," the ogre-blooded fight suggested. "It doesn't seem to affect me as much, so I'll fall back last." He didn't move away, and only searched what he could see for clues. He didn't want to mention them to the others until they recovered, either. He didn't want them to wish to follow. It put him at a disadvantage, but...
Yeah, getting out the fog and recovering seems wise. Just waiting on the results from Crow's magic/poison/demon scan so I know exactly what's up.
Crow grunted, staring at the smoke intently. He was used to feeling fear, dread and suchlike in combat. Fear was the biggest murderer of warriors to stalk the realm, and he was good at controlling it. He scanned the fog for magic, poison, and simply because he could, the influence of demons. It was unlikely, but he did it anyway.
Crow tensed, hoping that whatever had happened wasn't a start of hostility. He shouldered his greatsword and scanned the area, hoping that they hadn't missed an ambush.
"Orcish, although some will speak common to help with trade, negotiations and the like," Crow said, smiling behind his helmet.
"If you can speak their tongue then it's as good a plan as any. Just be ready to fall back quickly if they are aggressive." There was a chance they'd take a small woman in a dress as a weak representative, but it was just as likely they'd think the same of the Doctor or Edmund. And they might take Crow as a challenge. No path without risk, but River was fast and hard to hit.
"Do we wish to enter?" Crow said, a little dubious about trying to go into the wooded area. "Our war party, or whatever it is here, looks like it likely went in." The fact these orcs were avoiding the mountain suggested they had an idea what had happened.
"From what little I know of them, these orcs don't seem like the sort to appreciate people sneaking through their territory. I know that I brought a gift, and with healing and other gifts it would probably be best to simply approach them unless they're being especially aggressive." Crow shrugged with a clank.
It's a good game and I really like both our group and Crow, so I'll stick around until we're done.
Still here, yup.
Crow considered the issue. He understood grief, to a point. But he'd never really experience it himself. Sadness that a friend had passed, perhaps. Fear that an ally was lost and fell during a fight. But grief? He wasn't sure he'd ever been close enough to someone. No parents, no brothers, no sisters, no children. Lovers had been fleeting and physical. As a result, Crow had only ever seen grief. He'd caused it more than once, and it had never bothered him. Yet the woman's pain clearly upset River. It occurred to him, however, that to feel nothing at the death of a loved one would be far, far worse than the pain she felt.
So close to their target, Crow rolled his neck and got down to business. "I would suggest that we start to move in formation, now. Either River or myself at the front or rear - I would suggest River take the rear, as her speed and ranged attacks will allow her to attack foes at the front more easily - and the good doctor and Edmund in the centre." Statistically, they were more likely to run into problems at the front, and Crow preferred to be the one to 'find' any ambushes or traps that might be before them. His armour was solid and he had a good chance to spot a problem before it occurred. And if neither worked he could heal himself in a moment.
...the visual of that is worth find a wand of Ant Haul.
We can probably just hoof it there. If things go pear-shaped it might be better to have something to carry us away in a hurry, but as the slowest character here I may be biased.
"If you wish, we can ask after dinner. We have a Sending Stone we can use to talk to our superiors. I suspect that one of the Masters would be very interested in the situation here and more than willing to arrange some kind of deal, but that's purely from my own experience. I can't guarantee anything but the chance to talk." Crow glanced around, mildly curious as to where River was. There was a lack of screaming and cracking, so he assumed it wasn't a big issue. But it was curious as to where she had gone.
"Information gathering is an essential skill," Crow agreed. He'd been doing it himself earlier afterall. "But it's the same as researching an employer." There were plenty of people who'd love to hire you for a lower rate knowing the job had a bunch of risks they'd never mention. A smart merc would make sure the job they were going to do was the one they were hired for. "We also get a week off between jobs, mandatory, so visiting wouldn't be impossible," he added. Considering for a moment, Crow continued, "And yes. I've travelled a lot. I was born in the River Kingdoms, and I've travelled around a fair amount. Never left this continent, but I've been to Galt, Cheliax, a few other places. Got chased by some undead in Ustalav. Chased a mechanical...thing...across a small desert. Some of that was when I was a mercenary."
"Mercenaries do a few other things too - most of the time it's guard work more than straight up fights. Escort, scouting and such." Crow, being a ex-merc, had some idea of what he'd done. Looking at Samuel, he added, "The House has stringent rules for rest and relaxation, and stringent hiring requirements. If someone is able to join they receive extensive training until they're of the required standard for a task before being sent out on a job. But it's true, we're not a mercenary company. Members can chose the jobs and tasks they accept, and it tends to be small scale missions." Black eyes flickered to Samael. "It's not what you're used to, here." If the boy was going to go out and see the world, the House was probably the safest place for him. If he could pass muster. Given he'd stood up the bullette attack Crow suspected there was a future for him.
It'll be on Crow's armour, somewhere.
"We don't know. The village was scry'd on, but didn't seem overly damaged, as an orc attack likely would leave it. The scrying was limited though." Crow personally suspected something else had impacted both the mines and the orcs, but he wouldn't put coin on that bet until he knew more. Right now it was simply a suspicion.
Crow nodded. "So either something has changed - a new, more brutal and more sneaky leader - or something has happened that means they can no longer control the creatures they have raised." It fit with what he'd learned of them, too. This didn't seem to fit how the fought and what they did. "Our task involves a mine, and the village with it, going silent. Do you think whatever happened there might have had an impact on the orc tribes as well?"
"The official story is fine," Crow added to River's plea, "But we would appreciate the benefit of your experience."
It's Paizo rather than Chrome, as I got booted too. Clearing all the cookies and caches and stuff did get me back in, though, so maybe it's a little Chrome. But mostly Paizo.
Crow frowned beneath his helmet. "Sadly not possible. Our task is in the mountains, although technically unrelated to any of these issues." "How could a bulette even be bound? There ability to burrow would make them extremely difficult to contain, yes?" he asked, looking to the doctor. He feared magic on an unpleasant scale could be the answer.
Noting the poor state of some of the buildings, and listening to the man's words, Crow was pleased they had taken the time to eat and talk. "It sounds like there's some trouble in the mountains. We need to head into them for our job. Anything you can tell us to help us prepare?"
I'd vote to go to the meal and speak with Samuel. He should have information about what we're likely to encounter in the area, and maybe specific stuff about the towns and mines if he's ever worked jobs there.
Crow looked at the others and mentally shrugged. Can't win them all, he thought to himself. "It appears that such a price just isn't within our current budget, I'm afraid. It would seem walking is the more economic option, given we aren't on a time-sensitive mission on this occasion." Personally, he'd much prefer to walk anyway, but if there were any survivors in the village or mines...
I'm all good, yeah.
Crow had no idea if that was anything like a good deal. Horseflesh had never been something he was good in, and frankly they looked fragile to him. He turned to look the others, to see if any of them had some idea. He wasn't sure if 400 gold a person was doable, either.
"Thank you," Crow said, burying the point of his very long blade into the dirt and scooping up the coin. Considering for a moment, he added, "Of course, if you would like to travel a little lighter on merchandise and heavier on coin, we did come to buy some mounts. I realize we aren't on the friendliest terms, but business is business and we're happy to spend good coin for good mounts." If not, they could try the other place - but this one was meant to have the best horses to sell. If they could get some it would be to everyone's benefit, and hopefully the chance to win back some money would help soothe the merchants pride a little. And if not, nothing was lost to Crow.
"We don't need him, his reward, or his mockery of the brave who fought for him," Crow said with a shrug. "It is one thing to be unable to fight. Not everyone is cut out for it, in the same way I am not made for needle point. It is another to think of it as a virtue."
Crow nodded. "He was the gentleman who yelled 'You lot, help my stock! Get those beasts away from the horses! I'll make it worth your while!' Which doesn't hint as to what he might consider worth our while, but we didn't exactly do it for a reward." Crow paused. "Mostly."
Well, there goes the chance of getting a mount as payment, Crow thought with bemusement. Not that he had especially been expecting such once the many opened his mouth - he doubted that sort would give a copper without a contract. Probably a follower of Abadar or the like. Instead, the massive Warpriest added his voice to his allies. It wasn't how he would have done it, personally, but there that was part of the challenge of working as a unit, and Crow was happy to bend when needed. Showing a united front was always wise, especially against such a petty miser. "He owed us nothing but his thanks," Crow rumbled out slowly. "He has added dinner. If anything, I suppose we owe them. Perhaps I shall cook?"
Crow glanced at River, but didn't understand what was wrong. These creatures had been man-hunters. There deaths were a necessity. He wasn't really certain how to deal with her, so he turned back to the conversation for now, dealing with the bit he knew. "A meal would be a delight," he agreed with Edmund, on the theory that the less food be had to buy the longer his coin would last.
Crow grunted as the monster fell. Nasty beasty, but too inclined to flee to be too dangerous. Moving back to the group, Crow responded, "Crow Irontouched, with the House of Fate and Fire." Samuel and Sons sounded vaguely familiar, but Crow didn't care enough to rack his brain for it. "It sounds like you have suffered some attrition to these monsters. I am sorry for your losses." The giant bowed his head solemnly.
Crow moved up, but with a lack of ranged options he was mostly making sure the thing didn't double back.
Crow's helm tracked the leaping beast, and he sighed internally as he realized it was too far away to attack - and that it had taken out a horse, which was frustrating. Still, it couldn't escape entirely, and Crow hurled the second sword at the thing as he approached to try and get it's attention.
Crow frowned as the creature slid away into the dirt to hide. It was extremely inconsiderate of it to run away as it did before he could finish it. Instead of moving towards the other attackers the massive Warpriest muttered beneath his breath, banging one fist against his holy symbol, and two great swords as tall as he was appeared and began to circle. Crow reached out, grabbing one of the blades and hurling it in an overhand motion at the other bullette as he moved away from River. Maybe if he was alone it would dare show up.
Hoping the fence, Crow charged the closest bullette with a thundering charge, the greatsword swinging in a shining red arc as blood materialised on the blade before it had any chance to hit as he invoked the Iron Lord's blessing on the swing.
"Indeed," Crow agreed, and began to move as fast as he could towards the fence. It was going to take him a little while to get there, but climbing the fence, at least, was simple enough.
It's OK. My laptop is possessed by demons and needs regular intervention by a technomancer to make it behave, so I feel this pain.
With a grunt Crow broke into a loping run. He wasn't that fast, given he wore a lot of metal and his legs were short for someone as tall as he was, but even if they were stubby for his height they were still longer than most, and he moved with more speed than might be expected. As he ran towards the noise, on the theory that he'd need those horses himself, Crow's helmeted head swiveled to look around, to try and spot what the threat was - or at least where it was.
With no one wishing for any other materials Crow headed for Augustus' to see to mounts.
Nodding, the massive warpriest looked at the others. "So long as everyone has the supplies they need for the trip - food, climbing, weather gear and the like then Augustus' sounds like the better choice." Specialists were more likely to have what Crow needed. He looked to see if anyone else needed more general supplies.
Pre-Disembarking Antics:
"If you wish," Crow said slowly. "Although I'm not sur that it will be very exciting. I'm afraid I'm not good at public speaking"
Crow's helmet followed the troopers and there cargo. It seemed unlikely that this was anything to do with there task, but Crow noted it and the building anyway. "Thank you for the voyage," Crow added to River's gratitude. The voyage had been acceptable, if nothing else, but now came the more difficult part - finding transport to the mine. More superficially, finding some poor draft horse and trying to convince it to carry Crow. Perhaps he should look into getting an animal companion. The Druids he knew usually raved about them, often while darting around in circles or flying around. He glanced at River, and noted her desire to swim. Hopefully there was a river or stream they could follow part of the time, but he carried a bath with him and could generate water at will if not. Not the best, but better than nothing he supposed. "Does anyone know where we can find mounts?" Maybe they could buy a cart and team instead.
"Everyone makes everyone uncomfortable sometimes, I think," Crow said slowly. "I know you are not thrilled by killing, for example. We are as close to blood as can be, but we are all our own people too. Simply keep in mind that sometimes your choices will have people react in ways that you aren't as fond of, and chose whether it's better for you to do one thing or the other. We'll support you. Even the good doctor, I think." Looking down, he added after a moment, "As to the scars...No. Some of them ache, but it is not my scars I seek to hide. If anything they are trophies, proof I fought and lived. Others of my faith generally respect a good scar." Crow wasn't sure how to explain it wasn't his scars he tried to hide, but himself. His scars were well-earned, whereas he was ill-formed.
Crow's brain froze for a moment. The part of his brain that still held some semblance of sense sighed, and asked, how can you find a slip of a girl more terrifying than a monster? Crow knew the answer to that. If you let people in they could leave far more devastating wounds than anything the flesh could bare. Still, he awkward held out his arm after a moment. He wasn't sure it would be comfortable, but he moved the leather greatcoat other the metal of his armour with the other. "Jebediah is honest," Crow said after a moment. "Just as you are. Some people take nudity as an invitation to more...intimate actions. They're wrong, of course, only explicit and freely given consent is an invitation to such things, but some people think that. Hence why most people do not feel comfortable being nude where others but there lovers can see them." Crow considered. "Jebediah is honest, but also quite blunt. While we are somewhat used to your nudity," hah, not much chance of getting use to that, "But the sailors are not. You having been naked in front of them almost certainly inflamed certain...passions, in some of them. Some of them may even think you have a casual regard to sex, and would be willing to sleep with them, although I think most of them are now aware that you simply don't see nudity as something shameful, that needs to be hidden." The fact that Crow said that while he, himself, was almost completely covered except for a few patches of glowing tattoos and sigils on one arm, probably said a lot about how Crow felt about himself.
Oh, that does seem very useful. Thank you.
Standing next to River, Crow was unsure what to do next. True, he'd seen plenty of upset women, but it was usually because he'd cut someone they cared for in half. Which was awkward, but rarely something he had to care about. After thinking for a bit, he cleared his throat. "You seem...unhappy."
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