"Fair point, yes, one drink" Rutiliux suggests to the others
Search Posts
A nod to Bavros, "I'm in"
Rutliux scratches his chin, looking over the map
"Well seems more than once of us is interested" A nod from the the warrior
Rutilux is DEFINITELY interested, "I'd say I'm interested. Even split with companions, that could be quite the worthwhile gain."
Rutlilux raises a brow "Seems a lot of hearsay abounds. No one here has seen the orcs raid or the places after they were raided? Interesting"
"So what is the story of orcs? Has anyone here come from the west?" He asks around
Rutlilux nods to those coming closer
Rutilux makes sure his coin purse is secure while whispering to those near him "I think we have gained an admirer, and not a welcome one."
"Rutilux, and it would be my honor, Milush" He takes the seat offered.
Rutilux really really wishes he'd gotten a horse. The warrior wasn't easily tired, that's true enough, and his heavy boots and armor would keep him protected from shards of stone or brambles alike, but the Thayatian born fighter decided when he got into town, he was going to find a place to kick his heels up and maybe grab some food. He would do more than that, of course. Rumors of orcs meant danger, danger meant opportunity, opportunity could lead to prosperity, and prosperity would lead to enough respectability that Zorya's father would find himself silenced. "Actually looking forward to fighting orcs" He says aloud, "The things a man will do for love"
I'm slightly confused on whether or not we've actually started the game. I saw folks making solitary introductory posts about coming into town, so I jumped on board. Thank you, I was confused as well :o
Well well well.. nice to be here :)
Okay. Ridge here... Crunch and fluff up I believe.
Crunchy goodness:
Rutilux Lascaris
Fluffy sweetness: My name is Rutilux Lascaris. I was apparently born in Slavery.. What's that you say? Slavery is illegal in the Grand Duchy of Karameikos. Thanks to the Duke, may he live forever, yes it is. But you see while I was raised in Rugalov, my mother birthed me in the Empire of Thayatis.
My father was Rutilus "the wall" Lascaris, a famous gladiator of the arenas there. My mother, Drusylla was a slave, but slaves in the Empire have rights, laws to protect them, or at least they are supposed to. Father never 'owned' mother, but they'd met, and they took a liking to each other. Unfortunately mother's owner was a greedy bastard, and tried to rig some matches. Father declined bribery to take a dive by beating mother's owner and his two body guards black and blue for the insult. I wish I had more details to tell you, but suffice to say, mother's owner really wanted revenge after that. He decided the best way to get revenge was to poison my father. At risk to her life, my mother managed to warn the authorities and save father. Father recovered, ended up killing mother's former owner in the arena (turns out the magistrate had a sense of ironic justice), and the married my mother. However, family politics in the Empire are tricky. The family of the bastard who had tried to rig the game felt a stain about the whole thing. You'd think they'd have vengeance in mind, but no. They instead decided out of sight, out of mind, and offered my father a chance to move to the Duchy where a rather nice house they didn't use awaited. They thought it would end the gossip. Father wasn't sure. Mother however told him to take the darn house! By this time I was born you see, and she wanted room for a family. Two years after I was born, we were in a nice enough House across the border and my sister Noeva came around. Sadly, she'd never really get to know father well. When I was six years old, a fire caught at a local inn mother was working at. They called my father 'The wall' because he only got moved when he wanted to move. When a beam fell, he replaced it with himself. It brought time for my mother and everyone else in the inn to get clear before the material gave way, crushing him in fiery debris. Even the Traladarians refer to him as "one of the good ones" because of that, and they don't always like we Thayatins. I became the man of the House as a mere boy. Mother discouraged me from being a warrior- naturally that made me want it more than anything. My best friend in the village was the one who clued me into a mercenary band I could trust. Hoffy is a halfling, and while my father was a hero who held up the inn, his mother risked her life too, saving a child who had stumbled. It created a bond. I could tell Hoffy anything. Still can. I signed up with the Mirrored Legion. Despite the fancy name, it was just a mercenary group, albeit with a sense of Patriotism for our new homeland. And, while traveling with them, I met Zorya. A Traladaran girl of a wealthy merchant family. I mean, as well off as most Traladarans get. She was my first lover, and still is. And her parents do not approve. So here I am, taking part in a shearing custom to respect Traladaran customs, hoping to make my fortune, maybe get knighted, something to prove I am worthy while still honoring my father's memory by becoming a great warrior. Love and family pride. There are worse reasons to risk your neck, right?
Rutilux turns, "Margrave. You twister of souls, you really think we'd tolerate your stench among us? or let you succeed at whatever vile plan you wish to inflict on the innocent THIS time?" The Cavalier charges from atop his steed, and attempts to spear the man clean through then ride off to give his allies room. He's quite sure EVERYONE will want a piece of this bastard.
I hope all is well for you and your family
With his lance embedded in the monster, Rutilux turns to his flail which has served him so well. He lashes out with it I hope this one doesn't explode, He thinks.
Rutilux frowns as his arrows turn out to be useless, and switches once more to lance, hoping it has the reach to strike the witch while avoiding the pit if he can
The explosions burn and burn hot, Rutilux wonders, "A shame we can't launch these things via catapult and let them explode a distance away..." Noting his bow has somehow survived, he guides Sunfire a bit away from the werewolves as they're engaged, and fires an arrow at the flying witch that just got fireballed by Ana, "On the other hand, while I'm not much of an archer, maybe my time would be better spent greeting Anastasia's less attractive sister."
Noticing his regenerating foe, Rutilux admits, "A bit of silver would be nice, my flail is magical, but this thing still heals almost as fast as I inure it" Rutilux's grip shifts slightly along his weapon, going for wider swings that may not have the same accuracy, but will hurt it more if connects.
Ana scared him off!
Rutilux grunts as he's cut, "Down dog!" (Round 3)
Rutilux is startled. For a moment he wonders if he's falling for invisibility or some other trick If I am, I'm not likely to 'unfall' for it anytime soon. Seeing his allies being pressed, Rutilux spins his horse and turns on the nearest furred foe to strike with his flail. "We may have lost the occupants of one of the tents," He tells Skallingborn even as he strikes.
Thank ye for the kindness, GM :) And yeah, Jediah, this game has been great and enduring.
Rutilux is now closer to the priest tents, and realizes they're probably preparing with spells and the like. If he can, he'll use the lance to tear open the tent and expose them to the others.
Well, I made my post on assumption Spider-Horse is ago :) If not, well, darn it, I tried. I even tried to spruce it up to make up for some of my lack luster posting thus far (I have been a bit off the last month I feel)
Rutilux nods, and then charges forward, lance extended to smash into one guard, and then carry him to the next as he makes his way towards the priest tents. Gritting his teeth under his helm, the young knight thinks of all that has brought them here. His family's debt to the Kodiakborne, and how the repayment of that debt was rewarded with greater and greater trust. Silenced hoofbeats pound the ground with monstrous force. He thinks of his family, and the chance it now has to reclaim a home. An honorable home where good people can prosper and a good man might be allowed to be a good leader and protector to them. Sunfire's nostril's flare. Battle anger is easy for a drenched warhorse to achieve. Rutilux thinks on his father and mother, who look to him, their surviving son to restore the Talonn name to greatness, even if it is in a land that was not a part of their heritage. They expect much of him, need much of him. He thinks of the friends he's made, allies old and new, lost and still with him, and how those here now risk their very lives to drive evil back. Each has their story, and each has proven their courage time and time again. And he thinks of his lord, the Kodiakborne. An ulfen who, while no blood kin, Rutilux has always felt a connection with. A man whose lands fell to evil trying to reclaim them? How could any Cheliaxian refugee of good conscience not at least sympathize? And yet, the Kodiakborn is more than that. Rutilux's new lord is an honorable man, a good man, and Rutilux found it odd that he had to travel this far to come to find such a man who was worth bending knee to. Family, Friends, Liege, and Land! It's just a single thought, no words spoken, yet it might as well be a battle cry for all this carries him forth. He does not know if he'll live to see his liege's victory. He does not know if he'll survive the battle to come to restore his family's fortune. Gods above, he isn't even sure what his legacy will be if he DOES die. But few men could ask for better things to die FOR! And he's ready to, if he must...
And lance finds its target in a crash of steel against chain, flesh, and bone!
My daughter has had a really bad cold this week so I haven't had any time to sleep let alone read and post. I hope to have an update tomorrow. Hope she feels better soon. I would post Rutilux's action, but I'm still unsure about the horse :(
I think I got confused (Sorry, heck of a month), I thought swimming took us to an area where the climbing wouldn't be so steep. Ironically, Sunfire does have a climb of +8, so the term 'surefooted' might apply but if we're talking nearly 90 degree, I doubt that works. I love the cavalier class, but the mount dependency for optimal use can be a bear to work around sometime. DM arc, are we talking a steep trail that can be navigated by a slightly battle crazed but well trained steed, or going up a cliff so fergit about it?
A little coordinating here might help. Do you guys want Rutilux to ride straight for the tents, or to lance some of the flat footed (I assume) guards to help keep them off the rest of you while you make your own way there?
Even with Sunfire's help in crossing, Rutilux has a difficult time with the water. Fortunately, the Skallingborn's guidance makes a difference. When he arrives to the shore, he takes a moment to catch his breath and spit up some water before strapping his armor on. While his dignity is worse for wear, he doesn't complain as he straps his armor on with precision. A part of him is grateful his currently drenched state won't be a part of the Talonn historical records...if he can help it, anyway. "Sounds like Gorum's Avatar has sounded the battle cry. Now we have our own chance to give him glory. Fight well my brothers, weave spells my love, may we taste victory, but should we fall I will see you all in Valhalla where none of us will feel any shame standing before the ancestors." "Well said, my friend. May the gods of war and honor grant us success, and know it has been a source of great pride for me to have fought by such heroes as yourselves in such a noble cause," Rutilux nods and swings himself up onto a very wet Sunfire.
Okay. Ironically, I think Sunfire swims better than Rutilux does ;)
My only concern with the armor is that's minutes to dress and undress. What sort of time crunch are we in?
"It takes me roughly four minutes to remove armor, another four to put it back, if we're going to swim, we need to hurry now."
"Good gods and gray both be with you, Julian," Rutilux says to his vanishing ally. The idea of swimming or climbing troubles Rutilux, "My armor is going to make some things difficult, if not impossible."
"'Rutty?'" Rutilux blinks at the term, "If that was addressed to me, I'll pay you good coin not to call me that again. And if you speak of Herald, he's with me, I've been letting him rest, he's earned it."
"The rope maybe best. I hate to leave Sunfire behind but..." Rutilux is whispering when it becomes apparent there is commotion in the camp
"Success is our goal, not just glory, perhaps a mix of the plans. We could try to peel some off, but there's no guarantee that enough will be pulled away. Let's see what our scouts report if anything," Rutilux suggests , "Though if they get into trouble, we may have to rescue them."
Been a long road but it has been real fun playing with everyone. Hopefully we won't all die, lol. See, now you guys have me worried. You know something I don't? ;) Damn good game, yes. Good players, great Game Master, etc.
"Modest as always," Rutilux directs to the empty space that used to hold Julian, "I hope he remembers to work the wind so there's less chance of his scent getting caught."
Gotcha. Darn moving around alot really hurts. Do I have to make/pick one right away or can I hold off till a later time?
"We should have called you," Rutilux agrees, "But I doubt he thinks any such thing." Near evening on the fourth day Theo stops and points vaguely up the coastline towards a rocky outcropping that hangs over the lake's surface. "There. That's the place. The ritual will take place there an hour past sunrise in three days. As you can see there's an camp of bloodthirsty soldiers at the base. Probably wolves considering the importance of the site." he turns and meets eyes with everyone, "How do you wish you proceed? I for one have little to no faith in our odds with a direct assault" "I tire of deception, but I do see your point. What if any authority would they recognize to receive new orders to go elsewhere?"
Levels 7 & 8 HP (6+3 6+3) +18 total
Jediah would like 3 CMW potions for 900 Ditto if there's that much left over
"This could be a trick, and a dangerous one, but if true... we could win the war and save thousands of lives that would otherwise be taken, yes, my lord. I'd risk it, and gods help us if we were wrong." Savol then turns away and gives Theo no more chance to respond. "I am glad that all of you have returned safely but it seems that again time is against us. The celebrations of your success will have to wait, but the stories you will have to tell will outshine all others in the last hundred years." he opens his hands to Skallangbiorn and when the crown is handed over his eyes seem to glow with reverence. "The war crown. I never dared to hope that it would be in such good shape or that you would find it so easily. Time and again you have all proven yourselves worthy beyond kenning. Thank you for this, and for your friendship and companionship. When this war is over I will make sure that you all finally have a chance to enjoy your lives." "Be wary, my lord. A dark spirit clung to the crown for a time, and I am unsure how long its reach extends. If I may advise? Have those capable of sensing evil examine it closely, and make sure purification magics are used on it even if nothing is found," Rutilux would rather die than discover he turned a tainted object over to Savol so his voice has an undertone of quiet but strong request.
Rutilux finds the tale fascinating, and he, like Thorvald, wants to believe the man "Your tale is... moving. Our Lord IS bold, and in the right, though I understand you will wish to meet him yourself...."
Savol returns to camp with just over fifty men, several wounded and a few seriously, but all of his warriors wear wide grins or proud faces as they help the wounded in. Savol, standing nearly a head taller than everyone else spots up your group and removes himself, moving quickly towards you. "Good! You got my message and I see that yet again you have all managed to dance around the dragon's teeth and returned unscathed..." he then spots Theo standing amongst you and his gaze sours. "Who is that man?" Rutilux joins Jediah in making a make shift between barrier, "Theo , kin to Anya. And, if his words be true, a willing defector to your cause, my lord. He offers insights and aid, but.. it is true, his blade is cursed, and I suggest you never be alone with Theo until that curse is removed."
To Rutilux, "He bears not the stench of evil, but his steel is indeed cursed. If we are to allow audience, banner of truce or no, we cannot allow him near our liege so armed. Though I apparently know nothing of what occurred (correcting here) 5 months ago, the cursed blade should be dealt with before any meeting." "Yes, disappointment is one word they used to call me as a boy. If this cursed blade could be dealt with so easily I would have been rid of it already. Unfortunately the curse, or more specifically the mad priest that resides within the blade, prevents me from being more than a few feet away... Lest unfortunate circumstances befall me. And I have yet to find a priest or arcane spell strong enough to rid me of this curse. As for proof, I have no physical evidence but will submit myself to whatever methods your leader deems necessary to verify my claim." "I've seen men turned into butchers by cursed magics, as the Skallingborn points out, you can see why we are not keen minded on letting you near our liege when you could be a walking trap due to the blade you carry. Will you be willing to talk to our liege through intermediaries such as ourselves on a regular basis?"
Rutilux tries to gauge the man's expression, tone, and more, sifting for the truth of it
Uprisings, plural? Could it be the witches grip crumbles even on its people deeper within? "You understand why we are slow to trust a claim that seems almost too promising? You say you wish peace, so do most of us, but some forms of peace are worse than war, a peace that leads to slavery of a nation, for example. Can you provide evidence to further prove this trade is in the interest of these lands and my liege? I try not to doubt the words of a man, but dark magics" He glances at the bound sword the man himself has identified, "Are carried with you. Even if you were the soul of honor, are you truly free of the Ice Queen's influence as you speak to us?"
|