Hardin Clegane's page

"As much as I'd like to think that redemption is in your path, it has to be something you want for yourself."

"I can say that your children will be well cared for. They miss you. Much as you miss your wife."

He nods to Rauno. Then says to Arael, "Can we book him passage to someplace where he won't talk, or do you have contacts in the city who can take him into custody?"

"Or, should we start digging graves for he and his men?"

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 Hardin's will save.

Hardin looks at Sarien. Nods. "You are right - I put you three at risk unnecessarily. For what it's worth, I was wrong, and you have my apologies. I will try to make sure it doesn't happen again."

"For an explanation, I'd told Freya to stash the children here. When the decision was made to also bring the prisoners here, that would mean that using the children as leverage on the behavior of the prisoners would cease to be an option."

"My riding off was to inform Freya of the change in plans. Since I couldn't tell you about the change in plans for the children without also informing the prisoners...you can see the problem, I suspect?"

"I will always try to have a reason for what I do. That reason may be something I have to explain later, but I will always explain it. When circumstances permit - and they usually will - I'll try to talk things out before we go forward on something."

"In light of that - there appear to be good odds that we're going to end up with prisoners on the future. We should make a plan - based on what Arael tells us - for how to offload them and where to offload them, so that if we cannot communicate without compromising said plans, that everyone knows what the standard plan is."

"I'd also like to move the children out of town; my family can watch them. The options I can see are that I can go, Freya can go, we both can go, or we can send them with Jocovo and a letter of introduction. I am also willing to bring on any of you - in case you need some down time. Can you see any other options?"

3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 5) = 16 Burst-heal for those who need it.

Hardin sees Sarien's face, and forestalls for a moment. "I can guess what's going through your mind. First things first - let's get you healed up. After that, we'll present the problem to Arael."

He ticks off points on his fingers.

"First, this place won't stay secret long if we keep bringing prisoners here."

"Second, we don't really have the facilities to secure prisoners here long term - just think about feeding them and the extra traffic that will entail."

"Logistics issues aside, I want to confront Arael with the problems that this presents and see if he has any solutions. Ethically, I agree - I dislike killing people when they've given their surrender. And killing people won't win us many friends. We need to demonstrate that we're a better option, not simply a more convenient or ruthless one."

Hardin says, "We're returning one horse, and we're friends of Jocovo's. The other horses and wagons will be here later."

"We also have a complication. We will be taking these children out of town in a day or so. They got mixed up in something unpleasant with their father and we want to make sure that they're kept safe. However, before we can get them out of town, we need to put them up for a short while.

Can you watch them until Freya and I come for them?"

"Wits, yes. Those they have aplenty." He shrugs. "I can plan for likely outcomes."

"I figure they'll be asked about the contents of the wagons coming in. Hopefully, the prisoners won't raise a fuss...but for all I know, they'll turn the prisoners in to be shut of them."

"At which point, my life gets interesting. Tao called me by name in that fight. Thankfully, the rest of you should be anonymous."

"If they don't turn the prisoners over to the Dottari, I suggested they take them to Arael. Their leader was a capable man. It would be a worthwhile thing, in my estimation, to put him to use for us. It's not like we don't have leverage." He nods to the drowsing kids. "I read his 'they're better off without me' speech as his last best attempt to sacrifice himself to preserve them."

"But then, I prefer the uncertainty of hope to the bitter certainty of cynicism." His voice drops as they come closer to Jocovo's parent's place. "After all, isn't cynicism the prime tenet of Asmodean philosophy? By clinging to yours, aren't you simply validating everything the nuns taught you?"

He raises his hand to forestall the likely explosion as the door comes up. "Later, not while we're trying to present ourselves as decent people."

Zing! If she's going to say there's no difference between an Iomedean and an Asmodean, she's definitely got this one as her due. She's smarter than he, but he is not without some low cunning when it comes to timing debates.

DM-J: If, by some miracle, this turns out to having the prisoners turned over to Arael, I'd like to have an off-camera scene where Arael and Hardin say, in essence, "We want to help you earn your family back. Your children are safe. They'll remain safe no matter what you do - we're not monsters. Do what we ask and we'll arrange a re-union." With the likely job offer being "Warn caravans coming into and going out of town, let us know if someone's hired replacements for you." If Elgar chooses to vanish into the foothills and never be seen again, so be it. If Elgar does good service, and manages to convince Freya that he's no longer a threat to his own children, we re-unite them down the road.

Merry Christmas, all.

"I don't know - but I don't think we lose much by asking, and we've a small store of goodwill to draw on. I'd like to get them out of town as quickly as we can, though."

"We'll drop off the horses at the stable first. And we'd best make plans to move the children tomorrow, lest they talk and blow your cover story."

"Alternatively - if you're willing - we can ask Jocovo's parents to watch them for the evening and get them out of town tomorrow morning, while we leave the horses at the stable."

Hardin rides on for a moment. Thinking. You can hear the gears turning. Remember, Freya thinks faster than Hardin does. *grin*

"Freya. I said it was your choice, we'll do it your way."

"Do you want to drop them off at the Temple first, or head to the Shrine of Aroden, so I can drop you off and take them back?"

The second option means Hardin is making two trips to her one. Yes, he really IS willing to take some risks to avoid putting Freya in uncomfortable situations.

"You'll forgive me, but I'm not entirely convinced that your superiors are any better equipped to handle children than the Asmodeans are. Priests are priests, in my book." She smiles at him a bit tightly. "Besides, I'm not sure your stable of whores will be a good influence on them."

Hardin gives you a very odd look. He seems...tired.

"You honestly see no difference between myself and an Asmodean?"

He shakes his head. "I may forgive that, as you say. But not tonight."

And with that, he dismounts, tugs the bridle of her horse to get it to stop, and crouches, drawing something on the ground with the point of his dagger.

"You've had an education. Let's explore the logic problem."

"We do not want to have the children and their father in the same place."

"We can bunk the men at the safehouse where we can keep an eye on them. At which point, you're either putting the children on the street, putting them with their father, or you're putting them someplace else. You have ruled out my 'someplace else'."

"We can let the men go, and keep the children at the safehouse. For what it's worth, their father swore he'd leave the area. I don't value his word that highly - perhaps you've some reason to trust him that I'm lacking?"

"We can stash the men at the Temple of Iomedae. Except that they'll be noticed there, far sooner than their absence will be noted somewhere else. The children are easier to conceal there until we can get them out of town."

"We can turn the men over to the Order of the Rack. Since you're the one who was educated by Asmodean sisters, I'll take your lead on this - but I won't enter a Temple of Asmodeus unless we're prepared to ensure that no stone stands on a stone when we're done. And I don't think we're strong enough for that."

"We can kill the children. No doubt this would ease your concerns about two extra mouths to feed. Then we can keep the men in the safehouse. That is not a solution I will be party to."

"We can kill the adults. They've given their surrender. They know we have the children. That is not something I'll be party to."

"We can turn the children over to the Order of the Rack. This is also something I will not be party to."

"By your book, all priests are fungible. When you come up with a solution to this, you'll know where to find me."

And with that, he remounts, and rides into the city with Freya. When the fork in the road comes for her to head to the old Temple of Aroden, or for him to ride to the Temple of Iomedae, he stops.

"This is your choice to make, Freya Gilles. Unlike an Asmodean, I will not dictate terms to you. I'm going to the Temple of Iomedae tonight. You, and the children, are welcome to join me. If you choose not to come, I will ride with you to your destination, see that you're safely there, and ride back on my own. The children will stay wherever you say."

"Far be it from me to dispute the education of one who's been taught arithmetic by nuns - but the Temple will feed these two for a while, then my sister will likely take them in."

"Their father and his band, on the other hand, will take some managing."

"As to what we've done - we've removed one raiding party. We've a confirmation of the lead we had earlier. And we've managed to do it without anyone getting killed."

"I realize I seem to be in the minority in thinking that last is a good thing...but I do thank you for humoring me in it."

And with that, Hardin seems less inclined to chatter. He lets his horse walk a pace or two slower than Freya's. He's close enough that he can come in to support her if needed, but letting it be clear that if the conversation is going to continue, it's up to her to make the effort.

Hardin keeps his voice low, ostensibly for the children's sake. "No - they offered to never return if we did that. They're trussed up in the second wagon, their gear separated from them."

"Before I left, I think the leader of the bandits said the kids were his - it explains his actions, somewhat."

"I've told him that we're keeping the kids away from him, as a way to ensure his cooperation. For that to happen, we'll have to actually *do* that, which means we need to make sure that he and they are stashed in different places. So I think we should drop them off at the Temple, while Sarien and Tao get the rest of them to Arael. Since it makes you nervous, I'd like to do that together - and do it quickly, so we can get back to the others before dusk."

He smiles faintly. "If our schedule frees up, feel like visiting my sister with some children in tow?" He looks at them both, considering. "At least she won't assume they're mine. Or yours."

"From what I've gathered, the father's name is Elgar Trask. His wife died a few years back. He took it hard, and he's been taking it out on anyone who got in his way...or underfoot. He seems to expect the worst out of every action he takes; he's got the resolve of a desperate man trying to put off a bad end, one day at a time."

"He says he was hired by someone who was in a disguise. Said the man 'walked like a woman', and they pay him when he's asleep. When I left, Tao and Rauno were trying to come up with a plan to bait a trap for them. I suspect it's the woman that Sarien heard about and that I set the Goblins to spy on, but cannot confirm it."

"If your word is good enough to trust you to leave, it may be good enough to trust you with other things." He notes the turn of phrase used by the bandit leader. His next phrase is gentler, less the harsh nobleman, more the shepherd of souls. "I'd like to avoid making more orphans."

"Hiring you looks like the best way to resolve this. I'll make what case for you that I can. On that, you have my word - if you can give me a name to call you."

With that, he gestures to Tao. "Tie them up, blindfold them, gag them, and put them in the cart." He nods to Sarien, "If you're up to it, please make sure they don't come untied."

Hardin will make sure that they have no weapons, and make sure that their weapons are in the other wagon. (An inventory of them would be good as well.)

While the prisoners are being secured, Hardin will tell Jocovo to not mention names or address anyone by name on the ride back. I expect Sarien will manage to coax more information out of them -- to at least enquire in how much they're making for hitting wagons, plus anything else Wander Wier thinks of. There are things that I as a player would ask for, but that Hardin as a character would not. Other than that, we present them as prisoners to Areal, and let him ultimately decide what to do with them.

Hardin will also ride up to Freya to brief her. I'm ready for that scene if nothing happens before then.

I was giving Rauno a chance to hop in and post - but it's been long enough that we can give this a go and just assume he nodded assent

Hardin, after consulting with the tall half-Orc for a moment, turns back to the bound and tied bandit leader. "The spells say you're not lying."

"So, I've got those kids you were using as bait. They're probably important to you, or someone in your band."

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 Sense Motive to watch whichever one of them jumps at that news.

Hardin taps the metal embossing of his shield, worked out in the symbol of Iomedae. "If I were a proper Asmodean, or, hell, even one of my relatives, your banditry would make things very simple. Very black and white. You attempt murder in the course of banditry, you get hung."

"It's not in the best interests of the people I work for to let you keep hitting Westcrown's food supplies."

"There's more to law than obedience. Justice also means weighing the potential benefits of mercy. Convince me that there's an upside to not letting the Knights of the Rack learn all you know with hot pokers." He pauses. "Or simply walking away and letting that man..." he gestures towards Sarien, "dispose of the problem."

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Diplomacy (Good Cop)

With any luck, my Good Cop roll, plus having possession of his kids will keep him long term cooperative. At some point, I'd like to have Freya and the kids head out to the Clegane estates, get them settled, and as a reward for this guy doing what we'd like, allow him to visit them in a neutral context.

Tao gestures to Sarien and Hardin and moves as far away from the bandits as possible. After they are close, he'll attempt to talk to them without letting the bandits hear what he's saying.

In a whisper, "Do you think we might be able to use them? Perhaps lay a trap for whoever is leaving these late night payments?

Hardin nods, and keeps his voice low. "That's where I'm heading. I'm reasonably certain they aren't lying. But I want to keep the fear of consequences upon them, while I present them with a better offer than being handed over to the Order of the Rack."

Hardin nods to Sarien. Then looks to the bandit leader.

"Now comes the hard question. What do we do with you and your men?"

"If I have to, we'll turn you over to the authorities. Banditry usually results in a gallows dance from the civil authorities. Worse than that if it involves the Knights of the Rack."

He gestures to Rauno, with the Detect "truth" spell running. "He lying?"

I honestly figure that we'll level when DM J says we do, so I don't sweat the individual XP awards. :)

What I'd like to know is this:

1) Hardin was bluffing about turning these guys over to the Knights of the Rack. Well. Sort of. He was hoping that Freya or Rauno would have a better idea.

(This is one way I'm trying to show off the differences between Hardin and Freya/Rauno. Hardin is better at making a good decision fast, because in combat, a decision right now is usually better than the perfect solution too late. But thinking of longer term solutions should really be the forte of our brainier party members.)

(I will cheerfully make suggestions OOC on this thread if you guys have problems.)

2) Hardin is now hoping that Sarien's 'street rat' abilities include shaking down people for information. Hardin's too diplomatic. Assuming that he actually lived, Hardin will cheerfully point out the guy that did in Sarien, and then say "No, no, I didn't hear anything...."

3) If Sarien isn't up to it, we'll have to find a way to smuggle them to SOMEPLACE secure, keep them isolated, and run "So and so has already talked; why don't you make things easier on yourself..." gambits on them. Or make sure their bodies are never found.

Interrogation scenes can be fun, but they tend to be about as fast as footraces through hip deep setting concrete in face to face sessions, and are likelier to be worse than that in PbP. And if they aren't fun for the majority of people playing in them, then they tend to founder.

Does anyone have ways to extract information from these guys?

Does anyone have a good idea for what to do with them after we've (presumably) wrung the information out of them that will be more useful to us than simply killing them?

I'm really hoping that this gives Sarien and Tao a turn to shine, playing Good Cop, Bad Cop and "You don't want to get the uptight Iomedean cleric involved. Trust me." respectively. ;)

How many of the raiders lived?

Hardin, after seeing that the raiders are secured, and their gear stored in a separate wagon from them, will do another Channel Energy to heal Sarien.

1d6 ⇒ 5

He'll then take Sarien aside, far enough back that they'll be difficult to overhear, and say "I think scaring people into their own best interests is your area of expertise." Gesturing to Tao, "He and I can probably intimidate. Can you do anything more effective than that, before we reach down? Like find the name(s) of who they're working for, when and how they get paid, and such."

He'll then set down next to Tao on the wagon with prisoners.

This is meant to be Sarien's chance to get some spotlight time.

Sarien wakes up and groans. "Wha...where...am I?"

Bloody and terribly pale, he leans over and vomits before falling backwards and lying flat on the ground, his hand pressed against his side.

"You're alive, and will feel better in a bit. I've extra healing resources if needed. For now, if you can move..." He kneels, to let Sarien lean in his shoulder and to help him stand, "We've need of your expertise."

Lower voiced, "Don't mention anyone's name, just to be safe."

Hardin will put Sarien in charge of checking the bindings on the prisoners.

Hardin whispers to Freya, "I'd rather they not see that either. Do they need medical attention?" He slips her a wooden groat. "If the Liberators cannot take them in safely, the Precentor at the Temple can find a place for them. I suspect you, and they, will both be happier if that's the second option. I'll also send a letter home to see if Tristan or Cedric can take them in, so they're not an immediate and long term burden on us."

Hardin walks up to the wounded, - all in a group - and channels energy.

1d6 ⇒ 2

With his back to the bandit leader, he says "No. We'll turn you over to the Knights of the Rack. Eventually." To Freya and Rauno, he merely winks. "Unless one of you can think of a better option?"

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Intimidate vs leader.

Hardin looks at Tao, and says "Please remove their weapons and armor - leave them their smallclothes. Don't be afraid to injure them if they fail to cooperate - I can fix them up."

He'll then get Sarien and the injured horse together, and channel energy twice.

2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6 to get them back to fine fettle. "I think you're best set for securing these gentlemen so they don't escape."

So far, the only one of us who's had his name revealed is Hardin, when Tao called out. I'm trying very carefully to keep it that way.

Hardin will call to Freya, "Please grab the bridle of the roan."

Looking up the riding rules, it is highly unlikely that the horses pulling the wagons are saddled, cinched or have stirrups. This will make the horses much harder to mount and control. Freya handling the reins or bridle will make it even harder.

And with that, he's going to step up and swing

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Attack
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Damage

Hardin jogs towards the horses, and the creaking, his flail and shield at the ready. If an opportunity make a hit happens, he shall do so.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 Perception roll to isolate the sounds and find our lurker

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 Normal attack with the flail

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Damage with flail if that hits.

Hardin steps up, flail swinging

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Disarm attempt to knock the man's weapon out of his hand.

Hardin lunges after the fleeing man (Ending up in S16) with the sap, calling out to Tao "Can you overtake the archer? He may know something."

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Flail attack on fleeing minion with a sap.

The man ducks going around the tree and Hardin's shot swings over his head.

Hardin does a pump fake on the lackey Tao hit, swinging hard with his flail. He will reposition to face west if the attack drops the man. "Good to know."

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 Flail attack (BAB 1, Bless +1, Str +1)
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Flail damage

Hardin adjusts his course and sprints as quickly as he is able to U18, then channels energy. This should (30' radius) also get Tao. It regrettably, will also get the wounded bandit.

This should stabilize Sarien.

1d6 ⇒ 2

"Iomedae, this man is doing Your work. Look kindly upon him."

Hardin double moves to R-21 and has his flail ready. (Note, his AC is 23 at the moment)

Perception check to see if he can identify the leader.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 Perception roll

Hardin drops out of the cart into X-15, and casts Shield of Faith upon himself. (I'm assuming getting out of the cart is my move action, followed by casting)

Don't forget the +1 to hit from the Bless spell.

Hardin has been hiding under the tarp on the third wagon (in the middle). When he hears Tao start casting, he sits up and casts Bless, then prepares to get out of the wagon.

"Iomedae, grant your blessings to what we seek to accomplish."

Hardin will be laying in the wagon under the tarp. His crossbow will be loaded beside him, and he'll be armored. He'll have his shield with him and be under cloak and scarf. He'll also prop up a corner of the tarp with some kindling so he can see out as he lays on his back.

It would be restful, but wagons on cobblestone roads are to sleeping what kidney punches are to friendship.

Hardin arches a brow at Sarien, who wears his insecurity and loneliness like a cloak.

"Speaking of people who know nothing. Where do the strictures of Iomedae say that priests must be celibate? Morale is important to troops in the field, and Iomedae is more than aware of the stuff soldiers are made of. Camp followers are as much a part of warfare as soldiers b#*&~ing about what they're doing."

He pauses, making a show of racking his memory. "I'm afraid I seem to have missed this in my novitiate days. Concern for justice, stand by your comrades, defend others, better the community, judge after actions, not before... Nope. Not remembering anything about a vow of chastity. Chastity? Not so much."

"I am, of course, willing to listen to your interpretations of the Deeds. Perhaps on the ride home. It'll keep Freya entertained no end."

He just shakes his head, laughing, as he walks up the stairs. "See you two in the morning."

I'm ready to move on. I've updated my spells for tomorrow's encounter.

"Not that you were considering it, Rauno, but don't be heartbroken. All men are inadequate for Freya. Not enough legs."

He turns to Freya. "Actually, I was figuring that we'd deck them out as Asmodean nuns. Do you still remember the patterns of the clothing well enough to sew them?" He smiles sweetly.

"Janiven, I'll be up at dawn to help roust these folk. Are there people we need to concern ourselves with, in terms of friendlies in the area? We're not going to have a lot of time to discuss and coordinate plans."

"Indeed I do. Think about humanity." He pauses. "Not that I have any greater insight...but one would expect a deity that deals with us, en mass, would need a sense of humor to avoid the temptation of erasing us and starting over."

"Indeed, most of the deities of Opposition seem to take it as a given that they'd remake creation without us if they won."

"We can go, Freya."

He then sets a course away from the Temple of Iomedae, tangental back to the Temple of Aroden, buys a bit of bread (which he splits with his companions) and glances back for evidence of a tail.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 Perception

Along the way, he recounts a story that was likely old when Aroden was making mud pies, with a punchline of

"How the hell do I get out of this chicken sh** outfit?"
"You have to fu** up."
"Fu** up? THAT'S what I've been doing wrong. I've been trying to fu** off!"

Given that Iomedae is one of several deities devoted to soldiers, the likelihood that her priesthood DOESN'T know several millennia worth of soldier's humor is appreciably nil. There are no atheists among siege defenders, as the saying goes. Not all religious messages can be delivered by homily and sermon, especially to grunt soldiers fighting far from home, on short rations, for people who may have to spend their lives like water.

Preceptor Nestor smiles gently.

I'm not sure how keen I am on this idea, Hardin. Rather than encourage petty theft, why not pay the creature openly and fairly for his services? Our Mistress, Bastion of Fairness and Light Unto the Unenlightened that She is, would surely rather that these goblins be brought into Her fold and taught to live as civilized creatures ought to rather than have them feel that they are forced to steal from us in order to make gains. If you give Grib gold, and he decides to purchase bread, we will sell it willingly at at a fair price, you have my word. If, however, he decides that his clan's needs are more in line with other commodities, then let him buy those instead! After all, bread will sustain a man - or a goblin, I suppose - for a day, but it is only through Her might that the true path to civilized life is attained.

"While I see the doctrinal basis of your position, I have two concerns."

"The first is that paying him openly could get him killed by outsiders. He's cunning, but I do not see much evidence of thinking on long term strategy. He would flaunt it."

"The second is that in order for the seed of civilization to take root, he has to accept that it is not just he and his against a callous world that would spit him on a gibbet to feed crows as look at him. I'm not sure he's at that point yet."

"While I have hopes that he'll prove useful, I expect his loyalty to reach only as far as his hand grasping for gold. Not that I won't take the opportunity to present him with options to exceed my expectation."

"Before I meet with him again, I will think on things his tribe might need, and see if we can offer to sell them to him, or give him them in payment for services rendered."

"He has already given us the name of the Goblin warchief of the abandoned area, and some dispensation of his forces. I hope to learn more from him."

I think that's a wrap for this bit. We've set billiard balls in motion. I have some ideas for future scenes the next time they're apropos. I'll put them in the discussion thread.

After Grib leaves, Hardin will wipe up where Grib was sitting, and then talk to Stevin and Armin for a moment, telling them to pass the word that Grib is to be admitted - but only if Hardin is there to receive hi. If Hardin is not there, they're to tell him to come back in two days - and to let Hardin know.

He will then ask to see the Preceptor (the person who gives the sermons) if he's available, or the 'second in command' if not.

If one or the other is, Hardin is going to talk about the logistical aspects of buying a spy network with loaves of bread.

"I'd like to try something - I'd like to see if we can get Grib to inform for food. I sincerely doubt that he can walk to a bakery and buy loaves of bread or pies, so they likely steal them when they can be had, or eat out of the middens."

"This will probably require setting them out where the loaves can be "stolen" - he'll not like the idea that we're helping him directly. His pride demands that he 'put one over on the stupid tall-ones'. It also probably keeps him at the top of his tribe."

"Battles are won as much by wits and knowledge on the ground as they are by strong arms and stout hearts.

"Can we be flexible enough to do this?"

Grib snorts derisively. Nests are where birds sleep, human. Goblins have dens. We move our den after you bother us. Grib not know "armigers". We led guards away from you, yes. They still chasing, Grib thinks! He erupts into peals of delighted squealing.

Hardin grins at this. "Good work."

Grib snatches the gold piece, and immediately bites it. He seems satisfied, and grunts as he places the coin deftly into a small satchel that hangs at his side.

Hardin nods, not insulted in the least. He makes a mental note to find other things that might appeal to Grib and his tribe. Soap, for instance...or find a baker who can be induced to lay out some bread for the Goblins to "steal" after Hardin pays for it in advance.

26 Diplomacy for Grib

Grib tell you what, human. Grib like you. Dogface a good nickname. You uglier than most humans, but you not bad to Grib. Grib and Grib's tribe will ask around about this female. Grib stays away from abandoned above-ground. Other goblin warriors live there. They worse fighters than Grib, but they have many more numbers. They not like Grib. Grib bed chieften's daughter! He not like Grib at all. Grib not like him, either. If stupid human guards go into goblin den, they get dead. Grib not care about this. Grib will ask around. You got anything more for Grib?

He figits nervously, as though he's unaccustomed to being above ground, in a temple no less. Which, in fact, he clearly isn't.

"This weakling goblin in the abandoned areas? What name do you insult him with? If we want to have him pissing his feet because you sent us, we need to call him out by name."

"Beyond that, not yet. Meet you here in two day's time? I should have something for you then."

Hardin smiles, and gestures Grib to a small area at the side. The smile wavers a bit at the reek, but it's there nonetheless.

"First, how's the nest? You led the armigers on a merry chase?"

Hardin pulls out a gold piece. "You and your tribe can go places we cannot. And there are parts of the cities that have been abandoned."

"I will pay you for information about people - I'll give you descriptions..." (He gives a description of the woman Sarien saw, and the name of the bar) "and I need to know where they're staying, and who they're talking to."

"I may also ask you, mighty Grib, to make sure that your tribe is not in the abandoned area. There are things afoot that may cause Hellknights to go into those spots, looking to cause trouble. We may ask you to evacuate them for your safety...or, if you're bold and tricky enough, to lay traps for them."

He hands the gold to Grib. "That is for trusting me enough to come here today. There is more to be had for reliable information."

Apologies, had to run an errand today, so this didn't turn into a back and forth. I do expect a bit more dialoging here, and am wondering if the others will get involved.

I am trying to play to Grib's love of gold, and his braggadacio. I'm figuring that being concerned about his safety is likely to embolden him.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 Diplomacy for Grib

Hardin nods at the acolytes. "Her Blessings to all, Armin." He gestures to the people behind him. "These are my associates. Has anyone come forward asking for Dogface?"

Stevin, the other attendant, looks at Hardin for a moment. "Not yet."

Hardin is wearing the family surcoat, but, it not obviously being a combat situation, he's not geared up for fighting - he's got the padding from his chainmail under his shirt and isn't carrying his shield. He's got the maximum length legal weapon at his belt.

Hardin nods. "Someone may come asking. You might be tempted to turn them away; please do not."

"I'll be in the seats to the east side of the Temple waiting for them."

May I define the temple's appearance? I defined the Goblins as not being here yet, just so I could name both attendants; they can get here as soon or as late as you wish. I've things I can do here to consume a little time. Besides, it gives Freya time to fidget and act like a brat. :)

Ready here. Hoping the die roller will give me something useful for a Diplomacy roll...

Today is finding out a bit more on the bandits modus and where to best ambush them. Goblin Talking Day is tomorrow. Assuming Grib shows up.

"If it's a noblewoman hiring the bandits - and it may not be - that further begs the question of following the money."

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Knowledge nobility to narrow down the possibilities of inter-factional rivalry in Westcrown.

Hardin looks at Freya. Considers.

"Are you in this because you want to leave a trail of mutilated corpses behind you, that were wearing the wrong uniform, or are you in this because you want to throw off the rule of Thrune?"

"When you kill someone simply because he belongs to the other side, you send a message to them. The message is "We cannot afford to lose. The other side takes no prisoners, offers no quarter and will simply kill." It stiffens their resolve, yes...but can you be absolutely certain that the person you killed wore that uniform because they believed in the cause, rather than taking up the clothes and the uniform to earn a steady income to feed their family and children?"

"There is enough death and misery in the world that we need not go adding to it...needlessly."

"That said, banditry has its own penalties, away from the cities. Enforcing a few of them may send a message. Making sure that it's clear that we're enforcing them, rather than the duly appointed authorities, sends three messages."

Hardin can check with the Dottari drinking establishments and other places where people might hire armed guards for more information via Diplomacy. There's precious little to distinguish a cleric of Iomedae from a fighting man until a Detect Alignment is made.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Clearly, investigators we are not....

Hardin continues Freya's thought. "It's a game as old as the Azlants to double deal; the fact that the goods aren't being sold anywhere we can find? That tells us that our bandits are paid well enough that the idea of reporting some goods burnt and then selling them in the city isn't appealing. Or whomever is hiring them has made the penalties for doing so terrible enough or real enough that it doesn't appeal."

"If it's the former, they're being paid money. Where are they spending it? Has there been anyone wandering around Westcrown with a sudden infusion of good fortune? I've met very few soldiers, honest or not, who wouldn't convert a big paycheck into a larger hangover...and a need for a poultice for diseases."

"Let us think on this for a bit." Hardin rubs his chin. "If they're bandits and are just burning the goods they're taking, then they're getting paid by someone else to do this. If they're taking the goods, they're either consuming them themselves, or they're taking them somewhere else to sell them."

"While you can hope to inspire people to do the right thing, the reality of the matter is that greed is a more reliable motivator."

"Who's getting rich off of these bandit raids? Who stands to benefit? Anyone got any ideas for how to track this down?"

I now have this image of our merry band of characters mapping surprisingly well to the cast of White Collar on USA network. Cue up the Police Procedural Adventure Template...