Search Posts
Harter sighs, as the man seems to be not smart enough to recognize what is happening. And his fellow bandits seem to be too afraid of him to listen to reason. Harter has his horse step further a bit and says "You see, little man, maybe this Stag Lord is strong, but I don't see him here. All I see is you, and your band of bullies. You let us worry about the Stag Lord, you need to worry about yourself now." His voice is deep and curt as he finishes "I give you one last chance. Leave this trading post right now.
@Everyone who doesn't agree with Harter's lead: I agree with you. Harter decides things maybe a bit hastily and is overconfident. This is a personality flaw he's going to have to overcome. @GM:
Also, I've asked before and would really like to know. May we add our horses to our sheets and name them?
Harter narrows his eyes at the man. Apparently he didn't just notice a big group of well armed people strolling in on top of horses. Immediately, he recognizes this man as a bully, having had enough experience with other bullies. Unfortunately, reason isn't a good approach with such people, but they do respond well to posturing and displays of strength. He brings his horse a few steps further while counting and making note of the other people threatening the man in apron, although his body is still relaxed and says "I applaud your bravery. You may be big, but from the top of my horse, you aren't that scary. You're asking us to leave, but I'm afraid we can't do that. You see, we come here bringing law and justice in the name of Restov. The so-called Stag Lord has no authority to collect taxes here, so we can't turn a blind eye. I do, however, offer you the possibility to leave this place with your lives and your freedom. Stay, and forfeit one of them. That goes to all of you.", he finishes addressing the others with the big man. To mark his point, he rests his right hand on the pommel of his two-handed sword, sheathed at his hip.
On the way to Oleg's, Harter makes an effort to get to know those who he's traveling with. He, himself, tells he is the adopted youngest brother of a house of minor nobles, and decided to make himself useful instead of living in his brothers' shadows. He is usually in good spirits, although he isn't much of a joker, taking some things a bit too seriously.
Harter says "This is ridiculous. This Stag Lord can't decide if he's a bandit or a ruler. He has no authority to collect taxes. We should correct this." Harter ushers his horse forward while saying "Excuse me, sir." to the old man. He rides slowly through the open gate and immediately interrupts the discussion "What is going on here?"
Harter simply nods as Jamandi speaks. He is sure she will find him innocent, so he doesn't feel the need to speak more. At the end, the ones traveling with him make very good questions about defending this outpost from bandits. While thankful for their concern, he trusts the group to be able to help the trading post, so his mind is somewhere else. He asks "Do you have an updated map of the region?" Being also worried about interference from other kingdoms, who have much more resources than the little band of adventurers who just met. He asks "May we have a letter of introduction to present to Oleg Leveton?"
Harter finds Jamandi's position fair. He speaks no more of the issue, certain that the investigation will prove his innocence. He feels honored and humbled to hear others say they'll follow him. Suddenly he doubts himself, wondering if he's up to the task. He holds his holy symbol and thinks "Old Deadeye, guide me". Suddenly realizing how he looks like, he cleans his sword of all the blood then re-sheathes it. He doesn't say anything, not wanting to inadvertently ruin the moment. However, he does note those who are going with Tartuccio, and those who are going to deal with the centaurs, as well as Glenebon. It could be important in the future to keep good relations, even though it seems that any relations with Tartuccio are already mostly broken. He wishes he has some time to speak with those who will go to other places now, but it seems that things are moving faster than that.
Harter is so stunned by the accusation that he cannot react immediately. However, seeing the others are stepping up to defend him warms his heart. He takes out the ring on his finger and says "Thank you for your kind words. I did not recognize it at first, but now I do, this Irovetti's seal. However, it's you who gave it to me during the battle, little one.", while looking at Tartuccio. Adding to what Elenaril said, he suspects that Tartuccio is actually an ally of the attackers and planned to accuse him from the beginning. However, it's bad form to point the finger at one's accuser directly, so he says "This is a delicate situation, and I imagine Lady Jamandi will want to conduct her own investigation independently. I submit to it and wish to aid in it however I can, to clear my name." Looking at Kesten Garress, he says "I imagine you captured some of the attackers alive. I don't want to tell you how to do your job, but it might be wise to ask them if they had instructions to look for a ring with a particular insignia on people before they assassinate them. Or perhaps if they had instructions to avoid harming a particular purple gnome?"
Not being the best at avoiding fire, Harter only hopes that Gaki can aim his fire well. He continues in the melee, reassesses the situation and tells Stanislaw "We need to help as many people as we can here. We need to trust Jalmandi that she can take care of herself. I'll move with you, but make a perimeter around people who are hurt or in a disadvantageous position."
Stolen Lands group: Harter seems to be looking weirdly at the gnome Tartuccio. Still he says [b]"I agree, we should move there swiftly. Stay behind me, I should be drawing their attention." He tries to remember the quickest way to the banquet hall and goes that way. Before entering a room, he quickly scans it for chaotic auras.
GM:
Stolen Lands group: Harter quickly goes into action and effectively goes first into action, making sure to protect the others, even the small fragile Tartuccio gnome. As they are about to enter the hall, the giant appears and, for the first time, the man pauses. He is impressed with its abilities and isn't sure he'd be a menace to it. After it's gone, he considers whether he should have entered, then decides second guessing his actions is better for another time. He enters the hall and says "Everyone, quick, look for a way forward." He starts looking himself, but he knows he is not the most perceptive person.
Harter takes a second look at this Tartuccio and says "I'd also be willing to lead the expedition. I believe people will appreciate my willingness to uphold the law and to respect their traditions. Instead, of course, of trampling over everything." He keeps his gaze at Tartuccio and his nonchalant manners.
Making no movement to show his obvious preference to the greatsword at his hip, Harter scratches his head embarrassed and says "While I was trained to shoot all sorts of bows, my preference is in the melee. I was told that would be useful to let the priests shoot their bows. Say, Stanislaw, was it? I don't remember you from our training. Where did you study? What kind of community was that?"
Harter makes some effort to learn all the names he just heard, certain that he'll fail. Still, he says "Nice to meet you all here. Surely there will be space for all of us in this endeavor." After Ikit introduces himself, he nods and says "Forgive me, I should have introduced you. As he said, he is Ikit, an inventor of great things. Whatever comes of this, he will surely make a name for himself and I would be honored to see it." He looks at Meredith and gives her a hand signal to convey that they can catch up later.
Harter follows Ikit's gaze and suddenly notices other people as well. He says "Oh, I know that person. Come, let's make some new friends!" He walks over to Meredith, taking tare to wait for Ikit to catch up if he needs to. Approaching her, he says "Hello Meredith. It's been a while! Where's Rain? Did he not fit through the door?"
With Ikit: Harter's face relaxes as the small ratfolk asks about him. He answers "Well us.... man-beasts... do like to get into trouble. For me, I'm just trying to find the fortune I was never given at home. And if I can spread some Erastilian values, that'd be a great bonus." He looks around and says "Jamandi doesn't declare we should test each other by combat. That's a gruesome way to start a venture. But hey, we should help each other either way, what do you say? This should be fun!"
Harter nods at Ikit. He is unsure how to respond to it, due to not being particularly familiar with his culture. He nods and says "That seems very useful, Ikit. Perhaps we'll end up traveling together. Why don't you tell me a bit about your culture and these plans of yours?" Himself being a representative of Erastil's faith, he doesn't know how to reconcile the technological marvels that Ikit promises with the community centered values he is supposed to uphold. Then again, these may be exactly the challenges that he is supposed to face, if he is to grow as a person.
A man walks in wearing scale mail armor and carrying a large sword on his hip, which can only be meant to be used with two hands. He also has a short bow strapped to his back. He carries a backpack and clearly the weight of all this doesn't bother him, although the armor makes him a little stiff. He is tall and carries many muscles. Despite the hard structure of his facial bone structure, he wears a light smile and his eyes transmit tranquility. He takes a look around the room and a few thoughts pass through his head. It's been a while since he's been to a noble's event, but he's never been to one that reminded him of longhouse meetings in small towns. Before embarking in memory lane, the man focuses on the people and tries to see if he recognizes anyone.
He suppresses his own curiosity to check the room for chaotic auras. This is not the time nor the place for this, and whatever he learned would not help him in any way. Instead, he notices some people talking. He sees a few people who know how to dress, which makes him think they might be aristocracy. Not wanting to visit that lane, he decides to approach some who are not yet talking to anyone, to see if he can learn some names. Approaching Ikit carefully, he says "Good morning! Please, don't be startled, I just want to talk. Maybe start with something simple, my name is Harter. What's yours? I suppose it's stupid to ask what you're doing here, we're all here for the same reason, rewards, right? But I'm guessing you're smarter than most people, as your folk usually is."
Investigators have trap finding. So I'd assume that one group would get Piret and the other would get the trap specialist that is yet to be chosen.Oh, I agree with you Sven. What I should have added was "For whichever group doesn't get the trap-dealing newcomer...since there will be two parties wandering about the Stolen Lands." Investigators also get it at level 1, btw. |
