Maybe everyone else is still recovering from the holiday rush?
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So how's everyone after the holidays?
So who's still with us?
I think it was the unlucky aura that was dragging the fight on in combination with the suckage of being level 1. As we progress and use Roll20 for map placement, we should start to breeze through the fights over the course over the course of a couple days each rather than 2 weeks.
I'm fine with however we decided to play it.
Well, looks like I'm not the only one who's not making friends. Lark thinks as he keeps his mouth shut, finishing his preparations quickly. "All right let's go, no sense wasting daylight." He says to the party, hefting his pack and shield into place on his back. As he goes to collect Isadriwen he stops next to Garvel. "My apologies for her outburst, I don't think this was quite what she was expecting on this venture. Any rate, you didn't deserve that disrespect." He says sincerely, before his face hardens and his tone switches to a more professional one. "We'll clear it out and be back as soon as possible, is their anymore information you can give us? Have the gnolls stationed any forward scouts?"
The man shrugs. "I've been trained to sleep in worse. It was interesting, reminds me why I prefer sleeping privately." He looks at her hair for second before offering her a comb.
Having quickly and neatly finished eating Lark is already cleaning up, doing his personal hygiene routine when Garavel comes up to the group. "Yes sir." Lark says, quickly finishing shaving and packing his gear away. All the while he is purposely avoiding looking at Dashki, the sounds of his messy eating is enough to send shivers down his spine.
Timeskip to morning time?
Lark accepts the painting with a smile. "Thank you, I'll be sure to cherish it." He says sincerely, touched by the gift. "You should return to bed Faffnyr, I'll be up keeping watch for a while yet."
Brushing off the awkward situation Lark turns his head back to Isadriewen to see how her painting is progressing.
As Faffnyr strips off the flowing robes that she'd been wearing Lark's eyes widen in shock. Behind the scars and signs of slavery the combination of her orc ancestry and hard work had left the woman with an imposing physique. As she slips herself into his clothes it becomes apparent that the hard labor and marks of slavery hadn't diminished her womanly figure, causing Lark's mouth to go very dry as she pulls on a pair of his pants.
Realizing he was gawking Lark tears his gaze from her figure and turns it to the sky, trying to find that quite sense of peace inside himself again. "Feel free to keep them, maybe once this is over we can find something cut for your frame."
Lark blushes profusely. "I ah, did not think about that. Is there any way I can help?" He thinks for a moment, before putting an arm around the woman. "The strength of your faith will be a boon, naked or not. I'll see what I can do to get you some clothes, I can lend you some spare sets of mine. They'll be a bit big and the fit will be all wrong but it's better than nothing."
"Come out to join us?" Lark asks as he turns over to look over his shoulder at the half orc. "Couldn't sleep?"
"I don't doubt her sincerity in wanting to reclaim the village. She's used to power, to being able to bargain. The fact that she conceded Faffnyr's freedom without a struggle is proof of how much this means to her." He says as he allows himself to relax, enjoying the heat of the fire as he watches the artist work. "What she will do afterwards remains to be seen." He turns his gaze starwards, sinking in the clear night sky. "The nights out here are beautiful indeed. Never thought I'd see sights like this as a child."
Lark welcomes the company, taking off his armor and setting it aside as he does his nightly ritual of sharpening and maintaining his gear. As the cold sets in Lark shuffles close to the half elf, offering his cloak. "It can get cold out, take this." He says with a note of concern. "Today has been odd, but in this world we should be glad it was merely odd. Personally, I don't know what's going on. I hope this has been the worst of it, but we have a village to reclaim and I expect some of us to die in it's taking." He says, chewing on his words for a moment before he sighs. "Forgive me if I am blunt tonight. At the best of times I'm rather straight forward with my words." The paladin stretches, the firelight shining off his pale skin. "It's a trait gotten me in more trouble than it's been worth, being so damned headstrong and bull headed at times. I wont lie, it's cost me dearly before." A haunted look of sadness settles over his face, his hand straying to lightly caress the edge of his sword blade. "I pray I did the right thing today, strong arming Almah like that. I fear I've only made myself an enemy." A slight shake of his head rouses his spirits as the look of sadness fades away. "No, I don't trust them. But their cause is worth my time, so for now we are aligned. I don't doubt they will follow through on their word, just don't expect anything beyond that." "Thank you for listening, I needed to vent."
Lark gives Isadriewen a smile. "I was planning on doing so anyway, I'd enjoy the company. Truth be told I hope Faffnyr will be asleep by the time I get to bed, I have never been good at dealing with awkward situations."
Should be quite the exercise for my creativity!
Lark opens his mouth to clarify before shaking his head. Speak through your deed so that none will mistake your words He thinks to himself, recalling a line of advice. I'll just set up a proper cot for her in the tent. I should also give her some more blankets, it gets cold out here during the night. Lark walks away, making a list of all the things he needs to do before sundown.
'You do not believe me?" Lark asks, very confused. "Did I misspeak? What is the usual ritual for freeing a slave?" The paladin shakes his head in exasperation. Strange folk, might as well roll with it for now. "Sure, get some food and rest up, it's going to be a busy day tomorrow." He pauses for a moment. "How is your bedding, is it sufficient?"
Timing out?
Lark slows down, matching speed with Faffnyr. "Faffnyr," He says, wondering how to phrase what he wants to say. Crap, how do I set her free? Do I give her a contract back? Does she have to buy herself back? Do I give her a sock? He shakes his head slightly. The path of valor is straight ahead, might as well come out an say it.
Just a thought, if things go smoothly with liberating the village I can see Lark and Almah having a grudging but mutual respect.
Interesting roll play opportunities?
Well considering I expected a bit of push back I'm happy as a clam. Also I fully expect her to hold a grudge but hey, that's just another plot hook down the line.
That went better than expected.
Slowly Lark releases his breath. By the Inheritor, can't believe that worked. He thinks as he turns to the slave. "Come along then, we have much work to do." He speaks hastily as he wanders off with a happy grin on his face, keeping his hands close to his chest to stop them from shaking.
Nice to see the party rally around Lark.
well it's like they say, go big or go home.
"I was born for a singular purpose, to die. I was raised to wage war, tutored by seasoned warriors and generals since before I could properly hold a sword." A grin spreads across Larks face, at ends with stern tone in his voice as he speaks. "I am not bargaining with you on this. I know that you realize your situation, but just so that we are on the same page allow me to explain it. You have a goal, to reclaim your ancestral lands and the village at it's heart. You may not realize it but the forces at your disposal speak volumes about you." "You have eight men, not counting non combatants or you and Garvel. Enough for a vanguard or skirmishing force, but this force lacks reconnaissance cavalry or any sort of major communication spell casting. The fact that it was camped here waiting for reinforcements, for which you sent out your second in command, is sharply telling that you have no other troops coming. You know your forces were insufficient otherwise you would have moved already." "You have no where near enough men to conduct a siege, and you lack the raw power and siege weaponry needed to commit to an assault. Your forces are split between mercenaries, paid for by your own coin and an honor guard provided by your superiors as a token of faith. But they are just that, a token. The entirety of this venture in on your shoulders, which is why you have joined the expedition yourself. These are your lands, you need to succeed. Because if the paltry force provided to you is any indication, your superiors aren't going to finance a second try." "The fact that your here in person is a sign that you are either foolish or desperate, and I know that you're not a fool. You know this is your only chance at reclaiming these lands you will see in a long time." Lark looks her directly in the eyes, the grin fading away. "I won't make the pretense of being your friend or servant. You know what I am. And I am willing to leverage my honor, and my skills, because you are not in the position to refuse me. You will let this woman go free, not because it is the morally right thing to do, but because it is the most pragmatic choice. To you, right now, she is worth 200 pieces of gold. By writing that off, you gain not only the services of myself, but her gratitude and through these things your village. A prize you have dreamed of, a prize that you can not afford to let slip over stubborn pride."
Lark shakes his head. "No, I believe the fee you have stated to be fair. What I can not abide is that." He says, gesturing over at Faffnyr. "I do not doubt that you are honest folk, but I can not in good faith work with those who would keep a worshiper of Iomedae's sister in arms in bondage. My condition before I take your gold and do this task for you is that you set her free."
Nevermind, went back and read the previous pages. Let me run it by you to see if I got everything right.
Also could I get a run down of the forces Almah has?
Lark bows slightly. While I would be honored to take up your cause, I have my own conditions that must be met first if you wish to employ me." He states looking Almah dead in the eye.
Just a quick question for the DM, how many people are at the camp aside from us and how many of them are combatants?
"Why don't we just carry it back?" Lark asks.
With a smooth motion he sheath's his sword and goes over to the goat, knelling down and untying the poor creature.
I would be okay with being boted in combat if I haven't posted in 24 hours, it keeps things moving. As long as it's consistent with how Lark acts that's fine. Personally I understood the Initiative order quite easily, though since I'm used to face to face combat I'm a little lost how to actually do combat on a post by post.
It's probably not necessary
As he pushes through the cacti the spines dig deep into his flesh, drawing blood. Inheritor, if I die in a patch of cacti may my soul never find peace. Lark thinks to himself as rivers of blood begin to pool under his armor. As he makes a final push a wave of healing energy comes over him, staunching the wounds and giving him the burst of strength necessary to make the final thrust out of the patch, flinging himself out into the dusty clearing. For a moment he lays there, taking in deep breaths and letting his heart settle. "Thanks Faffnyr." He says, pulling himself up as he moves over to his sword and picks it up, locking his eyes on the gremlin. For a moment he contemplates issuing a challenge to the creature, but as he feels the steady thrumming of the Inheritors power run through him ready to smite his foe, he studies the creature. The small rat like creature, all bones and wiry muscle, is a rather pathetic sight in the mage light. As the power running through him burns it's way into his mind, Lark can't help but feel ashamed at abusing the connection to his god, wasting the divine power on such a craven creature. "Lets get this over with." He says, pointing at the gremlin with his sword.
Well that went from annoying to life threatening fast.
Yay!!
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