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The foolish halfling had opted to scramble away, and didn't realize he was now in more danger. Trolls were too large and dangerous a foe to be able to slip away from, so the halfling was on his own. That meant the best defense was a good offence. Marcus continued hacking at the troll in front of him.
Then he drew his dagger from his belt and slipped in front of the blind troll to block it's path to the halfling.
Did the halfling really move away so I can't protect him? Loyal Oath and my attack redirect only work if the person I'm protecting is next to me.
Marcus swung again at the troll he was engaged with, then backed up, still warding the halfling.
Hmm. Withdrawing is a full round action. It also doesn't help much against enemies with Reach. I'll have to come up with a different plan.
"You aren't going to die today," Marcus rasped to the Halfling at his feet. Then he stepped in towards the closest troll and brought his blade down hard.
Marcus threw himself into the middle of the trolls, guarding the prone halfling with his body.
Pretty sure Lyon still has the Haversack. That was never handled in game, probably mostly because her character and mine don't get along yet. If I'm going to end up with the sack, that's awesome but I think it should be a thing that happens in game. Seems like it might make for a good scene.
Marcus knew as soon as Lyon started talking the way things were going to go down. He was already sprinting before the Troll finished it's reply.
The doctor nodded grimly and moved with Kaussek
Knowing Kaussek would have a difficult time with a stealthy approach, the doctor stayed with the lizard man, moving purposefully up the path. Not knowing what they were up against made planning difficult, but being a distraction while the scouts attempted a rescue seemed fairly straightforward.
So there's a long switchback trail up the side of the rise to where we want to go? Why are we talking about climbing?
I think we're running into another issue regarding what the players understand the situation to be vs. what the situation actually is. GM, are we using the same encounter map as before, or are we in a different area now?
If no one objects I'll take the Haversack. That will end my encumbrance issues.
If it's martial, I can use it. I forgot we were using the commonplace rule set. I'm fine with Aisha keeping it though. It would be a backup weapon for me anyway.
I'd love to have the haversack, but I thought Lyon took it. If she's not going to use it, I'll take it. Isn't the pistol an Exotic weapon?
Marcus was dubious about the idea of using the same tactics again. "Charging up a switch back where we know we will be bombarded by a capable archer, and a fireball throwing spellcaster is a bad plan." "If two of us can be invisible it should be the least stealthy among us. The closer we can get before they spot us, the less artillery we will need to move through to engage."
Before leaving, Marcus made sure the guard patrols were organized and knew what to do if there was trouble. He'd increased the numbers in the squads to three. That made for longer shifts, but two had clearly not been enough. He also recommended to Lu that he try to get the camp to gather closer together, around the small garrison keep. At the moment they were far too spread out. The known threats are gone. You don't need to be paranoid. Someone has to. Once again armored, masked, and mounted, the doctor joined the others, ready to head out.
When they neared the foot of the mountain, he dismounted. He wasn't thrilled about leaving the horse, but there wasn't much else to be done. He didn't tether it. If something hunted it he wanted it to be able to run. All he could do was hope it remained in the area until they came back.
Mrcus does not intervene. He watched the whole scene play out without comment, glad to be done with the business of the ogre family.
Marcus sheathed his blade, undid his impromptu door jam, and opened the back door.
"Healing them hurts me," Marcus explained to Alana. "Thank you."
"The traps are with my armor." Marcus said quietly to Aisha. "I was in a hurry." The shadows began to swirl around the doctor again as he levered his dagger into space between the door and the frame, next to the hinges. When the dagger was thoroughly wedged he unsheathed his sword, stood with his back to the wall next to the back door and waited.
Marcus was in no shape to fight and he knew it. "I will block the back door." He started moving to the back of the house quietly, slipping into cover then moving low.
"Do we need the jail?" Marcus asked, looking around at the surrounding structures.
Marcus didn't acknowledge the odd glances he was getting. He focused on the job at hand. Since no one was answering him, he picked up Ishanna's tracks and followed them back the way she had come from until he found the Hobgoblin's tracks and started following them.
At Kaussek's shout, Marcus wheeled his horse to join the rest of the group. The doctor was unrecognizable. His usual bird-like mask and heavy coat were gone, as was his armor. All he wore were trousers and fresh bandages that covered nearly all of his body, enshrouding him like a mummy. The lower half of his face was still covered by a simple black surgeon's mask. The exposed skin around his eyes, forehead and hands was a laticework of scars. The only things that revealed him as himself were the Saranite rosary around his wrist and the intricate weapon belt slung over her shoulder bearing his curved sword. All he said when he rode up to the group was "Where?"
Back at the medical tent, Marcus was finishing treating his wounds. His armor, mask, overcoat lay in a heap next to bubbling cauldron where he was boiling an impressive number of bloodied bandages.
He had pulled his pants on, but not his tunic when the gunshot rang out. He had a split second of hesitation, then slung his weapon belt over his shoulder and ran out to his horse. Mounting bareback, he took off toward the sound at a gallop. It might just by Lyon practicing or venting her frustrations. It isn't. How can you be sure. She would not waste bullets. Either she is shooting something, or something is shooting at us.
He's at his tent treating his own wounds. I was going to have him jump on his horse and ride out toward the noise. Just let me know when I get there.
Given how spread out we are, does "we" include everyone?
I'm good. The characters I'm playing isn't a nice person. I expected him to rub people the wrong way. Any conflicts are purely in character. I think it's unfortunate that a lot of conflicts have been exaggerated by players not having a full understanding of the situation. The size of the fort, the fact that the caravan decided to spread out through the empty town when they made camp rather than gather together for safety, and how much time could be saved by leaving at night are all good examples of stuff I think the players didn't all have a clear picture of. I suspect decisions would have been made differently if the situation had not been misunderstood. Since we can't retcon, player misunderstanding has to translate to in character mistakes.
"His. Mess." Marcus said flatly. He looked over to Ishanna for confirmation of what he'd just heard. After he'd warned them back at the tower not to leave live enemies behind them. After he'd chosen to stay behind to protect the camp while they left it undefended because he knew there were enemies following them. After he'd done his best to organize a bunch of untrained peasants into something resembling a functional watch patrol. After he and Ishanna had risked their lives to rescue the ones who'd ran into an entire family of ogres who possessed magic and advanced weapons. After the planning, and the risks, all necessary only because he and Ishanna were the only ones with the sense to stay behind. Now it was his mess? "Go f!@+ yourself." the doctor snarled. He turned his back on the group and headed to his clinic without another word. Why am I doing this again? Because it is the right thing to do. They are ungrateful and shortsighted. Their choices are reflections on them. Your choices are a reflection on you. I'm used to not liking my reflection. She isn't. That's why she is blaming you. For once I don't deserve it. She'll come around. Until then, just endure it. I can do that.
"There is the matter of the trio of former heroes in our way, thought," Marcus continued. "The Ogres went to the mountain. To get to one, we must go through the other."
"I believe I can find the ogres. I know which direction they went, and their tracks are still fresh enough to follow," Marcus said.
Marcus headed for where he'd left his horse, leaving bloody bootprints in his wake. "Perhaps now we can have a conversation about how and why this group consistently causes problems for itself."
Marcus caught up to the faster members of the group. They were already in fast discussion. He didn't say anything. He focused on his job.
Marcus didn't say another word. He just ran.
GM, would Touch of Corruption be able to hurt the Swarm?
The shadows around Marcus began to swirl and waver. "I do not think diplomacy is working," he said dryly.
Leave threats behind them. Split forces. Attack then parlay. Marcus was starting to wonder if he was the only sane person in this group. These amateurs are going to get people killed. They are trying to be merciful. It's admirable that they are at least trying. That's more than you can say. I have dedicated myself to trying to save lives. Yes, as atonement. Not because you are merciful. I fail to see the practical difference. I know. That's the problem. Marcus continued running. At least they weren't trying to kill each other now. That would give him time to get into position if the fighting broke out again.
"This is not a story," Marcus said flatly. "In real life, notions of heroism get the wrong people killed."
"Then you are the bait," Marcus said quietly. "Find yourself a shooting position. The unquiet of our number will stay with you. Those skilled in stealth move behind them and signal you. Take your shot. The boar will move toward you. That is when the scouts will strike the caster."
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