Search Posts
I'd love to keep the game going, it's a great concept and it's been a lot of fun. It's also a gestalt, which I love and which don't come around often. But, I've been really pressed for time and ground down for a while now. I can't vote against closing when I can't sincerely promise my participation will get remarkably better any time soon.
Lady Sable takes the stone to make her pitch. "The hamlet will be difficult to defend unless the approaching force is quite small. But, its size isn't known to us. If we decide to make a defense and the force is sizable, we will be unable to alter our plans. We will be trapped." "What would be our chances if we evacuated north, making our way to the other villages that have already been contacted there? We would be traveling slowly with the hamlet's residents."
Lady Sable gets the ball rolling, and she has serious reservations. "So, you do understand what a roll of the loaded dice it would be to attempt a defense by besiegement would be don't you? We are totally at the mercy of numbers. Maybe we're lucky and the numbers are fairly small, if so maybe we're okay at the end of it." "But with sizable numbers, and we have no reason to believe they won't be. We're just standing still in a wooden structure waiting to be surrounded. Once we make the decision to go that route, it can't be undone." "This will not be a typical besieging force either. The undead, the rank and file, will most likely be mindless. They will act as directed by their commanders without fear, or loss of determination. They cannot be discouraged by their own inevitable destruction as they assault our 'fortress' and will continue the attack until there are no more of them." "If there are living allies with them, it's actually almost worse for us. Orcs or others might be discouraged if we are a prickly and dangerous enough nut to crack. But, they will also understand that we can be burned out. This might even happen if there are intelligent undead leading the force." "That's my prognosis. If we attempt a defense of a fixed position with no means of escape we will either be overwhelmed by foes who have no need to rest, eat, or drink during the time it takes them to break us, whether it be hours or days, or we will be burned as soon as it is apparent we are a difficult target. This is a losing bet."
I know I have been slow to post here lately, but I'm still all in on the game. I just needed to get through the holiday/winter work crisis to get my footing back along with a little more free time to work with. That said, it looks like we're at 3 players active now. Mama Cookie isn't with us, and Poly hasn't been present on the boards anywhere at all in several months now. There was originally some second-hand talk that he was on a hiatus and would be back, but I'm starting to have my doubts at his point. Do we want to think about finding a replacement for Erebus, or are we good?
Lady Sable doesn't like the idea of leaving the village to it's fate. It runs counter to a certain degree of noblesse oblige that she plays footsie with. On the other hand, she is temperamentally uncomfortable with defense of a fixed location. Everything about her prefers ambushes, raids, tactical retreats, and other means of combat that emphasize mobile strikes. She agrees to a private conference afterward, curious to see where the others stand.
Lady Sable does have to wonder if a stand is the best decision they can make. "If they are moving through and we are merely in the way, perhaps an evacuation of everyone here until this horde has passed is the better solution? This could be especially so if this horde's number are very large. Besides, the undead have no motive to loot."
Lady Sable can't help with the spoiled water or food, but she makes good use of Prestidigitation and Mend to spiffy kids and other things up and make minor repairs. Curious, she follows the guard to find out what is going on to upset him so. Pointing to the piece of paper he holds, Lady Sable asks him about it. "Seems like bad news. Mind sharing?"
Same with me, between work being so ramped up during the holidays and the holidays themselves, I've barely been around here since about Thanksgiving. I'm trying to get caught up now.
Yes, I've heard the same thing. Maybe we need to send a message back at some point and Slip is our courier? As for myself, sorry I've been so neglectful lately. I work in social services and I'm in a newish, busier job than previously. This time of year is peak, off the scales busy for us. The past few weeks and going forward for a couple more or so, I'm swamped. Things will calm down in January. Thanks for bearing with me.
Sabelina contributes nothing to anything.
Lady Sable doesn't really have any ideas to pitch, and she's rather not make any vague promises on behalf of Threshhold's merchants before she knows what might be needed or offered in return. She waits to hear more from the Mayor.
Sorry for being so slow. I'm out of town visiting my parents and there haven't been many chances for posting recently.
While Lady Sable remains convinced Archie is very, extremely disguised, she does become less wary of him, especially after arriving at the little village. James might seem a bit of a buffoon, but even dim independent confirmation of Archie's good intent helps. While she looks around, Lady Sable voices her early impression of Axebite as a question to their guide. "Would it be wrong to think the goods most needed here are the basics, food, raw materials, those sorts of things?"
Don't have time to go back and look. Thanks!
Honestly I'm a little confused. Are we supposed to be turning back already to report back, or can we keep going to the town?
Once they're well on their way with Archie far behind them, Lady Sable says what's been on her mind. "There was something about Archie that I saw in his eyes. I don't think he's human. At first I thought lycanthropy, but now I doubt it. I think he is Reombarth."
Lady Sable can only think of one thing she's seen before that might match what she saw in Archie's eyes, and if it's what that could mean it's probably not great. It's not sort of thing one brings up though, so she keeps it to herself. She continues to do the same as she was, slowly and sort of aimlessly strolling while pretending to keep an eye on the perimeter and actually keeping an eye on Archie. In doing so she passes by the stacked bodies again, closer this time. When she's by them she tries to find an exposed face to check. If she can't find one, she's willing to move one a little to get a look.
She eats her meal in a position that allows her to see what Archie's doing at all times.
There's something about the situation that Lady Sable can't shake. It just feels off in some way that she can't put a finger on. There's no particular reason to suspect the old man isn't who he says he is, but her gut says he isn't, at least not exactly. Still, it doesn't follow that taking off without him is the best idea. There's something to be said for staying close to keep and eye on him rather than having him out of sight somewhere out there doing unknown things if there really is something to worry about. Besides, he he can take them to a town, that's better having to wander around until they stumble upon it by themselves. "Sure, a meal and then town sounds good. Thank you for your hospitality." While the meal is being prepared, she keeps an eye on the perimeter of the campsite as she walks about. She does a pass right close by the stacked bodies for a better look at them too.
The recognition of the sigil on the uniforms does wonders to reassure Lady Sable. The Whispering Tyrant's soldiers. Archepex's company I believe, and a lot of them" she comments.
Lady Sable sees no reason to be a holdout. There would be no surprise for it. She approaches the fire as well.
Lady Sable is quite suspicious of the old man considering he's the only living person they've come across while finding two groups of corpses. She's interested in circling around to a point where she can get a better look at the stacked bodies, wanting to know if they share uniforms or signs of dismemberment with the partial horsemen from earlier.
I'm good with whatever. Obviously Sabelina isn't the woodsy type so she'll be happy enough to follow anyone who can navigate.
Lady Sable is ready to keep going.
"I think that's a fine way to go about things. Should we double back and see about the possible road and smoke?"
Lady Sable doesn't have too much to add to what's already been stated, but she does a little speculating. If we strip the livery I doubt anyone would suspect a thing. It would hardly even occur to any Taldan troops that horse in such an unkept condition could be from the TAaldan Horse. I would border on the criminal. " "It would also take some time for them to come to be in this condition I would think. My guess would be whatever befell the riders didn't happen very recently, or very close to where we are." "The legs do make me wonder though, because the same odd thing happened twice. Is anyone knowledgable in anatomy or the nature of wounds? I would almost think they were attacked from above, bitten and then yanked upward off their horses." Lady Sable takes a brief look at the legs, wondering how long they have been decomposing, and where they were severed by weapons or other means.
Should we try to find some high ground? Maybe get a better lay of the land? We could miss a town just a stone's throw away wandering around in this thicket."
So, the start of the new school year is right on top of us here. I'm new to working in a school rather than a branch office and the frenzied pace has caught me by surprise. Things will settle down, but I don't know exactly how long that will take. For safety's sake I'm going to say that I'll be very busy for the month of September. I'll try to keep up on posts, but if you need to bot me to keep things moving along.
"Oh! Lady Sable. Pleased to meet you Slip."
Yeah, Signy is a rhinestone princess, but Sabelina is the Queen of Diamonds.
Lady Sable has a pretty good guess about what's going on from watching and listening to Slip. In her turn she offers him her hand and, as they shake, she bows her head to him deeply without saying anything.
"How far south do we go?"
Hey! I remember Erebus from a sad little fragment of a Strange Aeons game!
"I'd also like to know how far exactly 'local to this transition' extends. Could be one hell of a lot of ground to cover depending on what it means."
Lady Sable's eyes meet Donal's. "You always know the perfect thing to say Donal, it is your particular genius." As she says so, Lady Sable moves in close to Violetta, so close they are touching and could hug. Instead, Lady Sable draws the dagger from her boot, a very easy thing now with her newly high boots. She brings her face in, alongside Violetta's, her lips at her ear. "Be very very still now" she says as she slides the blade under the bottom lace of the woman's corset. Lady Sable keeps her lips by Violetta's ear and her eyes locked on Donal's eyes so they will know her use of 'you' is plural. "Your corset and jacket would be the last articles to go, but it would take so long for you to be free. I would hold you down, and you would have to fight so hard not to writhe under my hand. But you would look into my eyes and feel my firm hand, and find the discipline you need wait motionless. Slowly... slowly... I would cut each stitch..." As she says so, Lady Sable moves the dagger slightly, slicing the single bottom-most stitch of the corset, which gives way with a small pop, an aural punctuation mark. Then Lady Sable withdraws the dagger, putting it away as she steps back. Her smile is wider now, almost insolent. "But, sometimes it is better to go hungry than to rush through eating a fine meal. I will come find you when I return. If you would like, I will bring you some new laces."
LOL. Lady Sable is being a bit cagey with them, but she does have a nebulous potential agreement with them about an exclusive arrangement with Donal and Violetta when she's rich enough to afford taking them on in that way. Might be worth something in the present. It's one of her two great ambitions along with being a rich and famous author. She's just a simple girl with simple dreams. In case you forgot: Proposal Letter
"Alas, I admit to being a libertine, and this picaresque life I live may someday be my downfall. But, until that time may come, it is a part of what makes me so interesting. So, I ask in response, what mitigating worth to you do I bring to the equation?"
Lady Sable really did cross the room with the best of intentions. But, once she is proximate to her favorite pair of people in the world, she weakens then crumbles. She looks as hangdog as she could possibly be, which isn't very much honestly, as she breaks her news to Donal and Violetta mournfully. "I greeted this move with excitement and anticipation, but now it strikes directly at my heart. As you have heard there has been a call for volunteers to protect the city. My companions are answering the call, and honor demands I do no less. We owe each other our lives, and must always be ready to protect each other." "I have but 2 hours before we depart. I was so anticipating peeling you both so you can breathe properly, but now I must cede that delight to some other. My envy eats at me already."
Ah, a mere two hours is almost an insult to their stellar professionalism. Well, unless they disagree, in which case okay.
Lady Sable sighs ruefully. "No, I wasn't thinking about mud. But, I guess I'll need to start. It's for the best I suppose. A quick look through my notes made me realize that I don't have a good first book quite yet. Plenty of things have happened, but the dramatic arc isn't quite there yet." "The jump will give me more structure so the various accounts of our deeds read less like a list. There's also the problem of selling a story but not delivering. A moving city that never actually moves throughout the entire length of the book would make readers feel cheated, or like I was lying. Yes, the jump itself is a fine climax, and that means what is soon to come must serve as the denouement." She glances again in the direction of Donel and Violetta. "I should go make nice and deliver my apologies for delaying our time together. Hopefully they will be understanding."
Lady Sable turns about to face Senna and Yash fully. "I suppose you two are about to ruin my plans for this evening aren't you?" Her voice contains traces of both ironic amusement and resignation.
Lady Sable shrugs. "Well, as I said, I didn't really listen very well."
Sabelina sips her drink slowly, pacing herself very carefully. "Do you think this might be an mishap of some kind? My impression was the Navigators and whatever, I must admit I wasn't really listening all that closely, know the destination beforehand, even if they don't reveal it to the population at large." "If they do control the jump, or at least know the point of arrival, why are they only discussion the situation now, after we're here? I'd think it would be already worked out."
The history part of it all IS an interesting twist. Lady Sable doesn't bring it up until she has a post-jump celebratory drink in hand. But then she asks Senna "So what do you think the etiquette concerning being around with the Whispering Tyrant as a neighbor might be? Do we hunker down and get on with our own business? Is it crass to lend a hand where we may?"
Lady Sable feels a little put out by the whole mandated going outside thing at first. It's not that she doesn't want to see the jump happen, but after the first time or two, after the novelty fades, why not from a window, or what if she's napping one of the times? As soon as the city's transformation begins she understands though. Ooh, it could get awfully messy in there while it's happening. Surely anyone who has a pet brings it outside as well?" She looks around for pets out in the street with owners. Lady Sable does just fine physically and mentally during the jump. To her it's another example of something she first came across as she was learning to be an equestrian. At a certain point it was time for her to learn to jump a fence on horseback. It feels wrong and scary to have a horse run straight at a barrier and expect that it will leap over safely. But, counterintuitively it is more hazardous to try to stop the horse short. One must learn to both maintain control and cede control at the same time. The horse will do the right things, and the rider must let events wash over them while moving their own body in concert with the horse. The jump is not so different. It feels strange, but it is better to give oneself over to the moment than resist. Besides everyone living in the city has done it before at least once, and compared to many of them Lady Sable knows she is a magnificent physical and mental specimen. She won't be hurt if they aren't. The personal adjustments are something of a surprise. She makes a mental note to ask about their nature since they seem to her extraneous. In her own case, they seem to be a variation of details on a theme. Her trousers are gone, replaced by black woolen hose instead, along with higher boots coming up above her knees. Her jacket no longer stops right below her waist, but goes down to mid-thigh now. The jacket's color is a very deep blue, but it is so covered in intricate black embroidery that from a short distance away she seems to be clothed entirely in black. Her hat has lost its wide brim and sits atop her head like a pillbox of short black fur. It's not a bad look, but rather dated she thinks. Dated like paintings of ancestors gathering dust along rarely visited hallways. If Senna is expecting some sort of display from Sabelina when they reenter the inn, she would be disappointed unless she can read minds. Lady Sable does give both Donal and Violetta a lingering gaze, but aside from the small, mildly sardonic smile she usually wears she remains poker-faced. Hm, more work later if I play by the rules. But why do that? My little knife is perfect for slicing through all those tight laces. I think they'll be grateful for a release of the compression. If not, I'll buy them some new laces.
Lady Sable was having her bath while potential demon threats were revealed and discussed. She goes to bed unenlightened about, and undisturbed by, the possible threat.
But wait! Fetchlings are so.... washed out, like a slimy dead fish. Oh fine, never mind. I'm fine with a wisp fetchling. Just stand on the other side of the group in photos please. I'm sure we'll go somewhere with cameras eventually. :p
Lady Sable takes the 'early to bed' position abandoned by Mama Cookie. Once she's collected her pay, She spends only a small amount of time at the Slattern, a couple of drinks and a mere half-dozen or so episodes of regaling other patrons with tales of their (her) feats against the bugbear bandits before turning in for a long night's sleep. Her plans for celebration are instead set for the next evening, when she will be purchasing another night with Violetta and Donal. With her new windfall she can afford to splurge. Sabelina will need to be in tip-top condition, fully recovered and well-rested to make the most of it though. Besides, she hasn't forgotten about the eventual exclusive arrangement, once she can afford it, she has floated to them. She doesn't want them to forget about it either. It's time for a little reminder. What better way to spend one's first night in their new location, wherever it is.
We have Sizzlers? I never knew. I'll post tomorrow. End / beginning of the month tends to get really crazy at work, and last weekend was the most perfect weather we can probably expect all summer so I split for the beach.
"Yes, that part in between leaving and coming back got very tricky. It was the bugbear gang that abducted and murdered the ship's crew and stole all the cargo you see." "Not only did they not want to return the cargo, but they were intent on killing and eating us as well. A large number of bugbears at one time and things can be touch and go as to who ends up dead or alive." "But! We found everything on the wish list and retrieved it with no casualties. We do have professional reputations to uphold after all. By the way, would you happen to know anyone who can use a sextant, and wouldn't mind sharing their knowledge on the subject?"
Lady Sable has to agree with Senna. "Makes you wonder how anyone can ever manage to have a nice picnic doesn't it?" The slower rate of travel back grates on Lady Sable. Out of boredom she occasionally ranges on ahead or out to the flanks of the wagon to do some 'scouting'. If there are any good vistas or long-range views, she fiddles around with her new sextant toy to look at far off things from the highest point she can manage to reach atop the wagon.
|
