Tove calls down a blessing from Erastil to assist her companions in dealing with the trolls quickly.
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As the sound of Garethane and his pursuers drawing close to the blinds hits them, Tove reaches for Rhiannon’s estoc and casts Sun Metal.
Tove assists Garethane in the construction of the three blinds.
Tove stands with her arms folded, expression unreadable as the exchange plays out between her companions. When Wulfric apologises, her expression softens slightly. She rests her hand on the symbol of Erastil at her breast. "Wanting to make sure we have a solid plan isn't overstepping, Wulfric," she says evenly. "That's what's going to keep us all alive." She shifts her weight, glancing down toward the cave mouth below. "It's sounding like we can make this work, even in close quarters with a dragon. Hopefully these two are the last of the trolls here, with the size of the group we took out this morning. Garethane has the right idea in drawing them away from the cave. Ambushes have served us well so far in this, let's stick to what we're strongest at. If Wulfric’s Clairvoyance gives us a better look inside, well then we can decide our next steps from there."
His spells are depleted after the battle with the trolls, but he hopes to be of use in the battle with the dragon.
"We should get some rest here while we can. There’s still a dragon to reckon with come morning," Tove says grimly.
Tove gets to her feet slowly, thanking Garethane for his healing and Azen for staunching the flow of her lifeblood from her wounds.
Using the last of her channels for the day, she is able to rid herself and her companions of the rest of their wounds. "That was a rough one..." she sighs. "Well done, everyone."
Tove steps forward, making sure Erastil's healing grace finds its way to all those around her who need it.
Tove continues flooding the clearing with positive energy called forth from Requius, hoping it's enough to keep everyone else on their feet.
I’ll be out of town until Monday. Please bot me as needed.
With the trolls closing in now, Tove calls another wave of Erastil's light, doing her best to direct it away from the injured trolls. .
Oh! Okay that’s clever. I’ve never heard that tactic before :o
"Nobody told me trolls could do that!" Unable to stop the bolts themselves, Tove instead calls down a wave of Erastil's healing grace to alleviate some of the damage.
As the trolls enter the dim light at the edge of their camp, Tove raises her bow and makes some hasty shots, concentrating her efforts on the same target as Rhiannon. Her first shot sizzles with electricity as she imbues it with Old Deadeye's holy fury.
Tove repositions herself closer to the centre of the camp, wary of the sounds of approaching trolls, still out of sight.
Despite sleeping a little more deeply than intended, Tove is quick to move, already under the effects of Wulfric’s Haste spell as she reaches Rhiannon’s side and sets the fighter’s blade aflame. Round 1: Exit bedroll and cast Sun Metal on Rhiannon’s estoc. With her enforcer’s sword glowing brightly, Tove bows her head and clutches the symbol of Erastil tight as she says a brief prayer for Old Deadeye’s favour. Round 2: Cast Prayer on all allies within 40 feet (everyone).
"We should head south into the dragon’s territory, then find a suitable place to set up an ambush and make our false camp there…"
The second day of scouting begins much the same as the first, being largly uneventful until doing his best to skirt the dragon's lair. The hunter does his best to look like the innocuous bird he has taken the form of, but he does see something that truly disheartens him - it would seem the troll forces were strong enough to dispatch the dragon of the forest as he sees two trolls standing guard outside of dragon's cave - then the truly disheartening vison was seen, the dragon slithering out of the cave, paying little attention to the trolls - it would seem that the trolls and the dragon had made an alliance. "Garethane, you laid eyes on the beast. Can you tell us what you remember about its form?"
Tove exhales slowly, taking in everything that's been said. Her gaze lingers on Grigori as he's taken away, and she instructs the guards to ensure that he is kept comfortable until the day they can rid him of his Geus. "Pitax may be powerful, but for now our borders are far from theirs, and are buffered by the fey-blighted woods. Elkmark is under no immediate threat from Irovetti's expansionist ideas," she says at last. "In any case, it seems they're not prepared to move openly against us, at least for now." "Even so, we should remain vigilant. I'll talk to Celeste and Kesten about keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. If any more newcomers arrive with unclear intentions, we should know before it becomes a problem." Tove looks to Celebeth, "in the meantime, we deal with what's in front of us. The trolls are still out there. We know where they're based, there's no reason to delay any longer. We have to finish what we started and wipe them out before they can do any more harm. That’s our next step."
"We can certainly keep you safe, and comfortable, inside the fort. If you are truly acting against your own will, then we hold no animosity towards you personally. And I have no reason to doubt Wulfric is right about this geas. I will meditate on this tomorrow and pray for Erastil’s guidance in suppressing the spell long enough for us to get to the bottom of this." Tove speaks compassionately but still projects her voice such that the gathered townspeople are aware of what is being discussed in front of them. As she turns away from Grigori she adds for the benefit of the crowd, "And so we see that this plot runs deeper. Rest assured that we will uncover the truth of this matter and that Elkmark will blossom in spite of those who wish to nip the bud of our young nation"
Tove beckons the Marshall to bring the man to the front, then she addresses the crowd again. "I know that some of you have listened to this man in the past." She meets their eyes, her expression calm but firm. "But if his intentions are as noble as he claims, then why flee now? Why not stand and speak plainly, as I invited him to?" She opens her arms wide, hands turned toward the crowd in a show of transparency. "I am no tyrant. I will not silence an honest voice, no matter how harsh the words may be. But neither will I abide lies and manipulation that hides behind a friendly face." She gestures to Wulfric. "Our new magister’s arcane sight can sense the illusions this man hides behind, but let us all of us hear the truth of his heart together. I will call forth a Zone of Truth, and with it, we can lay everything bare for all to see." Tove fixes the man with a cold stare. "If you truly stand for the people, you will have no reason not to speak plainly before them. But if your come here to seed poison in their minds, then let this be the day we cleanse them of it."
"You!" Tove cries, pointing out the retreating figure. She quickly signals to Garethane and Celebeth to apprehend the rabble rouser. "So fast to flee from the scene now that your scheming has been exposed. You weren’t so shy to voice your concerns while we were away fighting for you. To the stage now, and let us unmask your treasonous intentions for all to see."
With most of the crowd seemingly on her side, Tove decides to call out the grumbles she and the others are hearing. "It sounds as if some of you remain dissatisfied with what I’ve said. If this is the case, please come forward and make yourself known so that we may speak openly about your concerns. Whispers and grumbles won’t get your concerns addressed, and as I have said, we are here today to work with you, not against you."
"Hold off until we spot Grigori, likely whatever he’s doing will have some tell itself we can look for. If he wishes to speak we can impose the condition that he do so under your watch, I can even create a Zone of Truth so that we are all bound by Erastil’s honesty together."
Tove stands with the rest of the council on the makeshift platform in Fort Redemption’s informal town square, her arms crossed loosely as the townsfolk of Fort Redemption gather before them. When the last stragglers find their place, Tove steps forward to the center of the platform and removes the Stag Helm, holding it before her in her hands. She takes a deep breath while she lets the murmurs of the crowd settle into silence, standing tall and resolute before them. Then she begins… "Citizens of Elkmark," Her eyes scan the crowd as she ensures she has everyone’s attention. "Six months ago, we stood together and turned the ruined Stag Fort into the blessed Fort Redemption. Beam by beam, stone by stone, we have built this town. Together, we have carved Elkmark from the wilderness, from Oleg’s Trading Post on the South Rostland Road to our Fort on the shores of the Tuskwater, this land has become a real haven for free and peace loving people. We stand here united in the face of immense challenges. Bandits have sought to steal our livelihoods, our families from us, cruel fey have tried to drive us away, in our earliest days, a wicked cult even sought to destroy this fledgling nation. Now, we face our greatest threat yet. You all know by now of the trolls from the south. But let me tell you this—we do not falter, and we do not fail. Just days ago, we struck a decisive blow against the trolls, driving them back to their camp on the southern banks of the Murque River. Seven of their number fell to our blades, and we will not rest until Elkmark is safe." Her tone sharpens as she addresses Grigori’s rumors. "And yet, there are those who whisper among us, spreading doubts and lies. They claim that your leaders seek glory for themselves, that we spend your taxes for our own gain while you toil for nothing. I ask you, do you see glory-seekers before you? Have you seen anything to suggest any of this is true? My council and I have never sought fame nor reward from you. Every step we have taken, every enemy we have fought, every risk we have borne has been for one sole purpose; the safety of our people." "As Erastil’s Stag Lord, I am driven to build community. Old Deadeye demands no monuments to my name, nor to anyone on this council. Instead, he calls for homes to be raised, fields to be sown, and bonds to be strengthened. That is what we have done, and that is what we will continue to do. None of us, not one, are inclined toward glory or riches. Every step we take, every decision we make, is to protect and grow the community we have built together." She gestures toward the town. "Look around you. The taxes you have paid, lighter here than in any surrounding realm, do not line our pockets. They have built Ulster’s smithy, the mill, the Grey Griffon Inn, and a brewery. They have raised your homes and paid for a special quarter for refugees from the Candlemere lizardfolk village, who have suffered more at the hands of these trolls than any of us. They paid for the boats we use to trade with the Sootscale kobolds, trade that has filled our coffers and brought new opportunities to Elkmark. Our sawmills hum with life, our fisheries thrive, and our farms grow more bountiful every day." Tove leans forward, her voice firm but earnest. "When we ride out to face the dangers that threaten our home, we do so with equipment paid for out of our own funds, not yours. The arms and armor we carry are traded from the spoils of bandit lairs and monsters’ nests, not bought with your gold. We spend nothing from your taxes on ourselves. Our only reward is seeing our people safe, seeing Elkmark grow, and seeing a future where none of you need fear the return of that lawless cruelty that once ruled this land." Her tone softening, she concludes her opening speech. "It is easy to spread doubt. It is easy to listen to the voice that whispers of division and selfishness. But we are stronger together. Divisive rhetoric will not build homes. It will not keep your families safe. It will not drive back the trolls or plant the fields. Do not let these whispers of selfish greed or glory take root in your hearts. Together, we have turned a wild and dangerous land into a home worth defending. Together, we will build something greater still. For Erastil. For Elkmark." The Cleric of Erastil holds the Stag Helm aloft as she leads the crowd in a unifying cheer.
Tove takes a moment to consider Wulfric’s suggestion, "Wulfric, there is merit in transparency. Letting Grigori air his grievances openly could demonstrate our willingness to listen and prove that we have nothing to hide. But you were not there last time he took the chance to do so. Azen is right, he will almost certainly use his magic against us given another opportunity, and that could turn into a spectacle we can’t easily control. We can’t let him undermine us like that in front of the town." She glances at Azen, nodding slightly in agreement. "We can still address his accusations without giving him the stage directly. That way we can undercut his influence without giving him a chance to twist things further. The good thing is there’s no truth to what he’s saying. We’ll present the town with a detailed report on the progress we’ve made, the taxes we’ve collected, and where those funds have gone. Let the people see for themselves that we’re investing in Elkmark’s future, not chasing glory. We’ll make it clear that the council is here to build Elkmark, to protect it, and to serve its people. The facts will speak louder than any of Grigori’s lies."
"I can make a point of checking in with them before the meeting, I’ll see if I can get a feel for what kind of dissidence he’s been sewing here, or at least what his connection with the family he’s visited is." Tove will make her way to the house Celebeth pointed out at some point during the day once the Spymaster confirms with her that the man is gone. Anyone else is welcome to join her.
Looks like our deal with the Sootscales is bearing fruit :)
I think that makes sense. We’ve secured the land between us and Oleg now, it’s a good time to switch our focus inwards.
Rolling for month 2:
Tove finally speaks again, her tone measured but firm. "You’re not wrong, Kesten. Your frustration is justified, and if he keeps stirring up trouble he’ll deserve whatever rope it takes to shut him up for good." She taps her fingers on the table, her tone sharp. "But we’ve got to be smart about this. Celebeth’s right, if we come down too hard without evidence, we risk turning him into a martyr and ourselves into the villains of his story." "That said, we can’t ignore this troublemaker sowing division, especially now when our unity is more important than ever. I don’t want him near tomorrow’s meeting unless we can control the narrative. If he shows up, we need to have something we can counter him with. We all remember how quickly his vile tongue twisted things last time." She looks toward Celebeth, Azen, and Wulfric. "Celebeth, if you can uncover who’s funding him, or what he’s really after, that will go a long way in earning the people’s trust while keeping us on the moral high ground." "Azen, maybe you could keep an ear to the ground in the Grey Griffin? Talk to the staff and patrons. See if you can find out what it is he’s been spreading, who he’s been meeting with or how much coin he’s actually splashing around." "Wulfric, if you think you can talk to him directly without riling him up, go ahead. Try and get a feel for what he’s after, be it money, a score settled, or something more ideological." Her gaze shifts to Kesten and Rhiannon. "Kesten, I need you to hold back for now, but I want you ready to act quickly if this escalates. Rhiannon, I trust you to keep watch and make sure nothing gets out of hand. Stay vigilant, but don’t give him any excuses. If he becomes violent, we’ll deal with it decisively, but we can’t afford to let him paint us as the aggressors." Tove leans back, her arms crossed, her eyes still burning with barely-contained irritation. Her voice softens slightly as she feels their strategy coming together. "If there’s anything any of you can find out that we can use, I want to know about it before we’re standing in front of the town tomorrow evening. I want this meeting to remind people why they chose to settle here, why this settlement is worth defending. If he tries anything this time, we’ll make sure the people see him for what he is; a coward and a liar."
Yeah that sounds like a good idea. And thanks for the inn Tal!
Great plan, thanks Celebeth.
Did we have any plans for what we were going to claim next?
Well that doesn’t bode well…
Of course, enjoy your holidays everyone!
Should we roll our Kingdom checks again ahead of the town meeting? The last time I can find us doing that was in May 2023 where we rolled for two months which I believe corresponded to Sarenith and Erastus, so we should be due one to find out what happened in Arodus soon. Current date on the day of Wulfric's arrival is 25 Arodus 4710 by my reckoning. |