Oh, the only other thing I'd throw in to the plan is that Vitellia will have Kirby wait back in the woods a ways. She'll call him when the fighting breaks out. 40' move plus a Run action means he should be able to get to the fight pretty quick.
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Vitellia blinked, impressed. "You can weave such an illusion? That certainly would place the element of surprise squarely in our arsenal."
Hey everyone! Sorry I disappeared there for a minute. I caught an exceptionally nasty flu a few days ago, and I spent so little time both awake and lucid, I forgot about pretty much everything I had going on beyond relaying directions to folks covering for me at work. I'll work on reading through what I missed to get caught up, and have a post up later tonight, tomorrow at the latest. I'm in other PbPs with some of you, so apologies for having to read this over there as well. Again, sincerest apologies for the brief vanishing act.
Suddenly becoming very interested in Gage's scroll, Vitellia momentarily forgets her fantastical gift. Walking right up to Gage she leans her face mere inches away from the scroll, reading it carefully.
She stands up straight and looks Gage dead in the face. "You're nobility. Proper, verifiable nobility. You have my congratulations. My condolences, as well."
Vitellia feels uneasy not having finalized a plan of action, but can't disagree that they will all be fitter of mind with some rest. That Night: Vitellia maintains a reserved silence during the strange being's gift-giving, but her eyes do not hide the wonderment she experiences at the event. When gift-giver has departed and the other begin offering insight into its nature, Vitellia muses aloud. "I have never encountered a being of the Fae, though acquaintances from House Medvyed often regaled me with stories of their exploits. Tales of their wondrous nature do not do it justice, I feel I scarce have the words to describe what we have just witnessed."
While stopped, Vitellia takes the opportunity to stretch and try to massage some of the long hike out of her joints. She lets Kirby wander off a short distance to inspect the area. "Perhaps we should wait until just before dawn to strike? I would imagine that is when they are likely to be least prepared for an attack."
Hey everyone! Sorry, got avalanched by Holiday Business. Vitellia would be happy to take a former bandit horse. I'm the one slowing everyone else down. :P
Before heading out, Vitellia will closely inspect the assorted wanted posters. Partly because their expedition could use any resources it could get it's hands on, but mostly as a way to asses the sorts of threats they may encounter out in the Greenbelt.
"We handled them well enough. The group I've been dispatched with has proven themselves more than capable. As for the bandits themselves, keep your eyes on the one that was leading them, Happs. He's sly and resourceful."
At some point while Gage is working on one of the catapults, Vitellia calls up to him. "Any luck with those? They'll be worth their weight in platinum if we can get them working. They're not terribly practical if we're dealing with small bands of highway men and the like, but most of them won't be smart enough to realize that. A shot from one of these could stop an attack even if it doesn't slay a single man."
I sign off on the spending scheme as well, pardon for the absence. Just one of those months where life stuff keeps cropping up.
Vitellia happily assists with any tasks that require lifting, carrying, or any other application of her considerable physical strength. She also volunteers to function as a makeshift constable of sorts for the trading post: taking guard shifts, going on short patrols with Kirby, and tending to the needs of the prisoners. She spends nights engaged in discussions with the Levetons about any knowledge they have of the surrounding area, as well as long-term needs for the trading post to thrive.
Vitellia grimaces at Gage's inquiry. "You're right. We don't have proper facilities here for holding them prisoner. If there isn't a patrol expected soon, we'll likely have to backtrack to turn the bandits over."
Vitellia nods approvingly. "If they meet their deaths in open combat, then that is fair. But once the dust settles, we must see to it that survivors stand trial. If we plan to settle and annex this land, we must make a clear distinction between ourselves and the brigands that currently infest the area."
Vitellia accepts the rope and binds Happs' hands as securely as she is able.
"I suspect, given their absolute and total failure here today, that whoever is leading these bandits may not want them back." She pauses in response to Mamise's concerns. "I have never been particularly taken with capital punishment, though neither am I a lawmaker. It is possible that, were Happs and his ill-fated gang to provide the information we seek, that authorities in Restov would consider our suggestion of an alternate sentence. Perhaps conscription into the militia?"
My CMB is not particularly high... is it at all possible to take 10 or 20 on tying someone up?
Not releasing her grip, Vitellia presses Happs about his response to the situation: "You almost sound glad to throw up the white flag, bandit."
Vitellia steps past Tika, moving with determined purpose straight toward Happs. As she approaches she reaches out with her gauntleted hand, attempting to grab and restrain the brigand.
Hi everyone. My girlfriend's grandfather passed away suddenly yesterday. I'll likely have some down time tomorrow to post, but if it is necessary to bot me in any capacity until I am able to do so, please don't hesitate. Apologies for the disruption.
I... may have prepared a small notebook of Hamilton references specifically for this campaign... >_>
As the her opponent drops to the ground, Vitellia gestures to Kirby to cease his attacks. Looking him over it's clear she and her hound have left the man with some scars, but he appeared to still be breathing. "Don't take it too hard, lad." She says to the unconscious bandit. "You were outnumbered, out-planned."
As the bandit's swing goes wide, Vitellia sighs and directs a pitying expression towards the brigand. "When this is finished, please recall that I gave you fair warning." Vitellia whistles sharply to Kirby and the dog sidesteps to a flanking position, where the hound bites at the bandit's legs:
Moments after her hound strikes, Vitellia raises her gauntlet-clad fist and takes a sweeping backhand towards the bandit at head height:
Vitellia's Surprise Round: Vitellia sends Kirby out first, the dog barreling out from behind the stables and wheeling around behind Bandit Orange. Vitellia follow suit, stopping next to Oleg. She brandishes her spiked gauntlet menacingly. "If you think your best option at this juncture is anything other than an unconditional surrender, I would relish the opportunity to promise you terribly incorrect."
Hey everyone! Got bogged down way more than expected with Food Day preparations. I'll try to fire off a proper post later tonight.
Out of sight behind the stables, Vitellia's grip on her polearm was firm and assured. She was less confident about Mamise's ruse. The woman lied well enough to dupe the gods, but she was selling such an outlandish prospect Vitellia was worried this hoodwink would crumble. Kirby stood beside her, silent and ready, ears pointed towards the sounds of conversation.
Vitellia and Kirby will hide out just behind the stables. Stealth is not my thing, so my safest bet of going unnoticed is to just be out of line of sight. We'll can come charging in when given whatever single we're going to use to start the ambush.
Do we maybe want me to greet them while everyone else is hidden? I can present myself as an obvious threat to hold their attention, then Tika can sneak up behind and clobber one of them while everyone else unloads spells.
Vitellia nods in agreement with Tika. "Yes, protecting Oleg's from immediate threat should be top priority. Without this base of operations, our expedition is as good as doomed." Addressing Mamise's concerns and stratagems, Vitellia takes a matter-of-fact tone. "Your concerns of reprisal from the bandits is not unfounded, as that response is a near certainty. However, it would take time -I'd wager two days at least- for that response to come. Time we can spend locating their base of operations which, if we take a prisoner as you suggested, Is something I believe this group could accomplish."
"Numbers would be helpful, as well. I hardly expect you to know an exact head count, but perhaps the greatest number of them you've seen at one time?"
Vitellia gives a slight bow when Svetlana and Oleg welcome the party. "You are too kind to us. We are happy to help, and assure you the task ahead of us will likely require us to spend plenty of coin here in the coming days." Vitellia unloads her backpack and weapons, stowing them wherever Svetlana indicates is appropriate. With a gesture and a clipped whistle, she instructs Kirby to wait patiently at the entrance. "I'll get you something to eat shortly, big guy. But for now I need you to keep an eye out, yeah?" When the she and the rest of the group take their seats, she removes her gauntlet and sets it next to her.
I don't mind Gage being a bawdy rascal. Keeping things right around where they've been at at this point seems about ideal for comfort level.
Vitellia's face twists into a disapproving frown at Gage's comments towards Mamise. "If she runs you through for that, I won't lift a finger to stop her."
I've got 32gp on-hand, happy to contribute whatever of that is needed to the mule, etc.
In the morning Vitellia avails herself of the offer to borrow a steed for the journey. Kirby is somewhat jealous, but once they are underway and the bullmastiff discovers a legion of opportunities to chase various fowl and beast into the underbrush during the trip, all is forgiven. Vitellia can't help but chuckle at Seleste's discomfort while riding. "Best to get accustomed to riding," she teases in a friendly manner. "There's certain to be much more of it in our future." When the party reaches Oleg's, Vitellia dismounts and pats her temporary steed affectionately on the neck. It had been a lovely ride. In response to Gage's query: "I can facilitate introductions if you like, though I think it best we take a more humble approach. Common folk living this far afield of Brevoy's protection aren't likely to be impressed by our surnames, I would imagine."
I think our current supplies will cover us until Oleg's. Once we're there we can probably load up on long term food/water arrangements during exploration.
Vitellia regards Mamise with a nod: "Such an arrangement is fine. I have never much cared to have others in my charge as it is, though it is a necessity of my station from time to time." She pauses briefly, adopting a thoughtful expression. "I would like to assure you that you needn't use deception with me. While it is clear to me that this group is accustomed to a somewhat more... rough and tumble life than I am, once we are in the Green Belt my family name will carry only the weight I can provide it with my sword arm. We will have scarce little than each other to rely on in the wilds, and I will do everything in my power to protect you all from harm." Vitellia clasps Mamise's shoulder with her gauntleted hand, and sweeps the others with her gaze. "While it is true that I have little choice but to trust you, I do not believe this trust is misplaced."
Vitellia thanks the mayor with a bow. "Indeed, we should retire while we can." Turning to her companions: "I shall see you in the morning, then. Rest well, and avail yourselves of a hearty breakfast in the morning. I'm sure there is much adventure and derring-do in our future."
Vitellia responds to the Mayor with a short nod of acknowledgement. Better than I expected, she thought. I'm certain someone has their hand in this for political reasons. Likely several someone's now. Giving the fledgling colony the relative independence of a proper city-state is risky, as it will be harder to exert control over, but it also helps obfuscate whoever may be trying to play this endeavor from behind the scenes.
Vitellia was somewhat surprised to hear her name called, but nowhere near as surprised as she was at hearing Gage -that insufferable troubadour- be addressed as Baron Garess! She gives Kirby a command to remain in the common room while she follows the others into the private space in the back. The hound initially whimpers and makes eyes at her, but she tosses him another piece of chicken and he forgets his grievance. As they enter, Vitellia sidles up alongside Gage. "I've been to my fair share of Garess formal events yet I don't believe I've had the pleasure of making your acquaintance until tonight. You'll have to tell me where you've been all this time." She is smiling, but the edge of passive-aggression in her voice is clear. Once inside, they are introduced to a Half-Elven woman and Sellemius goes over the basics of the expedition. When he queries the newly christened colonists about any concerns, she allows some of the others to speak before raising a question of her own. "Exactly how beholden to Brevoy will we be? How much autonomy will our colony, assuming we successfully establish one, have from the Dragonscale Throne?"
Wait, is Gage seriously a secret Baron!?!? Vitellia would definitely have a reaction to that, but I don't wanna say something that has to get retconned, lol...
In regards to everyone's baller Charisma: I was originally going to bump Vitellia's Charisma at levels 8 and 12, in order to keep her relevant if she ended up in a Kingdom Role that required Charisma. BUT! Seeing as how we appear to have that concern well covered, and that Vitellia's the only full BAB class in the group, I think I might just do Strength the whole way instead.
Kirby is added! Prepare for endless doge meme references...
I believe that it helps that our dump stats are 12s (or 10s after -2 racial) :3 True! But even at that, we've only got one PC out of *5* who's Charisma is a 12.
Also, I've been rolling dice for about 20 years and I don't think I have ever seen such an across-the-board charismatic group of PCs. For once I have virtually no serious concerns about tackling social challenges.
I can assure you that Vitellia will be quite swift to disabuse anyone of that notion.
No worries! You picked up *two* games out of nowhere and hit the ground running! We owe you greatly, and a simple organizational mistake is more than understandable.
I'm gonna check in here, since this is the group we'd previously settled on me being in. I'm assuming TLGM just transposed Derra and I by accident on his list.
Wait, I thought we just sussed out that Vitellia was Table 2??? |