Congrats, Arla and Kazador! Enjoy the ride. :)
Search Posts
As one of the players that had to retire from the ongoing campaign, YOU MUST APPLY! This has easily been one of my best PBP experiences on the board, and I wish you all luck in your applications. :) Enjoy!
Thanks, all - sorry that I'm ending on a rather weak note for my posting, but that's sadly where I am right now. Enjoy the continued campaign! If you keep playing here in this thread, I'll keep spying on the story. :) THANK YOU, GM! You assembled a wonderful team, and told an awesome story for us. Kudos!
Kelian, Vors calls to his son, and the boy comes up quickly. You've been wanting to see more of the world, I know, and I can't imagine better company to send you in than Mel, Perrin, and Thomas. You'll help them in ways I just can't anymore. Go to the house, get a bag together, and your sword, then come meet me here. Initially, the young man is confused, but then a gleam of excitement takes hold in his eye, and he sprints back to the house. It's clear that Reinala isn't thrilled at the idea of her eldest hitting the road, but she simply crosses her arms and glares at Vors, clearly promising a fuller conversation later. For his part, Vors simply sighs and begins unstrapping the armor that he took from Halak. He puts it into a large sack, and hands it to Kelian when he comes back. I know you don't know how to use this yet, so don't try until you're ready. Get someone in Astin to teach you how, if you can find them. Clapping his son on the shoulder, Vors smiles, and sheds a few tears at the parting. You'll do well, son. Just mind what Mel and Perrin tell you - they won't lead you astray. To , he says, Thank you, friends. I can't leave the town now, of all times. Who knows what might appear next? Take care of my son, as you can, and teach him what you can. When you're done, bring him back, safely. We'll have crops to trade with Astin soon, if you can send a merchant our way. Clasping hands with each of them, he simply says, Erastil bless your defense of our community, and Abadar help you seek justice. Fare well!
Aye, hold on that rope, Thomas. We aren't convinced that Brookside was the only community that might be facing troubles, and if it's other towns here in the Bishopric, we need more folk to hear of this than just our own.
If I might suggest, you could bring Vors' son, Kelian, as an NPC to accompany you, and if it works out for me to hop back in this fall, I'd be glad to take up playing him. Otherwise, taking Thomas makes sense!
Whoops! Tired brain must have skipped something in your dialogue. My apologies. Though I do think that Vors would want for there to be some way that Halak atones, besides killing him.
Vors shakes his head. I'm sorry, Mel, but cold blooded killing isn't something I can do. Erastil and Abadar call for justice, not vengeance. I side with Perrin - this one needs to go to the Bishop, along with all the intelligence, so that he can best act to defend our lands. Sighing, he also turns to Hirda. And I'm sorry to you, too, Hirda, because I agree with Mel on another matter. Halak stood against us once, a pawn of another power. As Perrin put it, pawns can transform into something greater than they once were. If there is any justice in this world, it will be that Halak serves penance for his actions. Looking back towards town, his shoulders slump. But a journey to the Bishop is more than my shoulders can bear. Halak, I'm glad that you'll travel with Mel. I hope you find something you need out of all of this. And maybe before the end of either of our days, you and I can find each other once more to learn who would have won that fight. Gathering the gazes of the others, he offers, Let's let Halak stay outside of town for now, to meet up with Mel and any others after we go in and tell the townspeople what we've learned today, and that we're turning this elf over to the Bishop for judgment. If they don't like what we're saying, and want the elf to die on our walls, then we'll mete out that frontier justice when the moment comes. What say you?
Hi, all, sorry that this hasn't been my best period for posting. As I look ahead to the coming months, I'm going to be totally topsy-turvey for a while, probably from now until... September? Maybe mid-August. While I'd love to play more with all of you, I'm worried that I could
I will give a full-throated endorsement to anyone interested in applying to a bigger campaign, but for the near future, my role would be secondary, at best. Cheers!
Mel:
Thanks! That's a good choice for languages. :) Vors' face darkens considerably from these revelations, and he takes a tighter grip on his halberd. I remember the larger big battles, and I'm not interested in seeing them again. Yet justice must be met out for our townsfolk who lost their lives - and so this one comes with us, for good or ill - and the people of Brookside help us determine his fate. He knows that there's another difficult conversation yet to resolve, and turns a grim eye towards Halak before looking back to the group. And I have other business to attend, as well. Come, let's return home with him, and decide there.
Vors grunts at the elf, Elvish:
Might be enough for you, still not enough for me. Do you know Liriandel? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him, but we fought shoulder to shoulder once. I would like to know if such a fine warrior is still alive. When Mel comes out and makes her demand, Vors and Halak do their best to get Elrin to comply. Don’t make me let Halak hit you again. The orc simply growls and raises a fist.
Vors hasn’t spoken to an elf in years, but their language still echoes about somewhere in his aged head. After Halak lays the man on the ground, Vors crouches down by him. Elven:
Been a long time since I’ve seen one of the fair folk. Lucky for me, all of you live longer than we do, so there’s a chance that I might know some of the leaders you work for. Who do you report to on the Council? Speak!
Vors strides through the wriggling vines towards the orc, and kicks the rapier away. Now listen here - enough of the games and illusions. You talk, now. Who are you, and what are you doing here? Speak!
Halak stalks forward next to Vors with an extra deep scowl on his face, trying to help get to the bottom of what killed his clan...
Hello, everyone, and sorry for my long absence. Two weeks ago, we found out about a happy change of employment for my spouse (primary wage earner), right before hitting the road to go on vacation and see family, and it’s given us a lot to think about and plan for re: this summer. Well, after 2000+ miles of driving, apartment hunting, and catching up with old friends who are very excited that we’re moving back closer, we’re now settled in with our family for a couple weeks of visiting and approaching a more normal schedule. I hope to catch up with a post tomorrow, but - again - my apologies for delays that I’ve caused.
Hi, everyone - I'll have more soon, but FYI that I'll be on the road today and tomorrow. Hope to update on the way.
What the hell are you talking about, doctor - it's going to kill us all! When the wave of energy hits him, he looks suspiciously at his halberd, then at the wounded (but healing) Hirda. Deadeye's love, Hirda, I'm sorry! I swear there was another orc there, threatening us! These illusions'll be the death of you, but by my hand! Doctor, should I leave?
If that illusion is gone (for Vors) after the swipe, then disregard the below. If not... Vors is utterly confused when Perrin gets dangerously close to the lead orc, and nearly cries out when his arm goes to touch the savage warrior until the arm goes straight through the orc...
...and snaps his halberd to attention, desperately hoping that he can survive this fight and just go home.
Vors is about to call something into the cave when the new orc band appears. Whirling about, shock and fear definitely strikes at his mind as he sees them. Couldn't have just stayed home, could I... he thinks, as he grasps at what to say to them, hoping desperately that Perrin is right about it being an illusion.
Stand down, he calls out. You're facing the Defenders of Brookside, and we've just cut down your number of orcs not a day past. This is a fight you can't win without serious loss. Are you prepared for that?
All right then, Vors claps her on the shoulder once more. Thanks for telling us. Just keep talking, you hear? We need your ideas and insights. Straightening, he steps toward Perrin. Now, good doctor, I can't help but notice a strangeness to your eyes. Give me good news, I hope, and let me know if I should go in first, or if you want another to take the lead.
Vors reaches out a steadying hand towards Mel and ties his best to keep a level voice. Mel, calm down. I need you thinking clearly and staying with me. What's wrong? Tell me, please.
Yeah - seems to have gone better last night, as I didn't feel quite so wiped today. Here's hoping it's out of my system in the next day or so.
The old warrior looks about, but sees nothing out of the ordinary. Never came past here, eh, Halak?
Yeah, even with the nyquil, sleep has been evading me. My post here might be a little loopy, but I'll try to catch up.
Sorry all. Virus. Surviving on nyquil. Hope to catch up in the morning. :(
I don't like it either, Lily, but hear me out. Whoever did this is probably going to send another message, looking to hear about our destruction. If that message comes by animal again, it's going to look for an orc to drop it with, if what I understand from Mel about the magic is correct. It won't hand it over to me, or the good Doctor, or our fletcher. But it could hand it over to Halak, and that might give us a chance to track it back to it's source.
Vors, dressed in the dragonscale armor and carrying his gleaming halberd, leads Halak to the smoldering pile of orc corpses the next morning. They're both well rested now, and after making a show of cutting Halak's bonds before the rest of the town, he turns to the people.
"Yes, it is time for this. He should be dead, by any rights. However, there's some new information that we've gained over the past night, and it seems that Halak here might have been an unwitting foe against our town. It doesn't mean that what he and his warband did was right, but I want you to hear what we've learned since the fight. Mel? Perrin? Can you share your insights?"
Bah, wimped out. He healed me in the battle! For all Vors knows, it was Halak that kept him alive during the last part of the fight.
Vors looks over to the remaining Brooksiders, and waves them back into town. "This is between him 'n me. It's getting dark - go see to your families. One way or another, this'll be done tonight. Dr. Alders will see to it with me." - - - - - Vors turns to Halak. "So, what'll it be? If you fight now, is this the good death you wanted? I won't kill you without honor - and that fire is going to burn for a good long while. I can still throw you on it in the morning, but now's just as good for me if you are ready. Or, if there was someone else pulling strings that caused the death of your clan, what would you give to get back at them?"
Ok, guards around Halak makes sense. I don't think I could pull him off, but it would actually be kinda fun to do 3 if I got to play Halak, as he, Mel, and Perrin head out to figure out what caused the ruin of his tribes, and the near ruin of Brookside. :) Gah, decisions, decisions! And me coming down with a cold. Sorry I'm not moving this along, but I gotta make a choice. Ah well, here we go...
Sorry, all - long weekend! I'm going back and forth in my head about what Vors would do here. WOuld he keep his plan to fight/kill Halak, or try to use the Orc as a resource to figure out what's going on with the larger picture. With Mel departing, and all of us failing our sense motives, I feel like he's stuck with fighting. Oooo, or I could have Halak hide in the wood, and try to keep him honor bound to serve me (or Kelian?) to go and figure this out. It's dark now - are any other townspeople nearby such that they would see Vors sparing his life? Might have to lie and say that he's already torched...
That seems to be the question, Halak. If the animals that Ukar received aren’t from your tribe, and the animals you received aren’t from Ukar, then there’s another player in the midst. Vors shifts his grip on the halberd, now weighing in his mind whether he might need Halak’s help in pursuing this matter further, but also knowing that justice requires him to battle the orc, as promised to the town.
Vors grunts at Perrin's suggestion. "Halak, would Ukar have left anyone behind at his last camp? Or any other surprises for us?"
Stand down, Halak! Vors thunders. These are answers we need before your blood hits the ground. Who else could do this? Who else did your tribe know that could do something like this?
"Hold, Halak. Just a moment. I know Perrin was here with questions a bit ago. We have a few more, just answer them plainly." Vors motions Mel forward to take the lead.
Vors nods to Perrin's remarks. "Can't say that I want to face him down one-on-one, but he did fight along side us, if only to avoid Ukar's blade. Come, let's confront him. I'll grab my halberd on the way, and get Kelian to come, too. Lead on, Mel, I'll get him to talk."
Vors follows along, seeing Perrin’s agitated state. After the explanation, he asks to see the common translation, and takes a look over the contents. “You’re certain? Or as certain as you can be? This would make them all pawns of another controlling interest. And you’ve just come from Halak to talk about this?”
Aimin claps the hand again, says his own prayer to Erastil for their souls, and goes back up towards town.
Vors sighs at Halak as his... joke? Not sure what he was trying to do there... just totally falls flat. With a grumble, Vors grabs another shovel and starts helping make room for the karak. - - - - - When Kelian arrives, the old warrior nods, wipes the sweat from his brow, and sticks the shovel back in the dirt. "I'll be back," he tells Halak, then heads across the field to town to assist with the gillmen's internment. On the way, he tries to catch Mel, if she's around, and says, "After this, I'd like a word with you." He then proceeds to the pit and river.
Vors claps Aimin on the shoulder and says, "It shall be done as you say. Kelian, get Scatton and Hurin. The three of you'll help Aimin get this all settled, but come find me before it's fully done." - - - - - When all the Brooksiders have been buried and attended to, Vors heads out to see Halak's progress. When the dead karak yet to be addressed, and the firewood pile growing ever higher for the orcs, he grunts and shakes his head. "Halak, at this rate you'll not be a challenge to fight this night. And I think there's enough firewood that I could fight you in a week and still throw your corpse on hot coals." The old fighter tries to take the measure of the half-orc as the sun sets, gauging the druid's reactions...
Vors wraps up his evening by finding another hunk of bread for Halak, and whatever jerky he can scrounge up. Putting his cups and bottles away in the sideboard at home, he then pulls off his armor and collapses into bed. When he finally awakens several hours later, he has a massive headache, and his body is sore everywhere. Moving about is a chore, but he does it anyway to get out and see how he can help. When he comes across Perrin, he gives a bleary wave, and nods in agreement. "Eight, aye, doctor? Though we'd best wait for Hirda to give instructions on her family, of course." Tracking down Aimin, the gillman, he asks, "What burial rites would you prescribe for Strisgar, Sendal, and Orgel? I would like to give them priority, if I can, as you and your kin paid most dearly at the gate." When the townspeople gather, Vors looks at them and tries to do his best to lift their spirits and provide direction...
He gives them all a level look, then nods, "Let's be about our work, then, my friends. Let us help one another."
Vors shakes his head. "No beasts to fight here. Just chickens, goats, and mules. No show of strength butchering those. For some, a place can be made by earning the trust of the town. Like Mel, that archer, she's been here a while, but it's only in this fight that she's really become someone our town accepts. At least, that's my take. Some aren't taking to her as well, but," he shrugs. "I'll get them to come around." He looks around the barn, grasping for another conversation tactic, anything to distract from what's coming. "Did you eat today? I don't want you falling over from hunger tomorrow before we get about our business."
Vors does his best to tamp down his fear at this display. "Of course," he thinks, "I've heard of this kind of natural magic. Damnation - that'll make tomorrow harder." Grunting himself, Vors finishes his own cup, then pours each of them another one. "Tell me what happens when an orc joins a tribe. What does that look like? How do they initiate you?"
Well, let's see how well Vors fares against Halak before I commit him to anything else. :) That said, I think that as much fun as this has been, I know that Vors is DONE, as far as in-character reasoning goes. He retired from the army to have a quiet farming life, and unless something comes after him, he's not going to be going out to find trouble. Though there could be something to have him as a side PC, since he took up a leadership mantle, if that's a way that he could keep contributing. However, it was his impassioned speech after Cyrus died that got a lot of folks in town to listen to him, so it's possible that the families who suffered deaths won't want anything to do with him. Eventual vendettas? GM's discretion. :) - - - Now Kelian, on the other hand... That young man might have gotten the adventuring bug out of this whole experience. If he nab's his dad's (well, Halak's) armor in the night, and takes up training more with the masterwork longsword? That's like every fantasy novel... ever. :)
When the tears finally subside, Vors gets his family back to their home. Heating water at the fire, and pulling every rag they can find, each does their best to wipe away the blood, dirt, and grime that stain clothing and armor. --- To the three youngest, Karia, Jael, and Vargos, Vors says, "Thank you, children, for staying out of the way. I know you wanted to help more, and you certainly did by hiding, and leaving it for all of us. Go do your best to sleep - we'll need your energy soon." They all share another round of hugs throughout the room, then disappear to their various corners of the house. --- To Kelian, he offers a large pour of his best whisky, clinking cups with the young man. "My son, may you never - ever - have to see anything like that again. But if you do, I know that you'll always do me proud. The sword is yours to keep. Keep it clean and oiled, and it'll never do you wrong." Kelian nods, downs his whisky in a gulp, coughs at the burn, and replies, "Of course, father. How... ah... how do you... No, never mind. I'm going to sleep. For a week, if I can. Good night." He leave the question unspoken and stalks out of the room, his longsword held carefully at his side. --- When the children have all gone to catch a few hours sleep, he gives Reinala his full attention. There's an uncomfortable silence, as they both acknowledge that one more thing has to happen the next day. One more trial to close this chapter of the madness of the past week. "Don't do it," his wife finally says. "Just let it go." But Vors shakes his head. "I want to. Abadar knows the scales are already tipped in our favor, and I want to keep them there. But if I just let him out, then he goes and find another warband to join, and we'll be right back here again, only they'll know about everything we can do, and all our defenses. It'll only be worse. I'm going to go talk to him now, make sure his guard is in place. I'll be back soon." He kisses his wife on the head as he passes her chair, then grabs a different bottle and two cups on the way to the door. The old warrior walks out to the barn, where Hurin, Darba, Taron, and Yilla stand watch over the Orc. He knows that it's only a token defense. If Halak wanted, he'd be out and through them without too much difficulty, "Though Hurin would give the orc a run for his coin," Vors thinks. He asks the four young dwarves to step outside for a moment, then passes the cup of much cheaper whisky into Halak's stall. The two foes eye each other warily while sipping the drink, and Vors weighs his words carefully. "How did you get out of here during the fight, Halak? That part's missing from my story, and I want to know how the orc I have to kill tomorrow came to save my life tonight."
Vors points at Ukar, dead on the ground. "I'm Vors Falchen, formerly a sergeant in the army of the Bishopric of Helm. Captain, you've saved us from destruction, that's what. This one, called Ukar, was leader of the warband. He sent an advance party a few days ago, and we caught wind of it and took them out. One orc we kept prisoner, and he gave us an accurate timeline for the attack - we wouldn't have been as well prepared as we were if it weren't for him." He looks over at Halak and yells, "Halak, Mel will try to get someone to let you heal them. If they don't, go back to the barn, I'll come deal with you soon enough." Shaking his head, Vors goes on, "They were planning to attack Rush Junction. We were just in the way. That damn karak - their word for that monster you kept bringing down - Ukar was counting on it to lay waste to us all, and it probably would have, if not for your arrows. We lost... we lost too many, as it is. Five at the gate, two at the bridge, perhaps a pair up on the wall. A high price to pay for a town as small as ours." "I'm glad that our townsman, Thomas Nolton, made it to you to deliver the word. I assume he wasn't able to follow at your speed? What other news from Astin?"
Vors, hesitant to send his son into that lethal darkness, tells them to hold back and wades in, cautiously swinging his halberd and trying to avoid Hirda...
...but he's too cautious, and only digs a furrow in the ground. "I need more light in here!" he bellows, hoping that someone can hear and assist him.
When the darkness rolls past Kelian, Vors nearly has a heart attack until his son reappears. He waves for his troops to follow him carefully towards the south, when he sees that the darkness that can't be pierced by moonlight or starlight is just up ahead, but he stands just outside it. "Can anyone see in there? What do we do?"
Vors waves at Aimin to make his way back towards town, away from the melee, then growls and gets his remaining combatants to charge at the approaching orcs. He cries out, "UKAR! WE ARE YOUR DOOOOOOM!" Positioning:
re: N3 - Vors: Southwest - Hurin: South - Scatton: Southeast re: 03
Attacks:
Damage:
AoOs - GM, see note inside:
Vors calls for Aimin to defend himself, and for the Ursa and Kelian to flank and finish off their foe. The old warrior then takes Hurin and Scatton north to close with the next archer, coordinating the youngsters to get into flanking position with him. Positioning (re: Flanking):
Relative to P3 - Vors = West side - Hurin = East side - Scatton = South Side Relative to P5
Attacks:
Damage (Y'all are gonna want to look in this one :) )[/ooc:
With cries of rage against the archers, Vors, Hurin, and Scatton BUTCHER the bow-wielding orc with brutal efficiency, halberd, earthbreaker, and greataxe each taking their share. Kelian swings the finely crafted longsword with a massive two-handed scything attack, and cuts straight through the neck of the archer, toppling it to the ground. Each of the melee combatants gives a terror-and-adrenaline-fueled battle cry, clearly grateful for the change in fortunes after the bloodbath at the gate.
|