The rat-a-tat-tat of a third flight of arrows rains down on the roof and the few remaining bystanders dive under tables. More than one arrow manages to pierce the wooden roof and stick in beams of floorboards. What a mess this is. Just how do you get yourselves into things like this?
How indeed. Let's recap.
It all started when you responded to a summons from an Andoran army General...
"General Dakovya," announces a smartly dressed young officer. "They're here."
A grunt and a wave of the hand ushers you inside a large but not overly lavish command tent.
General Dakovya with his thin mustache, oiled hair, strong jaw, and muscular neck looks like an old soldier doing a poor job at following the fashions of his political betters. He sits beside a large desk that looks surprisingly sturdy for something meant to be taken down when the army moves again.
You've been brought to this temporary encampment not far from the border between Andoran and Cheliax (but still clearly inside Andoran territory) for some purpose. You are about to find out what that purpose is.
A young knight marched up to the appropriate point before the desk, snapped the proper salute and stated; "Sir Manfred VonFalkenburg, milord."
The young man was moderately tall, but looked even wider; not just the size of his arms, but the odd dwarven make of his masterwork full plate armor (always generous about the shoulders). His tabard had his family coat of arms, but on his chest and on his still-glowing-even-though-it-was-day shield was the holy symbol of Iomedae. Strangely, even in the mud and blood of a war zone, none of it seemed to adhere to him. He was very good looking, blond hair, blue eyes, probably the bastard had brilliant white teeth too. His attitude was forthright, and you had the feeling that he was true to his word and incapable of lying. Even when he was saying the most ridiculous things.
"I was told that you were a good man who needed help in a righeous cause."
Naturally enough, he was then asked who told him that.
"The goddess Iomedae." He replied.
Small and greying on top, the bearded halfling is almost pushed into the tent by two dusty guards, carrying a long fishing pole. He watches the knight and General.
No salute, no preamble, the halfling steps up after the knight. "Sir, it's been a while since that incident with Major Hoffmar, the defection. Why have you brought me back? I was put on the reserve list and I've been fishing these last few years. Happy back in Ashebrook." He shakes the rod at the officer.
The honest-looking face is ruddy and healthy but the eyes are guarded.
A young knight marched up to the appropriate point before the desk, snapped the proper salute and stated; "Sir Manfred VonFalkenburg, milord."
The young man was moderately tall, but looked even wider; not just the size of his arms, but the odd dwarven make of his masterwork full plate armor (always generous about the shoulders). His tabard had his family coat of arms, but on his chest and on his still-glowing-even-though-it-was-day shield was the holy symbol of Iomedae. Strangely, even in the mud and blood of a war zone, none of it seemed to adhere to him. He was very good looking, blond hair, blue eyes, probably the bastard had brilliant white teeth too. His attitude was forthright, and you had the feeling that he was true to his word and incapable of lying. Even when he was saying the most ridiculous things.
"I was told that you were a good man who needed help in a righeous cause."
Naturally enough, he was then asked who told him that.
"The goddess Iomedae." He replied.
Dakovya turns to the officer that escorted the party in, "This is the one? Well, ... he certainly looks the part."
Small and greying on top, the bearded halfling is almost pushed into the tent by two dusty guards, carrying a long fishing pole. He watches the knight and General.
No salute, no preamble, the halfling steps up after the knight. "Sir, it's been a while since that incident with Major Hoffmar, the defection. Why have you brought me back? I was put on the reserve list and I've been fishing these last few years. Happy back in Ashebrook." He shakes the rod at the officer.
The honest-looking face is ruddy and healthy but the eyes are guarded.
"Welcome back Ashe, ... Since Major Hoffmar's retirement it has become ... safe to put the 'Hoffmar Incident' behind us ... perhaps even laugh a little about it," says General Dakovya, repressing a smile.
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At the door of the tent I look around the interior and flash a friendly smile around, "Gentlemen."
"Greetings sir," I say to the General. Knowing that it is a general that we are meeting, I have dressed in my best clothes and I take a moment to make sure that my cuffs are straight before stepping fully into the tent.
"Galadar Groltian reporting for duty. What can I be doing for my country today?"
At the door of the tent I look around the interior and flash a friendly smile around, "Gentlemen."
"Greetings sir," I say to the General. Knowing that it is a general that we are meeting, I have dressed in my best clothes and I take a moment to make sure that my cuffs are straight before stepping fully into the tent.
"Galadar Groltian reporting for duty. What can I be doing for my country today?"
Turning from Ashe to Galadar, the General's repressed laugh becomes a broad smile. "Galadar! I'm glad my men could find you. Not an easy thing to do!! As for what you can do for your country, ... but first, the others ..."
Standing a few feet behind Knotty Ash stands A halfling female. Fairly tall for one of her kind she a has a young youthful face With blue eyes and long brown hair currently tied back in a short ponytail, She wears fairly plain looking clothes all composed from various animal hides, her shirt looks like it was made from some sort of leather Her trousers from dearskin whilst her gloves, boots and cloak seemed to be from a large wolf, on her back is a halfling sized longbow. She look's every bit a woodsperson and from a chain around her neck hangs a wooden holy symbol of Eristil
Currently she is standing looking at Knotty Ash with a look between mild confusion and utter disbelief
Standing a few feet behind Knotty Ash stands A halfling female. Fairly tall for one of her kind she a has a young youthful face With blue eyes and long brown hair currently tied back in a short ponytail, She wears fairly plain looking clothes all composed from various animal hides, her shirt looks like it was made from some sort of leather Her trousers from dearskin whilst her gloves, boots and cloak seemed to be from a large wolf, on her back is a halfling sized longbow. She look's every bit a woodsperson and from a chain around her neck hangs a wooden holy symbol of Eristil
Currently she is standing looking at Knotty Ash with a look between mild confusion and utter disbelief
General Dakovya glances at Eria, looks back at his aide-de-camp and raises an eyebrow, but says nothing.
Knotty notices the other halfling at once.
"Well if she is here, it must be a cakewalk mustn't it, Sir. I mean she isn't even trained, are you Eria?"
"You should go if they have me then its dangerous and probably secret so if anything happens you will be forgotten. So please leave, if you can." The halfling mage looks at the General.
"Oh you can't, I see." Knotty starts laughing too, "what have we gotten into?"
The first words out of Eria's mouth are almost Wait a minute you mean all that talk of you being in the military wasn't made up? Luckily she manages to stop herself at the last minute. Instead she stands to attention as best she can "Eria Rillka reporting for duty sir Err whatever that is."
"An intersting group you have assembled General."
The voice coming from a dark corner of the tent causes heads to turn in surprise, as a shadow detaches itself, proving to be a tall cloaked figure. A pair of pale hands rise to darw back the hood and toss the cloak over the shoulder of what is revealed to be a svelte form, gloved in black leather that leaves arms and shoulders bare. As she strides forward you realze that her heeled boots make no sound, a walk as silent as it is fluid.
"I am Liandra Nightwind, agent of The Hand. My skills are at your service General." she speaks in a relaxed drawl.
"An intersting group you have assembled General."
The voice coming from a dark corner of the tent causes heads to turn in surprise, as a shadow detaches itself, proving to be a tall cloaked figure. A pair of pale hands rise to darw back the hood and toss the cloak over the shoulder of what is revealed to be a svelte form, gloved in black leather that leaves arms and shoulders bare. As she strides forward you realze that her heeled boots make no sound, a walk as silent as it is fluid.
"I am Liandra Nightwind, agent of The Hand. My skills are at your service General." she speaks in a relaxed drawl.
All traces of a smile disappear as the General nods grimly towards Nightwind. "Glad The Hand could spare you."
I nod pleasantly to the half elven woman and then ask, "How many are you expecting General?"
The General looks over to a halfling merchant who has been sitting in the corner of the tent, "Just one more. The other one is a cleric of Gorum, isn't that right?"
The aide-de-camp starts, "But, Eria is also a cleric ... doesn't that ..."
The General cuts him off, "I don't care what those strategists in Almas say about 'party balance' and 'roles', there will be people in there that need healing if things go to the devil. Besides, a cleric of Gorum doesn't really count as a cleric."
"A priest of Gorum," I say, my smile getting bigger, "Either you have a very interesting mission for us General or you were really desperate for volunteers."
"Yes," replies the General. "Quite true."
He doesn't say which is true.
"An intersting group you have assembled General."
The voice coming from a dark corner of the tent causes heads to turn in surprise, as a shadow detaches itself, proving to be a tall cloaked figure. A pair of pale hands rise to darw back the hood and toss the cloak over the shoulder of what is revealed to be a svelte form, gloved in black leather that leaves arms and shoulders bare. As she strides forward you realze that her heeled boots make no sound, a walk as silent as it is fluid.
"I am Liandra Nightwind, agent of The Hand. My skills are at your service General." she speaks in a relaxed drawl.
All traces of a smile disappear as the General nods grimly towards Nightwind. "Glad The Hand could spare you."
** spoiler omitted **
"Of course, all for the good of the realm." A slow smile creeps across Liandra's face.
1d20+6=24I would think a cleric of Gorum would count as more of a natural disaster, like a forest fire or a hurricane.
Sir Manfred nods to the others as they come in, sizing them up.
"With respect Milord, we seem to be an... odd assortment for a military unit. Some of us seem to be in need of, ah, extensive physical training before any action." He said, giving a brief glance at at Knotty Ashe.
Sir Manfred nods to the others as they come in, sizing them up.
"With respect Milord, we seem to be an... odd assortment for a military unit. Some of us seem to be in need of, ah, extensive physical training before any action." He said, giving a brief glance at at Knotty Ashe.
"Well, you see," interjects the aide-de-camp defensively, "Each of you has been selected to fill a 'role' ... the Almasian Strategy Group has identified four 'roles' -- striker, defender, ..."
The General cuts him off with a wave of his hand, "Enough. You are not typical soldiers because this is not a typical mission. I guess I'll have to fill you in without our Gorumite. If he arrives on time, then you can explain on the way."
"Baron Vendikon, that treasonous, devil-loving, son-of-a-hellhound, has given in to his gluttonous love of all things arcane and forbidden and sold whatever amount of loyalty he managed to scrape together to the bloody Chels. Piren's Bluff would be overrun by those imp-lickers in a few days were not the most well-disciplined fighting force known to Golarion having one last night of trying it on with milkmaids and farmboys before going to battle. My army will take Piren's Bluff and crack it open like an egg. This is not a problem ... However..."
"Wiser heads than mine make the decisions in Almas and they have decided that a couple of days delay will not tip the scales in favour of those abyssal-bloodlined Chel bastards. They have also declared that the lives of those so-called Andorans who have not, for whatever unknown reason, pulled the Baron out of his Keep and used him as owlbear bait, are worth saving. Having reached these two somewhat dubious conclusions, the powers that be have asked me to assemble a group ... an elite group ... for an unusual mission."
"I want you to enter Piren's Bluff, make contact with the few brave Andorans who have sent us word of the Baron's intentions, destroy his defenses, piss in his wardrobe, shit in his pantry, kill him, and then open the gates so that we may 'minimize civilian casualties'. 'Minimizing civilian casualties' is the Almas Strategy Group's new term for 'doing our frigging job right'.
"I do not believe that this will pose any difficulty for you considering your unique set of skills. Questions?"
"Err you dont really want us to piss in his Wardrobe and s#!* in his pantry do you?"
"Err you dont really want us to piss in his Wardrobe and s#!* in his pantry do you?"
"Well, it would explain the Gorumite" Liandra muses to no one in particular.
"Do you want anything special done with the body? As an example?", she winks at the General.
"Err you dont really want us to piss in his Wardrobe and s#!* in his pantry do you?"
"Do you want anything special done with the body? As an example?", she winks at the General.
To both Liandra and Eria the General replies, "I'll leave specifics up to you. I've been ordered to give those Andorans who have already demonstrated a suspicious lack of patriotism by being born west of the Aspodells one last chance to be good citizens. That chance is you. My soldiers are ready to attack. Don't make me wait much longer."
"Other questions?"
"Are there any specific contacts we should be trying to reach once we're there? Also, if there is war brewing, is the Baron going to be suspicious of visitors to his little domain?"
"Unfortunately, the loyalists who contacted us did not trust their courier enough to sign their accounts of recent events in Piren's Bluff. They told us they would be known only by this sign..."
The General's aide-de-camp finds a piece of paper and slides it towards you. It shows a yellow ribbon wrapped around a plant.
"Keep an eye out for that."
"And, yes, I suppose the Baron will be suspicious of anyone entering his domain. If you were a skulky cat who had just bitten the hand that fed you wouldn't you expect to be swatted. Still, our scouts report that even more traffic than usual is entering Piren's Bluff as the Baron prepares for whatever comes next. You'll go in as guards for Gaskar's wagons," The General indicates the halfling in the corner. Gaskar waves. "Gaskar is known in town and he'll get you in."
"I caught the tail end of that....apparently one of your guards took me for Chelish....I'm not! Varisian, thru and thru."
A large man enters the room,the front of his cloak thrown back revealing a shining chain shirt beneath. His skin a green much deeper than the light olive of most Varisians. Fine red leather boots accompany the red thread bordering his night-black cloak; it seems to be a tessalating pattern of massive swords thrust into a stylized mountain peaks. His shaven pate gleaming dully in the tent-light, he cracks a large smile showing the overly prodigious canines that mark those of orc-blood and coupled with his bestial ears gives him a wolf-like appearance. The pommel of an extremely large sword protrudes over his left shoulder.
"Hoo, hoo...but what I gathered was you would like us to lay the hand of Gorum on the necks of thine enemies and devour their flesh with my sword..."
"I am Hru, chosen of the Iron Lord."
"...and you do not dissappoint."
Sir Manfred exclaims, "Hru! My friend!" And they pound each others backs like old friends.
1d20+5=18
Liandra:
Liandra recognizes the drawing to be a quite good rendering of a sprig of mistletoe.
The General looks back and forth between Manfred and Hru. He's still not entirely sure why the young Paladin recommended the half-orc but he lets the others think that the cleric of Gorum was his selection.
"Well, then you're all here. More questions?"
"How do we let you know when the job's done?"
"What happens if the two days run out first? You going to come smashing in and take no prisoners? I mean have we got a safe house to fall back to."
"Do the Cheliaxians know about us?"
"What happens when we come back. You going to tear up my papers so that I can get back to fishing for good?"
The halfling wanders over to the tall knight and the half-orc and looks them up and down. "You'll do fine. Nothing like a big piece of muscle to take some battering while the brains are busy."
Snaps his fingers and wanders back to Gaskar, "got any wine on that wagon of yours? Plum brandy is my fav."
Knowledge nature (rolled on Paizo chat because Invisible castle is down)
1d20+9 » + 20 [+9] = 29
Knowledge nature (rolled on Paizo chat because Invisible castle is down)
1d20+9 » + 20 [+9] = 29
Eria
"How do we let you know when the job's done?"
"You'll find a way. Hang the baron from one of the towers? Send up a flag? Bring the front gates down?"
"What happens if the two days run out first? You going to come smashing in and take no prisoners? I mean have we got a safe house to fall back to."
"Well, ... technically ASG said I should give you four days but ... damn ... Okay, you have four days."
"Do the Cheliaxians know about us?"
"Not unless one of you is a traitorous rat," the General eyes you suspiciously as he answers.
"What happens when we come back. You going to tear up my papers so that I can get back to fishing for good?"
"Absolutely. Without a doubt. Probably."
Snaps his fingers and wanders back to Gaskar, "got any wine on that wagon of yours? Plum brandy is my fav."
"I think I can commandeer some ... I have a friend in the quartermaster's ...," begins Gaskar with a grin.
"It's your friendship with the quartermaster's office that has put you in my debt," the General reminds Gaskar. "But get them in and the charges will be cleared."
"Well, I think I can accept the mission," I say to the General, "But I do need to know - do we have an expense account? In case bribes need to be paid, food needs eaten or we desire to sleep in a bed."
The General eyes Galadar suspiciously, "I've heard about your expense accounts and would prefer to do this by a lump sum. Forty platinum pieces for each of you. Same again after completion. No looting of the town but help yourselves to anything in that devil-licking dog of a baron's keep."
"With respect, Milord, but why exactly did you invite me and Hru to this mission? This seems more suited to less obviously military personnel."
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"With respect, Milord, but why exactly did you invite me and Hru to this mission? This seems more suited to less obviously military personnel."
"Nonsense," I say, "You'll just need a little bit of unpolishing and you'll make a great looking mercenary. If things get rough, a couple of strong arms never hurts to have along."
"You may as well keep all my platinum, Sir. I'll pick it up after...after we get back. And don't worry Sir Manfred, if you or your friend want to look a bit rougher I can help."
Knotty turns his straw hat and it fades into a piratical red scarf to match the short black trousers and blue and white striped shirt. The halfling becomes a slightly fatter dwarf with one eye.
"See."
Sir Manfred observes Knotty Ashe's transformation and then slowly nods.
"Yes," he said "I suspect I'm going to need all the help you can give me..."
The General busies himself with other work while you talk.
Gaskar is quite excited about the "secret mission" he's about to undertake for Andoran. He seems to have entirely ignored the General's insinuation that he was pressed into service.
[ooc]Anything you want to do or buy before you go? There are no towns around but you could find weapons and standard equipment.
The General busies himself with other work while you talk.
Gaskar is quite excited about the "secret mission" he's about to undertake for Andoran. He seems to have entirely ignored the General's insinuation that he was pressed into service.
Anything you want to do or buy before you go? There are no towns around but you could find weapons and standard equipment.
Hru chuckles to himself
"I have served Gorum in many ways, days uncounted in the smithy, and as scullery, I've walked unbooted in the wilds of the north. I shall have no trouble with a common appearance, save for what is undisguisable" and with that he peels his lips back in a toothy grin.
"oh, and the shirt of course-HA!" he gives a small leap causing his chain mail shirt to jingle with an audible clink.
Hru seems to have overlooked the most imposing and unhideable thing in his possesion-the huge battleblade strapped to his back
The General busies himself with other work while you talk.
Gaskar is quite excited about the "secret mission" he's about to undertake for Andoran. He seems to have entirely ignored the General's insinuation that he was pressed into service.
Anything you want to do or buy before you go? There are no towns around but you could find weapons and standard equipment.
"Whoever is posing as a merchant, I will be your personal guard."
Sir Manfred asks Knotty Ashe; "So what did you have in mind for me, disguise wise? I have a cover for my shield, so that's no problem."