Well once it is all settled I will just go do my usual thing at the Everful Mug
"Oi! Denis! Wait for me" as he runs after Denis "I don't get to drink with heroe everyday" winks at him and pokes him with the elbow "Yer all right Denis, whoever says something diffrent I'll kick his arse" laughs out loud and pats Denis in the back "Well there is lot's of ale waiting for us to taste, food and music" a sudden sad moment crosses his face "Mercy is also there" says half hearted"[/b] just smiles at Denis "I'm so damn stubborn" gives out a laugh and keeps walking with Denis to the Everful Mug.
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Seeing that everyone is or was in the Everful at some point, I'll handle that first.
Haggard makes small talk with everyone as they enter. When asked to pony up some ale he has the follow to say.
"You want me to donate the a whole barrel of the greatest ale I've made to date, to a bunch of dwarves as a peace offering? Of course, assuming that is, that they will tell me how it compares to what they are used to... and of course you can take another batch for the kobolds, at least then if you do have to fight them, they'll be liquored up." Haggard continues talking until asked about the use of his wagon.
"Uh, well, you see it's the only one I have, and I have to... yeah it's fine, take it... but only because it's you Mercy... I swear, you better bring it back in one piece. You need two more? I know Igor has one that he is planning on letting you use, and there are a few other people around town that have wagons, Ol' John Abel don't farm no more... he might let ya use his too."
Igor walks in and addresses those he finds.
"Sorry I don't have any funds for the lot of you... but I did get people to donate the horses. And if I heard Haggard correctly and he is letting you use his wagon and mules for the trip, then you will have three wagons, as I and John Abel are both donating our wagons for the trip as well. I wrote this agreement up, per the stipulations in our meeting earlier this morning. It might not be perfect but it should hold up to the letter of the law. Oh, and Kender was kind enough to donate a whole barrel of lime."
"It's a grim task that we ask you to do... I thank you for your willingness to do it."
"Uh, well, you see it's the only one I have, and I have to... yeah it's fine, take it... but only because it's you Mercy... I swear, you better bring it back in one piece. You need two more? I know Igor has one that he is planning on letting you use, and there are a few other people around town that have wagons, Ol' John Abel don't farm no more... he might let ya use his too."...
"It's a grim task that we ask you to do... I thank you for your willingness to do it."
"Thanks, Mr. Haggard," and she's all smiles. When he looks away, she worries about having to spend the whole day scrubbing blood out of the inside of the wagon afterwards.
...
She nods, half-heartedly, to the thank-you and continues working. Hopefully they'll be out on the road as soon as possible-- maybe even tomorrow-- and they might even run into something dangerous, this time.
Well once it is all settled I will just go do my usual thing at the Everful Mug
"Oi! Denis! Wait for me" as he runs after Denis "I don't get to drink with heroe everyday" winks at him and pokes him with the elbow "Yer all right Denis, whoever says something diffrent I'll kick his arse" laughs out loud and pats Denis in the back "Well there is lot's of ale waiting for us to taste, food and music" a sudden sad moment crosses his face "Mercy is also there" says half hearted"[/b] just smiles at Denis "I'm so damn stubborn" gives out a laugh and keeps walking with Denis to the Everful Mug.
Denis smiles as he has grown used to the large human and his friendly nature. It was bringing out the best in him after all. Even though he had not yet seen the man in battle he could tell from how strong he was, not to mention his constitution when drinking that he would be a fearsome opponant.
"It's a shame I didn't get to see your skills in action. I'm sure you could've sliced those kobolds into peices." Denis smirks as he says this, the idea of blood being revealed seemed to make him smile no matter what the occassian. "I admit, things have gotten better since he orginised this thing and the prospect of brining gold back has put a smile n a few people's faces, but we need to organise a peace with the Dwarfs too, which is going to be difficult." Denis was thinking out loud as he was saying this, but then he seemed to have a gleam in his eye, similar to Caelin/ "Enough talk for now. Let's grab a few beers.
Isis quietly whistled a happy tune as she worked at the baking. In-between batches of baking, she also took time to review her spell pouch and healing kit to make sure they were filled with the things she might need.
She also made sure to add some more chalk and a dog whistle (made from a bit carved wood and reed). She wanted to be ready in case Kiptera called for these things on this trip.
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Kiptera grimaces at first when both Simon and Asorva mention the two month trek to the dwarven kingdon. She'd apparently failed both her memory and geography check in one fell swoop.
"Simon, that is an excellent idea. After we collect the remains, we can look for a suitable spot to honor them enroute to Asorva's Clan. We'll do what we can as best as we can, and let them decide what to do later. Guess, we'll have to keep some tools ourselves to make this happen."
Geography check for towns and wilderness enroute and preparations needed. Geo
Venedictos approaches Asorva, making one (unlikely) pitch to her to accompany them, at least to see to the proper interment of her brethren.
Diplomacy:
Brev will stick by Venedictos until the group is ready to proceed, unless somebody needs him to do something else.
Isis could use some fish from Bev to smoke for trail rations.
Isis double checks her bags on her mule and heads to the centre of town ready to ride out. She then sits down and pulls out some wool and a crochet needle.
She didn't really know why she was crocheting. It wasn't something that she was particularly good at or that she enjoyed doing.
Then, Isis realized, she was crocheting because her mother crocheted. She was doing it because her mother would be doing it.
Isis prided herself on being different and yet with all the choices things she might be doing, she was doing exactly what her mother would be doing.
Caelin will just be his usual self, flirt with Mercy, talk to haggard and boast Denis and Venedictos as great men of courage and deeds. Take care for his armor and buy himself some supplies if needed for the travel to meet the Kobolds once all things are ready.
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Kiptera and Asorva drive Igor's horse team and wagon, her horse is tied to the rear and trails behind, into the town center where the others wait patiently. The wagon is covered in canvas, with a variety of supplies. Kiptera greets to folks that are there currently. "Morning folks. I've scrounged up some mining gear, durable goods and trade items for the Kobolds as well as the Dwarves." She pulls back the canvas, and you see a barrel of lime from Kender, some simple but used tools, ie shovels, picks, lanterns and small barrel of lamp oil, buckets, rope, nails and lumber. All in varying conditions of excellent to poor, all look to have been unused in quite some time if the dust and webs were any indication. She grins, "Quite the opportunity to rid of houses and sheds of unused clutter. I spoke to some of the older and settled folk who weren't in the business of taming the wilderness anymore and requested their assistance. Some of these are donated for the good of town, but most have requested something of equal or unique value in return, kinda like a souviner. I have a small ledger, I've started." She digs in a bag under the wagon seat, pulls out a thin leather bound book and waves it around before stowing it again.
"Now, any word on the others?"
'I haven't seen much sign of them then Caelin here, Miss Stiresong.' said Isis looking up from the crochet work.
'I have found, though, when heading out of town, that is. Well, once you start, next thing you know you have one, then two, then a half dozen dogs following along with you out to the hills.'
Isis gripped the yarn in a bit of a death grip at the attention of Kiptera and Caelin.
'I'm not meaning to calling people dogs, or nothing. It's just, um, I mean, if we start out, I'm sure the others will just join in as we move along. I mean, no one, wants to be left behind in the village, do they?'
"Quit yer barking missy, we get the point" gives a short laugh at his joke "I can see what ya think lil' Isis, but let us move along the other's will join along the way"
"AH good , Kiptera , you are the one who do have all the shovels in town ! "
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Sorry about not posting... Internet went out for nearly three days.
Simon, to answer your question Asvora was not at the meeting of the minds. However later she did stop by and had this to say.
"I thank you all for your help, it means alot that you are helping me get my clans remains back. To keep you from having to make the trek all the way back to my clan, I am going to set out, riding as fast as possible and have them come here to Tanner's Crossing to retrieve the bodies. I will set off at once. Thank you all again." Asvora turns away to exit the Everful, leaving a few coins on the table.
Ok, now to make sure, the plan is to meet the Kobolds back where you found them before, correct? If not let me know.
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Kiptera grunts with sarcasm, "If'n you call 20 shovels "all" you go right ahead. This is but a paltry sampling of what we can provide to the Kobolds if they agree. The flip side is promise from ourselves to keep Asorva's clan from reclaiming: ownership of mine, supplies, personal affects etc. Ego, pride and greed on both sides. I hope you and Venedictus are up for downplaying the first, propping up the second and emphasing the economic benefits to appeal the third."
Kiptera looks quizically at Isis's crochet work, not quite sure what to make of it. She turns a critical eye to McHern, "So tell me, did you close down the Mug last night? I've a suspicion you might have some Dwarf ancestry in your blood. I just might put some money on you when you start challenging the dwarves with thier own hold. That would indeed be a fun evening and morning from my viewpoint.."
Kiptera is dressed for comfort but her personal effects and gear are stowed right behind her. It looks like Asorva has also acquired some clothes and gear that look like Kip's.
"Ha! That sounds liek a deal Kiptera let's see how well can I hold my drink against them in their own tavern" smiles happy just by thinking about dwarven ale... "First thing first Kiptera let's meet the kobolds and we take it from there okay"
We'd better keep some shovels if we have to bury the bodies of Asvora clanmates "
Isis follows along behind the wagon Kiptera is driving.
Sher reviews the spells she has prepared in case things don't go as planned.
'It's a sunny day when these go as you plan but it ain't worth getting wet because you forgot your umbrella.' Isis smiled a bit to herself as she remembered another of her mother's lessons taught at the tip of wooden spoon.
Skitter tucks into Isis's hairline keeping warm against her neck.
Isis follows along behind the wagon Kiptera is driving.
Sher reviews the spells she has prepared in case things don't go as planned.
'It's a sunny day when these go as you plan but it ain't worth getting wet because you forgot your umbrella.' Isis smiled a bit to herself as she remembered another of her mother's lessons taught at the tip of wooden spoon.
Skitter tucks into Isis's hairline keeping warm against her neck.
Mercy trudges alongside Isis, her shoulders empty. Just ahead of them, Mercy's backpack sits, the collection of weapons jingling along to the tune of the stones in the road.
She starts to whistle absent-mindedly as they walk along, some kind of bar song.
She is okay at it.
Time continues to pass as she walks along.
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Kiptera turns around when she hears the spontaneous whistling. Her raised eyebrows obvious. She quickly brings her wagonteam to a halt, still within the city limits of Tanners Crossing. "Whoa.... Horses stop with a jingling of harnesses Mercy, you are such a dear to want to keep Isis company. Don't you think you'd whistle better sitting down in the wagon that Haggard prepared with the barrels, cake and other foodstuffs? Why I bet there is room for Isis to sit alongside ya comfortably. Kiptera grins at McHern and subtly winks. "Caelin, please help her find the wagon and ride the wagon to us. And Mercy, I know you have difficulty seeing but I want to make sure Haggard sees you taken ownership with his wagon and not some drunken lout he throws out of the Mug every night. And if you see Denis, Vene, or Brev, make sure they've got the other wagon coming. I would hate to stack bodies overflowing on just one wagon. Makes for a gruesome balancing job. I'll wait here.
Kiptera turns back to the canvas covered wagon, and rearranges the equipment a bit to muffle the rattling noises as she waits.
Isis takes Kiptera's offer to ride on the wagon next to Mercy. Even at this time of year, it can get awful cold riding in the early morning. Having someone to sit next to and talk to makes for a pleasant day.
'uh, Miss Stiresong, um, I was thinking, that um, I could send Skitter. That's my pet, here. Say, hi Skitter. Anyways, I, um, know generally what Skitter knows in a sort of sense, bonded way.'
'Well, um, he's not fast or anything, but he is pretty tiny which makes it hard for most people to notice him. So, I was thinking, I could send him on ahead and he could, ah, let us know, well, me really, if it was okay to go ahead.'
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Kiptera notices Skitter for the first time. "What a cute lizard. I thought it was a bit of decoration or part of the ornaments witches wore as part of job. But if Skitter and you can do what you say, then obviously Skitter is part of the team as well. Its your decision and you can have the title lead scout as I will not be sneaking around this time."
Kiptera's actions probably border on a paranoid believing they are being watched even as they break camp. She'll state as much and won't apologize.
Her actions:
1) While breaking camp, she'll arrange all wagon cargo to the outside and cover it in tarp. She'll then make a nest of sorts right behind the driver seat in the middle to provide cover/concealment while still able to handle the reins. Be real easy to roll back, shoot crossbow with cover or have the high ground against swarming kobolds or ride the wagon away. She delivers this with a stern lecture.
2) She drops her survival gear at the campsite, and hides it nearby. Her horse, Dimple, she rides fully armored (Hide armor AC16) with crossbow locked and loaded.
3)She'll keep her silence and let her visible presence be a reminder that other dwarves still exist. She'll let the humans of TannerCrossing speak and stay with the wagons.
Possible rolls
Perception
Init
Ride
Sense motive She already distrusts and is superior to any kobolds, so pays no attention to thier comments of bravado unless backed with immediate physical threat.
"Hey!!! What do ya mean by drunken lout!" laughs for a moment until he realizes it wasn't a joke "Didn't like that joke very much, but heck it ain't a lie" laughs about it "Alright I'll help Mercy and Isis getting there Kiptera, yer the boss I suppose"
Isis whispers to Skitter and sends him forward to scout out the clearing.
Isis then makes a couple more motions, <via Whisper> 'I've got the link set up again. Ah, do you need a whistle or chalk? Cuz, I have those too.'
Once it's determined by Skitters that there aren't hordes of kobolds lying in wait to ambush them, Venedictos will repeat his earlier performance by appearing alone and unarmed, calling out for Meekis.
He readies an obscuring mist spell again for if arrows start to fly out at him.
Brev watches Vendictos intently, and will be ready to cast a daze spell if the kobolds become violent.
Denis having known the routine and seeing others prepare gets off his wagon and then ducks down low into the high grasses or bushes or whatever he can find to try and hide.
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Kiptera once again startles at hearing Isis whisper into her ear when clearly she is not close enough to do that. Ruefully she shakes her head,"I'll not get used to that... The whistle is a good idea. Thank you." She pauses in thougtht for a moment. Turns Dimple around in a tight 360. "The wagons will get hung up in the forest. Not sure how to proceed. My main task is getting you guys here and back safely. This is outside my training and so-called friendly Kobolds is a new experience for me. Thanks Isis for the whistle. Tell you what, One short whistle blast means I see skulking Kobolds, two short blasts means they aint skulking anymore, three or more means we are being overrun by the double-crossing scaly hided devil spawn and to CYA ASAP. I'll remain here and guard the wagons. Sorry McHern, the ale kegs will be obvious, clearly visible in the last and first wagons. If they want to get frisky they can steal one of those. "
Kiptera settles down, to fortify the middle wagon, put all personal effects of the team into that one, and tradeable gear into the forward/rear wagons. "Venedictos, Brev and Simon. Your going into the hornets nest. I see Denis is already part of the forest. Isis, McHern and Mercy, I'd like to protect the diplomats and the wagons but you have to decide where best to be."
Isis will settle down in the back of one of the other wagons they brought, likely the wagon Mercy borrowed from Haggard.
Isis figures that's as close as she needs to be to any action. Her mother taught her that; 'A witch that strays to close to the fire, ends up as goblin stew.'
Of course, when Isis had first heard that bit of wisdom it was in relation to her sticking bits of straw taken from the end of a broom into the fire. Isis had also asked her mother when told that bit of wisdom what was the recipe for goblin stew and if it was written down in one of her mother's many books.
Her mother wasn't too impressed that Isis had failed to grasp the meaning of the lesson she was trying to give her daughter.
Isis had a brief image of Simon in big black cauldron surrounded by Kobolds before shaking her head to focus on what was going on.
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It takes skitter about 45 minutes to get there and back with information. There are more kobolds than last time, but not many more. They seemed to be yipping back and forth amongst themselves, with a few on alert, but the rest mostly paying attention to the bickering kobolds.
Ready to proceed?
Please clarify where everyone is going to be, ie a marching order.
"What! let them steal the ale!! are you crazy or something!?" shurgs his shoulders knowing there is no changing a dwarfs mind, darn stubborn people "Well I'll go with Venedictos I ain't staying to see that happen Kiptera" he hops down the wagon and walks with Venedictos towards the Kobolds.
Isis will inform Kiptera and Mercy of what Skitter has told her of the kobolds being roughly the same number as before. She further mentions that they appear to be mostly sitting around and talking to themselves instead of looking like they are planning an ambush.
Isis figures Kiptera and Mercy will know what best to do with the information.
"Well , it seems thet are waiting for us . who wants to proceed then ? Who wants to stay here to guard the goods? Who wants to stay hidden in case of problem ? "
It looks like Venedictos, Brevaddelar, and Caelin are going out in the open to talk to the kobolds, Kiptera and Isis are guarding the goods, and Denis is staying hidden.
It looks like Venedictos, Brevaddelar, and Caelin are going out in the open to talk to the kobolds, Kiptera and Isis are guarding the goods, and Denis is staying hidden.
Brev nods. "I think my best place is up talking to the kobolds with Venedictos," he says. "I understand Draconic, so can help with any translations if necessary. Also, the fact that I am a gnome and not a human may help convince the kobolds that cooperation between races is possible. And if the worst should happen, I can help lend some spell power to those caught in the middle, possibly put all the kobolds to sleep and end things with a minimum of bloodshed."
Isis watches Simon, Vendictos, and Brev go forward and thinks, 'Now this is where things get interesting.'
Isis watches Simon, Vendictos, and Brev go forward and thinks, 'Now this is where things get interesting.'
Mercy sits on the wagon with Isis, her guisarme across her lap. It still doesn't feel right, but she's learned to deal with how she feels about kobolds since the last time they'd came. She glances to Isis when she hears about the kobolds, and gives her a half-hearted smile.
"So, we shouldn't expect much action then. Should be good for us."
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To sum up so far:
Mercy and Isis on the third wagon, Isis within the middle of cargo, Mercy onwagon seat. Kiptera pacing/circling her horse, Dimple, between the second and third wagon. The first wagon with trade goods and a keg of ale remain "unattended".
Denis's location unknown to team except to Denis, unless he is so good, even he doesn't see himself.
Venedictos, Brev and Caelin enroute to kobolds. Their marching order TBD.
Isis watches Simon, Vendictos, and Brev go forward and thinks, 'Now this is where things get interesting.'Mercy sits on the wagon with Isis, her guisarme across her lap. It still doesn't feel right, but she's learned to deal with how she feels about kobolds since the last time they'd came. She glances to Isis when she hears about the kobolds, and gives her a half-hearted smile.
"So, we shouldn't expect much action then. Should be good for us."
'I don't suppose it would be bad to say that I hope so. I mean, I know you're a warrior person Mercy and you're like trained for this. But me, I uh, feel real nervous in this sort of thing. You know, with kobolds and such running around.'
'Oh, sorry, for second there, I forgot you can't see very well. There's no kobolds near us. It's still Simon and the others walking over to where the kobolds are waiting in the field. Everything is fine. Everything is fine now. Ah, how are you?'
'I don't suppose it would be bad to say that I hope so. I mean, I know you're a warrior person Mercy and you're like trained for this. But me, I uh, feel real nervous in this sort of thing. You know, with kobolds and such running around.''Oh, sorry, for second there, I forgot you can't see very well. There's no kobolds near us. It's still Simon and the others walking over to where the kobolds are waiting in the field. Everything is fine. Everything is fine now. Ah, how are you?'
Mercy nods along as Isis speaks, smiling that she thought to help her along without being prompted. "Good, good... Besides constantly worrying that a bear is standing just outside of my vision, I'm doing fine, thanks for asking. How about you? A little different than the outskirts of town, I'd bet... oh, and not to be rude, but let me know if I should be running over there," Mercy says, and gestures with her thumb in a direction that would lead her parallel and away from combat entirely.
Mercy nods along as Isis speaks, smiling that she thought to help her along without being prompted. "Good, good... Besides constantly worrying that a bear is standing just outside of my vision, I'm doing fine, thanks for asking. How about you? A little different than the outskirts of town, I'd bet... oh, and not to be rude, but let me know if I should be running over there," Mercy says, and gestures with her thumb in a direction that would lead her parallel and away from combat entirely.
Isis looks at where Mercy is pointing and figures she means towards Simon and the others.
She doesn't want to embarrass Mercy; so, she reaches over with her two hands to grasp Mercy's hand move it more towards the centre of the group where the Kobolds are located.
'A little more this way.' whispers Mercy working hard to choke back a giggle.
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Kiptera rounds the wagon yet again, "The waiting is sometimes more difficult than the sheer terror/adrenilin rush of a full on fight." Kiptera glances back towards Mercy and Isis. "And Mercy, if a fight does break out that we have to rush to the men's rescue, hop on behind me and we'll ride to the fight together. Isis can go into hiding or follow fast behind. eh. Still not the best of solutions"
Sense motive 10 from Isis/Mercry
Internal monolgue
"Well Venedictos how do you want to do this, I do suggest I still go at the front incase things go bad" smiles feintly "So I can have my fun at least and of course help you in case you need someone to intimidate those kobolds"
"Go out, make our presence known to an entire clan of kobolds, and try to get kobolds and dwarves to like each other, just like any other day. Brev, keep an eye out on the bushes for Asorva, will you? I have a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach that she may show up to sabotage this to force us into giving her her revenge." He shakes his head sadly.
"Right, let's do this."
Venedictos steps out from the bushes, allowing Caelin to lead the way. He shows that he's clearly unarmed, and calls out loudly for Meekis to show that they are not trying to take the kobolds unawares.
"Greetings, Meekis. We have returned as promised with good news and promises of friendship from the town of Tanner's Crosing."