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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2009 18:03:36 GMT -6
The adventure continues here, tomorrow (FRI 9/18) morning.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2009 4:47:13 GMT -6
The party breaks camp and heads out. After an hour of travel, Sgt Kelz calls for a halt, ahead in the road is a gated barricade manned by 15 or so armed ulfire men. On a platform to the left is a loaded ballista with a crew at the ready.
The gate is closed, the barricade itself looks rather sturdy. There are rocks rising steeply to your right, negotiable but with great difficulty; the road similarly drops to your left though not quite so steeply.
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Post by apeloverage on Sept 18, 2009 5:08:38 GMT -6
OOC: Are we close enough that they'd be able to see us?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2009 7:45:50 GMT -6
Thanks to Sgt. Kelz's quick action, the ulfire are not apparently aware of your presence. But ...
Bothess concentrates for a moment and quietly tells the rest of you the look as if they are trying very hard not to look busy.
Buiq frowns for a moment, with a faraway look in his eyes, and states flatly, "They know we're here. They are alert but I sense nothing more than mild danger from them ... for the moment."
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Post by tavis on Sept 18, 2009 8:01:18 GMT -6
Berist whispers to Bothess, "How far are we from the Lotus? Might these men be connected with it somehow?"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2009 8:31:40 GMT -6
"We are still at least a day's travel from its location. These are highwaymen, either by name or by deed." She answers, just as quietly.
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Post by abecross on Sept 18, 2009 9:16:27 GMT -6
Are we close enough that I may launch one of my grenades at them? I'll wait for instructions from Bothess before doing anything.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2009 11:06:29 GMT -6
They are about 100 yards from your position, well within (outdoor) grenade launcher range (400 yds).
Bothess signals all of you (the PCs) to gather 'round. "I'm pretty sure they know we're here," she says. "But they've made no aggressive move, nor have they acknowledged our presence. If it were an ambush, we'd already be in a fight, so the logical conclusion is they are waiting for us to make a move. What move do we want to make?"
The barricade is about 100 yards from your position, with a sturdy gate that looks as if it is made to open. To the left is a platform, about 15 feet off the ground, with a loaded and crewed ballista; the crew looks alert but not on guard. There appears to be around 15-20 ulfire men with mixed armor and weaponry among them. You see at least a few high-tech weapons among the men manning the blockade, but no mounted or heavy weaponry besides the ballista. As previously stated, the rock rises sharply to your right, forming a natural barrier that would be difficult, though not impossible, to negotiate. The mountain, to the left of the road, drops away, though not quite as sharply as the rise to the right. There are lots of rocks and some spiky grass and bushes dotted here and there on both sides.
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Post by tavis on Sept 18, 2009 11:18:19 GMT -6
"Let me have a word with 'em," Berist says. "Form up where they can see you, with good shooting positions picked out if it comes to that. Ess'ej, have that grenade handy!"
He then walks alone toward the gate, stopping when told to or before he comes in the blast radius of a grenade attack against the platform. "You folks looking for coin?" he says. "'Cause I'm hiring."
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2009 13:01:43 GMT -6
As Berist approaches the gate, the men guarding the gate begin assuming cover, but no weapons are seen pointing at him. He definitely has their attention, all visible eyes are fixed on the green man and not a sound can be heard behind the barricade wall. Berist makes his offer of employment and, for a moment or two, there is no answer. A man, wearing only a loincloth and carrying a club, appears on the wall nearest the west side of the gate.
"I am Golv, I serve He who is the Gem of All Men." He slowly and ceremoniously lays the club down in front of him, "Lay down your weapon and advance as a friend to be recognized." He stands with hands raised and palms up, in what seems to be a gesture of non-aggression. The only outward sign of aggression is the crew bringing the ballista to bear, but not against Berist. It is obviously aimed back at the rest of the group.
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Post by tavis on Sept 18, 2009 13:16:22 GMT -6
"I will bear your message of goodwill to my leader," Berist reports, and goes back to whisper to Bothess: "A guy named Golv wants me to lay down my weapon, and I'd feel better if'n someone who had theirs built in was with me."
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2009 13:41:02 GMT -6
With a bemused air, Golv watches Berist depart.
Berist reports to Bothess, who agrees to accompany him back to the gate. As you approach, you hear laughter from the ulfire troops manning the wall. Though Golv is not among those laughing, he is clearly amused.
He says nothing about his cause for amusement, however, merely repeats his title and invitation to disarm and come forward to be recognized. Berist and Bothess both lay down their weapons and approach to within 10 feet of the gate. Close up you see the wood and stone wall is reasonably sturdy, but not so stout as (say, for instance) a European-style castle wall.
Golv looks down on you, and to your disgust you note the loincloth does a poor job of covering the man's privates from this particular viewing angle. Bothess digs an elbow into Berist's ribs and both ape Golv's gesture of arms raised palms upward.
"I am Bothess, Captain of Hundreds," she replies.
Golv turns his gaze expectantly to Berist.
At a whispered prompt from Bothess, Berist announces, "I am Berist, Lieutenant of Tens."
Golv nods, then gestures northward. "Do you wish passage through the lands of the Gem of All Men?"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2009 13:44:03 GMT -6
Back with the rest of the group, you overhear Gace asking Egin, "Why is he clad in so poor a manner when all the men he commands are dressed for war?"
Egin shrugs, "I dunno. Ceremonial, I guess."
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Post by tavis on Sept 18, 2009 15:02:58 GMT -6
"What lies in those lands and past 'em?" Berist asks. "And what do you ask of those who want passage? Could be we've walked this far only to turn around again."
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2009 15:50:38 GMT -6
"A trifling amount, especially for those as well-off as yourselves" replies Golv. "Merely a pittance to assure The Gem of All Men that he is honored by those passing this way. The gate opens for a mere 200 in gold!"
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Post by waysoftheearth on Sept 18, 2009 23:25:17 GMT -6
"200 pieces of gold isn't a pittance in any tongue I know," mutters Gimyip, hunkered down behind whatever cover is immediately available.
He hopes that Bothess is prepared to pay such travelling expenses as he attempts to descry what type of ammunition has been loaded into the ballistae.
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Post by tavis on Sept 19, 2009 5:15:22 GMT -6
"My leader'll negotiate the price of our passage," Berist tells Golv. "First, though, will ya have us pay again when we return? And maybe ya can save us the trip. Who was the last un to pass back this way, and how long ago was that?"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2009 6:31:10 GMT -6
"Travelers come and they go," Golv shrugs. "Large parties such as your honored selves are rare, friend."
Bothess, making slow and very careful movements, reaches into a bag hanging from her belt and extracts an ulfire gem, then flicks it up at Golv. The gate-warden catches it, almost without looking, and examines the gem. After a brief moment he looks over his shoulder at someone on the ground and nods, and the gate opens.
He motions the party, "You may proceed. Should you return this way, you may freely pass out of our lands."
You pass through the gate, and see there are some additional troops behind the walls, and revise your estimates of troop strength to around 30-35. There are two high-tech mortars positioned to fire over the barricade, crewed by two men each. All watch you warily as you pass, for you look quite imposing, but none look overtly hostile. The Gem of All Men must patrol the road (though it is becoming more a trail and less of a road) because the rest of the day passes without incident and you camp for the night.
Bothess consults a map as you gather round the campfire for a meal. "If this is accurate, we should reach the monastery in about a day and a half."
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2009 8:05:26 GMT -6
As Bothess rolls the map and puts it away, you all become aware of a presence standing at the edge of the firelight. He, though the human is rather androgynous in appearance you're pretty certain is a male, is clad in pure white leather armor with sky blue cloak, and wearing a headband with sky-blue gems. He is smiling and though he a short sword hangs from his belt his hands are empty. His armor and equipment are very neat and immaculately clean, save for a rather battered leather bag over his shoulder.
What is shocking to each of you, however, is his skin. It is not of the color of any human you know, being light in color but tanned, and varying in shading in a manner completely unlike anything with which you are familiar.
"May I sit with you for a while?" He asks in a soft, almost feminine voice. "I'd love to share the warmth of your fire and a bit of your food before continuing my journey."
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Post by tavis on Sept 20, 2009 9:05:17 GMT -6
"You the Gem of All Men?" Beric asks. He glances over to Buiq, whose comment upon spotting the barricade impressed him, to see if his reaction reveals anything about the nature of this visitor.
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Post by apeloverage on Sept 20, 2009 11:09:47 GMT -6
"As far as I'm concerned you're welcome. You're about the first person we've met who doesn't have their wedding tackle on display" Yashub-Yahad remarks.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2009 12:04:53 GMT -6
The stranger smiles and approaches, sitting cross-legged in front of the fire. To Yashub-Yahad he says, "Yes, you do seem to enjoy a rather relaxed code of dress on this worl ... (cough) ... this part of the land. Most curious indeed, and most unseemly."
With a shrug, the stranger dismisses his own comments as inconsequential, and unshoulders his bag. From it, he produces a rather large (approx. 2 litre) clear glass bottle filled with a blue liquid that exactly matches the blue of his eyes.
"We are strangers no more, but fellow travelers on the road of life; going forward into new realities. I am Harmud Fox-Eyes, and I greet you with fine wine, my new friends."
"Bothess," she introduces herself as she extends her drinking cup. "Captain of Hundreds."
With that, Harmud throws back his head and laughs. "And where are your hundreds, Captain? I see no mighty host with you. I see no sorcerer."
Bothess looks sharply at him at this last bit, opening her mouth to speak. As she meets his eyes, however, she seems confused for a moment, closing her mouth and leaving whatever was on her mind unsaid.
Mickeck extends his cup as he introduces himself, then gets a look of wonder on his face as he takes a sip. "I'm used to cheap grog, sir. This is ... pure ambrosia."
"Ambrosia?" Harmud muses on this choice of words. "If the legends are true, then I would wager if this vintage fills you with wonder then true ambrosia would strike you dumb!"
((anyone else thirsty?))
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Post by waysoftheearth on Sept 20, 2009 16:37:34 GMT -6
Do we even have anyone on watch? Gimyip wonders to himself. It would be poor indeed to have murderous savages wandering right up to their camp site to introduce themselves.
Despite his suspicion, Gimyip decides it would be poorer still to pass up a taste of ambrosia. "Well met, Harmud," he says, offering up his cup. "I am called Gimyip."
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2009 17:43:36 GMT -6
There is a watch posted, and you may question them later as to how, exactly, Harmud was able to enter the camp unchallenged. For now, Gimyip, you quaff the sky-blue wine offered by your guest and you find it to be the finest draught you've ever had the pleasure to sample.
((you have until tomorrow 0500 CDT to declare whether you sample Harmud's drink or not))
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Post by tavis on Sept 20, 2009 21:00:40 GMT -6
Berist pretends to drink, but blocks the mouth of the bottle with his tongue. "Ya didn't aswer me 'zackly, Harmud," he says. "Is you the one they call the Gem of All Men?"
Watching for a reply, Berist passes the bottle around the circle, but releases it a second before the next hand is ready so that it almost falls before he catches it again. Does Harmud's reaction suggest that the bottle is precious or that he is tense?
If others wish to drink, Berist will pass them the bottle, but repositions himself next to the stranger (ostensibly to examine the gems of his headress) so that he can intercept the bottle before it goes back to Harmud. "Kin I have another swig?"
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Post by abecross on Sept 20, 2009 22:13:42 GMT -6
E'ssej quaffs the drink and interrupts Harmud before he can reply to Berist's question. He says to Harmud: "You will have to ignore our glum friend Berist, his kind are strangers to proper etiquette. No doubt that our new friend would never align himself with such highwaymen scum, right Harmud?"
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Post by apeloverage on Sept 20, 2009 23:05:26 GMT -6
"Our captain is between mighty hosts at the moment" Yashub-Yahad answers. He politely declines to have any wine.
"But pray answer me this; I perceive that your skin is white in some places, yet brown in others - and your eyes are partly blue. Are you the result of some sort of experiment?"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2009 4:23:17 GMT -6
If Harmud notices the "fumbled" passing of the wine bottle, he gives no heed. Berist forms the impression the stranger is completely at ease in your presence.
At E'ssej's words, Harmud replies "No, I am no highwayman, though I have encountered that sort on a few occasions." For the merest second, you get a feeling of intense menace from the man. "I've no patience for those who would prey upon travelers. None, whatsoever."
In response to Berist's request for more wine, he replies "Be my guest, my green friend. And in response to your question, I am not The Gem of All Men, whose ulfire coloration matches those of the gate guards. In spite of his draconian toll, by the way, he is a square-dealer, and actually tries to make passage through his land somewhat safe."
To Yashub-Yahad he replies, "Am I an experiment? Let us just say that, among my people, I have an unique heritage."
Your guest helps himself to a second serving of food, eating the plain fare with great gusto. "And yourselves? What brings such a group into the Thaggasoth Peaks? I've not encountered a group in these lands with such mixed coloration before. I must admit to a bit of curiosity."
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Post by apeloverage on Sept 21, 2009 6:14:09 GMT -6
"Flying brains!" Yashub-Yahad leaps to his feet.
"You're not infected with anything are you?"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2009 9:10:10 GMT -6
Harmud raises an eyebrow at Yashub-Yahad's question, but responds calmly. "I assure you, good sir, I've no diseases, nor do I mean you harm. In point of fact, you've never been safer in your entire life than you are right at this moment. Rest easy, friend."
From the corner of your eye, you see your picket guards slump heavily to the ground. You try to call out for help, but your tongue is clove to the roof of your mouth and you cannot make a sound. A few moments later you also drop to the ground, sound asleep.
You awake in the morning, fully refreshed. Your animals were safely unpacked and tied to a picket, you are each in your bedroll with your armor neatly stacked beside the bed. Nothing is missing. There are paw-prints of a small animal all over the camp and, ringing the camp, you see small furry animals sitting in a circle. Most are facing alertly outward, three are watching inward. You note each of the animals has light blue eyes like Harmud's. When the animals see you stirring, one gives a sharp "yip" and all the creatures immediately run off.
Everyone who took a sip of Harmud's wine add +1 to the ability score of your choice. Please revise your posted character sheet to reflect this change.
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