I noticed you didn't say nothing else.  What did they take?

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 407):

Campsite

The speaker looks unsure of himself, and another Blackarm chimes in.

"Hard to say, really. Handful of powerful magic items, Chief bragged. Lukas was pleased, but often complained about the loss of life that smash 'n' grab incurred.  Kept pressing for a more large-scale solution, but honestly? Lukas has always been more of a planner than a doer.  Er, you know.  Until recently."

The others nod at this.

"We only discovered the vaults a couple years ago, and ever since then, things have gone right to the nine hells."

One of the singed archers peers at Boreas for a moment, eyes catching the slightly rusted orb he produced moments earlier and filling with panic.

"Where did you get that?  It looks like a Blueband Submission Sphere..."

Cave

OOC Reminder: Though Giles has requested Keef not to act, I still consider this a fight and initiative is still active.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:32, Wed 02 Oct 2013.

That depends.  Do you know how to work it?  It could mean your freedom.  Proper freedom, with your possessions.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 409):

The Campsite

The speaker shivers slightly as he looks at the orb with trepidation.

"There's nothing about those things that grants freedom."

Another -- the Blackarm who spoke first initially -- clears his throat.

"To the blazes with Lukas and his secrets at this point.  Those things," he says, gesturing at the orb, "have three settings.  At least, three that I've ever seen: Stop, Collaborate, and Listen.  They do what you might expect; respectively, bind the legs; bind the arms and the legs; and bind both arms and legs while gagging the mouth."

Another Blackarm jumps back into the conversation at this point.

"You gotta hit your target with it fair and proper; I've seen folks deflect 'em with their shields before.  Also doesn't work so good against, well, anything that ain't humanoid.  The bindings don't know where to go."

The group seems to be in agreement on these points, and far more cooperative than before at the prospect of "proper freedom."

"Still," the first one sighs, "only the Bluebands knew how to get the thing to work properly, and they never needed to vocalize what they were doing.  I can't tell you how to make it sit, stand, and heel."

"But you seem to know magic," another responds, glancing eagerly between Lyriel and Boreas.  "Surely you can figure it out, now that you know what you're looking for.  Er, can we go now?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:40, Wed 02 Oct 2013.

The Cleric looks towards Boreas a slight scowl on her face, Boreas a word if you please. She places a hand on his elbow and leads him off to the side out of earshot of the bandits.

I can not officially condone you letting these men go...I understand your reasoning behind this, but as a cleric it is my duty to see these men brought to justice. She pauses looking conflicted, What do you suggest I do, this is a tough situation I find myself in. Regardless we certainly can't let Zuriel find out what exactly has transpired here, it would be completely against everything he believes in. She looks towards the prisoners for a moment, fortunately for you I do not share exactly the same convictions as my fellow believer. Perhaps we can work something out that might be pleasing to my goddess and to our current situation.

I do appreciate your cooperation.  I'm only a little closer to working it now than I was before.  I can't just let all of you run off without asking my friends, though.

Boreas gestures to the bandit that spoke up.

This one has been very helpful.  You don't want to let him out; I want to keep my word.  I suppose it's up to Maeve then.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:55, Wed 02 Oct 2013.

Maeve watches her traveling companions wander off and goes to see what they are discussing.  She manages to hear most of the conversation.

The problem with keeping all of them around until justice can be rendered is that we don't know how long that will take.  Especially if Zuriel insists upon following proper protocol with the law, which I rather suspect he will.  Assuming we want to find this stone as soon as possible--which I would like to do--we can't afford that delay.

Still, they did set upon two women seemingly on their own with the intent to kill or assault, probably both.  I would like them to face justice for that, but they've arguably been punished enough.  I'd just as soon never see any of them again, but perhaps one of them happens to know where this stone is located and might be willing to give us directions on how to get there, or what we might expect to find once we're there.  Other than that, I don't think there's much more we can get out of them and I see no further reason for keeping them around.  Tassada has shown her displeasure with them enough this day.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:04, Wed 02 Oct 2013.

I don't know about that.  He might just as easily guide us into an ambush of his allies.  I'm not saying we let them all go.  Just this helpful gentleman who spoke up.

You have a point about the law though.  They'll take days.

Boreas unties Mr. Helpful from the daisy chain and hands him a shortsword.

Alright.  You're free to go.  Don't make me regret this.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Wed 02 Oct 2013.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 414):

Keef presses one gloved hand to his face.

When he removed the glove, his eyes glow dull red.

Keef stands braced with his weapon ready and the sandwich in the other hand, staring down the bear with an odd far-away expression.

"nom" he mutters.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 414):

Perhaps we should march them off a ways and tie them to something, the stump perhaps? I can say a prayer to Tassada to allow them the means for freedom if and when she sees fit. That way I have at least fulfilled my obligation directly to her...the risk we would be taking then is that should they find their comrades and let them know of our dealings we could be set upon by a larger group in a few days time. I just don't know how much one can trust a bandit, even when their life is at stake.

In reply to Keef (msg # 415):

In The Cave

The bear perks up immediately, its glassy gaze fixating on the proffered sandwich.  A tendril of drool drips from its open maw, and it licks its lips hungrily before awkwardly clambering over toward Keef.

Zuriel stirs in his slumber, but does not awaken.

[Fort: 9]

The bear, for its part, sniffs at the sandwich, then takes a gentle bite out of it - consuming about a quarter of the meal.

~~ Round 3 ~~
Giles 20
Keef 19
Zuriel 11 (HP:9, Asleep, Prone, Useless)
Bear 3 (Enthralled By Sandwich)
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:26, Wed 02 Oct 2013.

It's no mercy to leave them tied to a tree in this forest, helpless.  I couldn't sleep tonight if we did that.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 418):

Well then what do you suggest...I'm about done with all this. I see you've released the helpful one, I just sincerely hope it doesn't come back to bite us.

Yes.  I gave him my word, after all.  We will set watch tonight, same as any other night.  I am not so worried about them.  If our friends ever return, that is.  Is it just me, or is that Giles fellow trouble?

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 419):

At The Campsite

Mr. Helpful backs slowly away from everyone, sheathing the sword before anyone can change their mind.

"I'm not too keen on spending the night in these woods alone, with none with me to keep watch."

He glances nervously at the foliage around him, then back at the clearing.

"If I might make a suggestion," he ventures.  "I'm sure you fine folks would like to spend some time with this fire you've taken the time to build.  Eat, sleep, and all that?  No need to waste rations and time on the likes of us.  If you free the others, we'll be out of your hair straightaway."

The man turns to address Lyriel directly, sensing she has made the bulk of the objections.

[Diplomacy: 13]

"I'm sure the fiery justice of Tassada with catch up with us eventually.  After all, we are but misguided, mixed-blood mongrels.  Take heart that our uppance will come, so to speak; it need not come at your hands.  You might even argue it already has, what with our current homelessness..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:22, Wed 02 Oct 2013.

Boreas cuts the man off.

Now, I appreciate your help, but let's get one thing clear.  We didn't start that little coup in your old home.  I'd rather not have your comrades become a roving band of common bandits, if it were up to me.  Still, I'm interested to hear what Lyriel has to say about your objections.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 420):

Lyriel looks at the bandit with a gaze that could bore a hole into a man's skull. Have a care to watch your tongue sir. We did not get you into this mess, you brought this upon yourselves. Attacking two women who are seemingly alone at night, one being a representative of the goddess herself is a crime punishable by death! I have half a mind to tie you back up and let my friend Zuriel dispense his version of Justice. She balls her hands into fists and then takes a deep breath; however, I am not my friend. I suggest you take your companions and leave this place, and if I ever see you or your comrades threaten us again you can bet that you will feel the full extent of the law. Now get out of my sight before I change my mind! Scowling and grumbling Lyriel stalks off to the edge of the pond trying to keep her temper under control.

The lady has spoken, Boreas says, untying the others.  He adds with a wry look, though Zuriel's form of justice would leave you dead of boredom long before the 'High Courts' get around to executing you.

He hands them one more sword.

If we ever see you again... the emerald glints menacingly.

On your way now.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 424):

The Campsite

The freed bandits accept the sword and file over to Mr. Helpful, who waves his thanks before the group vanishes up the northern trail.

Well played, both of you says Maeve, who has been watching the discussion bounce back and forth from Boreas to Lyriel like a ball in a game of polo.  Not particularly caring one way or another, she has been content to watch the mini-drama rather than join in.  OOC: Also because she was at the gym and subsequently catching a bus back to her house.

Mind  you, I'm sure they'll be back, probably with more friends.  By that time though, I'm hoping that we'll be far from here and with the rest of our traveling companions to aid us in the event of trouble. 

Maeve peers into the woods as if expecting to see Zuriel, Keef, and Giles making their way down the path at that moment.

And speaking of our stalwart friends, where in all the hells are they?  It can't possibly have taken them this long to find Giles' camp and retrieve Shep."

In reply to Maeve (msg # 426):

After taking some time to cool off Lyriel rejoins her friends. Her face is still grave, Let us hope that you aren't right Maeve. I would really prefer not to see their faces ever again. Pausing for a moment and then lowering her voice for no particular reason, except for fearing that she might be overheard by the paladin, who is obviously no where in sight. Also might I suggest that we come up with an official version of what happened. Zuriel will more than likely smell a bluff from a mile away, but perhaps we give him as much as the truth as possible. Normally I wouldn't condone anything but the full truth, but you have to agree that in this circumstance we might be led on a wild goose chase to recapture the bandits so we can bring them to justice, an quite frankly we have better things to be doing at the moment. She nervously looks at the two of them, feeling very uncomfortable with everything that just happened, but knowing it was probably in the best interest of their quest.

Boreas looks less concerned.

It's simple, really.  Tell him the truth.  We were attacked by Blackarms.  We killed some of them, and the others got away.  They dropped their weapons when Lyriel called down Emerald Flame on them.

Maeve shrugs.

Seems as good a plan as any.  I'd like to think that Zuriel is rational enough to not want to abandon our errand in favor of scouring the woods for bandits, especially if the rest of us are opposed to the idea.

And if he becomes too bloated with righteous anger, you can always mention to him that our trusty ranger spent most of the fight hiding behind a tree.  Then he'll be too busy smiting Boreas to worry about pursuing the bandits.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:28, Wed 02 Oct 2013.

Maeve, your plan is based on the misguided notion that Zuriel could smite me.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 430):

Then we are in agreement. I suppose now all we have to do is wait.