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10:46, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 3: Which Witch?

Posted by GMFor group 0
Enrei Omal'i
player, 793 posts
Like a natural disaster
with the best intentions.
Wed 15 Jun 2016
at 14:50
  • msg #359

Chapter 3

Freed from his errand, but also without a monster slayed Enrei wanders the town with little purpose.  He persues food and water, and pays any cost within his means with a smile and no question.  Anyone who is willing to talk with him he will happily engage, though with his standard conversational talents, leaving him mostly children to have any extended conversations with.

When M'kon and his armed escort make their appearance, Enrei follows their path at a distance, looking out into the encroaching darkness for signs of his missing serpent.  He does not pay much attention to the line and keeps as respectful a distance from it as the guards demand.  Disappointed with the lack of giant snakes, even in the face of a number of armed men who would surely be a tasty snack, Enrei finds his way to the square for Titus's show.

After the performance Enrei will take any lodging Brennan was kind enough to secure for the mercenary troupe, or else find a place next to the low wall to rest, as far as possible from the section he and Deev slept against the night before.
Brennan Otthild
player, 898 posts
Inquisitive "Inquisitor"
Suffixes Are Relative
Wed 15 Jun 2016
at 15:07
  • msg #360

Chapter 3

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 359):

Brennan will secure lodging for the not-Titus members of the party if the cost isn't outrageous. Otherwise they'll go bivouacking together near the wall.

When he gets a spare moment, he swirls some water into the chalice and takes a sip.
Titus Blackwell
player, 1266 posts
Like a natural disaster
with the worst intentions
Wed 15 Jun 2016
at 15:19
  • msg #361

Chapter 3

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 359):

Titus slows from his frantic pace before the show to ask Brennan about how his day went and outlined his idea for breaking the circle using Deev, three chipmunks and a whole lotta' illusions.  Assuming Brennan says there is no need he smiles and relaxes visibly.

I didn't want to do that anyway.  I like this town.  The people are sweet.

He sets up his show and gives a fairly standard performance telling tales of the first men, great heroes, and of course lord Fastbender.  You will notice that all of the Fastbender stories have a different tilt to them...

First, he keeps describing a ruby bracelet that is part of the trappings of the powers of Fastbender (The bracelet will be very familiar to Brennan though not to Enrei).

Second, you notice that there are more stories about Fastbender's retainers, there is a giant, a brilliant tactician, a trickster, a druid (sometimes) and other associated cast of less defined characters.

Finally he debuts a new song about Fastbender

quote:
When I was born, I shamed the Dawn, and saw the angels cry
 I raised my arms and made the stars tremble in the sky
 And when I sang the choirs were humbled
 When I danced the mountains crumbled
 I chased the waves right back into the sea

I feasted on the fatted calf, I drank whole cities dry
 I made a demon dance for me, and I spat into his eye
 I said 'so long Jack, we hardly knew ya, here's to hell' and hallelujah
 Take this rock and shake it 'til it bleeds

'Cause these are dark days indeed, these are dark days indeed
 These are dark days, dark days
 These are dark days indeed

We don't know who put this cup of life into our hands
 But when we go our bones will bake upon the burning sands
 'cause we walk but once among the living, so no regrets and no forgiving
 hard to dance when you're down upon your knees


Firewater - Dark Days Indeed


/ooc thank Enrei for pointing that song out to me... yes its blatently stolen. /ooc
GM
GM, 1079 posts
Thu 16 Jun 2016
at 13:02
  • msg #362

Chapter 3

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 361):

As has been the pattern, Enrei spends most of his time conversing with children.  They are fascinated by him and ask such questions as "where do you come from?", "does everyone look like you there?", "what's the sea like?", something about mountains that he cannot understand and "what kind of foods do you eat?"

Titus' show is well recieved, particularly the stories about this fabled Fastbender.

One older woman points out that she already heard the story when she was a child, though it was a story of Hyrium as a boy when she heard it.

The villagers trade as much food as you want and a space to sleep in the town workshop for only a couple pennies (already deducted from your sheets), so nobody has to sleep outside.


The watchmen switch out after Titus has played his last note and people are meandering back to their homes.  A guard sees that you make it to your beds, but doesn't stand vigil at the door per se.

The workshop is clean and not uncomfortable, and you enjoy a relatively peaceful night.


OOC: if you had any plans for the night, we can backtrack a bit but it seemed like nobody did.

It is the 14th Day of the Queen's Month

You are awakened by the bleating of sheep.  A shaft of light pours through a door flung open as villagers begin their daily work.
Brennan Otthild
player, 899 posts
Inquisitive "Inquisitor"
Suffixes Are Relative
Thu 16 Jun 2016
at 13:32
  • msg #363

Chapter 3

In reply to GM (msg # 362):

Brennan awakens bright and early in order to complete his daily meditation.


"Ready yourselves," he says to the others, once they have awakened and broken their fast. "We must return to Bryce and the horses. I'll explain our new errand along the way. Don't worry... we'll be back in a few days to collect the dividends of our labors."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:32, Thu 16 June 2016.
Titus Blackwell
player, 1268 posts
Like a natural disaster
with the worst intentions
Thu 16 Jun 2016
at 20:35
  • msg #364

Chapter 3

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 363):

I have one duty to attend to before we go.  I will be about 20 minutes if you don't want to wait I will meet you on the road back. 

Titus moves quickly through town flitting behind houses finally arriving at the young apprentice's house and knocking as they had arranged previously.  The young man opens the door and Titus looks furtively side to side and ducks into the house.  He closes all the windows

is anyone else here?

The young apprentice shakes his head dumbfounded.

I promised to show you a trick... and believe me its a doozy.  This is for you and you alone.  If you say anything to anyone I will call you a god damned liar.

Remember how I told you of Fastbender last night?  He's not just a story.  He's every bit as real as you and I.  Not only is he real but he is also more powerful than my stories credit him for.

The last was said as he flicks closed the last shutters in the house.  He turns up the wick on the lamp in the house and as he does Titus begins to radiate a soft pulsing orange light so subtle he's not sure hes sees it.

What I offer are tricks of the light.  Do not be afraid of anything you see from me.  It can't harm you.


The orange light grows from Titus until it passes through his hand.

The old lady who said that she had heard the Fastbender story attributed to Hyrium is right.  It did happen to both of them.  The two are similar because there is no lord more directly descended from the union of Hyrium and Galeena than Fastbender, and their power incarnate is awakened in him again.


Titus at this point has perched on the back of a chair demonstrating his preternatural balance as the chair teeters and he stays steady as a rock.

He bounces off of the chair.

We are poised to see the return of the first men.

The boys mouth drops and Titus presses it shut with a light finger.

I am the pebble that heralds the avalanche, the seeping water before the dam breaks.

He comfortably sits down like he owns the place.  As he speaks his orange aura gets stronger and stronger until the house is filled with orange light.  Soon the orange light gives way to shapes that mirror his words.

quote:
Fastbender is a young lordling who was just coming into his gifts.  As the lady at my show pointed out he was already calling comparisons to Hyrium as many of the same adventures befell both of them.  He was being groomed for greatness and was a fast learner... and a trickster from a young age.


The boy gasps at the illusions having never seen anything like this.  Titus shoots him a dangerous look that says 'shut up'.

quote:
Eventually his family hold became a victim of the ware in the north.  His holdings burnt his family slaughtered he sewed his own fields with salt and left them to go fallow.  At this point he swore an oath that he would bring righteousness and balance back to the world.

The illusions was shown solemnly taking an oath and was struck with a blinding gold light that settled into an orange/gold aura around him.
quote:
Something changed in him with that oath.  Something deep awakened inside of him.  He told me that he heard a man in a pleasant baritone say to him 'my child, you are destined for greatness not seen in this world since I ruled with Galeena.  Go forth and use my powers for good.'

The boy opens his mouth when Titus says Fastbender spoke to him and he smiles and winks broadly as if to say 'Yes.  I meant to say it exactly like that.'

quote:
As young Fastbender arose he found that his words echoed like thunder and could melt the coldest heart.  He was more intelligent and cunning than before.  People would swear their swords to him... people would die for him.

Soon he learned that his blessing would imbue his retainers with great strength, intellect, cunning or agility.  Beyond making them paragons of physical prowess he also imbued them with talents that men could only dream of.

With this the illusions turn into an MC Escher style picture of a man telling a story to young boy listening raptly to a man telling a story and so on.

And lo he wanders the countryside building his strength and preparing for his triumphant return.

He smiles mischeviously.

This war is going to take a right turn soon.  You mark my words.  You seem a good sort.  If we call on you would you answer?  We could always use a blacksmith.

He waits for the boys answer, regardless of what it is he nods inscrutibly and ducks out the door cape fluttering behind him.

I expect you'll see me before too long.  Pray for our success!

This message was last edited by the player at 20:35, Thu 16 June 2016.
Enrei Omal'i
player, 794 posts
Like a natural disaster
with the best intentions.
Thu 16 Jun 2016
at 21:42
  • msg #365

Chapter 3

Enrei wakes slowly, still seeming tired even after he's risen from bed. If it were anyone else he might seem a bit contemplative as he goes through his morning routine.  Once Brennan has them all together he seems to come to a conclusion, "Being hero is worthwhile task," he states quite spontaneously in a quiet but firm tone, nodding to his own observation as Titus flits away to do Titus things.
Brennan Otthild
player, 900 posts
Inquisitive "Inquisitor"
Suffixes Are Relative
Fri 17 Jun 2016
at 15:00
  • msg #366

Chapter 3

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 365):

Once Titus rejoins the party (along with Enrei and Deev), Brennan sets off toward the waypoint where they left their horses the previous day. He remains tightlipped until the group has traveled a good mile or two from the town, then begins to speak freely.

There is a wise man in that town named M'kron, he begins. He's the one who maintains the line of dust around the town. It creates a ward, but not a particularly powerful one. He gave me enough powder and instruction to make my own, and I have analyzed its efficacy. The fact that it's strong enough to keep the witch's minions at bay suggests that our friends aren't as powerful as they'd have us believe.

Brennan takes a moment to look around himself before continuing.

I don't know why the witches want to destroy that town, but I've decided that Enrei is right. Being a hero is a worthwhile task, especially when doing so runs parallel to our goals.

I only wanted to do the witch's bidding so they would show me a runic stone in their possession, but... who knows if they'll honor their bargain at all? And what if there are many stones? Would we owe them additional favors, each as unpleasant as the last?


Brennan shakes his head distastefully.

No. I don't like it, and now we don't need them at all. M'kron knows the language as well. If we take the stone to him, he can translate it for us and offer other aid besides. He will help us with no strings attached on one condition.

Here, he braces himself and grins humorlessly.

We have to kill the witches.

He waits to let that sink in.

"So... I consulted Galandril this morning, and she has assured me that we would have her protection for such a confrontation. But I wanted to make sure everyone here was on board before broaching the subject with Bryce. I don't know how much loyalty he feels toward the witches, or whether he'll care that he showed us where they were only to lead to their demise."

Brennan frowns.

"We might be able to avoid telling him at all, if we leave him behind with the horses when we return to the witches. But if we suspect he'd help us, I'd rather have him in the fight then outside of it. What I don't want is to risk a knife in the back."

He stops, aware that he's rambling, and looks at the others.

"I'd value your thoughts on this matter. Ideally, we can deal with the witches tomorrow after resting and formulating a strategy. We could take the rock to M'kron the day after, rest in the town, resupply, and then head onward toward our ultimate destination to the north. There's always more work to be done for mercenaries like us in the rough countryside. What do you say?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:01, Fri 17 June 2016.
Enrei Omal'i
player, 795 posts
Like a natural disaster
with the best intentions.
Fri 17 Jun 2016
at 15:48
  • msg #367

Chapter 3

"Witches are people, yes?  Killing people is bad.  If whiches do bad things that make M'kon use killing line we should bring them to be punish. They will tell them why they are punish, and if they are kill is for good reason.  This is good, yes?" Enrei actually looks at Titus for confirmation of this last point, an innocent grin on his face.
Titus Blackwell
player, 1269 posts
Like a natural disaster
with the worst intentions
Fri 17 Jun 2016
at 18:33
  • msg #368

Chapter 3

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 367):

Titus smiles at Brennan's plan

I never liked them anyway.

Titus positions himself close to Brennan to savagely elbow him if need be.

Witches sell their souls for power and must eat the souls of others to maintain their bodies.  If their soul is gone they are not people, they are monsters that look and act and talk like people.  If they fight us, it means they are no longer people and we can't take them in. 
Enrei Omal'i
player, 796 posts
Like a natural disaster
with the best intentions.
Fri 17 Jun 2016
at 19:00
  • msg #369

Chapter 3

"Really?  I thought witches mean people who fly," Enrei responds to Titus's revelation.
Titus Blackwell
player, 1270 posts
Like a natural disaster
with the worst intentions
Fri 17 Jun 2016
at 19:11
  • msg #370

Chapter 3

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 369):

Titus shakes his head.

Some witches can fly yes, but not people. 
Brennan Otthild
player, 901 posts
Inquisitive "Inquisitor"
Suffixes Are Relative
Sun 19 Jun 2016
at 03:47
  • msg #371

Chapter 3

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 370):

"We'll take 'em alive if we can, but doing that will make it impossible to hide our task from Bryce. Is it worth it? Titus... you have the best ability to read people among us, save perhaps for Deev. Would you say he cares about the witches at all? Would he defend them? Or would he see this as an opportunity to profit while silencing those with some dirt on him?"
Titus Blackwell
player, 1271 posts
Like a natural disaster
with the worst intentions
Mon 20 Jun 2016
at 13:01
  • msg #372

Chapter 3

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 371):

Titus rubs the back of his head and looks up at the sky thinking back.

I think Bryce has the loyalty of a doorknob.  So it depends on whose goals are most aligned with his own... who can help him more... the witches?  Or the horse that we keep dangling over his head.  I'm pretty damn sure hes scared of them but he certainly has no love for them as evidenced by the fact he did not care to pay them a visit.

So I think hes unlikely to raise a hand against the witches as that would limit his options.  Though if he were sure of our victory he may pile on at the end.  However, if we return victorious, he may grumble but will ultimately stay with strength.

He walks along for a second and adds as an afterthought

Also I'm really fucking tired of tromping over this mountain... for the record. 
GM
GM, 1081 posts
Wed 22 Jun 2016
at 15:03
  • msg #373

Chapter 3

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 372):



The march back up to the summit and down again to your camp is long and arduous but uneventful.  Being as this is (at least) the second time you've done it, it's exhausting to all but Enrei (-1 die to all pools until you rest for the night).

You pause on the summit to catch your breaths, and do indeed see scorch marks where Enrei claims he fought the sea serpent.

As you approach base camp, you hear intermittent bleating and barking, which causes you to hurry down.

You find your equipment and horses as you left them, and the goat too seems to be unharmed, though it pulls on its rope and shakes nervously.

Bryce is still here, though now he is sporting a fresh bandage about one arm and looks even more disheveled than usual.

"Wolves," he explains.  "Came in the night, though I were able to keep them off."  He points to the fire pit, which now has a large chunk of meat roasting over it.  "One didn't leave with his pack," he says with a cruel smile.

Bryce chokes out something in a language you do not understand, directed at Brennan.  He jerks his head to one side.
Brennan Otthild
player, 902 posts
Inquisitive "Inquisitor"
Suffixes Are Relative
Wed 22 Jun 2016
at 15:51
  • msg #374

Chapter 3

In reply to GM (msg # 373):

Before actually arriving at the campsite, Brennan reiterates to everyone (using the common tongue AND Enrei's native tongue) that they are not to tell Bryce about how they didn't do the first errand, how the line is still intact, or how they were talking about fighting and/or capturing the witches.

He will make Enrei repeat these concepts back to him several times during the journey back, prompting him at 30-minute intervals until it has been ingrained into his ally's mind as well as he's able.

Upon entering the camp and hearing Bryce's tale, Brennan frowns with concern.

"Looks like things were more lively here than we'd hoped. But I'm glad everything turned out ok, all things considered."

Brennan nods at Bryce, carefully looking straight ahead of himself, then turns to the others.

"Let's get some more food unpacked and rest by the fire. I'm exhausted from the climb. Besides... we need to discuss our next steps."

He relates to Bryce the goings on in the village, though he glosses over the fact that they didn't actually complete their assigned mission.

"So in the morning I'm heading back up. It's more climbing and we're all tired, so I'll recommend Titus and Enrei accompany me this time. Deev can stay here and help with the camp and your wounds while we're gone. Shouldn't even take the day if we leave at first light tomorrow, and I remember the route perfectly."

He looks at everyone in turn.

"Any questions?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:51, Wed 22 June 2016.
Titus Blackwell
player, 1273 posts
Like a natural disaster
with the worst intentions
Wed 22 Jun 2016
at 16:04
  • msg #375

Chapter 3

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 374):

Wolves seem to keep coming back... They've done it twice now in a row, and i see no reason for them to stop.  Should we move camp or are there any wards we can put up until then?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:05, Wed 22 June 2016.
GM
GM, 1082 posts
Wed 22 Jun 2016
at 16:11
  • msg #376

Chapter 3

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 375):

"Aye," Bryce agrees heartily.  "This is not a good place to camp, though I suspect they'll be more... cautious from now on, seeing as they lost one."

Bryce squints at Brennan and studies him carefully.

"Back up, eh?  Decided you haven't had enough of their chores, or did they offer you something more now that you've got the stone?"
Brennan Otthild
player, 903 posts
Inquisitive "Inquisitor"
Suffixes Are Relative
Wed 22 Jun 2016
at 16:33
  • msg #377

Chapter 3

In reply to GM (msg # 376):

"They kept the stone for themselves last time," Brennan grumps. "I've got to tell them how their errand went before they'll actually give it to me and translate the damn thing. Nothing's ever easy. But no, I hope to not be taking any more job offers from them if I can help it. That town is well guarded."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:33, Wed 22 June 2016.
GM
GM, 1083 posts
Wed 29 Jun 2016
at 13:40
  • msg #378

Chapter 3

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 377):

"No," Bryce agrees.  "These things are never easy."

He grunts and nods at Titus, "Aye, moving camp would be a good call.  It's possible I scared the wolves enough, possible I didn't."
Titus Blackwell
player, 1274 posts
Like a natural disaster
with the worst intentions
Wed 29 Jun 2016
at 14:05
  • msg #379

Chapter 3

In reply to GM (msg # 378):

Well lets move the camp and get back up there!  I'm eager to wash my hands of them. 
This message was last edited by the player at 14:07, Wed 29 June 2016.
Brennan Otthild
player, 904 posts
Inquisitive "Inquisitor"
Suffixes Are Relative
Wed 29 Jun 2016
at 18:08
  • msg #380

Chapter 3

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 379):

Brennan will help move the camp to a more defensible location.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:15, Thu 30 June 2016.
Titus Blackwell
player, 1278 posts
Like a natural disaster
with the worst intentions
Thu 7 Jul 2016
at 12:57
  • msg #381

Chapter 3

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 380):

Titus shrugs after speaking to Brennan.

OK.  One more night and I think we can finish this... maybe at that point we can split our forces and have a better defense of the camp while we sort out the town.  I heard something there while we were leaving that... disturbed me and I would like to take care of it.

So now that the camp is moved Enrei, Brennan and I will go up and camp on the mountain and in the morning we will get our last peek at the stone. 


With that Titus gives a baleful look at the mountain and sighs heavily.

Fuck me with a poleaxe

He mutters as he begins trudging up the mountain.
GM
GM, 1091 posts
Mon 11 Jul 2016
at 17:17
  • msg #382

Chapter 3

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 381):

The Trail

As quickly as possible, you pack up your belongings and lead the team of horses along the path along the base of the mountains, heading roughly north.

A mile or two along, you find a decent camping spot: a small clearning set against the base of some enormous rocks.  Assuming the wolves cannot scale them, which seems unlikely, it provides shelter on two sides from attack.

The horses are quickly tied up there, firewood collected and Bryce once again asked to watch them (now with the help of Deev) while you return to the witches.

He shrugs and grumbles, again promising to remain a day before stealing all of your things.

Deev does not look happy to be left behind but consents without complaint.

The Mountain

You once again ascend the mountain, tired legs aching all the way.

By the time you reach the summit, it is dark and chilly.
Titus Blackwell
player, 1281 posts
Like a natural disaster
with the worst intentions
Mon 11 Jul 2016
at 18:14
  • msg #383

Chapter 3

In reply to GM (msg # 382):

Titus will do his usual grumbling up the mountain (that sounds like a dirty euphamism) and help set up a meager camp in the hills.

We need watches for sure tonight.  If that sea serpent that we saw and Enrei tried to deal with is still around then I don't want it sneaking up on us.

Titus helps to build a fire and then unrolls his pack.

Hey look...


He proudly displays the broadsword, shield and armor that have been stripped of the paladin markings from the blacksmith.

I had this done while we were in town.  I also have a group of the ladies fashioning a tabbard for me in Fastbender's colors.  I figured we could test them out since theres noone around....


Titus dons the armor and straps on the sword and brings the shield to bear striking a heroic pose.

What do you think?

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