Moto continues to dream...with odd music in the background...

OOC: Moto will be positioned at R21, behind the open door. (before the battle)one half-hour after sunrise, he will cast Mage Armor on himself(and will renew it once if needed), lasts for one hour per casting.

Once all the bandits seem to be inside, Moto will then cast his sleep spell(DC13). Hopefully, getting as many as possible. Then, he will try to close the doors. If Moto dies, it's a one way ticket to Valhalla. :)

Adoven sits quietly and enjoys the delicious honey cakes.

OOC: Adoven will be at M21 to shut the other gate. Hiding as best he can, will make stealth checks as you request!

Bai does her best the rest of the to smooth things over with Svetlana, complimenting her on her food and asking if she can help with any of the house work.

OOC: Bai will be at O11, just inside of the storage house, but out of sight from anyone in the yard.

Viktoria cinched her belt once more and drew her swords, tapping them against the metal plates on her armoured skirt, her coat weighing on her shoulders. She whispered a prayer softly to Gorum over her swords before sheathing them and repeating the process over her axes. She'd sharpened them while eating stew, and had thanked Oleg and Svetlana both for the honey cakes, one of which was stuffed (and a tad crushed) in the pocket of her belt.

Slipping the axes in her belt again, she drew her swords, worrying them in her hands needlessly. Fear before the fight, fear after, but never during. Her captain had told her that in her first month amidst the waves.

OOC: P18 for Vik

U16, next to the door.

Rook looks from Bai over to the stables and then to the midden pits. His mouth flattens out and he tilts his head to one side. "I don't know. We've got an awful lot of horses. Keeping them quiet won't be a problem, but hiding them is the problem. We can try to make it work, about all we can do." He takes the offered dinner with genuine gratitude, especially the cake that, while reminds him of home, is much better than his mother made. Not that he would ever tell her. "Does this mean you'll be the one to call 'em all out, Vik?"

L8.

Rikka takes a honey cake and goes and stands in front of the gates looking into the compound "The animals should be out of sight behind the stables." She opines, as she returns to the tables.  "I'll wait just inside the stables."  <J14>

NPCed
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:30, Sat 02 Apr 2016.

I have put a new map in place that shows the Trading Post with the gates open and the positions of those we have.

It didn't work quite  as I had hoped -  but I think you should be able to work out where people are for the time being.  Next time I will try a different type face in a larger size.

In reply to Rook Sanderson (msg # 174):

"I suppose it does. Just be quick to support me, if you could, I can only fight a few of them at once."

Vik rolled her shoulders, practicing her speech in her head. She wasn't all that good with them, but she could likely try to trick them or keep them busy with patter.

"I'll talk to them," Pipre interjects, rubbing the side of her forearm idly and then continuing to explain, "I've got some things to say to them." Maybe her explanation only caused more confusion, but she didn't elaborate any further. She instead starts on a second train of thought, "If Vik and I sit at the table there's no need to hide the horseflesh. It makes sense for travelers to be here and it makes sense for travelers to have horses. Of course, a group of our full size might spook them and drive them off but a couple of people will just be a little coin on the side for them. A further temptation."

"Anyhow, more important business. I'm off to find a bath anyone want to join me?" With that she would leave, with or without company, going off to find a nice bath; ideally a warm spring but cool streams won't be passed up.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:16, Sat 02 Apr 2016.

"We should also be prepared for the possibility that they have eyes on the road and saw us come in in the first place. It would be unusual but not unheard of."

THEN she goes to take her bath.

In reply to Viktoria d'Lodovka (msg # 177):

"I'll stand with you Vik." Borric moved away from his previous position to stand next to Viktoria.

With the horses cared for (and he taking much longer than Pipre or Rook to groom the mounts, though the work is done properly), Percy joins the main group for the stew and flat breads, figuring giving Moto some time to think would not be a bad thing, and his stomach certainly agrees, in time to hear Rook's apology to their hosts, a thing well done that certainly softens Percy's attitude towards his companion, though he avoids giving any sign of that, not wanting to be thought to be patronising Rook.

Taking a seat at the table, the young gentleman quickly picks up the gist of the plan and what everyone's role is, save for his own.

"Oh, I can use this," he pats the handle of his rapier. "A gentleman is expected to know of such things, though I believe you have to get up at some hour when the gods themselves are still a-bed if you want to master the blade.  Still, as I say, I can use it, though I doubt the bandits will be as obligingly still as the straw dummies I've slaughtered by the dozens, nor as solicitous for my welfare as the tutors my parents were paying."

"I've no need to prove my manhood by making it a fair fight, though ... if I can run a bandit through from behind I'll most certainly jump at the chance.  I'm sure our foe won't hesitate to take advantage of the fact that they're better with a sword than I am."

Percy takes another bite of the flatbread, nodding his appreciation.

"I'm a merchant by trade, so I'm ideally suited to talk a man to death ... but I've taken Henry's coin and given him my pledge, so I'll not shirk my responsibilities ... use me as you see fit."

"I'm fairly agile ... if we're trying to hide our numbers so as not to scer the brigands away, then I'm game to take up station on the bunk house roof out of sight, so I can jump down and join the fray when the fighting starts ?"

I have updated the game map for this thread.  This is the last chance to change it or discuss last minute tactics.

In reply to Borric d'Cordain (msg # 180):

Vik smiled at Borric

"The bandits don't stand a chance, sir."

The Bandits are surprisingly obliging, turning up on-time about 30 minutes after dawn, and try to  ride in  through the open gate.  The leader only gets as far as Vik before he is forced to stop, meaning the five others spread out behind him, and there are more milling around outside the gate.

They all wear leather armour and are armed bows and short swords -  although the leader has a nice looking composite bow and holds a flask of something in his hands.

He looks down at Vik, Borric and Pipre, and half sneers.  His eyes sweep around the area and he spots Oleg over to the right.  ”Are these your new guards then?  They won’t help you much.  Better get your taxes over here fast, before I lose my patience, and you know what that means …” he says bouncing the flask gently in his hand.

Pipre hiccups, her shoulders rising and falling suddenly as her head remains on her folded arms, on the table. When the bandit leader speaks she lifts her head, reaching to grab her mug and take another quaff. Holding the mug she moves from the bench she is on to sitting on the table and looking over at the bandits. She takes something from her belt, pouring it into her mug and then taking a long drink, her neck muscles clenching and her face souring. She trembles, lowering her head and then whatever is affecting her relents and she relaxes, using a hand to comb her hair gracefully to one side, her eyes somehow sharper than before.

She stands, "You should work on that patience; you've already lost and don't even realize it yet. Kressle would be ashamed at your piss poor performance. Now, get over here, sit down, and I'll tell you what you're going to do. Call the rest of the boys in, too, if any of you want to survive you'd better hand your weapons over to those two standing there. Including that little toy you got in your hand." She stares at the man and then sits down like there is no question that he will obey, gesturing lightly to the seat across from herself.

((Drink cognatogen and intimidate:
15:25, Today: Pipre rolled 28 using 1d20+10.  Intimidate.))

For a moment the man quails before Pipre's acerbic analysis of his abilities, but then she reminds him that ‘the boys’ are with him and that he supposed to be their leader  ”Stay where you are!" he snaps over his shoulder at the men, before he turns back to the trio in front of him.  ”Oh?  The little drunk knows Kressle, Eh?  Maybe I’ll take her back with me.  Kressle will like that.  Help keep the boys busy.” he says threateningly ”But lets hear what you gotta says first, it should be a bit of a laugh.  You can tell us while the rest of them get our taxes.” he says sneering down at Pipre.

There is certainly unease amongst his men, a few look to dismount, others  just grin and  finger their bows.

"You're complacent, lazy, didn't check for an ambush and now your poor, poor men, with their stupid, stupid leader are all lined up ready to die. We have you outnumbered and you're in an ambush. You're not taking any taxes home today. You're not taking anything, especially not me. Especially not since I couldn't stand the boredom of you and your men's tiny pricks." She shrugs, her face placid, "Now, as for what I want, I wanted to give you a chance. A bunch of dead bandits doesn't help anyone but the crows. So, this is your only chance; you can turn over your weapons and join us or you can bleed out on this humble ground. We're going to make something of this place and I'd rather not do it with a wake of blood. This place is going to be civilized, surely you aren't stupid enough to not see that coming. Kressle will, no, Kressle has already thrown you in front of the coming war machine in the hopes that your bones will slow it down just a bit; to give her enough time to make off with the gold you've worked to get." With that she pulls aside the cloth on her hand and forearm, showing the small, black hatchet tattoo on her wrist.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:00, Wed 06 Apr 2016.

She narrows her dark eyes, "Think about it, boyo, think hard about who I am and where I come from. I'm sure you know, or one of your boys, and that should give you plenty of pause. You know who you are facing, and you know it's not a fair fight even if it was just me- which it isn't. Surely even now we are close enough for the familiar, acrid stink of my bombs and fire to burn your eyes and with it comes the memory of dark, forgotten places, yes? Of places even the most irreverent bandits treat respectfully." A thin, wry smile touches her dark red lips.

"Now come, make the best decision of your life and get. Off. Your. Horse."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:24, Wed 06 Apr 2016.

Borric was caught off guard with Pipre's line of negotiation. He stole a glance to his left. Was she in league with these bandits? Who was Kressle? Did Henry de la Maistre know whom he hired? There were too many questions. Borric needed to stay focused for there were armed bandits in front of him.

"Throw down your weapons. Now."


Borric d'Cordain rolled 22 using 1d20+3.  Aid Another Intimidate

"Yeah! Or we'll . . . take your weapons, and beat you with them!"

Vik was trying hard to swallow as she stood there, not striking the most terrifying pose. But the others had the patter down.

OOC: Intimidate roll 4 for aiding

The bandit leader is clearly taken aback by Pipre’s words, and jus for a moment there is a flash of what could be fear in his eyes.  A couple of the men snicker as Pipre talks about ‘small pricks’ although one large half orc laughs makes a rude gesture that suggests that Pipre’s description doesn’t fit him.   However, a couple of the riders appear to be backing their horses away slightly.

Pipre’s second set of comments implying that some of the bandits should, perhaps, know her and fear her, seems to strike a chord with some of the men as well, although the leader looks more puzzled than not.

However, as Borric’s words ring out, the leader turns to face him and sees a foe that he recognises.  Instead of a slip of a girl offering a strange mixture of threats and promises, here is a traditional warrior, dressed in the way he would expect for one of those haughty knightly types and demanding that he disarm himself.

”Here you are” he says with a grin to Borric and complies with the request - tossing the bottle he is holding towards the Paladin.  As it strikes, it bursts into flame leaving a fine residue of burning oil all over the paladin and splashing out over both Vik and Pipre.  <b>”Get ‘em lads.”</aqua> he shouts shrilly.

---
OOC
Damage:  Borric 6 points, Vik 1 point, Pipre 1 point.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:35, Thu 07 Apr 2016.

Pipre tsks and replies, "Your call." She barely notices the splash of flame, she's suffered plenty of them in her chosen path. It was an effect novice alchemists grew accustomed to quickly. She replied with a bomb of her own, jamming the catalyst vial home and then winging the hissing sphere behind the lead man. It detonated with a rumble and bright wash of flame.

OOC
02:33, Today: Pipre rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  Target grid intersection to hit 1, 2, and 3; AC 5.
02:31, Today: Pipre rolled 11 using 1d20+2.  Initiative

So 1, 2, and 3 should suffer 7 points of splash damage (minimum of 1 on a 1d6 and +6 for intelligence.)
This message was last edited by the player at 07:38, Thu 07 Apr 2016.

Hearing the start of combat, Moto looks through the small crack where the door hinges and meets the wall. He made sure not to hit any comrades in the process. As Moto spoke the words to his spell his voice echoed in a deep, inhuman tone. “Nuku nyt!”

OOC: 00:31, Today: Moto Trema rolled 11 using 1d20.  Initiative.
Throwing a sleep spell on bandits 4, 5 and 6. DC 13 Will save negates.

Range: medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Area: one or more living creatures within a 10-ft.-radius burst

A sleep spell causes a magical slumber to come upon 4 HD of creatures. Creatures with the fewest HD are affected first. Among creatures with equal HD, those who are closest to the spell's point of origin are affected first. HD that are not sufficient to affect a creature are wasted. Sleeping creatures are helpless. Slapping or wounding awakens an affected creature, but normal noise does not. Awakening a creature is a standard action (an application of the aid another action). Sleep does not target unconscious creatures, constructs, or undead creatures.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:47, Thu 07 Apr 2016.