"I would be willing to parley with M.Hood or even the Baronet if needed, but I fear it will leave the defenses of the village at a disadvantage."

In reply to Ales Konstantin (msg # 76):

"We need to send good seed if we wish for a good crop. If just two of you go, the rest of us can defend the village."

[OOC: For the sake of not breaking up the party, are there suitable NPCs who can be entrusted with that? I cannot think of any good IC reason for Saishi to leave, or indeed many of the party...]

"It took us two days and part of a third to get here from the Omo's palace.  Those returning will take at least as long, especially if they must seek out both Hood and the Baronet along the way -- and then as long again bringing reinforcements back here.  Five days, at the least.

"If we could be sure Pequenaud's men could not reach us..."

Chou-Zhen pauses for a moment.

"Does anyone know, is there any single point between the Baron's base and this village that they must pass?  A bridge, perhaps, or a narrow passage?"

In reply to Chou-Zhen Mou (msg # 78):

"Or perhaps a suitable ambush point? Or a swamp?"

OOC:If the village includes a dovecote like most did, and if they had regular biz with the Omo, perhaps they could be reached by carrier pigeon. Npcs are also a good idea.

"Saishi, I had in mind a location where a mage might close the way entirely with a single spell.  I have the resources to cast great magic, if I have time to prepare, but I have only a limited store of power before returning to Northport or other place where enchanters work.  One great spell, or two or three large ones in succession.

"Clearly, it is not possible to block all ways, but military groups are generally reluctant to abandon horses and wagons, or break up the discipline of the group to travel across country.  Bringing down a bridge would be easiest, and given ability to travel quickly I could do that in several locations if needed.  A road that passes through a steep gully or canyon could be closed by earth movement -- but such a spell would exhaust me and my store of power.

"So, once again.  Does anyone know of a place the Baron's forces must pass, where one might close the way with sufficient magic?"

In reply to Chou-Zhen Mou (msg # 81):

"We do have carrier birds, and there is a spot where the elevated road leaves the swamp, where it could be collapsed.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:49, Tue 06 Oct 2020.

In reply to Ming-Sa (msg # 82):

"Ah, but Chou, it is not just you. Ming-Sa is right. Collapse the road slowly and conserve your power, and we can harass them terribly before they reach the village if they refuse to turn back. Swamps full of leeches and hidden pits can be more than a nightmare that will dishearten the most heavily armoured warrior. Indeed, the more armour, the worse for them...and you still get to conserve your power!"

"There are other ways to close off a choke point, depending if you wish it to stay closed.  Some of them are less costly in power than collapsing the road; some are not.  Collapsing a causeway is relatively permanent, and I can probably manage it without dipping into reserves I cannot replace by resting."

In reply to Chou-Zhen Mou (msg # 84):

Ming-Sa takes you to the elder and explains the need to send a message.

"What message do you wish to send to the Omo?"

Ooc: What languages does the Omo know?

In reply to Village elder (msg # 85):
"Tell him we were attacked by Veroigne Soldiers, who have been abusing the locals. We managed to repel and capture some, but the rest fled and they will most likely return. We'll need to request reinforcements. Also, if he could through his contacts, notify the baronette of Monsieur Hood and their loyalty to him, in retaking Veroigne."

In reply to Iskander (msg # 87):

The message is sent, and night falls after you continue your preparations.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 88):

Saishi plants some thorn bushes near the entrance of the village, though he does not have the ability to make them grow faster (he will pray about that, but does not have cp for new spells). Blackberries, so the villagers can eat them.

He also provides energy for the earthworks, and creates food as needed, regularly resting to keep his energy up.

[Private to GM: Create plant, skill 18, rolled 7,13,16,8
Essential Food, from grasses or other stuff around, skill 18, rolled 10,13,17,13,11,6,6,13
Not sure if this is a failure or critical, but he does have weirdness magnet.]

"How far is it to where the road leaves the swamp?  Could we reach that spot and return before dark?"

In reply to Saishi Jin (msg # 89):

Ales loses double FP for the spell and creates a red parchment box with yellow markings. Something is inside.

Ales or Saishi?

Yes? Ales or Saishi? I was going to send a message, but I was asking about languages the Omi spoke, since we didn't want the people (in the off chance an enemy captured the bird) able to read the message.

In reply to Ales Konstantin (msg # 93):

Sorry, that was Saishi.

The Omo's library contains books in Aralaise, Sahudese, Shevnian, Valdassyan, and a couple of Liturgical languages

In reply to Narrator (msg # 94):

The red and yellow box smells of cooked meat and potatoes.

Chye smells food, and is curious about the box.
"Are we having picnic?"

In reply to Chye Isuel (msg # 96):

You may open the box...


Ales, what message will you send?

In reply to Narrator (msg # 97):

Saishi is a little concerned about the box...it was supposed to be food, so when Chye is curious about the box, he offers it to him.

"This was... unexpected. I suggest caution."

Chye opens the box like a kid on christmas morning....
eagerly, he peers inside..

This message was deleted by the player at 19:43, Sat 24 Oct 2020.