continuing from In The Vale


two people ahead are struggling with a broken handcart... or are they?

Christine will suggest Chris put down his burden and move forward with shield to talk to them...unless someone suggests a reason for not.

She herself will remain defensive...how far away are they?

Ginger says, "Ambush! Moss-covered handcart; this is an ambush!" as he equips his shield and takes a diagonal pace closer to the cart (so now 6 yards away).
This message was last edited by the player at 14:23, Fri 23 Feb.

With a wide-eyed glance at each other, the sisters move into a well-practiced formation three yards apart (so they can protect each other from assailants who close inside their whips' reach), and ready their spiked whips and shields.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 4):

On hearing about the ambush, Christine calls Chris to cover her...and draw his pick. Christine will cast a spell...that works badly!
This message was lightly edited by the player at 08:45, Mon 19 Feb.

Masugatan draws his Butcher’s Blade and flicks his tongue at the handcart-pushers in a challenging manner.

In reply to anaconda (msg # 5):

Emma steps up to put her back to Christines, so neither can be attacked from behind, as she looks for the hidden ambush, which she will point out to Christine.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 5):

roll for critical weird failure

Realizing that they have been outed,
the two by the ruined cart draw steel, and call out

"Stand and Deliver! we have you surrounded!"

In reply to Bandit (msg # 8):

"Prove it. Let us see you first!"

Ginger quickly pulls out a pick and takes several paces diagonally to end closer to the ambusher that's on the left side of the cart (so now 3 yards away).

======
OOC: Still need to know the distance, please..

The diagonal paces are intended to going wider out to the left so as to avoid any hidden pit on the direct line of approach
This message was last edited by the player at 14:46, Fri 23 Feb.

"Close slowly."  The elder sister glances at the younger as she speaks, and the two take a measured step toward those by the cart.

OOC: how far are they (reach 5 weapons here)?

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 11):

the two at the cart are 7 yards out. you can see at least 1 person 4 yards behind them with a bow.

there may be someone or several somones behind your group, but you can't see them without another per roll.


Chris has frozen in place, and Christine feels a distinct drop in local Mana where she is.

"I would recommend you reconsider your course; we have slain greater foes than you."  The elder sister takes another step toward the men she can see, a step mirrored by the younger.

OOC: closing to 6 yards from the men by the cart.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 13):

"No Mana ahead...Masugatan, they are yours."

She holds her spell and turns to look behind them...

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 14):

Emma adds a sunbolt as she prepares for what is coming...

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 14):

When you tried to cast your spell you felt the mana drain from the area... Chris is immobile, and you can't cast.

arrows begin to fly!



the Frog sisters, Chrisine, Evangeline  and Chris are all hit unless they dodge, for 3 pts impaling before DR- Chris's armor repells it, and Val and Masugatan ate missed.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:44, Fri 23 Feb.

In reply to Bandit (msg # 16):

Christine moves backwards as she dodges the arrow, noting the directions they came from, to see if there is any mana further back. Chris is too heavy for her to lift, so for now she has to rely on his armour...Christine readies her cloak to assist in her defence.

Did Emma's spell go off, relying on sanctity?

Also, the perception roll above was 4 under to see where the attackers behind them are. How many arrows came from in front and how many from behind?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:29, Sat 24 Feb.

The elder sister shifts her pelvis just enough for the arrow to fly past and takes another step toward the pair at the cart.

The younger sister moves her shield slightly, barely deflecting the arrow aimed at her, and joins her sister stepping closer, into range of their spiked whips.

OOC: By the way, who's Evangeline?
This message was last edited by the player at 00:10, Sat 24 Feb.

Ginger grips his shield shield firming in front of him whist looking as it he's going to attack with his pic and, shield first, barrels straight into the left hand bandit near the cart.

Masugatan simply charges in and swings at the nearest bandit.


01:19, Today: Masugatan rolled 13 using 2d6+3.  Cutting damage. – 13

01:18, Today: Masugatan rolled 12 using 3d6.  To hit. – 12

This message was last edited by the player at 06:19, Sat 24 Feb.

This message was deleted by the player at 12:44, Sat 24 Feb.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 21):

in addition to the two by the cart, there are 4 ahead and 4 behind.

Masugatan cleaves into one by the Cart, and Val readies her mace.

Christine can only sense mana where she is.

Sanctity is unaffected and the priestess is able to cast her spell.

(Did msg #20 slip through the cracks?)


The cart bandit goes down with the slam!
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:48, Sun 03 Mar.

The sisters having closed within the reach of their whips, the elder lashes at the one Masugatan hasn't just chopped, while the younger holds back.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 25):

Then Christine, already moving back and using her cloak to assist in dodging, will see if she can sense any mana in her new current location.

Ginger knocks down the other cart bandit, who is then whipped by the frog sisters!

Christine still feels no mana at 3 yards out.

In reply to Bandit (msg # 27):

Christine realizes the low mana is not permanent, but the result of a spell. Else Chris must would have stopped as soon as he entered the zone (GM Please correct this is this is not the case. Christine, having created Chris, would know, I assume, though I don't).

Christine will call Emma to assist her as she heads for the bandits behind them...

As the elder sister readies her whip after the strike, the younger lashes at the freshly downed bandit.

In reply to Elaina Grattan (msg # 29):

The downed bandit, badly cut by Ginger and Whipped by the Frog sisters cries out.  Masugatan is close with the other by the cart

Arrows fly again, missing Masugatan, but one would strike each of the others for 2 impaling if not dodged.

Val shrugs off a hit to her armor, the others need to dodge

Christine dodges, and ensnares the arrow with her cloak.  Six yards out the mana is back, but Chris is still trapped in the epicenter of her failed spell.

The elder sister again shifts her body, but fails to get out of the way of the arrow -- only to find her leg armor sufficient to prevent the arrow reaching flesh.

The younger sister again deflects the arrow harmlessly with her shield and readies her whip.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:55, Mon 04 Mar.

Having readied her own spiked whip while her sister was lashing, the elder sister lashes again -- this time at Masugatan's opponent.

As the two bandits by the cart are downed, Ginger eyes the next nearest of the four beyond to continue his shield-rushing! His muscular little legs pump to close the distance in a way that may well alarm the target!
(He selects a target not standing back to a tree.)
This message was last edited by the player at 11:41, Wed 06 Mar.

In reply to Ginger (msg # 34):

Out of the no-mana zone, Christine will summon Crispin to assist with the four at the rear...

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 35):

How did Emma's sunbolt go on one of the archers?

In reply to Emma Wilson (msg # 36):

Crispin bursts into existence...


the sunbolt was raised but not fired- roll to throw and damage?

In reply to Fire elemental (msg # 37):

Christine will point at the four archers behind them. "Get them please Crispin!"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:22, Wed 06 Mar.

The younger sister lashes again at Masugatan's bandit, while the elder readies her spiked whip once more.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 38):

The animated ball of flame starts floating toward the archers in the trees behind you.

The sunbolt flashes into the Face of the archer, temporarily blinding them  (Eyes are -10 to hit, face is -5, and distance is -3)

Ginger slams into an archer who had stepped onto the road, knocking them back.

The bleeding, whipped bandit crashed out

As the younger sister re-readies her spiked whip, the elder takes another step toward the mossy cart -- a step mirrored by the younger.

In reply to Fire elemental (msg # 40):

Emma recasts sunbolt as she steps up behind the sisters...

In reply to Emma Wilson (msg # 42):

Christine casts another spell to assist Crispin...

======
OOC: How many archers are still upright near Ginger? And what distances are the from him, please?

OOC: Please let me know when I can attack again.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 45):

There are three archers near ginger, two of which are standing in the trees.
only one is on the ground, and they are about to fire an arrow at the dwarf.

Sparks  begin to shower behind you,

Emma raises a sunbolt

Masugatan is free to act

In reply to Bandit (msg # 46):

Anticipating a hail of arrows from the archers getting a rain of fire, Christine keep moving, looking for cover where she will not be near the no-mana zone...

"Go get them, Crispin!"

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 47):

Emma targets the eyes of the healthy guy standing in the front group with her second sunbolt...

In reply to Emma Wilson (msg # 48):

I don't have control of Crispin, but has he reached the rear archers yet?
This message was last updated by the player at 05:59, Sun 10 Mar.

Having overrun a cart bandit and an archer Ginger runs at the remaining nearby not sheltered by trees.

======
OOC: Is the archer that Ginger just shield-rushed prone on the gound?
Is that archer still conscious after taking 16 thr cr damage (before DR & wound multipler) from the shield-rush?

IIRC there were four archers behind the pair of bandits stood near the cart. Ginger has shield-rushed one bandit near the cart and then shield-rushed one of the archers behind that bandit. I think that means the bandit and archer that Ginger has impacted are both prone and thus the three (other) archers cited to be near Ginger are upright. If correct two of these are in the trees and one is more exposed and it is the latter that Ginger tarets above.
16:19, Today: Secret Roll: Ginger rolled 7 using 3d6.  Deceptive shield slam vs remaining exposed archer behind left hand cart bandit
16:22, Today: Secret Roll: Ginger rolled 15 using 1d6+9.  Shield rush damage (incl +3 for 3 yards moved) v foe's Thr+0 dam (already includes hexes moved)</Orange>
Exposed archer to defend at -2 (deceptive) or take 15 imp cr damage 9before DR & woulnd multiplier) and then make DX check or become prone</i>
This message was last edited by the player at 16:24, Sun 10 Mar.

In reply to Ginger (msg # 50):

Ginger easily fells the second of the srchers, as they were blinded by a sunbolt.

the remaining two fire at the dwarf, hitting unless dodged for 6 points before DR on each hit.  as soon as the arrow flies,
 the second of those cries out as Emma's
sunbolt blinds them, and they fall from the tree, stunned.

Meanwhile, two shoot at Christine, who gets out of the way with much cloak flapping, and one shoots at Emma. the fourth catches fire and drops their bow.

Does the one shooting at Emma hit? Would that be targeting her from behind? If so, she would fail her dodge...otherwise Emma recasts sunbelt,

How many does Christine's rain of fire hit? She will continue to maintain it as she approaches, urging Crispin to attack the next Bowman.

What is the current range?

Of the four archers near Ginger how many still seem to be conscious?

"Close with the cart!"  And the elder sister moves up to where the two men have fallen by the decoy cart.

The younger sister follows a step behind, veering to the right in the last couple steps to reestablish the needed two to three yards of separation so their whips can cover each other.

Masugatan goes after one of the archers who is standing in the trees.


17:36, Today: Masugatan rolled 6 using 2d6+3.  Cutting damage. – 6

17:35, Today: Masugatan rolled 8 using 3d6.  To hit w/ Butcher’s Blade. – 8


This message was last edited by the player at 21:36, Tue 12 Mar.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 57):

Masugatan has moved up the road with Ginger... the bandit he seeks is 3 yards up.  of the four that Ginger and he approached, Ginger knocked down 2 (one is unconscious and one is conscious but supinated) and One was shot out of a tree with a sunbolt and lies moaning on the ground. a fourth is up in the tree and trying to draw an arrow.

Masugatan is in reach of the ones on the ground.

the one that shot at Emma was behind her, and missed her.

three are in the rain of fire including that one and not burning, and a fourth burns merrily

The elder sister checks the condition of one of the downed bandits by the cart -- the one Masugatan chopped.

Ginger lobs one of his axes at the archer still lodged in a tree. He then takes a pace to gain cover (or simply backwards if none immediately available).

======
OOC: 17:17, Today: Ginger rolled 11 using 3d6.  Thrown axe v tree archer 18 -2(5yards)
Success, MoS: 5
17:20, Today: Ginger rolled 17 using 2d6+6.  Axe cutting damage
Tree archer to defend normally (apart from whatever effect of being in a tree) or take 17 cutting damage

In reply to Ginger (msg # 60):
The bandit falls from the tree, the axe still lodged in it.

Evalina can see that the one slashed by Masugatan is bleeding out, and unconscious.

Masugatan cannot reach the one in the tree, and the Butcher's Blade is humming.

Masugatan hurls a throwing axe at the bandit in the tree.


17:54, Today: Masugatan rolled 8 using 1d6+3.  Damage. – 8

17:53, Today: Masugatan rolled 14 using 3d6.  To hit w/ throwing axe. – 14 hits

Can she tell if this is a mortal wound (B423)?

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 63):

It is indeed a mortal wound, as is Masugatan's axe blow, which has also caused his bandit to fall onto the road.

the Butcher's Blade hums with thirst...

With the archers dealt with at this end Ginger fastdraws and readies an axe as he moves adjacent to the conscious but supinated archer that he'd previously shield-rushed. His shield is presented towards where the 'rear' archers were.


======
OOC: 22:51, Today: Ginger rolled 10 using 3d6.  Fastdraw Axe 15

She moves to examine the other downed bandit by the cart.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 66):

That one also has a mortal wound to the torso, and is unconsious.


In the distance, the archers in the fire storm are trying to get out of the trees, which are smoldering, and head out of the area of effect.
At least one has clothing that is beginning to burn, in addition to the one who is quite on fire and falling out of the tree.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 67):

Christine will direct Crispin to attack the one that is just starting to burn, maintaining the rain of fire...

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 68):

With those in front dealt with, Emma turned to those behind her, targeting the eyes of one of those climbing down from the trees...

"Christine!  Can you stop this growing into a wildfire after the bandits are dealt with?"

In reply to Elaina Grattan (msg # 70):

"Naturally. if that would be a bad thing..."

If the supine, but still conscious, archer at Ginger's feet starts to try and get up, the dwarf's explosion of red beard wags from side to side as he shakes his head. Gesturing with his nasty-looking axe he says simply, "No! Stay down!"

When all is under control, including the potential forest fire, Ginger raises his voice towards his secret girlfriend, "Got one here you might want to question."

"The problem with wildfires is they sometimes grow suddenly or change direction rapidly -- and they burn things that don't need to be burned."

Turning from Christine, the younger sister looks at Ginger.  "I think we'll want to question him soon, but we need to be sure the others have given up and left."

Ginger nods, "Ok, good. So what would you like me to do? Guard this one? Or something else?"

"Our rope is stored in your pack at present, we'll come to you and we'll get him tied up."

Ginger smiles and nods, still keeping his eyes on the prostrated archer.

When Elaina comes over he offers her access to his back.

In reply to Ginger (msg # 76):

Christine needs to make a will roll vs pyromania in order to comply with the request to
A) cancel the firestorm and
B) extinguish fire


Meanwhile, the live archers flee the firestorm, one starting to burn, two just smouldering. (the fourth is dead)

In reply to Narrator (msg # 77):

Christine stops maintaining the firestorm now that the attackers are out of the area, but she will stop short of putting the fire out for now, checking to see if it will go out on it's own first while Crispin deals with the archers.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:59, Mon 25 Mar.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 78):

Emma, meanwhile, will recast sunbolt...

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 78):

Crispin is closing on two of the fleeing archers.

After dragging the archers that fell out of trees together Ginger waits at Elaina's pleasure.

Masugatan retrieves his hand axe, wiping the blood off on the fallen bandit’s face.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 82):

Crispin catches up with another bandit in the distance...

Chris is still immobile.


The gravely wounded bandit lies at Ginger's feet.

Masugatan stows his axe, the sword is still humming.

Valerie is disarming the various bodies of their weapons.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 83):

With Crispin chasing the archers down, Christine and Emma will move to inspect the ones nearby. What is the status of the fire?

If the fleeing archer is in range of Emma, she will use the sunbolt against him. Is he in range?

The sisters work together to tie up the archer Ginger had bowled over while Christine, Emma, and Crispin deal with the last of the fleeing bandits.  Between them they manage to make a fairly ugly tangle of several yards of one end of their rope.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 84):

it has been a bit dry the past weeks so the fire is spreading in the underbrush.

"Christine, do you need someone to Lend you Energy?"

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 87):

Christine will Extinguish Fire to put it out...

"Thank you, but I should be fine..."

She will then return to check out what can be done with Chris.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 88):

Emma will check out the fleeing archers...is any within range?

Magugatan heads to the sisters to see if they require assistance as the Butcher’s Blade throbs in his grip.

Ginger starts to separate the bandit from their weapons and valuables. Coinage that may be insignificant to others in the group would still make his empty coin pouch happy.

In reply to Ginger (msg # 91):

Christine will point out that the only fair way is to gather it all and share it out later.

"Of course it is. And you're not saying I a thief, I'd like to think," Ginger replies pausing in his task.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:58, Thu 04 Apr.

In reply to Ginger (msg # 93):

"Not at all. Just reminding everyone to keep the takings from this fight separate from their personal stash until we distribute everything to avoid any such claims. Doing the right thing is important, but it is also important to be seen doing the right thing."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 94):

the very last of the bandits is running away east, with a trail of smoke.
the others are more easily rounded up.

they have cheap weapons, although one has a fine small knife, and a grand total
of 3 silver and 29 copper coins.
their armor was patched leather gambesons and they wore soft worn boots.

one has a goatskin thong with an incised lead amulet.


Chris can be moved, but Christine is not strong enough to do so.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 95):

"Keep after him, Crispin!"

Once the equipment is gathered up, Christine asks "A little help to move Chris out of the No-mana zone, if I could? After that, i suspect we should track the run-away back to their lair quickly. In case they have a stash."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 96):

How many are still alive?

Emma will round up those still alive.

The sisters shed their packs and approach Chris, sizing up the load.

OOC: Between them, they can lift around 450 lb.; tipping Chris onto his heels and dragging, or (carefully!) lowering him onto his back to slide, they ought to able to move a good bit more than that.  His weight will necessarily include his armor, however, as getting it off him when he's frozen would require dismantling the armor.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 98):

Emma will assist by taking off the pack.

Chris weighs a total of around 235 lbs in armour, with around 70 lbs carried.

Curious, as an automaton, Chris has no reliance or dependence on Mana. Why was he disabled?
This message was last edited by the player at 07:58, Thu 04 Apr.

======
OOC: I'm def missing something here. Don't recall seeing any posts by Chris. So who (or what) is she (or he) and what cuased the immobility?

OOC: Chris is a golem of sorts created by Christine at chargen (rules changes make such an ally effectively impossible now).  I presume the reasoning behind his immobilization is that he's dependent on mana for propulsion or control.  Like any enchanted item, he ceases to function in No Mana (or most likely in Low Mana, when all his enchantments suffer -5 skill), but will recover function once removed to Normal Mana or higher.

When the remaining (still presnt) bandits are secured Ginger moves accross to help with trying to move Chris back into an area where mobility can be regained, offering, "Here, please let me try and help."

======
OOC: @Evelina, TY for the fill-in!  :)
Ginger can stagger about with a couple of hundred pounds.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 101):

Then why is that not included in the template? Oversight?

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 101):

Dependency (Mana) was not part of the options in Basic Characters or Magic, it was developed as a disad a few years later, and I would freely add it onto any magical items.  I was just reading through a number of templates and it is missing except for a few fairie types.

In any case the temporary mana destruction was freakish and Weird, and the result of a critical failure on the Weird magic table.

"Thanks, Absolon.  How about you get his feet and Holiness and I will carry his shoulders, then we ought to be able to move him with less risk of damage."

Smiling, Ginger says, "Sure thing!" and the feet as suggested.

Once you get the golem about 4 yards away from where you found it, it starts to move on its own.

In reply to Chris (msg # 107):

"Thank you all."

Christine says, as Chris gets moving again and Emma returns his pack.

"Now, to collect what is here and follow them back to their lair..."

OOC: That makes sense then. I was puzzled when I saw it absent. Yes, a crit failure did not help...

"You're welcome," Ginger replies to Christine. When she looks away he shoots Elaina a big, perhaps slightly shy, smile.

Since there appears to be no further immediately need for his slaughtering services, Masugatan puts Butcher’s Blade away and gets out some beef jerky.  He chews it authoritatively as he watches their bandit prisoners.

"Christine, I suggest we question the prisoner before chasing off after the escapees.  From what we've seen so far, it may not be worth tracking them back to their base.

"Have you or Emma any way to ensure true answers?  Holy Sister and I are too focused on healing to help with that."

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 111):

"I do not directly, and I do not believe Emma does either, do you?"

She looks at the redhead, who shakes her head.

"The cart seems to have been here for a while. Lets see what is in it, and ask the prisoners, but I would not spend too much time with them."

How many prisoners are there? Also, what is in the cart?

The cart has sacks of stones in it. you have three live, but quite badly wounded prisoners, the others have expired.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 113):

Christine suggests she, Chris and Masugatan quickly question the prisoners while the priests and Ginger watch.

Did Crispin return after chasing the last guy? Did he catch him?

Ginger nods, content with that.

Masugatan asks what information he should try to get and what methods he is permitted to use.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 116):

"Location of their camp, accomplices and any other relevant details. Note that the methods were not mentioned..."

Masugatan does not have any special skills for acquiring information, but can certainly default to ST based intimidation, (with bonii)
and it would certainly be something he could drop a point into it.

Speaking sternly, Masugatan demands to know the location of their camp and the number of fellow bandits in the area.  He warns them not to lie.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:06, Fri 12 Apr.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 119):

Did Crispin return from chasing that last bandit? Did he catch him?

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 120):

The last fleeing bandit was burned by crispin to cinders.

Masugatan, make a roll vs 11 (your default +bonuses)

A bit of an overkill, but ok, he was out of earshot. Then Christine will recall him...to aid in discussions.

Ginger stares appreciatively at his clandestine girlfriend's form.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 122):

The surviving bandits all have mortal wounds, and are hovering around unconsciousness.
None have had first aid, and the Butcher's blade is throbbing for their deaths.

In reply to Bandit (msg # 124):

Christine offers them some healing in exchange for accurate information. In particular, the location of their base...

01:53, Today: Masugatan rolled 9 using 3d6.  Interrogation. – 9

"I don't know if these men can answer rationally in their condition.  We should either heal them enough to survive, or send them on their way to the afterlife."

"Heal them then, Evelina," agrees Ginger. "Enough to talk. If need be, it's easy enough to unheal them."

In reply to Ginger (msg # 128):

There is a reasons the Priests have been asked to do something else some distance away...

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 126):

The semi-concious bandit trembles at Masugatan's threats and mumbles something incoherent.

"Without some healing, I don't think you'll get any answers.  Let Holy Sister and me heal at least one enough to answer questions; I'm sure we'll need to rest after that and we can decide what else to do after you know what you need to know."

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 131):

Does that mean you have come over to help interrogate the prisoners?

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 132):

They can't heal from a distance.  Now, does anyone have a code of honor or a general sense of duty, cannot harm innocents, or charitable?

CoH (Soldier)

In reply to Ginger (msg # 134):

Not Christine. Nor Emma, interestingly. These folk who tried to kill us may be many thongs, but innocent is not one of them!

But that was why Christine sent them away to do something else...

OOC: No relevant CoH or Sense of Duty for either sister -- just the ethics of the relative innocent and the desire for potential converts.

That leaves Ginger as the only person
who is in need of a will roll to stomach rorcible interrogation- +1 on that roll.
congratulations you murder hobos!

Ginger says, "This one is mine. Please heal him so he can talk and I'll ask him nicely."

======
OOC: 17:46, Today: Ginger rolled 12 using 3d6.  Will 11.
Ginger desperately needs to gain some CP - Think he hasn't managed to get any since char creation.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:49, Fri 19 Apr.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 137):

Unshackled by the bonds of morals, Christine lets him have the most co-operative prisoner, and allows Masugatan to deal with the least co-operative one...

Masugatan sternly commands the uncooperative prisoner to tell him all about his employer, the location of his camp, and details about how many of his fellows are in the area.  He reminds the prisoner that the option to summarily execute him has already been brought up.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:42, Sun 21 Apr.

Ginger waits until his charge is healed so as to be capable of rational conversation.

The sisters lay hands on the wounded bandit and begin healing to bring him to stable consciousness.

"Thank you,Evelina," says Ginger..
This message was last edited by the player at 19:57, Mon 22 Apr.

In reply to Ginger (msg # 143):

"Ungh. What happened? "

"You an' your mates ambushed us an' tried to do us over, yeah? Remember that?" asks Ginger. "Well, I ran at you and you kinda bounced off my shield and then stopped moving when you hit the ground. Think you'd have been pushing up daisies by now if I hadn't talked nice like to one of our churchie-templie ladies. Funny think is they don't actually use a building. Say the air an' water and earth and growing things is enough." He takes a drink from his canteen and then offers it to the revived (but still prone) bandit. "Anyway, one of them did some magic like I asked, and the dent in your head closed up. Think your brain was trying to escape. Anyway, you're still here now, living, breathing, drinking and talking. One of the others, a bloke, not the nice churchie-templie ladies, well, I might be doing him wrong, but he seemed he could be real mean, well, he was all for doing nasties to you. To make you tell us stuff. You know, like using his knife to cut bits off." He makes a knowing look towards the fellow's nethers. "Well, as I'd laid you low, I sorta called dibs on you. Nothing unhealthy. I'm not that sorta dwarf. But I do want you to tell me stuff. All of it really. You look like a bright bloke. I'm sure I don't hafta tell you the questions! Just get on and tell me stuff. You know, as me mum used ta say, the who, what, when, where, why and how. I think there was another one too, but never mind. You just get on and tell me your story, and that of these other bandity-friends of yours. Then I'm confident I can ensure the mean-looking fella doesn't use his knife nasty like. He might have a little rock hammer too. Would want him using it on my rocks. Nor yours." Having taken the canteen back he waits expectantly for the fellow to tell the tale.

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OOC: 21:59, Today: Ginger rolled 6 using 3d6.  Diplomacy 8

"Life in the village is hard, many of us have np choice but to do this."

"Sure," replies Ginger. "So talk to me; tell me more."

The younger sister snorts quietly and whispers to her Holiness "Yeah, life's never been hard for us, and we never took to thieving, right?"

"Cry me a river," Masugatan spits at the other bandit.  Then he looks away and grins, remembering his own early days on the streets.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:04, Thu 25 Apr.

In reply to Ginger (msg # 147):

"A couple bad years with the crops and the herds, and there is naught to eat.
  The road is uncleared, so none come to buy what little we have, so to get coin there is little we can do and still be close to home."

In reply to Bandit (msg # 150):

"Excuses are like arseholes." mumbles Christine to Masugatan if she could hear the other bandit.

"Everyone's got one, and they all stink...the effort in Banditry could have re-opened the road. Or was it closed due to banditry?"

"While we sympathize with your needs, look now what you've bought -- how many of your friends are dead?  Who will plow the fields and mind the herds?

"And those weak with hunger make poor bandits anyway -- especially on a road known for banditry, so only stronger folks will use it."

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 152):

The wounded bandit sighs.
"Those who herd do so, but cannot provide for others.  There is not enough food."

"Try joining a temple. They rarely starve," suggests Ginger

In reply to Ginger (msg # 154):

Wide eyed the bandit replies, "We haven't one."

In reply to Bandit (msg # 153):

"Or try hunting game instead of people. If there are herds, there are animals that can be killed for food. All I hear is lazy excuses...Masugatan, lets see if this idiot has any sense of self preservation. Sounds like we would be doing the area a favour getting rid of him..."

Ginger asks no one in particular, "So no temples are recruiting?"

In reply to Ginger (msg # 157):

"Helios has a dim view of those that resort to Banditry. There are always other options. If our work here was not so important, we could establish a temple, but really, you need a priest who is ordained and I am not, as a female. If the village was short, they could easily ask, and I am sure it would be granted to them..."

Masugatan raises an eyebrow.  “Kill him?” 

"Your people have no temple, of any sort?  Even the village where our father sold the corn and milk had a shrine to Vejovis.

"Where is your village?  Perhaps we can help a little; I am the Queen of the Cult of Tsaggothua and our god is always looking for followers.  My Holy Sister is also a priestess under me.  We two are mainly healers, but if one of your number were to become an Initiate, they might be granted abilities with plants or animals, as our god is a god of wild wetlands."

"We are of the snows and the mountains."

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 159):

"Lets see if he will talk first...bloodshed has to have meaning."

Ginger doesn't say anything but does look at Evelina.

"Are we so close to the snows, then?  Will you take us to your village so we may do what we can for your people, and speak to them of our god?"

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 164):

"I am not sure I want to go to a village of thieves..."

"Emma, I rather suspect we've just killed all the villagers who were able and willing to set on travelers -- except this one and the one Christine and Masugatan are trying to intimidate."

Masugatan returns his attention to their ‘guest’.  “I suggest you start talking.  My friends aren’t known as the patient type and neither am I.”

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 166):

"Not sure we have killed all the murderous one, but give Masugatan a few minutes without answers and he may just rectify that..."

In reply to Emma Wilson (msg # 168):

"Yes, all we have been told is a sob story about their village. Where is their base camp, and what other groups are robbing travellers?"

"We camp up the road, away from the village.  This was all of us, except for Marjent."

"Who's Marjent?"

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 171):

"Marjent is my cousin, who was out hunting for breakfast and keeping the camp."

OOC: Was that the one the sisters healed, or the one Masugatan was threatening?

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 173):

The only one capable of speech was the one healed.  Masugatan is near both

"So, let them go, so they continue to rob, or end their banditry here? Or go to the camp and decide there, based on their honesty?"

Masugatan shrugs, obviously not caring much either way.

"Which direction and how far is your camp?  And how likely is Marjent to shoot at people approaching?"

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 177):

"Up the path and then left.  They may shoot if they see only a few, otherwise they will flee."

Ginger frwons, not sure if he's missing something, "If Marjent is the only one left, how come he's a 'they'?"

In reply to Ginger (msg # 179):

The bandit blinks."MArjent does not like to be called Monsieur or Madame."</brown>

Ginger nods acceptingly.

In reply to Ginger (msg # 181):

"Then lets take these three and head up there. Masugatan, please guard the prisoners. We will tie them by rope to Chris. If we are attacked, deal with them. Questions or suggestions?"

"Masugatan, please don't -- if Marjent shoots at us, they likely won't do any more harm than the archers did in the initial ambush.  Both Holy Sister and I have our shields and our armor, so they're unlikely to do grievous harm on the first shot."

She turns to the talking prisoner.  "What's your name, and do you have a password?  It could save your life and Marjent's if we can avoid further violence."

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 183):

Christine frowns.

"Too much compassion is wasted on the wrong people...we shall see. Lets remove their weapons and armour first."

Masugatan shrugs once again, demonstrating he’s neither in a hurry to kill the prisoners, nor to spare them.  This gesture seems to be becoming a habit with him.

"People lie all the time when they are being tortured."

In reply to Valerie (msg # 186):

"True. Lets see if they speak the truth..."

Christine will try to restrain him for now. Not out of compassion, mind you, as they just tried to kill her. But they may make reasonable bargaining chips...

Head to the camp if noting else?

"Yes, let us go and negotiate with Marjent.

"Do you need help walking?  And also, once again, what is your name, and did you and Marjent have a password?"

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 188):

"I am Peyrona... and they would know things to be wrong if I called them wrongly by their old name."

While the chit-chat proceeds, Masugatan cranes his neck, taking a quick look around to see if anything might be sneaking up on them.

 the stench of blood has thrown off any normal animals for now, and no predators on four legs or two are approaching

In reply to Narrator (msg # 191):

Right. Gathering up all the weapons and armour from the living and the dead, as well as all personal items from the dead, we get ready to leave. What did we gather up?

"Thank you, Peyrona.  Holy Sister and I will do what we can to avoid further bloodshed."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 192):

8 cheap short swords. 5 cheap bows and a few dozen arrows, 8 cheap knives and there was no armor to speak of, not even layered cloth.
Coin they had none of either, although there were some crude personal basics, flint and steel, and one set of bone dice.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 194):

Ok, take them, more to stop them being used again than anything else, and head off to the camp. Chris can carry the two that can't walk.

Chris can carry one only, he isn't fantastically strong.

Ginger checks, "Is the cart usable?"

In reply to Ginger (msg # 197):

the cart has a broken axle and looks like it hasn't been usable for years.

"Is there enough usable wood left in that old cart to make a couple drag litters?  We've got a tent and blankets, but only one tent pole."

that there is! good thinking!

In that case, the sisters will quickly (and reversibly) convert their tent and bedding into a couple travois, so one sturdy person can drag one infirm or unconscious one on each.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 201):

Emma will assist, but will use clothes from the deceased instead of her tent. Then she will bury the dead with a little ceremony.

In reply to Emma Wilson (msg # 202):

Christine will shape Earth to assist Emma, not because she cares for those that tried  to kill them, but because Emma is her friend and hates the thought of them rising as undead.

Chris can drag one injured, though Christine would sooner bury the most injured out of mercy, his chances of survival would be slim anyway.

Christine assembles the mass grave and fills it in as soon as the bodies are laid to rest.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 204):

Since Emma does not know Final Rest, she will pray over them and break the legs. But she will attempt to bury each without another body above them, at least.

Once done, and the living but weak are put on stretchers, Chris will drag the most healthy of the two that cannot walk, and the other can be dragged by someone else, or disposed of mercifully by Masugatan.

"I'll take that second litter, while Holiness helps Peyrona walk."

"Can I give you a hand, Elaina?" asks Ginger. "Or is there something else you'd prefer me to do or carry?"

"Hauling one of these is a one-person job, and I'm not going to be traveling fast with this extra weight.  Best I can suggest is keep an eye on the occupant to be sure he doesn't suffer from the movement -- perhaps do the same for the one Chris is hauling, too."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:19, Today.

In reply to Elaina Grattan (msg # 208):

"I can bury another..." Christine offers, trying to be helpful.

"There are way too many men who thinks they can push a woman around by force and take what they want these days. A few less is no loss..."

Ginger's beard wobbles a bit at Chrtine's comments but he says noting.

Masugatan awaits the order to extinguish the miserable… not eagerly, but worse: indifferently.  Meanwhile, he picks something out from between two molars.

"We've met a few of those, Christine, but I think these weren't trying to steal from us because we're women -- which would imply they're blind if they can't see Ginger and Masugatan, not to mention Chris looks pretty masculine -- but simply because we have things they need, like food, or coin to buy food from those who have it, or goods to sell for coin to buy food.  If these folk are genuinely starving, our sex has nothing to do with this."