Ah, good day to you sir. We have been looking for you. Your grandmother was quite concerned about your safety and asked us to find you. It appears we got here in time to prevent you being sold to slavers. Please be so good as to return to town with us. Your friend the blacksmith is behind the bandits in the area and we need to talk to your grandmother about that as well.

Bobble will ask Conan to help him out of the chest. We will return his gear to him. All the bandits gear is ours. We will take all the weapons for evidence.

  As you free him he bows to Makoto and says "Thank you noble lady for bringing your bringing your simpleton brute and younger brother out to extract me from this sticky situation."  Then to Bobble, "I do not take advice from children, me thinks your sister has spoiled you."  He holds out his hand and slowly says to Conan (as if talking to a simpleton)"Please... get... my... sword, it's... the... metal... stick."

Bobble will stand there stunned for a moment. Is this guy really this stupid?

Bobble will then state: I am twice your age young man. I am a gnome and have a great deal of experience. Your grandmother was right about you. Conan is not stupid so please don’t treat him like that. Look, you have shown yourself to be brave taking on all these thugs by yourself, but it may be that the sword is not your path. You could do much better for your people being a leader and working to improve their lives.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:27, Fri 12 June 2020.

  Lander looks at Bobble closely, "I didn't notice the orange hair.  Still, I don't take advice from servants and, if he isn't a simpleton, why hasn't he handed me my sword yet?"  He turns to Makoto, "You should teach your servant better manners M'lady, would you happen to have a mirror handy?"
  Makoto pulls a steel mirror out and gives it to him, "He isn't my servant.  We met a few weeks ago in Nerosyan and have been traveling together to find their father.  I am Makoto Kowata a humble witch on a wandering journey", she gives him a bow, "pleased to meet you.  Let me heal you injuries with some magic." She casts clw on Lander (heals 7 hp). He looks at himself in the mirror as she casts her spell and oddly looks disappointed, "So you aren't a foreign princess on a quest to save the world.  Well then, you can help me stop the bandits."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:05, Sat 13 June 2020.

Bobble is amazed at the arrogance and stupidity of the young noble.

Ok, you want help fighting bandits? Then here is a deal for you. I will challenge you to a duel. Not lethal of course. If you win we will help with the remaining bandits. If I win, we go see your grandmother. We will still be dealing with the leader of the bandits either way since we know who it is now.

Wait, you two? intones Conan as the two are about to duel it out.   There has to be a better way than just fighting all the time.   say Conan exasperatedly with the two potential combatants.    As to the matter of your sword, in your current condition of being Black and Blue all over, you're in no real condition to handle a weapon.

  Lander gets tired of waiting for Conan to help him, and starts putting on his own armor.  But when Conan speaks, he stops and looks at the halforc in astonishment, "So you aren't a simpleton.  Very well, you(Conan) can be my squire.  You obviously know my name, but you haven't even introduced yourselves."  He turns his head and looks down at Bobble, "You can't be serious.  You have no proper weapons other than a bow and daggers.  One is for hunting and the other is a weapon of assassins and thieves, neither is appropriate for a duel."  He looks exasperated and starts to lecture Bobble.  "Nor can I accept one from a commoner or servant.  What is your rank and pedigree?  I cannot accept a challenge from just anyone."  As he finishes putting on his gear he finishes with his signet ring and looks at Conan, "Squire, what is your name?"

Real name or the name everyone calls me?  Replies Conan.   Once Lander has his armor on, Conan will look him up and down and state, You look a little better but you still look a little worse for wear.    I'm no squire by trade but a blacksmith.   I GUESS SINCE YOUR GOING WITH US TO FINISH THE BANDITS AND OUTLAWS, SOMEONE HAS TO WATCH OVER YOU AND IT MIGHT AS WELL BE ME.   Here's your sword back.    It will be handed back as reverently as possible since I've nener been a knight before.

OOC: 12:29, Today: Conan rolled 5 using 1d20+1.  diplomacy roll. (just thought I would try my hand at it.   I'm like you GM, the dice roller hates me or it's my CHR, I personally can't tell, ha, ha)

12:28, Today: Conan rolled 11 using 1d20+1.  aid another Diplomacy roll (Makoto). ((Makoto gets a plus two to her diplomacy save)

12:27, Today: Conan rolled 7 using 1d20+1.  aid another Diplomacy roll (bobble).
This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Sat 13 June 2020.

  Landers responds drawing out his sword, "Dear squire,  I seriously misjudged the situation.  You are the one with sound judgement for recognizing one of superior station such as myself.  Stay behind us my good lady, we will keep you safe.  Come, the game is afoot.  Just as Baron Aldori was beat and then returned to defeat his foes, I shall defeat the rest of the bandits."  Lander proceeds to start walking into the rapidly falling darkness.  Makoto doesn't move and calmly says, "I am sorry Lord Lebeda but I am out of spells and it will be dark soon.  Perhaps we might want to rest and begin in the morning?"  Note; this is how she speaks, very politely to everyone.  Landers stops quickly, "Very well, if you and your man servants need time to rest, I will forgo my immediate and just revenge."  He looks around the camp at the dead bodies, "Maybe we can retire to a place less befouled by the stench of death."
  While Makoto talks with Landers and finishes healing him with a wand, Conan and Bobble finish searching the camp.  They find a note on the table in the big tent next to the pigeon cage.
  The group moves off a ways and sets up another campsite.  Landers makes no effort to help setup, but does "help" Conan with several suggestions.  Eventually camp is made and dinner is served.  Landers likes the dogs and cat.  Over the course of the evening do you want to chat about anything in particular or subtly probe Landers for information?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:01, Sat 13 June 2020.

Bobble is thoroughly disgusted with the lordling. He will generally ignore him and talk to the dogs and cat and try to get them to ignore him as well. Hmmm pebbles in his boots? Must think on that!

Conan will make small talk at first then probe for more information subtly of course if Conan can.   (Clearly diplomacy isn't his forte, but when Lander says something, Conan will return with a pointed question and if something interesting comes up from it, possibly Makoto will pick up on it.)   Conan can tell that Bobble is put out with the young lording.   Conan will have to do something about it, so when Lander goes to sleep, Conan will have a talk with Bobble.

Hey Bobble,  you got a minute?   You're just as much at fault as Lander.    Don't get me wrong, he started it, by being prejudiced, but you being stubborn and ignoring him is just as bad.   We are here to try and persuade him that the sword isn't the way for him and you're not helping me.   You know that I have trouble with persuading people to my view point and I could definitely use your help with him.   In other words, straighten up, would ya because I don't think I can stand two children masquerading as adults right now.



OOC: 20:46, Today: Conan rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  diplomacy roll to follow Lander & ask pointed follow up questions
     20:54, Today: Conan rolled 17 using 1d20+7.  perception roll to stay focused in conversation with Lander.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:57, Sun 14 June 2020.

  Bobble starts to talk to the dogs, but then realizes he has already used that magic today(msg 114).  Landers treats the dogs and cat well, though he has no skill in handle animal.  Meanwhile Conan becomes unexpectedly chatty as he asks Landers questions, which Landers is happy to answer, for the most part.  He ignores any reference to Marek and the fact that the bandit's weapons all had his makers's mark, and he is skillful at changing the subject.  Makoto will mostly listen, but will occasionally help Conan when he is having trouble in the conversation.  After you are sure Landers is asleep and with Chito keeping an eye on him, you gather round the fire and quietly discuss what you know.
- behind the young noble’s rambunctiousness is a strong desire to prove himself in the eyes of tested warriors
- Bobble got off on the wrong foot by bringing up many things Landers dislikes
- Landers dislikes (penalty to diplomacy rolls)
    mentioning that they were sent by his grandmother
    stating that you rescued him
    Marek’s involvement with the bandits seems a particularly sore point
    lecturing him about his responsibilities
- His desire to hunt bandits is honest, and he realized that 4 were missing (2 ran away/escaped, 1 dead at pond and 1(Wincent) was released).  You are pretty sure Landers is not involved with the bandits, beyond- trying to hunt them down, being captured and the fact that his friend/mentor/teacher seems to be involved with them.
- He is arrogant, used to getting his own way, stubborn, adolescent, rash and opinionated
- He views anyone without a noble title as a lesser being
- He is obsessed with derring-do and heroic chronicles, and believes he is clearly the protagonist. This leads him to draw conclusions based on narrative structure rather than good sense.  Thus he assumed Makoto was a princess in disguise, just like in the stories of Aerod and Gilraine.
- He does have good social skills
- Landers likes (bonus to diplomacy rolls)
    compliments
    pandering to his sense of heroics
    actually assisting him

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Bobble managed to rack up so MANY penalties to his diplomacy roll in his 1st 2 interactions.  The only reason Landers is not outright HOSTILE toward Bobble is that Bobble has chr, skill at diplomacy and rolled good.

Bobble:

Ah, good day to you sir. We have been looking for you. XYour grandmother was quite concerned about your safety and asked us to find you. It appears Xwe got here in time to prevent you being sold to slavers. Please be so good as to return to town with us. XYour friend the blacksmith is behind the bandits in the area and we need to talk to your grandmother about that as well.

---

X(lecturing)I am twice your age young man. I am a gnome and have a great deal of experience. Your grandmother was right about you. Conan is not stupid so please don’t treat him like that. Look, you have shown yourself to be brave taking on all these thugs by yourself, but it may be that the sword is not your path. You could do much better for your people being a leader and working to improve their lives.

---

M' Lord, realizing that there are four missing bandits, since two escaped wouldn't be prudent to head back to the city, since that is where they are going to inform on us to the leader?    Asks Lander when they are ready to go forth.

Lord Lander, there are only 3 missing bandits, hardly worthy of the time of such a great lord as yourself. The leader of these bandits awaits your justice in the city!

Bobble swallows his pride and frustration and tries again.

OOC; I am going to assume this are your suggestions while you are talking around the campfire...
   Makoto listens to your proposals and thinks for a bit, before commenting "While that might convince him to return to the city, how is that solving the problem of getting him back on the straight and narrow, as Conan put it?  Particularly since that is going to involve his teacher Marek, a topic he seems particularly loathe to explore.  I think he might be embarrassed at having been used by Marek and afraid of the social consequences if it became know that this man was the bandit chief.  Remember(msg 74), the attacks were precisely planned and Dame Leboda suspected her family was being targeted specifically because of some political grudge.  It is possible Marek was using Landers to get information on the caravans.
   Also Conan, you forget that (msg 134) even Wincent didn't know the identity of their leader.  So how are the 2 who ran away going to inform him of anything, as I doubt they know who he is?  Now Lord Landers doesn't know that, but we do.  Also, what should we tell him about Wincent (msg 135 or so)?  I doubt he will be thrilled at what we did."

Makoto, as usual you are correct. Tell him Wincent is dead? Or fled like the other 2? We need to get the smith one way or another. I just don’t know what to do to convince him to give up his plans and go back home.

M' Lord, it's completely possible that the bandits are targeting your family in relations to the caravan stealing.   Of the two bandits that I know of that escaped, they escaped because we found you first and because it was late at night and hard for me to track them.   Replied Conan the next morning to Lander.   I'm going to have to leave your side in order to play tracker, m' lord.   Conan continues summoning his dog and off he goes leaving Lander back at camp with the Gnome he detests and the Magic User.
Be back in an hour good sir.   States to no one in particular but hopefully Makoto or Bobble will hear and assume Conan went tracking.

  In the morning when Conan tries to go off on his own Makoto's mask of politeness is broken my her astonishment at what she is hearing from him.  Landers quickly responds "No my good man, Baron Aldori would never let his squire go off on his own to track down villains, we must go forth and do this together," as he walks up and pats Conan on the shoulder,  "after all, a swordlord needs to be able to protect his squire.  We can even bring the little one, bandits are good hunting."  So the group quickly breaks camp and starts to hunt bandits.

If you want to say something before or as you start out, now is the time.  I will be working on the next encounter now...

  As you approach the bandit camp to start tracking the ones that escaped, you see a pair of ants the size of (medium)ponies dart out of the under growth and start chewing on the bodies, trying to dismember them to take back to their nest.

There is no surprise round, everyone gets initiative on the ants.
The ants don't seem particularly interested in you, just on the dead bodies.
Conan can identify them as worker ants.
They are vermin.


This message was last edited by the GM at 15:25, Sat 20 June 2020.

Bobble is going to hang back and see what his lordship decides to do. Hold action to defend himself. Sends Tucker to guard Makoto.

After identifying the ants as workers, Conan will do as Bobble is doing, only the motivation is different, by realizing that they're only after food he wishes to give them a wide berth.    Let's hold up a bit and let these vermin get their food and leave and then we can resume our tracking of the escaped bandits.   He reiterates his desire to let live so that we can fight another day.

  While the Bobble and Conan pause, Lander spots the ants and shouts, "Look out, those are just scouts and if we don't defeat them now their colony will grow and destroy everything.” He pulls his sword and charges forward, "Forward men to the attack.  Squire, you and the ladies servant take out the near ant, I will take the far one."

This is not going to be round-by-round combat - it is more roleplaying, just describe in general what you are doing and more importantly what you are saying.  Then I will post what happens and then you can post post-battle statements.  Don't roll any dice.

Bobble just shakes his head. Sadly the pompous fool may be right about the ants. He will flank the rear ant with Conan or his dog and bring it down.

Conan will do as Bobble does sadly shake his head at the young lord and then help Bobble take down the nearer of the two ants, when done he'll go and help Lander if need be.

With the utter lack of enthusiasm...

  Without much interaction Bobble and Conan destroy the 1st ant and then rescue Landers from the 2nd ant.

  This impresses Lander enough that when Conan suggests they return to the city he agrees.  However, he is still sullen and not really friendly on the trip back.

  Upon returning to the city he goes to his room without saying a word to you.  Grandma is happy he has returned, "Apparently even you weren't able to get through to him that this path he has chosen is the wrong one."  The news that Marek is the bandit leader causes her to send the guards to his house and arrest him.

  You get the information you wanted, and you learn the bard you are following was last seen with an elven caravan leading to the Greenheart Kingdom.