The soldiers have suffered some hardship, and some of their families more, but it is the refugees in the little Farm village who have tales of horror that are unbelievable. All you get out of Melinda as you relate some of what you were told is a mumbled hiss... That pig sucking, mother f***ing scum bag baby killer... There is real Venom in her voice and tears in her eyes. She turns and goes to bed sobbing softly ... she does not want any comforting, but has a really bad night, you do little better with a couple of nightmares.

Come Morning you are ready to move away from the memories here.

OOC: So all these soldiers, are they part of a wider army? Who is it commanded by? What is their purpose? I would guess maybe the duke had mentioned about campaiogning up this far north

It might be obvious, but I think I may have missed something.

Surely they're not all just 'wandering aimlessly'.

Padraig didn't like it either, and was feeling slightly nauseated at the stories he had got to hear. He offered sympathetic ears and where he thought it would help, suggested that he would be pivotal in making things better. He told the victims, soldiers and Melinda alike

"Don't worry, those fuckers will get what's coming to them. And I'll deliver it he suggested with fervour and full sincerity.


OOC: Are we still away from Padraig's home lands yet? I get the feeling we haven't reached the place his family had lorded at the moment.

10:59, Today: Padraig MacTire rolled 8 using 3d6.  Leadership.
// I included this to express the impact of his interaction with soldiers and commoners alike.
// I would also guess that he'd get bonuses for the following

// Leadership 16 (+2 Charisma, +2 'possible?' overconfidence, Sense of duty (barony/companions only), 'code of honour' possibly)

// Either way, Charisma should definitely be in that, meaning pass by 10. 11 for Melinda and the rangershe's travelling with - at the least.

// All in all, this could be more of a rallying call if people actually follow his notion well.

The Soldiers are a part of the Duke's Army forming up to advance again, this group tying the flank to the river.
There is a Commander a bit further south, as he has two other Phalanges in his wing.

You duly impress the locals and the troops who hope you will indeed rid the country of them.

You are on the Chisa river (the one passing close to Chisa downriver) and roughly due north (up) from where the road to Yanna joins the major East West road that parallels the river.

He was glad to have the stops so abundant with soldiers. And during the evening thought to find the highest ranking person he could and just ask them about their plans. He knew some of it, and expected them to be reasonably tight lipped, but was trying to ascertain what might help them along the way.

They were only a small force, but they could cause a lot of trouble.

With nothing of note happening, Padraig headed to bed, chatted to the rangers and Melinda.

The Local Commander just says they are to advance on line with the remainder of the Army to herd all the small disruptive force in front of them and to destroy them if possible.

Padraig laughed at the commander's statement and told him in a knowing way "Just go round, disrupt and wind the war eh?" conveying that it sounded much easier than it was likely to be in the real world.

"Well we'll go with you as far as we can, but then we're splitting off north"

OOC - Boy you have North on the Brain ... You are going WEST ... to Freehold... Look at the Map!
North is UP... The Army will move about 8-12 miles a day at most, you could move 20-25 easily.
The risk is the enemy cavalry groups that still scour the pace although little remains to pillage.

Padraig decided they'd ride with the army a short way, and then range ahead, sending any scouting words back should they be helpful - until they got out of range - then they would go solo.

It would give them opportunity to talk and ride at a slightly gentler pace for a short while.

The Army is irritatingly slow, but you do note the enemy scouts once or twice, all seem to be coming from and moving toward the South West and not along the river. After lunch you move ahead and make much better time. There do not seem to be any scouts up here and you find a nice place to camp in a copse of trees. It's been used regularly it seems, likely by boat men as there are signs of boats being pulled up on the shore and tired up. It is very late in the afternoon or early evening, the sun is no longer visisble through the trees.

Padraig, having noted scouts and recent signs of activity on the area, reminded everyone to stay extra vigilant during the night. Surprises were never a good thing, in his experience.

"It'd be good if we could get some useful information back to the Duke's forces that might help them" he mused while eating that night.

I thinkin' they know ... them scouts o' theirz been busy fer weeks.  one of your scouts says

Padraig shrugged "I don't doubt it. I was just always told one couldn't have too much information. BUt if they don't need us, then all the better for us both. We can ride on!"

Yeah, but careful like, now.

"Aye, we'll keep scouts and guards posted"

You have a quiet night and move on carefully. Late the next day a scout races back in and says There is a force marching toward us, but it's crazy as everyone seems to be leading horses and they seem to have prisoners too ... not sure whose side, but they are walking East toward the Duke's Army.

Padraig frowned "How many of them?" he asked before considering a moment. "It seems like they might have just come from battle, you and you go and see what you can find out about it. Keep your distance, try not to be spotted, but see if you can recognise any banners or colours - if you can identify the commander's flag, then that will be helpful too.." he said.



OOC: Guessing too out of reach of the army we just passed to send word back straight away, so will just try to get as much information as possible.

There are no flags...  no colors to speak of... looks to be about 6-7 prisoners, 36 horses and about 13 men leading/guarding the whole show.

"Well, maybe we should go find out who they are. I'll approach them, you all hide in trees, spread out. If it goes badly, put arrows in people"

So you ride out alone?

OOC:

Yep, Padraig considers that he can blag them enough to convince he's on either side. He also assumes that a single traveller on the road isn't going to be much in the way of 'pickings' for them and if they are, then perhaps prisoner over other things.

Plus, he has the cover of the ranges, sure they can't take out the whole of the enemy stuff, but can easily shoot the horses of the closest pursuers and let Padraig get away.

All of this, of course, is with the understanding that Padraig and the rangers would choose an area that lends itself to his plan. Trees nearby, etc. And have a plan for where to meet up should anything go badly.

IT's not just Casually walking in and going "who are you? I'm with the duke, surrender or die you cheese eating monkeys!"

Well as said, only one person is riding .. everyone else is walking.

Your appearance puts them on edge and surveying the area behind you, one soldier points to something behind you while the man on horseback approaches cautiously.
Who Are you? and which side do you favor?

Make an IQ roll....

OOC: I assume IQ roll might give me some insight into who they are and who they're with?
18:13, Today: Padraig MacTire rolled 8 using 3d6.  IQ.

Indeed, the mans accent is that of an easterner and while in charge, he is certainly no noble, you suspect he is a duke's man

Padraig sighed internally. "Loyal to the last, of course to the Duke"