Redlun XXXII

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12a8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B>Redlun Archives </B></div> <div> <A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun I"><U><B>Volumes I to XXIV</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id295.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXVI"><U><B>Volumes XXXXVI to L</B></U></A><B>XV</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id259.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Village"><U><B>Redlun Village Map</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id181.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Plans"><U><B>Redlun Manor Plans</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id178.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Survey"><U><B>Redlun Survey</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id179.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Decree"><U><B>Redlun Decree</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" ><B>Missiledine's Archives</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Missiledines Archives"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id202.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXV"><U>Redlun XXV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id204.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXVI"><U>Redlun XXVI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id207.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXVII"><U>Redlun XXVII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id213.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXVIII"><U>Redlun XXVIII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id214.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXIX"><U>Redlun XXIX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id215.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXX"><U>Redlun XXX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id232.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXI"><U>Redlun XXXI</U></A>   |   <B>Redlun XXXII</B>   |   <A HREF="id261.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIII"><U>Redlun XXXIII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id263.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIV"><U>Redlun XXXIV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id264.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXV"><U>Redlun XXXV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id266.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXVI"><U>Redlun XXXVI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id271.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Redlun XXXVII"><U> Redlun XXXVII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id278.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIIX"><U>Redlun XXXIIX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id280.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIX"><U>Redlun XXXIX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id281.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXX"><U>Redlun XXXX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id284.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXI"><U>Redlun XXXXI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id285.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXII"><U>Redlun XXXXII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id288.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXIII"><U>Redlun XXXXIII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id290.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXIV"><U>Redlun XXXXIV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id292.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXV"><U>Redlun XXXXV</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Missiledines Archives"><U><B>Archive Directory</B></U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Redlun XXXII</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Interrogation continued</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Missiledine: Ok, sorry for the delay</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Missiledine: before we get on to the story at hand, there are a couple things to address</div> <div> Dukejr01: and stamp</div> <div> Dukejr01: and mail</div> <div> Missiledine: Do you plan on making a raid on these smugglers in the near future?</div> <div> Dukejr01: yes. it depends entirely on how many there are, but if we have a resonable chance of taking them, that will be one of the first things we doi</div> <div> Dukejr01: do</div> <div> Missiledine: there are two events I want to complete, other then this adventure, then I want to do another time compression and pick up again in the spring</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: give some thought to the things you want to have Athamar complete over that two and a half month interval</div> <div> Dukejr01: well, if taking the smugglers is feasable. that will occur within a week or two. enough time to interrogate the prisoner and gather the troops.</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay.</div> <div> Missiledine: right then... picking up with the interrogation... you have just cast Truthsayer... how are you using that?</div> <div> Dukejr01: ah. I misspoke. don't want to use truthsayer.</div> <div> Missiledine: oh? What then?</div> <div> Dukejr01: I confused it with mind reading. A will monitor his thoughts as he asks the next questions.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok, so mind reading... go on</div> <div> Missiledine: He asked "Did you kill all my friends?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: the idea is 1) get him to start talking and 2) monitor his thoughts as he answers the next more critical questions. that way, if he tries to lie, that will possibly</div> <div> be revealed.</div> <div> Missiledine: okay</div> <div> Dukejr01: </div> <div> Missiledine: np</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I am asking the questions. Who is your leader?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "What's it to you?" Guy growls back... In his mind a face appears, that of a middle aged man with a face and complexion that makes</div> <div> you think of the desert people</div> <div> Dukejr01: "His name."</div> <div> Dukejr01: </div> <div> Missiledine: Guy is clearly reluctant to say, but a name comes unbidden into his mind... 'Agali"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar smiles. "How many men do you have?"</div> <div> Missiledine: </div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. do I get an impression?</div> <div> Missiledine: maybe 49+</div> <div> Missiledine: 40</div> <div> Dukejr01: how many more questions can I ask before I can't maintain the spell any longer?</div> <div> Missiledine: </div> <div> Missiledine: you have maybe 2 questions left before 1 minute ends</div> <div> Missiledine: I got booted!</div> <div> Dukejr01: starting to get worried</div> <div> Dukejr01: Booty problems</div> <div> Missiledine: couldn't get back into AIM</div> <div> Dukejr01: need copy of what we have so far?</div> <div> Missiledine: I left off with 2 questions left</div> <div> Dukejr01: oh. okay. I didn't get that.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Who is your spellcaster?"</div> <div> Missiledine: The same face comes into mind, Ahgali</div> <div> Missiledine: "What are you going to do with me?" He demands</div> <div> Dukejr01: A ignores that, he asks "Are there captives at your camp now?"</div> <div> Missiledine: An image of a large cell with several women and children sitting on the floor comes into his mind. He looks away and says nothing.</div> <div> One of Beal's men catches your eye and holds up a burning brand with an inquiring look.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "You damned well should be ashamed. Take him out of earshot."</div> <div> Missiledine: The men grab him, pull him to his feet and drag him off into the darkness</div> <div> Dukejr01: A sips tea and waits for him to be taken away.</div> <div> Missiledine: Beal looks at you</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Their leader's name is Ahgali, he has the look of the dessert folk. He is also their mage...."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Guy cannot count, but I have the impression of around 50 men, and they are holding several women and children captive in a large</div> <div> cell."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Hmm, I have heard that the Desert Sorcerors can be wily and dangerous."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar nods. "I can pry more information out of him, but it will be time consuming...."</div> <div> Missiledine: you know very little of the desert mages, your old Master once told you that they are mighty in the magics of Illusion and deception,</div> <div> but that is all you know</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. thanks.</div> <div> Missiledine: "What say you, Lord Athamar, is it feasible to attack them and free the captives? Fifty men is a goodly force."</div> <div> Missiledine: Troy is here?</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Between us we have 18 men and 2 mages. the yhave 6 dead and one captive, and we hae each have taken a measure of</div> <div> eachother. If not all of their men are present, we can take them. Perhaps Lord Boma would be interested in a raid for a share of loot.:</div> <div> Dukejr01: </div> <div> Missiledine: </div> <div> Missiledine: I think we'll keep this in the small screens tonight</div> <div> Missiledine: That way you can each read about it later and I'm not limited typing</div> <div> Missiledine: "Perhaps my Lord. I will send a messanger to him and inquire. But what of the prisoner? Do you want to take him, or shall I?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Speed will be essential, to free the captives and head off their reinforcement. My old Master told me that dessert mages are mighty</div> <div> in illusions and deception."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Hmmm... I will take him. the more time I have, the more information I can squeeze out of him. in time, I may be able to make a map of</div> <div> their stronghold."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Very good my lord."</div> <div> Dukejr01: time check</div> <div> Missiledine: </div> <div> Dukejr01: "Lets get some rest. I am going to cast a couple spells on him, before turning in. Deeper and more subtle. Is thre any question you</div> <div> yould like answered?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Not that I can think of my Lord." Beal waves the men guarding the prisoner back into the camp</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar nods and relaxes. he recovers his stregnth. before casting Mind search on him.</div> <div> Missiledine: When they bring him in he looks the worse for wear... His clothes are dirty and scuffed looking, his nose is bleeding profusely and</div> <div> his eyes look swollen... One of the guards says, "Prisoner tripped, My Lord." THen 'helps' him sit by the fire</div> <div> Missiledine: "Hit his face on a rock." Another guard offers without even the hint of mirth</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar ignores this.</div> <div> Dukejr01: </div> <div> Missiledine: Guy spits out a tooth and glares up at the two guards</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Give hims omething to eat."</div> <div> Missiledine: You hear someone in the background mutter something about 'gnawing on rocks and knuckles" but they bring him some food</div> <div> Dukejr01: A is amused by this and hides a grin.</div> <div> Missiledine: Guy doesn't seem to enthused about eating, maybe the bashed face is putting him off his appetite</div> <div> Dukejr01: robust fecal matter.</div> <div> Dukejr01: When A is rested he casts Mind search. first question is Do they have informants in Windhook or Redlun?</div> <div> Missiledine: Guy spits some blood, looks at you, then at the guards. "Don'y know." He doesn't seem to</div> <div> Dukejr01: Mind search. I am directly searching his mind. hedoesn't even know about it.</div> <div> Missiledine: </div> <div> Missiledine: No, you can find nothing there to indicate any knowledge of spies</div> <div> Dukejr01: k. second question. About how many of their men are present in their camp now?</div> <div> Dukejr01: looking for a fraction, a quarter, half, all</div> <div> Missiledine: Most of them, maybe three quarters</div> <div> Dukejr01: k. </div> <div> Dukejr01: well, it is winter.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Well, Athamar will turn in.</div> <div> Missiledine: the guards will truss Guy up REAL securely</div> <div> Dukejr01: A tints his head and considers a spell, but decides against it.</div> <div> Dukejr01: tilts</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: would be funny to bury him up to his neck in the earth</div> <div> Dukejr01: </div> <div> Missiledine: keep him secure that way</div> <div> Missiledine: actually the night will pass quietly</div> <div> Dukejr01: cool!</div> <div> Dukejr01: </div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> Dukejr01: Okay, how far can we all travel together before splitting up?</div> <div> Missiledine: maybe ten miles</div> <div> Dukejr01: k.</div> <div> Dukejr01: divide the the horses in half.</div> <div> Dukejr01: the wild ones that is</div> <div> Missiledine: Beal promises to contact the Baron immediately He thanks you profusely and sends his regards to Jacinta</div> <div> Missiledine: across the middle or nose to tail?</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I certainly will. I look forward to working closely with you to end these.... parasites"</div> <div> Dukejr01: middle. its easier. I get the asss end. more meat</div> <div> Dukejr01: have we dealt with their dead? I jsut remembered.</div> <div> Missiledine: no, you left them in a shallow grave as I recall</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. well, nothign for it right now. I guess.</div> <div> Dukejr01: they are putrifying, we can get them later.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok, you head off to Redlun</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will bury the prisoner up to his neck using Shape earth every evening on the way back home.</div> <div> Missiledine: lol... ok. He'll be thrilled!</div> <div> Dukejr01: I don;'t have as many guys, with beal gone.</div> <div> Missiledine: true</div> <div> Missiledine: You will arrive back in Redlun without incident</div> <div> Missiledine: By the time you get there Jacinta and Miklas and company will be there, but I am still running that now</div> <div> Dukejr01: Yay! Athamar anxiously inquires about Miklas first thing.</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay</div> <div> Missiledine: He will be pretty much recovered by then, just needing a few days rest</div> <div> Dukejr01: He will be on his feet?</div> <div> Missiledine: yes, though a bit unsteady for a few days</div> <div> Missiledine: </div> <bR> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar is so happy to see him, he gives Miklas a hug. he is clearly relieved beyond words.</div> <div> Dukejr01: </div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar has a hot bath and fills Ollyn and Gallus in.</div> <div> Missiledine: the prisoner is locked in the dungeon, apparently happy not to be buried alive again</div> <div> Dukejr01: lol</div> <div> Dukejr01: ah. the little things in life</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will be questioning him on the way back. to make it easy. A will use Mind search and try to get the layout of their stronghold.</div> <div> Missiledine: From what you can gather it is all below ground, a series of natural and man made chambers linked together via tunnels and</div> <div> passages. There is one long, winding passage that descends all the way to the desert floor to a carefully camoflauged cave</div> <div> Dukejr01: hmmm......</div> <div> Dukejr01: could be interesting to trade with the desert folk when we get rid of these guys.</div> <div> Missiledine: A possibility</div> <div> Missiledine: </div> <div> Dukejr01: no problem , you alresay said that you were finishing up with tory</div> <div> Dukejr01: troy</div> <div> Missiledine: </div> <div> Missiledine: from information that you gather, it seems that the smugglers have a monthly caravan that comes to the cave, or at least near it, and</div> <div> they trade their goods for stuff from the desert cities.</div> <div> Dukejr01: ah. the caravan is from the desert cities and they come out to trade with it?</div> <div> Missiledine: yes, the Caravan master is some kin of the smuggler's leader, brother in law or cousin, Guy isn't certain</div> <div> Dukejr01: I see. well, that puts a new light on it</div> <div> Dukejr01: hmmm</div> <div> Missiledine: The bulk of the caravan never approaches the cave, only a select few make that contact</div> <div> Dukejr01: hmmm....</div> <div> Dukejr01: verrrrry intersting.</div> <div> Dukejr01: when is the next Caravan due?</div> <div> Missiledine: soon</div> <div> Dukejr01: shit</div> <div> Missiledine: the smugglers trade food, wool, manufactured goods, slaves and horses in exchange for silk, salt, spices, desert goods like</div> <div> composite bows, gold jewels etc</div> <div> Dukejr01: do they have families there?</div> <div> Missiledine: a few do</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will want to hit them before they trade. to rescue the captives.</div> <div> Dukejr01: and maybe nail the caravan master and his guys too</div> <div> Dukejr01: tho not the wholecaravan, I don't think</div> <div> Missiledine: that could be tricky</div> <div> Dukejr01: yes. they probaly have a whole series of signals.</div> <div> Dukejr01: well, no use worrying about it now. the first task will be getting a strike force together.</div> <div> Missiledine: true</div> <div> Missiledine: Gallus thinks it unlikely that such a force can be assembled and in place in time to rescue the captives</div> <div> Dukejr01: </div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar agrees, but will pray that we are in time.</div> <div> Dukejr01: I am waiting for J;'s report before making any nitial decisions.</div> <div> Dukejr01: id there anyone in Redlun who can train the horses?</div> <div> Missiledine: J is good at it I recall, so are a few others</div> <div> Missiledine: you can get it done</div> <div> Dukejr01: I was thinking our new guys,the farmers who are going to be going back to farming in the Spring, if they have the skill, they could tain them in their spare time in exchange for keeping one for themselves. that way, they hae something to use for their farms.</div> <div> Dukejr01: that works too.</div> <div> Missiledine: most farmers have enough animal handling skills to train a horse</div> <div> Dukejr01: we are going to have to add up the bonuses for this raid. what is the proper precentage?</div> <div> Missiledine: Not quite the same as breaking one tho</div> <div> Missiledine: hmm</div> <div> Dukejr01: true. A will want it done properly</div> <div> Missiledine: uhm, I don't recall off hand what your terms were... need to check the Archives on that</div> <div> Dukejr01: the Army is something like 10% divided among the officers and men. not quite sure how to handle that.</div> <div> Missiledine: how many cobs did you get again?</div> <div> Dukejr01: I don't think that loot was specified. A plans to be generous. </div> <div> Dukejr01: lemme check</div> <div> Dukejr01: the only thing I could find was that the herd consisted of 25-35 horses and that a few of them were cobs. I thinmk we may have</div> <div> discussed this out of game at one time. but I forget what the hell was decided.</div> <div> Missiledine: hmm</div> <div> Missiledine: let me look back through my notes</div> <div> Dukejr01: some of the wild horses may have been lost with al lteh mucking about going one</div> <div> Dukejr01: on</div> <div> Missiledine: </div> <div> Missiledine: Lets say 2 to 1 horses to ponies (cobs)</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. cool.</div> <div> Dukejr01: that would be 10 or 11 cobs.</div> <div> Missiledine: make it 10, divides easier with Beal</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. that suits. I was taking the cobs with us when we went to Windhook, but for the sake of convenience. this is just as good.</div> <div> Dukejr01: better even,</div> <div> Dukejr01: so, 5 cobs and 11 ponys for us</div> <div> Dukejr01: nice :-)</div> <div> Dukejr01: since they are unbroken, they are less valuable.</div> <div> Missiledine: no... cobs are ponies, riding ponies, 11 horses, 5 cobs</div> <div> Missiledine: cobs, unbroken are about $750 apiece</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. I am confused. I thought that there were horses that could be saddle horses, cobs which are between ponies and horses, and</div> <div> ponies, which are unridable but can be used to pull carts.</div> <div> Missiledine: The horses (Palfreys) are about 1200 each, unbroken... Yeah, but I'm rereading my original notes</div> <div> Dukejr01: but 11 horses and 5 cobs is even better!</div> <div> Dukejr01: I shouldn't have argued.</div> <div> Dukejr01: </div> <div> Dukejr01: :-P></div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> Missiledine: </div> <div> Dukejr01: </div> <div> Dukejr01: </div> <div> Missiledine: well, now his force will be mounted to, which will allow a more coordinated effort later</div> <div> Dukejr01: yes, I have no problem with that, I fact. I have been considering an exchange of effort as well as coordinatio.</div> <div> Dukejr01: n</div> <div> Missiledine: Your take on this is valued at $16,950</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. that is about what I expected. that includes the equipment?</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar will ask Ollyn and Gallus what the proper fraction is to be split with his troops.</div> <div> Missiledine: no, that's just the horses</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Missiledine: a lot of the gear you recoverd was pretty battered... call it $1200 total</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. yeah. the armour was useless. but there were crossbows.</div> <div> Missiledine: put them in your armoury</div> <div> Dukejr01: yup!</div> <div> Missiledine: but value it at 1200 for the percentage</div> <div> Dukejr01: right.</div> <div> Missiledine: how generous do you want to be with your troops?</div> <div> Missiledine: ten percent would be typical</div> <div> Missiledine: with larger shares for J and Miklas</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id256.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIIa"><U><B>Jacinta at the Monastary</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Missiledine: <I will let Jacinta tell you her tidings></div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas is rather sheepish about his, accident.</div> <div> tacit01: <yo boss wha'sssup></div> <div> Missiledine: He thanks you for saving his life</div> <div> Dukejr01: <tides? as in seas? or Ides as in March?></div> <div> Dukejr01: Miklas is thanking ME?</div> <div> tacit01: <oh boy, aren't we punchy></div> <div> Missiledine: Yes, for hauling his unconscious carcass out of there and keeping him alive</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar gapes at him a moment, "Don't think for a moment you are anyway at fault...."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I should have been more cautious."</div> <div> Missiledine: "I was careless, should have dodged it. Would have if I'd been paying attention."</div> <div> tacit01: when Miklas and Athamar are done thanking each other, and blaming themselves...</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar shakes his head. "Banish that thought. One cannot have a better man at his side."</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. we are done.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar is clearly relieved to see Miklas alive and well. </div> <div> Missiledine: <So I gathered></div> <div> tacit01: J will tell A the abbot sends his blessings, yadda yadda...</div> <div> Missiledine: <You need to drag more red shirts around with you></div> <div> Dukejr01: "Well, how was your journey?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: <yes,. yes I do. :-D></div> <div> tacit01: <oh, we're role playing it?!></div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar listens. to J's story.</div> <div> Missiledine: <Uh huh></div> <div> Dukejr01: <skip the dry parts, or at least paraphrase></div> <div> tacit01: "very well - The baron sends his blessings... <yadda yadda>"</div> <div> Dukejr01: <baron?></div> <div> Missiledine: <The Baron?></div> <div> tacit01: oops - abbott</div> <div> Dukejr01: <the Red Baron! with his Folkker triwing!></div> <div> tacit01: "he did mention that befoer the rebellion a Knight of Mitra and friends</div> <div> tacit01: battled some brigands near the cliffs - the party consisted of</div> <div> tacit01: Bishop Durr and Duke Demetrius.</div> <div> tacit01: perhaps tehy would have more information about accessing the camp</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Interesting. That is not a bad idea." Athamar looks pensive.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Duke Demetrious is Baron err... whatshisname's superior who is Lord Boma's superior, right?</div> <div> Missiledine: Duke Demetrius is one of the four most powerful men in the Kingdom, #2 after the King</div> <div> tacit01: wow</div> <div> Missiledine: He rules all of Gemmatus (The Duchy you are in)</div> <div> Missiledine: Bishop Durr is the number two in the Church of Mitra, he is seated at the Cathederal in Drunmore. </div> <div> Dukejr01: yah. He is the onw who told Baron whatshisname to deal with the smugglers who then sent the mage guy </div> <div> Dukejr01: to windhook, yes?</div> <div> Missiledine: He is considered the likely successor to Arch Bishop Woffard</div> <div> Missiledine: yes</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Missiledine: The Duke's capitol is Drunmore</div> <div> Dukejr01: so the Duke would have an interest in dealing with this. a letter to him would not be a bad idea.</div> <div> Missiledine: perhaps... but your diplomacy tells you it is the Baron's place to contact the Duke</div> <div> Dukejr01: righto.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar ponders a bit. "Did the Abbot say anything else?"</div> <div> Missiledine: Bishop Durr is also the Duke's spiritual advisor.... The Duke is a Knight of Mitra, one of the very </div> <div> Missiledine: few to live to a ripe old age</div> <div> Dukejr01: the roadblock I see here is the Baron. the Abbot has expressed dislike for him, and his response to</div> <div> tacit01: "also, the Abbott wanted me to give you this" and J hands Athamar a scabbarded dagger</div> <div> Dukejr01: the Duke's orders was to send one guy.</div> <div> Missiledine: <eh?></div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar's eyes open in surprise. He takes it.</div> <div> Missiledine: as soon as you touch it, you know it is enchanted</div> <div> tacit01: "He thought you might have need of it"</div> <div> Dukejr01: <is that "eh?" for me?></div> <div> Missiledine: yes</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamr draws it</div> <div> Missiledine: <the Dukes orders were to send one guy>?</div> <div> Dukejr01: <I was referring to Beals explanation of how the mage guy got to Windhook.></div> <div> tacit01: <it's a light sabre! Use the force, A!></div> <div> Missiledine: <oh></div> <div> Dukejr01: <no, the duke told the baron to get on the smugglers, and the baron sent one guy to Windhook></div> <div> Missiledine: <correct></div> <div> Dukejr01: <seems to me that the Baron isn't keen of resolving he problem.></div> <div> Missiledine: <Maybe the Baron thinks mages are invincible></div> <div> Dukejr01: <Use the Swartz!></div> <div> Dukejr01: <LOL!!!!!!!></div> <div> Missiledine: <sending a mage is the fantasy equivalant of sending a cannon></div> <div> Dukejr01: <The baron is an inexperienced PC?></div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> Dukejr01: <ARtillary is nice,. but they aren;t any good against infantry by themselves.></div> <div> Dukejr01: anyway. what is the knife liek?</div> <div> Missiledine: the blade is about ten inches long, double edged with some faint decorative etchings. The hilt is </div> <div> Missiledine: cast of bronze and is set with some silver chasing. The scabbard is bronze as well</div> <div> Dukejr01: Ah. a mage's knife.</div> <div> Missiledine: it has a matching paatern on the scabbard to that of the blade, it is traced with silver</div> <div> Missiledine: yes</div> <div> Dukejr01: A briefly examines the pattern.</div> <div> Missiledine: does not seem to have any significance that you can see</div> <div> Missiledine: at its hilts the blade is almost 4 inches wide and tapers to a needle point</div> <div> Dukejr01: "His Reverance is generous." Athamar smiles. he sets it down so the others can look at it</div> <div> Dukejr01: kattalah style?</div> <div> Missiledine: yes</div> <div> Dukejr01: cool</div> <div> Dukejr01: for some reason I like kattala style stuff</div> <div> Dukejr01: A wll have to learn knife now</div> <div> tacit01: J also let's A know the Abbott's health is declining</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar frowns slightly. "May he he have many years to him yet."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar sheaths the knife and straps it to his waist</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Its been a tiring several days. and we have a lot to do. These smugglers will need to be dealt </div> <div> Dukejr01: with, Any suggestions?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: I assume A has filled them all in on what he learned from Beal.</div> <div> Missiledine: Except for what has transpired tonight, which J has no knowledge of (or Troy either)</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. Athamar tells his little council what is up. Beal is going to send a letter to Lord Boma</div> <div> Missiledine: no</div> <div> Dukejr01: no?</div> <div> Missiledine: the Baron</div> <div> Missiledine: Boma is not the Baron</div> <div> Dukejr01: oh. I thought he was sending a messenger to Boma</div> <div> Dukejr01: nevermind.</div> <div> Dukejr01: so, Beal is sending a messenger to the Baron to inquire about sending men to raid the smugglers.</div> <div> Missiledine: no, he is reporting to his superior and looking for aid... Boma may be ordered by the Baron to </div> <div> Missiledine: supply that aid</div> <div> Dukejr01: I see</div> <div> Missiledine: but that is the Baron's call</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar fills them in on what Windhook has to offer. basically 5 men and a mage.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar also tells them about the information he extracted from the prisoner.</div> <div> tacit01: <extracted - eewwww!></div> <div> Dukejr01: Their leaders name is Ahgali, he is desert folk, and a mage. they have somewhere about 50 men</div> <div> Dukejr01: about 3/4s of whom were at their base as of when the prisoner was there last.</div> <div> Dukejr01: the base is entirely underground. a series of natural and manmade caves.</div> <div> Dukejr01: there is a long winding passage leading down the cliff to a cave that is carefully concealed.</div> <div> Missiledine: <To clarify: Boma cannot go trapising around the countryside girded for war without at least</div> <div> Missiledine: telling the Baron if not actually getting his permission</div> <div> Dukejr01: the smugglers havea montly caravan which stops nearby, the caravan master is a relative of some sort</div> <div> Dukejr01: with the smuggler leader</div> <div> Missiledine: To go into a neighboring area, as you have, and the wilds to boot, is one thing. Crossing other</div> <div> Missiledine: lords lands etc is a different matter</div> <div> tacit01: I presume the passage down the cliff is guarded?</div> <div> Dukejr01: <lol sorta like UODIR. Unless Otherwise Directed, a common SEAL tactic></div> <div> Dukejr01: "Presumably. it is part of the cave complex. its all underground.</div> <div> Dukejr01: the passage is underground too.</div> <div> Dukejr01: the smugglers trade food, wool, slaves, manufactured goods and horses for silk gold composite bows</div> <div> Dukejr01: salt spices and jewels</div> <div> Missiledine: "Could be quite a haul!" Ollyn says</div> <div> Dukejr01: they currently have several women and children captive.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Yes. who knows how much they have accumulated?"</div> <div> Missiledine: As you are seated in your conference, you hear cries of alarm from outside on the walls</div> <div> Missiledine: Voices are calling for your attention</div> <div> Missiledine: "My Lord! Come quickly!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: A strides purposefully to the cry</div> <div> Missiledine: Lookouts on the wall are staring west, across the moor, past the Fangs to the forest edge</div> <div> Missiledine: You see what appears to be a long column of wagons and carts emerging from the forest</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar squints to looj</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> tacit01: "just one quiet day..." J gets up</div> <div> Dukejr01: how far can A cast his sense foes?</div> <div> Dukejr01: <lol></div> <div> Missiledine: Ollyn says, "What in the Nine Hells is that?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: are we buttoned up?</div> <div> Missiledine: not yet</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Get everyone inside and close the gate"</div> <div> Missiledine: <well, its an area spell, but not considered a Knowlefdge spell which is odd.></div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar isn;t TOO worried, if he were to assault Redlun, he would go for a BumRush.</div> <div> Missiledine: <say -3 to cast ></div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. Athamr casts Sense foes on the second wagon's driver</div> <div> Dukejr01: 2 hex radius</div> <div> Missiledine: You don't sense any</div> <div> tacit01: we see wagons and carts - anyone riding horses? anyone armored?</div> <div> Missiledine: hostility etc</div> <div> tacit01: anything resembling a siege engine?</div> <div> Missiledine: at this distance its hard to see particulars, there are people walking, but you don't see the</div> <div> Dukejr01: that was my next question.</div> <div> Missiledine: flash of steel etc that would indicate armor and weapons</div> <div> Dukejr01: how far away?</div> <div> tacit01: to A "do you want me to ride out for a closer look?"</div> <div> Missiledine: over two miles, but they are headed your way... No siege engines visible</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Go."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I do not sense hostility. but that may not mean anything"</div> <div> Missiledine: Watching the line, there are twenty five to thirty carts, pulled by horses and oxen</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas will ride out with you, Ollyn is going too</div> <div> tacit01: J does - she'll grab a fast horse, and approach to just outside bow range to try to figure what's up</div> <div> Dukejr01: Good.</div> <div> tacit01: is Miklas ready?</div> <div> Missiledine: The group stops as you approach... It appears to be families.. You see women, children, men... The </div> <div> Missiledine: wagons and carts are jammed with furniture and household goods</div> <div> Dukejr01: A has a horse prepared for him. but he doesn't leave the battlements yet</div> <div> Missiledine: other then the animals pulling the carts you see no other livestock</div> <div> tacit01: refugees, or gypsies?</div> <div> Missiledine: You see a few spears, crossbows and bows, but none are aimed in your direction</div> <div> Missiledine: They look ragged, tired and hungry... Even the beasts look thin and under nourished</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas says, "Seem okay to me."</div> <div> tacit01: great - refugees</div> <div> Missiledine: Ollyn turns in his saddle and waves the 'all clear'</div> <div> tacit01: does anyone from their party approach?</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar will go get his horse.</div> <div> Missiledine: two men are tenatively walking towards you, but they seem frightened</div> <div> Missiledine: One man calls out, "Please, can you tell us where we are?"</div> <div> Missiledine: You would guess that there are over a hundred people here, they speak Velitar, they look like</div> <div> Missiledine: Velitar</div> <div> tacit01: J rides forward a bit to meet them "Redlun, in Velitrium - where are you coming from?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: let me know when A gets there, he will take another man with him.</div> <div> Missiledine: The man looks around, "Redlun? In Gemmatus?"</div> <div> tacit01: "yes"</div> <div> tacit01: "how long have you been travelling?"</div> <div> Missiledine: The other man whispers something and the first says "Lying won't help us!"</div> <div> Missiledine: He looks back at you. "We are from the River March."</div> <div> tacit01: J stares at the one that whispered</div> <div> Missiledine: he looks worried</div> <div> tacit01: while nodding assent to the statement</div> <div> tacit01: "and what brings you here?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Does your Lord serve the King or the Duke?" The first counters</div> <div> tacit01: She finally looks back to the other, the "honest" one</div> <div> tacit01: "You are in Redlun, and it is the Lord of Redlun you'll answer to, whether he's...</div> <div> tacit01: "the King's man or the Duke's"</div> <div> Missiledine: The men look at each other and have a whispered conference. J, you hear horses galloping up </div> <div> tacit01: "you would do well to be more civil with him than you are being with me"</div> <div> Missiledine: behind you... It is Athamar and Wendal</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar trots up</div> <div> tacit01: J assumes that it is Athamar, and keeps her attention on the 2 in front of her</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Explain" he says as he looks over the column.</div> <div> Missiledine: Athamar, you see over a hundred worn and ragged people, all obviously hungry, tired and looking</div> <div> Missiledine: frightened</div> <div> tacit01: "Lord Athamar, these people are from the River March, and are quite intersted...</div> <div> Missiledine: The oxen and horses look half starved, the wagons and carts are battered, muddy and tied together in </div> <div> tacit01: in local politics"</div> <div> Missiledine: places. They are loaded with furniture and household goods</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar casts Sense Foes on the two men.</div> <div> Missiledine: the interesteing question is how did they get here? There is only two ways to the March, up the </div> <div> Dukejr01: "Wendal, ride back and tell Gallus to prepare to recice refugees, they will need a hot meal and </div> <div> Missiledine: Lendale river and past several cataracts, or along the military road that is north of the Lendale </div> <div> Dukejr01: a warm bed under a roof."</div> <div> Dukejr01: recice = recieve.</div> <div> Missiledine: River (you are south) Other then ferries, there are no bridges till you get to Drunmore to the east</div> <div> Missiledine: to cross the mountains, in winter, with the Goblins and Ogres that infest them is all but incredible</div> <div> Dukejr01: he says this loud enough for the people inthe wagons to hear.</div> <div> Missiledine: your sense foes reveals nothing</div> <div> Missiledine: Wendal gallops back</div> <div> Missiledine: The people show no emotion, only fear</div> <div> Missiledine: they just stare at you almost blankly</div> <div> Missiledine: "Lord Athamar?" One man asks</div> <div> Dukejr01: and how did he know my name?</div> <div> tacit01: J said it</div> <div> Missiledine: "Please My Lord, are you a King's man, or of the Duke's?" (J spoke it aloud as you rode up)</div> <div> Dukejr01: "What is your name?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Tegus, My Lord."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar frowns slightly at the question.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I am Lord Athamar Tallenar, Lord of Redlun, and I am the King's man."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "You, Tegus, have a great deal of explaining"</div> <div> Missiledine: The other man says, "I knew it! He'll send us back for sure!" </div> <div> Dukejr01: "Now gt your people moving. they need a hot meal."</div> <div> Missiledine: Tegus says, "Please my lOrd, let us pass through. We ask for nothing, we will take nothing."</div> <div> Missiledine: "There is no need to give us anything, just passage."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "No. Food and shelter now. Answers later. I will not allow harm to come to you."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Are there raiders following you?"</div> <div> Missiledine: The men look at each other, Tegus shrugs and waves the caravan onwards</div> <div> Missiledine: "No My Lord."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar grunts. "Good." Timecheck?</div> <div> Missiledine: about 2 pm</div> <div> tacit01: <um, it's half past bedtime here></div> <div> Dukejr01: lol</div> <div> Missiledine: the column moves on towards the village, coming to a stop on the moor in front of the moat house</div> <div> tacit01: J will take rear guard</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar consults Gallus on where to putthem all</div> <div> Dukejr01: Call it a night?</div> <div> Missiledine: "The old cavalry stables is the only building big enough"</div> <div> Missiledine: <okay></div> <div> tacit01: then help tend to their animals - hopefully we can spare a little grain</div> <div> Missiledine: "Even then we'll need the tents."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Can we ask the villagers to shelter a few people?"</div> <div> tacit01: I dub thee "Night"</div> <div> Missiledine: mostly the animals need to graze and rest</div> <div> Dukejr01: night troy</div> <div> tacit01: that works</div> <div> Missiledine: night Troy</div> <div> tacit01: g-nite</div> <div> Dukejr01: once again we stop on a cliffhanger</div> <div> Missiledine: thats what I like!</div> <div> tacit01 has left the room.</div> <div> Dukejr01: yeah. I have a sinking feeling aboutthis</div> <div> Missiledine: oh?</div> <div> Dukejr01: switching to IM</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>