(085) Guests at An Umost

Waysoftheearth's Hinterlands PBP

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Post by waysoftheearth » Sun Aug 20, 2017 1:15 pm

(085) Guests at An Umost

The mounted company rides hard until dusk, putting perhaps another 10 miles behind them, before a halt is called and most of the elves dismount. Several of them attain a ridge and keep a broad lookout, when the main company leads their snorting mounts down into a grassy dell. Tis single file only along a narrow path that winds down into a bushy copse, that conceals a broad, sandy cave where the elves are apparently based.

At last the exhausted captives are set down by their captors and corralled two score paces through a sideward part of what appears to a cavern-cum-base of operations. Only after they are shut in a small, bared room are their bonds cut. Utterly weary, there is little they can do but observe through the bars while a score of more elves present move about their duties.

Despite being held where they can't see over much into the cave, it is clear to our heroes that this must be a sizeable demesne. The dozen extra horses soon vanish out of sight and hearing with no apparent concern. Echoes of distant feet and elvish voices carry to them. Zem can smell but not hear an underground stream somewhere nearby.

Eventually an elf approaches the cell and cautiously and passes a half-full water skin and a half-loaf of dry bread through the bars.

"Tomorrow, you'll speak to Captain of the Watch," is all he says before turning away.
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]

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Post by mgtremaine » Sun Aug 20, 2017 1:18 pm

Re: (085) Guests at An Umost

Zem eyes the water with suspicion but eventually drinks his share.
[f=4]Wen the Pale, Elf Hero/Spellbinder (MV 12", AC 9, HD 4/2, hp 11/11, FC Hero, L) helm, bow[/f]
[f=47]Kiplyn Sorefoot, Hobbet Thief (Lv: 4 AC: 5 Hp 12) Leather+Shield+Dagger, Sling[/f]
[f=59]Tass Purrfoot (Agile Hobbet Varlet, MV 9′′, AC 7, HD 2, hp 8, FC 2 men, SV T7, N)[/f]

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Post by Eris » Sun Aug 20, 2017 6:06 pm

Re: (085) Guests at An Umost

"If they wanted us dead, they have easier ways than poison." Freid says taking the waterskin and drinking then choking down his share of the bread, "They could have left us our trail rations and own water, the bastards!"

Freid is too exhausted to look for ways to escape, or to do anything else, so soon falls into a deep sleep.
[f=4]Manfreid the Fighter (MV 9", AC 3/5, HD 1+2, hp 10/10, FC Man+1, N) silver mail+helm, sword+shield[/f]

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Post by coffee » Sun Aug 20, 2017 8:46 pm

Re: (085) Guests at An Umost

"And they could have killed us on the spot, without warning, too," Karl says. He consumes his share and then sits facing the bars, alone with his thoughts.
[f=4]Karl the Fighter (M 9", AC 4/6, HD 1+2, FC Man+1, hp 9/9) mail+shield[/f]

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Post by ehiker133 » Mon Aug 21, 2017 6:06 am

Re: (085) Guests at An Umost

Leudigar eats and drinks his share.

No, but we could very likely end up as slave labor until we are dead.
[f=47]Dougal Blackfoot (MV 9", AC 6, Lvl 4, HP 10/10) [/f]
[f=59]Goldwen (Sagacious* Abbess, MV 9′′, AC 6, HD 2+1, HP 9, FC 2 men, SV C3, L][/f]

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Post by waysoftheearth » Mon Aug 21, 2017 12:50 pm

Re: (085) Guests at An Umost

So weary are our four fighting-men (including the dwarf), that all four of them sleep a hero's sleep, even in their cell. Compared to what they've seen recently it is sheltered, dry, not especially cold, and moreover it is safe.

They awake mildly hungry, but greatly rested and with naught to do but fidget. Time does pass slowly when there is little to do, and they only see glimpses or hear echoes of whatever business the elves are about. It seems clear they are a busy outfit occupied with some important task.

At last an elf comes by to hand them a loaf and a flask. "Make yourselves clean," he advises, wrinkling his pointed nose at the captives. He hastens away without awaiting a reply...
Considering that Mafried is a 9 charisma, Karl an 8, and Zem a 7, you are a pretty surly lot. Even Leudigar, with 12 charisma, has fallen into a dark mood since being captured...

What shall this critical day bring?
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]

Posts: 533
Joined: Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:54 pm
Location: Pace, FL

Post by Eris » Mon Aug 21, 2017 7:14 pm

Re: (085) Guests at An Umost

Freid eats and drinks, then looks to releave himself and clean up as best he can.
We didn't choose, or even roll, our Attributes, so our mediocre Cha is just a burden we have to live (or die) with. :)
[f=4]Manfreid the Fighter (MV 9", AC 3/5, HD 1+2, hp 10/10, FC Man+1, N) silver mail+helm, sword+shield[/f]

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Post by ehiker133 » Tue Aug 22, 2017 2:33 pm

Re: (085) Guests at An Umost

Leudigar suddenly stands and smiles.

Maybe it was the simple meal of bread and water. Or the fact that he just wasn't ready to die. Or the desire to punch the smug arrogance out of an elf.

In any case, he begins brushing the dust off his clothes and tidies his hair as best he can. "Let's try and look presentable, boys. Maybe we can yet get make it out of here with our lives and, with a bit of luck, our stuff."
[f=47]Dougal Blackfoot (MV 9", AC 6, Lvl 4, HP 10/10) [/f]
[f=59]Goldwen (Sagacious* Abbess, MV 9′′, AC 6, HD 2+1, HP 9, FC 2 men, SV C3, L][/f]

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Post by mgtremaine » Tue Aug 22, 2017 3:31 pm

Re: (085) Guests at An Umost

Zem, despite his scared and craggy exterior, takes the suggestion to clean up rather passively as if it was a chore he was used to. "Check over those wounds lads, we took a beating in those tunnels lets make sure we heal up right."
[f=4]Wen the Pale, Elf Hero/Spellbinder (MV 12", AC 9, HD 4/2, hp 11/11, FC Hero, L) helm, bow[/f]
[f=47]Kiplyn Sorefoot, Hobbet Thief (Lv: 4 AC: 5 Hp 12) Leather+Shield+Dagger, Sling[/f]
[f=59]Tass Purrfoot (Agile Hobbet Varlet, MV 9′′, AC 7, HD 2, hp 8, FC 2 men, SV T7, N)[/f]

Posts: 16895
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:15 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by waysoftheearth » Wed Aug 23, 2017 12:31 pm

Re: (085) Guests at An Umost

An indeterminate amount of time passes without any further interaction, or victuals forthcoming. Our four are growing hungry and fidgety when at last they hear footsteps approaching; some number of them. And a posse of elvish soldiery march into view.

Firstly a troop of porters lay out all the possessions that were confiscated upon the ground in front of the cell. This done they withdraw and four soldiers in mail with helm, spear, shield and a grey-green cloak align themselves at each end of the passage, before an elvish Captain and his Lieutenants complete the box, surrounding a 20x20ft space before the cell. Finally the key master approaches and unlatches the door so that the bars swing open.

"Approach, Men of Manfred!" issues one of the Lieutenants with the voice of a boy, but a determination about his demeanor.

Leudigar, Karl, Zem, and Fried see little option but to obey, and so cautiously obey. They see the elves are grim-faced and silent; the maiden who captured them is not present, but they recognise the Captain of the horsemen who brought them in as the second Lieutenant. He utters something indecipherable to his Lord in the elvish tongue, which his lord considers a moment before speaking.

"I am Halemmír," he introduces himself in the common tongue in a cool but authoritative voice. "Captain of the Tharear, the Plains Watch, and commander of this bastion of An Umost. You will remain my captives here until I determine otherwise." Nothing could be clearer.

"Now, Sirs. I will have your names and your business, and how you came to be in possession of this!" he indicates the weapons and packs of gold. "Do not waste my time with idle tales," he warns "For there are many concerns weighing upon me, and your own plight here is not considered among them."
Speaketh noble Sirs! (or not, if that is your choice).

Upon conclusion of your attestations (or whatever else you may choose to deliver or withhold) I will make a reaction check to determine how Halemmír and his advisors respond to each of you, adjusting these reaction rolls (positively or negatively) for certain weighty factors. So each of you will get an individual positive, neutral, or negative reaction. That will translate into a +1, 0, or -1 adjustment on the final group reaction check that determines whether you will be detained for a longer period, let go, or whatever. So you could, in theory, get anything from a -4 to a +4 adjustment on the final check...
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]

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