Iron Kingdoms: War and Glory

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-01-19 02:18am

Sycorax circled the village, dipped down for a closer look and came back to land on Arkady's shoulders. "Peasants boss. They're bringing in their animals and finishing the day at the fields. Keep weapons near them though. Axes and spears."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-01-19 09:30am

After Arkady translated for Sycorex (assuming he does so), and after his own observations of the animals being brought in, Konrad eased up a little bit.
"Well, if we want to try and get a place to sleep, this looks like a fair place. Even if they aren't the friendly type, we might be able to swap information. About the existence of Tharn's in the area for instance. Shall we?"

At that Konrad got up from his concealment and started walking down towards the small group of houses. He had his rifle slung across his back, and as he neared a man driving a few goats in he took off his hat and waved it to draw his attention saying,
"Hey there! We are weary from a long days travel! Me and my companions would wish to speak with you!"
As he spoke, Konrad was flashing the smile he had cultivated over many years to put others at ease. It might be needed now, as he was covered in dirt and a little blood, and was very well armed indeed. Konrad was also surreptitiously checking the area for danger.

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-01-19 02:42pm

Oh well, Arkady thought, he likes to take the initiative of contact. I suppose that once carousal is involved, his innate talents will be revealed. If we survive until the booze comes down pouring, that is.

He faced his two companions : "I'll let you handle the socializing. I can hold my own in a conversation revolving around pentacles and winged pigs, but cow dung and rotten harvests are no favorite topics of mine."

He turned to Sycorax: "And try to behave like a real raven. No talking, that kind of stuff."

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-01-19 07:14pm

Guren wrapped his coat a little tighter around himself, hiding his guns. Best to appear non-threatening. He tipped his hat back, smiled a bit, and fiddled around with his little bag of gold. He was poor, but hungry. If Konrad hurried up, they might have been able to eat.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-01-20 05:57am

The man looked at them suspiciously. His brown beard was flecked with grey and his clothes were rugged, but worn. They strangers were armed, but what sane man would not be armed while abroad in the land away from home. And there were only four of them. "Who be you?" he replied. Behind him a middle aged woman hurried the last of the livestock into the barn and went inside. A pair of younger men, one a teenager, came to join the elder. One had a bow, but no arrow nocked. The other had a brace of javelins.

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-01-20 06:27am

Sweet Morrow, they haven't charged us screaming like madmen, and they can speak! Our fortune is improving.

Arkady waited anxiously for Konrad's reply. He hoped the man could understand correctly such unsophisticated minds. Putting a Charm on their leader could help them smoothen the debate, though the part would have to be played tactfully. The simplest cantrip might have been beyond their grasp, yet their superstitious lore probably mentioned the existence of such supernatural influence.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-01-20 09:23am

Konrad was in exactly the stuation that he loved. He felt his fatigue fade away as he aproached to about ten paces from the older man. There he stopped, held his hands out in front of him in order to show that he presented no threat, and said,
"Well, my name is Konrad Kruegar friend. We are all survivors of a survey expedition. Our employer had hoped to make a more acurate map of the region, but instead we were waylayed by Tharn tribesmen. We lost all of data, our mules, and most of the supplies. The savages also killed our poor head surveyer, Mr. Ivanov. We are very tired, as well as quite hungry. We would be much abliged if you could put us up for the night."

Konrad was quite certain that this man would believe his little tale. Besides the fact that he was a seasoned liar, he also had a little assistance. 5 years ago he had aquired a magical talisman that made his words seem more believable, more eliquent, and himself, more trustworthy. Despite the fact that he was quite confdent of success, Konrad eyed the bow and javelin wearily.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-01-21 02:31am

The villagers relaxed. "Come," said the elder man. "I am Arkady Petrovich and these are my sons Jozef and Grigori. You will join my family for and sleep under a stout roof tonight."

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-01-21 02:42am

Guren nudged their own Arkady in the ribs and grinned "You two have the same name. Mayhap you're kindred spirits, lad." the gun mage winked, then stepped along after Konrad and his new friends.

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-01-21 05:46am

Arkady, piqued by the remark, considered for a second the casting of a Prestigiditation cantrip to turn Guren's shirt pink, but decided against such childish behaviour.

"Who knows, maybe that'll get me a better spot than you," he jested while following his companions. His back and feet felt a bit sore after all the walking, and he welcomed a bit of rest. Hey, if he's an Arakady he can't be totally hopeless, he thought, then a surge of painful memories turned his eyes wet, but he managed to suppress the embarassing display of emotion.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2007-01-21 12:17pm

Auric simply followed the group quietly . Along the way he kept is mouth shut and his eyes open.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-01-21 12:57pm

"Any sort of roof would be a big improvement for us. Thank you."
Said Konrad.
At least Guren and Arkady have a sense of humor. I'll have to check up on all of them, but they seem like a decent crew to start over with.
What Konrad really wanted, besides a hot meal, which wouldn't be bad at all, would be some sleep.

Despite his weariness, Konrad kept on the alert. He knew that they would probably have to post watches tonight, a sensible precaution against possible Tharn raiders at the very least. He also didn't really trust these farmers. That just came with the job; Konrad didn't really trust anybody.

Turning to to Arkady Petrovich, the farmer, Konrad said
"Do you all need a hand with any of the animals or anything?"

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-01-21 01:28pm

Arkady was filled with dread upon hearing Konrad's offer. No fucking way I'm putting my hands in heaps of manure just to endear ourselves to peons! He leaned against his Fire Staff, mimicking an infirmity; not excessively so, but just enough for their host to notice and - he hoped - turn down the offer.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-01-21 01:56pm

Konrad could tell that Arkady did not want to do any kind of farm work at all.
Hell, I didn't volunteer him. If he doesn't want to get dirty, that's his business.
Konrad had alterier motives for wanting to help out at the farm a little. It would allow him to look around the farm without seeming nosy, as well as see if there were any areas that the farmers didn't want outsiders to see.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-01-21 03:23pm

Motioning toward Arkady, Korad said to his new hosts,
"Damn, his leg must be acting up again. It's nothing too serious, but after he took a club hit when the Tharn ambushed us, he's occasionally been having problems walking."

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-01-21 03:58pm

"I'll be fine," Arkady said. "By tomorrow it'll be gone."

He thought that perhaps Konrad was drawing too much attention on his little performing. And on second thought, appearing so diminished to what were essentially, well, inferiors, did not appeal to him that much. Better not to overdo it.

"A bit of rest is all I need. As do my friends." He patted the neck of Sycorax, who had been picking at his hair.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-01-21 11:08pm

"Our guests work? Nonsense!" bellowed Arkady. He ushered them inside the fairly large log house. On an iron stove a middle aged woman and a teenage girl were attending to a stew.

"My wife Olga and my daughter Ivana. Sit."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2007-01-21 11:23pm

"Thank you sir. My companions and I appreciate the hospitality you and yours have offered us."

Auric made a quick, short bow. He was actually beginning to feel at home. No less wary but certainly more at home.

"Do you happen to know how the routes are between here and Tverkutsk?"

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-01-21 11:30pm

"Well there are trolls in the forest, which causes the lumberjacks all kinds of problems," Arkady said. "Skirting south around the forest and you can avoid them, but the logging concerns pay a bounty on troll heads and you have mechanika weapons . . ." he let his voice trail off.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2007-01-21 11:49pm

"Thank you for that information." Auric frowned. Trollkin were formidible foes, especially for a small group. "We appreciate the warnings. Do the trolls come to bother you here in the village?"

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-01-22 12:12am

"No, the trolls only disturb those who go into the woods. It can add a little something to the hunting though." Arkady roared with laughter at his joke.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2007-01-22 12:18am

"That they do, don't they?" Auric laughed as well.

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-01-22 05:58am

"I once knew a trollkin." Guren mused, rocking back and forth on two legs of his chair. He had taken his hat off, as it was only polite. "He 'ad a battleblade wider tha' my 'ead. I'm pretty sure I shot him." He clacked forward as stew came to the table, he flashed a toothy smile at the girl and bowed his head to the Farmer's Wife. "Smells damn fine, lady."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-01-22 09:56am

Things certainly seem to be going well.
After entering the house, Konrad hung his overcoat on a nearby hook and placed his rifle next to it. Of course, he still had his knife and military pistol on his belt, as well as a concealed holdout gun. Konrad then withdrew a small flask from from his breast pocket, took a small swig, then offered the spirits to his host Arkady. He then took a seat next to Olga and said,
"I's very good for you take us in tonight Ma'am. It's been a long time since I've had a stew that smelled this good."
Konrad was observing everyones reactions to each other, especialy the host and his family's. He wanted to make sure everything looked right.
After all, everrything only seems to be going well.

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-01-22 01:38pm

Arkady sat down, nodding politely to his hosts, by nevertheless not quite at ease yet. Fortunately he had a Detect Poison cantrip readied, in case things started to go suspicious - the family insisting on them eating first, or something equally fishy, and even that was assuming that they were not immune, either naturally or through the ingestion of the antidote, to whatever they could put in their fare.
He decided he'd wait for an opportunity to cast it inconspicuously. He wondered if he could disguise it as some strange prayer or custom, as he doubted the farmers would recognize this kind of magic. But getting caught would be oh-so embarrassing.

Too many things have gone awry today. I'm not taking any chances.