Homebrew system thread II, part 2

[Kaelan]

Dirt, starting to slowly wise up to the strange ways of humans, remembers the reaction last time he played his drums (especially poor Larrics stomach). He opens his pack to show Alfred the "drums" in question.

"Maybe best wait until you say fight before playing. Bandit may get wrong idea seeing ogre play glowing skull drum with flesh eating plant dancing on head at night. May think you not want talk but eat. People here may also get sad and not want to help."

Thinking further about it, and how to make the best of the situation.
"No worry, if bandit no talk Dirt make full drum set and play music all night and make for you bandit feast. Stop hunger in village Yes?"

[Eleventh Century Remnant]

Yes, plus yourselves of course- and to be honest you've faced down and defeated much worse things than this lot; a little more time for the party's reputation to spread and that alone might be enough. Unfortunately you don't have that time, and doing it cleanly is always harder than doing it messily- doing it without casualties is the hard part.

Eight archers in the band that came with you, long- bowmen, four shortbows and three slings among the villagers. Reckon there are about thirty of them, of the ex royal army troops, so what came to meet you was half their strength. Dragoons, so light and fast, but they've mostly run out of horses by now.

[Panzersharkcat]

"Yes, that's fine. Do that, then."

(OOC: So, on to negotiations.)

[Eleventh Century Remnant]

Don't take that back, but you've just given Dirt a license to devour- remember ogres, Dirt's branch of the family tree anyway, eat their dead. Or anyone else's, if they happen to be available. (Not all orcoids do. Most orcs look at cannibalism the same way most humans do, although for more purely pragmatic reasons- eating a member of your own species is likely to make you very ill, after all. Eating a member of another species is just fine, though.)

Considering that Fallard departed the party around page, what, seventeen or something- well, fairly early on- in the first thread and much has happened since, unless the actual player has thought better of it and decided to rejoin, the character's gone- from the party at least.


Worth noting though that Dirt, to people who are a fragment of a unit which was shattered and largely butchered by the Striking Phoenix, probably is going to be quite terrifying anyway, even without the Bongos of Doom. He has intimidation value. The longbowmen will point this out- and also that good shooting at night, not really. if you want to keep that edge over them, move in daylight.

Anyway, heading over to Windways Pava- it is in broken rocky ground; there was probably a spur off the lines of low hills that form the valley, and somehow something badlands- ish happened to the spur- rock splintered and scattered, boulders everywhere. The village is defensible, they do have good ground to fight from.

They do turn out to meet you to begin with- once they see you approaching in a body anyway. Most of them in the maze- like boulder field, the senior man- Captain Sebastien de Berrey- gets up onto a rock so you can see him, he himself is keeping a wary eye on the longbowmen. Looks a pinched- faced sort, a lemon- sucking kind of face. Not a happy and generous being by nature.

Let there be words.

[Panzersharkcat]

"Salutations. As you may already know, I am Alfred Norden of Lillehammer. My family has been granted the care of the land for the boy de Berrey by Baron deVerett until the boy comes of age. Thus, the responsibility of restoring peace, and order, to the land has fallen on me. As I believe you to be a man of honor, I have come to negotiate an agreement to end this destructive conflict without further bloodshed and enmity. The terms I offer are such: the Norden family shall take several of your men in our employ and we shall inquire whether the Baron deVerett is willing to take more men-at-arms in his employ. In exchange, you will cease to sustain yourself at the expense of the peasantry of the land and instead defend them from any external threat, as is the duty of men of our class and standing. We shall forget any vices your men may have succumbed to. Such a deal would serve the interests of all involved. What say you, Captain?

[Eleventh Century Remnant]

Captain de Berrey looks quite vacant for a second; he can hardly believe he is being made such a generous offer. It seems far too generous, far too good to be true. You can tell that his initial reaction is that he thinks it must be a trick. Half- starts to say a couple of things then thinks, hmm.

A small lightbulb goes on in his head. 'I had to rescue my cousin from those men who now stand behind you; in such times as these we believed we were one of the few islands of stability left. We were hard- handed; believing that was essential to restoring, as you say, peace and order. That the Baron lives is news.

Time. We will send a messenger to him asking about this offer of yours, what place if any he has for us- if not we will withdraw southward. Tomorrow afternoon enough for you?'

[Panzersharkcat]

"That is acceptable. I am glad to see you are a man of reason, as well as honor." He offers to shake hands. Regardless of whether the Captain takes it, he'll motion for them to leave.

[Eleventh Century Remnant]

And if you think that will be an end of it, then there's this bridge, see...

What do the rest of the group reckon?

[Simon_Jester]

"Either he's agreeable, he's got a secret evil plan, or both."

[Panzersharkcat]

Once they're a good distance away, he says, "Agreed. That was too easy. I don't think I'm alone in suspecting a night attack or some other devious trick."

[Simon_Jester]

"If they play along, make sure to take away some of the ones with the nastiest reputations among the villagers. You can sort them out in your own homeland, but having them stay around here they'll just make more trouble."

[Eleventh Century Remnant]

Hm. So far as you know they're sending their own messenger to the Baron, they said as much- anyone, preferably someone with good night vision, keeping watch over the valley?

The locals are extremely suspicious. 'No, it's not like him at all. He just came to a decision, just like that, well, that is like enough, but to just give up and go away? Course there'll be a trick. Question is what- give the devil his due, he was a bad bastard but he's good at being a bad bastard. We were looking for aid from the men of the greenwood (the sort of yeoman- outlaws that Catarin was involved with at the beginning of it all), well, under the circumstances the lesser evil. He'll be up to something.'

With about an hour to nightfall, Rohal turns up again- 'I found the court sorceress, she's there now rooting around in the hole. Court's- chaos doesn't even begin to describe it.

Everything got turned upside down when deVerett came back, all the schemes turned upside down; he let just enough people off with just enough to make them all think they could maybe get away with it, then the next morning there was an executioner's block in the forecourt and a dozen men of rank in the cells and everybody's scrambling round like madmen. Treasurer's been told to get the money back or make it up out of his own pocket. Place might as well be on fire; everyone's running around as if it is.'

So knowing that, what's the plan for the night?

[Simon_Jester]

IC:

At Rohal's return, Larric asks Rohal: "Do you know what's happened to Sir Detrick*? Dame Andrea? Dame Tamarin? Ridebert?** d'Avariel?***

[for other PCs' reference:]
*The verderer who held everything together for deVerett while he was away.
** Alfred's cousin, the one who some of the others got arrested and who we were trying to free.
***The Krylanyan in the steel bikini
__________________

After asking that, plans! To Alfred, with less deference than the 'milord' suggests but a bit of diffidence to make up for it: "Well, milord, common sense- we need to keep an eye out during the night. I'll take a turn this time- darkness before dawn, maybe? See if I can rig up some listening-magic."

To the villagers, the headman and any others who look sensible: "You have the woodsmen, or hope to; what bunch of merry men might he have? Could he send for help? Will we- oh, shit. Just realized something, it can wait a few minutes though."
_________________

After getting the answer to that, back to Sir Alfred.

"What happens if whoever they send down to deVerett decides to make up some nonsense and tells him their side of the story? 'Collaborating with rebels' or some rot like that. We have a problem." Larric thinks carefully over whatever Rohal has told him about the situation at court.

[Panzersharkcat]

Realizing this too, he turns to Rohal and says, "Terribly sorry to have to make you run down there again. I need you to deliver a letter I am about to write."

He starts writing up a letter to the Baron.

_________ ___, 426*
My Lordship Baron deVerett,

I write this from Old Eleb in de Berrey's land to inform you that I have begun the process of restoring peace and order to the land you have graciously placed under my family's care. I have discovered that a cadet branch of de Berrey one led by Captain Sebastien de Berrey returned in an attempt to claim the land as his. They have been pillaging the land and causing trouble for the peasantry there, robbing them and engaging in acts of violence against them. In an attempt to be magnanimous in order to prevent further bloodshed, I negotiated on behalf of the peasantry a deal with Captain de Berrey whereby my family would employ several of his men and I would inquire whether your lordship requires more men-at-arms in exchange for Captain de Berrey and his remaining men ceasing to prey upon the peasantry and defend them as is their duty. The deal offered amnesty to any vices they may have succumbed to. I am inquiring now whether you are in need of more men-at-arms, as per my part of the deal, with apologies if I am overstepping my bounds.

Faithfully yours in service,
Sir Alfred Norden

He shows it to Larric and asks, "Is there anything I seem to have missed?"
(OOC: *Don't remember the date. I remember it's supposed to be 426 but that's it. And yeah, I am trying to preempt Captain de Berrey while pretending to suspect nothing.)

[Eleventh Century Remnant]

'Sir Detrick's alive and busy, I think- deVerett's an odd sort. The baron thinks he did maybe a little too well; sees him as something like a threat, an alternative. Can't afford to be rude to him or arrest him really, but he's been fairly cold. He's still doing what he set out to do, which is perhaps why.

Andrea is- she gave me this letter to give to Sir Alfred.' Letter is duly handed over- thick parchment, contains some money actually; nothing very personal, although ther are hints- Alfred didn't really show much sign of interest in her did he? Apparently they made a profit- took the old broken stones away, there was runework inlaid in gold and silver wire in some of them- part of the original, long since faded wards. They sold the wire, that's your share. (four silver.)

Things hadn't been settled at the time of writing; she was still under suspicion then, but so were her accusers so it might work out. She was still free and active when Rohal saw her. Ridebert is alive but in the middle of a wild flurry of accusation and counteraccusation, and is likely to stand trial- probably be freed but definitely have to go through it. Tamarin's recovering- she was attacked; found in the street badly beaten, but with blood on her sword. Probably by the Constable's men.

d'Avariel's glued herself to the Baron; evidently there is a thread of his character that thinks very like most of hers, and they seem to be getting on frighteningly well. She may be appointed court chaplain- whether that rumour was started by her in the hope it may come true is debatable, very possibly.

'This isn't easy, you know.' He reminds Alfred. 'It's possible but it'll take longer- probably have to spend the night there.'

[Panzersharkcat]

"Thank you. You'll have earned a much deserved rest when this is done." He looks over it and reads it aloud, minus the bits that may be personal.

(OOC: Well, back when we were there, I thought about mentioning Alfred fancying her a bit but I've since forgotten in the mix of names that have come up. I can barely keep my Byzantine emperors straight sometimes. Heck, sometimes I don't remember the family tree I established for my own fictional emperor and that's without writing in the cadet branches.)

[Simon_Jester]

IC:

Larric, rather innocently: "You could write Dame Andrea a nice thank-you note for taking care of the hole in the wall. I'm half-tempted to myself, that was just embarrassing. Glad the baron didn't know about it when we talked to him, 'I'm sorry your lordship, but I accidentally dented your castle.' Ugh."

...

Once that's taken care of, we'll set up watches. Before the twilight ends, Larric sets up a runes-in-earth listening post, using magic to amplify vibrations in the air so that they can be heard more clearly by someone who listens from there. He'll occupy that post during the pre-dawn watch, only charging them with magic at that time.

[Panzersharkcat]

He starts writing one to Andrea thanking her for handling the repairs for him and wishing her luck with the suspicions hanging over her. He hands both over to Rohal.

(OOC: Can't muster the creativity needed for such a note. Busy writing dialog for a mod project.)

[Simon_Jester]

OOC:

Has Alfred no romance in his soul? Hmph.

[Panzersharkcat]

(OOC: Couldn't muster the creativity for that at the moment. Too busy writing moron dialog like this cut line - Player: [Int<3] I took bang bang! Make big pew pew pew!
Or this one that will be in - Player: [Int<3] ... me no want give pointy heal stick to beard man. Me leaf him.)

[Eleventh Century Remnant]

Assuming that you ever see Andrea again, you may want to have something prepared. The rune thing is a qualified success- it would be more successful if the locals weren't all a little spooked of magic and shy to use it. After all the writing and sending is done, and you settle down for the night-

Sometime around about two in the morning, movement. Something out there, coming down the hillside. Already much closer in. Faint noises, moving quite stealthily. Most of the locals ren't able to stay awale this far, there are about ten of them still semi- alert plus about four of your own men. Definitely somebody out there. Quite a lot of somebodies most likely- and they got quite close before they were spotted. Fifty yards or so.

Plan?


BTW- Panzer, do you have a new due date for heading to training?

[Panzersharkcat]

He orders the four to rouse the rest of his men and the party. While they're doing that, he tells the half-awake locals to rouse the others to keep watch and make sure what's approaching isn't a diversion. When the men and the party are with him, he says, "Do a warning shot first. Give me a volley. If they still proceed, try to keep them down. I'll take Dirt and your four to scout out more exactly where they are and how many they have. If I don't return in ten minutes, assume that I have either fallen or am engaged in heavy fighting. Command will fall to Larric. When I return, I will take this half on a flanking maneuver on our right and hit them. With luck, we'll be able to capture Captain de Berrey if he's with them."

(OOC: No, not yet.)

[Simon_Jester]

Assuming that you ever see Andrea again, you may want to have something prepared. The rune thing is a qualified success- it would be more successful if the locals weren't all a little spooked of magic and shy to use it.

Wasn't asking them to use it, now was I? Alas.

Sometime around about two in the morning, movement. Something out there, coming down the hillside. Already much closer in. Faint noises, moving quite stealthily. Most of the locals ren't able to stay awale this far, there are about ten of them still semi- alert plus about four of your own men. Definitely somebody out there. Quite a lot of somebodies most likely- and they got quite close before they were spotted. Fifty yards or so.

Plan?

Who's rousing us? That might well be around the time Larric was getting up for his watch- basically asking someone to shake him awake when... [gauges sky, picks moon somewhere between 1/2 and 2/3 the way to the zenith] that moon is setting. Something of that order.

Will post more in a little bit of time, an answer to that question would be nice but I'll assume one if I don't see it.

[Eleventh Century Remnant]

Hm, have to figure that out now. If Larric is awake and trying to feel feet on the ground, then he probbaly will be the first to notice, and further out. Big problem from noise involving farm animals shuffling around- lots of background to account for and ignore and look for other things. By the time he's finished eliminating everything he can guies at the reason for- there is something left. Human sized, many, moving softly- sneakily? Spotting distnce will be further, maybe a hundred yards.

While the rest of the men and the party are being roused things start to happen; yes, that fast, as soon as the attackers in the dark realise they've been spotted they charge- first thing Alfred notices is that they're moving like skirmishers, opened out and like a pack, not a battle line. They're what, fifteen seconds running time away? If they had to stop to size the place up and figure a plan you would have been ready, but they know that too- they go staight in. Lots of them too. Wierdly they look bigger than you remember seeing the dragoons earlier- probably a trick of the night.

People will get up quickly after the shouting, screaming, clattering and banging starts, but for the first few rounds you're going with what you've got, and probably will have to give them pause, hold them off, long enough for everyone else to get up.

An arrow is duly fired, but from the noise it hit on and embedded in a shield- maybe they shouldn't have got that close but they damn' well did, and it's clobbering time. Who's a particularly light sleeper?

[Simon_Jester]

OOC:

Couldn't get it out sooner than this. Assuming it's allowable for Larric to be on watch:

IC:

Larric is still blinking sleep out of his eyes and discovering the great problem facing all sonarmen the multiverse over: the world just won't shut up. Trying to damp out the nonsense, Larric catches range and bearing at about a hundred yards. No men visible.

Larric attacking the darkness would normally be symbolic of his vocation, but this time it's stupidly literal. He needs a signal, he needs it to be loud, and he's hoping to put some fear into the intruders to buy time.

He sidesteps a bit to put him outside the zone of effect of his listening-post runes (he does NOT want to know what this sounds like amplified!)

Then he hoists his crossbow and lets fly with a lightning arrow, putting a distinct effort of will into amplifying the thunderclap alongside the usual jolt of high-tension that follows the quarrel's flight. It will probably go over the attackers' heads entirely- blind chance if it hits anyone out there.

Then he runs several paces sideways and back to avoid any arrows shot in the direction the lightning bolt came from, shouting "They're after us! Wake up! WAKE UP!"

EDIT: Crap, that screws up Panzer's plan. I don't know what to say; I'd meant to post this sooner but I'm working right now and couldn't spare the time.