Vishal eyes narrow a little bit his voice perhaps a bit too harsh as he responds to Taran, "If you think that's the only way for us to be safe then why have refugees. Why take people in from Riedra? We should just slaughter them and their entire village if that hows you feel." Vishal then shakes his head as he says, "No. That's not us. That's not Adar or members of the Road. We don't just go about slaughtering people who are different or do not bend to the status quo. That is Riedra, that is those we oppose. Not us."
"B-because, they came to us, w-wanting to be f-free," Taran says shrinking back, "Th-they were willing to ignore th-the rumors a-about us, these soldier, th-they think w-we're demons...a-and..." Taran cringes, he hates saying this, but if it is a test of his resolve then he must, "I-i-if the r-ref-refugees p-p-proved a th-threat, th-then w-w-we would have k-k-k-killed a-a-all of them." Taran looks up, eyes swimming but proud to show Esteemed Vishal he could count on him, even during the hardest and darkest parts of the missions, "J-just like Jh-jharee, right?"
Ranari observes the conversation silently, then says gently to Vishal, "Vishal, your capacity for forgiveness is impressive. But we don't have the luxury of taking the soldiers prisoner. They have been indoctrinated their entire lives, and we don't have the resources to hold and turn them. We may pity the Riedrans, even grieve that the Inspired have forced us to kill them, but we can't afford to bring living enemies into our monasteries. The Inspired already have too many advantages." She folds her hands, her face deadly serious. "Our resources are stretched thin, and we have to prioritize other things, like sending raiding parties into Riedra and defending the monasteries, over saving every person the Inspired duped. If they have already taken the first step by coming to us, we can and will help them. But these soldiers were trained from birth to kill mercilessly, and I'm not putting either you or Adar in danger by having you take some prisoner."
Vishal frowns as he says, “There has to be a better way than just killing them. We’re just proving them right by doing so.”He then sighs and says, “I won’t question the orders anymore. I just think we need to figure out a better way for the future. Otherwise we’re just proving them correct.”
Ranari's voice turns a little firmer. "It's important to remember that our first priority isn't to make the people of Riedra like us. It isn't even to help them escape the quori. It's to stop the quori from making il-Lashtavar the eternal spirit of Dal Quor, so that an age of light can come about. When that happens, nobody will need to be saved, because there won't be any quori to save them from." She sighs. "Unfortunate as it is, the people of Riedra are often innocent casualties in this war. But if we tried to save every Riedran, we would be crushed by the Inspired in less than a year. Now, are there any other questions regarding the mission?"
Mostly listening what is going on and disliking taking steel into hands he intervenes: "Isn't this a bit pointless in the long run? Eliminating a simple patrol I mean." he says standing up and explaining "I'm assuming Hillcorn simply has the manpower to keep send patrols over and over again and only one of them needs to get lucky with the location or surviving our ambushes? Plus, I assume that the source of the patrol intel will not last for years to come?" He pauses for a bit "Wouldn't it be better if we simply controlled where those patrols were going? We could infiltrate Hillcorn and replace their strategic maps with some of our own... that were very so slightly changed, ensuring that all possible patrol routes would be harmless to us and meaningless to them." he walks around the table developing his idea " Blind spots in the maps so to say. Nothing too big that would scream there's a hidden Monastery or creating new landmarks out of the blue like rivers and mountains, but simply slightly change the maps like pushing the boundaries of a forest, or the side of a mountain, add new fictitious footpaths, remove some that actually exists. A bit of this throughout the entire map, making it impossible to tell it is fake unless you were able to overlay it with another real map. Even if they did that, with so many blind spots it would be impossible to say where the monastery was" he says resuming the plan: "Forged maps. Infiltration. Replace maps. Exfiltration."
Ranari laughs. "While your creativity is impressive, Juhaan, the operation you're describing is extremely complex and would require a great deal of planning and preparation, beyond what you have time for. In addition, this isn't a full Road operation, but rather a favor we're doing Ay'Kuar, Master of the monastery, and the rest of Shalquar. I'll make the suggestion to Ay'Kuar while you're gone, but for now we'll stick with sending you on the ambush mission." She smiles a little apologetically, but her tone is firm.
Ranari stands. "I wish you luck, and trust that the creativity you've shown during this meeting will extend to your ambush plan. May the Light guide your hand."
As you all file out, Vishal remains briefly behind:
As the meeting ends and people start to file out Vishal stays and says, “I was hoping to have a quick word with you privately.”
Ranari nods. "Of course, Vishal."
“It’s about Dulamul. I believe you’ve already run into him.” Vishal says
Ranari nods. "I did, briefly."
Vishal nods back and says, “I’m sure it’s uhh...obvious to anyone paying attention that I’ve been quite smitten with him.” He then takes a deep breath as he says, “He’s still unclear about a lot of things still and very unsure of himself. I’ve been showing him things and encouraging him so far.”
"That's wonderful of you, Vishal." Ranari gives you a warm smile.
He gives her a small smile back as he says, “Well....with me being gone. I wanted to ask if you’d do me the favor and just check up on him during your free time. I understand you’re quite busy but if you could do this I’d really appreciate it.”
Ranari looks thoughtful. "You realize he'll likely be going to a village soon, yes?" she says gently. "Where there will be plenty of people to help him adjust to his new life."
Vishal looks down on the ground as he says, “Yeah. I know. But...it’d really put my mind at ease to know that while he’s still here for a couple days that he was checked up on.”
"Of course." Ranari nods. "I can check in on him while he's still here."
Vishal gives her a bow in appreciation as he says, “Thank you. I really appreciate it. Unless you have anything for me I’ll be off to rejoin my team.”
"Good luck." Ranari nods. "May the Light guide your hand."
“May the Light guide you as well Trailblazer.” Vishal replies before leaving the room.
Vishal exits the room, where Taran is waiting to speak with him.
Taran steps from the wall where he had been waiting, grass-braided bag clutched in his hands. "E-Esteemed V-Vishal, I, um, well, I h-had s-some e-extra t-t-time, and well, uh..." he holds out the bag carefully, "I... I made you th-these."
“Taran.” Vishal says slightly surprised as he expected him to have gone along with the others. “Thank you. You didn’t have to make me anything.” He says taking the bag and looking inside to see what it is.
Inside the bag Vishal would see three wrapped bars of soap and a tightly sealed jar.
"I... I w-wanted to, well," Taran glanced off to the side, rubbing a hand along his upper arm, "I-I wanted to g-give you something, in r-return for... um, you know...I was a-able to get a really good deal on soap m-materials, I-I remembered how, how you p-prefer e-everything cleanly. I-I e-even scented them, though I-I don't know if you will l-like the scents. The g-green one is m-mint, the l-lavender one is lilac, and the brown one is, um, coffee. But I can make more," He says with a sudden intensity, "if-if you don't like the scents."
"The j-jar is... something d-different though. I-I wasn't sure if I c-could pull it off, and I only f-finished it yesterday... it's, um, it's c-called Oil of Flame. You c-can p-put it on your Chakram, a-and it will burn f-for an hour. Um, be c-careful though, not only is it flammable b-but this," he'll point to the clay orb on his new leather bandolier, "is, um, it's a p-poison gas, but it is highly combustible. Y-you could get hurt if you ch-charge into the cloud w-with a f-flaming weapon..."
Vishal’s small smile widens into a huge one as he says, “Taran. You didn’t have to do any of this.” Taking out one of the soaps to give it a quick smell he chuckles before saying, “I’m definitely going to be smelling this coffee one every morning. Thank you so much. I’d offer to make you some new armor in exchange but it seems like you already bought some. It seems well made enough but I do wish you would have come to me and asked to make you some first.”
Taran blushes but shakes his head, "I-I-I would n-never, you... y-you've d-done a lot, Esteemed Vishal, and I c-could never ask you, I-I w-wouldn't h-have even thought to g-get new leathers for a few more years, b-but," he looks down at his feet, "y-you s-seemed disappointed, w-with how old they were... and, well, my alchemical s-supplies were a lot ch-cheaper than I th-thought they would be, and..." his voice drops to a whisper, "I didn't want to d-disappoint you, n-not anymore... sir..."
Putting his free hand on Taran’s shoulder Vishal calmly asks, “Can you look at me Taran?”
Taran looks up, trying to quiet the trembling in his shoulder where Vishal's hand is, and meets Vishal's eyes with his own.
Giving him a soft smile and showing Taran as much sincerity and kindness as he can with his eyes Vishal says, “Taran. I know you put me on some kind of pedestal. With the sir’s and titles. But you know you don’t have to right. I’m not some great amazing hero to look up to. I’m just like you. A green Road member trying to make this world a better place.” Continue to smile at him Vishal gives Taran’s shoulder a gentle squeeze as he says, “Forces outside of our control may have teamed us up together. But it’s our decision weather we want to be more than that. I want to be more. I want you to see that we’re equals. And when I comment about something it’s not because I’m disappointed or berating you. It’s because I want you to stay safe. I care about your safety. Old leather is more comfortable but that means it’s lost durability and might not protect you as well from future hits.” Chucking a little bit and releasing his hand to awkwardly put it behind his head and scratch a little bit, “Sorry. Was going on a tangent there. I just hope you can see me as a friend and not a superior.”
"S-sir, with-without the Kalashatar... w-we would all be n-nothing but m-mind-bound slaves to th-those nightmares... Th-that's... n-nothing I c-could do w-would ever p-pay your people back f-for that. E-even if it wasn't y-you directly, you're c-connected to something th-that is r-responsible for all of u-us being alive and free.."
Taran glances to the side, blushing again, "A-and, e-even if th-that wasn't true... you, you w-were the first p-person to ever say it... a-and I... i-it m-means so much to me... I-I d-don't know h-how else to express it... ex-except for d-doing everything I can, to-to help you..."
“Taran.” Vishal says somewhat seriously, “I’m telling you. Just because I’m a Kalashtar doesn’t make me anymore special than you. Sirs and Esteemed aren’t needed just because I happen to be born in a Quori bloodline. That kind of thinking is dangerous. It’s what the Riedrans believe. That being born as something makes you better than others.” Taking a deep breath and giving him the soft smile he says, “We’re all just people and equals. And I would really like for you to treat me like any other friend. Nothing special. Just a friend. Because I hope that’s what we are first and foremost. Friends.”
Arguments rise up in Taran's mind, but he lets them slip aside. If he were to push, he might drive Esteemed Vishal to frustration, and what he was offering...
"I-I'll try... for you, E- I mean, V-V-V-Vishal.... but...." Taran's gaze brushes against Vishal before retreating again to the floor, "I-I'm n-not a g-good friend. A-at least, I-I don't think so, Sim says differently, but... she's a very kind person. She'd for-forgive an-anything...That's... that's probably why she, um, well, in-insisted we were friends..."
Giving him another smiles Vishal says, “I already know you’re an amazing friend even if you don’t see it. I just hope I can be just as amazing to you.” He chuckles before saying, “Which means you’ll come to me if you need help with anything. And after this mission you’ll allow me to take some measurements so I can make you something in return for your wonderful gifts.”
"O-okay, if-if you w-want..." he'll look down at his new armor, "Y-you don't think L-Lady Oviya w-will be m-mad, do you? If-If I e-end up wearing y-your armor instead?"
“I’m sure she’ll be okay.” Vishal smiles before adding, “Besides. She already did such a good job with that set. It’d be kind of wasteful for me to make you a second set. I was thinking something else but we can discuss it further once we’re done with the mission.”
"O-Oh, okay..." Taran looks around, "I, um, I g-guess I should gr-grab everything. Th-thank y-you a-again, Es- I mean, V-V-Vishal..." And with that Taran turns to leave
Stopping to make a few purchases, the group sets out to make the brief journey to the pass and begin their preparations.
OOC: You guys have two days for the trip and to set up the ambush. I'll begin the time window on Wednesday.
Once they arrived at the pass, Taran immediately set to work scouting the land, learning where it dipped and where the best ambush points would be. Their enemies would know the same, and if they failed to kill the entire squad, then all of Adar might suffer. He put himself in their mindset, he would expect an ambush in a natural bottleneck, or the center of the pass. He'd be nervous of ambushes at the beginning of the pass, so perhaps their best bet would be during the second half, after the worst of fears had proven false, striking when their guard would be lowest.
Of course, such thoughts would be meaningless if they were noticed. Taran feared inconveniencing his companions, of his weakness leading to weakening their own preparations, but Esteemed Vishal had wanted him to treat him as an equal, and Miss River, perhaps she would not mind assisting, so he would end up asking them, stuttering and embarrassed, but knowing that the extra hands and eyes could spare them from disaster. They would need to camouflage their site carefully, keeping it invisible not only from the pass proper, but from anyone scouting the upper reaches of the pass. If he led a people through a suspected ambush point, he would make sure at least one scout circled the edge, seeking to strike ambushers unawares. He would place the blinds carefully, seeking to hide them from all directions, as best he could at least.
Then, if his allies were still willing to assist in his mad schemes and paranoia, he would litter the most likely path a scout would take to sneak upon their camp with hunting snares and a 10 ft square of caltrops hidden in the loam and rocks. The screams of a suddenly trapped scout might ruin their chance at surprise, but it would be better than finding swords in their backs.
Then, with the final hours a day ending, Taran would scavenge for food and alchemical reagents. His limbs ached from the hiking and the climbing, but he would not complain, only nervously await the dawn so that he might try and fix any errors in their preparations before the time window for their enemies closed, and they were embroiled in a conflict for their lives and potentially the lives of all the people in Shalquar.
As they sat around the campfire, he would run a calloused thumb over Shiazala's grass braid, still tied around his wrist. It would be a betrayal of her kindness if he were to let Adar fall mere months after taking to supposed safety behind it's borders.
I'm going to roll twice, second one is advantage with the assumption that someone is helping Taran with that prep work.
Survival to make Camo: 2610
Thieve's Tools for Snare Traps 820
Thieve's Tools for Caltrop Trap 1315
Two survival rolls assuming I have two hours of foraging 22 12
Taran makes perfect camouflage, and does a pretty good job with the snares as well, although the caltrops perhaps could have been set a little neater. He also has an extraordinarily fruitful foraging trip, finding a dose of rare basilisk's breath, as well as two of seregon.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Taran would wake early the next day, checking the perimeter and shoring up any changes or weaknesses that had appeared over night. He kept a firm eye on the sun, knowing they only had a few hours until the four day window would start.
He spent most of the rest of the morning carefully grinding Goblinberries and pouring the juice into a paste of Bloodstaunch boiled in alcohol. By controlling the timing and ratios added, while keeping the heat at a precise level, he could bend the strands of protection within the brew. This particular batch was meant not to guard the flesh, but to guard the mind, but a single misstep could see the entire batch wasted into a useless sludge. So, he moved slowly, carefully, spending hours in the hope of perfecting it.
Double time for advantage
Potion of Psychic Resistance 13
Edit:
And the clear lavender fluid he extracted at the end seemed to deem him successful in that endeavor. After the four hour ordeal, Taran cautiously approached Miss River.
"U-Um, M-Miss River, I, um, I d-don't ex-expect that it w-will happen, but, it might, an-and if n-not today, then m-maybe some other day, and I-I-you're quiet, and, um, s-sometimes, I w-worry th-that might m-mean you'll do s-something risky. So..."Taran thrusts out the potion, "Th-this potion sh-should help protect you, from Psychic attacks, it, um, it sh-should last an hour, af-after drinking. So, you can prepare... I-I plan on m-making s-some for e-everyone, once I have e-enough materials but... I, well, I thought you should have the first."
After he was done talking with Miss River, Taran would do another scavenging circuit, taking two hours before heading to his sentry post and keeping an eye out for the patrol they were to ambush. Crossbow at the ready and praying to The Lady of Storms that their plan worked.
River cocks her head before taking the potion. As she puts it into her pack, Taran sees her put it beside an identical potion that she purchased earlier in the week as well as two potions that he might recognize as health potions.
"Thank."
She returns to preening herself and waiting to spring the ambush.
For a brief second Taran felt saddened, how useless a gesture to give his companion his potion, weak and brewed out in the wilds, when she already had obtained one from a licensed alchemist.
But then practicality won out over his emotions. Two potions made her twice as safe, twice as likely to survive the coming missions. And that was more important than his desire to feel useful to the group. Of course they would seek out better alchemists than himself.
"U-um, if you want, Miss R-River," Taran would say before he left, "I-I have a store of Ephedra leaves, they are v-very potent, and, um, r-rare. M-most alchemists would-wouldn't b-brew them into their healing p-potions, but they purify and enhance the p-potions properties... If-If you ever w-want... I could grind some up for your potions..."
"R-Right, umm," Taran takes a moment to think of how to phrase it, "Ephedra m-makes the potion b-better. L-like polishing a rock un-until it glitters and shines. It d-doesn't change it to make it a stronger t-type of healing potion, just makes the healing y-you have better."
Taran nervously wrings his fingers together, "D-does that make sense?"
(OOC: What I'm not sure how to express in-game, is that it increases the die type. One leave turns a potion from healing d4's to d6's. Two brings us to d8's. DM and I talked about limiting it, so I'm not going to go crazy with the potions, but Taran would offer since you bought some potions.)
The rest of the day passes, and the sun sinks below the mountains. The next morning, the sun rises, and the days of waiting begin.
OOC: I would like everyone to make a post describing generally what your character is doing while waiting. Once all five of those are up, I will move on to the next important event.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
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Vishal eyes narrow a little bit his voice perhaps a bit too harsh as he responds to Taran, "If you think that's the only way for us to be safe then why have refugees. Why take people in from Riedra? We should just slaughter them and their entire village if that hows you feel." Vishal then shakes his head as he says, "No. That's not us. That's not Adar or members of the Road. We don't just go about slaughtering people who are different or do not bend to the status quo. That is Riedra, that is those we oppose. Not us."
"B-because, they came to us, w-wanting to be f-free," Taran says shrinking back, "Th-they were willing to ignore th-the rumors a-about us, these soldier, th-they think w-we're demons...a-and..." Taran cringes, he hates saying this, but if it is a test of his resolve then he must, "I-i-if the r-ref-refugees p-p-proved a th-threat, th-then w-w-we would have k-k-k-killed a-a-all of them." Taran looks up, eyes swimming but proud to show Esteemed Vishal he could count on him, even during the hardest and darkest parts of the missions, "J-just like Jh-jharee, right?"
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Vishal lets out a sigh as he says, "It's complicated. But I don't think killing them should be out first choice."
Ranari observes the conversation silently, then says gently to Vishal, "Vishal, your capacity for forgiveness is impressive. But we don't have the luxury of taking the soldiers prisoner. They have been indoctrinated their entire lives, and we don't have the resources to hold and turn them. We may pity the Riedrans, even grieve that the Inspired have forced us to kill them, but we can't afford to bring living enemies into our monasteries. The Inspired already have too many advantages." She folds her hands, her face deadly serious. "Our resources are stretched thin, and we have to prioritize other things, like sending raiding parties into Riedra and defending the monasteries, over saving every person the Inspired duped. If they have already taken the first step by coming to us, we can and will help them. But these soldiers were trained from birth to kill mercilessly, and I'm not putting either you or Adar in danger by having you take some prisoner."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Vishal frowns as he says, “There has to be a better way than just killing them. We’re just proving them right by doing so.” He then sighs and says, “I won’t question the orders anymore. I just think we need to figure out a better way for the future. Otherwise we’re just proving them correct.”
Ranari's voice turns a little firmer. "It's important to remember that our first priority isn't to make the people of Riedra like us. It isn't even to help them escape the quori. It's to stop the quori from making il-Lashtavar the eternal spirit of Dal Quor, so that an age of light can come about. When that happens, nobody will need to be saved, because there won't be any quori to save them from." She sighs. "Unfortunate as it is, the people of Riedra are often innocent casualties in this war. But if we tried to save every Riedran, we would be crushed by the Inspired in less than a year. Now, are there any other questions regarding the mission?"
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"N-no, Madam Trailblazer," Taran would say quickly, "I-I don't have any more q-questions, ex-except, wh-where is the pass we are to g-guard?"
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"Two hours travel east," Ranari answers. "It's narrow, and has several veins of distinctive red granite on its walls."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Juhaan
Mostly listening what is going on and disliking taking steel into hands he intervenes: "Isn't this a bit pointless in the long run? Eliminating a simple patrol I mean." he says standing up and explaining "I'm assuming Hillcorn simply has the manpower to keep send patrols over and over again and only one of them needs to get lucky with the location or surviving our ambushes? Plus, I assume that the source of the patrol intel will not last for years to come?" He pauses for a bit "Wouldn't it be better if we simply controlled where those patrols were going? We could infiltrate Hillcorn and replace their strategic maps with some of our own... that were very so slightly changed, ensuring that all possible patrol routes would be harmless to us and meaningless to them." he walks around the table developing his idea " Blind spots in the maps so to say. Nothing too big that would scream there's a hidden Monastery or creating new landmarks out of the blue like rivers and mountains, but simply slightly change the maps like pushing the boundaries of a forest, or the side of a mountain, add new fictitious footpaths, remove some that actually exists. A bit of this throughout the entire map, making it impossible to tell it is fake unless you were able to overlay it with another real map. Even if they did that, with so many blind spots it would be impossible to say where the monastery was" he says resuming the plan: "Forged maps. Infiltration. Replace maps. Exfiltration."
Ranari laughs. "While your creativity is impressive, Juhaan, the operation you're describing is extremely complex and would require a great deal of planning and preparation, beyond what you have time for. In addition, this isn't a full Road operation, but rather a favor we're doing Ay'Kuar, Master of the monastery, and the rest of Shalquar. I'll make the suggestion to Ay'Kuar while you're gone, but for now we'll stick with sending you on the ambush mission." She smiles a little apologetically, but her tone is firm.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Ranari stands. "I wish you luck, and trust that the creativity you've shown during this meeting will extend to your ambush plan. May the Light guide your hand."
As you all file out, Vishal remains briefly behind:
As the meeting ends and people start to file out Vishal stays and says, “I was hoping to have a quick word with you privately.”
Ranari nods. "Of course, Vishal."
“It’s about Dulamul. I believe you’ve already run into him.” Vishal says
Ranari nods. "I did, briefly."
Vishal nods back and says, “I’m sure it’s uhh...obvious to anyone paying attention that I’ve been quite smitten with him.” He then takes a deep breath as he says, “He’s still unclear about a lot of things still and very unsure of himself. I’ve been showing him things and encouraging him so far.”
"That's wonderful of you, Vishal." Ranari gives you a warm smile.
He gives her a small smile back as he says, “Well....with me being gone. I wanted to ask if you’d do me the favor and just check up on him during your free time. I understand you’re quite busy but if you could do this I’d really appreciate it.”
Ranari looks thoughtful. "You realize he'll likely be going to a village soon, yes?" she says gently. "Where there will be plenty of people to help him adjust to his new life."
Vishal looks down on the ground as he says, “Yeah. I know. But...it’d really put my mind at ease to know that while he’s still here for a couple days that he was checked up on.”
"Of course." Ranari nods. "I can check in on him while he's still here."
Vishal gives her a bow in appreciation as he says, “Thank you. I really appreciate it. Unless you have anything for me I’ll be off to rejoin my team.”
"Good luck." Ranari nods. "May the Light guide your hand."
“May the Light guide you as well Trailblazer.” Vishal replies before leaving the room.
Vishal exits the room, where Taran is waiting to speak with him.
Taran steps from the wall where he had been waiting, grass-braided bag clutched in his hands. "E-Esteemed V-Vishal, I, um, well, I h-had s-some e-extra t-t-time, and well, uh..." he holds out the bag carefully, "I... I made you th-these."
“Taran.” Vishal says slightly surprised as he expected him to have gone along with the others. “Thank you. You didn’t have to make me anything.” He says taking the bag and looking inside to see what it is.
Inside the bag Vishal would see three wrapped bars of soap and a tightly sealed jar.
"I... I w-wanted to, well," Taran glanced off to the side, rubbing a hand along his upper arm, "I-I wanted to g-give you something, in r-return for... um, you know...I was a-able to get a really good deal on soap m-materials, I-I remembered how, how you p-prefer e-everything cleanly. I-I e-even scented them, though I-I don't know if you will l-like the scents. The g-green one is m-mint, the l-lavender one is lilac, and the brown one is, um, coffee. But I can make more," He says with a sudden intensity, "if-if you don't like the scents."
"The j-jar is... something d-different though. I-I wasn't sure if I c-could pull it off, and I only f-finished it yesterday... it's, um, it's c-called Oil of Flame. You c-can p-put it on your Chakram, a-and it will burn f-for an hour. Um, be c-careful though, not only is it flammable b-but this," he'll point to the clay orb on his new leather bandolier, "is, um, it's a p-poison gas, but it is highly combustible. Y-you could get hurt if you ch-charge into the cloud w-with a f-flaming weapon..."
Vishal’s small smile widens into a huge one as he says, “Taran. You didn’t have to do any of this.” Taking out one of the soaps to give it a quick smell he chuckles before saying, “I’m definitely going to be smelling this coffee one every morning. Thank you so much. I’d offer to make you some new armor in exchange but it seems like you already bought some. It seems well made enough but I do wish you would have come to me and asked to make you some first.”
Taran blushes but shakes his head, "I-I-I would n-never, you... y-you've d-done a lot, Esteemed Vishal, and I c-could never ask you, I-I w-wouldn't h-have even thought to g-get new leathers for a few more years, b-but," he looks down at his feet, "y-you s-seemed disappointed, w-with how old they were... and, well, my alchemical s-supplies were a lot ch-cheaper than I th-thought they would be, and..." his voice drops to a whisper, "I didn't want to d-disappoint you, n-not anymore... sir..."
Putting his free hand on Taran’s shoulder Vishal calmly asks, “Can you look at me Taran?”
Taran looks up, trying to quiet the trembling in his shoulder where Vishal's hand is, and meets Vishal's eyes with his own.
Giving him a soft smile and showing Taran as much sincerity and kindness as he can with his eyes Vishal says, “Taran. I know you put me on some kind of pedestal. With the sir’s and titles. But you know you don’t have to right. I’m not some great amazing hero to look up to. I’m just like you. A green Road member trying to make this world a better place.” Continue to smile at him Vishal gives Taran’s shoulder a gentle squeeze as he says, “Forces outside of our control may have teamed us up together. But it’s our decision weather we want to be more than that. I want to be more. I want you to see that we’re equals. And when I comment about something it’s not because I’m disappointed or berating you. It’s because I want you to stay safe. I care about your safety. Old leather is more comfortable but that means it’s lost durability and might not protect you as well from future hits.” Chucking a little bit and releasing his hand to awkwardly put it behind his head and scratch a little bit, “Sorry. Was going on a tangent there. I just hope you can see me as a friend and not a superior.”
"S-sir, with-without the Kalashatar... w-we would all be n-nothing but m-mind-bound slaves to th-those nightmares... Th-that's... n-nothing I c-could do w-would ever p-pay your people back f-for that. E-even if it wasn't y-you directly, you're c-connected to something th-that is r-responsible for all of u-us being alive and free.."
Taran glances to the side, blushing again, "A-and, e-even if th-that wasn't true... you, you w-were the first p-person to ever say it... a-and I... i-it m-means so much to me... I-I d-don't know h-how else to express it... ex-except for d-doing everything I can, to-to help you..."
“Taran.” Vishal says somewhat seriously, “I’m telling you. Just because I’m a Kalashtar doesn’t make me anymore special than you. Sirs and Esteemed aren’t needed just because I happen to be born in a Quori bloodline. That kind of thinking is dangerous. It’s what the Riedrans believe. That being born as something makes you better than others.” Taking a deep breath and giving him the soft smile he says, “We’re all just people and equals. And I would really like for you to treat me like any other friend. Nothing special. Just a friend. Because I hope that’s what we are first and foremost. Friends.”
Arguments rise up in Taran's mind, but he lets them slip aside. If he were to push, he might drive Esteemed Vishal to frustration, and what he was offering...
"I-I'll try... for you, E- I mean, V-V-V-Vishal.... but...." Taran's gaze brushes against Vishal before retreating again to the floor, "I-I'm n-not a g-good friend. A-at least, I-I don't think so, Sim says differently, but... she's a very kind person. She'd for-forgive an-anything...That's... that's probably why she, um, well, in-insisted we were friends..."
Giving him another smiles Vishal says, “I already know you’re an amazing friend even if you don’t see it. I just hope I can be just as amazing to you.” He chuckles before saying, “Which means you’ll come to me if you need help with anything. And after this mission you’ll allow me to take some measurements so I can make you something in return for your wonderful gifts.”
"O-okay, if-if you w-want..." he'll look down at his new armor, "Y-you don't think L-Lady Oviya w-will be m-mad, do you? If-If I e-end up wearing y-your armor instead?"
“I’m sure she’ll be okay.” Vishal smiles before adding, “Besides. She already did such a good job with that set. It’d be kind of wasteful for me to make you a second set. I was thinking something else but we can discuss it further once we’re done with the mission.”
"O-Oh, okay..." Taran looks around, "I, um, I g-guess I should gr-grab everything. Th-thank y-you a-again, Es- I mean, V-V-Vishal..." And with that Taran turns to leave
Stopping to make a few purchases, the group sets out to make the brief journey to the pass and begin their preparations.
OOC: You guys have two days for the trip and to set up the ambush. I'll begin the time window on Wednesday.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Once they arrived at the pass, Taran immediately set to work scouting the land, learning where it dipped and where the best ambush points would be. Their enemies would know the same, and if they failed to kill the entire squad, then all of Adar might suffer. He put himself in their mindset, he would expect an ambush in a natural bottleneck, or the center of the pass. He'd be nervous of ambushes at the beginning of the pass, so perhaps their best bet would be during the second half, after the worst of fears had proven false, striking when their guard would be lowest.
Of course, such thoughts would be meaningless if they were noticed. Taran feared inconveniencing his companions, of his weakness leading to weakening their own preparations, but Esteemed Vishal had wanted him to treat him as an equal, and Miss River, perhaps she would not mind assisting, so he would end up asking them, stuttering and embarrassed, but knowing that the extra hands and eyes could spare them from disaster. They would need to camouflage their site carefully, keeping it invisible not only from the pass proper, but from anyone scouting the upper reaches of the pass. If he led a people through a suspected ambush point, he would make sure at least one scout circled the edge, seeking to strike ambushers unawares. He would place the blinds carefully, seeking to hide them from all directions, as best he could at least.
Then, if his allies were still willing to assist in his mad schemes and paranoia, he would litter the most likely path a scout would take to sneak upon their camp with hunting snares and a 10 ft square of caltrops hidden in the loam and rocks. The screams of a suddenly trapped scout might ruin their chance at surprise, but it would be better than finding swords in their backs.
Then, with the final hours a day ending, Taran would scavenge for food and alchemical reagents. His limbs ached from the hiking and the climbing, but he would not complain, only nervously await the dawn so that he might try and fix any errors in their preparations before the time window for their enemies closed, and they were embroiled in a conflict for their lives and potentially the lives of all the people in Shalquar.
As they sat around the campfire, he would run a calloused thumb over Shiazala's grass braid, still tied around his wrist. It would be a betrayal of her kindness if he were to let Adar fall mere months after taking to supposed safety behind it's borders.
Survival to make Camo: 26 10
Thieve's Tools for Snare Traps 8 20
Thieve's Tools for Caltrop Trap 13 15
Two survival rolls assuming I have two hours of foraging 22
12
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Taran makes perfect camouflage, and does a pretty good job with the snares as well, although the caltrops perhaps could have been set a little neater. He also has an extraordinarily fruitful foraging trip, finding a dose of rare basilisk's breath, as well as two of seregon.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Taran would wake early the next day, checking the perimeter and shoring up any changes or weaknesses that had appeared over night. He kept a firm eye on the sun, knowing they only had a few hours until the four day window would start.
He spent most of the rest of the morning carefully grinding Goblinberries and pouring the juice into a paste of Bloodstaunch boiled in alcohol. By controlling the timing and ratios added, while keeping the heat at a precise level, he could bend the strands of protection within the brew. This particular batch was meant not to guard the flesh, but to guard the mind, but a single misstep could see the entire batch wasted into a useless sludge. So, he moved slowly, carefully, spending hours in the hope of perfecting it.
Potion of Psychic Resistance 13
Edit:
And the clear lavender fluid he extracted at the end seemed to deem him successful in that endeavor. After the four hour ordeal, Taran cautiously approached Miss River.
"U-Um, M-Miss River, I, um, I d-don't ex-expect that it w-will happen, but, it might, an-and if n-not today, then m-maybe some other day, and I-I-you're quiet, and, um, s-sometimes, I w-worry th-that might m-mean you'll do s-something risky. So..." Taran thrusts out the potion, "Th-this potion sh-should help protect you, from Psychic attacks, it, um, it sh-should last an hour, af-after drinking. So, you can prepare... I-I plan on m-making s-some for e-everyone, once I have e-enough materials but... I, well, I thought you should have the first."
After he was done talking with Miss River, Taran would do another scavenging circuit, taking two hours before heading to his sentry post and keeping an eye out for the patrol they were to ambush. Crossbow at the ready and praying to The Lady of Storms that their plan worked.
Survival 2 -> 16
And perception if you want to have it early -> 7
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
River cocks her head before taking the potion. As she puts it into her pack, Taran sees her put it beside an identical potion that she purchased earlier in the week as well as two potions that he might recognize as health potions.
"Thank."
She returns to preening herself and waiting to spring the ambush.
Dungeon Master - LSoL
Kaori - Battlemaster Fighter 5 / Paladin 2 (Kenku) - TSR
Cherna Godhari - Grave Cleric 4 (Human) - TW
Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
For a brief second Taran felt saddened, how useless a gesture to give his companion his potion, weak and brewed out in the wilds, when she already had obtained one from a licensed alchemist.
But then practicality won out over his emotions. Two potions made her twice as safe, twice as likely to survive the coming missions. And that was more important than his desire to feel useful to the group. Of course they would seek out better alchemists than himself.
"U-um, if you want, Miss R-River," Taran would say before he left, "I-I have a store of Ephedra leaves, they are v-very potent, and, um, r-rare. M-most alchemists would-wouldn't b-brew them into their healing p-potions, but they purify and enhance the p-potions properties... If-If you ever w-want... I could grind some up for your potions..."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"Purify and enhance." She repeats in his voice, confused.
Dungeon Master - LSoL
Kaori - Battlemaster Fighter 5 / Paladin 2 (Kenku) - TSR
Cherna Godhari - Grave Cleric 4 (Human) - TW
Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
"R-Right, umm," Taran takes a moment to think of how to phrase it, "Ephedra m-makes the potion b-better. L-like polishing a rock un-until it glitters and shines. It d-doesn't change it to make it a stronger t-type of healing potion, just makes the healing y-you have better."
Taran nervously wrings his fingers together, "D-does that make sense?"
(OOC: What I'm not sure how to express in-game, is that it increases the die type. One leave turns a potion from healing d4's to d6's. Two brings us to d8's. DM and I talked about limiting it, so I'm not going to go crazy with the potions, but Taran would offer since you bought some potions.)
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
The rest of the day passes, and the sun sinks below the mountains. The next morning, the sun rises, and the days of waiting begin.
OOC: I would like everyone to make a post describing generally what your character is doing while waiting. Once all five of those are up, I will move on to the next important event.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Caelius meditates and reads his book. He seems very content to wait.
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