"Dog, I am certainly not opposed to less... Volatile mission this time. Perhaps stealth, and misdirection could be our allies this time." Martin nudges with a grin. "Not our usual mode, but we can do it, I'm sure."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tristan gives a grin “I think I have some tricks up my sleeve that can help. We will grab the flame right out from under them. If the Fang here can cause a distraction, all the better.” Tristan prepares to go, a cheerful tune on his lips, and thinks back on his stories and songs to see if he knows anything about the flame or where it is guarded. History:12.
The raiding party departs the village of The Fang with Kulloda in the lead. Dog, Gash, Tristan, and Martin take up various spots in line of riders as they see fit, not all clinging to Kulloda for fear of having every back to the distrustful barbarians.
The raiding party travels light, each on a horse with a pack for food and clothing and their weapons, mostly bows and axes. The mood is apprehensive as the new Fang sets out to prove himself and the barbarians clearly uncertain with the leadership of a foreigner. But raiding is their life, and so the return to familiar things seems help as the barbarians chatter and joke or travel in companionable silence.
The party passes through numerous villages, although describing them as villages may be generous. It is clear that many of the followers of The Fang are nomadic, wandering the high steppe herding cattle and goats. Each night, the party beds down with such tribes, sleeping in borrowed yurts or out in the open by a well-tended fire.
It takes three days of riding before the landscape changes. The steppe gives way to a craggy escarpment with sparse, hardy bushes and little grass. Some wild goats wander these lands but there is little signs of civilization for an entire day and night of travel. Gradually the unforgiving landscape turns to sparse, thin trees, which flourish as they approach a thin stream. Following the stream leads towards a rich forest. One of Kulloda's indigenous advisors tells him that they are technically still in the lands of the Fang. The raids here, long ago, were so numerous that the elves pushed further south ceding the land to The Fang. None of the nomads on the steppe bother to settle here, though, as that is not their way. Many also fear reprisals from the elves, so this land remains unoccupied.
Indeed, it is dangerous for other reasons here, though. With the absence of any civilization, monsters walk the woods here. Tracks, both fresh and stale, criss-cross the woods. The barbarians divert their path several times to avoid confrontation with a creature that might wound one of them before they even reach the elves. For this reason, the raiding party slows.
Kotahk, one of the few barbarians who can speak some common, says that they do not raid down here as often as they used to because of the monsters that now offer a natural barrier to the elven villages. He thinks it is good that they are targeting the elves this time, though. They should not forget about the Fang so easily.
Tristan rides alongside Kotahk for most of a day and they discuss the area a little. Tristan is fairly certain the elves connected to the legend of the cold flame are further east but Kotahk has never heard of such legends.
"We do not usually go that far to the east. Getting trapped in the lands of the monsters and elves would be dangerous," the barbarian says.
Late on the fifth day, the party comes to a halt. They have managed to avoid every monster, even shaking off a tailing creature that was hunting them earlier that morning. Now, they crouch in the thick ferns of the forest as Kotahk points up at the walkways and rope bridges that wind through the tops of the thick-trunked trees. It looks to be a small village, only a dozen or so huts elevated off the forest floor. It is highly unlikely that the cold flame is stored here. This is the first wood elf village you have encountered after all. But, there is a decent chance the elves who live here can point the party in the right direction.
"We climb the trees," Kotahk says, "then jump down to platforms from all sides. Kill men, take women and children."
This appears to be the standard plan that Kotahk is laying out, not necessarily the plan today. He looks to Kulloda for the war chief's instructions.
Tristan leans back against a stump, pulling out a pipe and packing it full of leaf as they discuss their next steps “This is just a small village, the flame will not be stored here. I believe it is further to the east. We can send a small group to approach the village to parlay, but it remains to be seen if they would give up any more information to strangers.”
He looks over as the barbarians are preparing themselves for the raid. “But like it or not, we set up to give the barbarians their raid and Tempus their war, and it is very hard to put that back in the bottle once the cork has been pulled.” He puffs his pipe thoughtfully “Perhaps we can slip away and head east, use this as a distraction to pull their eyes elsewhere, if Kulloda is willing to leave one of his lieutenants in charge?”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kulloda eyes Kotahk and tries to take the measure of the man.
"No take women and children. No kill weak or defenseless," Kulloda says. "No glory defeat or kill weaklings. Anyone do that. Fang warriors strong. Fang warriors feared. Fang warriors not cowards. Cowards take slaves. Cowards beat on weak."
He nods to the village.
"Take valuables. Kill any who fight. Capture leader. They bow to Fang warriors."
Kulloda's not one for inspiring speeches but if Intimidation helps: 18
He then joins Tristan.
"Maybe capture leader and make talk. Maybe tell where elf flame is. If do, Kulloda catch up and tell you."
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"Dog, I am certainly not opposed to less... Volatile mission this time. Perhaps stealth, and misdirection could be our allies this time." Martin nudges with a grin. "Not our usual mode, but we can do it, I'm sure."
Paladin - warforged - orange
Kulloda furrows his brow a little at the need for stealth.
"Kulloda can be quiet," he says, "but also can make big distraction if need."
He waves his hand at the barbarians.
"If guards, we lure away while look for fire."
Tristan gives a grin “I think I have some tricks up my sleeve that can help. We will grab the flame right out from under them. If the Fang here can cause a distraction, all the better.” Tristan prepares to go, a cheerful tune on his lips, and thinks back on his stories and songs to see if he knows anything about the flame or where it is guarded. History:12.
,
Placehold post. Big post coming soon...
The raiding party departs the village of The Fang with Kulloda in the lead. Dog, Gash, Tristan, and Martin take up various spots in line of riders as they see fit, not all clinging to Kulloda for fear of having every back to the distrustful barbarians.
The raiding party travels light, each on a horse with a pack for food and clothing and their weapons, mostly bows and axes. The mood is apprehensive as the new Fang sets out to prove himself and the barbarians clearly uncertain with the leadership of a foreigner. But raiding is their life, and so the return to familiar things seems help as the barbarians chatter and joke or travel in companionable silence.
The party passes through numerous villages, although describing them as villages may be generous. It is clear that many of the followers of The Fang are nomadic, wandering the high steppe herding cattle and goats. Each night, the party beds down with such tribes, sleeping in borrowed yurts or out in the open by a well-tended fire.
It takes three days of riding before the landscape changes. The steppe gives way to a craggy escarpment with sparse, hardy bushes and little grass. Some wild goats wander these lands but there is little signs of civilization for an entire day and night of travel. Gradually the unforgiving landscape turns to sparse, thin trees, which flourish as they approach a thin stream. Following the stream leads towards a rich forest. One of Kulloda's indigenous advisors tells him that they are technically still in the lands of the Fang. The raids here, long ago, were so numerous that the elves pushed further south ceding the land to The Fang. None of the nomads on the steppe bother to settle here, though, as that is not their way. Many also fear reprisals from the elves, so this land remains unoccupied.
Indeed, it is dangerous for other reasons here, though. With the absence of any civilization, monsters walk the woods here. Tracks, both fresh and stale, criss-cross the woods. The barbarians divert their path several times to avoid confrontation with a creature that might wound one of them before they even reach the elves. For this reason, the raiding party slows.
Kotahk, one of the few barbarians who can speak some common, says that they do not raid down here as often as they used to because of the monsters that now offer a natural barrier to the elven villages. He thinks it is good that they are targeting the elves this time, though. They should not forget about the Fang so easily.
Tristan rides alongside Kotahk for most of a day and they discuss the area a little. Tristan is fairly certain the elves connected to the legend of the cold flame are further east but Kotahk has never heard of such legends.
"We do not usually go that far to the east. Getting trapped in the lands of the monsters and elves would be dangerous," the barbarian says.
Late on the fifth day, the party comes to a halt. They have managed to avoid every monster, even shaking off a tailing creature that was hunting them earlier that morning. Now, they crouch in the thick ferns of the forest as Kotahk points up at the walkways and rope bridges that wind through the tops of the thick-trunked trees. It looks to be a small village, only a dozen or so huts elevated off the forest floor. It is highly unlikely that the cold flame is stored here. This is the first wood elf village you have encountered after all. But, there is a decent chance the elves who live here can point the party in the right direction.
"We climb the trees," Kotahk says, "then jump down to platforms from all sides. Kill men, take women and children."
This appears to be the standard plan that Kotahk is laying out, not necessarily the plan today. He looks to Kulloda for the war chief's instructions.
Tristan leans back against a stump, pulling out a pipe and packing it full of leaf as they discuss their next steps “This is just a small village, the flame will not be stored here. I believe it is further to the east. We can send a small group to approach the village to parlay, but it remains to be seen if they would give up any more information to strangers.”
He looks over as the barbarians are preparing themselves for the raid. “But like it or not, we set up to give the barbarians their raid and Tempus their war, and it is very hard to put that back in the bottle once the cork has been pulled.” He puffs his pipe thoughtfully “Perhaps we can slip away and head east, use this as a distraction to pull their eyes elsewhere, if Kulloda is willing to leave one of his lieutenants in charge?”
Kulloda eyes Kotahk and tries to take the measure of the man.
"No take women and children. No kill weak or defenseless," Kulloda says. "No glory defeat or kill weaklings. Anyone do that. Fang warriors strong. Fang warriors feared. Fang warriors not cowards. Cowards take slaves. Cowards beat on weak."
He nods to the village.
"Take valuables. Kill any who fight. Capture leader. They bow to Fang warriors."
Kulloda's not one for inspiring speeches but if Intimidation helps: 18
He then joins Tristan.
"Maybe capture leader and make talk. Maybe tell where elf flame is. If do, Kulloda catch up and tell you."