Vlune With a growl over his massive shoulder, Vlune strides past Vlar and Montru, picks up Tessa as a free action, then dashes south, crossing the road and heading into the forest. He waves Montru and Vlar to follow.
((OOC: I saw that and assumed they ran off with her))
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
If the Bugbears are carrying Tessa off, Mylene instead ignores the Erased who are departing, as their choice is evident, and calls on the Redbrands, Walter, and Leto if he will cooperate, "That halfling tried to kill Walter. The bugbears aren't leaving with her. Redbrands, if they do not leave the halfling, we battle. Bugbears, drop the halfling and walk away. Or fight and die for your new tiny leader."
Intimidation, if needed: 23
OOC: We are still in combat rounds it seems, I had not noticed them taking her, I thought they were just leaving, the 3 of them.
Vlune With a growl over his massive shoulder, Vlune strides past Vlar and Montru, picks up Tessa as a free action, then dashes south, crossing the road and heading into the forest. He waves Montru and Vlar to follow.
((OOC: I saw that and assumed they ran off with her))
OOC: Good catch. That's super surprising, and I did not catch that when I was reading the round recap. I had thought they were leaving on their own.
Mylene makes it clear, "You can leave unharmed, Bugbears, right now. If you leave alone. Leave the halfling woman. Try to take her with you, and you will fight and die for a small wild animal whose promises she made to you, whatever they are, are empty air."
"Definitely. I'm not sure what got into Tessa - she was very nice when we first met. To both attack virtually unprovoked and attack an ally..."
He sighs. "The people of Phandalin probably had enough trouble with the Redbrands as it is. To have Mylene be aiding them, it only makes things more complicated. As to the rest of the group, I'm sure we'll work something out - definitely sharing any memories that we obtain of each other, and helping each other as well, but I don't believe any form of placing one or a few of us above the rest is the best way to solve this thing. I appreciate you voicing your support for me on the council, Naivara, but I can't pretend to speak for everyone if many of them aren't in favor of the idea."
The acolyte told Latrius it was north of Conyberry, and gave you directions for how to find it. That would be further East, opposite the direction Vilana is headed with that group. You are still several hours travel from Coneyberry right now as Leto left there and was heading towards you, so met you in the land between Phandalin and Conyberry.
So I have...
Latrius, Kierro, and Naivara heading East still, towards Conyberry.
Honor, Vilana, Sylcan, and Higgul going West towards Phandalin and, past that, to Neverwinter as their destination.
Tessa being carried North into the forest.
Mylene, Walter, and the redbrands, planning on going after the bugbears.
To Brun, Walter, and the Redbrands, Mylene adds, "When did Tessa come into contact with the Bugbears to broker the deal that prompted their betrayal? Did anyone notice? It would have to have been back in town before you all left, as it couldn't have been on the road, that would have been too obvious. Did someone see the halfling when she came into contact with them to arrange for their treachery?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Revised round 4...
Mylene moves towards Tessa and casts sleep. Tessa falls asleep, but not Montru.
Naivara Picks up her bracers and gets a memory of 1
Sylcan Naïlo Moves to join Vilana.
Kierro Readies action to Move East with Latrius.
Redbrands Eyes the bugbears and the group, but move to stand with Brun.
Vlune With a growl over his massive shoulder, Vlune strides past Vlar and Montru, picks up Tessa as a free action, then dashes south, crossing the road and heading into the forest. He waves Montru and Vlar to follow.
Vilana Continues to walk West.
higgul Follows Honor.
Walter Glances to Mylene for orders. He swallows as he eyes the two remaining bugbears, then moves to where he can take a shot at Vlune, but, after his shot, he continues moving further along the road, not wishing to be between Montru and Vlar and their probable path South.
Attack: 24 Damage: 9
bardic inspiration: 2
The shot misses Vlune.
Tessa sleeping.
Montru Growls at Walter, but moves South after Vlune. Intimidation: 12
Latrius Starts heading East.
Brun "I would suggest letting them go." Brun would say. "The bugbears cannot be ordered around like you were doing, they have to be allowed to do as they wish, otherwise this sort of thing happens." He shrugs at Mylene with apology. "I should have told you having them on the team was a delicate thing, that they do not do well with orders... Only fear of me was keeping them in line up till now, but that is only a tenuous thing as far as their kind go."
After Mylene's response. "I will do as you ask, but I doubt my crew will be more than half-hearted at going after those three in the forest." He holds Mylene's gaze. "You are my commander right now, so I will do as you say, but know that you will lose at least half of these men and women, probably more, and the bugbears will probably either go down fighting or still get away with the halfling. As captain to my crew I feel you need to know that they will balk at being ordered after those three, but will go if I force the issue." He shrugs. "To be honest, I don't know if we can even take the three of them, though you and Walter might turn the odds in our favor, just maybe. Still, expect major losses if you push this."
Vlar dVlar takes a step towards Walter, but a growl from Vlune has him slamming his rapier back into its sheath and rushing south, though the growl he gives Walter is clearly meant to tell the guy to back off. Intimidation: 15
Mylene's initial reaction is fury, her face's dainty, childlike beauty twisted in rage. She takes a deep breath, then says, "You know your people and their capabilities. If it's your assessment that the group of us cannot take the 3 bugbears and a wounded halfling without suffering major casualties, I'll heed your tactical advise, and we will plan accordingly. Know that you not only recruited bugbears, which as you noted was a risky gambit, but you somehow failed to realize they had a pre-brokered deal with the halfling to betray us. We'll revisit our standards for vetting hirelings at a later time. I'm leading this group, but not into suicide. So I'll ask, and think clearly: What is your tactical assessment? We cannot allow this betrayal to go unpunished, and we must recapture the halfling, but if you judge a direct pursuit to be disadvantageous, we can simply follow them and find a better method. Either way, we don't allow them to escape. At minimum, we follow without engaging"
Mylene - Leto
"Leto, in the brief time you've been conscious you've been bombarded with information, and rolled with it admirably. I don't know what happened with you and Vilana back there, but we can sort that another time. I have to deal with the betrayal, the collusion between Tessa and the Bugbears. My offer extends to you, if you'll follow us, as I do feel we are the best opportunity to regain what was lost and take vengeance. Otherwise, you've seen how the other Erased operate. Try your luck with them and one of their many disparate factions if you prefer. I... I would prefer you come with me. We were close, before all this. But, we live in the here and now."
"That would be great. Sitting together and talking as a group, perhaps at the inn with a meal and a drink, seems like an ideal setting, rather than on the trail."
To Latrius and Naivara:
"By the way, nice job with the orcs. You two are definitely capable."
"Oh," she smiles, "I was just working on instinct... but thank you. Should I... do you want me to go run and catch up with Honor and rest so we can ask if they'll wait for us to do whatever Latrius needs to do?"
"I did not hire the bugbears." He says with a shake of his head. "The Spider sent them and Glasstaff was forced to take them on." He shrugs. "Glasstaff and I both hated having them, knowing how hard they would be to keep under control, but we had no choice in the matter." He looks to the forest. "My tactical estimate is that going into those woods after them, in any manner, will lead to our deaths." He glances back to Mylene. "I doubt if that was all of the orcs holed up out there, and we may soon find ourselves fighting both orcs and bugbears alike... As I said I will do as you order, and my crew will do as I order, but you asked for my tactical assessment."
Mylene makes eye contact with the larger man, her face expressionless for a long moment, as if engaged in a very subdued staring contest, then says, “I appreciate your candor. You’ve had a chance to observe the strength of the bugbears relative to the capabilities of our own soldiers. You also have a better knowledge of this area and the dangers it holds. When I ask for your tactical assessment, I always want the truth - not what you think I want to hear. Thank you, Brun.”
She turns to Walter. “I still can’t account for why the halfling turned on us or why she targeted you, but as Brun says, pursuit into the forest is likely to get more of us killed. I know you’re a skilled scout, but sending you alone to follow them could get you killed as well. Are you willing to allow matters with the halfling to be settled another day? I do hate treachery, and both Tessa and the Bugbears have greatly offended me today, but we must be smart about when and where we pick our battles.”
‘Latrius sighs. "There’s a difference between being anathema to order and just not wanting to take orders from a specific person, Mylene. Leaders inspire trust. I trust you about as far as I could kick you."
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
"You don’t have to accompany me if you don’t want to. The acolyte in Phandalin gave me this cloak in exchange for a service I was to perform, and I have not done so yet. I would not be known as an oath breaker, no matter what my past self might have been like."
In response to Kierro’s comment:
Latrius grins faintly, and chuckles.
"Aye, mostly instinctive for me as well. I have the feeling I used to hunt bands like that, possibly as a mercenary of some sort."
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
‘Latrius sighs. "There’s a difference between being anathema to order and just not wanting to take orders from a specific person, Mylene. Leaders inspire trust. I trust you about as far as I could kick you."
Mylene - Latrius
"Nonsense Latrius, and you know it. You simply hate anyone telling you what to do, under any circumstances. You're a free bird who won't be chained down, yes? If you valued order you would have volunteered for a position on the counsel," Mylene says. "Well fly away, free bird. Wherever the chaotic whims of the winds might take you. Some of us prefer a bit more structure in achieving our goals - that's why we actually achieve them."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Mylene - Tessa - Bugbears
Although she is fairly certain that Tessa struck up some sort of deal with the Bugbears - it's the only rationalization that makes sense to Mylene - she does try a (perhaps retroactive) bit of Insight on their behavior, as well as Tessa's. "What was her endgame, anyway?" Mylene muses aloud. "Kill Walter, have the Bugbears fall in with her and, what, kill us all? Erased and Redbrands alike? Claim all of the magic items and loot and walk away?"
((OOC: I saw that and assumed they ran off with her))
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
If the Bugbears are carrying Tessa off, Mylene instead ignores the Erased who are departing, as their choice is evident, and calls on the Redbrands, Walter, and Leto if he will cooperate, "That halfling tried to kill Walter. The bugbears aren't leaving with her. Redbrands, if they do not leave the halfling, we battle. Bugbears, drop the halfling and walk away. Or fight and die for your new tiny leader."
Intimidation, if needed: 23
OOC: We are still in combat rounds it seems, I had not noticed them taking her, I thought they were just leaving, the 3 of them.
OOC: Good catch. That's super surprising, and I did not catch that when I was reading the round recap. I had thought they were leaving on their own.
Mylene makes it clear, "You can leave unharmed, Bugbears, right now. If you leave alone. Leave the halfling woman. Try to take her with you, and you will fight and die for a small wild animal whose promises she made to you, whatever they are, are empty air."
Naivara:
Naivara goes to catch up with Kierro and Latrius. "Um... that could have gone better," she says quietly.
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Kierro, to Naivara:
"Definitely. I'm not sure what got into Tessa - she was very nice when we first met. To both attack virtually unprovoked and attack an ally..."
He sighs. "The people of Phandalin probably had enough trouble with the Redbrands as it is. To have Mylene be aiding them, it only makes things more complicated. As to the rest of the group, I'm sure we'll work something out - definitely sharing any memories that we obtain of each other, and helping each other as well, but I don't believe any form of placing one or a few of us above the rest is the best way to solve this thing. I appreciate you voicing your support for me on the council, Naivara, but I can't pretend to speak for everyone if many of them aren't in favor of the idea."
Naivara, to Kierro:
"No, I understand," Naivara says. "I just... want everyone to get along you know? Make everyone's life easier."
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
The acolyte told Latrius it was north of Conyberry, and gave you directions for how to find it. That would be further East, opposite the direction Vilana is headed with that group. You are still several hours travel from Coneyberry right now as Leto left there and was heading towards you, so met you in the land between Phandalin and Conyberry.
So I have...
Latrius, Kierro, and Naivara heading East still, towards Conyberry.
Honor, Vilana, Sylcan, and Higgul going West towards Phandalin and, past that, to Neverwinter as their destination.
Tessa being carried North into the forest.
Mylene, Walter, and the redbrands, planning on going after the bugbears.
Leto?
To Brun, Walter, and the Redbrands, Mylene adds, "When did Tessa come into contact with the Bugbears to broker the deal that prompted their betrayal? Did anyone notice? It would have to have been back in town before you all left, as it couldn't have been on the road, that would have been too obvious. Did someone see the halfling when she came into contact with them to arrange for their treachery?"
Revised round 4...
Mylene
moves towards Tessa and casts sleep. Tessa falls asleep, but not Montru.
Naivara
Picks up her bracers and gets a memory of 1
Sylcan Naïlo
Moves to join Vilana.
Kierro
Readies action to Move East with Latrius.
Redbrands
Eyes the bugbears and the group, but move to stand with Brun.
Vlune
With a growl over his massive shoulder, Vlune strides past Vlar and Montru, picks up Tessa as a free action, then dashes south, crossing the road and heading into the forest. He waves Montru and Vlar to follow.
Vilana
Continues to walk West.
higgul
Follows Honor.
Walter
Glances to Mylene for orders. He swallows as he eyes the two remaining bugbears, then moves to where he can take a shot at Vlune, but, after his shot, he continues moving further along the road, not wishing to be between Montru and Vlar and their probable path South.
Attack: 24 Damage: 9
bardic inspiration: 2
The shot misses Vlune.
Tessa
sleeping.
Montru
Growls at Walter, but moves South after Vlune.
Intimidation: 12
Latrius
Starts heading East.
Brun
"I would suggest letting them go." Brun would say. "The bugbears cannot be ordered around like you were doing, they have to be allowed to do as they wish, otherwise this sort of thing happens." He shrugs at Mylene with apology. "I should have told you having them on the team was a delicate thing, that they do not do well with orders... Only fear of me was keeping them in line up till now, but that is only a tenuous thing as far as their kind go."
After Mylene's response. "I will do as you ask, but I doubt my crew will be more than half-hearted at going after those three in the forest." He holds Mylene's gaze. "You are my commander right now, so I will do as you say, but know that you will lose at least half of these men and women, probably more, and the bugbears will probably either go down fighting or still get away with the halfling. As captain to my crew I feel you need to know that they will balk at being ordered after those three, but will go if I force the issue." He shrugs. "To be honest, I don't know if we can even take the three of them, though you and Walter might turn the odds in our favor, just maybe. Still, expect major losses if you push this."
Vlar
dVlar takes a step towards Walter, but a growl from Vlune has him slamming his rapier back into its sheath and rushing south, though the growl he gives Walter is clearly meant to tell the guy to back off.
Intimidation: 15
Leto (action?)
Honor
Moves west with Vilana and the others.
Map:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/9xfhbes6t8dribo/DL Orcs map 1.xlsx?dl=0
Leto you can still do an action, otherwise we are back to Milene.
Those leaving the combat can leave combat initiative.
Mylene - Brun
Mylene's initial reaction is fury, her face's dainty, childlike beauty twisted in rage. She takes a deep breath, then says, "You know your people and their capabilities. If it's your assessment that the group of us cannot take the 3 bugbears and a wounded halfling without suffering major casualties, I'll heed your tactical advise, and we will plan accordingly. Know that you not only recruited bugbears, which as you noted was a risky gambit, but you somehow failed to realize they had a pre-brokered deal with the halfling to betray us. We'll revisit our standards for vetting hirelings at a later time. I'm leading this group, but not into suicide. So I'll ask, and think clearly: What is your tactical assessment? We cannot allow this betrayal to go unpunished, and we must recapture the halfling, but if you judge a direct pursuit to be disadvantageous, we can simply follow them and find a better method. Either way, we don't allow them to escape. At minimum, we follow without engaging"
Mylene - Leto
"Leto, in the brief time you've been conscious you've been bombarded with information, and rolled with it admirably. I don't know what happened with you and Vilana back there, but we can sort that another time. I have to deal with the betrayal, the collusion between Tessa and the Bugbears. My offer extends to you, if you'll follow us, as I do feel we are the best opportunity to regain what was lost and take vengeance. Otherwise, you've seen how the other Erased operate. Try your luck with them and one of their many disparate factions if you prefer. I... I would prefer you come with me. We were close, before all this. But, we live in the here and now."
Kierro, to Naivara:
"That would be great. Sitting together and talking as a group, perhaps at the inn with a meal and a drink, seems like an ideal setting, rather than on the trail."
To Latrius and Naivara:
"By the way, nice job with the orcs. You two are definitely capable."
Naivara, to Kierro and Latrius:
"Oh," she smiles, "I was just working on instinct... but thank you. Should I... do you want me to go run and catch up with Honor and rest so we can ask if they'll wait for us to do whatever Latrius needs to do?"
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Brun to Mylene.
"I did not hire the bugbears." He says with a shake of his head. "The Spider sent them and Glasstaff was forced to take them on." He shrugs. "Glasstaff and I both hated having them, knowing how hard they would be to keep under control, but we had no choice in the matter." He looks to the forest. "My tactical estimate is that going into those woods after them, in any manner, will lead to our deaths." He glances back to Mylene. "I doubt if that was all of the orcs holed up out there, and we may soon find ourselves fighting both orcs and bugbears alike... As I said I will do as you order, and my crew will do as I order, but you asked for my tactical assessment."
Mylene - Brun - Walter
Mylene makes eye contact with the larger man, her face expressionless for a long moment, as if engaged in a very subdued staring contest, then says, “I appreciate your candor. You’ve had a chance to observe the strength of the bugbears relative to the capabilities of our own soldiers. You also have a better knowledge of this area and the dangers it holds. When I ask for your tactical assessment, I always want the truth - not what you think I want to hear. Thank you, Brun.”
She turns to Walter. “I still can’t account for why the halfling turned on us or why she targeted you, but as Brun says, pursuit into the forest is likely to get more of us killed. I know you’re a skilled scout, but sending you alone to follow them could get you killed as well. Are you willing to allow matters with the halfling to be settled another day? I do hate treachery, and both Tessa and the Bugbears have greatly offended me today, but we must be smart about when and where we pick our battles.”
Latrius:
(Before walking off, to Mylene.)
‘Latrius sighs.
"There’s a difference between being anathema to order and just not wanting to take orders from a specific person, Mylene. Leaders inspire trust. I trust you about as far as I could kick you."
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Class Guides: Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Bard General Guides: PvP
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
To Kierro and Naivara:
"You don’t have to accompany me if you don’t want to. The acolyte in Phandalin gave me this cloak in exchange for a service I was to perform, and I have not done so yet. I would not be known as an oath breaker, no matter what my past self might have been like."
In response to Kierro’s comment:
Latrius grins faintly, and chuckles.
"Aye, mostly instinctive for me as well. I have the feeling I used to hunt bands like that, possibly as a mercenary of some sort."
Check out my Extended signature here
Class Guides: Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Bard General Guides: PvP
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
Mylene - Latrius
"Nonsense Latrius, and you know it. You simply hate anyone telling you what to do, under any circumstances. You're a free bird who won't be chained down, yes? If you valued order you would have volunteered for a position on the counsel," Mylene says. "Well fly away, free bird. Wherever the chaotic whims of the winds might take you. Some of us prefer a bit more structure in achieving our goals - that's why we actually achieve them."
Mylene - Tessa - Bugbears
Although she is fairly certain that Tessa struck up some sort of deal with the Bugbears - it's the only rationalization that makes sense to Mylene - she does try a (perhaps retroactive) bit of Insight on their behavior, as well as Tessa's. "What was her endgame, anyway?" Mylene muses aloud. "Kill Walter, have the Bugbears fall in with her and, what, kill us all? Erased and Redbrands alike? Claim all of the magic items and loot and walk away?"
Insight: 18