Daryan quickly follows along, if only to ease the solamnic knight's worries over him scaring the rider away before she can deliver a response. "I strongly doubt there will be any kind of negotiations but if we can somehow stall them I agree that would be a good idea." He says to the others as they make their way back to the Brass Crab. "And unfortunately even if this Belephaion is indeed a charlatan he seems to have a real enough army to his name."
You enter the Brass Crab. The mayor is alone now, Becklin, Darrett and the militia captain presumably having left to start organizing a potential evacuation. On seeing your faces, the mayor grimly says, "I can't imagine you're returning with good news. How bad is it?"
"Well, I think it's time to pack and leave this place. That army will be here by sunset and they claim they want to use the town as a camp but considering the vile banditry they already been up to and that they claims to serve the evil dragonqueen Takhisis I highly doubt they will be peaceful whether you open your gates for them or not."Daryan says grimly, motioning to Calitynia and the ultimatum.
"I doubt the situation would have been good, but Daryan has certainly maximized the animosity by insulting their messenger and goading him to anger." Calitynia then delivers the scroll she had taken from the messenger. "This was not so much a response as it is their pre-formulated demands. We were told they wish permission to lodge soldiers in Vogler."
She remains quiet just a moment before speaking up again. "I dare say with Daryan's defiance and everyone's open discussion of retreat, they now likely fully expect that and will thwart our actions. If that is what the mayor decides."
"I'm sorry if you really think how I talked to that messenger would really worsen our situation, but that was just what she was, a messenger with a mission to deliver their demands, which she did successfully, she was never here to negotiate. And I'm not sure why you would think the enemy would be aware of the plan to evacuate Vogler? If they have spies within town that can message the army then sure, but if the evacuation is happening it would have to start now so whether anyone talked about it s few minutes ago would have made no difference." The white-haired half-breed says with a hint of defiance in his voice, then turning to the mayor to hear her decision.
Calitynia shakes her head, "Why do I think the enemy might be aware? That woman had barely turned her horse when you and everyone started just chatting about it! It takes no spy. There was her and the five soldiers on the cliff. I mean, I suppose they were all hard of hearing, sure."
"Dear Paladine, save us." She ends with a resigned sigh.
Daryan simply shakes his head in disbelief over the solamnic knights accusations and walks over to stand by the window, quietly awaiting the response from the mayor.
Pelo looks over to Calitynia, "Now is not the time for recriminations. If the messenger overheard us, I'm sure it won't be the last mistake we make. Either way, we must buy time for people to evacuate. Mayor, how much time do you need?"
Wilberforce, continuing his ritual, says ‘I have an idea that may cause a distraction, people aren’t the only things that live in the city. I don’t know if this will work at all or if it can distract a whole army, but we lose little in trying. Maybe Pelo can ask The Great Grandfather for his blessing, we certainly need all the help we can get.’
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Gan-Re: Aarakocra Barbarian - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | DM - Keys of Empire
The mayor speaks. "I can't allow them to occupy the village; that would be seen as taking sides against their likely actual target, the city of Kalaman, aside from putting the invaders in the position to ransack the village at their will." She frowns, and then addresses Pelo's question. "To get everyone from the village will be a monumental task, and I don't want anyone left behind if at all possible. We need until nightfall at least. The militia will put up their best fight, but I worry it will not be enough. If you could delay them somewhat, that might save lives."
It is at this time that the tinker gnome Than arrives at the Brass Crab, along with Darrett. "Becklin sent Darrett to get me," the gnome says. "We've got something at the keep I've been working on that might come in handy in taking the fight to these bullies. Care to come with?"
Calitynia looks relieved when the mayor says she will not allow those forces to occupy the village. "Do you have anything you wish for us to deliver to the messenger?" she asks. Her attention though is drawn over towards Darrett and the gnome that has come in promising something to help delaying the bullying force.
The white-haired half-breed too looks relieved at the mayors decision, a faint shy smile as he glances over at Calitynia, hoping she will forget about his transgressions. He had the sense it wouldn't be the last time he annoyed the solamnic knight though, he excelled at that, even old Ispin had pointed that out to him.
As Than and Darrett arrives Daryan's smile widens. "Hey, right on cue, we could do with some gnome inventions right now."He says, ready to follow them back up to the keep and presumably Than's workshop. "I think Wilberforce here might be cooking something up too, and the more distractions the better I think." He says, smiling at the old kender.
Wilberforce responds 'It's probably a silly idea lad, but I was thinking that we could scare the vermin in the city like mice, pigeons and rats. If someone can make noises like a snake or another small predator then I could tell the vermin to run for their lives, head north and hide in the bags and clothes of the army. That might give them something to think about for a bit. It depends on how much vermin there is in the city and if we can scare them in the correct direction. But if you have a better idea good gnome then I'm happy to help as best I can'
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Gan-Re: Aarakocra Barbarian - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | DM - Keys of Empire
Wilberforce probably has enough time on the way up to the keep to finish his ritual; we can say he can maintain the ritual without starting the duration countdown for now.
Than leads you all inside. "Trust me you're going to love this!", they say. You travel through the main hall, up to Darrett's room, though Becklin's room, and finally onto the roof of the keep.
What is up there looks... Honestly, it looks like nothing less or more than an enormous fly swatter held down by a spooled winced rope. "Behold, the gnomeflinger!", Than says proudly. "Don't let the name fool you though, this baby could throw an ogre out miles if cranked up all the way. It's the newest innovation in rapid transportation! With this you can literally get the drop on our enemies!"
Wilberforce looks at the gnomeflinger and says ‘Dropping ourselves on our enemies sounds rather painful. Isn’t it more traditional to drop big rocks on them instead?’
"Yes, it does look dangerous," Calitynia says. She looks over the contraption, trying to make sense of how it works. "Just where are we transporting people? And who?"
"And why?"The white-haired half-breed chimes in, stifling a laugh as he admires the weird contraption. He recalls the story of Old Ispin being flung away from Mount Nevermind all the way to Sancrist and he hoped that was not what Than had in mind, but you never knew with the tinkering gnomes.
That was, in fact, what Than had in mind. "Of course I'm not going to let you fall from great heights without some kind of safety mechanism! These Narycrash packs," Than says, pointing to backpack-like containers, "will let you deploy balloons to make sure you fall gently down. Worried they'll take shots at you in the air and pop your balloons? No worries, I have a second crash-proof creation!" Than points to several human and gnome sized padded suits, with pull-cords on them. "Pull the cord and POOF! It inflates and takes the ground impact for you! Together there's less than a 5% chance of anything going terribly wrong!"
"...but yeah if you want to waste the potential of this transportation breakthrough on throwing rocks and stuff, I guess we could do that," Than says with a little disappointment in their voice.
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Daryan quickly follows along, if only to ease the solamnic knight's worries over him scaring the rider away before she can deliver a response. "I strongly doubt there will be any kind of negotiations but if we can somehow stall them I agree that would be a good idea." He says to the others as they make their way back to the Brass Crab. "And unfortunately even if this Belephaion is indeed a charlatan he seems to have a real enough army to his name."
You enter the Brass Crab. The mayor is alone now, Becklin, Darrett and the militia captain presumably having left to start organizing a potential evacuation. On seeing your faces, the mayor grimly says, "I can't imagine you're returning with good news. How bad is it?"
"Well, I think it's time to pack and leave this place. That army will be here by sunset and they claim they want to use the town as a camp but considering the vile banditry they already been up to and that they claims to serve the evil dragonqueen Takhisis I highly doubt they will be peaceful whether you open your gates for them or not." Daryan says grimly, motioning to Calitynia and the ultimatum.
Pelo returns with the others. He indicates that he agrees that evacuation is necessary. "How much time do you need to get the town away safely?"
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
"I doubt the situation would have been good, but Daryan has certainly maximized the animosity by insulting their messenger and goading him to anger." Calitynia then delivers the scroll she had taken from the messenger. "This was not so much a response as it is their pre-formulated demands. We were told they wish permission to lodge soldiers in Vogler."
She remains quiet just a moment before speaking up again. "I dare say with Daryan's defiance and everyone's open discussion of retreat, they now likely fully expect that and will thwart our actions. If that is what the mayor decides."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"I'm sorry if you really think how I talked to that messenger would really worsen our situation, but that was just what she was, a messenger with a mission to deliver their demands, which she did successfully, she was never here to negotiate. And I'm not sure why you would think the enemy would be aware of the plan to evacuate Vogler? If they have spies within town that can message the army then sure, but if the evacuation is happening it would have to start now so whether anyone talked about it s few minutes ago would have made no difference." The white-haired half-breed says with a hint of defiance in his voice, then turning to the mayor to hear her decision.
Calitynia shakes her head, "Why do I think the enemy might be aware? That woman had barely turned her horse when you and everyone started just chatting about it! It takes no spy. There was her and the five soldiers on the cliff. I mean, I suppose they were all hard of hearing, sure."
"Dear Paladine, save us." She ends with a resigned sigh.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Daryan simply shakes his head in disbelief over the solamnic knights accusations and walks over to stand by the window, quietly awaiting the response from the mayor.
Pelo looks over to Calitynia, "Now is not the time for recriminations. If the messenger overheard us, I'm sure it won't be the last mistake we make. Either way, we must buy time for people to evacuate. Mayor, how much time do you need?"
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
Wilberforce, continuing his ritual, says ‘I have an idea that may cause a distraction, people aren’t the only things that live in the city. I don’t know if this will work at all or if it can distract a whole army, but we lose little in trying. Maybe Pelo can ask The Great Grandfather for his blessing, we certainly need all the help we can get.’
Gan-Re: Aarakocra Barbarian - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | DM - Keys of Empire
The mayor speaks. "I can't allow them to occupy the village; that would be seen as taking sides against their likely actual target, the city of Kalaman, aside from putting the invaders in the position to ransack the village at their will." She frowns, and then addresses Pelo's question. "To get everyone from the village will be a monumental task, and I don't want anyone left behind if at all possible. We need until nightfall at least. The militia will put up their best fight, but I worry it will not be enough. If you could delay them somewhat, that might save lives."
It is at this time that the tinker gnome Than arrives at the Brass Crab, along with Darrett. "Becklin sent Darrett to get me," the gnome says. "We've got something at the keep I've been working on that might come in handy in taking the fight to these bullies. Care to come with?"
Calitynia looks relieved when the mayor says she will not allow those forces to occupy the village. "Do you have anything you wish for us to deliver to the messenger?" she asks. Her attention though is drawn over towards Darrett and the gnome that has come in promising something to help delaying the bullying force.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
The white-haired half-breed too looks relieved at the mayors decision, a faint shy smile as he glances over at Calitynia, hoping she will forget about his transgressions. He had the sense it wouldn't be the last time he annoyed the solamnic knight though, he excelled at that, even old Ispin had pointed that out to him.
As Than and Darrett arrives Daryan's smile widens. "Hey, right on cue, we could do with some gnome inventions right now." He says, ready to follow them back up to the keep and presumably Than's workshop. "I think Wilberforce here might be cooking something up too, and the more distractions the better I think." He says, smiling at the old kender.
Wilberforce responds 'It's probably a silly idea lad, but I was thinking that we could scare the vermin in the city like mice, pigeons and rats. If someone can make noises like a snake or another small predator then I could tell the vermin to run for their lives, head north and hide in the bags and clothes of the army. That might give them something to think about for a bit. It depends on how much vermin there is in the city and if we can scare them in the correct direction. But if you have a better idea good gnome then I'm happy to help as best I can'
Gan-Re: Aarakocra Barbarian - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | DM - Keys of Empire
Shagrin follows the others to the workshop.
**This Space for Rent**
Wilberforce probably has enough time on the way up to the keep to finish his ritual; we can say he can maintain the ritual without starting the duration countdown for now.
Than leads you all inside. "Trust me you're going to love this!", they say. You travel through the main hall, up to Darrett's room, though Becklin's room, and finally onto the roof of the keep.
What is up there looks... Honestly, it looks like nothing less or more than an enormous fly swatter held down by a spooled winced rope. "Behold, the gnomeflinger!", Than says proudly. "Don't let the name fool you though, this baby could throw an ogre out miles if cranked up all the way. It's the newest innovation in rapid transportation! With this you can literally get the drop on our enemies!"
Wilberforce looks at the gnomeflinger and says ‘Dropping ourselves on our enemies sounds rather painful. Isn’t it more traditional to drop big rocks on them instead?’
Gan-Re: Aarakocra Barbarian - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | DM - Keys of Empire
"Yes, it does look dangerous," Calitynia says. She looks over the contraption, trying to make sense of how it works. "Just where are we transporting people? And who?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"And why?" The white-haired half-breed chimes in, stifling a laugh as he admires the weird contraption. He recalls the story of Old Ispin being flung away from Mount Nevermind all the way to Sancrist and he hoped that was not what Than had in mind, but you never knew with the tinkering gnomes.
That was, in fact, what Than had in mind. "Of course I'm not going to let you fall from great heights without some kind of safety mechanism! These Narycrash packs," Than says, pointing to backpack-like containers, "will let you deploy balloons to make sure you fall gently down. Worried they'll take shots at you in the air and pop your balloons? No worries, I have a second crash-proof creation!" Than points to several human and gnome sized padded suits, with pull-cords on them. "Pull the cord and POOF! It inflates and takes the ground impact for you! Together there's less than a 5% chance of anything going terribly wrong!"
"...but yeah if you want to waste the potential of this transportation breakthrough on throwing rocks and stuff, I guess we could do that," Than says with a little disappointment in their voice.