While all of this gathering is taking place, Roo pets his little Hen friend on her comb.
"Yes yes, Hen' Rietta, it will all be alright. We do this sort of thing all the time, buck. You just stay here on this great furred steed while Glory of Morning and I go off to do what it is we do best."
He doesn't tell her what they do best, of course. Not that Hen' Rietta would even understand. And not that it's for a lady to hear all about this killing and slaughtering and murdering and so forth that Roo seems to be so fond of.
The possum drops down to the ground with Roo on her back, and the two of them begin to circle the area, looking about curiously while the others work.
"Wow Reed, this place is great! Buck! Yes yes, this will indeed be a fine place to move my village! And then I can train all these young cockrels the art of war and you'll never have to worry about this miscreant feral children taking over ever again! Bagop!"
Reed stays visible in the plaza, while calling for Nib and Cherry. "Hurry up you two. Everyone's heading to the community hall."
He smiles at Roo and nods then pauses, trying to find the best words to explain.
"About the miners," Reed begins. "They're not children. Leave any children you see alone. Miner like this means someone digging in the ground for gold and silver and that kind of thing. And these ones are grown up bad people."
He looks around at the fields behind the village.
"You're right," Reed says then adds. "They need to form a militia to protect themselves."
Wilfred notices Reed's hesitation when directing him, but doesn't blame him. With how he's been acting, there had to be some doubt in his abilities. But that's fine, he just needs to show then he's reliable when it matters.
He nods to Reed, then to quickly smiles at Corlith's comment. Back to Reed, he'll say "Don't worry, we'll get your people and keep them safe! These are the kind of places that need protecting." With that, he'll head over to the Faded Frog.
He knocks on the door. "Marzin Bouldermane! Are you home? I'm a friend of Reed Underbough. We're here to help and get all your people home. But for now, we need to get to the community center, it will be easier to protect your there. Please, let us help you." Wilfred asks as gently as possible. (Persuasion 19)
"What?" Roo says, his whole understanding of what is happening suddenly turned upside down. "But Archie said these were children! I am confused! Why did she tell me that!? What is this madness!? Buck!"
Thomas and Ruby follow you all out and start on the mission of gathering more people to the community center. They both turn back to Virro's parting words, "Oh yes, we see that you are all very capable, young man."
Reya looks to Reed, very seriously and nods, "I would be honored to help keep your village safe." At Archie's enthusiasm about a returning knock, it makes her chuckle and she repeats the knock to be sure she heard it right. "Gotcha, I will not open the door until I hear that."
At Corlith's knock at Honey and Mead, the door opens immediately and a sweet middle aged woman stands on the other side of the door, with two kids flanking her, seemingly attached to her apron. "Reed Underbough you say? I heard some commotion out here, was hoping it was good news, but this is great!" She beams at the tiefling and doesn't show any sign of reluctance at his race, she gives her kids a little squeeze and to back to Corlith, "Help you say? What kind of help?"
As Reed calls for Nib and Cherry, they come out to the square, along with Fisk holding the chicken Roo had gathered. "What's all the hubbub?" he asks, "Where we heading to now?" Nib and Cherry point out the Community Hall as they all head through the doors.
"Whaz that you say?" Wilfred hears from the back of the Inn as he heads inside. The Faded Frog was a worn but well kept little place, but empty as far as Wilfred could see. The voice came from behind a back door, "Hold on there.. I'm a comin..Oh! big guy!" the halfling that emerges has salt and pepper hair, definitely more salt then pepper, small spectacles that have fallen to the tip of his nose and wearing a clean set of overalls and well worn boots. "Reed you say? Community Center? Why! I tried gettin people to gather there and no ones listened! C'mon, times a wastin." and he tosses the towel he was holding onto his shoulder, pours himself and Wilfred an ale, walks over and hands one to the fighter. After Wilfred takes it, he waits for the man to drink. If Wil does, he nods, "That there is from Reed's family." then with his ale in hand, he leaves Wil in his wake and heads for the Community Center.
Once the village is safely gathered in the community hall, and Reya and Archie have worked out the secret knock, and they've let everyone know what's happening, Reed will say good bye to Nib and then lead the party down the trail he used in the past to get quietly too and from the mining camp the last time it had to be dealt with.
Before quiet is absolutely necessary, Reed says to Roo "I don't know why Archie says half of what she says, but I guarantee you, the villagers are not been forced to work by children."
Wilfred smiles at Marzin. "Yea, then youngin's always ignore the elders until it's there idea. Oh, thank you!" Wilfred takes a swing of the ale, then he follows quickly behind Marzin.
"Hey, hang on, we setup a secret knock so we know who to let in. Wow, you are spry!" Wilfred catches up, then says, "This was from Reed's family, you say? They make some fine ale. Have you heard of Cliffvine Vineyard? What do you think of their wine?"
As they walk, Wilfred takes another drink as he tries to remember the knock. "Was it knock, pause, knock, pause, knock, knock, knock? Or was it knock, pause, knock,knock, pause, knock, knock, knock... No the first one. Right? Hmmm"
"Mrs Thunderbee, children", Corlith says by way of greeting now he can see them all. The edges of his mouth crease into a very slight smile when she reacts so kindly to him. "My name is Corlith. Reed has it in mind to help the villagers that went to the mines come back home and be with you all again", he says, being purposefully vague in front of the children.
"For now, though, we thought it might be fun for everyone to go and stay in the community centre. Maybe you could plan something to welcome the others home", he says, trying to think on his feet and not scare the kids.
Marzin slows a bit to let Wilfred catch up, "C'mon long legs, I'm glad to see we've got people here to help us!" he sees the rest of the group walking around the center of the village gathering up others, then looking back to Wilfred, "Yes, the Underboughs have always made a fine ale. Cliffvine Vineyards ya say? Yes yes! It's been a tale, but I have heard and had some of that wine, mighty fine, mighty fine. Don't suppose you got any on ya?" He looks at Wilfred with a bit of excitement to try some again. Then hearing Wil talk about knocks, he starts looking confused, "I'm sorry, but you've lost me now."
Rita smiles warmly at Corlith, understanding right away what he is trying to do. Looking down to her children she exclaims, "Doesn't that sound like fun? They heard some commotion out in the square, but well, we've been cautious about looking out. Then, we heard chicken noises?" She laughs, "and well, we just had to check that out, didn't we? Miss Suzette here is a big fan of chickens. Can't say we were expecting to see what we saw, and are very glad this is the news. Go on children, go grab something to take along."
The children disappear out from under her skirts and Rita also heads in and grabs some warm bread on the table. Wrapping that up in a towel, she heads back to the door and the children meet her there as well with a toy of their own. "Ready when you are, Mr. Corlith."
"hey! Miners could be children if they wanted to be, or wait, no... I mean children could be miners, and then turn into bandits, and then do bandit stuff! awwwwh can you imagine, little bandit haha" Archie gets a bit carried away with herself as they move off, "anyway Reeds not entirely wrong Roo, the miners that we're looking for are probably grown adults in needs of an attitude adjustment. I was just having you on with a bit of wordplay. Minors on the other hand Are children, they're the opposite of Majors, who are bossy people in the armies and things. I read that in a book once..." The waffling continues unabated until Archie is inevitably shushed.
"The kids like chickens? Oh great", Corlith says whilst his mind races. "You know my friend Roo looks very similar to a rooster, but he's actually a Gallus and is just as smart as us. He even dresses and talks like us", he tries to explain as he turns to lead them across to the community centre.
As he moves he points at Reed and whispers, "The children like chickens. Not sure how it will go if they meet Roo, might be worth ensuring that doesn't happen".
Reed returns the whisper to Corlith "Like to eat or like to play with? If they just like chickens I think Roo will recognize their adoration."
But just in case "Hey Roo. Some of the kids really like chickens. They've never met a Gallus before. They might try and hug you and there will probably be squealing laughter. They're just trying to be friendly."
He then turns his attention to Archie thinks about saying something but then decides Roo is confused enough. He'll figure out who the bad guys are. They're not dealing with shapeshifters.
Virro follows along, trying to stay quiet and completely unspooky. “Hugs? Oooh, how delightful! Uncle Virro never gets a hug…”. He puts on a pouting look and then circles around, ready to head to the next house and spread the word about the impending mayhem.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Roo leans in close to Reed, conspiratorially, and then listens intently as Reed explains the situation. He keeps cocking his head to the side, looking at Archie, clearly debating scolding the youth for confusing him about the difference in a minor and a miner, but for now the Gallus leaves it. He's in sensory overload mode as he drinks in all that is going on around him. Roo, generally spoiling for a fight, seems confused by all this Featherless societal nonsense, but might be trying to figure out how to piece if all together before he comes to live there with his loved ones.
"Children you say? So this is a trap? I am supposed to destroy them?" He says. One eye blinks, then the other. His head cocks back and forth, and then he takes a moment to reach down with his neck and preen the feathers on his chest while he thinks. "No, that was Archie's nonsense..."
He stink eyes the girl for a moment.
"A chicken!" He says, almost launching into an outraged fervor before he realizes what Reed is telling him. He ruffles his feathers, then eases them back. "Ah, yes, they need to be taught the difference? Delightful! They're...trying to be friendly...yes yes, got it, I see...yes...laughter...I..."
Virro heads over to the Barleywillow abode and knocking on that door produces two boys, one somewhat older than the other. They glare at him for a moment, then look past at all the commotion. Seeing Wilfred moving along with Marzin, the older one scowls. "That one there with the bloodied pirates hat? He was crying in our backyard not half an hour ago, and you think you can help us?" He looks at Virro, daring him to tell him otherwise.
The younger one sighs and points at Roo, "Look! They even have a rooster dressed in armor! It's got to be better than feeding ourselves, and you stink Phineas!" He pulls on the shirt of his older brother as he threads his way away from Virro and towards the community center with the rest.
"EEEEE!!!!" squeals Suzette as she sees Roo riding on top of a possum. Ignoring all else, she runs full tilt at the Gallus, dropping her stuffed chicken as she runs. Charging full tilt at Roo, the grinning girl reaches him and attempts to wrap her arms around his waist, which she can barely reach and kind of settles on his leg, jumping up and down as she does. Rita looks on amused at the situation, and leans over to Corlith, "So... this Gallus you call him? How's he feel about children?"
Reed moves in quickly once Suzette makes her lunging 'attack' on Roo.
"Careful," Reed says. "He's not a stuffed animal. Suzette, this is Roo. Roo, this is Suzette. And that is a hug. It means she is very happy to meet you."
Reed guides the stragglers into the community hall, explaining what's going on and introducing everyone to Reya. While doing so, he does ask if any of the villagers have anything to share about the brigand miners.
Corlith watches Suzette run across to Roo, and hopes Reed had had a word with the gallus. He remains nervous however, and is prepared to warp her away if things don't go well.
"He is not used to us featherless, as he calls us", he explains. "But he is getting used to being around us. I am not so sure he has experienced a hug before though, so this will be new for him. And who doesn't like a hug?", he says trying to sound more confident than he is.
After a bit, Thomas and Ruby let you know that all that the remaining halflings are all secured inside of the Community Center. Reya gives a little bow to Reed and smiles, "They are safe with me, Sir." and she turns on her heel, locking up the entrances to the building, making sure everything is secure and making Fisk assist.
As the sun starts dipping below the tops of the trees in the area, Reed points out the trail that he assumes the miners were using, at least they did in the past. In his knowing way, he shows the band some backtrails to get to the same area unnoticed.
Going to need stealth rolls from everyone.
As the camp comes into sight, there are some good smells wafting your direction as well as the bustling's of an active campsite. It is a decently large operation, and you can see the entrance to the mine in the NE corner of the camp as you view from the south. From your vantage point you are unable to see within any of the makeshift buildings, but you spot half a dozen men and women (non-halflings) walking about the place.
Corlith follows Reed down the path as quietly as he can, moving in amongst the trees as the camp comes into view. He waits for Reed to decide what the first move should be, his shield already equipped as he expects a fight.
While all of this gathering is taking place, Roo pets his little Hen friend on her comb.
"Yes yes, Hen' Rietta, it will all be alright. We do this sort of thing all the time, buck. You just stay here on this great furred steed while Glory of Morning and I go off to do what it is we do best."
He doesn't tell her what they do best, of course. Not that Hen' Rietta would even understand. And not that it's for a lady to hear all about this killing and slaughtering and murdering and so forth that Roo seems to be so fond of.
The possum drops down to the ground with Roo on her back, and the two of them begin to circle the area, looking about curiously while the others work.
"Wow Reed, this place is great! Buck! Yes yes, this will indeed be a fine place to move my village! And then I can train all these young cockrels the art of war and you'll never have to worry about this miscreant feral children taking over ever again! Bagop!"
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Reed stays visible in the plaza, while calling for Nib and Cherry. "Hurry up you two. Everyone's heading to the community hall."
He smiles at Roo and nods then pauses, trying to find the best words to explain.
"About the miners," Reed begins. "They're not children. Leave any children you see alone. Miner like this means someone digging in the ground for gold and silver and that kind of thing. And these ones are grown up bad people."
He looks around at the fields behind the village.
"You're right," Reed says then adds. "They need to form a militia to protect themselves."
Wilfred notices Reed's hesitation when directing him, but doesn't blame him. With how he's been acting, there had to be some doubt in his abilities. But that's fine, he just needs to show then he's reliable when it matters.
He nods to Reed, then to quickly smiles at Corlith's comment. Back to Reed, he'll say "Don't worry, we'll get your people and keep them safe! These are the kind of places that need protecting." With that, he'll head over to the Faded Frog.
He knocks on the door. "Marzin Bouldermane! Are you home? I'm a friend of Reed Underbough. We're here to help and get all your people home. But for now, we need to get to the community center, it will be easier to protect your there. Please, let us help you." Wilfred asks as gently as possible. (Persuasion 19)
"What?" Roo says, his whole understanding of what is happening suddenly turned upside down. "But Archie said these were children! I am confused! Why did she tell me that!? What is this madness!? Buck!"
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Thomas and Ruby follow you all out and start on the mission of gathering more people to the community center. They both turn back to Virro's parting words, "Oh yes, we see that you are all very capable, young man."
Reya looks to Reed, very seriously and nods, "I would be honored to help keep your village safe." At Archie's enthusiasm about a returning knock, it makes her chuckle and she repeats the knock to be sure she heard it right. "Gotcha, I will not open the door until I hear that."
At Corlith's knock at Honey and Mead, the door opens immediately and a sweet middle aged woman stands on the other side of the door, with two kids flanking her, seemingly attached to her apron. "Reed Underbough you say? I heard some commotion out here, was hoping it was good news, but this is great!" She beams at the tiefling and doesn't show any sign of reluctance at his race, she gives her kids a little squeeze and to back to Corlith, "Help you say? What kind of help?"
As Reed calls for Nib and Cherry, they come out to the square, along with Fisk holding the chicken Roo had gathered. "What's all the hubbub?" he asks, "Where we heading to now?" Nib and Cherry point out the Community Hall as they all head through the doors.
"Whaz that you say?" Wilfred hears from the back of the Inn as he heads inside. The Faded Frog was a worn but well kept little place, but empty as far as Wilfred could see. The voice came from behind a back door, "Hold on there.. I'm a comin..Oh! big guy!" the halfling that emerges has salt and pepper hair, definitely more salt then pepper, small spectacles that have fallen to the tip of his nose and wearing a clean set of overalls and well worn boots. "Reed you say? Community Center? Why! I tried gettin people to gather there and no ones listened! C'mon, times a wastin." and he tosses the towel he was holding onto his shoulder, pours himself and Wilfred an ale, walks over and hands one to the fighter. After Wilfred takes it, he waits for the man to drink. If Wil does, he nods, "That there is from Reed's family." then with his ale in hand, he leaves Wil in his wake and heads for the Community Center.
Once the village is safely gathered in the community hall, and Reya and Archie have worked out the secret knock, and they've let everyone know what's happening, Reed will say good bye to Nib and then lead the party down the trail he used in the past to get quietly too and from the mining camp the last time it had to be dealt with.
Before quiet is absolutely necessary, Reed says to Roo "I don't know why Archie says half of what she says, but I guarantee you, the villagers are not been forced to work by children."
Wilfred smiles at Marzin. "Yea, then youngin's always ignore the elders until it's there idea. Oh, thank you!" Wilfred takes a swing of the ale, then he follows quickly behind Marzin.
"Hey, hang on, we setup a secret knock so we know who to let in. Wow, you are spry!" Wilfred catches up, then says, "This was from Reed's family, you say? They make some fine ale. Have you heard of Cliffvine Vineyard? What do you think of their wine?"
As they walk, Wilfred takes another drink as he tries to remember the knock. "Was it knock, pause, knock, pause, knock, knock, knock? Or was it knock, pause, knock, knock, pause, knock, knock, knock... No the first one. Right? Hmmm"
"For now, though, we thought it might be fun for everyone to go and stay in the community centre. Maybe you could plan something to welcome the others home", he says, trying to think on his feet and not scare the kids.
Marzin slows a bit to let Wilfred catch up, "C'mon long legs, I'm glad to see we've got people here to help us!" he sees the rest of the group walking around the center of the village gathering up others, then looking back to Wilfred, "Yes, the Underboughs have always made a fine ale. Cliffvine Vineyards ya say? Yes yes! It's been a tale, but I have heard and had some of that wine, mighty fine, mighty fine. Don't suppose you got any on ya?" He looks at Wilfred with a bit of excitement to try some again. Then hearing Wil talk about knocks, he starts looking confused, "I'm sorry, but you've lost me now."
Rita smiles warmly at Corlith, understanding right away what he is trying to do. Looking down to her children she exclaims, "Doesn't that sound like fun? They heard some commotion out in the square, but well, we've been cautious about looking out. Then, we heard chicken noises?" She laughs, "and well, we just had to check that out, didn't we? Miss Suzette here is a big fan of chickens. Can't say we were expecting to see what we saw, and are very glad this is the news. Go on children, go grab something to take along."
The children disappear out from under her skirts and Rita also heads in and grabs some warm bread on the table. Wrapping that up in a towel, she heads back to the door and the children meet her there as well with a toy of their own. "Ready when you are, Mr. Corlith."
"hey! Miners could be children if they wanted to be, or wait, no... I mean children could be miners, and then turn into bandits, and then do bandit stuff! awwwwh can you imagine, little bandit haha" Archie gets a bit carried away with herself as they move off, "anyway Reeds not entirely wrong Roo, the miners that we're looking for are probably grown adults in needs of an attitude adjustment. I was just having you on with a bit of wordplay. Minors on the other hand Are children, they're the opposite of Majors, who are bossy people in the armies and things. I read that in a book once..." The waffling continues unabated until Archie is inevitably shushed.
"The kids like chickens? Oh great", Corlith says whilst his mind races. "You know my friend Roo looks very similar to a rooster, but he's actually a Gallus and is just as smart as us. He even dresses and talks like us", he tries to explain as he turns to lead them across to the community centre.
As he moves he points at Reed and whispers, "The children like chickens. Not sure how it will go if they meet Roo, might be worth ensuring that doesn't happen".
Reed returns the whisper to Corlith "Like to eat or like to play with? If they just like chickens I think Roo will recognize their adoration."
But just in case "Hey Roo. Some of the kids really like chickens. They've never met a Gallus before. They might try and hug you and there will probably be squealing laughter. They're just trying to be friendly."
He then turns his attention to Archie thinks about saying something but then decides Roo is confused enough. He'll figure out who the bad guys are. They're not dealing with shapeshifters.
Virro follows along, trying to stay quiet and completely unspooky. “Hugs? Oooh, how delightful! Uncle Virro never gets a hug…”. He puts on a pouting look and then circles around, ready to head to the next house and spread the word about the impending mayhem.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Roo leans in close to Reed, conspiratorially, and then listens intently as Reed explains the situation. He keeps cocking his head to the side, looking at Archie, clearly debating scolding the youth for confusing him about the difference in a minor and a miner, but for now the Gallus leaves it. He's in sensory overload mode as he drinks in all that is going on around him. Roo, generally spoiling for a fight, seems confused by all this Featherless societal nonsense, but might be trying to figure out how to piece if all together before he comes to live there with his loved ones.
"Children you say? So this is a trap? I am supposed to destroy them?" He says. One eye blinks, then the other. His head cocks back and forth, and then he takes a moment to reach down with his neck and preen the feathers on his chest while he thinks. "No, that was Archie's nonsense..."
He stink eyes the girl for a moment.
"A chicken!" He says, almost launching into an outraged fervor before he realizes what Reed is telling him. He ruffles his feathers, then eases them back. "Ah, yes, they need to be taught the difference? Delightful! They're...trying to be friendly...yes yes, got it, I see...yes...laughter...I..."
Roo looks around.
"What in the devil is a hug? Buck!"
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Virro heads over to the Barleywillow abode and knocking on that door produces two boys, one somewhat older than the other. They glare at him for a moment, then look past at all the commotion. Seeing Wilfred moving along with Marzin, the older one scowls. "That one there with the bloodied pirates hat? He was crying in our backyard not half an hour ago, and you think you can help us?" He looks at Virro, daring him to tell him otherwise.
The younger one sighs and points at Roo, "Look! They even have a rooster dressed in armor! It's got to be better than feeding ourselves, and you stink Phineas!" He pulls on the shirt of his older brother as he threads his way away from Virro and towards the community center with the rest.
"EEEEE!!!!" squeals Suzette as she sees Roo riding on top of a possum. Ignoring all else, she runs full tilt at the Gallus, dropping her stuffed chicken as she runs. Charging full tilt at Roo, the grinning girl reaches him and attempts to wrap her arms around his waist, which she can barely reach and kind of settles on his leg, jumping up and down as she does. Rita looks on amused at the situation, and leans over to Corlith, "So... this Gallus you call him? How's he feel about children?"
Reed moves in quickly once Suzette makes her lunging 'attack' on Roo.
"Careful," Reed says. "He's not a stuffed animal. Suzette, this is Roo. Roo, this is Suzette. And that is a hug. It means she is very happy to meet you."
Reed guides the stragglers into the community hall, explaining what's going on and introducing everyone to Reya. While doing so, he does ask if any of the villagers have anything to share about the brigand miners.
Corlith watches Suzette run across to Roo, and hopes Reed had had a word with the gallus. He remains nervous however, and is prepared to warp her away if things don't go well.
"He is not used to us featherless, as he calls us", he explains. "But he is getting used to being around us. I am not so sure he has experienced a hug before though, so this will be new for him. And who doesn't like a hug?", he says trying to sound more confident than he is.
After a bit, Thomas and Ruby let you know that all that the remaining halflings are all secured inside of the Community Center. Reya gives a little bow to Reed and smiles, "They are safe with me, Sir." and she turns on her heel, locking up the entrances to the building, making sure everything is secure and making Fisk assist.
As the sun starts dipping below the tops of the trees in the area, Reed points out the trail that he assumes the miners were using, at least they did in the past. In his knowing way, he shows the band some backtrails to get to the same area unnoticed.
Going to need stealth rolls from everyone.
As the camp comes into sight, there are some good smells wafting your direction as well as the bustling's of an active campsite. It is a decently large operation, and you can see the entrance to the mine in the NE corner of the camp as you view from the south. From your vantage point you are unable to see within any of the makeshift buildings, but you spot half a dozen men and women (non-halflings) walking about the place.
Corlith follows Reed down the path as quietly as he can, moving in amongst the trees as the camp comes into view. He waits for Reed to decide what the first move should be, his shield already equipped as he expects a fight.
Perception: 20+3=23
"We need to find the top bad guy and kill them first," Reed whispers. "They're brigands. They'll panic after that."
Reed scans the area, looking for the best tent or someone that others appear to be deferring to.
Perception: (19+7) = 26
Stealth: (8+9) = 17