Ola looked the disfigured man up and down - after the abandoned child, indifferent people, barely alive livestock she did not expect much anyway and begun: "Hello Ulburgo. My name is Ola, these are Uragum, Eonis and Adnald. We came to your island because we believe tonight your home will be attacked by undead and we wanted to help. That creatures are going to kill everyone, it will be a terrible battle, yet, there are only five of us. So far every villager refused to protect their home, but Elisande here said you might be different. Would you fight with us?"
Eonis nods, adding, "The more strong arms and willing hearts we have in this endeavor, the better our chances of success. Any townsfolk willing to undergo some quick drills, I could teach the basics of simple weapon usage and self defense. If you are already a skilled fighter, you could do your village a great service, if you can help defend it, and perhaps persuade others to do the same."
Silently cursing himself for not preparing to detect poisons today, Sylyra eats and drinks what is provided, hoping he is not falling into some trap. When accused of lying and the idea of becoming entertainment is proposed, the elf looks at the three crones, trying to discern their intent. "If I was going to lie to you, it would be a much more believable story than the one I just told." He continues, his face passive, "What kind of entertainment did you have in mind? Might I offer to play you something on my viol?"
"It is Ulburto," Ulburto corrects. He continues gutting the fish and grumbles, "Too many Outsides. Outsides bring trouble. Trouble needs to killed. Then I butcher and smoke for times when food run low."
Despite his apparent misgivings, the faintest twitch of a smile crosses the corner of his mouth when Ola and Eonis mention a fight.
The suggestion seems agreeable to the crones, who watch you intently. "A viol? That would be an instrument of some sort?" one asks. Another says, "Show us. It is rare for us to hear music that is not of the land."
"Ulburto," corrected herself Ola. That smile in the mentioning of the fight she already saw before - in the fighting pit that only time she participated. "This is what we are talking about - troubles are coming and need to be killed. Real trouble, it will be a tough battle, with someone, who is here for the kill. The other villages did not protect themselves and everyone was terribly murdered. Will you help with a pay back?"
Through the magic of D&D, Sylyra produces his viol. As he plucks at the strings to make sure the instrument is in relative tune, he looks out from under the pavilion to attempt to judge the position of the sun through the clouds and how much more time they might have before the attack. "One song," he says. "Then we talk more about the danger." He positions the base of the viol between his legs and begins running the bow back and forth across the strings, playing a lively tune — one of his favorite drinking songs. At once point, during the slow section, he whistles along, creating another level of harmony, but most of the song is just played on the viol. As he plays, he feels homesick ... and he realizes that his homesickness is now rooted in sadness instead of anger.
((As a heads up, I am having some home issues and it may be hectic over the next few days, so if posts slow that will be why. When things break they all break at once. Apologies for any delays.))
"You tempt Ulburto with violence," the large man responds, hacking into a fish a couple more times before setting down the axe. "What you offer that Ulburto does not have? You talk good, but you fight as good as talk?" he asks.
The old women exchange mixed faces of intrigue, confusion, and pleasantry, before becoming intent on listening. "Very good," one says when the song has finished. "I have heard nothing like it. Neither have my mother or grandmother, as we have been here for many, many ages."
"You may have impressed my daughter with your talent, but I trust not those without intellect," another of the crones frowns, apparently unimpressed. "Display your wit in a game of riddles, and I will heed your words as if they hold integrity," she grins.
At the revelation that the three crones are three generations, Sylyra looks at each with interest, but does not comment. He agrees to the new challenge, hoping this is the last hurdle before getting on with the real task.
Uragum smiles widely and then gives a hearty laugh. "You talk with a Goliath here. Fighting is what we do," he says. He gives a little flex and raises his fist in show. Then he utters a word of power and he unclenches his fist as lightning crackles across his fingers. "And this Goliath can use more than a sword or axe," he adds before lettering the magic die away.
A faint smile crossed Ola's face and faded quickly - as serious as circumstances were, the idea of anyone seriously questioning Uragum's combativeness was quite comical.
She shrugged: "Stay with us and see for yourself or hid like the others and miss the battle. Enemies are coming either way."
((Just as a brief update, the various home repairs are ongoing which has been extremely hectic, took time away from work and now I am playing catch up on work things while the home remains a construction zone. Still not sure on my ETA of when I'll have time to return to regular posting, but the game is not forgotten, just extremely busy and stressed at the moment. Again, apologies. I don't want to slow progress of the game for everyone involved, so feel free to do whatever is needed for the story - bot my character, create a scenario where they are pulled away temporarily, whatever you feel is best to progress the game. I am hopeful all this will pass and things will return to normal.))
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
OOC: No worries Izraal, we'll be here when you're ready to be back full time. Hope everything is alright.
ARNALD, EONIS, OLA & URAGUM:
Uragum Intimidation: 10
Ulburto is barely managing to hide his grin, clearly impressed by the strength of the goliath standing before him. He crosses his mismatched arms over one another and asks, "What you offer Ulburto for help?"
The crones' riddles are confusing and whimsical. The questions make little sense, and the references within match nothing in the area that you know of. Though you make a decent attempt at it, the cackling and giggling of the old women convey that they are either unimpressed or are having fun at your expense.
"From where you Outsides come, it is a custom to offer gifts, yes? What have you brought to us, that my sisters and I can enjoy in return for our...assistance?" the third of the crones asks.
Ola raised a brow: "A good fight, your life and the life of your villagers is not enough? Then we wasted our time coming here. I am beginning to think Sylyra was right - wiping out that settlement is an act of mercy. The enemy is coming, Ulburto. You can join us and fight or die shivering in your hut, like a coward - it is up to you."
Completely loosing interest in that deformed man (brain was obviously affected too) she turned to her companions: "I suggest we return to the barn? Unless there is some better defendable place in the woods, that would have to do for the night. We can see if there is a way to fortify it somehow. Our goal is to learn about the attackers and if not destroying them completely, then wound enough and preferably catch one. The village apparently does not want any protection - so be it."
"Come, Elisande, let's see what can be done." She may be did not care much about the mad village anymore, but the child deserved protection.
Uragum nods. "You will earn, honor, respect of you people and ill bring tales of your battle prowess over to the main land with us so all may know the strength of your arms."
"Gifts?" Sylyra asks. "Do you mean compensation?" He grins. "The reason I'm here is to save your ... village. If anyone is going to request compensation, it's me." He looks at all three of the crones seriously. "Are you going to help us save your village or not?"
Ulburto snorts derisively and stares hard at Ola. Without shifting eyes to Uragum, he says in a lowered voice, "If Outsides do not leave, Ulburto will have more meat to smoke."
_____________________________________
ARNALD & SYLYRA:
Sylyra Persuasion: 23
"Save our village?" a crone asks. "You bring us nothing but ill words and tasteful music, child."
"And no gifts," another pouts.
The third narrows her eyes and speaks, "You presume much to come to our home and speak as if you know what is best for our people. You have brought interest to a dull day, but we tire of you now."
As the crones decline to help, Arnald walks up to the fire pit.
Sylyra stands and walks out from under the pavilion. Catching sight of Arnold, the elf heads in his direction. "These [rude word] are too proud to care about the danger headed this way. We're on our own." He looks at the dark woods around them. "I'm going to see if I can find some local animals to help."
"More than you think," said Ola, coming closer to the cronie's pit (his threat Ulburto spouted to Ola's back, she truly lost any interest in that man and left after Arnald) "Even those considered fighting type here do not care for the battle or their safety. They might make a good bait, though." It was uncharacteristically cruel for her, but the village begun to aggravate her. "We can try to somehow fortify the barn with our horses. But if you find a better place in the woods - would be good too. You sure you want to go alone there?"
Ola looked the disfigured man up and down - after the abandoned child, indifferent people, barely alive livestock she did not expect much anyway and begun: "Hello Ulburgo. My name is Ola, these are Uragum, Eonis and Adnald. We came to your island because we believe tonight your home will be attacked by undead and we wanted to help. That creatures are going to kill everyone, it will be a terrible battle, yet, there are only five of us. So far every villager refused to protect their home, but Elisande here said you might be different. Would you fight with us?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Eonis nods, adding, "The more strong arms and willing hearts we have in this endeavor, the better our chances of success. Any townsfolk willing to undergo some quick drills, I could teach the basics of simple weapon usage and self defense. If you are already a skilled fighter, you could do your village a great service, if you can help defend it, and perhaps persuade others to do the same."
Silently cursing himself for not preparing to detect poisons today, Sylyra eats and drinks what is provided, hoping he is not falling into some trap. When accused of lying and the idea of becoming entertainment is proposed, the elf looks at the three crones, trying to discern their intent. "If I was going to lie to you, it would be a much more believable story than the one I just told." He continues, his face passive, "What kind of entertainment did you have in mind? Might I offer to play you something on my viol?"
ARNALD, EONIS, OLA & URAGUM:
"It is Ulburto," Ulburto corrects. He continues gutting the fish and grumbles, "Too many Outsides. Outsides bring trouble. Trouble needs to killed. Then I butcher and smoke for times when food run low."
Despite his apparent misgivings, the faintest twitch of a smile crosses the corner of his mouth when Ola and Eonis mention a fight.
___________________________________________________
SYLYRA:
The suggestion seems agreeable to the crones, who watch you intently. "A viol? That would be an instrument of some sort?" one asks. Another says, "Show us. It is rare for us to hear music that is not of the land."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
"Ulburto," corrected herself Ola. That smile in the mentioning of the fight she already saw before - in the fighting pit that only time she participated. "This is what we are talking about - troubles are coming and need to be killed. Real trouble, it will be a tough battle, with someone, who is here for the kill. The other villages did not protect themselves and everyone was terribly murdered. Will you help with a pay back?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Through the magic of D&D, Sylyra produces his viol. As he plucks at the strings to make sure the instrument is in relative tune, he looks out from under the pavilion to attempt to judge the position of the sun through the clouds and how much more time they might have before the attack. "One song," he says. "Then we talk more about the danger." He positions the base of the viol between his legs and begins running the bow back and forth across the strings, playing a lively tune — one of his favorite drinking songs. At once point, during the slow section, he whistles along, creating another level of harmony, but most of the song is just played on the viol. As he plays, he feels homesick ... and he realizes that his homesickness is now rooted in sadness instead of anger.
((As a heads up, I am having some home issues and it may be hectic over the next few days, so if posts slow that will be why. When things break they all break at once. Apologies for any delays.))
ARNALD, EONIS, OLA & URAGUM:
"You tempt Ulburto with violence," the large man responds, hacking into a fish a couple more times before setting down the axe. "What you offer that Ulburto does not have? You talk good, but you fight as good as talk?" he asks.
_____________________________________________________
SYLYRA:
Sylyra Performance: 15
The old women exchange mixed faces of intrigue, confusion, and pleasantry, before becoming intent on listening. "Very good," one says when the song has finished. "I have heard nothing like it. Neither have my mother or grandmother, as we have been here for many, many ages."
"You may have impressed my daughter with your talent, but I trust not those without intellect," another of the crones frowns, apparently unimpressed. "Display your wit in a game of riddles, and I will heed your words as if they hold integrity," she grins.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
At the revelation that the three crones are three generations, Sylyra looks at each with interest, but does not comment. He agrees to the new challenge, hoping this is the last hurdle before getting on with the real task.
Uragum smiles widely and then gives a hearty laugh. "You talk with a Goliath here. Fighting is what we do," he says. He gives a little flex and raises his fist in show. Then he utters a word of power and he unclenches his fist as lightning crackles across his fingers. "And this Goliath can use more than a sword or axe," he adds before lettering the magic die away.
A faint smile crossed Ola's face and faded quickly - as serious as circumstances were, the idea of anyone seriously questioning Uragum's combativeness was quite comical.
She shrugged: "Stay with us and see for yourself or hid like the others and miss the battle. Enemies are coming either way."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
((Just as a brief update, the various home repairs are ongoing which has been extremely hectic, took time away from work and now I am playing catch up on work things while the home remains a construction zone. Still not sure on my ETA of when I'll have time to return to regular posting, but the game is not forgotten, just extremely busy and stressed at the moment. Again, apologies. I don't want to slow progress of the game for everyone involved, so feel free to do whatever is needed for the story - bot my character, create a scenario where they are pulled away temporarily, whatever you feel is best to progress the game. I am hopeful all this will pass and things will return to normal.))
OOC: No worries Izraal, we'll be here when you're ready to be back full time. Hope everything is alright.
ARNALD, EONIS, OLA & URAGUM:
Uragum Intimidation: 10
Ulburto is barely managing to hide his grin, clearly impressed by the strength of the goliath standing before him. He crosses his mismatched arms over one another and asks, "What you offer Ulburto for help?"
_____________________________________________________
SYLYRA:
Deception: 10
Insight: 14
The crones' riddles are confusing and whimsical. The questions make little sense, and the references within match nothing in the area that you know of. Though you make a decent attempt at it, the cackling and giggling of the old women convey that they are either unimpressed or are having fun at your expense.
"From where you Outsides come, it is a custom to offer gifts, yes? What have you brought to us, that my sisters and I can enjoy in return for our...assistance?" the third of the crones asks.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Ola raised a brow: "A good fight, your life and the life of your villagers is not enough? Then we wasted our time coming here. I am beginning to think Sylyra was right - wiping out that settlement is an act of mercy. The enemy is coming, Ulburto. You can join us and fight or die shivering in your hut, like a coward - it is up to you."
Completely loosing interest in that deformed man (brain was obviously affected too) she turned to her companions: "I suggest we return to the barn? Unless there is some better defendable place in the woods, that would have to do for the night. We can see if there is a way to fortify it somehow. Our goal is to learn about the attackers and if not destroying them completely, then wound enough and preferably catch one. The village apparently does not want any protection - so be it."
"Come, Elisande, let's see what can be done." She may be did not care much about the mad village anymore, but the child deserved protection.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
As the group turns, Arnald looks around. "I think I'll go check in on Sylyra. Perhaps he's having better luck that we."
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
Uragum nods. "You will earn, honor, respect of you people and ill bring tales of your battle prowess over to the main land with us so all may know the strength of your arms."
"Gifts?" Sylyra asks. "Do you mean compensation?" He grins. "The reason I'm here is to save your ... village. If anyone is going to request compensation, it's me." He looks at all three of the crones seriously. "Are you going to help us save your village or not?"
EONIS, OLA & URAGUM:
Uragum Persuasion (Disadvantage-Flattery + Ola's Insults): 19
Ulburto snorts derisively and stares hard at Ola. Without shifting eyes to Uragum, he says in a lowered voice, "If Outsides do not leave, Ulburto will have more meat to smoke."
_____________________________________
ARNALD & SYLYRA:
Sylyra Persuasion: 23
"Save our village?" a crone asks. "You bring us nothing but ill words and tasteful music, child."
"And no gifts," another pouts.
The third narrows her eyes and speaks, "You presume much to come to our home and speak as if you know what is best for our people. You have brought interest to a dull day, but we tire of you now."
As the crones decline to help, Arnald walks up to the fire pit.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Sylyra stands and walks out from under the pavilion. Catching sight of Arnold, the elf heads in his direction. "These [rude word] are too proud to care about the danger headed this way. We're on our own." He looks at the dark woods around them. "I'm going to see if I can find some local animals to help."
"More than you think," said Ola, coming closer to the cronie's pit (his threat Ulburto spouted to Ola's back, she truly lost any interest in that man and left after Arnald) "Even those considered fighting type here do not care for the battle or their safety. They might make a good bait, though." It was uncharacteristically cruel for her, but the village begun to aggravate her. "We can try to somehow fortify the barn with our horses. But if you find a better place in the woods - would be good too. You sure you want to go alone there?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice