|
Post by Cläy on Oct 4, 2007 3:10:09 GMT
"We're setting up camp for the night," Jahn said to Sapphire and Anselm. "Who's got the tent?" Sapphire fished it out of his bag. As they set it up, Jahn noticed Deck wandering off on his own. "What is with him?" he said to himself, "'Leader'...huh!" Anselm looked up. "The bard is not right in his mind. And the two of you should keep an eye out at all times - no one knows what danger he may be leading us into." "Well," said Sapphire, "I think we should put up that protective shield as well then." As Sapphire and Anselm muttered incantations, Jahn looked around. The woods were silent but for a slight breeze rustling the trees. "I'll take first watch," he said gruffly, drawing his sword. The others agreed, and went into the tent. Deck walked back a few minutes later, absurdly happy. "What?" grunted Jahn. "I know where we're going!" Deck laughed. "First thing tomorrow we set out!"
|
|
|
Post by Aidan on Oct 4, 2007 3:37:07 GMT
Deck was the first one awake the next day.
"What on earth do you mean by waking us up at 6 in the morning?" yawned Anselm sleepily.
"We've got a bit of a journey ahead of us, men," Deck said. Anselm, Jahn and Sapphire quickly packed the tent away. The four soon found themselves in the middle of a large town square.
|
|
|
Post by Father Austin Purcell on Oct 4, 2007 12:47:34 GMT
Anselm looked around him. Across the square was a chapel. He turned to the others. "If you will excuse me, there is something I need to do." He began to stride purposefully across the square.
"Now wait a minute-" began Deck. "We still haven't dec-"
"I wouldn't expect a godless fool like yourself to understand," snapped the priest, "but believe it or not I do need to pray from time to time. Or is it only you who will be allowed to go skulking off on your own during this expedition?" He said this with an extraordinary venom.
Deck opened his mouth to reply, but Anselm was already shutting the chapel door behind him.
"Insufferable buffoon," the cleric muttered as he knelt in a pew.
|
|
|
Post by Alaric on Oct 4, 2007 15:28:27 GMT
"Well flark you then," Deck muttered to himself. He was beginning to think it would have been easier to come alone. Stuck with an arrogant priest, a fighter who overstepped his authority and a...well, admittedly the wizard hadn't done anything wrong. Yet. But Anselm and Jahn, oooooh! Who did that cleric think he was anyway, calling him a godless fool? He was a follower of Chronicolas, wasn't he? Arguably the only god worth following. Chill, Daemaus. Don't let them get to you. He turned to the others. "So...while Priesty McGee over there does his whole praying thing, what's say we get a drink? I'm buying." That oughta tie things over...
Meanwhile, a continent away, someone was getting an important message. "I've just heard from one of your spies, m'lord," said a servant. "Apparently Daemaus has gathered others to protect him. The helio-kin did not survive." "I see," said the lord, his hand stroking his chin in thought. "Can you tell me of his allies?" "Yes, m'lord. There are three of them-a wizard, a fighter and a cleric." "Where are they now?" asked the lord. "A town 15 jengs from Teras Minor." "Do we have anyone there we can use?" "Yes sir, a woman called Larian. She's one of your assassins, m'lord." "Perfect. Have the spy get in contact with her. Tell her she is to kill the bard and retrieve the map. The others are to be left alive if possible, but should they fight back, she should not hesitate to eliminate them." "At once, m'lord," the servant bowed and left to send on the instructions.
|
|
|
Post by Aidan on Oct 4, 2007 21:08:56 GMT
Deck, Jahn and Sapphire had entered the nearest tavern. They could hear the sounds of men grunting amongst each other and music playing in the distance. They each took a seat while the drinks were being poured.
"Good thing we've stopped here. All that walking's made me absolutely thirsty," panted Sapphire.
"Ooh, somebody's out of shape," joked Jahn to Deck. Deck sniggered quietly.
|
|
|
Post by Cläy on Oct 5, 2007 3:39:25 GMT
The woman at the bar smiled at them. "What'll it be, darlings?" "A pint of your best on tap, a raspberry juice and a glass of reedwater," Deck recited, ordering for Jahn, Sapphire and himself. As the barlady went to fill the glasses, Sapphire and Jahn sat at a table next to the bar window. Jahn was brooding. Sapphire said nothing either. Deck pulled up a chair and sat with three glasses filled with the appropriate drink. "Sup up, chaps," he said good naturedly, "when the priest comes back we'll be off!" He took a hearty swig. Jahn grunted and raised his mug to his lips. A second later he dropped it as Deck started coughing and spluttering uncontrollably. "Hey...HEY!" he shouted, "we need some help here!" He tried to hold Deck still with Sapphire's help, but Deck was thrashing around, seemingly determined to escape. "I don't want to do this," he said to Deck, and punched him hard on the side of the head. Truth be told, I did. Deck collapsed, unconscious. Sapphire picked up Deck's glass and sniffed it. "This reedwater doesn't smell right," he said, showing Jahn, "what do you think?" Jahn looked at the glass. "That's like no reedwater I've ever had," he said darkly. "Shall we be off?" "WHAT?" asked Sapphire. "We've got his map, he'll be OK here. Let's go and get the treasure." "No." Sapphire said firmly. "We have to look after Deck. We can't just abandon him." "Fine," Jahn grumbled, returning to his ale.
|
|
|
Post by Aidan on Oct 6, 2007 4:00:53 GMT
The barmaid noticed Deck's condition.
"Someone's been tampering with my reedwater!" she fumed. "Quick, somebody find an antidote!"
Jahn and Sapphire wasted no time in helping to find an antidote.
When the antidote vial had been found, the barmaid poured the vial's contents while Sapphire and Jahn held Deck's mouth open.
Deck soon recovered.
"Good thing, too," said Sapphire, "or otherwise some of those bar patrons over there might've wanted to pickpocket him".
|
|
|
Post by Alaric on Oct 8, 2007 17:11:35 GMT
"That's not the smartest thing to say in a bar full of people," said Jahn, staring down any patrons that might have taken offence to that remark. Deck spluttered back to consciousness. He did a quick check of himself. Map? Check. Lute? Check. Harp? Back on cart, check. Bow? Back on cart, check. Sword? Check. Scales? "Do re mi fa so la ti do! Do ti la so fa mi re do!" Check. "What's up with him?" asked the barmaid. "Is it a reacton?" "No, just testing my voice madam," Deck reassured her. "Flark, how long was I out?" "About 5 minutes," said Sapphire. Deck coughed. "What was in that reedwater?" "Some kind of poison, obviously," Jahn grunted. "I think we'd best leave." "Yeah, no kidding," Deck groaned, rubbing at his arm. Whatever he'd drank had made the pain worse than ever. "Let me just take some...hold on..." He felt around at the front of his belt. Something vital was missing, something without which the journey couldn't continue. "Where's my Mirth?!" he shouted. "Calm down Deck, you're making a scene," said Sapphire, looking nervously at the curious drinkers. "Who took it? C'mon, own up! Gimme back...unff...gimme back my Mirth!" Deck winced through the pain. "You have plenty of your happy juice back on the cart," Jahn said bluntly, grabbing Deck by the back of the collar. "Can't you go without it for more than 2 seconds?" "...Course I can," Deck snorted. "Just...is mine, is all. Just want me thing back. No harm in that, is there?" Jahn put his free hand to his face. Deck couldn't be certain, but it sounded like he was whispering 'Remember the treasure, remember the treasure, remember the treasure'. "Why don't we leave?" suggested Sapphire. "I'm sure Anselm will be done by now." "Good idea," replied Jahn. "Come on Deck," he dragged the poor bard along the floor behind him. "Stupid flarking arm...stupid strong teammate...stupid poisoned reedwater..." Deck muttered as he was dragged along. "Are you sure he's going to be alright?" asked the barmaid. "Yeah, he's just a junkie, ma'am," Jahn smiled, as he, Deck and Sapphire exited. "Guys..." came Deck's voice as they walked to the cart. "...Thanks for not abandoning me. I guess." "No need to thank us for that, Deck. We wouldn't do a thing like that, would we?" Sapphire glared at Jahn, who shrugged. "Still, thanks, you know?" Deck continued. "Oh, and Jahn, please don't shrug again. It hurts."
The barmaid waited five minutes after the group had left to make sure they wouldn't return, then made her way to the back of the bar. There she met the real barmaid, still tied up where she'd left her. "Ok, now remember the deal," she said, untying the ropes. "Just keep on working like everything is normal, and don't talk to anyone about our little meeting. Because if I hear just one little rumour of there being any trouble here today, I'll be back. And I won't be so generous wth your life." The barmaid nodded her agreement, fear visible on her face. "Good. Now go serve these nice gentlemen," the 'barmaid' smiled, escaping through the back door. She instantly headed for the shadows, feeling the Disguise Self spell beginning to wear off. Gone was the stolen image of the woman she'd replaced. Now she was a figure dressed in pure black, every part of her obscured by cloth. She lept to the rooftops and began to spy on the team from above. Eveything was going according to plan...
|
|
|
Post by Aidan on Oct 8, 2007 20:36:49 GMT
Deck, Jahn and Sapphire were walking through the town square. Father Anselm met up with them.
"I've been hearing things, my sons," said Father Anselm. "Things? What sort of things?" asked Jahn. "Well," began Father Anselm, "there is some evil afoot. One of the barmaids in that tavern you visited has had something going wrong with her."
"Now that you mention it, there had been something poisonous in Deck's reedwater," recalled Sapphire. "We don't know who the culprit was, though," added Deck.
|
|
|
Post by 01Salty on Oct 8, 2007 21:56:31 GMT
My character:
Name: Professor Cornelius Ekhart Borminton Class: Expert Race: Humind (Human, with a slightly larger head and brain) Alignment: Lawful Neutral Weapons: Pocket Knife Key Items: Compass, chain watch, custom glasses Special Skills: Vast knowledge of science and nature, problem solving, planning Party Skills: Mental challenging and weakening, good at troll bridges which require trivial questions Strengths: Organization, punctual, not easy to lose temper, good memory Weaknesses: Pompous attitude, occasionally ignorant and intellectually competitive, perfectionist, useless at physical combat. Brief Bio: Cornelius Ekhart Borminton was born in the city of Faegelminn 31 years ago. He was an only child, and lived under the instruction and guide mainly from his father, who was also a scholar and doctor at the time. He attended the best schools, graduated from the best colleges, and soon made a lot of money in the teaching and tutoring business after his father died. He lives in a large house just outside the town of Uburiharmon, and is currently single. He works at the local University as vice principal, head teacher and town doctor. ***
The four travellers travelled through the town, with Deck starting to lag behind. "Come on," called Jahn, "We'll never get to the treasure with you dawdling like that." "I can't help it," retorted Deck, "I'm in pain!" "Maybe we should take him to see a doctor," suggested Sapphire. "But where would we find one in this giant town?" asked Jahn. "Look for one," said Anselm bluntly.
They looked around the town square, expecting a doctor's building. "Butcher... baker... rug seller... potion shop..." observed Sapphire. "Potion Shop?!" called Deck, immediately overwhelmed with excitment and relief. "You're in pain, remember?" interrupted Jahn, "No more Mirth for you until you're well."
Deck subsided, and continued on dissapointed.
Soon, they approached a large building. "Uburiharmon College," read Anselm, "Not a Religious one I presume."
Sapphire walked up to the man at the door. "Excuse me," he said, "Can you tell us where the local doctor is?" "He's inside," replied the man, "He'll be out soon."
Just then, a posh looking gentleman in a brown suit walked out of the hall. The others could see he was an important man. "Hello Parkenn," said the man. "Sir," said the man, "These gentlemen come requesting to see a doctor." "Do they," pondered the gentleman, eyeing their rather scruffy appearance. "My name is Cornelis Borminton, and what is it you are after?"
|
|
|
Post by Cläy on Oct 9, 2007 1:21:16 GMT
Deck lunged at the doctor. “My arm! My arm my arm my arm my arm my arm!” Cornelius stepped back, a little put off. “So…your arm hurts, is that it?” “Don’t patronize us, doctor,” Jahn said roughly. “Just fix his arm and we’ll be on our way. Some of us have more important things to be doing.” “This IS important!” Sapphire protested, “We’re helping our leader!” “Leader? LEADER??? All he’s ‘led’ us to so for is a tavern and something he doesn’t even know the location of! Look, you stay here. I’ll see if there’s anything worth getting in this town.” Jahn stormed out. A few seconds silence followed, then Cornelius turned to Deck. “So…does it hurt…here?” Deck’s scream broke the window.
|
|
|
Post by Aidan on Oct 9, 2007 20:19:55 GMT
Deck's screams sent a chill through Sapphire's and Father Anselm's bones.
"Poor man," said Anselm, "it sounds as if he's suffering greatly."
Outside, the trio noticed a man selling Mirth. From within the operating room, Deck could sense the Mirth, too.
|
|
|
Post by Father Austin Purcell on Oct 9, 2007 20:44:14 GMT
Anselm strode out to the man. "I would like all the mirth you have in stock, please," he said firmly. "I have money."
"Father!" said Sapphire, stunned.
"Oh, it's not for me," Anselm said quietly. Sapphire smiled. "Compassion?" he asked, nodding towards Deck. "No," said Anselm, taking a bottle. "Temperance."
Held the bottle aloft, then threw it onto the flagstones outside. The glass tinkled, and it’s contents trickled down a nearby drain. "Hey!" shouted the pedlar, as the priest proceeded to destroy the rest of his stock.
"Shut up," Anselm snapped. "I bought it, didn't I?"
Hearing the noise, Deck screamed. And not from pain...
|
|
|
Post by Cläy on Oct 11, 2007 4:52:09 GMT
Jahn strode purposefully through the town centre. He'd tried to curb his cynicism almost the entire adventure - pathetic tales of treasure which he had foolishly been suckered into believing, petty squabbles over religion (Jahn didn’t care for any religion – to him, life only had one meaning) and what basically amounted to useless wandering had killed his appetite for adventure. Even Jahn, who had aimlessly wandered for many a year, was prepared to admit that it was the company during this wandering that dulled him. There was, however, one thing that Deck had which Jahn could use…
Deck screamed, “Mirth! MIRTH!!!!! Don’t, don’t, no don’t, please stop, must be…!” Anselm ignored him, and kept throwing bottles on the cobbled stones. “It’s for your own good,” he said calmly, while Sapphire nodded his approval, “Mirth is not something to be taken lightly – you cannot fall to temptation in your quest.” “Not tempted…just like it, is all…Jahn?” For Jahn had returned to the doctor’s office. Not saying a word to anyone, he picked up Deck’s bag and began rummaging through it. “What are you doing? That’s my private personal bag with all my personal private things in it!” Deck said indignantly. “Making it public,” Jahn grunted without looking up. At last – his hands clasped around what he was searching for. “My map!” Deck cried. “At least your eyes still work,” said Jahn, “right, I’m off.” “Not with my map you’re not!” said Deck angrily. “Yes with your map. Tell you what – I’m getting a head start.” And keeping everything for myself. “But…but…my map!” Jahn rolled his eyes. “Look, Deck. Let me put this in terms you’ll understand. Do – you – want – TWO – bad – arms?” “…no…” “Good. I’ll be off then.” Jahn walked out. Looking at Deck’s map, which was frankly undecipherable to him – he just didn’t want Deck having his nose in it every second minute – he decided to start heading north. “See what I can find…” he said to himself as he set off.
|
|
|
Post by Aidan on Oct 11, 2007 22:35:33 GMT
Jahn had traveled a great distance, with Deck's map still in his hand. He soon approached the woods. The trees stood still, their branches in all directions. Suddenly, there came a rustling noise from behind a bush.
"Who goes there?" called Jahn. There came no reply.
|
|
|
Post by 01Salty on Oct 13, 2007 5:26:28 GMT
Meanwhile, Cornelius was finishing his analysis of Deck. “It seems that you, Sir, have been the victim of the ‘Argarbus Nitoxyde’ poison,” he said, “A few pills and you’ll be back to normal again in a few days. Lucky you only had as much as you did. Had you taken any more you would have died.” “That sounds reassuring,” muttered Anselm.
Cornelius wrote a few notes, and handed him the bill for the pills. “160 trobs?” cried Deck, “I only have 27.” “Well, I’m afraid you can’t have them,” said Cornelius. “Perhaps the doctor can be paid with part of the treasure,” suggested Sapphire. “Treasure?” quizzed Cornelius. “Deck’s our ‘leader’ to explore and discover some treasure,” explained Sapphire. “But hasn’t done a very good job so far,” added Anselm. “Maybe you can come with us,” said Sapphire, “We could definitely use someone like you in time of need.”
Cornelius pondered for a moment. “Maybe,” he said, “It would give my trainee a chance to prove his worth in doctoring for Uburiharmon. I suppose so, if I must.” “Good,” said Anselm, “It’ll be nice to have someone else with common sense around here.” “I guess so,” mumbled Deck, feeling his pain more than ever. “That’s settled then. Cornelius can come and assist us,” said Sapphire, “And in return get part of the treasure in which will also pay for Deck’s medication.”
Cornelius agreed, and went to gather his things. “I guess we should go after Jahn,” said Sapphire. “We must!” cried Deck, “He’s got my map!”
As soon as Cornelius came out again with his suitcase, they hurried across the street to find Jahn. “I saw him go this way,” said Anselm. “Let’s hope nothing too bad happened to him,” added Sapphire. “Or my map,” muttered Deck, as he struggled on.
Back to Jahn, he turned around swiftly, eyeing the bush. His hand was heading towards his handaxe, when the figure jumped out of the bush. “Whoa,” cried Jahn, to observe nothing but a little troll. “DON’T HURT ME!” it cried, “Are you a warrior for Lord Falzynne?” “Who?” asked Jahn, now more irritated by the troll who had startled him. “Do you know where Uburiharmon is?” asked the troll quickly. “Err, just down that road,” pointed Jahn, “Now who is this...”
But before he could finish the question, the troll ran down the road as fast as it could. “Trolls,” muttered Jahn.
|
|
|
Post by Cläy on Oct 13, 2007 10:06:53 GMT
Jahn continued on, already putting the encounter out of his mind. The sooner he found the treasure, the sooner he could carry on with life. He had admit he liked the way the troll ran from him as though he was a warrior of Lord Falzynne - as if he'd do someone else's dirty work! Still, if people (and trolls) were that scared, all the better for him. Turning left, he kept a wary eye out for anything or anyone suspicious. So far, beside the helio-kin and Deck's poisoning, there had been nothing untoward. Jahn was edgy - surely something had to happen soon. A twig snapped behind him. He whirled - and saw Deck staring up at him, his mouth a hard line. "I'd like my map, please." "Fine," Jahn said, at once relieved and angry. "How'd you find me?" "Tracking spell," piped up Sapphire, "we knew where you had gone as soon as you left the town square." "So," said Deck, "shall we continue as a team? I know you couldn't read the map, for a start, Jahn..." "How?" "You were holding it upside down." "Whatever..."
Meanwhile, the barmaid cowered in a corner. The cloaked lady stared at her coldly. "HOW DID THEY KNOW?" "I don't know! I didn't tell anyone!" "I gave you one chance. You've blown that chance. You know what this means..." "No! NO! I swear..." The barmaid was silenced as Larian smiled darkly. Running her finger across her own throat, a deep gash appeared on the barmaid's. Screaming in agony, the barmaid scrabbled at her neck before shuddering still, dead. Larian turned and walked out of the room purposefully. She would have to resort to more direct methods to silence 'Deck' Daemaus.
|
|
|
Post by Father Austin Purcell on Oct 14, 2007 17:01:58 GMT
OOC: I hope I made the first part clear enough. Sorry if it's a bit long winded but I was enjoying writing it.
***************
Lieutenant Robert Montjoy of the Uburiharmon Lancers trembled from the cold, despite having put on his spare tunic and his cloak over his uniform. He despised these Hills, with their biting winds and dark nights, and wished dearly that he could be back home in Uburiharmon, in front of his large fireplace, instead of up here, in command of this dismal little border fort, where the only intelligent conversation he could find was with the corporal who brought him his tea.
He shivered once more, leaned back behind his desk, and poured himself a small brandy. This done, he picked up a book and began to read. It was called Geranium Cultivation for the Beginner, and understandably the Lieutenant kept it hidden inside a hollowed out copy of regulations most of the time. He had just turned to chapter seven (The Art of Good Compost) when there was a loud knock at the door. He sighed. “Who is it?” “Sergeant Clott, sah!” Montjoy sighed, and placed the book back in it’s hiding place. “Enter!”
Clott entered. He was a huge man; the sort that looked like he juggled anvils for fun. And he conformed to the stereotype by having very little in the way of the old grey matter, which was why Montjoy despised the man. “What is it, Sergeant?” “There’s a woman outside as what wants to see you, sah.” “A lady? Travelling alone? At this hour?” Montjoy’s voice betrayed indignation; he certainly did not believe it proper for the fairer sex to travel alone. Especially not on these roads, where highwaymen were commonplace. “Very well, Sergeant. Show her in.”
“Sah!” The sergeant vanished, and a cloaked figure glided into the room. The Lieutenant smiled politely, closed the door and offered his guest a chair.
“I do not need your old-fashioned chivalry, Robert Montjoy,” she scoffed. The Lieutenant was taken aback. “Do not bother asking how I know your name, Lieutenant,” the woman continued with scarcely concealed contempt. “I have my sources. Sources you could not possibly conceive, sat here in your miserable little fort with your sad little books on horticulture.” “W-who the devil are you?” the Lieutenant stammered, reeling from what he felt, with some justification, to be an unprovoked verbal assault. “That need not concern you either. Right now, all that should concern you is that I have information.” “What sort of information?” demanded Montjoy. “A party of men will be passing this way shortly. One of them is a criminal posing as a bard. He is wanted for the murder of a barmaid in Uburiharmon. You will arrest him, and hang him as the law dictates.”
The officer stood up. “I assume you have proof of the man’s guilt? Or authorisation to command me to make such an arrest?” he demanded. The woman said nothing, simply producing a large bag of gold, which she placed on the desk. Montjoy sneered. “Bribing an officer of the Lancers is a criminal offence, madam. The way I see it you want me to commit institutionalised murder. Well let me tell you something, whoever you are. I am going to call Sergeant Clott back in here and he is going to take you to the gates, and if you return here again, I shall have you hanged.”
Beneath the hood of her cloak, the woman sighed. Montjoy's principles had complicated the matter significantly. “Very well, Lieutenant. Have it your own way.”
The Lieutenant frowned as the woman raised a hand, then began to move towards the door. He raised a hand to open it, then faltered. He puzzled at the sharp pain in his chest, looked down at the dark red stain spreading across the blue of his uniform, and struggled to understand. He collapsed, and tried to cry out, but remained silent. He turned towards the woman, extended a hand pleadingly, then nothing more.
The woman smiled, heaved the limp form of the Late Lieutenant Montjoy into a cupboard, then sat down in the officer's chair. Now came the tricky bit. She concentrated...
"Sergeant Clott!"
The Sergeant entered, then glanced around the room. "Your guest, sah! 'As she gone, sah?"
Robert Montjoy smiled. "Yes, sergeant, she has. Now would you be so good as to double the patrols on the road? There is a party headed this way. Bring them here, Sergeant, and when you do, inform me. Is that understood?"
"Yessah!"
* * *
"It's getting dark," muttered Jahn sullenly. "We'd better find somewhere to pitch the tents."
"Well if I were you," said Anselm quietly, "I'd turn back. If we go on much further we'll be heading onto bleak moorland."
As the party halted, Cornelius cleared his throat. "If I may make an observation, we may not be alone." He pointed up the road, where four horsemen sat watching, sillouetted against the moon...
|
|
|
Post by Alaric on Oct 14, 2007 22:42:17 GMT
OOC: Ok, no, sorry, I can't allow that. Aidan, while I appreciate the fact that you're preventing the plot from progressing too slowly, you're also preventing any actual plot from happening. And after seeing how much effort lner put into his post, to sum up the whole battle with just 'Quickly, they captured the band of heroes' is not only anticlimatic, it's very unfair to the rest of us. Frankly, I feel we're long overdue for a fight scene. There was supposed to be at least one in the wilderness, but you moved us so quickly we didn't get chance. One of the rules of the RPG is to make sure the story flows properly, and it's hard to do that when we move from place to place in a matter of sentences. If you think I'm being unfair, I apologise, but that's just how I feel. Players, the above post is void. Please follow on from the following.
IC: "Anybody order an apocalypse?" Deck muttered. "Don't worry guys, I'll sort this out." He walked over to the horsemen. "Good evening to you, fair gentlemen. I welcome you to our abode, and ask what business you have with us." "That all depends on two things," said the first horseman, who looked like the one in charge. "Who you are, and what you're doing here." "Oh, we're just a band of travellers looking for shelter for the night," Deck smiled. "Isn't that right, lads?" "That's right!" Sapphire called, catching on to Deck's plan. "Travellers, eh?" the man in charge raised an eyebrow knowingly. "That's right, just a group of wandering minstrels, we be. Shall we play you a tune?" Deck unstrapped his lute. "A one, two, three..." "Minstrels, eh?" the man sneered. "Tell me, what group of minstrels counts a cleric, a doctor, a wizard and a fighter among them?" "...One desperately low on talent, alas," Deck bluffed. "It appears you alone fit the criteria, bard. Which is actually pretty lucky." "Really?" "Well, for us at any rate. It makes one of you that much easier to capture." "This isn't working..." Jahn hissed. "Capture, eh?" Deck reached slowly for his belt. The horsemen grabbed their swords as one. "It's only a harp, gentlemen," Deck smiled, strumming gently upon the instrument. "Surely you wouldn't kill someone for playing some music." "What's he doing?" Anselm whispered to Cornelius. "The fool will get us killed!" "...No, I think he knows exactly what he's doing," Cornelius whispered back, smiling. "Now really, lads," Deck continued to pluck the strings, "You don't want to capture us, do you? I mean, all that paperwork you have to file, and those reports you have to make. Oh, and then there's all that time you have to waste looking after us. Wouldn't it be easier just to let us go?" "You know, he's right," another horseman said hazily. "It would be easier to let them go." The man in charge cuffed the other man around the ear. This caused him to be at attention once more. "Don't take me for an idiot, bard," the first man tutted. Deck cursed under his breath. The Suggestion spell hadn't worked. Either he was rusty through lack of practice, or this guy had lucked out on a Will Save. "Alright, the subtle approach didn't work," he slowly backed up to the group. "What right have you to take us prisoner?" Anselm demanded. "We have a right to know the charges." "I suppose you do," the man in charge sighed. "Unfortunately, I don't really know them myself. All I know is that Sergeant Clott wants us to bring back a party with a bard in it, and when Sergeant Clott gives an order, he gets very angry if it's disobeyed. That's why it would be much easier to come with us back to headquarters so we can get this whole thing sorted out." "That does make sense," Cornelius mused. "We've done nothing wrong...at least, I haven't...so it should be a simple enough matter to prove our innocence." "Yeah, about that..." Deck twiddled his thumbs. "Some of us might not have a squeaky clean a record as others." The man on the horse laughed. "That sounds like an admission of guilt to me. Now then gentlemen, be sensible. Come with us peacefully, and I promise no harm shall come to you. Unless of course you're found guilty, in which case a lot of harm shall come to you, but it'll be over quickly. Now then, what do you say to that?"
|
|
|
Post by Aidan on Oct 15, 2007 0:32:49 GMT
OOC: Good point, Alaric. I apologize for any trouble I've caused.
IC: Deck unsheathed his sword.
"What we say is that we're not going down without a fight!" he roared. The men on horseback clambered down from their steeds and soon there came the clanging and clashing of metal swords.
The bard, the wizard, the cleric and the doctor put every amount of strength into their attacks.
"You wait until Sergeant Clott hears about this! Then there will be trouble!" sneered the horsemen.
"We can handle it," said Deck with determination. Sapphire used some of his most powerful spells on the evildoers. A Hypnotism spell was his main weapon of choice.
|
|