Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

A pair of skeletons march out into the field to retrieve Thad. Will Cassandra react to that?


You're correct. My bad. I should probably give him a name. He won't have the same prohibition on saying his name the sorcerers have.



Removing the mark on her hand will require a charm from wings (much like the amulet did) 10 minutes of time, and access to a fire, charcoal, and a knife. It will also do 1 point of damage to the hand. And be really obvious what she is doing.


Fortunately him attacking her with spells via the mark will take 10 minutes per attempt and also require a fire. Tracking her will be almost instant though.



Fair enough. Do remember that using Sorcery warps your mind.

If Anoras can start healing Thad during the below conversation, she'll do so. She wants to start healing him as soon as possible.

Bushy Hair: "Don't tie him up yet. Keep weapons on him though."


Bushy Hair: "Skeletons should be enough. And the distance. And covering archers. We need to retrieve the body anyways. We don't want to let one archer keep us here all day."



Fireball answers in natively fluent Haunden: "I can speak Haunden as well as anyone. A lot better than 'Roughly'"



This will wait on Cassandra's action or lack thereof.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

So emerging from cover and presumably no shields to try and grab Thad? She'll try to tag one

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

(Anoras speaking in Venasir) "I do not doubt, Mystic, that you can speak it and speak it well. But would a warrior who fought on while dying be more likely to speak to his intended killer or to his healer?"

(Anoras speaking in "rough" Haunden) "I to be healer of giant."

OOC: Of course that's your decision. But as we've been calling him Bushy-haired Warrior, Bushy Hair, or Bushy Beard, how about a name that has "Bush" in it? Something like Bushiko?

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

OOC: I had of course said ericthered could do my rolls for me to speed things up to get the other two players back in active play.

And I chose not to use Luck to resist the mark on Anoras's hand. That's largely because I wanted to save Luck in case I needed it to save Thad.

But I really want to make my own roll on First Aid for Thad. So please forgive me if I'm making this roll a tad early. (Or should I say a "Thad" early?)

EDIT: With the help of the first aid kit, rolled 9 under!

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Ok, so Thad is about 7 yards from the trees, I think. The skeletons come out, taking about three seconds to get there, two seconds to grab him, and four seconds to get back. That gives Cassandra nine seconds.



As Cassandra is aiming at a skeletons, she sees the archers aiming at her... they should shoot all at about the same time.


**********************


Fireball: "I can make him wish for death." There is too much pleasure coming out of that statement.



Fireball: "Ask, if you can. I doubt you can find anything out. He's already seen your face."



'Sh' messes up the linguistic feel of the Venasir. Lets call him Busan.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra is hoping that being in cover and 200 yards away she isn't killed. So will go ahead and try

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

The archers all fire in about a single second:

Archer #1:

Skill ?? - 12 (range) +3 (acc) + 2 (time) = skill -7 vs 12 is a miss!
Archer #2:
Skill ?? - 12 (range) +3 (acc) + 2 (time) = skill -7 vs 12 is a miss!
Archer #3:
Skill ?? - 12 (range) +3 (acc) + 2 (time) = skill -7 vs 9 is a miss!
You know know archer #3 has skill 15.

Cassandra:

Skill 16 - 12 (range) +3 (acc) + 2 (time) = 9 vs 8 is a hit!
Damage: 8 damage, halved for unliving and 4 wounding to the torso.

Archers #1 and #2 fail fast draw and won't shoot with full aim, Cassandra and #3 make it and will get full aim.

Cassandra:

Skill 16 - 12 (range) +3 (acc) + 2 (time) = 9 vs 8 is a second hit!

Damage: 6 damage, halved for unliving and 3 wounding to the torso... just enough to put that skeleton under HP/2.

Archer #1:

Skill ?? - 12 (range) +3 (acc) + 1 (time) = skill -8 vs 9 is a miss!
Archer #2:
Skill ?? - 12 (range) +3 (acc) + 2 (time) = skill -8 vs 15 is a miss!
Archer #3:
Skill ?? - 12 (range) +3 (acc) + 2 (time) = skill -7 vs 12 is a miss!

So Cassandra scores two hits, while arrows fall all around her. I think the dice just liked her though. (though armor and cover would count for something... though I think 1 more damage severely cramps her style)

************************

Wings is very disappointed in having another skeleton damaged, and fireball is livid. "If he doesn't have anything useful to say I'm taking it out of your hide!" he threatens Anoras.

First aid on Thad succeeds... roll for damage healed from shock, and give additional actions. Also, the "interrogation".

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

"Viva Haunden!" Cassandra calls out and sticks her tongue out at the Venasir before ducking back behind a tree

Not that this is likely apparent at 200 yards

She is annoyed she didn't slow the skeleton down enough to stop it taking Thad

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

"Mystic, wasn't the plan before that to use skeletons to retrieve the giant's body to make it into a skeleton? That would have involved the same risk.

"And how could you blame me if the giant doesn't know what I don't know? If I knew what the giant knew, they're be no reason to question the giant."

Sorry, but I'm not sure I understand who's supposed to roll for damage healed from shock and how many die the roll would be. If it's a roll for Anoras, the GM can roll for me.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Fireball: "This was your plan! I was going to wait until the archer goes away! Don't try to pretend this isn't your fault. Find out what he knows!"

Basic set page 424.



Anoras will be able to heal two damage on Thad. He's stopped bleeding. Actually getting him conscious... That requires a HT roll after 12 hours, and doing more than that requires skills Anoras doesn't have. With his HT, he stands a good chance of surviving though.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

I'm packing a lot in together to help move things up so other players aren't waiting on me.

(Anoras speaking) "Mystic, as the giant nearly died it will of course take a while before he's conscious. Even then, it may take time before he's coherent enough to answer questions. At first, his mind may be confused, mixing reality with fantasy. He might mistake a fireball for a firefly, a wind-shaken bush for walking skeletal bones, Haunden for Holidor. For a while, his mind may be lost in dreams.

"Meanwhile, I have more wounded to attend to."


Question for the GM: These sorcerers keep their real names secret. I imagine Anoras, with Hidden Lore (Sorcery), would know why. If it requires a roll, the GM can roll for me.


Anoras will do First Aid on the injured, the badly injured first. The GM can do those rolls for me.


While Anoras is doing First Aid, she will use Acting as "the GM may also require an Acting roll whenever you try to fool someone...." (B 174). She wants to seem like she supports their cause. (For all I know as of right now, she more-or-less might--they and we might have a common enemy).

To gain a specific piece of information ("Do you have prisoners and, if so, where are they?") she'll use Fast-Talk. She'll try to use this on someone who might know but who does not seem to be one of the smartest of the group.

I'll roll on Acting and Fast-Talk. If the first Fast-Talk roll doesn't reveal what she wants to know, she'll try again on a different person--the GM can do an additional roll for me if needed.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Rainy Day Ninja, are you still with us? Thad may be unconscious, but he is very much the center of attention. I know Kalazzaz and I are both very curious how Anoras is going to get Thad out of there. or herself.



How long will Cassandra wait for them to move?

fireball watches the giant as he lays on the forest floor, fuming.


secret roll:


Some of its tradition. Some of it is a break with who they were. Some of it is that Sorcerers seem to gain a little extra pleasure and power from sacrificing people they knew before.

Ok, so bandages for everyone!


They all heal only a single point of damage, through no fault of how hard Anoras is trying.


"We left the Haunden prisoners with Stripes. No need to bring them on this raid. We're meeting back up at the sacrifice site. We might need to call them back so we have enough men for the raid."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra will stick around as long as she can see her friends

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

I am also very curious how Anoras is going to do it. :-D

Not a question for me, of course. But as Cassandra was watching Thad, she probably had a very good chance of seeing Anoras using First Aid--and that Anoras is not tied and doesn't have a sword at her back. I imagine Cassandra would remember that Anoras talked about her possible plans to deal with the Venasir.

(Anoras speaking, and sounding tired--for real) "That is the best I can do for now. The injured need to rest, and so do I."

(Anoras speaking) "Ah yes, wise plan. And I believe you're right. With many suffering severe injuries that will take quite a while to heal, meeting back up with Stripes and the others at the sacrifice site sounds like a good idea."

Based on the attack on Haunden, the path the attacking Venasir took from there, our current location, and Anoras having Area Knowledge (both Haunden and Venasir), she'll guess at the two most likely of the five. As she already knows the five sites, perhaps a roll isn't needed. If one is, the GM can roll for me. And/Or Fast Talk if that's needed.

(Anoras speaking): "Ah yes, I imagine the site we're using would be (Site 1) or (Site 2). Is it one of those?"

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

You can't see any of them. They're behind trees. If you could see them, you could be shooting at them.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Warrior: "Its not my call, of course."

Warrior: "I don't know. If we get lost a bird will come and get us." He gestures to a mark on his hand that matches Anoras's.

Anoras's suggestion of rest prompts a guffaw from fireball. He turns to Wings. "Is that archer still there? we've got to get rid of her."
Wings: "Yeah, I don't know what she's waiting for."
Busan: "We should swing around the trees with the main force and flush her out. If we have enough force. She's a better shot than anyone we have, and that's a nasty strong bow."
"Or we backtrack and rebalance our forces."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Haha, yeah I'm still checking in. Just let me know when it's time to try to wake up!

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Oh, I thought I could see them, just not good shot at them, they can see her. Of course they can probably spell Purr unlike her

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

They aren't watching you from the trees, as far as you can tell. They're relying on some mystic effect from wings to watch you.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra will probably eventually figure they left and wander off then

Given her navigation land is something along the lines of 4, I might just use the scatter diagram

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

(Anoras speaking): "Of course. But it's your call to follow orders, and it looks to me like you're doing your job well. And Busan seems like a wise warrior well worth following."

OOC: Does Busan have any reaction modifiers that could affect Anoras? And yes, I understand that PCs are generally not required to make reaction rolls. But right now, Anoras is liking him a whole lot better than she likes Fireball or Wings....

(Anoras speaking): "Ah, yes. The mark of connection."

(Anoras speaking not too loudly but not too quietly either, in a tone that may be sincere or may be sarcastic): "I understand. Having a healer who's in good enough shape to heal our people is not all that important to you. You are a great mystic who's above such petty concerns for others like I have."

Anoras will roll on Tactics to try to come up with a plan that could help her, Cassandra, and Thad--and get us to the prisoners--without being obvious. She'll keep in mind things she knows about Cassandra (including things she'd know that are listed on Cassandra's character sheet which I'm looking at).

Also on Cassandra's "Apollo (or setting analog)" who would this be in this setting and would it be someone both Haunden and Venasir accept?

EDIT: Made Tactics by 4.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Where will Cassandra try to go? (not that she'll succeed, but ultimate target matters)



Good to know. If Thad doesn't make it I've got an idea or two about where to get another character for you. But right now Thad still lives, and you may have derailed the villian's plans, at least.



Other than not having magic-inflicted Sadism, Callous, and megalomania? He's got the leadership skill.

Fireball: "Don't forget again."


Busan seems to be taking the suggestion seriously
"How long will it take to contact stripes? We've taken heavy losses."
Fireball: "We can speak through the birds, but that is no substitute for speech. And my comrade is watching the archer."
Busan: "I do not think we will be able to take enough prisoners for the ritual with what we have."
Fireball: "Even with the giant's skeleton?"
Busan: "We need more men to handle prisoners."
Fireball: "Then we should recruit some."
Busan: "That is a risk, but it is better than a strait attack. We will delay a day then?"
Fireball: "If we must. And then we can hear this giant's plot and have his skeleton as well."


It would be Haunden only. Lets call him Bribeam. Venasir have their own deities and they don't match up well in identity/domain/characteristics



Are you asking for advice and backing it up with a roll? Tactics isn't particularly adjacent to what's being asked either... But here are some thoughts.



You've got a ticking clock with Thad. One way or another, they will want to kill him. He either never wakes up and dies or he wakes up and has nothing to say and they kill him.


If you run away you'll need enough protection to take off the mark while Wings tries to curse you. The local Venasir might actually be useful allies here. Though not quite as useful if you let the Sorcerers actually make their raid first.



Alternatively you can try to stick with this group for the rest of the journey. If that happens we have a really bad case of split party, unless you can figure out a way for Cassandra to follow.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Back toward where we camped last night

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

I appreciate the thoughts you posted. I admit I'm at something of a loss trying to save Thad, helping prevent Cassandra from getting killed, keeping Anoras alive, getting the party back together, and rescuing the prisoners which is our primary mission.

As Thad won't be awake for 12 hours or so, for right now Anoras wants to contact Cassandra. So....

Anoras has Hidden Lore (Sorcery) and Naturalist (World of Haunden). And she would of course have been studying the ground and surroundings when she was Tracking the Venasir.

With that combination, I think it's likely if there were plants/herbs valuable to mystics/mages, she would have seen and recognized them. So I hope it's acceptable that I'll roll on Naturalist to see if she saw something that would be valuable to mages like Fireball and Wings.

OCC: Yes, I admit I'm wanting to use Naturalist as Anoras hasn't had a chance to use that skill, and as it is her highest. If the GM wants to interpret my role for a different appropriate skill, ericthered can certainly do so.

ROLL: Rolled a 7!

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Yes, Anoras has seen some mystically important plants...


Though mystically important plants are more important to what she does than what the sorcerers do. Also, you might want to be careful about revealing to the sorcerers that you know how to interact with their spells.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Thanks for the note!

(Anoras speaking, after resting, where Busan, Fireball, and Wings--and the warrior she talked to quite a bit--can hear.): "Doing all this healing, I've used up much of my supplies. I did see some plants earlier that can help. While we're waiting for the wounded to recover, I can gather plants that could help heal our wounded. And as you're concerned about being attacked again, and I have this mark of connection (raises appropriate hand), I'm sure you don't want to waste a bunch of warriors by sending them to follow me so they can do nothing but watch me pick plants.

"So while we're waiting, please let me gather so I can continue to be your healer."

I'll roll Fast-Talk. (Hope is they'll send no one. Or, if they do send someone, they'll send the warrior she's been talking to.)

EDIT: Made Fast-Talk right on

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Wings: "Refill your pack. Stay within shouting distance or I'll turn you into a skeleton."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

(Anoras speaking) "Yes, Mystic. I know you have that power."

Anoras will wander off to gather helping plants--in the general direction of where Cassandra, Thad, and she camped. She figures as Cassandra was in battle, the warrior would not have been covering her tracks (and we didn't cover our tracks getting there). So Cassandra's tracks should be easy to follow. So Anoras will want to do that.

In case a Tracking roll in necessary, I'll roll.

EDIT: Made the roll.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Fair warning: You're aware that Cassandra is being watched? you're going to go find her anyways?

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Thanks. I wasn't sure if Anoras would know--I'm trying not to play out-of-character knowledge. So in regard to the below for Cassandra....

Does Anoras know the above? If she does, would she know if Wings could only see, or both see and hear, Cassandra? And would she know if Wings can see or hear Anoras? (If that needs a roll, the GM can roll for me.)

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

With sky-high Hidden Lore (Sorcery), the roll is sucessful.



Anoras has been plainly told that wings specifically can see Cassandra, as opposed to a scout, and wings is clearly not peering out of the trees, and is instead concentrating on a spell. There are magical effects that allow this, either scrying at a distance, or viewing through the eyes of an animal.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Thanks.

So does Anoras know if Wings could hear Cassandra and/or Anoras?

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

She doesn't know if Wings can hear Cassandra or not.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Anoras knows that Fireball knows the Haunden language, but suspects Wings does not.

So, within earshot of Wings but not Fireball, she'll speak in Haunden while very near but walking away from Wings. But she'll use his "name" in Venasir.

(Anoras speaking to herself in rough Haunden while walking away): "I hope Wings that he knows what he does."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Critical Success!


Wings: "Don't speak Haunden around me unless you have to. Hurry up and find those plants. We don't have all day."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Anoras made a critical success--but my brain didn't! But I think I got it--Anoras learned Wings doesn't speak Haunden. If I'm thinking wrong, GM please let me know!

(Anoras speaking in Venasir): "Yes, Mystic, I will start looking immediately."

She'll of course not only look for the plants, but for Cassandra (she had made her Tracking roll. Now she'll make plans for how to approach Cassandra knowing Wings may be watching).

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

She finds Cassandra. who is watching out of the trees across the meadow at the approximate location of the enemy. She's about 10 yards way, behind fairly heavy tree cover. She has not noticed Anoras yet.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Sorry this is so long....

Anoras will gather herbs both for healing and for making charms like she did for Thad. If necessary, she can also claim those are good for healing. Based on Anoras being the one giving medical aid and on conversations, it looks like none of the Venasir in the group know First Aid and Gardening and Naturalist like Anoras does.

And note that Anoras wasn't asked and didn't tell any of the Venasir her name. (Had they asked, her claimed name might have been....)

Anoras does not want to do anything physically that could give away, to the possibly watching Wings, that Cassandra and Anoras are friends. But telling Cassandra what's happening is a goal. That includes Thad's condition, that Cassandra's being watched, and the planned meet up in the sacrifice site with Stripes who has the captives. And there's the mark on Anoras' hand.

I'm thinking of different possibilities, some probably more likely to work than others. In no particular order, these are:


1) Trying to set things up so Wings could get killed by Cassandra. That would eliminate a sorcerer and would mean Wings' mark in Anoras wouldn't mean much.

2) Suggesting Cassandra stay hidden, but follow our group with the future plan of helping free the captives when we find the meeting place.

3) Cassandra going to get help from other Haunden--if the meeting place is far enough away to give enough time for that. There might be a shorter route from Haunden to there than from where we're at now.

4) Bringing Cassandra to the Venasir as a helpful descendant of Bribeam, deity over archery and also dance. (These skills fit both Apollo, the Bribeam equivalent, and also fit Cassandra who believes this is true. Apollo is also over healing, which fits Anoras.)

5) Suggesting Cassandra learn a simple Venasir phrase and also carry a small piece of wood on which Anoras carves a message in Venasir with an appropriate mark. Essentially, Cassandra would be warning the castle of the renegade Venasir group's attack (and letting them know Anoras and Thad can help). Anoras has the Quirk, "Longs for the Old Days (pre-Venasir attack)." Warning the castle might both save us and be a way of starting diplomatic relations with the Venasir.

Some of these may be stupid ideas--Anoras would likely know, I wouldn't.

OOC

I don't know if GM ericthered will go for this or not. But...

I'm currently in the position where what I have Anoras do could either help or hurt the rest of our party--maybe hurt them to the death. So if if it's OK with the GM, maybe the other players could give input.

If that's not OK--or if the GM thinks rolling is the best option--the GM can do an appropriate roll for me on what's a good plan.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

1 - Cassandra would love to kill Wings if there is a way to do it

2 - Cassandra is bad at stealth and tracking, this seems unlikely to work

3 - Cassandra would get lost before she finds any Haunden

4 - Cassandra has Archery and Dancing! I'm not sure they would actually like Cassandra though as she has been shooting at them

5 - this seems promising! I believe we can actually see the castle now so navigation not as required?

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

you can't actually see the castle, but there is a road to it nearby, and most the roads lead there now, and you are close to being able to see it.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

All right--looks like we'll go with 5. Thanks! (And who knows--that might give Cassandra a chance at 1 as well.)

My understanding is Cassandra is being watched and Anoras isn't, but Anoras can be tracked by the mark on her hand made by Wings.


Assuming my understanding is correct, Anoras will look for a suitable piece of wood on which to write a message using a metal fish hook. Anoras not only has Fishing but is a Native level Venasir writer and an expert Naturalist.

(And there's a photo of a strong TL 1 or TL 2 metal fish hook at https://flyfishingscience.co.uk/2020...-fishing-hook/ and one at https://www.courthousenews.com/prehi...ng-techniques/ The second article indicates the hook is believed 'strong enough to pull a 2-pound, “and possibly even heavier,” fish out of the water'. That's a fish that would likely be swimming as strongly as possible against the fisher--and the fish hooks are still intact after thousands of years! So I think Anoras' fish hook should be strong enough to carve a message in whatever relatively soft wood that's still strong enough to hold a message that Anoras finds.)

Anoras will make a large mark on the wood signifying Holidor and/or another appropriate mark that would hint helping Holidor--two marks would be ideal. She'll write on the wood in Venasir:

"Warning: Fireball and Wings plan to meet Stripes with others to attack Holidor castle a day or so from now. Cassandra, and the mystics' prisoners, including the giant Thad, can help Holidor prevent the attack. -- Healer Anoras."


When Anoras gets close to Cassandra, I'm sure she'll be able to see Cassandra was likely wounded. Anoras has already established with the attacking Venasir that she wants to heal everybody.

Anoras, who's been walking through and gathering plants, will sneeze. (Like I just did in real life after walking through and gathering plants--that's where I got the idea.) My guess is Cassandra will point a weapon in the direction of the sneeze.

Anoras will drop her stuff--except for her first aid kit she'll hold in one hand--and put her hands in the air in surrender.

(Anoras speaking in Haunden): "We are being watched so be tough against me (insert insulting Haunden term here--that way Cassandra won't need to act, but can be genuinely irritated)! Please do not attack me! I can heal you!"

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra is really very not perceptive, so sneeze

Cassandra will totally upon seeing something suspicious ready her bow and look at it

"Ooh hi . . . HEY! Why did you call me XYZ that's mean! Grrr! Well you better then or maybe I will!"

Cassandra is very happy to see her friend, at least until she is called a mean thing!

((Cassandra has Chummy, so she will totally look happy to see Anoras. But Anoras is very smart with actual social skills while Cassandra is, well, not. So could likely upset her to))

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Having a literal road to follow surely gives positive TDM!

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Anoras fortunately got the reaction she hoped for. Cassandra pointed her weapon, then looked confused--Upset? Happy?

If Wings is watching, that could well fit someone who heard a suspicious noise, then saw an unexpected person--who's holding up a first aid kit. Could fit Cassandra capturing a prisoner who could treat her wounds!

(Anoras speaking in Haunden)" "All right (expletive), point at your wounds and tell me to treat them! Remember, we're being watched by the enemy. Keep a weapon handy you could attack me with like I'm your prisoner. Do not treat me like a friend, (expletive)."

(I don't know that Fast Talk is needed, but if so the GM can roll for me.)

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Whether "TDM" means Temporal Data Mining, Text & Date Messaging, or Team Death Match I don't know! :-D

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

I'm not sure what was done with the sign. Where is it right now?

No rolls needed yet.

Anoras spots a crow watching Cassandra intently... and her as well.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Sorry I didn't specify that! As Anoras did with her sword and shield, the sign will be in a spot that's easy to find (only a different spot than with the weapons--but a spot fairly close to that spot). Something like at the base of the tree with the unusual large horizontal branch, or the two big trees that oddly split from one at the bottom, or the one in the area that was hit by lightning, something like that. As with her sword and shield, some place obvious that Cassandra could easily find. With the sign, though, it will be placed with the written message side on the ground. That way, in the unlikely chance someone other than Cassandra sees it, it will just be a broken piece of a tree (or whatever plant she used) on the ground.

As Anoras is an expert Naturalist, I imagine it won't take her long at all to realize that crow's behavior isn't natural. She'll look at it now and then--as if she's not really paying attention to Wings' bird.

Assuming Cassandra does want help with wounds, I'll roll First Aid.... Made the roll.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

"Oh yes yes you horrible evil most Vileful Venasir villainess you should totally patch up my wounds your evil allies inflicted with your wicked ways!"

Of course Cassandra did get shot in the back, so she probably struggles some pointing out her wounds while holding her sword on Anoras (she can't keep her bow at full draw long, so draws her sword)

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Anoras will look at Cassandra's motions, and start treating her (made First Aid roll. Technically, Anoras didn't need Cassandra pointing out where her wounds are--that was a show to fool watching Wings. But Anoras didn't tell Cassandra that so Cassandra's actions would be real).

While doing so, Anoras will fill Cassandra in.

1) An evil mystic is watching us through a crow. As long as you're here, it will stay here watching. Don't look for it now, look at me when you can without hurting yourself while I'm treating you. I'm supposedly your enemy. I'll give you a chance later to see where the crow is. (Anoras will do this whenever seems most appropriate.)

2) I wrote a message on a piece of wood by (obvious place easy for Cassandra to find). The piece of wood is (describes it--color, size, shape). The message is on the ground side, so when you see the piece of wood later you won't see any writing. You'll have to pick it up and turn it over to see the writing side--hopefully after you shoot the crow. The writing's in Venasir. Translating it into Haunden, it says, ""Warning: Fireball and Wings plan to meet Stripes with others to attack Holidor castle a day or so from now. Cassandra, and the mystics' prisoners, including the giant Thad, can help Holidor prevent the attack. -- Healer Anoras."

You don't have to remember that--it's on the sign. They'll be people at the castle who can read it. It could get our prisoners rescued, and help end the conflicts between Haunden and Venasir.

3) I'll let you know later, maybe soon, where the crow is, so you can see it. And maybe you can shoot it later. It will probably be the only crow following you.

4) I will finish treating you while you're lying face down while I work on your back. When I let you know, you can close your eyes. As if you're sleeping. While you're lying down with eyes closed, I will pretend to escape. I will look for the prisoners, our people.

5) This part will be hard. It will require a brave, honorable soldier who feels a duty to her companions. It would be helpful if it was one with a connection to a very powerful being, someone like Bribeam. This person would walk bravely to the Venasir castle in Holidor, which isn't too far away. They would walk with their sword in its sheath, with their bow not in their hands, so they wouldn't look like a threat to the castle. Which may have a prince.

They would hold the wooden sign with the message on the side on front so anyone from the castle could see it. That way they would know Thad, me, you, and our fellow Haundens are there to help Holidor fight the evil Venasir who captured, tortured, and even killed out people. The person who carries the sign could be accepted by the good Venasir we want to help. That person could become the stuff of legends. But who could do that?

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

The two have their overblown conversation while Anoras patches Cassandra up. Anoras puts on a good show. Cassandra... does her best. At least the actions are more convincing than the words. Go ahead and roll first aid.

How long will Anoras spend patching up Cassandra? (It takes 1 minute to bandage for 1 HP, but 30 minutes for the full effect)

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

I certainly understand it could have gotten lost as it was over a week ago. But Anoras did roll First Aid for Cassandra.

Below from May 15, 2024:

If the GM needs a second roll, the GM can roll for me.

30 minutes for full effect.

I doubt very much that, within a short 30 minutes, Wings and Fireball are going to risk losing more people to rescue Anoras. Especially as Wings can easily find her anyway. And they are already short-handed. And watching Wings might well be curious--is Anoras really going to try to heal everybody?

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

When Cassandra is healed, it will be for 3 HP. she gets 1 HP immediately.
EDIT: Those numbers were for people with 1-19HP. Cassandra heals 6 by the end, and 2 HP immediately.

As Anoras is finishing up, she hears something moving in the woods: someone is coming towards them, from the exact same direction as she came.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

ericthered: Is that the exact same direction Anoras came from originally before we started tracking the attackers (i.e. Haunden), or the exact same direction she just came from (i.e. where the group with Wings, Fireball, Busan, etc. were and likely still are)?

As Anoras is finishing First Aid on Cassandra, she'll closely check the side of Cassandra's head. It will be from the side that would best block the vision of the watching crow--while whispering in Cassandra's ear.

(Anoras whispering): "Please act like you don't know. But I hear someone coming, I don't know who, from the direction of (whichever applies)."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

"Totally. I don't hear anything so it must be really stealthy. So like should I shoot it?"

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

(Anoras speaking) "Let's wait until we know who it is. And with you lying face down, you can lie still like you're asleep. With your eyes partially closed, you can watch. But that crow from way up there shouldn't be able to tell if your eyes are partially closed or completely closed."

Even though she's finished the First Aid, Anoras will act like she's still doing it--while subtly keeping an eye in the direction of the approaching person.

If the GM needs an roll for Anoras, the GM can roll.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

"But it's coming from the direction like you came from so like it is probably totally an enemy and like it's really hard to fight lying down and it takes time to not be lying down"

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

(Anoras speaking): "Sigh. OK, let me help you sit up slowly and carefully because of your injuries. But remember, some of the Venasir may be our enemies, and some may become our allies. Please let me learn who it is before we think about attacking. And let's not show that we know they're there."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

"Okay" she lets Anoras help her sit up

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

The way Wings, Fireball, and Busan likely still are.


You can hear whoever it is approaching slowly... more stealthily... slowing down and spreading out.



I'm assuming Anoras is standing between them and Cassandra.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Until she gets Cassandra sitting up, Anoras would be on the side of Cassandra that's away from the approaching people. That way Anoras would be facing both Cassandra and the direction of the people.

Anoras will move to the other side while speaking quietly to Cassandra:

"Whoever they are, they're slowing down and spreading out."

After that, Anoras can stand between Cassandra and the others to block the view of what Cassandra does. Anoras will stretch and yawn as if she's been sitting and doing First Aid for half an hour (which she has). She will casually try to perceive what's going on with whoever's sneaking up.

Made Per roll.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

"Spreading out and sneaking is they totally want to attack me, I really should grab your marked wooden token thingy and skedaddle"

Cassandra goes to at least get her feet under her so she's crouching instead of sitting

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

(Anoras speaking): "All right. When you're ready, wave me away like you're letting me go free because I saved your life. Then I'll try to draw their attention.

"If that crow follows you so the mystic can spy on you, you can shoot the bird with your bow and arrow.

"Then go ahead and get the wooden sign that's upside down at (location). When someone from the castle sees you, show them the writing on the sign and point to yourself and say 'Cassandra' more than once. And you can talk in Haunden. I'm sure they'll get someone who speaks Haunden to talk to you. Just let them know we're here to help the Venasir castle Holidor from the evil renegade Venasir. I do know much of the renegade Venasir plans."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

"Got it! Good luck Anoras say hi to Thad for me!" She gives Anoras what she hopes is an angry scowl and pushes her away, then goes to skedaddle

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Busan steps into view, shield held forward and sword out, with a warrior behind him.



"The Archer heard us, didn't she?"


Where is Cassandra heading to?


Maybe soon we'll find out what happens to Thad!

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

NOTE: I wrote the below before I saw what ericthered posted (we apparently were writing our comments at the same time). So I'm going to write a new comment to fit what ericthered posted.

(The nice thing about Cassandra's reaction as seen by Wings or others watching is that, no matter what it is, it could fit. "I'm happy to be healed," "I'm happy but upset it was an enemy who healed me," "Did my enemy just insult me by healing me even though I demanded it?", "Is she really my enemy?", "I'm happy to be healed by someone who's not my enemy but they need to go now--and ouch that hurts!" etc.)

Anoras will let herself be pushed by Cassandra, and will stumble a bit (which likely would be a real stumble--Cassandra is strong). Anoras will look around like she's looking for a way to run off. Then she'll look back at Cassandra (Wings might think Anoras could be worried about being shot in the back; or someone else might think Anoras wants to make sure Cassandra is moving OK). Then Anoras will start to go in one direction (not towards Cassandra), stop and look, then go in another.

Then Anoras will stop and freeze in place and stare (at whatever she finds interesting--that's not in the direction of Cassandra.) Could be an herb, an animal, tracks, whatever she happens to see.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

(Anoras speaking) "Oh, Busan, you're here! Thank (name of appropriate Venasir god)."

Anoras will touch Busan in a way that could be considered just slightly inappropriate for a woman to touch an armed man she's not involved with. American equivalent might be putting her hand on his shoulder--then she'll release, pull away, put her head down looking at her feet, inhale deeply, then look back at whatever she was looking at.

"I was gathering some herbs for healing, then that...archer. You have to understand. I'm a healer. It's what I do. Especially if I don't want to die." (This is all truth, and fits the events of her day.)

(Looking at Busan) "How are my patients, Busan?"

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

She wants to grab the token and head for the castle

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra gets her hands on the token (IQ roll by Anoras determines she didn't put it in a direction Busan would approach from). She heads off towards Holidor Castle.

Busan: "The wounded are fine. We hoped we could surprise that archer. Wings said she was lying on the ground. You should have cut her throat. She must have heard us."

Groundwork for future influence on Busan noted. Or whatever it is you're up to.

Busan has one other soldier and all three archers with him. They escort Anoras back.

Wings: "What did you say to that archer! I told you to go out and gather herbs, not heal the enemy! You went on purpose didn't you, you disobedient ingrate!"

Wings: "The archer is moving towards the castle. that's bad."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

(Anoras speaking): "I'm glad my patients are fine, Busan.

"But as for the archer...cut her throat with what, Busan? Healing herbs? She pointed her bow and arrow in my direction and demanded I heal her! And when I did it, she held a sword on me. And you said Mystic Wings saw her, somehow. So I'm sure Wings knows she did that. You can check with Mystic Wings."



(Anoras speaking): "(Sighs). Mystic Wings, I did gather herbs. And I can tell you what she said to me. It was something like, 'You Vileful Venasir villainess heal my wounds made by your evil Venasir allies!' Busan said you were watching somehow, so you could see I was gathering herbs when she pointed weapons at me. What was I supposed to do, let her kill me? I couldn't heal our people if I was dead!"

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Busan: "I would have found a way. Used some sort of noxious plant as a poultice or something. That group kidnapped you and wounded half my men. They don't deserve your sympathy."

Wings: "you knew where she was! You should have stayed far away! you could have stayed far away!"

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

(Anoras speaking): "Busan, I don't know what you could have found. You and I are just getting to know each other. But when the archer pointed her bow and arrow at me, I didn't have any poison. I'm a trained healer, not a trained poisoner.

"And even if I did have poison, it could work slowly and painfully. A person you try doing that to might know or at least suspect you poisoned them. So if you try to poison a person when they're holding a deadly sword on you....poisoning them might be the last thing you ever do. I didn't want to die, Busan."


(Anoras speaking): "Mystic Wings, Busan had said you were watching somehow, but perhaps you didn't see everything. I was gathering healing herbs as you told me to do. When gathering herbs, you have to go where the herbs are. As you said, the archer was hidden--somewhere. When I started gathering herbs, I didn't know exactly where the archer was. But I knew for certain when she pointed her bow and arrow at me."

OOC: Everything Anoras said above is literally true (even if it may be misleading).

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Busan: "Yes, you're a peasant, not a soldier."


Wings looks at Anoras, livid, maybe even just that Anoras got caught. But can't seem to catch Anoras in a contradiction. (Fast Talk succeeded by 4).



Finally Wings makes a decision.

"You did almost get the Archer caught for us. That's worth something."



[/quote]

OOC: Everything Anoras said above is literally true (even if it may be misleading).[/QUOTE]
True, but that's not actually terribly relevant for fast talk. I'm not convinced... but Anoras has a really high fast talk, so what she said must have been more convincing.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

For clarification, how would the word "peasant" be considered in Venasir? Is it used as simply a description of a person's place in society, or as an insult? (In English, it could be used either way.)

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

It's an observation of status. Mostly. It's not meant as an insult, though the way it's used here is a little belittling.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

So Anoras is better at Fast-Talk than I am? I guess that's a reason we pay points for skills. :-D Seriously, thanks for your understanding. And on that note....

(Anoras speaking) "Thank you for understanding, Busan. You are a very talented soldier."


(Anoras speaking) "And I thank you, Mystic Wings, for your understanding."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Wings: "The archer is gone now. We need to get moving"

Busan: "We need reinforcements from stripes."

Wings sputters for a moment, then says "fine. I'll send a message to Stripes and get you your reinforcements. We'll attack tomorrow. That good with flames?"

Flames: "Those captives will be yours. It is your decision to wait."

Busan has them all move deeper into the woods, where they won't be seen from the road, and then set up camp. It seems they'll be there for 24 hours.

There is a little discussion on if the archer will warn the castle, but Anoras's explanation seems to have put an end to that.

*********************

Meanwhile, the archer sees Holidor castle out in the distance. She holds up the "token". She is injured, and approaching an enemy position she attacked just 48 hours earlier.

She can see the villages surrounding the castle as she approaches. How will she approach the Venesir?


***********************
If Thad's player is around for the wake up roll, now is the time to make it.


OCC: never split the party!

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

I realize it's Cassandra who's approaching, not Anoras. But just to clarify, the first post says the guards were in the fort or watching the wrong dwellings, and there's no mention of combat (or of us receiving injuries). So my understanding, when Anoras suggested the plan to Cassandra, was that we were not seen. (I would think if we had been they would have come after us.)

That is correct, right?

Anoras will check on her patients. (She'll check all of them, but wants to be close to Thad when he shows signs he might wake up. That way she can "try to convince him to tell her the 'secret plans'.")

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra will walk towards the castle, unless she sees a Venasir first

She keeps bow and shield slung and sword sheathed

When she spots a Venasir she will approach showing token and hands and address in loud slow Haunden "Hi! I'm Cassandra! Do you speak Haunden? Please look at the sign thingy!"

And hold out the token

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Yes, she is a Haunden warrior showing up two days after the Haunden scouting trip. Their main loss was livestock.


She sees a Venasir farmer on the way to the castle. He hurries away from her. She walks through a deserted village, then a band of five Venasir guards start coming towards her.


One of them reads the sign.*


"You Cassandra?" she says in halting Haunden. "Where Giant?"


"Surrender. We no kill you yet."



* I was about to restate the wording of the sign, but Cassandra can't read it our understand the guy reading it... so check out post 281 if you need to know what is said.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

She smiles happilly at them and nod nods "Yep! I'm Cassandra! The giant is that way, with the badguys, they knocked him out!" She points the correct direction to her knowledge "About X hours walk last I saw!"

She stops smiling as they tell her to surrender "Awww! That's not very hospitable, are you still mad about the goats? I guess you are mad about the goats. They were very tasty goats if that's any consolation?"

Cassandra reluctantly hands over her sword, shield and bow "Here you go. But really Anoras is right. I'm soooo not your worst enemy right now"