Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

She will burn another FP down to 8 and Feverish Defense again

She will step away from the downed skeleton and take a swing at Thad

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra blocks and steps away.



Cassandra swings. Thad Blocks it.



Thad has a potential hit.



The downed skeleton is crawling after the two fighters, only barely able to keep up. Is there a particular direction she is moving in? Towards the archers, away from them, back towards the way she came, or something else?



Having aimed last turn, the archers fire at random locations on Thad, hoping not to hit Cassandra... you hope. Arrows fly all around. The skeleton's shield was occupied trying to block cassandra... so the monster can only dodge. There are two potential hits. the miss might have hit Cassandra, but its second attack roll is a 12, so it doesn't.

The giant rolls 9 and 7 for dodge... but neither of these are higher than its dodge of 5. Both hit the torso. One bounces off armor, and the other did 4 damage past armor for 4 injury. The giant skeleton is at 43 damage, but is still up and fighting. Next check is at 51 damage.



I haven't forgotten about Anoras, but she pretty much willingly stepped out of combat time.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Understood.

I appreciate that you earlier "fast forwarded" to get Anoras and Cassandra back together. And I realize Anoras simply killing Fireball wouldn't be a problem for the people of Holidor or the people of Haunden. Unfortunately, Anoras' Stubbornness and some of her Quirks are getting in her way. (And in my way. Without those, I could have dealt with this several turns ago. Oh well; that's why they're Disadvantages/Quirks). But I may have an idea.

I think Anoras now "has no choice." She will save Haunden and Holidor by a Broadsword. (That might bring her real beliefs and her Stubbornness/Acting together.)

Anoras (speaking in Venasir): "I see that even when dead, the birdpaux could take over his brain! He could become an Undead Heartless Homicidal Horror for Holidor and Haunden! We know he wouldn't want that. Nothing else is working to stop it. So I must severe the connection from the heart to the brain!"

Broadsword impaling to the heart/vitals (B. pg. 399 I think would apply).


Results: Made the Roll! (GM can figure damage)

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra will try and parry vs 13

She will then try again to smack Thad step away

Trying to keep both Thad and friendly archers in front arc and the crippled skeleton out of range

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

He's dead.



The Venasir understand disdain for sorcerers, and that executing one doesn't especially spell trouble for them.



What will Anoras do next?




Ok, that makes sense. She's moving slowly back towards the way she came.



Cassandra dodges! (rolled an 8)


She tries to destroy the skeleton... rolls a 6... not a critical, sadly. Thad easily blocks it (rolled a 10)


Thad is threatening another hit...

All three archers fast draw arrows and knock them.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

This is assuming Anoras doesn't believe there's any real threat that Fireball's body will be dragged away. (Somehow I think that's very unlikely. People are busy fighting, running away, surrendering. And wild predatory animals are extremely unlikely to want to enter and feast in a noisy battle zone with lots of people nearby.)

Anoras (speaking to the archers in Venasir): "It is done. Take your shields for your own protection, and pick up and carry the bows. I'll carry the swords and arrows. We will join the others. Again, the more you cooperate, the more I will speak in your favor."

Note the arrows are not near the bows. If Fireball has something valuable that Anoras could use and easily carry, she'll take that too. Then Anoras and the archers will quickly head toward the battle (archers in front).

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra will continue to try to parry, strike and step back

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

block is a 13! that's very close!
Thad blocks (9) Cassandra's attack(7) as well

Thad threatens another hit! (9)



Anoras marches the archers towards the battle. Roll leadership or intimidation to get them to move as quickly as you want.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

She is trying to parry not block, still 13

Saving her block for errant arrows

She will try to parry and try to hit back

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Well, Intimidation defaults to Acting-3, so...rolling.

Results: Made the Intimidation (Acting-3) roll.


Encumbrance:

Anoras' encumbrance with numbers written in digits (2, 4, 9, etc.) below being pounds.

Also I'm making assumptions here to make looking up the numbers easier for the GM. So GM please correct me if I'm wrong:

2 (First Aid Kit) + .5 (Leather Helm) + 4 (Leather Jacket) + 2 (Leather Leggings) + 9 (three Broadswords) + 2 (Hip Quivers, assuming two), +4 (Arrows, assuming twenty per hip quiver--likely less as they've fired arrows) = 23.5 lbs. So if the shield she picked up weighs 5.5 lbs. or less, she can get there at unencumbered level (29 lbs.). If it would put her slightly over that and slow her down, she may leave one or two broadswords behind (whatever would get her to Unencumbered level). She'll push the archers to get there as fast as she can, even if that does Fatigue them.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra blocks! (rolled a 9)

Cassandra strikes the giant skeleton (rolled 14) and it fails to block (rolled 12)

13 cut damage, less 3 DR, for 15 injury... a major wound! (it rolls an 8 vs stunning, still up)

The skeleton goes from 43 damage to 58 damage, forcing a "death" check. (which it rolls an 11 against and succeeds) Next death check is at 68 damage.

The giant skeleton keeps swinging the axe, and threatens a hit of its own (rolled 11)

The archers aim for a second volley

Anoras gets the prisoners moving at 4/yards a second. The shield is 8 lbs, so she'll need to drop a sword.

she's now 30 yards from Cassandra and the two skeletons (the downed skeleton dutifully crawling along after them out of reach). She hears what the archers are yelling at Cassandra: "Run away! just let us shoot it!"

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Done.

Anoras will try to appeal to Cassandra's "Sense of Duty (Adventuring Companions)" and "Thinks is Descendant of Apollo (or setting analog)". The GM said Anoras and Cassandra would know the latter, who is over several things including archery, as Bribeam.

Anoras (yelling in Haunden): "Cassandra, I need your help over here immediately! Thad's skeleton is just waiting to die--you've killed it! Bribeam would want you to let the other archers feel like they have a part."


Note: Anoras, as a healer, is doing this to try to save Cassandra.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

"Oh . . . . Well okay Anoras!"

Cassandra will do a retreating, feverish parry! (Up to 16, FP down to 7)

Once 1 away from Thad due to her retreat she will turn and start limping briskly back towards Anoras

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra rolled a 5 on defense. She deflects away the axe, and then runs towards Anoras.

The Giant skeleton moves after her for a few seconds, but can't catch up. Two volleys of arrows slam into it before it turns to face those archers.

EDIT: That's a crictical defense. Rolling on the critical miss table, the axe turns in hand, and the skeleton is additionally slowed by having to reready the axe.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Anoras (speaking in Haunden): "Cassandra, you are a greater warrior than me. So you can keep an eye on these two captured archers while I treat you."

Anoras (speaking to the archers in Venasir): "Again, the more you cooperate, the better word I can give for you. You know what happened when you and Fireball tried to escape. So just stay where you are."

Anoras will do First Aid on Cassandra (unless Cassandra objects). While she's focused on Cassandra, she'll glance at the archers when convenient.

Results: Critical success on First Aid.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra while she is being treated wants to talk to Anoras and find out what's up and also relay all the exciting details of visiting Holidor

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

What measures do you take to avoid the Giant Skeleton?

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

It's moving at move 2?

So if it comes after us we stroll away until people finish putting arrows into it I suppose

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Anoras (Speaking in Haunden): "You of course took out Wings, I took out Stripes, and both of us took out Fireball! The captured Haunden were rescued. A few of them (she'll name names) came to join the battle, but the rest took back rebel Venasir prisoners. And it sounds like you did an excellent job dealing with Holidor and fighting rebels! Bribeam would be proud!"

Is it coming toward us or going toward the archers it's in battle with?

If it's facing the archers who are actually attacking it, then I wouldn't think we'd have to deal with it. (My guess would be its magical programming would be to fight in the battle rather than try to get away from it. But Anoras is the expert here, I'm of course not.)

If it's coming toward us, then I would think the archers would be getting shots without the skeleton even seeing them coming. So it wouldn't be doing any defense.

So please let us know what it's doing. Thanks!


Addition:

I made my post before I saw Kalzazz's post. But if it's coming toward us, I agree with Kalzazz.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

There is a lot of shooting, and you stay close as the skeletons are slowly shot down and then hacked to pieces. Anoras bandages Cassandra.

It appears the battle is over. You have a collection of prisoners, and the corpses of two sorcerers. Anoras has taken in interest in the corpse of Fireball, and Cassandra I think wants to collect the various pieces of Thad and bury him.

Your allies from Holidor don't like leaving the bones intact, especially as they slowly crawl around the battlefield, looking for people to attack. They're also gathering up the weapons and armor from the enemy prisoners and dead.

There are a ton of wounded: most people have one hit or another, and most have more than one. It was a tough fight.

As you catch your breath, a few more people come to the battle field. The first set is Gerrund, Timar, and the boy, along with their prisoners. They're unsure of just how to approach the battle.

in the distance, you can see more Holidor approaching. One of them seems to be ShadowMask.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Anoras (speaking in Venasir): "It is unfortunate, but yes, I agree. The bones need to be stopped. And we need to go back to where Stripes and his people were camped."
(For one thing, Anoras hid some of her equipment between here and there--she wants to get it back.)
Anoras (yelling in Haunden): "It looks like the battle is over. Come on over! And Gerrund, I want to see if you recognize this man." (She plans to show him Fireball. The sorcerer's identify is a mystery she wants solved.)
Anoras thinks either she or Cassandra should have Fireball's sword as "spoils of war." If Cassandra agrees, Cassandra can have Fireball's sword if Anoras gets Wings' mask. She want to investigate the three sorcerers' masks nature and any mysteries they might hold. (There might not be anything significant there, but her Imagination is active. And it's not just that Anoras is being generous; Anoras already has three extra swords. Fortunately, she has Miserliness and not Greed.)

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Are you trying to get the men from holidor you just met to go to Stripe's camp?


Busan has survived, and he recognizes you. "Hey! you are... you were..."
"You are Haunden. And a trickster."


Gerrund brings his allies and prisoners in. He'll need help to present them to the Holidor. "Looks like Cassandra got the Holidor to work with her"


Gerrund looks at fireballs, and goes into a furry of anger and sorrow. Its Kenwric, fenian's father, who was captured by Venasir slavers years ago.


Fireballs has a club, not a sword. The Venasir are happy to let her have the masks.



Kalazzaz, did Cassandra want Thad's remains?

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra wanted to kill Thad so the Venasir did not kill him, and Anoras told her she accomplished this!

She would like to make sure Thad receives proper funeral and such, so likely yeah wants the remains

She also wants to see how her new Venasir drinking buddies did in the fight

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Not trying to get anybody in particular. Except it would be good if Cassandra and Anoras, who knows how to get there and back, were both with the group that's sent there. (Keeping the PCs together.) I would imagine Shadowmask would want things in that camp checked/taken. Likely Shadowmask can decide--as long as Anoras can guide them and Cassandra can go for protection. Maybe it would be better if the Haunden who came from the camp went back. (Again, Anoras wants to pick up her stuff she hid along the way. Even though with her skills she could likely find it without having done so, she specifically studied landmarks so she could easily find her stuff.)

I'm not quite sure why Busan would think Anoras was Haunden. She speaks fluent Venasir, traveled with the Venasir, medically treated the Venasir, etc. In any case,

Anoras (speaking in Venasir): "Busan, I am for the Venasir and the Haunden. As a healer and naturalist, I do not support unnatural kidnapping and murder. There is no trick in that; that is what I am."

Anoras (speaking in Haunden): "That she did--with the help of the sign I carved for her. And as I speak both Haunden and Venasir, I can help present the prisoners."

Anoras (speaking in Haunden): "Oh, I can see the family resemblance. This won't make Fenian happy. But the burial must be done in the area of Fireball's--Kenwric's--home."

Anoras (speaking in Venasir): "Thank you. I will see what I can learn."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

there are many small peices, and they like to wiggle. How will she contain and transport them.


Almost everyone has been hit, and most have been hit hard. A couple are unconscious, while others are still limping around. They're happy that no one is dead.


Busan is an observant man.


Busan: "The words of a Haunden."

Gerrund: "Please do. I've been walking for far too long, and I want to go home."

And thus completes the cycle: Venasir slavers take a prisoner, who becomes a slave, then a sorcerer, and then find their way home to bring sorrow.



ShadowMask arrives: "Thank you for stopping these raiders. I had thought our peoples were too great of enemies for that."


"What do you intend to do with your share of the captives?"

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Hmmm, would it be possible to get a sack?

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalzazz (Post 2543095) Hmmm, would it be possible to get a sack?

It seems like the timing should be good. While Cassandra is getting a sack or whatever, and searching for and gathering bones, Anoras can help with the wounded.

Anoras (speaking Stubbornly in Venasir): "So you believe words of a Haunden are rejecting evil, and not accepting kidnapping and murdering innocent people? Fine. Then call me a Haunden. But my heart is also with the good Venasir. I long for the old days, when we lived in peace. I believe to those days we shall return."

(She will tell the Haunden what she said.)


"Certainly, Gerrund."

Nice way of putting it.


(In her mind, Anoras is very impressed that ShadowMask is not only being thankful, he's admitting his thoughts had been wrong. Signs of a good leader, and good sign for diplomatic relations!)

"Mystic ShadowMask, you are most welcome. We did it for both Holidor and Haunden. As you might have heard me say to Busan, I long for the old days, when we lived in peace. I believe to those days we shall return."

"Thank you for asking, Mystic ShadowMask. That I believe will be left up to the leaders of Haunden. We can take our share to Haunden where it can be decided. Then I believe, with your blessing, diplomatic relations between Holidor and Haunden can begin. As I am fluent in both Venasir and Haunden, I can assist with that. Together, we can heal the wounds we've all suffered."


Anoras stubbornly plans to learn the mystery of how Diplomacy works. And for once she plans to honorably shut up (except when translating) while she sees Diplomacy in action. So for the first time in the adventure, these can now all come together. Anoras's:

Code of Honor (Professional), Stubbornness, Broad-Minded, Imaginative, Likes Investigating Nature and Mysteries, Longs for the Old Days (pre-Venasir attack)

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Yeah, you probably have one.


That will keep Anoras busy for a few hours.

Busan: "Yes, I call you Haunden. As your response demonstrates"


He will wait for Anoras to finish, but is impatient about the whole thing.

Shadowmask: "If you leave the farms to us and stay in your wooded hills, you shall have peace. But leave the plain to us."

Shadowmask: "There will be no negotiation. Our offer is simple. You leave the plains to us, and we will not attack your wooded hills. I CAN speak for the Holidor."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Understood.


Just to clarify, Busan, who was working under the rebel Fireball(s) who went to attack Holidor, is a captive prisoner, right?

Anoras is so tempted to say something like (You mean like the Haunden you worked for?) But revealing that might not be a good idea. So instead she'll just turn away.

Oh boy. And I thought everything was about to work out.

OOC: Now I have to figure out how not to play Anoras's -5 point Stubbornness like a -15 point disadvantage....I'll get back to this.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

(Hopefully Anoras's critical success on First Aid helped Cassandra a lot).


Anoras (speaking in Venasir so ShadowMask and the others standing around can hear): "Mystic ShadowMask, I do appreciate Holidor's promise of peace with Haunden." (She's telling the truth there. But she Stubbornly doesn't want to stop there; she wants to go back to the old days.)

"And I am glad you received treatment for....no, wait. You are here; that other masked one must have been a fake! Who can tell who's really behind the mask?

But still, you must have.... Oh. With this battle and the unfortunate losses, and the language barrier, it's possible you might not have gotten the message. Please forgive me for asking, but as a healer, I am concerned. As you are a sorcerer, have you been treated for birdpaux?"

Rolling Fast-Talk to get ShadowMask and the people listening wondering.

Result: Made Roll

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra puts Thad in a sack

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

The dice of healing rolls maximum.

Oh.

Here we go again... Roll something to do this out of earshot of the prisoners you already poisoned this way...

ShadowMask beats you by 1. tough luck.

"Bird Paux? What sort of nonsense is that? Oh? well I'll check with my healer then. No need to take strange Haunden remedies."

Thad's bones try hard to get out of the sack, but are unsuccessful.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Good.

She had told the prisoners at the time that the treatment could make them feel nauseous. Those who felt very nauseous she helped. She just didn't want them attacking innocent people, so didn't plan to kill them (except for Stripes.)

Besides that, after they were captured she convinced the cooperating prisoners that she was willing to speak on their behalf (which she does intend to do). But if they speak against her because they think she's trying to trick their own enemy? They should know they'd get no help from her whatsoever.

I'm still confused on why people would think she's Haunden. She's dressed like a Venasir, speaks Venasir on the native speaker level, knows the culture better than most Venasir, and worked to help the Venasir of Holidor. While "Anoras" was written on the wooden sign, she's never said her name to any Venasir.

But by now I guess it doesn't matter. So in any case:

Anoras (speaking in Venasir): "You are wise, Mystic ShadowMask, to check. If your healer has studied both the diseases found in (names two areas most important to Haunden that they used to have) and studied sorcery, they may well know of it.

"Birdpaux kills birds, but doesn't ordinarily harm humans. But if any sorcerer ever had a mystical connection, or had a connection with a sorcerer who did, that's a different story. Even if you or they were only connected once. It could be transferred from you to a bird or other animal, or from a bird or other animal, even a human, to you. That means anyone, a sorcerer or otherwise, who's ever been so connected, even if they're not connected right now, could be affected the same as a bird. That sorcerer could die!

"So by all means, Mystic ShadowMask, for you own sake, please see as soon as possible if your healer has studied those areas. And has the antidote."


So a reminder that Anoras is talking about a real disease that could be of concern to a sorcerer. The twist is it affecting sorcerers who've had a connection to birds/animals, or who've had a connection to another sorcerer that has. So hopefully the healer isn't an expert on all four (birds/Naturalist, diseases, those specific geographical regions, and sorcery).

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Forgot about the dress. Though she has been expressing Haunden Ideas and following the Haunden around in battle. Also, she signed her name on the wooden sign.

Shadow Mask: "I will check. Though I do not have a connection with birds, and you have already killed the scorcerors, so I believe I am safe."
Note: fast talk roll was already made.

As I said, you failed the roll.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

I admit I am still very confused on what's happening/how things happened with Anoras. But it looks like I'm not going to be able to understand how what Anoras and Cassandra did correlates with what I'm being told. So I won't post the 300+ word comment I was working on. Instead, I'll just wait and see what happens. You're the GM, not me.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Cassandra is now ready to take her Thad in a Sack and head home after the glorious, albeit with unfortunate losses, victory

With Anoras maxing healing she is no longer reeling!

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Shadow Mask: "And which captives are yours?"

(If you want to speak up for the captives, now is the time)

Cassandra is ready to head home, as are Gerrund and the others, but they will wait as Anoras helps to bind up the many wounds of the Holidor.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

REVISED RESPONSE (based on info from GM):

(Anoras had ideas on the prisoners based on what she knew at the time, but she's learned more since. I was working to avoid playing out-of-character knowledge.)

Anoras (speaking in Venasir, and pointing to the prisoners escorted by Gurrund and Anoras to the battle site, and to the archers): "Mystic Shadow Mask, I believe these are ours.

"As for Busan, I was there in the beginning, but not at the end. I have bits of information that could be very useful to both Holidor and Haunden. But I would need to question him further. It might be more convenient for us all if Busan was traded from Holidor to Haunden for another prisoner. I would leave the decision on who that prisoner is entirely up to you, Mystic ShadowMask." (She is right now very unsure about how she feels about Busan.)

"But I do want to tell you about these others." (She will point to the prisoners she knows surrendered/cooperated--she is not pointing to Busan): "Mystic ShadowMask. These people I am pointing to surrendered and cooperated. Some of them defended themselves before surrendering, some tried to run away, and some surrendered immediately. But not a single one of them attacked a person of Holidor or Haunden after they saw the rebel sorcerer who had them under orders was down.

"As far as I can see, these people were following orders. But when they were free to do as they wished, they showed no signs of supporting the rebellion."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Shadowmask: "You may question Busan."


Shadowmask: "What will the Haunden do with Prisoners? You do not have access to markets to sell them in. You must be planning to sell them to us."


Shadowmask: "They are prisoners of war. They will fetch a good price.
We will not waste them on petty revenge."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Anoras: "Thank you, Mystic Shadowmask. I will see what I can learn."

Anoras: "I am a naturalist and a healer, Mystic Shadowmask. What will be done with them is not my decision. That will be up to others to decide." (After she, of course, stubbornly tells those others what she wants to happen.)

Anoras, "Thank you, Mystic Shadowmask. But please consider this. These are capable warriors who were willing to risk their lives to follow the orders of a sorcerer. These are warriors who, when no longer under orders, did not support the rebellion. And did not attack the people of Holidor or Haunden.

"I think, Mystic Shadowmask, it would be hard to find more valuable followers than these. I believe that would be worth much, much more that the price of a slave."


Also a reminder that the below wasn't spoken just to Shadowmask, but to all those Venasir speakers nearby. A big part of the intent was to get the others to wonder:

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

The Interrogation is done right there on the field. What questions do you ask him?

Shadowmask: "You are the capturing warrior. But if you give up your rights, that is your loss. I merely was trying to make a purchase."

"I know my own business."


Shadowmask: "Did you find someone wearing a mask like mine?"

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Anoras (speaking in Venasir so the crowd can hear): "Understood, Mystic Shadowmask." (And of course Shadowmask had his choice for Busan of any of the prisoners the Haunden have, whichever one he chose.) "But I am a person under authority, and must check with that authority before a decision is made on what to do with the prisoners. I understand you would see that the captured remain slaves their entire lives. But I must check with the Haunden officials as the Haunden may let loyal slaves go free."

Anoras (speaking in Venasir so Shadowmask and the crowd can hear):

"Busan, I am sure you didn't know birdpaux can infect and even kill sorcerers, and in turn can kill any person a sorcerer gets close to. It can take days for symptoms to show up. But you were close to sorcerers before you heard anything about being exposed to birdpaux, right?"

(Whatever Busan answers, unless it doesn't fit at all, she will say the below):

Anoras (speaking in Venasir so Shadowmask and the crowd can hear): "I see. In that case....Wait. I and the Haunden and our other prisoners have been treated. Oh, except for you and the two archers.

"We can't let the deadly disease spread! I must tell Cassandra, and maybe one other, to move you and the two archers at least 10 steps away. That way no more untreated Venasir will catch the deadly infection...."

Anoras (speaking in Haunden): "Cassandra! By Bribeam, we need you, and one other Haunden if you want, to take Busan and the two archers (she'll point to them). Please take them 10 to 12 steps away from anyone else, and guard them."

Anoras (speaking in Venasir so Shadowmask and just those nearby can hear): "'I know my own business.' Ah, that is the same thing the impersonator said."

Anoras (staring intently at Shadownmask's mask, and speaking in Venasir so the crowd can hear) "Ah, you are right. Now that I look closer, the mask I saw was indeed identical to what you are wearing. In fact, the impersonator had the same voice and build as you. Oh, wait. With the deadly birdpaux....

"Er, um, thank you, Mystic...Shadow...Mask. We will quickly depart so you can do your business to Holidor. The other Venasir might have died if not treated for the deadly birdpaux. Once a sorcerer is exposed to an animal or person who carries it, it can spread to anyone they are close to. But, um, I will bow out in favor of your healer. We will now respectfully depart your company.

"Thank you for your promise of Holidor and Haunden living in peace! That is the same thing the...Thank you!" Anoras will signal her people with the prisoners to start leaving. (To go to where Anoras' left the rest of her stuff and to Stripes's camp to grab things there before returning to Haunden.)

Fast-Talk for all the listeners who speak Venasir.

Results: Made Fast-Talk

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

"Sure thing, Viva Bribeam! You guys come with me and let's go over here"

Cassandra goes over to the indicated spot. If she is not accompanied by them she will repeat the instructions more slowly and loudly in Haunden several times

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Please check my latest post in Warriors of Haunden.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Shadowmask can't argue with that.




"I have never heard of Birdpaux"*


*GM memory here, I don't think you ever brought it up with Busan's group


What is the goal of the fast-talk here?


I can see an attempt to get shadowmask (and possibly the others?) to get Anoras to treat them for BirdPaux. Of course, you already failed that roll...

The other attempt has something to do with this imposter you made up, and I'm not sure what the goal of that is.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

I believe that is correct. But Anoras (and I) didn't know if Busan might have heard about it from someone else on the trip or arrival. (I'm trying to avoid playing out-of-character knowledge.) That's why Anoras made her "I see..." statement vague to cover pretty much anything Busan had heard or not heard.

I do remember you told me that Shadowmask successfully rolled to resist Anoras's previous roll which she did make. (But even then, Shadowmask said he planned to check with his healer to see if they had a treatment for people who caught birdpaux. One that might be better than what the Haunden had. Of course the healer won't have any such treatment for people. So the people of Holidor will be left without. Unless the healer lies, which some might detect....).

But did everyone who was standing with Shadowmask, both at that earlier time and now, make their individual resistance to the successful Fast-Talk roll made both earlier and now? Remember what the ones who heard the masked one earlier heard him say. He said he'd have to ask his healer about it. So what he said then wouldn't necessarily convince all his people. Some might believe they could get sick and die from contact with others who'd been exposed. Others might not. This could lead to major conflicts in Holidor.

And as ShadowMask didn't address it this time, that could make the others wonder if they could get sick and die from being close to ShadowMask. Some of his assistants and others may be very hesitant about getting close. Which could anger ShadowMask and those who do get close. (Transfer TL8 Covid conflicts/fear/violence to a TL2 society where killing people and selling others into slavery is the norm. This link isn't needed. But if you want info on the Covid-related violence there's https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7195322/ )

I certainly understand about the exact intent of the new Fast-Talk roll not being clear on all the points. Sorry I didn't explain that. Anoras (and I) purposely stated that in a way so that everyone listening would likely think "I'm not sure what" is going on here. (Part of that is because I'm trying to speed things up so Cassandra can be active through the end of this adventure.)

ShadowMask might think, "I may have an imposter out there I need to deal with. And if so, has that imposter been fooling the people of Venasir?" Even if he resists Anoras's Fast-Talk, he may still think it worth checking. Especially after three sorcerers really did plan an attack on Holidor. Maybe there's a fourth.

The Venasir, both from inside and outside of Holidor, might think the same thing.

Others might think, "Hmm, how do we know this claimed ShadowMask isn't an impersonator? Maybe we'd better look for clues." (Based on the Fast-Talk/Acting/Psychological principle people often see what they look for whether it's there or not.) Some Venasir might make their rolls, and some might fail. Some might believe they should support the masked one; others might think he's their enemy. Leading to major and possibly violent conflict.

And there's also the point that people learned the Haunden may let captured slaves go free. And Anoras spoke up for the captured prisoners for their freedom. So do those captured favor Holidor, which they attacked, or Haunden?

(Again, Anoras' Stubbornness, Code of Honor, Broad-Minded, Longs for the Old Days are in play. She want Haunden to get land back and people not to be sent into slavery. If that requires there be internal violence in Holidor, oh well. She is a warrior.)


Anoras plans to leave very soon with Cassandra, the other Haunden, and their prisoners.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Ok, so you want

• the bystanders to bother shadowmask about getting to a healer, for them to worry about him being contagious,
• for Shadowmask to worry about an imposter running around
• the bystanders to worry if they've got a Shadowmask Imposter.
• The Prisoners to advocate and jockey to be taken to the Haunden, not Holidor

That makes sense now.



The Haunden leave quickly with their prisoners, as Anoras's last few bluffed bombshells slowly work their way into the group. Anoras may have spent any goodwill gained, but She is pretty sure that at least some of her barbs hit


OCC: The bystanders resisted the imposter talk, and shadowmask the birdpaux talk... but each fell for the other suggestion. So the bystanders will be worried about birdpaux, and shadowmask is going to be looking around for an imposter. If nothing else, you've damaged the relationship between the soldiers and their sorcerer.

You have yet more prisoners than before. They ask if they will really be let go.



Gerrund: "We ought to just kill you and dump you in the river... but that's not my decision. I thought we were going to turn the prisoners over to Holidor for good will or something."
The Haunden don't keep slaves though. The elders might kill them, might release them, might sell them to the haunden, or might cut off a finger or two and then release them.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Sorcerer ShadowMask and other Venasir can remember that Haunden (Cassandra with help from Anoras) warned Holidor of the attack. And then risked their own lives to help save Holidor.

And some may believe that just two or three Haunden took out three guarded Venasir sorcerers--and there are many more Haunden than three.

And the Venasir can believe that the Haunden can treat the potentially fatal birdpaux that's infected Haunden's former lands, lands that the Holidor of a couple generations took away. And they'll learn Venasir healers don't know how to treat birdpaux in people. (And anyone who gets sick might be thought to have it, spreading it to others.)

So regardless of which Fast-Talk they resisted, ShadowMask and the other people of Holidor just might believe this. Making diplomatic relations with Haunden, including giving them back some if not all of their land, just might be a good idea....

Anoras (speaking in Venasir): "I am not a Haunden elder. But as I did with Holidor, I will speak on your behalf."

(Note I don't know the exact number of prisoners we got, so am just saying "a dozen" as an example, not an actual number. I think there are actually more).

Anoras (speaking in Haunden): "Gerrund, they probably do not speak Haunden, so won't know what you said. But which is better: killing a dozen people, or gaining a dozen allies? If you subtract a dozen enemies, you're 12 ahead. But if you subtract a dozen enemies and turn them into a dozen allies, you're 24 ahead!"

As stated above, Anoras has plans for that, and they do involve Cassandra. (I know, that will probably be in the Epilogue after this adventure is concluded). Cassandra proved herself highly worthy as a warrior (in battle and in carrying a sign into potential danger in Holidor), and quickly making friends with the enemy. Anoras wonders if Cassandra might really be a descendant of Bribeam. Anoras wants peace with Holidor (which was guaranteed) and for the people of Haunden to get at least some of their land back.

Anoras (speaking in Haunden): "Cassandra, you did a much greater job that would have been expected. I believe you are truly following in the footsteps of Bribeam."


PLANS: Get Fireball's body, get Anoras's property (sword, etc.), get thing from Stripes's camp, go home to Haunden.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

(sorry, I had Gerrund say 'you' when I meant 'them').

Gerrund: "These are slavers, murderers, and allies of sorcerers. I don't want to ever see them again, let alone give them weapons and let them sleep in my village. You cannot make a friend just by saying so."


I think you have five prisoners: three from the fight with stripes, and two from the fight with fireballs. I could be low by one in each situation. I don't think the exact count matters here?

You Grab Fireball's body, Anoras's cache of supplies, and go to Stripe's camp.



Then its home to the village.

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Noted; that works. Although "you" also made sense to me for Gerrund to say. People sometimes talk that way even to non-human animals who can't understand what they're saying.

Anoras (speaking, Stubbornly, in Haunden): "Gerrund, as I said, that will be up to the Elders to decide. I will speak on the captives' behalf to let the Elders know they surrendered and cooperated. And I do not know what each one of them did in Haunden, or why. As a warrior, would you attack if your commander ordered you to?

"And the Haunden saving someone from death or slavery is not the same as 'just saying so.' Do you remember stories of Libertas, Goddess of Freedom?" (Libertas is Roman--Anoras will use the Haunden equivalent.)

There's no place like home!

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

"I would never let a Mad Sorcerer be my commander." he mutters. "But present them to the elders if you must."


I think Cassandra's response is key to the plan here...

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

It is?

I think Cassandra is mostly done?

"Oh well, we can ask the war leader when we get back. We rescued folks and we took out the sorcerers so like we won right?"

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

The question about libertas especially, I think

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Anoras (speaking in Haunden): "I believe you, Gerrund. But keep in mind some of the Venasir were raised under the authority of a sorcerer."

"I am much more interested in a return to the old days, before the attack on Haunden, than I am in any wealth I could gain from selling slaves." (Anoras has Miserliness/Longs for the Old Days/Code of Honor/etc., not Greed.)

Anoras (speaking in Haunden): "Yes. You and I, with the late Thad and these others with us, won!"

Anoras (Quietly, just to Cassandra): "I took out one sorcerer, you took out a second sorcerer, and together we took out a third. And there's more Haunden than just us two!"

Anoras (speaking in Haunden): "We showed Holidor how powerful us Haunden can be. The people of Holidor may very much want to appease Haunden. And they may want to remove their own leader. Or their leader might realize diplomatic relations, including giving Haunden back some if not all of our land, would be a good idea. Imagine what that would be like!"

Anoras (Quietly, just to Cassandra):"When I help a Haunden Elder with diplomatic relations between Haunden and Holidor, I want you to be our guard."

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

"Sounds fun! We'll have to raid someone else for goats then"

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

The procession appears triumphantly in the Village.



The Village is hoping for them to show up soon, but is not expecting prisoners.



The Village Elders are celebatory in their greeting though, which half the village has gathered to watch


"How many of our enemies remain?"


"Thank you for bringing back our people, and enacting vengeance on those who harmed us so cruelly."


There is still morning for your losses: Thad will be sorely missed. He will be buried in his sack at the base of a tree by his family, but everyone will attend.

There is some shock in the village when fireballs is seen: "Where did you get him? After all this time?". There is yet more shock when he is revealed to be a scorceror. Fenian is heartbroken, having rescued his family from traps the scorceror's set... perhaps even his own father.


After a guard is placed on the prisoners and the crowd is gone, the Elders wonder what the prisoners are for "We were told you were handing them back to the Venesir. Now they know where the village is!"

Re: Warriors of Haunden (IC)
 

Anoras will tell how many she saw escape/run away. Then Anoras will say: "Very few escaped. Almost all either were captured by us, captured by Holidor, or killed.

"Cassandra, did you see any of the Venasir rebels escape? If you did, where did you see them escape from and about how many did you see escape?"

Anoras: "You are welcome. But with all due respect, I personally did not do it for vengeance. I did it to prevent them from attacking us or other people again."

Anoras: "Fenian, and all of you of the family. Understand he was captured and made a slave, and wanted to survive. He may have had no idea how studying sorcery would affect him. He might have even studied it wanting to help Haunden. So please, remember him as he was."

OCC:

I'm confused here. I thought Holidor knew where Haunden was. The Venasir rebels who attacked Haunden of course knew. Maybe something was mentioned about this a year or so ago that I forgot. I'm sure Anoras would know.

In any case, Anoras's comments below are based on what she suspects or knows.


IC:

Anoras: "By the standards of Holidor, the captives belong to Cassandra and myself.

"But Holidor may have good reason to want to help us. To have diplomatic relations with us, and to give back some if not all of our land.

"One, they, including their leader ShadowMask, know just two or three people of Haunden took out three sorcerers. They may be very afraid of the power of the Haunden.

"Two, they may suspect their leader ShadowMask is an imposter. And may want to remove him. On the other hand, ShadowMask might think there's an imposter, and send or lead people to search.

"Three, they may be worried about their healers not having treatment for deadly birdpaux. They may believe it doesn't kill humans--unless a sorcerer catches it from a bird or other animal. Then it can spread from the sorcerer, killing people. And only Haunden has the treatment.

"I believe we have good grounds for building diplomatic relations with Holidor. I would like to assist with that, and strongly recommend Cassandra be assigned as our guard."

Anoras will give more details to the Elders, Rhiannon, and anyone else appropriate. That includes info about Thad's bravery, Cassandra carrying the sign into Holidor, etc.