Dragon's Egg - Act III

[SomethingToPonder]

I let out a whistle as I listen to Cadell's original statement, and then watch the rest of the group bandy plans back and forth, all the while wondering in my head what we could do.
"It seems to me" I pipe up. "That we may be able to get the gnolls to accompany us back to the town, and either have them back us up should it come to confrontation, or have them there as a presence to deter any conflict. Now it may well be the case that the villagers will look at us like we are crazy because of siding with gnolls, However, I think we are already in their black books to be brutally honest. I can go and meet the gnolls cadell,I am not needed urgently here, and probably would not be missed as much. As baldhart says, surrender is not an option, so we may well be better off in this situation, If we can create a sort of peace between us and the gnolls, perhaps by promising we will do our best to re-create the peace that once was between our two races. It may just work, I see no other options at the moment."

I pause for a second looking around the room.

"Mauve helped the traitor escape, has she been all herself lately? She has seemed to be acting strangely recently, I would hate to think her magic has corrupted her.If that is the case we may well be better leaving her behind, All the confrontation and chances of party members dying for a corrupted soul does not appeal to me."

 

[Keitsumah]

((Sorry i haven't responded much -school is keeping me busy))

A bit earlier....

Batos ran up to me once i had exited the village, blue eyes filled with happiness and his tail wagging. I smiled, kneeling so he didn't have to tackle me in a hug, and the wolf licked the side of my face, then withdrew.

"I don't like being stuck here either, Batos, but it's what we have to do." i muttered and the wolf gave me a small growl, ears back and the expression on his face one of resentment for that.

Oh well, i could be with him for the night like old times -it might help clear my head for the next leg of our journey.

Later -back with the group...

When i finally find the others, i listen carefully, but decide against speaking at the moment until i have processed everything. I swear, we can never catch a break.

 

[Ireth]

((Sneaking on for one last post before I get out on the road. See you again as soon as I can!))

Cadell

I listen to Aldar, neither nodding nor shaking my head. "Peace was my intention all along, to be honest. But I think it may be best if I speak to the gnolls myself, come to think of it. They would certainly know of me by now, from the words of the one whom I spoke to, and would likely accept me more readily than any other."

 

[SomethingToPonder]

"That is true, But would you not be needed here with the group much more urgently than myself? Old friend, take note, I have no problem acting as an emissary of sorts between you and the gnolls."

 

[SeverinR]

"Burnbright, I wish to go immediately. I want my equipment and I want Aliron to know what has happened."

"It will give Aliron time to plan his actions, and get into position without the town finding him."
"where will the meeting be? Should I tell Aliron there is a truce for the meeting, so non-violence is expected? Any other messages for Aliron?"

 

[Steerpike]

The Maiden's Spear

Burnbright takes some consolation from Baldhart and Liadan, who both speak to her about Aslaug. When Liadan mentions the possibility of saving Aslaug, she nods thoughtfully. "And elves know about that kind of stuff, right? Magic and demons and all that. So if you say we might be able to save her, then maybe there's a way. She seems to feel a bit better after Baldhart's and Liadan's words, though the child is still uncharacteristically quiet.

When Aliron mentions leaving, Burnbright gathers her things. She doesn't appear to be happy about it, but she's still young and looks to the group for guidance. If they decide it is better for her to hide than to stay and fight or hand herself over to the gnolls, she is willing to defer to the group.

When Baldhart finds Aga downstairs and asks for Gisla, Aga says "I, uh...I can't take you to where they are. You better talk to one of the Elders. I'd talk to Hrolfr, if I were you. He's the oldest, and also one of the more open-minded." Aga gives Baldhart directions to Hroflr's home and finishes cleaning up downstairs. Patrons have left early tonight, and she's ready to lock up soon.

 

[SeverinR]

Bressel {not Aliron} waits for Burnbright to get her stuff.(since his stuff is with Aliron.) Watching out the window, choosing the best path to leave town.
It will be opposite of Ankari, so that won't be a problem.

 

[Ankari]

The sun flees behind the horizon, appalled by what it witnessed. Large shadows deepen and spread, sweeping away the last bit of day before night claims the sky. In the uncertainty of twilight, the pursuit slows to a feebled pace burdened by the weight of imagination. A snapping twig can take any form when the eyes are blinded.

I wait until I am certain of my solitude, then take a circuitous route back to the squalid village. The heat of survival cools, leaving behind embers to prod and ponder. Of all my companions, I did not expect the witch - no Mauve - to help me. Whether it was needed or not was besides the point. Why had the others failed him? What caused them hesitancy when the threat was present? That the enemy took their form?

I remain low and at a distance, scanning the village for any sign of my companions or pursuit. The biting cold held at bay by the sun, snarled around me eager for flesh. I will not stay out here long.

 

[Steerpike]

When Burnbright gathers her things, she follows Bressel downstairs. The remnants of a fire is popping in the hearth downstairs as Aga finishes tidying up. She wipes down the table and gathers up tankards and plates, taking them back to the kitchen for washing. The inn is empty of customers, and there is no sign of Grim or his wife, both of whom must have retired to their quarters for the evening. The front door to the Maiden's Spear is barred to prevent entry.

When Aga spots Aliron and Burnbright with their things packed, she motions to them to follow her and leads them behind the bar, past the door to the kitchen, and down a short corridor that leads to the rear exit of the inn. Cool air blows in when she opens the door, and outside the dark night awaits, with little moonlight to give substance to the shadows of buildings, rocks, and trees.

"Be careful out there," Aga whispers. She searches the night nervously with her eyes, her knuckles white on the door.

((PM coming to LS, Nihal, and Ankari

EDIT: And PM to SeverinR for Aliron)).

 

[SeverinR]

Bressel walks out and turns towards the ocean, walks with burnbright to the oceans side (beach or cliff) then walks away from town towards the west.
Bressel walks silently without looking back for several minutes to avoid looking suspicious. Then checks to ensure they aren't being followed.
He slips the axe off his shoulder and watches for any confrontations from any direction.

 

[Steerpike]

((Pulling some action into the main thread. This will be the right place to post if you're still within the town of Arendal. By my reckoning, that includes Baldhart, Keitsumah, Cadell, Liadan, and Aldar)).

Arendal

After Gisla reports news of Mauve's escape, Baldhart relates information about the gnolls and other enemies in the immediate vicinity. Both Gisla and the Eldre, Hrolfr, look Grim as Baldhart tells them what is going on.

When Baldhart sets forth her plan Gisla nods. "Indeed the gnolls are the important threat here. More of a concern than the murderer and his accomplice."

Elder Hroflr agrees. "We must form up the militia immediately. Will we have time to get the people to the caves? We'll worry about the criminals when this is all over. I'll have their descriptions sent to other towns and villages by boat, and perhaps they'll be caught. My chief concern is the safety of Arendal!"

As Baldhart lays out more of her plan, Gisla says "I have some flammable spirits, but I believe lamp oil may serve your purposes better. It will burn longer and hotter than anything I have in the tavern. Gathering enough oil shouldn't be a problem."

Hrolfr, however, turns his lips down as Baldhart offers her solution. "You mean to meet with these creatures under a flag of parley, and then betray them and burn them all no matter what they do?" He shakes his head and turns to Gisla. "Who have we allied ourselves with? Murderers? Practitioners of magic? Liars? Is this what we've come to? Do we give up all honor in the face of evil?"

Gisla looks troubled, but her countenance is more contemplative as she thinks things through.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

The geezer gives Gisla pause. I don't blame him, after what Ankari did, so I'll keep the tone respectful—but I'll stick up for my principles.

"These are monsters who murdered children, and when mothers begged for the lives of their babies as the flames converged around them, their agonized cries of mercy were answered only in death. If you prefer to have your militia battle them honorably I will help you; however, many of your people will die, including children. With all due respect, if you wish to protect Arendal, you should not give any quarter to these dogs. You should not even entertain the notion of honor. What honor is there in letting them win?

"Besides, I don't want these creatures to die with honor. They don't deserve it." I show Gisla the left side of my skull helm. "These are Nissa's kills. She used a fire and oil trap against the enemies who set it. True to Brynhild's path, she killed from up close—thrusting the torch in the face of a troglodyte after dousing him with oil.

"I remember the screams. At the time, I wondered if I could have died in silence had the trap worked as intended. When I saw Srilkind, I pictured families in their homes—bodies blackening and crumpling upon themselves as the trogs did. And the screams. No child should ever scream like that.

"This is how those dogs will die, Gisla. Nissa appreciates your help in the matter." To Hrolfr, I add, "Perhaps you do not. Picture the most beautiful child in the village. Now picture her after the dogs have found her. The scent of children will lead them to the caves, so don't waste your time imagining a scenario where all are safely hidden, able to play and grow when the threat is gone.

"The only way the threat will go is if we kill it. I know the path of Brynhild well—and Gisla knows this, because she knows who taught me. How we fight the battle is a small matter. What matters most is why we fight."

 

[Steerpike]

Gisla nods as Baldhart speaks. "It is true that I do not break my word, once given. And I deem that honor is what separates us from beasts and the lesser races. But in this case, I believe Baldhart pursues the greater good."

Hrolfr shakes his head even before Gisla finishes. He pulls a symbol of Tyr from beneath his shirt. "Long has Tyr guided the people of Arendal. He teaches us honor, loyalty, and honesty. He provides a greater place for us once we leaves the ragged bones of this world behind. I will not forsake his teachings, even if it means death. Tyr has given us his teachings so that we may live and die by them, and be rewarded in the hereafter."

He studies Gisla and Baldhart closely. "I'll have no part in deceiving a foe with a false promise of truce or parley. No. I will gather the militia. We must begin moving the people to the caverns. If your plan fails, the people of Arendal must be well hidden before the for is upon us."

He begins to walk away, then stops, turns. "But think on this, both of you - civilized men rely on the strength of their oaths. It is what allows us to have a civil society. We trust in one another, and in our laws, and from that we keep the peace such as we may, and we prosper while the orcs, who know nothing of such concepts, remained mired in their filthy holes. Do not be so quick to discard your honor. Tyr has put the potential for it in all of us, and when we cast it aside we become less like civilized men and more like the very creatures we call the enemy."

With that, Hrolfr moves toward the center of Arendal, calling loudly for the militia to form up. His cries are taken up quickly by others who hear him, and soon people are being roused from their homes and the few men of the militia are gathering up their weapons and armor.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Hrolfr is a hypocrite! What I intend to do with the gnolls is no different than what he did to Mauve. He told her she would not be harmed and that she would be given the opportunity to proclaim her innocence. What he didn't tell her is that no matter what she said she would be found guilty, and that he was the only elder not in favor of a death sentence. He used the same tactic of deception on Mauve as the gnolls did on Cadell: tell the truth, but withhold the most important truth so the other party feels safe enough to step willingly into your trap. He holds his symbol of Tyr like a shield, and speaks of an eternal reward as if it is not something I consider all the time.

I need Gisla. Wasting my words on the old man will likely drive a rift between Gisla and myself. Why lose one you won over? Anyway, the old fool is doing exactly what I need him to: hide the kids. The noise he makes will only add credibility.

I say nothing until the old man is out of earshot.



I take Gisla's hand, "I know I'm not much older than Aga, and Nissa died in her twenties, so maybe it's hard for you to think of her as your elder. But she says in the short time she's observed you, you've proven to be an unfaltering devotee. I might add... you set a great example for me as well. If I have time, I can thank you properly, but let me just pass on Nissa's message. She says you are now prepared for the battle to come because you have made a sacrifice. You stood up to the elder, which may have cost you some credibility with him. But be proud of yourself for this, she says, you've done the right thing.

"So, about the lamp oil... do you store it in the Maiden's Spear? If you do, let's not waste time. I hope I can sell my allies on this plan better than I did with Hrolfr. Truth be told, he is part of my plan, and he must know that though he'll not admit it. He's evacuating the innocents, which is what I woke him up for in the first place."

As I begin to move to the Spear, I add, "Aga will be glad to see you. She's quite shaken by all that's going on. Have you taught her to fight? Does she follow Brynhild? She's very gentle, but so is Nissa. Well... except when she's burning monsters to death."

 

[Steerpike]

Gisla walks back to the Maiden's Spear with Baldhart. She seems pensive. "Baldhart, listen. I agree that we have little choice in dealing with the gnolls, and I think your plan is for the greater good, but I don't have to be happy about it. I've always lived by the ideal that my word is my oath, whether given to friend or foe. Should I die, I wish it to be with honor, and not after dishonoring myself with a lie."

She falls silent for a moment, then says "When I was in the south, I ended up on the wrong side of a parley that turned out to be a trick. My boss was lured in under the promise of a white flag, and a handful of us accompanied him. It was a trap. We managed to get our boss out of there, but we lost two of our company in the process. Two people I considered friends. I remember at the time my outrage at the fact that the enemy lied to us, violated parley, and tried to cut us down like dogs. I thought the fact that I would never do the same is one thing that set me apart from those other men."

"So what I am saying is this: I go along with your plan reluctantly, because I think it's the best option we have for keeping the town safe, but I don't have to like it. Even given what the gnolls did in Srilkind.

Again Gisla lapses into silence. It is not hard to see the conflicting emotions on her face. Her own notions of how to serve Brynhild honorably are no doubt influenced by having been raised and lived most of her life in the north, where the teachings of Tyr are revered by many and instilled at a young age.

As you two reach the Spear, Gisla says "There is at least one barrel of oil in our cellar. The temple should have a barrel or two as well. As for Aga...no, she does not follow Brynhild, and she has not learned to fight - at least not from me. She is a sweet child, but a simple village girl at all that. So far as I know, she wants nothing more than to travel to one of the larger towns, marry, and make a life for herself there."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"I understand, Gisla. I do. And I'm sorry about the loss of your friends, and what it truly means for you to take part in…"

Gnolls' ears could ruin us. We've been quiet enough so far, but now that Hrolfr has the village riled up, this is not the best time for a discussion on morality.

"If we have an opportunity tomorrow, Nissa would like to talk to you in person. There is much I want to say to you as well, but the commotion here is sure to attract an audience so we should move quickly."

But don't just clam up...

"If you have questions for her now, feel free to ask while we're setting up. You're right that you don't have to be happy, but who better to talk to on matters of faith? Of course I don't mean me... though I guess it'll look like you're talking to me.

"In the mean time, let me get the barrel. Are the barrels small enough that the sail can conceal them while it's up? Or should we transfer the oil to several jugs that can be suspended from the mast and corked?" I look at Aga and Gisla. "I suppose if jugs are needed you can get them while I lug the barrel up here!"



I head downstairs.

Shouldn't you get help, Baldy?

Nah. I got this.


When I get back upstairs, I draw a sketch to help explain my plan to the party.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I show Gisla the drawing I made, though I can't help but apologize for the inaccuracy. "But the point is, the pulley system allows Nissa to pull all of the corks from one place, as long as we can attach the rope to the cork." I mention Aliron's skill at building traps, and suggest we load the barrels onto the boat, referring to the barrels as 'food' in case gnolls are listening. If Gisla thinks the barrels are too heavy, we bring jugs and call them 'drinks' or 'booze.' The trap will be built far west of here so any gnoll scouts may see us loading the boats, but they won't see us building anything.

I tell Gisla and Aga I'm expecting Bressel to bring Aliron back this way, but we can load the boats while we wait.

Gisla has one arm and Aga is dainty. She must be if you're saying it!

"I will load the boats."

I should go the the temple and get the other barrels. Before I do, I approach Gisla. "Nissa tells me you are troubled by the conflict of Tyr's teachings and Brynhild's path. To be truthful all the time is honorable and I believe our Goddess recognizes that. Well… Nissa confirms this. However, deception as a tactic is taboo for Tyr-worshippers, but not us. If you treat it as taboo, you are still serving Brynhild in the way you believe is best. Your upbringing is inspired by the teaching of another good god, so you do not fail Brynhild by recognizing this teaching. It's just that you also do not fail Brynhild by failing Tyr. You are doing right by Brynhild now because you are fighting a battle for a just reason. Why you fight is to prevent innocents from being harmed. That is what matters.

"I just want you to understand that I was not raised under Tyr's teachings. I was raised under Freya's. As it happens, Nissa was as well, and those teachings did not change much over 800 years. For those who follow Freya, killing a pregnant female of any species is taboo. When we hunt deer, we look for antlers just to be sure.

"I believe the teaching of Freya is not limited to sparing the pregnant. I believe families— children especially—must be protected. This is why I care for Branwen. I killed her mother. I must raise the child. If I killed her, I'd be like the gnolls I intend to trap. The gnolls killed many families, and by my upbringing, they are evil as demons. Unforgivable. To spare them after receiving a threat that they will kill more innocents—more children… to me that makes me something far worse than whatever the elder Hrolfr must think I am.

"I know the ways of my Mountain are not the ways everywhere else—or maybe not anywhere else. I just wanted you to know why my way of serving Brynhild may be different from yours in some way. Just because I have Nissa with me, it doesn't mean I'm right and you're not. I admire you and believe that meeting you makes me a better devotee. You truly are an inspiration.

"I just hope my use of deception as a tactic doesn't make you think less of me, given your experience."

If she has nothing to say, I'll head to the temple. But I stand by, hoping Gisla can see that I respect her. Hoping that she still respects me.

As for the old fart, who cares what he thinks?

 

[SomethingToPonder]

In the spear I overhear baldgart talking.
I enter the cellar where they are and lean against a wall.
"well, it seems like a fairly adequate plan to me friend, Perhaps I could be of some use to you in carrying it out, I do hate being a third wheel after all. Can I get a quick look at the drawing you made up, dont worry about your drawing qualities, I assure you mine are much worse."

With that I let out a chuckle and move to see the parchment.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((I think Baldy lugged the barrel out of the basement, assuming it's possible with her strength—and the good STR check thrown in for good measure. But if SP says we're in the basement, that works too. Either way, our characters can talk.))

Aldar offers his assistance. Maybe he is nuts, and maybe so is my plan. In any case, his help is welcome.

"I'm more worried about the plan actually working than the quality of the drawing. There are many innocent lives at stake, and there is very little time to put this plan into action.

"You were rowing one of the boats before, so you can help us move the boats west. We need all three. One for me and Burnbright, the big one for Bressel and the dogs, and the other little one for Aliron so he can help the enemy understand where bow range is. When we talk—assuming the gnolls actually get on the boat—neither party will be in the range of any bows. That's the agreement I want to establish before we even allow the gnolls to board. You'll end up in one of the little boats. Once the anchor drops, feel free to talk to the gnolls.

"Two rules: make them feel safe, and do not tell a single lie. The best deception tactic is the kind that is made up entirely of truths. It's the deception tactic they are likely using on us. I'm sure everything Cadell was told by the gnoll is true. It's the untold truths that we should worry about most."

 

[SomethingToPonder]

I nod approingly as baldhart speaks to me.
"No problem, I think you may find me to be more suitable than I look at deception, I have talked my way out of a few tight spots before. Ok that's fine with me, It seems like it will work well, I will make them feel right at home."
A large grin spreads accross my face as I finish my sentence.
"Lets do it."