Dragon's Egg - Act V

[Steerpike]

The guard who has been speaking to Bressel looks Aliron over when he lowers his hood. The guard looks him up and down, seemingly to confirm Bressel's comments about the lack of armor. The second guard moves his hand away from his weapon but remains in a defensive posture.

"No offense, you see," says the first guard. "It's just we haven't seen you around before, and the way things are these days you can't take no chances. We got a town full o' people to think about, and another stranger come through yesterday and attacked a woman and some children.

"You say you want to help, but what do you mean by that. Help how?"

About this time, the portion of the group already in town shows up, and Baldhart's question draws the guard's eyes away from Bressel.

"It's just fine, ma'am," the guard says. "Just more strangers comin' through town. Lot more of that than we're used to seeing. And with what happened yesterday...." The guard's eyes wander in the direction of Big Sam, at his post some distance away. "Well, you can't be too careful these days is all."

He turns his attention back to Bressel. "Now what did you say you were wantin' to do here?"

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I speak up, "We called them here to help with the prisoner in the barracks." Biorn must be outside of town with Brok and Branwen.

 

[Steerpike]

The guard shifts his gaze to Cadell, eyes flicking down to the artificial hand and then back up to meet the elf's eyes.

"That's different, then," he says, relaxing his posture. The other guard relaxes as well, taking his cue from the first.

"No offense met. These are bad times and folk can't be too careful. We should never have let that one in yesterday...."

 

[tbgg]

I turn and shift my gaze back toward Big Sam for a moment, then turn back and ask Baldhart in the girlish tone I have adopted for Sigrid, "Prison man now?"


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I tell the guards, "You're good people. You won't turn away a stranger because you don't know if that stranger needs a place to stay to survive. And you keep prisoners instead of killing criminals because few are willing to kill a man if he can be taken alive.

"On my mountain, we don't take people alive. You're branded if you deserve a second chance, killed if you don't. That said, I'm a guest here. I'll respect your laws and resist the urge to split the prisoner's skull for attacking children.

"I imagine you won't mind me and my friends questioning the prisoner?"

 

[Steerpike]

Now that the tension has been eliminated, the guards are more friendly and conversational. When talk turns to the prisoner, the one who has been speaking shrugs.

"Up to Conal whether you see the prisoner. Don't matter to me what you do with him, so long as the boss is ok with it."

The other guard nods. "I reckon Conal'll come out before too long. Man's gotta eat, ain't he?"

In any event, the guards are happy to let Aliron and Bressel into town, and since there isn't a whole lot going on at the gate they're happy to talk some more if questioned.

((If the party proceeds to the guardhouse, the text below applies))

Big Sam remains outside the door to the guardhouse. There is no noise from within. The man has southern features and darker skin than natives of the northlands. His nickname is apt as well, as he stands of even height with Baldhart. Or, he would if he were standing straight. When the party approaches, the man looks practically dead on his feet, leaning against the wall of the guardhouse. He straightens a little, though not complete, and raises a hand.

"Can't go in right now," he says. "Conal's orders. He'll be along directly." Then he mutters under his breath, but still audibly to the party "Damn sure better be."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

My eyebrows lift as I get a proper look at Big Sam -- this is only the second human I've seen who is taller than me. I can't help but frown as I hear what he mutters under his breath. "You look as though you've been waiting all night. How long, truly?"

 

[Steerpike]

Cadell

Big Sam sucks in a breath and lets it out with a ragged wheeze. "Was on duty when they brought 'im in last night. Conal ordered me to stand guard, and I ain't heard but three or four words out of the man since. Questionin' the prisoner, I guess, by why's that got to take so long?"

 

[tbgg]

I feel pretty sure that Big Sam at least is the real deal, so I just make it a point to stand with Baldhart between me and him and shift my weight from one foot to the other as though I am eager to move away from such a large man.


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[Ireth]

Cadell

My eyes narrow. If that's not cause for suspicion, I don't know what would be. "I think we ought to go in and check on him. If the prisoner is at all violent or ill-tempered, something may have happened to him, and you'd be none the wiser."

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron:
"I am always on alert, I take no offense at others doing the same."
Aliron slips his hood back up and stands with his hands behind his back, and turns to watch the woods. (Trying to look more thoughtful then sneaky)


Bressel:
"I'd like to go see the prisoner."Bressel suggests," I don't like the camp outside being so few."

((Missed the second part. So I'll add.)

Bressel:
Bressel Paces behind the party, looking towards camp.

Aliron:
"Bressel, You must learn to relax. The will of the Gods will keep them safe. If it is not, then no human planning will prevent their deaths. I believe the people in camp will protect our special child."
Bressel:
"I'm not sure I like this new...side of you. I liked the ever paranoid elf I use to know."

Aliron:
"I still trust few people, but I give to Agapanthus, what I can not control. Ever alert, but more relaxed, trust in the darkness for she is there."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I address Sam as "Big Sam" with no hint of irony in my tone. "I realize you have your orders, but try to understand that I need to report to Conal right away. We managed to convince Korgak, the orc chief, to release his dwarven prisoners. I really should not even mentioned that much to you without telling Conal. May I enter? Now?"

 

[SeverinR]

((I also forgot there is a new person in the group))

Aliron:
Notices a new person, he follows behind her from a distance, watching her interactions with the others.

Bressel:
Too distracted at first to notice the new person, then notices Aliron is not walking with him. He looks at him, then sees why he isn't walking with him.
"Baldhart" Bressel grins," Is this someone we should know, honorable townsperson or such?" Pointing to Cali, then when Baldhart looks he will nod towards Aliron.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Right. Sigrid, Bressel. Bressel, Sigrid." I point out Aliron to Cali. "And that's Aliron. Fellow monk. Though I kinda prefer to be referred to as a nun, and Aliron obviously does not."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I look at Aliron in surprise -- since when is he a monk? Still, that's a question best left for later. We have other things to focus on now.

 

[tbgg]

I bob a curtsy to Bressel and give him a slight smile but do not say anything. If Bressel thinks I am a townsperson and Tumi thinks I am with the party, Baldhart just gave away that Bressel doesn't know Sigrid. I hope Tumi's attention was directed elsewhere and that he won't find the introduction odd.


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[Steerpike]

Ballara

Big Sam does his best to look alert rather than exhausted as the group addresses him. His eyes narrow when it becomes clear that the group wants to enter to talk to Conal. When he hears what Baldhart has to say about the negotiations with the orcs, it gives him pause. He thinks about this a moment and then turns, raises a meaty hand, and pounds on the door. After a moment, when there is no answer, he pounds on it again.

Footsteps can be heard inside, and then the door opens--just a crack, not enough to see anything from within. A hand emerges, gripping the side of the door to open it slightly further. The knuckles on the hand are bloody and busted, as though from striking someone or something. Conal's face appears, looking weary and drawn. He looks over the group gathered outside the guardhouse, lingering a moment on Baldhart, then flicking back to her after he has taken everyone in. He motions for to her come closer, rather conspiratorially, while at the same time motioning for Big Sam to step away from the door.

Big Sam moves back, leaving enough room that Baldhart and Conal can speak privately, if speaking softly enough. Conal continues to maintain the door in a barely-open state, with his body filling the gap between the door and the jamb.

 

[tbgg]

Cali pretends to be surprised by something she's seen with Aliron and Bressel, giving a soft "eep" of surprise as she edges closer to Baldhart and carefully positions herself so she has a clear view of Conal's face as it peers out the door.

She studies Conal's face, adopting a look of concern and searching for signs of the scarred man.



Before Baldhart has the chance to start speaking, she asks, "Guard man hungry? Want inn food?" She wishes she'd thought to get a small basket from Rik before she left the Badger's Place, but if nothing else, maybe this can serve as another excuse for opening the door if Baldhart can't keep the man talking. Also, she figures if the man before her is really the scarred man in disguise, he'll look for an excuse to say no, and that will hopefully alert those who know him better than she does to suspicious behavior.


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[SeverinR]

Aliron:
Aliron nods to Cali.Moves slowly around the group to move closer to the door. Trying to hear what is being said to Baldhart.
Hear noise: Wisdom check+2 (non-prime) ((will have to roll when I get home, work computer blocks the "roll" sites as games now.))


Bressel:
"Hello." he waves to Cali, then turns to the door as it opens.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I do not move.

"If neither of you are capable of speech, I don't see us having much of a discussion."

What's up with these guys?

Baldhart:1D20+1+3 → 11(7 + 1 + 3)#int wtf
((non-prime so not even close))