wirh the Mageguild envoys defeated, the loot is being tallied.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 1):

Reanna is clearing the road and separating the loot and the bodies, collecting all pouches, rings and knives/daggers, as well as crossbow bolts. Are they the standard ones?

OOC: any results from Mage Sight (msg 952 in the previous thread)?  Checking everything on and under bodies, and the entire area of the fight.  Also down the road to where the horse was found.

Dilandua will retrieve the locked books and the document case and once recovered spend time examining them without opening them, yet.


OOC:  Carefully checking for traps and feeling for magic.

02:27, Today: Dilandua rolled 11, 11, 13, 10, 5 using 3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6.  IQ+Magery 15 (10+5 Extra Time), feeling for magic:  Document Case then Locked Books.

02:29, Today: Dilandua rolled 12, 11, 9, 16, 6 using 3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6.  Traps (Search) 14 (9+5 Extra Time).  Document Case then Locked Books.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 4):

the books and document case appear to be magically locked, the staves appear to be magical, and a great mant of the items are magically  marked in addition to being engraved.

Dne climbs up twenty yards and keeps a lookout for approaching enemies.

In reply to Dne Utrotare (msg # 6):

fromhis vantage point, the leaves seem to spell something....

In reply to Narrator (msg # 7):

Right. We get everything back to our campsite, and the battle site cleaned up?

"Okay, now that we've checked all of that, let's get the bodies into the ditch.  One layer deep, if we can, so they don't protect each other.  Once that's done, I'll create the fire and we'll come back in a couple hours and fill in the ditch.

"Danay, you work with air, you said?  Can you purify the smoke as it rises so we don't send up a signal to everyone for twenty miles?"

"It's best we remain, to ensure the fire does not spread.  If they burn faster than anticipated, magical fire and all, we are here to finish dealing with them.  Is there a way to remove the magical markings from this gear?"

"Magic being what it is, there probably is, but as a research apprentice I don't know with certainty what it is.  If I had to guess, I'd say Dispel Magic, applied with sufficient skill, might do the job."

Once the bodies are arranged, Virgilio picks up the staff he'd carried earlier when catching the loose horse, rehearses the gesture for the needed spell, then steps to the edge of the ditch.  He reaches out with the staff, makes the same gesture again while speaking the necessary Word, and the ditch fills with flames.  After a moment, greasy smoke starts to rise into the air.

"I'm sorry, I don't know the air magic that would control that.  Does your bird-mage?"

[Private to GM: 04:55, Today: Virgilio Hohlfeld rolled 12 using 3d6.  Create Fire (15 + 1 for extra time) (5 hex radius, trimmed to include only the ditch with bodies).]

What do the leaves seem to spell?

At any rate, Dne climbs down and explains two things to the newcomer. 1. The name is pronounced “nay,” not “danay,” and 2. No, he can’t purify the smoke, at least not for a long enough period to be of any use.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:17, Fri 20 Aug 2021.

"Sorry, 'Nay.  I must have heard it wrong.

"If it's a matter of energy, I can lend you as much as you need, up to about three draughts of paut equivalent every couple heartbeats.  I recover it instantly.  And what happened with Alice was a rarity, partly my fault -- I got in a hurry."

Now that things have calmed down a bit, you might notice that the tall, thin mage's voice is quite unpleasantly nasal and perhaps louder than it needs to be.

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 13):

thaumatology for any that have it

In reply to Narrator (msg # 14):

6 sets of light leather gambesons and pants with DR3 corselets,  DR4 helmets and gauntlets, heavy leather boots,

6 good shortswords, Base Price: $400, Fine? +3 CF
6 ST12 crossbows and quivers, the bolts were strewn by Dne's storm, Base price $150
6 cheap large knives, Base price: $40, -0.6 CF
assorted personal basics, red surcoats with the Mageguild insignia.

2 yellow cloaks,
2 yellow surcoats (both badly damaged) two suits of graven brigandine, one reduced to cheap value from being dragged, 2, Base price $5,400, 60 lbs
2 embellished staves, Base Price $10, but embellished??
2 silvered meteoric daggers, Base price $20, +21 CF. Also fine?
2 good broadswords, Base price $600, fine? +3 CF

horses: 4 slightly injured light riding horses, with Mageguild brands, and Mageguild saddles and harness and saddlebags. Assume Saddle Horse, Base price $1200, Bit and Bridle, Saddle and tack, Saddlebags (Hold 40 lbs): $285, 21 lbs, Basic Lift: 88 lbs

items: group basics, 4 locked books, 2 branded writing kits, the sealed document case,

Pouches with a total of $716 in copper and $860+$660 in silver, $480  as six gold coins
2 gold rings,

So -0.1 CF to remove insignia, correct? (-10%).

Reanna will collect the coins and rings in a single pouch, and collect the meteoric Daggers and one staff if no-one else takes it.

Having cooked the evidence and returned everything to the camp...Price for each item standard?

We may want to consider keeping a uniform or two if we want to frame the mage guild for things in future...
This message was last edited by the player at 00:27, Tue 24 Aug 2021.

"I'd very much like to keep this staff, if we can manage to remove the Guild emblem."  He holds up the staff he originally picked up.  "Or cover it up, perhaps?

"I've heard you can get almost anything done, for a price, at the Adventurers' Guild in Northport.  The Guild mages were headed there -- well, to Northport, not to that other Guild."  He frowns for a moment.

"Did she say they found some daggers of the same sky iron they used for those manacles?  I wouldn't have thought one of the mages would carry those; where they on one of the guards, perhaps?"

OOC:  Sorry, I forgot to post this didn't I?


* Damaged (-0.6CF); Cheap (-0.6CF); Silvered (+2CF); Fine:  Knife (+2CF), Tools (+2CF); Meteoric (+19CF)

The Locked Books are currently listed at "0$" because I have no idea what the quality level is or the contents.  I strongly suspect they are spellbooks... but whether they are Primers, Textbooks, or Thesis, I dunno and that drastically affects pricing.

The Staffs are being treated as Unenchanted at this moment (just the Staff enchantment) which they may have more on them.

This also doesn't include the final payout of 80 gold coins ($6,400).

I'm also not accounting for anything we gift to Virgilio.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:30, Tue 24 Aug 2021.

After having determined the books and scroll case was not openable, at least not openable here or safely, Dilandua stowed them in their backpack.

"Reanna, we should split the coins now, before going further.  And decide how much we are gifting to this ex-slave, to Virgilio.  I'm fine with passing on some of the mundane equipment, we won't be getting much for anything there except the armors and weapons, and even then, a suit of armor and a sword or crossbow will not make much difference to our take."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:48, Tue 24 Aug 2021.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 17):

I notice that does not include the value of the embellishment of the staves, and I am not sure if the silvered meteroric daggers are fine or not.

Reanna would not be in favour of giving anything other than excess to the prisoner, and excess would be items we cannot carry, or do not want to. For that, we should also note the weights, but I suspect the surcoats and the group basics would be dumped. Happy for him to take some personal basics as well. Fine personal basics...are they the same as expensive? Ie ,double or triple the price, 2/3 the weight?

I would ask how many bolts there are, but unless they are silver, I don't care that much. Perhaps grab a few just in case.

Ah, I was reading "embellishment" as "engraved".  Without knowing how well Embellished, they cannot be priced properly, embellishment comes in ever increasing amounts (basically it's just a way to increase the sale value of the item, so while it technically has cost factors and levels, it's also literally "add an amount of $$ to the item to get it to the value you desire").


Weren't listed as such, so I didn't add that.

I figure Gwythaint will skim the list and if anything looks wrong, he'll investigate and correct our errors.


We have 4 more horses, there is literally nothing that cannot be carried away from this battle.

Dilandau doesn't actually care at the end of the day unless it's of significant value.  Like a seriously enchanted Staff is right out, but if Virgil wants a suit of Light Leather or even a Broadsword, Dilandua will not care... Brigandine will require some serious ass-kissing though.


Agreed.  A pouch or two, personal basics, a writing kit, whateves there...


I'm costing them as a Fine Toolkit, so +2 to Survival rolls when you're taking care of yourself.  But if they were supposed to be Expensive (+1CF, wt 2/3) that will change their value.


I listed them as "1" just in case someone really wanted to go searching and pinch every penny.  Dilandua is a little too ... "snobbish" for that.  Like if someone starts doing it, and it looks like it'll speed up leaving, Dilandua will help gather up lost bolts.  Otherwise, Dilandua also does not care.

Regardless it's a Scrounging roll to recover half of them (round down).

And since we're down to four PCs, Reanna, Dilandua, Dne, and Virgilio... it's on Virgil or Dne if they care enough to scrounge for pennies that way (though I wouldn't blame Virgil, a Hip QUiver full of bolts and a crossbow, even if he can't use them, is "money' in his pocket.  I just gotta play Dilandua as Dilandua is built).
This message was last edited by the player at 05:51, Tue 24 Aug 2021.

Which, in turn, is mostly a way to increase the capacity of a Power Item.  Otherwise, gewgaws are mainly attractants to one flavor or another of thieves.



Not interested in a lot of weight, especially since I'm a walker, not a rider, not immediately concerned with money, just need some basic stuff to stay alive until I can improve myself.  Leather is probably the best compromise among what's here, but finding a fit is a bigger problem (well above average height, and skeletally thin).



Not sure a writing kit is worth whatever it'll take to remove or obscure the Guild tag(s), but I'd like to check; I'm sure I'll want one, but not sure I want one of these specifically.  Already grabbed a pouch and personal basics (the pouch obvious on my belt).



Not a crossbow user, either, though I'd welcome a sling and second pouch for stones or bullets.  And as noted, not much interested in carrying a lot of weight to slow me down.

"Then we're agreed, Virgilio can take what he can use, in the way of leathers, a few weapons, and such.  We'll have the staves examined by Speilgud, and if they aren't further enchanted or of exceptional value, he may have one of them as well?"

Dilandua rises having sufficiently rested and helps with loading things on the horses, "It might be of value to have him dressed as an Imperial Mage when we pass through Saint Remy, with us as guards, to give the impression that the mages passed through and then disappeared after Saint Remy.  Of course, if we are recognized wearing their colours, someone may better remember us to the next posse of mages that come through."



OOC:

I was mentioning it as a crossbow, hip quiver, and load of bolts is $360 resale.  Of course if you mooch it and then sell as soon as we're in Northport that will colour how some characters look at you (side note, Dilandua wouldn't be angered, and would be amused if someone else was angered by it, leading a more positive opinion of Virgil from Dilandua, but a more negative one from someone else...).

Dne seems strangely indifferent to the finer details of treasures accounting, and also to the plan of disguise.  The good thing about this, of course, is that he doesn’t argue about any of this.  Perhaps something in his own avian little world is distracting him at the moment…

Dne is very hard to disguise, and the guild being accepted and respected in St.Rem might mean that there are members... and that there are hand gestures and passwords they might expect. .

"Must we pass through every little town along the way?  We can blend into the hubbub in a great city like Northport, but every stranger stands out in a small town.  How many call St. Remy home?  A hundred?  A few more?

"I think it would be best, if practical, to bypass the smaller towns along the way.  The lot of you might not be fugitives, yet, but I don't know if missives might have preceded the party I was in.  If someone in good with the Guild recognizes me," he gestures to his scarecrow physique, "I could wind up right back in those sky-irons."

"And I really don't have the skill to cast with neither gestures nor words, even if I can override the sky-metal."

In reply to Narrator (msg # 24):

Like the concept of misdirection,but not a fan of the details. Better to sell the items in Northport, though. Perhaps the underground.

I was actually thinking of saving a set for more nefarious operations to blame them for...

Dne is willing to pose as a prisoner, and can pretend to be manacled, so long as he doesn’t have to wear the cuffs for real.

"I see.  We can see if the guide knows a way to bypass Saint Remy, though crossing fields and other properties might be fraught with it's own perils.  We could always just continue through Saint Remy without staying, draw as little attention as possible."

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 28):

"We should also bear in mind that the Mage Guild might have magical ways of tracking items, possibly using their insignia. Might be best to remove them sooner rather than later."

"There is no reason for them to begin tracking anything for longer than it will take us to return and dispose of the goods through Guild fences, and even if so they will track the gear to Northport, which is where their members were going in the first place."

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 30):

"But if they then cross check if they passed through St Remy it would point back to the Guild there...and it would also indicate they did not stop at St Remy."

"As I said, we can check with our guide about an alternate route back, but the damage is done vis-avis your idea of 'cross-checking' with Saint Remy.  We stayed there and made inquiries about the Mage's Guild yesterday.  No more damage can be done by passing through quickly."

"The elf -- Dilandua? -- may be right.  Just passing through a village built on a road isn't likely to raise much interest.  How far is it?  When were you there last?"

"This morning.  It's a few hours that way," Dilandua indicates the direction the Mage's Guild was traveling, "if we make time, we can pass through and be a few hours past it before darkness falls."


Dilandua gives the horses and packs the once over.  "If we're done here, are we moving, or waiting for the bodies to burn?  Either way, someone should return these beasts to camp, Guillaume can tend to them, let whoever brings them back know if they are too injured to travel or not.  That will further determine what we pack and what we dispose of."





OOC:

Understood.  No doubt we could "easily" drum up someone to buy the gear for just such purposes, but shielding it against Mage's Guild scrying might not be as easy for us, our means are limited.  Making notes on the garb's design and replicating it later might be more prudent for us.  Though there are organizations that can provide the scry proof containers... but whether or not anyone other than the Dilandua would want to have anything to do with the one DIlandua knows of is another story.  But that's another discussion we could have in character if anyone wants to pursue that line of dialogue.


It will take 2-3 hours for the bodies to burn, that will give our Guide time to tend to the horses, and whoever returns to camp time to further sort down gear if Guillaume has bad news about our new pack mules.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:02, Wed 25 Aug 2021.

“I have to believe the guild will figure out what happened one way or another.  Fretting over whether or not they can scry us seems superfluous at this point.  Besides, we were just the muscle. If we hadn’t taken the job, someone else would have.”

"I agree with 'Nay, there are a lot of awfully smart people in the Guild, and not all of them are totally caught up in research and learning.  The one saving thing is that once they figure out what happened, they still have to figure out how and who.  And when the body count comes up one short, if they can be sure of that, they have to determine who's not accounted for."

"For that matter, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if one or more of those bodies had a Tracer on it -- it's even possible one was put on me without my knowledge; at least a couple Guildsmen thought it was worth the risk to try to make me into a tool, against both law and Guild rules."  His voice, normally just grating, rises here to a rather disturbing quality.

"If we didn't need to hang around to cover the burnt bodies, I'd say we should hit the road immediately; I can maintain the fire from anywhere as long as I can stay awake.

"Can you trust the guide?  Those horses have Guild brands, and all the tack has their symbols on it as well."

"Guillaume is from the Adventurers Guild in Northport, so he is as trustworthy as the rest of the thieves, brigands, cutthroats, and blackguards employed there.  But to the point, he isn't likely to sell us out to the Mage's Guild as he knows what would befall him were he to do so."

Dilandua actually sighs dramatically and has momentary cross look, "Though the minor trouble we went through to to keep him in the dark concerning this operation is moot when we return with all this looted gear.  Next time I'll take that into consideration before making plans."

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 37):

Reanna will take the look, and the beasts, back to camp and check with Guillaume, leaving the others to discuss the deatial.

Virgilio's ears figuratively perk up.

"The Adventurers' Guild is on the outs with the Mages' Guild?"

"I have no idea.  But I suspect if not yet, this will certainly create some level of animosity.  Though if the Imperial Mages Guild requires enrollment within their ranks to be 'legally' allowed to cast spells, learn spells, and sell the services of spellcasters, then since Northport follows no such strictures... well, I suspect there is already some level of animosity."


Before Reanna leaves, Dilandua will take four of the hip quivers off the packs and set them nearby, "We may as well while we're waiting."




OOC:  GM it's normally a successful Scrounging roll to recover a third (outdoors) to half (indoors) expended ammo.

10:19, Today: Dilandua rolled 13 using 3d6.  Scrounging 11 (Default 6 + 5 Extra Time) bolt recovery.

If Virgilio pitches in, we can do this (and unless he's lazy, go ahead and Take Extra Time +5, x30 time, since we've got the hours to spend).  Dilandua is just not very good at Scrounging.

scouring the area, you find about a third of the bolts, which in this case is 43.

Someone will have to go and collect the guide.

“Perhaps when we return, we should inquire about another contract against the Mage’s Guild.  This one went smoothly enough, and it would keep them off balance if we continue destroying them.  Not that this is anything personal.”

Dne offers to aid the gathering.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 41):

Reanna was going to take stuff to collect the guide. Ideally, she would take the mounts to the guide, rather than bring the guide here, but unsure of the mounts co-operation.

"Since this lot were apparently too well off to use slings, I guess I could carry a crossbow, just to have a first shot if we run into trouble.  Not something I'll care to keep once I can get a sling, but better than throwing a rock.

"They're easy to use, right?  Pull this back until it latches -- oof, using the lever -- then drop a bolt into the slot and slide it under the keeper, point that end at the enemy, and push this lever."

He takes aim at a nearby tree trunk and lets fly; the bolt goes deep into the wood.

"Seems simple enough."

He clips one of the hip quivers to his belt and reloads the crossbow before setting it aside while doing other things.

OOC: Virgilio is happy to assist in scrounging the scattered bolts while maintaining the fire.

[Private to GM: 09:27, Today: Virgilio Hohlfeld rolled 9 using 3d6.  Crossbow (Default 7 + 4 Acc).]

OOC:  If you don't have Animal Handling, bringing the guide here actually be the better idea.  Also, we don't know enough to judge if one has an injured leg.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 45):

Whatever works....

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 46):

You head back toward Saint Remy to find Guillaume

In reply to Narrator (msg # 47):

Wait, I am pretty sure we set up a campsite not far from the ambush site...from the previous thread

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 48):

so long I forgot he was with you!

Guillaume tends to the horses.  you might just be able to load the armor and weapons on them, but the horses will be lightly encumbered.

Dne keeps his distance from the horses, eager to avoid spooking them.  Meanwhile, he keeps an eye out for interesting birds.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:11, Tue 31 Aug 2021.

"Guillaume, is it?  I'm Virgilio Hohlfeld of Bon Chance, formerly of the Mages' Guild.

"Tell me, is riding a horse very easy to learn?"

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 51):

Yeah, that was a long way back!

So, get everything back to camp, bodies disposed of, by nightfall?

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 52):

fire does 1d-3 per second, bodies need to go to -10 ht, so yes by nightfall

OOC:  The bodies are in the fire and stay in the fire, 1d-1 damage for being in fire for a full turn.  So an average of 2.5 damage per second, if a 10HP body has to go -10xHP... that's 44 seconds.  Stay in school kids and don't do rules calls this way...

Even your call of 1d-3 is an average of 0.5 damage per second which is 3.66r minutes*.  To be realistic, yeah, it takes about 3ish hours for a completely fresh body to burn down to ash on a bonfire.  So by the time we're done buryin them, nightfall.

* This is one of those areas where GURPS absolutely breaksdown and shows that it's a "gameable approximation of reality".

Virgilio spends most of the rest of the day watching Guillaume tend to the horses and manage the camp, in expectation of needing to know this stuff pretty much immediately.  Once the fire has burned long enough, he'll cast Extinguish Fire (two or three times if needed) to be sure the fire is completely out, then use Apportation to assist in filling in the ditch to cover the ashes.

OOC: I agree, both on the damage for fire by the rules, and on how long it takes to burn a fresh corpse in real life.  I'm fine with nightfall.

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 55):

Reanna will set up camp, and take first watch.

Dilandua spends the early evening in eerily quiet combat exercises, spear katas and unarmed katas.

Dne offers to take second watch, and keeps it twenty yards up.  Harder to take him by surprise that way.

Virgilio volunteers to stand the mid watch with D'ne, and prepares by casting a spell on his appropriated staff, causing it to radiate brilliant "light" visible only to those sensitive to magic.  He'll also spend some time, either in the evening or during his watch, attuning himself to the staff.

OOC: I'm not aware of an "attunement" process in GURPS (DFRPG thing?); I presume this is analogous to the D&D5 method of bonding to a magical item, requiring a period of meditation while handling the item.

[Private to GM: 05:06, Today: Virgilio Hohlfeld rolled 9 using 3d6.  Continual Mage Light (daylight) (15 + 1 extra time/ritual).
05:07, Today: Virgilio Hohlfeld rolled 10 using 2d6.  Continual Mage Light, duration.]

OOC:  As per DFRPG Adventurers, pg 115 Power Items:  You just have to get it fully charged and that switches the Power Item over to you.

But if it's "magical bonding" as to a Magic Item that has powers, casts spells, etc:

If it has a passive benefit, it simply works.  So a Puissant weapon simply does more damage (+ to damage rolls), Accurate weapons just hit more easily (+ to skill), Shatterproof weapons are "unbreakable", etc.  Note, Cornucopia Quivers fall into this category.

If it has active benefits, ie spells, you just have to know how to activate them.  This varies wildly from item to item.

However, some Artifacts (or just bizarrely designed lesser items) do require some sort of bonding ritual.  This is also wildly variant based on the item, how it was designed, what the Artifact may want (if it has self-agency), etc.  But this is very rare.


There is also the Perk, Weapon Bond.  This does require you to do things like practice with it, bond with it (take it out to dinner, maybe a movie) before you can buy the Weapon Bond Perk (Weapon Bond gives you +1 to skill when using that specific weapon).

OOC: I was referring to Msg #925 in the previous thread.  "with a few hours attunement, perhaps a power item."  Without being "mine" I don't know that I can even sense if there's power still stored (much less draw on it), and without knowing in detail what other enchantments it carries, it's impossible to know its value, hence what its Power Item capacity might be, to know how much charge it'll need.

OOC:  Power doesn't "store" between "owners".  The moment you 'make it yours' (which by RAW is "claim it, keep it, and pay to recharge it") it loses the charge the previous Owner had in it, as Power Items are personal.  Which means once it's charged, you can't hand it off for someone else to use the Power from, it's only yours.  That also means if someone steals it, and pays to have it recharged for themself, your charge is gone.

And yes, it's impossible to know how much until you get it appraised (but we can make educated guesses as Players*).

It's possible (outside chance if he's of the Knight Template)) that Aegis has Connoisseur (Weapons) or Armory (Melee Weapons), both of which wold allow him to make an appraisal roll.


* It's a Staff, it's Ornate, so that's at least 20$ up to 100$, so 1-2 PF.  Further it might be Fine (+20$), Very Fine (+190$), Sylvan (+150$), or Balanced (+40).  It could be Silvered as part of the Ornate, and of course Ornate just means "make it more expensive" so it could have gemstone set itno it, etc...  so it's anywhere from 1-5FP, but it could go higher.  And yeah, staffs suck as Power Items unless you swap out the wood for Dragonbone... because bone is expensive.

That's where the Alchemists really make their money, peddlin massive bone tonic to Wizards...

OOC: I presume I'd be able to see Silvered or inset gems.  There's the Guild symbol, of course, but what that does to "value" is ambiguous.

OOC:  Yeah,. but it still takes appraisal to know whether it's silver or silver paint, coloured glass or gems, etc.  I mean, yeah, if it's all gaudy and glitzy, we can assume it's Ornate, it was a Mage's Power Item most likely, and I doubt they went in for cheap flash which does nothing...


It's an Ornamentation so it's "Ornate", which increases it's value.  The fact that it's a decrease in Resale Price is meaningless, otherwise Broke (the Disad Wealth: Broke) Caster Professions would have sucky Power Items (and Broke Warriors would sucky Heroic Items, everyone would have suck Endurance Items, etc... not that anyone other than Casters has really gotten into the Power Item gig - I really should for Dilandua, despite none of their items being of high value, even a 3 point Heroic Item suit of armor is better than 0 point suit of armor.  I just keep forgetting the option exists).

fine, decorated, enchanted quarterstaff, as Per DF 13, loadouts (mostly obsolete due to changes in armor pricing)
decorated with extensive relief, and $430 worth of gems. total value $530, good as 6 point item once charged,  enchanted with Staff Spell

OOC:  So Reanna is on 1st, Dne and Virgilio on 2nd, and who's on third?

No, Who's on first!  Dilandua and Aegis will end up taking third watch, which should afford Dilandua time to exercise before we leave (as long I don't roll a 6 again)...
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 05:33, Sat 04 Sept 2021.

OOC: That's good to know.  Not that I have so much as a bit to spend on getting it charged at the moment, but at the least, it's a quarterstaff with Staff -- and if we can figure out a non- or minimally-destructive way to get rid of these Guild marks, we can discuss whether a freed prisoner can make a claim against his erstwhile captors before their loot is divided...

OOC: I don’t know is on third.  That’s what I’m asking you!

In reply to Dne Utrotare (msg # 68):

are you moving back to your camp, or staying near the ash heaps?

OOC: I thought we'd filled in the ditch, covering the ashes.  Without a bunch of wood to fuel a pyre, there would be fairly small amounts for each body.  A few pounds each, at most 30-40 lbs, which would be less than a cubic foot, if the fire wasn't hot enough to fully calcine the bones.  That volume of ash shouldn't leave a visible mound when the earth is filled back into the ditch.

Too bad we don't have a druid to grow vegetation back over the disturbed earth.

OOC: And then our camp is about half an hour back towards St Remy, it has running water.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 71):

Reanna at camp...

Dne follows Reanna, for some reason.

Joining the others going to camp once the ditch is filled in.

OOC: Did we clear the fallen tree from the road?  Most likely too heavy to Apport, I'm sorry to say; might have to be cut up to move, but if it's still blocking the road, it's much more likely for travelers to notice the filled-in ditch.

OOC:  At best I suspect we pushed it off the road unless someone (like Aegis) was volunteering (and Aegis doesn't strike me as the "volunteers for work" type, like most soldiers) to chop it up while we waited on the bodies to burn and scrounged up bolts.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 75):

it would take Aegis and maybe three more people to pull it aside.

OOC:  Dilandua is cool with helping push it aside.  And here is where having a specialized Power Blow is not helpful...

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 77):

Reanna to would help before she left. That would definitely be part of clearing the site. A horse or two may also assist, as may lighting it up.

OOC: I'm happy to help push as well, but I'm no prime physical specimen.  Next time someone wants to use a tree as part of an ambush, they might want to consider bringing a lumberman's saw.  Just saying...

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 79):

with two horses towing, it is much eadier.

Dne continues to keep an eye in the sky out for any approaching trouble.

In reply to Dne Utrotare (msg # 81):

Ok, then, tree moved with horses, battle sight cleaned up and back at camp for the night?

"Well, that was more work than sweeping the refectory and washing up the pots, but overall worth it, I'd say."

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 83):

you make your camp, with porh privacy (fire cannot be seen from the road) and nearby water.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 84):

Right. Watches as mentioned.

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 85):

during the last watch, you hear hoofbeats...

Dilandua stops doing handstand push-ups (apparently it's "arms day"), gathered a spear, and checks that Aegis noticed the sound as well.  Then Dilandua moves quietly towards the road to see if they can spot the rider.



OOC:  14:58, Today: Dilandua rolled 4 using 1d6.  Daily Chi Training Regime.

15:04, Today: Dilandua rolled 12 using 3d6.  Light Walk 15.
15:05, Today: Dilandua rolled 14 using 3d6.  Stealth 18 (21 vs Hearing).
MoS +4, +7 vs Hearing, -1 vs Disc Smell

15:06, Today: Dilandua rolled 6 using 3d6.  Invisibility Art 12 (Skill 14 -2 Fast Walk).
MoS +8 vs Vision checks to be 'invisible'

16:21, Today: Dilandua rolled 13 using 3d6.  Perception 10.
MoF -3

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 87):

Can we assume Aegis wakes the camp?

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 88):

the sokdier gears up and carefully approaches the boulders sheltering the camp. four men on horseback, looking very much like the city watch of St. Remy are heading down toward the site of the battle.

Dilandua creeps back, signals Aegis to keep watch, and quietly awakens Reanna, "Shhhh.  Guards from Saint Remy just passed, riding towards the ambush site.  Shall I pursue to see what they are investigating?"

As nobody has awakened him yet, Dne continues dreaming he's a big scary blackbird penetrating a tiny helpless white dove with his impressive beak. Occasionally he gets too excited and cracks his knobby knees together, but this isn't enough to interrupt his sleep.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:16, Fri 10 Sept 2021.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 90):

Reanna wakes up and quietly gets ready for combat, hiding nearby if they come looking.

[Private to GM: Rolled 12 under stealth]

"Reanna!  Do you want me to track them?" in a voice that almost sounds like teenager asking for permission.  Dilandua uncharacteristically looks anxious, almost anticipatory.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 93):

"If they catch us tracking them AND detect the fight, we will have to kill them too. Lets watch from a distance..."

Dilandua nods and gathers up their up other spear, then positions themselves a distance from Aegis beside other rocks.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 95):

once awwakened, he carefully leads the horses deeper into the woods  and away from the road

In reply to Guillaume the Guide (msg # 96):

With the packs containing the stolen loot only...

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 97):

hejust led away the horses. they weren't packed.

In reply to Guillaume the Guide (msg # 98):

Then Reanna will hide the stolen good under some rocks or leaves as appropriate.

OOC: has anyone else other than Guillaume been alerted?

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 100):

Reanna, but I think you were left to sleep...

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 101):

the stolen loot include 4 sets of brigandine, 6 helmets and sets of gauntlets, saddlebags, swords, crossbows... not anything that can be quickly or casually hidden.

at the moment your camp is unseen, Guillaume moved the horse because they make noise.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 102):

Could a tent be thrown over them quickly and quietly?

Dne is now having one of those annoying dreams about being back in bird school.  Nobody likes him and the cafeteria worms are overcooked.

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 103):

that would certainly work. make a camouflage roll at +2

In reply to Narrator (msg # 105):

Rolled against default to camouflage, [Private to GM: 5 under IQ]

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 106):

you seem to have well covered the loot.


in the distance, you can hear hoofbeats again.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 107):

Do I have the chance to grab a handful of Bolts from the Mages Guild? Grab them if I can, and hide nearby...[Private to GM: Rolled 7 under stealth]

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 108):

since you just vovered everything,  you need to make a search roll to reach under and grab them without uncovering everything.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 109):

Will not do that now, especially if they are approaching. Will hide, as below.

Dne is dreaming he thinks he’s God.  This state of uncertainty is a nice break from waking up and knowing it for a fact.

In reply to Dne Utrotare (msg # 111):

oblivios to your camp. the guardsmen ride off slowly, checking the side of the road,but missing your camp.

After everyone comes back out of hiding, Dilandua addresses the group (sans Dne who is still sleeping).

"There are Imperial Agents in town.  This group went missing very quickly for that patrol to be anything other than coming to check on them.  It may be best to avoid St. Remy.  Guillaume do you know of a way around?  Even if we have to travel across fields or other properties?"

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 113):

"We should head around St Remy and away from the road, but for now, perhaps hide things properly away from the camp, for they will likely return on their way back to St Remy very soon. Or we run now."

Since no one seems to have awakened him, Virgilio also remains asleep.

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 115):

Reanna will wake all those still sleeping to join the conversation...

OOC:  They went passed earlier, this was them on a slower return trip.  They've already "returned to St Remy".

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 117):

Oh, so we have more time. Let's get moving then, and get far, far away...is there a town other than Northport we can go to to unload a lot of stuff?

OOC: Probably, but how many of us have connections outside of Northport?  Dilandua might, but it's tenuous and a long shot.

The Guild is honestly where Adventurers unload most of the their loot, because it's basically a one-stop "Honest Merchant and Fence" shoppe.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 119):

"So why spoil it with hot marked loot?"

"Because that is what the Guild is there for.  They take valuable acquired goods that are hard to move, and move them, while we make less in the exchange.  You argue for going to unknown places and dealing with unknown people who may very well move our goods and then sell us out to the Mage's Guild as their loyalties are unknown.  Or may simply sell us out immediately.  At least the Guild fences are loyal to guildsmen.  Of which we are.  You're also arguing to spend more time going out of our way to deliberately not return with verification of the deed.  If we move our goods through the Guild fences, Vilgar would also have more direct evidence of the provenance of our claim of completion."

Dilandua pauses for a moment, "While I am not against relying solely on the strength of my word, I prefer to back that with evidence when possible."

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 121):

"Good points. Putting all our trust in the guild, may be good, or may not be. I had no intention of being obvious about who I was in some other town, expecting them to sell me out, and ready to run when they did. What does everyone else think?"

OOC:  I'll note, I find it amusing that a Rank 2 Guildie isn't trusting of the den of thieves she's a member of.  Noice.

Dne agrees with Dilandua.  Better to return to a nest you’ve already made.

"I might point out that I am living proof that you completed your, um, mission.  I would be happy to submit to verification if there's a question of your veracity.

"That said, I'm still very interested in whether the Mages' Guild marks can be erased or defaced.  If not, I might as well beg for a bowl, to sit on a corner and beg for coin, because I haven't a single bit to my name, nor anything else other than the clothes I slept in."

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 125):

with the tight fence, anything is possible

In reply to Narrator (msg # 126):

So it seems that most are not taking the advice of a guild member and wanting to return to Northport to fence stuff there. Outvoted, Reanna will suggest they get moving to Northport immediately, bypassing St Remy by a wide margin.

Lacking other ranged defense at the moment, Virgilio once more takes up the crossbow and bolts he carried yesterday, along with the staff, and helps where he can in breaking camp.

"Yes, Guillaume, is there another route we can take?  Another road perhaps, or a set of farms or woods that aren't under noble conservation?"



OOC:  Yes, two other guild members don't think your argument was persuasive.  My reasons:

1 - You're asking a Callous individual to put themselves at higher risk† to reduce the risk to the Guild.
2 - Either a fence will move the goods (and accept the risk) or not.  Going elsewhere decreases the chance of a fence accepting that risk for no greater gains.  You have rank in the Adventurers Guild, not rank in "Criminal Org of other town/city"‡.
3 - The Guild may have a reputation as "a den of thieves" but if treats it's own members shabbily, it will lose members.
4 - At this point Dilandua doesn't trust Reanna to be any subtler than Dilandua is, considering Reanna's actions on this trip.

† Longer trip, unknown dangers on that trip, unknown dangers in foreign city, vastly increased chance of being sold out by unknown fences.

‡ I mean, if this is wrong, speak up now.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 129):

Reanna has not talked about her motives, nor would she. If you make the argument in character, you should do so. Otherwise, please stop trying to convince the players! It is more fun and more appropriate, because it can include disadvantages, to do it IC!

OOC:  I was mostly responded to the very much OOC comment of:

... is a very OOC way of trying to throw some weight around, so I responded OOC.
If it was meant to be IC, Reanna should try to pull rank in character.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 131):

It was meant to be in response to the OOC comments relating to the guild member made previously. But you are right, it should also be done IC. I am trying to consider if she would throw her weight around...she is a lady after all!

OOC:  It's worth a shot.  I mean, Rank 2 ain't cheap.  May as well get some use of it...  ;)

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 133):

"I appreciate your trust in the guild, however as a guild member I would like to avoid a war with the Mages guild if. at all possible. I would much prefer to take them to some backwater and sell them, even if I sell them all myself to keep you all safe."

Are there any barbarian tribes nearby who would not know of the Mages guild?

"Too late.  The Guild purchased that war, if war is too come, by first transporting stolen Mages Guild items, being involved with the murder of their representative, and further compounded it by murdering this last batch of representatives.  If our Guild were worried about a war, no doubt they would have been recruiting outside mercenaries through cutouts rather than from within the Guild."

A pause.

"I don't 'trust' the Guild, they are all murderers, thieves, and," Dilandua looks at Dne, pauses again, "those who cannot fit in elsewhere.  However, it is bad business to turn on members and I have not heard of this being a common practice in the Adventurers Guild."

Another pause.

"Why do you wish to add risk and time for a lowered return?  You have rank, the Guild reduces the cut it takes from items sold by you."

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 135):

"Nice to gloss over evidence...if you have any. Since when has the adventurers guild attacked mage guild members, then fenced their stuff. They do one or the other...but I am not aware of doing both. The evidence gets to strong for a war neither wants. As for the Adventurers guild employing murderers, you are a fine example...who else would employ you?

To kill mage guild, yes we were employed to do that. But unless you want to start a war, which I am beginning to suspect you do, to then ask the guild to get rid of the evidence is increasing the risk to the guild, and by extension to us, considerably. If we take them to a tribe of barbarians who do not know what the mage guild symbol is, you also get a high price, but at much lower risk.

But of course, you are one who loves to kill. It is the war you want, isn't it?"

Indeed, there is no one like me.  Dne holds his beak high and chirps with pleasure in response to what he regards as a compliment from  Dilandua.

"Just a modest suggestion, from one who's currently an outsider to both.  Can we have this discussion on the move?"

Virgilio's voice is just that bit too loud and high-pitched.

"I'm all in favor of avoiding a guild war, but I'm inclined to believe it has already begun.  Further, any or all of these marked pieces might well include the ability to trace it -- such is a relatively trivial addition to an enchantment, and even done on occasion to otherwise mundane items of value.  The sooner they are scattered to the winds, the less likelihood they'll draw trouble to you -- and me.

"For myself, I'm far less concerned with getting the last bit from this pile of stuff than I am with remaining free, out from under the thumb of the Mage Guild.  If I thought it would help to burn everything here, I'd create the fire myself and carry on in just the clothes that were allowed me for the road."

Then, much softer...

"I thought there were mercenaries..."

Addressing Reanna, "You confuse capacity with desire, and dangerously so as a deliberate insult.  As I said when first we met, murder is a sin, and while I am good at it, I do not prefer it.  Or in your sudden desire to reduce harm to others have you forgotten your inclination at the troll bridge.  Mine was to legally cross or find another route, yours was murder, and craven.  Now you wish to go far out of the way to find, what, barbarians within the Empire?  More likely to find bandits.  Though if you go past Northport, I hear Shevnia is nice this time of year, and the Veroinge may have," a pause, and Dilandua does finger quotes over tribes, "'uncivilized tribes' to trade with."

And then turns to Virgilio, "You claimed only the two staves had enchantments?  Is that not the case?  And yet you wish to carry one?  Be wary, if we decide in a pique of paranoia to burn everything that came with the mages, you are the most dangerous to our secrecy that they brought.  If needs be, the metals can be reforged, losing any links to what they once were, the leather goods and other such, might well be a pure loss.  Though I'll bet good coin against bad that these books and papers will not be destroyed by the Guild, that they'd prefer them to arrive intact."


And then to the group as a whole, but speaking directly to Reanna, "Maybe here is where we need to split.  Reanna, and any who wish to, go to find some bandits to trade with, while I and any who wish to, return to the Guild to turn over these books and documents as evident proof of our deed.  Take my share of the pay, leaving the remainder with Camilla or Vilgar for your return.  I'll trust you to leave my share of these other spoils with the Guild when you finally return."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:46, Wed 06 Oct 2021.

ooc: the guild regularly hires people to eliminate supposed threats, and fences stolen goods. these are baseline activities for this group.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 140):

OOC: So these items would not be a liability to the guild?

"Dilandua, I gave forth with all I could learn about magic in these items, but I'm an apprentice, not a Guildmaster.  In three or four more years of hard study, I might well have been able to tell in detail every slightest nuance, as that was the path of my learning, but as it is, I can only say what I've seen: this has permanent enchantment, that does not, and it's only by a little guesswork and testing that I can even say whether this staff contains the enchantment to extend a mage's touch.

"In the meantime, I might point out that even those dogtags from the Northport Adventurer's guild are enchanted, in a way, though I don't know the spell that's used.  It's very possible I could have missed something similar on one or more of these items -- Mage Sight has limits, like all magic.

"None the less, I choose to carry one of these staves at least until we've reached a safer place, because it's my best defense -- I'm trained to use the staff to fight, physically, as well as using it for things like casting a spell that needs a touch without risking my hand.

"I have at least as much to lose as anyone here -- remember, I've seen you folk fight.  If the Mages' Guild sends another group after you, they're likely to just lose more people -- and if they send a small army, they'll probably never know you're there.

"I can't fight them, certainly not more than one at a time, I can't beat them at spellcraft, yet, and if they capture me again I'll spend the rest of my life either undergoing various kinds of magical testing -- likely with no consideration for my comfort -- or I'll be forced into acting like a living paut bottle until eventually I make a big enough mistake in a casting to get eaten by a demon.

"If I had reason to believe carrying this staff, or this pouch and its contents, this little knife, or this crossbow were any riskier than the rest of the stuff you folks intend to fence, either in Northport or elsewhere, I'd have tossed it and the other one into the fire when we burned the bodies -- but I don't have any reason to think it has anything more to it than the Staff spell and some ornamentation the previous owner used to store power in it.

"And once we get somewhere where I can disappear, you're welcome to fence all of this stuff.  I'll make my own way, if that's how it is."

Dilandua picks up one of the staves, holds it a moment, "This is enchanted," sets it down.  Picks up a sleeve of brigandine, "This is not."

"Unless you suspect there is some way to shield an enchantment from fey senses, this pile," gestures to the pile hastily hidden under the tent, "has not been enchanted to be 'easier to track' magically.  The staff could be.  If anything should be burnt to ash 'just in case', it's that length of oak.  But if you don't suspect that is necessary, why did you mention it?"

Dilandua takes off their glove, "Yes, we know our rings and badges are enchanted to be findable by the Guild.  It is insurance, in two ways.  I suspect the Mages Guild branding on everything acts the same, it is distinct enough to be trackable, which is why it must be defaced, altered, or removed from everything the fences move."  Dilandua looks at Reanna, "But this is something the fences do.  If they feel it is too great a risk, they will refuse to buy it, and we just burn it."

Pauses.

"Unless your aim to attempt to pin blame elsewhere, but that would only be temporary and possibly create problems with the group you are shifting to.  Unless they were bandits.  That would be, hmmm."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 20:21, Mon 18 Oct 2021.

anyo e with guild rank roll IQ-5+rank level

OOC:  Presuming the Membership Perk is Rank 0...
14:54, Today: Dilandua rolled 7 using 3d6.  Guild Knowledge 5 (IQ-5).

Ohhh, so close.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 145):

Reanna has no idea... rolled 15 [Private to GM: IQ 13, rank 2 so target 10, 5 over.]

"You brought up the staves, not me."  The tall, dark mage scowls at the androgynous elf.  "If the Mage Guild actively tracks these items, they have many more to choose than the staves, and likely the best defense against that is to scatter them to the winds as quickly as possible -- beyond doing what can be done to remove the marks, of course.

"There are fire spells that could probably take the marks off most of these items with little damage to the items themselves -- but I might have mentioned I'm only an apprentice, and my path was mainly in research and knowledge, the true core of wizardry, rather than elementalism or combat.

"For that matter, a silversmith's blowpipe might do it, though your Guild fences are likely to know that better than I."

He shakes his head and mutters as he once more checks the cocking and load on the crossbow he carries.  "What am I supposed to do, I'm no Guildmaster.  Not like I could just cast a spell to take these marks off or hide us all from the Guild."

23:10, Today: Dne Utrotare rolled 12 using 3d6.  Guild check.

OOC: Just missed it.

In reply to Dne Utrotare (msg # 148):

the mercenary scratches his head "I coulda sworn I knew a guy inna guild who would file off engravings... I musta misremembered."

"Back to town then?  Avoiding St Remy, yes?"

Dne says that would be fine by him.  He's heard the bird seed in St. Remy's leaves something to be desired, anyway.

In reply to Dne Utrotare (msg # 151):

"Definitely avoiding St Remy. Still not happy with the plan to go back to Northport, but even less happy to break up an agreed group. Let's do this quickly if we must."

"I'm good with that.  I know nothing of St. Remy, but the sooner we're in a well populated place like Northport, the safer I'll feel."

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 153):

collectively, you head Northwest along the iter. as you come close to St Remy, you recall that the CV iter runs through town, you may have to leave the road.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 154):

Reanna will suggest leaving the road much before that, even from the campsite...if anyone listens...

"Guillaume, do you know of any abandoned famrs or conserved but unguarded forest or fields we can use to avoid St. Remy and any farm workers the next few days?  Also, any other bridges or fords to the river that lay on the other side?"




OOC:  "...if anyone listens..."

Yes, that's the point of why Dilandua previously asked Guillaume if he knew of any way around St Remy:

msg #113 "Guillaume do you know of a way around?  Even if we have to travel across fields or other properties?"

msg #129 "Yes, Guillaume, is there another route we can take?  Another road perhaps, or a set of farms or woods that aren't under noble conservation?"

You aren't the only one wanting to avoid entanglement in St Remy.  ;)

[EDIT] Formatting errors. [/EDIT]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:35, Tue 26 Oct 2021.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 156):

" I had to rethink the route once we got horses, and for that matter,my rates now that you have become wealthy. Yes, I know a way..."



sorry I let that get past me... three times

In reply to Guillaume the Guide (msg # 157):

"So, tell us of this route."

Somewhat bored, Dne does some aerobics.  His abilities are highly convenient for this purpose, as he carries a built in ‘stair stepper’ wherever he goes.  He simply steps on the air, then steps back down.  Lots of times.

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 158):

"Let me show you the way..."



so far, you are paying him by the day.

make a guild area knowledge roll, at +1
this is IQ-4+rank

OOC:  Caveat, this is accounting for a 62 point Guide, not a 125 point Guide:

We originally wanted to contract a Guide for one week, with a bonus based on the fact that first three days were going to be long days (10 hours of marching) + daily pay if we go beyond one week.

So 1 week is $200, + Long Days Bonus $24, (+$140 on Supplies for the Guide*):  $224 in advance.

Reanna paid $380 (one week, +bonus, +supplies for a Guide), I guess to cover "we're going to put spells on you surcharge"* of an additional $26?

So by my accounting, he's 5 days* (start of day 5) into his week's pay and he already knows it'll go to daily pay once we hit day 8.

Now if we are paying him daily, we need to know as that means he was prepaid for 8 days (it's fine by me if that's how the negotiation went, we just need to know).  Which means Dilandua will be slightly more annoyed at this "renegotiation tactic" as we aren't even out of his prepaid days (of course the Guild is full of thieves and murderers and morons, so it's no surprise we'll occasionally have a Venn intersect on our payroll).  Granted he telegraphed his Greed so... yeah, I'm guessing Guillaume isn't the smrqtest crayon in the fire.

Now if it was a "Guillaume was contracted for 'one week' at $30 per day and we're paying each day" (instead of $28.5714etcetc = $200 for one week), then we also need to know this, as that means Reanna still has $66 "set aside" to pay him with... and it also means he's carrying around at least some his daily pay (last "two days' minimum)... (I'm sure Reanna sees where I'm going with this line of thought)

* Day 1, nothing eventful occurred. Day 2 Ogres. Day 3 Troll and stopped in St Remy. Day 4 Ambush. Now Day 5 for the return home. it should take 4 full days to get without Forced Marching on the roads, going off-road for some of it will probably add a day, so call it 5 days to get back, Guillaume has either been prepaid for 3 of them (day 5, 6, and 7) or not, leaving at least 2 days we'll potentially need to pay him, regardless of how he's getting paid.

"Reanna, I though you were going to contract the guide for one week prepaid?  And then regular daily pay if we have to exceed one week?  Or did you negotiate something different with Guillaume?"

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 162):

"No. That is the contact. One week has been prepaid. After that the guild rate, as agreed. Let's move out as he suggested."

Not sure what the fuss is about, she prepares to depart.

Dil, are you trying to renegotiate? So far the guide is just talking about moving out, so I suggest you do so, and worry about other problems when they arise, instead of creating them...

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 163):

please make the guild roll, it will give you a specific piece of info

OOC:  Is this IC or OOC confusion?  Guillaume (in msg #157) said "I had to rethink the route once we got horses, and for that matter,my rates now that you have become wealthy. Yes, I know a way..."

If it's IC, okay, Reanna is ignoring or missing his subtext about altering the deal, if it's OOC, reread msg # 157.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 165):

the bonus was to allow spellcasting, the rate was by the week, plus the higher daily rate if things went up. having horses and needing to conceal
them does change the route logistics.

please make the damn roll
anyone

Virgilio's brows furrow as he considers something he just remembered.

[Private to GM: 18:19, Today: Virgilio Hohlfeld rolled 8 using 3d6.  Area Knowledge (Guild) (default IQ-4+rank = 10).]

OOC:  19:40, Today: Dilandua rolled 8 using 3d6.  Area Know (Adv Guild) 7 (IQ 10 - 4 + 1).

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 167):

Virgilio recognizes a tattoo on the guide's index finger as belonging to a sect that knows how to keep their mouths shut, this guy has CoH Stays bought, so you can count on him to never sell you out.

In reply to Guillaume the Guide (msg # 169):

Reanna is annoyed about thetalk and lack of moving...

[Private to GM: IQ =13-4+2= 11, rolled 12]

Virgilio whispers to Dilandua:

"Hey, check the tattoo on his finger -- I'm not even technically a member of your Guild yet, but I've heard of these guys.  They've got a reputation for sticking with a deal, even when it goes bad later."

Dne begins touching his toes while still one foot off the ground.

In reply to Dne Utrotare (msg # 172):

if there are no further objections,  Guilliame leads you off the Iter and towards a game trail.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:46, Tue 02 Nov 2021.

Dilandua uncharacteristically (compared to the trip here) falls to the back of the line to watch their back trail.

OOC:  Good, no objections here.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 174):

None here either, lets get damn moving!

Ready to move on.

Virgilio is happy to follow Guillaume and the rest of the group.

As he hits his stride, he runs through a complex gesture, rehearses an alien-sounding word, then speaks the same word while making the gesture.

Under his breath, he mutters, "At least I'll be able to find my way back here if I need to; then the road's off that way and a right turn to St. Remy."

[Private to GM: 21:39, Today: Virgilio Hohlfeld rolled 14 using 3d6 ((6,5,3)).]

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 177):

moving slowly through the woods, Guillaume starts sweeping ahead of him with a stout branch, as iff checking for snares.


[Private to Virgilio Hohlfeld: what spell was that?]

In reply to Guillaume the Guide (msg # 178):

"What is the hazard we are checking for?"

"I have a staff, too, if I can help."

[Private to GM: Oops, sorry -- Remember Path.  Just in case of getting "lost" in the woods, it'll get me somewhere I can find Northport from.]

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 180):

"This is a game trail, and the tree back that way had some notches cut in it. That tells me a hunter may be near, and may have left snares or spring traps u der the leaves."

In reply to Guillaume the Guide (msg # 181):

Reanna will help him look for traps...

[Private to GM: Rolled 1 under an IQ based traps roll.]

Dne reminds the others that he can get a bird’s eye view for them, any time.

"Ah, so we needn't sweep a broad area, then, as long as we keep to the trail.  Clever!"

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 182):

Reanna spots a tripwire

In reply to Narrator (msg # 185):

and points it out to the group. Can we go around it?

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 186):

it could probably be disarmed with a couple of tent pegs.

OOC:  Or just avoided.  There are no hard walls here.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 188):

"Happy to avoid if same to do so, but they are often not set alone, if I understand hunters correctly."

"Do we want to simply spring whatever it is?  I can move a branch or stone and drop it on the wire from a safe distance.  Obviously, the bird fellow -- D'ne, that's right -- can just walk above it, but I haven't yet learned that one."

"I wonder if he'd teach it to me?"

“I would if I could,” He says regretfully.

Then he climbs air until he has a good view of the surrounding area, and looks around for signs of those who set the trip wire.  He suspects they’re here, and watching.

From the back Dilandua's quiet voice pips up, "What is the problem?  A tripline?  It's probably a springtrap.  Disarm it, trip it, or just go around it."

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 192):

"I am suggesting to go round it if we can." Reanna says drily.

[See msg #186]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:51, Sat 06 Nov 2021.

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 193):

"This tripline isn't attached to anything- wait a minute,"
he says,  reaching over the snare with his pole," there is a covered pit right where you would fsll to if you tripped, or where you would land if you jumped it."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:53, Mon 08 Nov 2021.

In reply to Guillaume the Guide (msg # 194):

"Then we should go around it."

"Good plan.  And someone was expecting someone else -- or something anyway -- to come this direction along this trail.  With a trap more suitable for people than, say, deer."

The tall mage unslings his crossbow and checks that it's cocked and loaded.

"You don't dig a pit trap and then just leave it, do you?"

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 196):

"Depends on what you are after. Pigs don't jump so high...what usually comes here?"

"You don't set tripwires for animals when the covered pit will do on it's own.  Trip wires before pits are for people."

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 198):

"True, a pit would do for a boar, but a tripline is for a man. "

"Best we cut or pull up the trip line, then, and at least bridge the pit.  Let me quickly scan to see if this includes magic."

The tall mage mutters a couple words, makes a slow gesture, then repeats the two together and begins to peer over the area, as if searching for details.

[Private to GM: 19:45, Today: Virgilio Hohlfeld rolled 7 using 3d6.  Mage Sight, roll to cast (15 + 1 for extra ritual).]

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 200):

"Or just go around. Men climb out..."

She moves to a large tree and looks around, loading and readying her crossbow.

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 201):

Virgilio  espys no magic in this place, save for some of the goods on the horses, which definitely cannot cross the pit

In reply to Narrator (msg # 202):

How easy is it to give the trap a wide berth? Is there just one obvious route, or multiple?

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 203):

there are at least two paths, left abd right, but a thicket around the trail may require returning to it.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 204):

Reanna will investigate the path to the left cautiously...

What rolls are called for, if any?

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 205):

traps and or teacking

OOC: Did I spot anything up in the air?

In reply to Dne Utrotare (msg # 207):

Reanna is reasonable with traps...dice not so much!

[Private to GM: Rolled IQ based Traps skill exactly.]

In reply to Dne Utrotare (msg # 207):

Dne spotted an unusually bent sapling further on the trail, as if it were pulled down.


Reanna is able to determine that there are no further traps in the immediate vicinity of the pit.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 209):

What about the paths either side?

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 210):

there are not quite paths but spsces between the trees, Teanna already found a clear path.

Once Reanna has designated where we're going to walk, Virgilio will follow, using "his" staff to push unidentified foliage out of the way.

"Not sure what poison ivy looks like, but I don't want to deal with it; if I don't touch any leaves, I should be okay."

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 212):

Reanna will slowly lead them around the traps and pits, and past the tree bent over, carefully looking for trip wires attached to such.

If he hasn't already, Dne climbs back down and reports his findings, telling them he thinks he's spotted a trap.

Dilandua simply follows, quietly, stealthily, and keeping a wary eye on their back trail.  This not being a situation where ranging ahead is useful or advisable.

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 213):

the bent sapling was detected by Dbe, not you.

Guillaume continues his searching, and stops suddenly

"More?"

"It's almost as if someone knew we'd come this way."

In reply to Guillaume the Guide (msg # 216):

Reanna will be progressing stealthily with crossbow ready. When the guide stops,she is checking around.

Dne heads back up about five meters, trying to see further ahead of the party but remaining within voice range.  He also moves a little to their left in the hope of avoiding being seen in case they encounter foes on the ground.

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 218):

"Hsst! we are not alone!"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 17:53, Tue 23 Nov 2021.

In reply to Guillaume the Guide (msg # 220):

Her response, as she looks around, is short and to the point.

"Where"

She moves to somewhere there is cover.

[Private to GM: Rolled 2 under perception.]

Virgilio immediately drops into a deep crouch and begins stowing his staff and readying his crossbow.

Very softly, "Why can't we just walk through the woods like normal people?"

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 222):

Reanna, always happy to walk through the woods, focuses on the problems at hand...looking for others.

Per already rolled...

Unfortunately, Dne isn’t feeling very perceptive.

21:22, Today: Dne Utrotare rolled 14 using 3d6.  Per.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:23, Fri 19 Nov 2021.

Dilandua crouches further and slides into vegetation, attempting to disappear.



OOC:  STEALTHY!
21:41, Today: Dilandua rolled 10 using 3d6.  Light Walk 15.
21:46, Today: Dilandua rolled 6 using 3d6.  Stealth 16 +4 vs Hearing (Silence lvl 2 + 2 Light Walk).
MoS +10, +14 versus being heard.
21:47, Today: Dilandua rolled 13 using 3d6.  Invisibility Art 14.
If someone has a chance of breaking Dilandua's Stealth visually, they need a Will roll to see Dilandua.  MoS +1.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:34, Wed 24 Nov 2021.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 225):

arrows fly, toward Aegis, Virgil, Reanna and Guillaume!

Guillaume dives for the ground, and Reanna can dodge.


Aegis is struck, but his armor eats most of the damage.  He quickly aims his bow at the plave the arrow came from.

In reply to Bandit (msg # 226):

Of course Reanna will try to dodge but since this would be useful, she does terribly...

[Private to GM: Rolled 6 over dodge, so she would have to rely on cover, as mentioned before.]

"Damn it!"  He lets out a soft wolf whistle, gets a knee under himself and shoulders the loaded crossbow, looking for a target.

"Look over the bolt, hold steady, no, find a target first!"

Dilandua remains crouched in the brush and attempts to pinpoint where the arrows came from...



OOC:  STEALTHY!  AND PRACTICALLY BLIND!
21:19, Today: Dilandua rolled 17 using 3d6.  Per 10.  Where are the arrows originating from.

21:16, Today: Dilandua rolled 11 using 3d6.  Stealth 16 +4 vs Hearing (Silence lvl 2 + 2 Light Walk).
MoS +5, +9 versus being heard.
21:17, Today: Dilandua rolled 14 using 3d6.  Invisibility Art 14.
If someone has a chance of breaking Dilandua's Stealth visually, they need a Will roll to see Dilandua.  MoS +0.

Not wanting to get caught in the air, Dne climbs down quickly and takes cover behind a tree.

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 228):

Virgil needs to make a per roll -4 to spot the archer

Reanna, who took cover from  one side was shot from behind for 4 pts impaling before torso DR.

Aegis heroically snaps off a shot, and you can hear a distant scream and a thud

In reply to Narrator (msg # 231):

I have to ask, but is that before the application of the X2 damage multiplier, or after?

Either way, Reanna will try to hide better, seeking more cover from all directions now she knows where the attacks are coming from.

[Private to GM: Rolled 9 under stealth, unmodified.]

Dilandua tracks the arrows path back along the direction it came from attempting to spot the bandit that fired into Reanna...


OOC:  Not as Stealthy as before, but far more perceptive!
17:24, Today: Dilandua rolled 8 using 3d6.  Per 10.  Where are the arrow that struck Reanna originated from.
18:03, Today: Dilandua rolled 15 using 3d6.  Stealth 16 +4 vs Hearing (Silence lvl 2 + 2 Light Walk).
MoS +1, +5 vs Hearing.
18:02, Today: Dilandua rolled 14 using 3d6.  Invisibility Art 14.

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 232):

i always give the raw damage. whatever breached your DR is x2.


still unseen, Dilandua  spots thearcher, who is busimy drawing anarrow, while standing in a tree...

OOC:  What's the distance from Dilandua to the archer in the tree?

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 235):

Ok, adjusted to 4 points of damage. Does that effect the stealth roll?

[Private to GM: Rolled 9 under stealth, unmodified.]

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 236):

Reanna, despite being skewered,  is able to find cover, vanishing from sight.

OOC:  GM, what is the distance between Dilandua and the archer they've spotted?

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 238):

9 yards

Virgilio, still kneeling with crossbow ready, tries to figure where to aim by watching where others are aiming or looking, then looking for his target from that clue.

[Private to GM: 17:46, Today: Virgilio Hohlfeld rolled 10 using 3d6.  Per (13) to spot target from others' gazes/aim.]

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 240):

Reanna, now hidden, deals with the arrow before looking to determine the location of hidden enemies. If she sees one, she will start aiming the crossbow at his head!

[Private to GM: 7 under First Aid skill, 5 under perception. Range?]

Dne attempts to follow Dilandua, without being spotted himself.  He plans to either buff her or cast some offensive magic.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:23, Sat 27 Nov 2021.

Dilandua remains unmoving for a moment, still as death as they prepare to leap at their foe.


OOC:  Concentration Maneuver.
02:28, Today: Dilandua rolled 10 using 3d6.  Invisibility Art 14.

Stealth as above (reposting for ease of lookup):
Dilandua rolled 15 using 3d6.  Stealth 16 +4 vs Hearing (Silence lvl 2 + 2 Light Walk).
MoS +1, +5 vs Hearing.

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 241):

Reanna needs to take 10 seconds for her first aid roll, longef if the kit needs to be dug out of a pack.

Virgilio has roughly identified a target, at -3 range.

the bowman, having drawn an arrow. is now nocking it and preparing to draw the bow.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 244):

Reanna will skip the First Aid pack and just clean up the would with her clothes...so just 10 sec delay.

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 245):

you can stop the bleeding, but still have an arrow in you, may need surgery to remove.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 246):

An improvement. Please let me know when she is done and can rejoin the fight.

Virgilio takes a heartbeat to aim, then releases his bolt at the target he's found.  As soon as the bolt has flown, he begins recocking the crossbow.

"Okay, I think that was close, maybe aim a little more carefully this time."

[Private to GM: 05:32, Today: Virgilio Hohlfeld rolled 9 using 3d6.  Crossbow (Default 7 + 4 Acc - 3 range).  Missed it by that much!]

OOC:  Taking the Aim Maneuver takes a round.  Then next round you can fire.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 249):

as Virgilio is firing, so is the babdit, striking for 3 pts impaling to the torso, dodging blows your aim


Aegis reloads, spots another bowman and drops them.

Virgilio dodges fruitlessly; the impact throws him onto his back.

"Ow! Hells! I'm bleeding!"

OOC: Me?  I'd rather dodge than aim, certainly.  If only I could dodge.

[Private to GM: 20:30, Today: Virgilio Hohlfeld rolled 8 using 3d6.  Dodge (7).  Ugh.  No DR, so that's 6 hits -- a Major Wound.
20:35, Today: Virgilio Hohlfeld rolled 10 using 3d6.  HT to avoid stunning (11).
20:34, Today: Virgilio Hohlfeld rolled 12 using 3d6.  HT to avoid knockdown (11).]

Seeing that waiting for the perfect moment was not optimal, Dilandua attempted to leap at the archer in the tree, but the gathered chi was unbalanced and sank, grounding the acrobatic fighter.  Instead the small fae warrior quietly surges from the brush taking very long strides and launches a spear unerringly at their unaware foe!


OOC:  All-Out-Attack, Ranged +1, taking 2 Steps reducing range to 5 yards (2 yard Steps) moving 4 yards (All-Out Attack doesn't allow a Step).   Target the archer that shot Reanna, from hiding, so "surprise"!

02:03, Today: Dilandua rolled 6 using 3d6.  Throwing Art 14 (Skill 15 - 2 Range +1 AoA).
02:09, Today: Dilandua rolled 5 using 1d6+2.  Spear damage 1d+2 imp.

[EDIT]
Dilandua blew the Flying Leap check, so while Dilandua could still attempt a Jump this turn, it isn't required and would be at -5 )hence the "grounded").
01:55, Today: Dilandua rolled 15 using 3d6.  Flying Leap 10 (Skill 15 - 5 Taking Less Time).
[/EDIT]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:30, Thu 02 Dec 2021.

This round, Dne puts six energy points into Concussion.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 252):

as Dilandua nails the archer to the tree,  it grows quiet except for the sound of Aegis smashing in the head of a fallen archer with his mace, and Virgilio 's anguished cries.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 254):

Reanna is still applying first aid. What is Alice doing?

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 255):

Aliceis crawling toward Reanna

In reply to Alice Abernathy (msg # 256):

Reanna, relying on stealth, points her toward the mage.

[Private to GM: She actually has gesture as a skill, and rolled 4 under it!]

"Hades take them all!  Ow, ow, ow."

The tall mage has dropped "his" crossbow, and is squirming around, trying to put pressure on the wound without moving the arrow shaft.

"Remind me to get someone to teach me to deflect missiles.  I'd risk a demon not to get shot again.  And put in some crossbow practice, 'drather have shot him first."

Dilandua again surges forward to the base of the tree and throws another spear into the archer as the warrior approaches...


OOC:  All-Out Attack (Ranged).
22:30, Today: Dilandua rolled 14 using 3d6.  Throwing Art 15 (Skill 15 - 1 Range +1 AoA).
22:31, Today: Dilandua rolled 4 using 1d6+2.  Spear damage 1d+2 imp.

How high up are they?
This message was last edited by the player at 03:34, Thu 02 Dec 2021.

Dne holds his spell until he knows whether or not he still has an appropriate target.

In reply to Dne Utrotare (msg # 260):

the spear struck archer. grunts, blood running out of their nose and mouth as the second spear hits their midsection.

they are 6 feet off the ground, unlike the two Aegis has killed, as they fell out of their trees.

Taking a deep breath, and satisfied that he can breathe, Virgilio brings his squirming under control, holding pressure with his right hand, fingers split around the arrow shaft, and left hand pushing on that with the same finger split from the other side.

"Alice!  Or anyone.  I don't think I'm dying immediately, but I could use some help here!  I don't think I want to try pulling this out..."

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 262):

Reanna finished treating herself and ready to fight back yet?

Dilandua finishes their quick jog forward by springing up to the branch and acrobatically swinging onto it, the warrior lands so lightly the branch barely feels their weight.


OOC:  00:10, Today: Dilandua rolled 10, 11, 11 using 3d6,3d6,3d6.  Jumping 16, Acrobatics 16, Light Walk 15. Hopping, swinging, and landing lightly on the branch.
[roll=1638594648.57196.339770]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:28, Sat 04 Dec 2021.

"Alice?  Anyone?"

He raises his head to look around for his rescuers.

"I'll probably live, if this wound doesn't corrupt; I've seen people who lost an arm in combat and lived out their life.  But I haven't so much as a spare pair of hose to make a bandage, and this arrow really needs to come out.

"I wonder if I could burn the arrow out and cauterize the wound at the same time?  But that would leave the head in my body..."

In reply to Virgilio Hohlfeld (msg # 265):

"Give me a second, I am trying not to get shot"

the Vejovian priestess crawls over to Virgilio, and breaks out her kit.
"No use trying to heal you until I get thst out of you.Now hold still!"

her surgery causes another point of damage as she cuts out the barbed head of the arrow and withdraws it, and then she places her hands upon the wound, applying pressure.

Lol, I feel like donkey in Shrek...are we there yet? Can I shoot yet?

"Ow, ow, ow, ow!"  He stiffens as he tries not to move while Alice removes the arrow.

"Oh, that's a relief, still didn't die, but definitely woozy now."

He relaxes and lets Alice take over the pressure.

"Thank you Alice, you've been very kind to me.  I do hope I get to return the favor."

OOC:  Depending on what you're doing can take from 10 seconds (which GM told you in this case, I think you're just applying pressure and cleaning yourself), to one minute (actual bandaging and stopping bleeding), to 30 minutes (First Aid Treatment to heal HP).

You've been treating your wound for for 4 seconds.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 269):

Looking at the 1 round activities, are we sticking strictly with 1 second rounds? I notice spells with a given duration of 1 minute have never lasted 60 rounds! Most seem to expire after just a few...

OOC:  Do they?  Or do Players just not pay attention to how long their spells are supposed to last and just presume the GM is tracking everything for them*?  I track my spells and my FP expenditures.  Almost religiously...

Because I know what it's like on the other side of the screen.  GM has his hands full just tracking his NPCs without tracking everything for everyone else.


* Frex, Grimaldi just cast a 5 FP spell that has a 1 minute duration twice in what is probably less than a minute (I just asked for how long it's been, it may very well have been far longer than a minute).  I really thought hard about pointing that out to him, but I kinda struggle with where to draw the line at stepping on someone else's play, I don't know what all is going on with his Character (maybe he's not using See Secrets?) and I'm not always sure where that line is.  In this case you asked, so I kinda felt like the door was open ya know?

(I know, I know, you were asking Gwythaint, but I can count rounds too and since Dilandua has operated and is still operating in strict 1 second per round Maneuvers... eh?  Granted sometimes Gwythaint is a bit fluid and handwavy on those things, I think in order to "speed along the play", but he's usually good at announcing when combat has ended.)

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 271):

Spent plenty of time on both sides of the screen as well, and yes, 1 minute duration spells do end in much fewer than 60 rounds. Gwythwaint does not stick religiously to timings, and I am totally fine with that. It just means at times like this I ask instead of assuming how much time has passed.

I was hoping to get back into the fight, hence wanted to get back before the fight had ended. After I will remove the arrowhead and take more long term measures.

In reply to Reanna Draegan (msg # 272):


Eerily still except for the sound of Aegis double tapping his second kill,
and leaves faintly rustling from the tree Dilandua landed on, Reanna suspects that the three archers may have been the only enemies ...
Several seconds  later, Alice finishes her prayer to Vejovis and Virgilio recovers 6 hp.

In reply to Alice Abernathy (msg # 273):

Still, 3 archers attacking a much larger force? She looks around, just to be sure, staying hidden.

[Private to GM: Rolled 1 under perception]

Virgilio sits up once Alice finishes her spellwork.

"That was nicely done, thank you again.  I wish I could learn that kind of thing, but I'm told only priests can learn most Healing spells."  He fingers his holed and bloodstained tunic, looks at the wound beneath, almost completely healed.

"Reanna, if they were bandits, they might have mistaken us for ordinary folk -- which you, Aegis, and Dilandua, at least, most certainly are not -- and thought they could take two or at most three shots each and disable all of us in the time it would take for any of us to react.  Those who steal for a living, in my admittedly limited experience, are often not the sharpest of tools."

Once he's satisfied himself about Alice's healing, he climbs back to his feet and retrieves the dropped crossbow.

"Say, is Guillaume okay?"

Dilandua retrieves their spears, gives them a twist and a savage sideways yank to further open the wounds in case the archer had any hope of not bleeding to death and then let's them fall from the tree.  The warrior then surveys the area, as like Reanna, still not sure whether there might be another now wisely trying to sneak away or if all the bandits were dispatched.



OOC:  22:11, Today: Dilandua rolled 5 using 3d6.  Per 10, but taking as long as Alice is working on Reanna's wound.
This message was last updated by the player at 14:41, Fri 10 Dec 2021.

Dne takes this opportunity to rest, knowing there could easily be a much larger force nearby.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 276):

with a better view than Reanna, and not distracted by a Vejovian sticking their finger into a wound, the shadow elf sees regular tracks leading to the trees where the arvhers had been perched, but no sign of others. it should be fsirly easy to locate their camp...

"Guillaume?"  The tall mage's somewhat annoying voice softens.  "You didn't get shot by being in the front, did you?"

Dilandua drops out of the tree next to the archer and deciding not to chance it, slides a spear tip into each of the downed archer's eyes, leaning in until the spear penetrates, yanks them free and wipes them upon the archer's clothes.  Dilandua then creeps out and squats next to Reanna.

"There are obvious tracks.  We could find their hideout, kill the rest there, or avoid them if they are too many for us.  But as I mentioned a moment ago, leaving a few Mage Guild marked items scattered amongst their belongings might help to sow confusion if you're still worried about that."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:00, Sat 11 Dec 2021.

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 280):

Reanna smiles.

"That is definitely a good idea. It relies on us attacking the camp an ensuring there are no survivors, though. I don't think you or I have any problem with that?

You are pretty sure there are no more here? If not, I might ask Alice to patch me up as well."

"From up the tree their trails in were pretty easy to spot in the well crushed underbrush.  There could be a fourth or fifth who is a better woodsmen though, but the trails to their ambush blinds are well used.  They probably regularly prey upon traveling merchants seeking to avoid the tariffs of St. Remy.  I could scout ahead while Alice finishes patching you up and report back on their numbers."

In reply to Dilandua (msg # 282):

"That sounds like a good plan..."