>>29101386

> Advance without shooting

In a line, weapons drawn. Bow ready.

>>29101386
>> Advance without shooting.
we need a better idea of wtf is going on

>>29101542
>>29101512

Your bow is not drawn, but at a moment's notice you could skewer any of them. Well, if you hit them you could, but at 40, going on 30 paces and moving slowly, that's not too difficult. The only problem is that you don't really know what's going on.

And also, you don't know what they might do if they've really got Stella, and you kill a few of their men. That is, if they've got Stella. Where the bloody hell is that girl anyway? Isn't she good at sneaking around?

'Brothers,' you whisper. 'Weapons. Let's head out.'

'What? Oh, sure...' you lead your three men out of the forest, one with a short sword and the others with hatchets and knives, and as you spread out in a line to cut off the retreat of the men, Orvo sees you and raises an arm to stop the ladies. You see that the girl who got hit by a stone is crying, and there's blood on her face. Belatedly, the men turn around and see you in their way.

Four of you, five of them. But then behind, Orvo says 'Let's go!' and several of them dash across the waters. The men, frightened by this, behind shrinking into a circle.

'Wh-what do you want?' The guy with a pitchfork says, lowering his pitchfork. You've surrounded them, and you're much better armed. Well, for starters, you could take one of them out straightaway. The advantage is definitely yours, but...

> What do/say/ask?

>>29101736

"Why are you keeping watch at our creek? What have you done with the woman?"

>>29101736
>>29102183
This works though I suggest we try to weasel some specfic information out of them about their hamlet/village/bandit camp. Population, armed warriors, food supply, and ecetera.

>>29102381
>>29102183

'What do we want? Well, for one, where do you people come from? And why are you keeping watch at our creek?'

'What do you mean, our-' but then the guy who says it, one of the people with a stick, gets shushed by the others. Pitchfork man glowers at you.

'We're here as refugees from war and taxation. There's seven families of us, nearly 30 people, up in those hills. We tried to move our huts over here, next to the creek, and we would let you share the water here with us. There's plenty for both sides. But your people instead started a fight!'

'Oh, bullshit! Your men-'

'Orvo!' You shush him as well. 'I would not have my men start fights without provocation. And even if we did, where did you take the woman?'

'What woman? We didn't take any of your women. Who do you take us for, rapists and kidnappers? We're just decent men forced into the hills by the war. There will be plenty of us yet as the winter comes, I'm telling you!'

Wait. War? How come you haven't heard of a war...? Must've been too fucking long out in the hills...

> Ask about the war.
> Ask more about Stella.
> Ask something else. (What?)
> Other.

>>29102549

> Damn, forgot trip. But it's me, of course.

>>29102549
>> Ask more about Stella.
we figure this shit out and we can start negotiating or murderizing faster

>>29102576
>>29102549
Stella come second.

>Ask about the war

>>29102549
>Ask about the war.
>Ask more about Stella.

>>29102576
>>29102607

What woman? What woman? What's that mean? But just as you're about to ask, that other thought about the war hits you. A war?

'Wait a minute. So did you capture anyone last night?'

'Capture?' There's a pause. 'Why would we- oh, or did you mean that guest who came in last evening? That pretty maiden? Stella?'

... top girl, Stella. Might have done with coming back to tell you about their friendliness, though, before things devolved into a shooting match. 'So... what's she doing in your camp? Is she still there?'

'We gave her some of the bread we had left, and in the morning she went out and caught two rabbits for us. I think she must still be- could you put down that damned weapon, sir?'

Pfft. Fine. You put down your bow, and gesture for everyone to keep their weapons. They're pretty zealous about defending the stream, but perhaps that was desperation... 'so, what's this about the war?'

'Don't you know? How long have you been in the hills? Early this summer, two of the Nine Great Dukes launched a revolt, and now a third has joined them. The whole of the southwest and western regions are in chaos right now, and it will not be long before this place too is affected. Already the counts and barons and garrison inspectors are gearing up for war, and they're snatching all our things...'

... damn.

> What do/say, then? They seem friendly enough. But they did crack the head of one of your girls.

>>29102958
Demand that they personally apologize to the woman who they cracked and to any others who had been injured or hit from this one and the previous attack. Then get to the bottom of his accusation about us starting the fight. Once we are certain that they are friendly, we should attempt to bring them into the fold or at least become close friends with them.

>>29103052
Seems solid enough for me.

>>29103052
>>29103062

Why don't we go to their village instead? Lead the ones who got injured to their village, take one or two men with us. Meet Stella in there.

If they apologise, we can be friends. Don't know if we should recruit them.

>>29103116
We can certainly do the whole apolgizations and accusations thing in their village but I would certainly like to recruit them or at least for a alliance. The lands are gearing up for war which means that the local lord's men are going to start taking any able-bodied men that they can find, as well as food and weapons supplies. If we are to remain intact, I think we need a larger force or at least allies to repel any hostilities levied against us by said lord.

>>29103052
>>29103062
>>29103116

'Well, that's sad. And I did not know that.' But meanwhile you're already considering the implications of this. So if there is a huge war raging in the west and southwest, and a third of the Great Dukes who are second only to the King and who elect his successors are in revolt, then surely there will be chaos for years to come, no matter who wins or loses.

And while your farmer instincts tell you to fear, your bandit instincts tell you this could be a good thing. Where there is chaos, and where the nobles' troops are all being moved to the warfront, that is the time for people like you.

But first. 'Still. It's also sad that you've hit one of my people with a rock. Apologise to her. Now.'

'But we-'

'Now.' You gesture at the sobbing girl. The men, reluctantly, turn around and bow to her, apologising. 'Now. Orvo, take the women back. We'll follow you to your hamlet, and meet up with Stella.'

'C-certainly...' they still seem a bit reluctant, but nonetheless beckon you on. The hamlet is not very far away, it turns out; trees have been felled to make a slightly too obvious clearing, in which there are eight huts built. The children and women, at first happy and relaxed, suddenly turn into a commotion when they see you.

Stella, however, who's looking at one of the huts, brightens once she sees you. 'Hey! Ephidel! What... why're you here?'

You walk into the village, aware of their suspicious stares.

> Talk to Stella. (What say?)
> Talk to the crowd. (What say?)
> Other.

>>29103397
"I'm here to talk with these men who like to throw stone at women."

>>29103397
> Talk to Stella. (What say?)
tell her as sutbly as we can about the scout last night and how we thought they took her, but it turns out it was a misunderstanding that started the friction between the two villages

>>29103397

"I am the leader of a small hamlet down the way and it has come to my attention that there has been some hostility concerning the water supply with your village. Now, I just want to get to the bottom of this and ensure friendly interaction with our two villages in the future. In these hard times in which the lords are waging war while our kind starve, we have to band together to survive. May I speak to the people who were in the first watch that encountered our women?"

>>29103602
>>29103576
>>29103566

You walk up to Stella, who greets you again, and at this closer distance you can smell... wait a minute, is that ale on her breath? People brought ale up here?

'Last night there was a scout who came to the village,' you whisper to her, and she looks quite surprised. 'We thought they took you, so we came over.'

'Oh, that's sweet of you,' she mutters. Stella doesn't look chuffed, and you wonder if she's joking, but then she gives you a little, one armed hug, disguising it as a pat on the shoulder. Hmm. Anyway. You turn back to the village.

'As you may have known from Stella by now, I'm from the hamlet down the way who's using that creek. I don't want our two groups to fight. There's enough fighting going on with the dukes and the kings without us being at each other's throats. So if I could know more about who started the fight yesterday...?'

You get a long silence as your response. Then, suddenly, someone from behind pushes past the two women in front of him. It turns out to be a well-built man, not quite as large as Orvo but quite impressive.

'My wife was the one who started the fight,' he says. 'One of your women called her a whore, so she struck her. You'll agree that anyone who calls a woman a whore deserves it.'

'Kevo, stop it-'

'It's true, though!' He turns to the petite woman who's clearly his wife. 'No one calls my woman a whore! If I were there, I'd have taken out the hatchet!'

'That's enough, Kevo!'

Stella rubs the bridge of her nose.

> How do you respond? Well, here's a tough chap.

>>29103796
I agree somewhat, however I'll also say that it should have stayed there, throwing rocks at everyone else, trying to drive them away from the only nearby creek, it's like you were asking us to fight you over it or die.

and if you were forced between killing someone and dying off, which do you think you'd choose? Fortunately for all of us it looks like we can settle things peacefully.

>>29103796
"That is exactly how children behave, calling names and throwing stones, but were are not children are we? No of course we aren't, we are grown adults, and claiming the river as your own, taking from others what they need to live, would make us no different from the Dukes who have harmed and pushed us from our homes. The same Dukes who have no care for the people they trod on. You know what I think? I think we shouldn't stand for this, we should stand up for what is ours, stand up for those that oppress us, wouldn't you agree? Wouldn't you all agree?" Try to make this as charismatic as possible, about halfway through start addressing the crowd, hopefully we can get them to side with and join us.

>>29103907

You step up to Kevo, who looks you directly in the eye, not backing down. Hmm. This man is tough. He crosses his arms.

'What, do you disagree? If I called your woman there a whore-' he points at Stella, who looks up a little confused- 'then what might you do?'

Uh. You glance around and back, then change the subject. 'Whatever I might have done in the heat of the moment, I would not have then posted men at the creek to deny it completely to those people. It might be our hamlet's fault that someone insulted you, but it is your fault to have your people throw rocks and hurt us. Now, if you did that, I would have nocked an arrow and put it through your chest, but-'

'You dare-'

Kevo stands right up, but you don't back down either. 'Of *course* I dare. If the alternative is to die of thirst, I would fight each and every one of you!'

'Enough. ENOUGH!' Stella yells. 'Let us all agree that we would kill for water, and then let us all agree we don't fucking well *have* to do that. It's not that like creek is even small. There's enough for you and for us.'

'Well, she speaks sensibly, as usual.' You reach a hand for Kevo, and he starts a little, but then shakes it. 'Also, are you drinking ale as well?'

'Our women made it. We still have several sacks of barley.' Kevo gestures to some small casks. 'What, do you want some?'

> Drink some and leave.
> Drink some and try and reach an agreement.
> No, it's fine.
> Other.

>>29104257
It's a little incomplete reading it now, but the whole idea is sound, hopefully OP can fluff it up a bit.

>>29104285
>> Drink some and try and reach an agreement.
let us form an alliance over GLORIOUS ALE

>>29104311
>>29104257

> If you wish to recruit the people of this hamlet, this speech could be useful. Is that your intention, though?

> I liked it, but I didn't know if that was the intent.

>>29104311
Oh well looks like I was too late.
>Drink some and try and reach an agreement.
>>29104285

>>29104360
That was exactly my intent.

>>29104384
>>29104364
>>29104345

You look at the casks, then at your men. Then back at Kevo.

'Well, if you don't mind...'

You start at Kevo's response - a sudden, loud laugh as he puts his hands on his hips, clearly chuffed. 'AhHAHAHAHAHA Of course I don't mind! You're free to have some!'

A cask is taken out, almost full, and soon you are drinking from bowls made of carved wood. These people seem a bit more... well equipped for life out in the woods, though you don't know how long that might last, seeing as they're still eating bread and there don't seem to be any hunters.

'So. To peace between our hamlets.' You raise your bowl.

'Peace!' Everyone drinks. Ah. This isn't the best ale, but it's fine enough. Soon more bowls are being filled, Stella sits down next to you, and then Kevo approaches the two of you and sits cross-legged on the ground.

'So. Stella has told us a little about what you do for a living. She says you hunt. But I'm guessing you hunt more than game.'

Heh. He's rather quick, too. 'Perhaps. Why do you want to know?'

'So you *are* bandits? We faced so many of those on the way here from the west...'

You glance at Kevo. He seems to make good bandit material, but you wonder if he might be too... independent. Besides, if the people with him take orders from him...

> Ask to recruit anyway. (Roll d100).
> Admit banditry, ask for an alliance with his village.
> Deny banditry, ask for alliance.
> Other.

Rolled 48

>>29104527
>> Ask to recruit anyway. (Roll d100).
"Bandits? Some would call us that, I prefer to think of ourselves as down trodden and walked upon. Let me share a story with you, a story of how Ephidel came home to burnt husk of a village.. (relay personal story here) So you see, for me the true Bandits here is not us, but those who wage wars for their own gains without thought or care for the people they harm, as long as they can sit down with their riches at the end of the day."
Recruitment is still a go.

Rolled 23

>>29104628
This is good. Rolling for better results hopefully.

Rolled 5

>>29104628
Rolling

Rolled 66

>>29104527

Rolled 21

>>29104628
Man, this savoir of the downtrodden thing is going to get us places fast, I'm diggin' it.

Rolled 91

>>29104527

File: 1388127945261.gif-(1.17 MB, 200x118, 8D.gif)

1.17 MB GIF

>>29104827
>third linked roll
Hell Yeah, we so smooth

>>29104833
loopholes, got to love 'em.

> Nicely done.
> Finishing up my lunch now, will write. Taking the 91.

> Also, be careful with too much standing up for downtrodden talk. That's rebel talk, that is. Unless you're *into* rebel talk...

>>29104891
Warlord quest is a go.

>>29104891
>Time to shout a Rebel Yell
but seriously, who knows with war coming. being seen as a "rebel leader" to the downtrodden when the nobles show up may be to our advantage

> 91 vs. 54: Success!

'Bandits? That's putting too fine a point on it, Kevo.' You shake your head. 'Look. Who are the real bandits, Kevo? You're just looking on a man who went out of his village one day and came back to find it burning. His parents, his little sister, all dead. Because we had no taxes to pay, and they wanted to squeeze taxes for the next three years.

'Or I'm looking at a group of you,' you stand up and raise your voice, making the villagers pay attention to you. 'I'm looking at all of you! Kevo asked if I am a bandit. Well, the nobles might call me a bandit. But those are people who send their collectors to beat you up when you haven't got taxes to give. They're the ones who send people in to touch your pretty daughters and sisters, and take them back to the castle for a bit of fun when some red-faced old man in his castle feels a little horny. Then they're the ones who get angry with each other, and start wars. And when they start wars, they come to grab your sons to go and die for their own bad tempers and their own fucking arguments!'

The rest of them stand up, and some of them clap; others look a little confused. But you stop the clappers.

'So who are the bandits? We're not the bandits. We're just the people who sit too long on the receiving end of the real bandits. We've feared them like monsters all our lives. And now they're the ones at war, and what say you if we strike a little fear in them instead?'

'I'm in, for one,' Kevo says, standing up. He's half a head taller than you, damn. 'Are you all in?'

'We're in! Let's do it! Let's do it!'

In the general cheer and resolution to be bandits together, you drink several more bowls of ale and carry a cask back as well; Stella insists on paying 2 silver coins for that. Kevo asks to escort you back across the creek to your own village, and some of the men quickly say they'll follow.

Hmm.

> Allow Kevo. Why not?
> No, we'll be fine.
> Other.

> What is your attitude towards Kevo?

>>29105081
>Allow Kevo. Why not?
> What is your attitude towards Kevo?
He's dangerous, but any weapon is dangerous, we just need to use him correctly and he'll do us a fine job in return, his loyalty is paramount.

>>29105081
> Other.

allow, but when we get to the creek discuss how we can better share the creek between the two villages, maybe try to setup a small dam to act as a reservoir

>>29105081

Refuse. He's trying to scout us out.

You guys realise his men listen to him, not us, and that he has maybe double the number of men we have?

Once he figures this out, why should he not be the leader instead of us?

>>29105197
We could frame someone for his death after killing him sometime?

Oh yes. Whatever your conclusions are about Kevo, here's the size of that village that presumably will follow you. Or him.

> 13 fighting men
> About 20 women and children
> Leader: Kevo

>>29105263
I have a bad feeling about literally /all/ of this. Something is up.

>>29105197
I agree that he is trying to scout us out, but I think we're not in a position to play our hand just yet, lets butter the relationship between the villages and have him escort us to the creek but no further, say we have hunting to do and go in another direction and lose the tail.

Also, when we get back and talk with Stella and get the good news, presumably about the gold being moved, maybe we can bring Kevo on the raid, either to cement the relationship between the villages, or to kill him and say the guards got him

>>29105288
Lets just be cautious, if we can win over these guys we've got quite enough men to get some serious raiding going.

>>29105308
>>29105299
>>29105288
>>29105219
>>29105197
>>29105155
>>29105134

You are quite aware that, unlike Orvo - whose village was approaching you from a position of weakness when you recruited them - Kevo is approaching you guys from a position of strength. He's got a group nearly thrice the size of yours, after all.

But you're not about to let that get to you... yet. You graciously say that it will be fine if Kevo escorts you to the creek, and he does that. Along the way, you glance at your three men, then at Stella - who also seems quite suspicious.

'So, what have you people been doing? What have you done so far?' Kevo says. He's a little drunk, but clearly those questions could be scouting you out. Instead you deflect them by saying you've mostly been hunting.

'Winter's not really a good season for banditry,' you say, smiling. 'A little too cold to be waiting outside, isn't it?'

Kevo laughs. 'Well, that's not so true. The end of autumn is when the tax returns get shipped, isn't it? You'll have plenty of recruits as well as things to loot when that happens...'

'That is a good point,' you say, non-committally. 'Well, there's the creek. Thank you, Kevo. May I call you brother?'

'You may, brother!' He waves as you cross. When you get back to your hamlet, you see even more good news - that little boy and his companions have managed to come back with three baskets full of pears! The ale, meanwhile, drives everyone ecstatic. You've already had quite a few, so you let the men divvy it up.

Stella follows you into your hide, sitting down facing you. 'I haven't told you about the good news yesterday. We saw where the gold is hidden.'

> Where? Tell me more. Let's make a plan.
> Actually, let's focus on something else. (Recruiting? Weapons?)
> I'm more worried about Kevo...
> Other.

>>29105448
id be pretty worried about kevo, but lets hear about the gold, the weapons we will have to keep an eye out for.
also, if we can recruit from kevos group, or the entire group that would solve our recruiting that we need to do. lets not have too big of a group without equipment, all these people wont do us any good if all they have are stones and sticks.

>>29105448
>Where? Tell me more. Let's make a plan.

On the topic of Kevo, start setting traps up around the village so we wont have as many unwanted guests.

>>29105448
>> Where? Tell me more. Let's make a plan.
but lets keep in mind Kevo, we don't want him screwing things up or getting greedy

>>29105611
>>29105547
>>29105731

'Where?' You perk up, and Stella begins laughing, throwing her head back as she removes the face cloth. What... what's so funny? Gold is gold. Besides, your thirty fucking silvers and that seal!

'It's... oh man, look at the way your eyes glint!' She tries to control herself, and succeeds after a while. 'Ahem. Yes. Serious now.'

'You wouldn't think it's so funny if they took *your* silver.'

'I guess. Anyway, serious now.' Stella makes a reasonably serious face. 'The good news is, they've moved it into the forest, actually. It's in the hills, not too far from here, near the village.'

'But that's great! I mean, we could-' then you stop. Wait a minute. They know you come from the hills, because that's where you ran to. Why would they... 'no, stop. You're going to tell me there's a trap.'

'Wow, you're pretty quick,' Stella nods. 'Yes. After the men told me that's where they moved it to, I went to have a little snoop around last night. That's why I only got to Kevo's village a lot later. Don't look at me like that, you know you want that gold.'

'Well, tell me.'

'The Barony's troops were there. I saw plenty of tracks, heavy boot prints. Has to be soldiers.' She frowns. 'So that secret source of yours was right. The Baron - or someone who can move troops on the Baron's behalf - is definitely colluding with the village. Whose gold is that anyway?'

> Damn. Let's look elsewhere then.
> Fantastic! Let's make a plan!
> Other.

>>29105826
>> Fantastic! Let's make a plan!
maybe we could bring Kevo and his men in on it, and use them as cannon fodder

>>29105912

'Yeah, apparently it's the Baron's steward... or some other official. Clearly not a small official then.'

'Yep. So what do you think?'

'It's perfect,' you say, folding your arms.

'Perfect? How? Did you not hear-'

'I heard everything, of course, Stella. If there were just the few of us, then no, I'd say we look for something else.' You sit a little closer. 'But think about it. Kevo and his men-'

'I wouldn't trust Kevo and his men with these. I wouldn't even want to tell them.' Stella shakes her head vehemently. 'Didn't you see? That man... his people answer directly to him once he starts talking. I'd be surprised if he isn't a sort of bandit himself, except they're really unarmed. Or I didn't see anyone armed.'

'Yes...'

'Also, one of them grabbed my arse while I was there. I laughed it off, but...' then she stops. 'Come think of it, were you about to try rescuing me?'

'Could we get back to the plan? I was considering using Kevo's men as cannon fodder. Or, maybe, even somehow... do you think removing him might make his men obedient to us?'

'They're obedient people anyway, from what we can see. I don't know. I think they're really just villagers, but then they've probably seen more from trekking in here from the west. I can't believe there's a war on now, and such a *large* one. This war will determine the flow of our age, Ephidel...'

'I think our store of gold will determine the flow of our age.'

'Also, answer my question,' she says, smiling ambiguously.

> Yes, I was. Of course.
> No, I wasn't.

> Also, what do now with regards to the case of the village gold? Do you want to get Kevo in on this? If so, how?
> Are you going to try and remove Kevo there and then?

Rolled 85

>>29106084
probably should do something about kevo, but then again, we are bandits, so lets manipulate him into believing that we are invaluable, and get him to join out band.

>>29106084
>Yes, I was. Of course.
"I was worried, am I not allowed to worry?"

>>29106084
>Also, what do now with regards to the case of the village gold? Do you want to get Kevo in on this? If so, how?
Keep Kevo out for now, wait until we've gotten to know him better but don't trust him.

>Are you going to try and remove Kevo there and then?
Keep him around for now, he could prove useful in the future as a lieutenant if he checks out.

>>29106084
>Yes, I was. of course
>no we need more time to trust him

>>29106084
> Yes, I was. Of course.
Act jokingly affronted that she'd think otherwise

>>29106156
Do not say this.

>>29106158
>>29106156
>>29106149

> Um, he's already said to join your band. You persuaded him into doing so earlier.
> It's just that he's joining you... with his people.

'Yeah, I was a little worried. You're the best tracker, so if you couldn't find your way back in the night, who knows?'

'Who knows indeed,' Stella grins. 'Well, that's sweet of-'

'You could have stubbed your toe on a rock and sat down crying like a little girl, or- Ow. OW!' Wow, she swings hard even when she's not seriously hitting. You ward her off and scurry to the corner of the hut. 'Right, that ends the conversation. Serious things now. I don't think we should get Kevo along.'

'If we don't get Kevo along, though, then there's... 7 of us, against who knows how many of them. I'd say about five or six, but it might be more. And those are trained men.'

Speaking of which... you might need to train your men a bit more. They're working on the palisade and the cellar, and things are going fine, but that's not the same as hunting and fighting... maybe you need to launch a reconnaissance mission first?

> Go for recce with Stella now.
> Tell Stella to go. (What will you do then?)
> Other.

> Also, tell me what you'd like to do for the next two or three days. I'm timeskipping until at least the palisade's up.

>>29106084
>> Yes, I was. Of course.
she saved our life, we owed it to her if it was the case

> Also, what do now with regards to the case of the village gold? Do you want to get Kevo in on this? If so, how?
downplay the amount and quality of the gold quards, use us as the flanking force and use Kevo as the assaulting force, because he is big and strong and manly and has more men

> Are you going to try and remove Kevo there and then?
I think thats somethign we're going to decide in the heat of the moment, whether its opportune to do so or not

>>29106241
tell Stella to go while we train the men

>>29106241

Let Stella go. Tell her to be extra careful. Saving her from the barony might be difficult.

We hunt in the morning, train people in the afternoon.

>>29106241
Can we train before we even make a move?

>>29106290
>>29106289
>>29106263

> Hunting and training can be done for a few days. How many days do you want to train them for, and what in?

> They're currently armed with either hatchets or the short swords that you looted and gave them.

> The palisade is estimated to be done in about three days. The cellar should take about seven or eight more days.

> Also, are you going to let Stella continuously monitor that gold hoard over those days, or do you want her to do other things as well? Continuously monitoring means she'll figure out their rhythms, but you know, more hands. And a fine-ass in camp.

>>29106306

Stella does continuous monitoring. We want to know when there are guards posted, and when they change. Killing those guards could get us more equipment.

We'll train the people in hand-to-hand until the cellar is done. The women will join in as well when they can. Then if we're a bit low on food let's hunt.

>>29106306
I say we hunt for three days while they finishe the the palisade then we train for two weeks while Stella watches them for for one week and then hunts for the next week

>>29106392
Nothand-to-hand, train them with their weapons. Do this and it's ok.

>>29106306
I wanna get a descipt of Stella now

>>29106417
>>29106403
>>29106392

'I think, if we're going to have any chance of succeeding, we'll have to train them in how to fight.' You get up. 'So you'll have to scout out the gold hoard yourself.'

'But I'm better at fighting than you,' Stella says, matter-of-factly. And damn if she ain't kind of right, though you're better at archery.

'Still, you're a lot better at stalking. I think you ought to keep watch on them continuously, actually...'

'Hmm. So we can get a feel for their movements.' Stella nods. 'If I do get captured, could you quickly get me from the Barony? Because I've heard things about the Baron of Lessi. Apparently he likes roasting people alive.'

'Can't have that for you,' you agree. 'And then I'll train them for a bit...'

After working out the watch for the next few days, you have dinner - more lamb - and tell Orvo and the rest about the training. Even the women will have to train. That night you sleep, and when you wake up for your watch Stella's already gone.

Damn, she's really into this. Getting a headstart on the guards, perhaps...

> Right! Let's roll for training first.
> Roll 3d100. I'll take the highest *total*.
> Any potential insights in fighting and/or command will give bonuses.

Rolled 99, 70, 3 = 172

>>29106535
train them to work in pairs that cover each in a fight

Rolled 36, 63, 60 = 159

>>29106535
I may be able to convince people to join us, but hell if I know how to fight.

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Rolled 24, 11, 9 = 44

>>29106535

Rolled 67, 43, 91 = 201

>>29106535
I was going to make a point about how archery will be more useful for our current position, where we can wound people enough to take them out of action and then ransom them, plus it'll let us have the lowest chance of casualties on our side.
Focus on Archery though, how to prepare and look after a bow, as well as how to make one if there is any timber in the area.
No point learning how to shoot if you can't at least maintain a bow.

Rolled 38, 36, 24 = 98

>>29106583

This guy makes sense. How about we spend a few days looking for branches and making bows and arrows instead? Then we can train them in archery...

>>29106535
Pairs, flexibility in offense and defense so they can switch on the fly
>if the barons forces will be armored and/or on horseback, then try to work in disabling knights and anti cavalry

>>29106583
>>29106597
>>29106566
>>29106562

> I'll take the quasi-critical.
> 99, 67, 91, 43: 3/4 successes.

The first two days of training go very well. You group the men and women up into pairs, and with the weapons on hand you go through some routines of mutual cover. Since it is likely that you'll be fighting trained soldiers, it seems like a good idea to focus on how to take on an equal number of foes without losing too many people.

While the training goes on smoothly, however, and morale seems to be excellent in camp, it suddenly occurs to you that the best way to take on those soldiers would probably be to arm them with *bows* instead. Or maybe you could arm the *women* with bows... with that in mind, you get people to bring branches, and with the hides that you've saved it's not too difficult to make some bows and arrows over a few days. But now there's the problem of who to arm with the bows...

> Arm the men.
> Arm the women, save men for close combat.
> Archery training commences after this decision. The bows are not particularly good (67), but they'll do for now.

>>29106715

Meanwhile, Stella comes back every day to give reports, and once also brings you near the spot so you know exactly where it is. According to her, they are setting up traps around the place to catch the unwary; they know, then, that there are bandits. Well, of course they do. That steward is pretty wily.

'There's about five or six people here at any time. Wearing light armour, mostly, no helmets. I think they treat this as a mere job against the peasants...' Stella shrugs. 'Also, I've noticed something. The Barony's troops have been moved away. Troops are being moved, probably towards the west.'

'Is the war that big?'

'Well, the soldiers say that the two dukes in the west have 50,000 men each. And the other duke that joined them, who's in the north near the capital, has another 60,000. But more to the point, there are peasant rebellions breaking out because of the impositions that the nobles are placing...

> Do/say anything?
> You can change Stella's instructions for now, seeing as she has a reasonable grasp on the movements of the guards. Or you can keep her there to see if there's any new traps.

>>29106715
>Arm the women
>>29106724
Tell her to be careful and back off if anything seems suspicious.

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>>29106757
Then, pat her butt when she goes to leave
"Keep up the good work"

>>29106715
> Arm the women, save men for close combat.
this means the women can also hunt while the men raid

>>29106724
how long ago did the Barony's troops move away, because if they are still close we might want to wait a bit, but if they are far enough away, we can attack when we've finished training.

I think we can keep Stella there for a day more, to see if theres any changes in their camp, after that she can come back and prepare for the fight.

Also, once we're ready, we might want to ask Kevo to join us, but leave short enough notice that he'll be underprepared, and more likely to get killed or maimed

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>>29106757
>>29106770
>>29106777

> Also, I'm going to dinner after this post. Might be back in a bit.

You tell Stella to maybe watch them for one or two more days, after which she can come back, rest up and prepare for the fight. After all she's been sleeping half the night every night now, for all these days.

'Yeah, fine.' Then she yawns and stretches, the tunic riding up just a little to give you a view of a slit of her belly. 'Right. I'll be off.'

'Sure. Thanks.' You watch as she sits up and then stands. Even though the trousers are a little loose, they do outline her behind and legs, and you quickly keep your hands to yourself before you get into any trouble. Trying to molest Stella is probably not going to end well for you, you suspect.

> cont'd.

>>29106889

The decision is made to arm the women with the bows, and for a while they do quite well at shooting. Within a few days, though, with their work on the cellar ongoing, the training regimen kind of falls apart; and while you try to persuade the men to cover for them in some duties, cooking and cleaning is beyond the pale for them. You can't really blame either side - the men are practicing *very* hard at fighting, and the women do have quite a lot of work to do.

Well, three days' training - at least they know to draw the bow and loose some arrows. Even if they don't hit, the sheer fear of getting hit should distract the guards enough for you and the chaps to close in. That'd be a good bit of help...

Meanwhile you've been eating the horse and pears and mutton, but it occurs to you that you're trying to build up stores. Much of the horse is now stored as sausages, but maybe you should hunt a little more?

Stella's been studying the terrain, meanwhile.

The place is surrounded upslope by tall, big pine trees, which make good cover - but some of them are booby-trapped. The hoard itself is hidden under a heavy rock, dug into the ground. On the downslope side is a pretty steep, 10 foot drop; you probably need to heave the rock away down that drop to get to the loot. That is, if you approach from upslope...

> Right. Roll d100 for Stella. There's a +20 bonus due to her tracking skills.
> If you wish to hunt for the next few days, roll d100 as well. (Point out what you're rolling for.)

> Also, time to discuss tactics, goals and people. Bring Kevo along? Do you intend to kill all the guards? And how do you get to the gold?

Rolled 56 + 20

>>29106917
>Hunt bear

Rolled 48 + 20

>>29106917
>> If you wish to hunt for the next few days, roll d100 as well. (Point out what you're rolling for.)
Hunt bear

>>29106917

> If you're rolling for hunting, please don't add the bonus. That's for Stella.

Rolled 86

>>29106963
Roll for hunting, now.

Rolled 6 + 20

>>29106917
Rollan for Stella.

Rolled 73 + 20

>>29106917
rolling for Stella

Rolled 56

>>29106917
>> If you wish to hunt for the next few days, roll d100 as well. (Point out what you're rolling for.)
Hunt boar

>>29106972
>>29106986
pretty damn good

Rolled 93, 87 + 20 = 200

>>29106917
both

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>>29107362

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Rolled 72

>>29107362
Damn, son

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>>29107362

>>29106917
During these relatively uneventful days, craft Stella a new spear between dinner time and sleep time.

Rolled 2

>>29107678
Rollan in case it changes anything

>>29107362

> Damn son.
> I'm back, but give me a bit because showering etc.

> But damn, son.
> 93 for Stella: Great Success!
> 87 + 20 for hunting: Great Success!

>>29107843

You lead the men to the area around where the gold hoard is, while being careful not to head in too close in case you trip any of the traps. After one or two trips to familiarise them, it is then decided to head elsewhere to hunt.

In a stroke of fortune, you manage to find a spot in the creek where the deer really like to come and drink. Waiting in ambush, you soon come upon a herd of many, including a magnificent stag with some really nice antlers. Just then, another smaller herd with another stag also stumbles onto the scene...

... and just as they're about to fight, you give the call to spring into action. The men jump up and the women shoot their arrows, and though they're not particularly accurate they manage to bag one or two. But the hero of the show is another man, called Nimdel, who manages to wrestle one of the stags to the ground as it runs, allowing the others to move in and finish it.

By the end of the day, you are just about to tally up an amazing total of 9 does, 2 fawns and 2 stags, when Orvo nudges you and points to something. In the distance, stalking its way to the river and looking rather starved and miserable, is a black bear, stumbling along.

> Attack the bear. You'll have no trouble taking it.
> Is it really honourable to attack a starving, weakened beast?

> Also, who do you give the stag antlers to? The ones who killed the beast? Or take it for yourself?

>>29108025
>> Attack the bear. You'll have no trouble taking it.
>The ones who killed the beast?

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>>29108025
>Tame Bear
>We Ranger Now

>>29108025
>> Attack the bear. You'll have no trouble taking it.
Let them keep the antlers.

>>29108025
TIME TO TAME THE BEAR! SMACKDOWN HUMAN VS. BEAR!

>>29108025
Bear pelt keeps people warm in winter. Kill it, take its skin, wear its strength!

Unless this is a magic fucking bear that can breath fire and shit gunpowder. There's no point in trying to tame it. It'll be easily killed by a group of people with spears.

Rolled 16 + 20

>>29108025
Kill it, it's dangerous and it's competition for food more importantly.

>>29108025
attempt to tame the bear

>>29108048
>>29108053
>>29108054
>>29108065
>>29108069
>>29108089

You quickly nock an arrow and loose it, and the bear lets out a pitiful howl of fear and pain as the head sinks right into its shoulder. It runs off, lumbering with surprising speed, before yowling again when you put another arrow into its hindquarters and collapsing.

Leading your men, you surrounding the gasping, groaning bear. It's clearly absolutely starved, staring up at you with round, wet eyes, a pathetic sight. It struggles a little, but then howls again when the rest of the men come up and stab at it. 'Stab only the paws!'

Even wounded and weakened, it struggles mightily and you get Orvo to quickly dispatch it with an axe to the head. Blood spurts into the ground as it lets out a last moan and dies, sighing. Well, well.

Dragging it back to camp first, you then head back to haul the rest of the deer in. There'll be plenty of things need doing to prepare the haul, and you help with skinning the bear. The pelt really isn't all that nice, even to your eyes; when the bear is poorly fed and possibly ill, no one gets much out of it anyway.

As for the antlers, you award them in a little ceremony to the people who killed the stags. Well, with nearly 20 deer, there'll be enough to eat and preserve. In fact, you might need some salt or something else like that to preserve them with...

> cont'd.

>>29108162
Mmm. Meat.

>>29108162

That day Stella comes in while the slaughter is still going on, and just then you hear some wolves in the distance, howling. They've probably smelled what's going on. Definitely you can. 'What the hell? Where'd you get that bear?'

'Was starving, heading for the creek.'

'Well, a kill's a kill,' she says, watching as they carefully part the hide. 'Might want to carry the carcass out. Bear is terrible to eat.'

Venison, on the other hand... this time round, two men carry a huge portion of shoulder on a wooden platter and serve it to both you and Stella together. The implication is a little clear, and Orvo raises a bowl of ale as everyone laughs.

'Enjoy!'

Stella narrows her eyes and looks at you, but then begins tearing into the shoulder anyway. Fuck it, meat's meat... you eat and eat, and then go back into the hut with Stella. She sits, smiling at you in lamplight.

'What?'

'Hmm? Nothing. Was just thinking, I might try something today with the guards...'

'Well, if you think it's safe...'

'Wish me luck?'

> What do/say to Stella before she goes? She's grinning.

>>29108215
Yeah. Luck and whatever.

>>29108215
Awwwww, shit. This is the part where Stella gets caught and we have to choose between sacrificing her or the gold, I bet.

>>29108240
I know what I'm voting for.
The gold.

>>29108215

Go outside, get some grass, give it to her.

"Flowers would give you away. Be safe."

>>29108215
"Don't die before I get your spear back. So far I only made glorified rakes."

>>29108251

You'd vote to sacrifice the gold?

Me too...

>>29108253
>"Flowers would give you away. Be safe."
That is the cheesy-est, dumbest thing ever.

>>29108215
you don't get to die before I rescue your beautiful ass

>>29108266
No, I mean I'm voting to save the gold.

'Well, good luck. Be careful. I don't want to have to cut you down from some gibbet.'

Stella waits a few moments, then blinks. 'What, that's all?'

'What do you want, flowers? It's autumn. I could give you a clutch of grass, if you want.'

'Fine...' Stella gets up. 'Watch me.'

'Mm.'

You take the first watch that day, which passes uneventfully except for the howling of wolves. They might have found the bear carcass. Then you sleep a nice, long, comfortable sleep, waking up at sunrise to find yourself alone in the hut. Well, not surprising. She normally comes in later for the first report.

But as strips of leftovers are served for lunch, Stella's still not back in camp. Eventually it gets to noon, the sun shining intermittently through clouds... and she's still not here.

Fucking hell, don't tell me... you mutter to yourself and take the bow along with you, heading into the forest. As the forest thickens, and you cross the creek, the weather begins to cloud over... and then your ears prick up at a howl of pain and some muffled pleas.

... shit! Tramping through the vegetation and threading your way between trees, you soon see a figure on the ground, and another one tied to a tree, feet two or three feet above the ground. That's Stella's cloak on the captor!

You run down the slope, nearly tripping over some roots, and stop at the edge of the clearing, arrow nocked and ready to loose. At this range you'll easily take him out... 'Oi! You!'

... then Stella turns to you, and you look at the guy on the tree. Oh wait. It's a guy on the tree. A young man, no more than 16 or 17, he's bawling from fear.

'Hello,' Stella smiles broadly at you. 'Meet one of the guards.'

> What do/say?

>>29108401
"Hi"

>>29108401

"Was this what you had in mind?"

Then ask the man if he'd like to work for us with both hands, or go back to his baron with one.

>>29108401
"I didn't know you were into this kind of stuff, Stella." Smirk activate.

>>29108401
Good work
>I'm not sure if I should hug you or kiss you

>>29108465
Seconded.

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>>29108401
she clearly wants the D

>>29108516
>>29108502
>>29108465
>>29108444
>>29108419

'Uh, hello.' You glance at the youngster, who gives you a look of horror. It looks like Stella's been rolling up his trousers and giving him a good few lashes on the feet and calves - rather well-filled feet and calves, you must say. Tragic is the plight of the rich. 'I didn't know this is something you enjoyed, but, uh, good for you. Good work.'

'Shut up,' she snaps. 'He's one of the guards. Poor dear, he must be really horny. All I did was show him a little leg and face and tell him there was something I needed help with in my homestead over here...'

'Please, please let me go, I didn't do anything wrong, please, I won't say a word, please...'

You glance at Stella. Cunning, cunning. The desire to give her a little hug clearly occurs to you, though maybe not now. Instead you turn to the youngster, who's crying and thrashing. 'Oh please. Life is hard, all things are suffering. Death isn't too bad, is it?'

'Nope, don't suppose so.'

'Also, since you now know I'm Ephidel and she's Stella, we can't let you go.' Stella gives you a glare, but you continue. 'So maybe you can work with us, or you can go back to the Baron with no hands and no tongue. We gotta keep safe, you know?'

'I don't know your name! I can't remember! I don't know! I'll work with you, please...' just then you hear something trickle and patter, and jump back. Well, shit. Or rather piss.

> What do you want him to do, then? He's willing to join you... it seems.

>>29108638
>No survivors.

>>29108638
Kill him.

>>29108638
Ask him what he can bring to the table (remember! he might have info we can use). If the answer is satisfactory, let him live.

>>29108682

This. Ignore the murderhobos.

If we can recruit someone trained to fight, all the better.

>>29108638
Ask him if he has any important information. If not, kill him. If he does, write it down, then kill him.

>>29108638

Ask what he can do for us.

Maybe we can use him as bait to draw people into an ambush. The other guards might be looking for him now.

Or, wait, we can use him as bait, and draw the guards into a fight with Kevo's men. Whoever wine, we'll pick up the scraps and take the gold.

>>29108699
I don't think he's gonna be good in an actual fight. His loyalty is very questionable, and if we do recruit him, sooner or later he'll betray us.
But no murderhobo yet. Tie him up upside-down, loot his equipment and clothes... and sneak using the guard's equipment.
Or just hang him upside-down, muffled, from a tree and loot him.

>>29108728

You really thing the guards won't recognise someone wearing their colleague's equipment and clothes, sneaking around?

He's in a desperate position. If we show mercy, he will be loyal. Ask what he can do.

>>29108638
get as much about the camp and the guards as we can out of him, ask simple questions, and keep repeating them, interrupt him when he insists he does not know, don't let him finish his sentences, when he hesitates or lies, whip him, jeep it up for a couple of hours and once we've either got all we can, or he won't spill, kill him and take all his gear

>>29108638
get info then use as bait like this guy said>>29108715

>>29108743
Come to think of it, this guy's idea works better >>29108715

He is bait, we are the ambush. I know that if we show mercy, he could be loyal, but how much? He's chubby-ish, which means he's probably rich, or related to a rich guy. He doesn't fit with our group, and could cause fracture or doubts in our willingness for the cause.
I'm saying that him joining us is trouble, sooner or later. His gear, on the other hand, might be used later on, not in this heist; maybe if we want to infiltrate the local baron's keep or something like that.
But for now, let us use him for ambush.

>>29108682
>>29108699
>>29108715

These.

Fucking murderhobos just want to kill, ignore them. They never think.

>recruiting a recruit of the enemy pissing his pants after we've hanged him off a tree

'I'm inclined to kill him, to be honest,' you say to Stella softly. The glare she gives you makes you reconsider that, though. 'Eh?'

'I chose this young bastard because he's the youngest and the most likely to turn to our side, and spend all the effort to tie him up here, and if you just want to kill him like that, then what the hell did I do that for?'

'Hey. I didn't ask you to do this. So if you have any good ideas, give them, because-'

'I'm doing this because we can use him as bait, you fucking fool. You're letting killing get to your fucking mind again!' Stella punches your arm, hard. 'Stop and think, for fuck's sake! Now they know this guy's missing, right? They'll come and look for him. They'll have a good idea that it's the bandits who got him.'

'Oh gods, please, just let me go, I promise if there's anything I can do to help you, I'll help you...'

'Shut up. We're considering it.' You snap at him, then turn back. 'So you're saying we use him as bait? We could strip his equipment and lure them somewhere nice for an ambush.'

'Good. Your mind's coming back to you.' She rolls her eyes.

'Or...' suddenly your mind lights on Kevo. Hmm. 'Let's strip this man.'

'On it,' she says, taking out her knife. The young man shouts as she approaches...

> Lead the ambush yourself.
> Go and tell Kevo about the guards, let them fight.
> Other.

>>29108828
>> Go and tell Kevo about the guards, let them fight.
We're a bowman. We provide backup.

>>29108828
>>29108850
This, let Kevo prove his mettle first. Orvo already did, right?

>>29108828
>lead the ambush ourself
No need to spilt our reward, but maybe do share a doe we caught earlier

>>29108828
>>29108858
>>29108850

We don't tell Kevo about the gold. We just tell him there's some guards coming in and they can kill them. We provide support, and share the 'loot', which is just the weapons.

Then we get the gold for ourselves.

>>29108873
This. Our cash money.

>>29108873
Mite b cool. If he proved to be outstanding and trusty, then we can share.
And oh, note to self: get the old man to teach your hamlet dudes and dudettes how to plant herbs. Self-sustainability is key, even though we do poach and plunder.

>>29108887
>>29108879
>>29108873
>>29108864
>>29108858
>>29108850

'You know, Stella... is this a bad time?'

'Oh, please, no, be careful-AUU-mmmf'

Stella grabs a handful of leaves and stuffs them deep into the youngster's mouth as she undoes the ropes and begins tying the man up for travel, while stripping him down. 'No, carry on.'

'I've got a better idea, basically. Let's get Kevo's men to ambush the guards.'

'Oh? Oh.... oh.' Stella looks at you, and her eyes glint. 'Oh, I like that.'

'Yes. Whichever side wins, we'll be the better off.'

'We should join in a little. Just to justify sharing the loot with Kevo's men, and keeping them from getting all the equipment...'

'Equipment, bah. The gold is all ours...'

'Wait. Wait, wait!' Just as he finally spits out the leaves, Stella pulls down both pants and hose, and you get a nice glimpse of the guy's gloriously wilted cock. Stella ignores him and turns to you.

'Reckon it's bigger than yours if it's filled?'

'Bollocks it is. Sorry, we got distracted,' you kick the guy lightly. 'What's that you say?'

'You're after the gold? The gold's not there! The gold's not there at all! If you want, I'll show you where the gold is!'

... Stella looks at you. Then she pulls the tunic off the guy, straddling him from behind as she cuts him naked and then trusses him up. Stella and the people saw them moving the gold here, didn't they? And now this guy...? But then again, he's been in charge of moving the gold, so surely he might know better...?

> He's lying. Ignore.
> Well, well. Show us.
> Other.

>>29108950
>and you get a nice glimpse of the guy's gloriously wilted cock.
Ugh. Thanks.
> Well, well. Show us.

>>29108950

Show us.

Keep his hands bound.

>>29108950
>> Well, well. Show us.
"Even better if we don't need to fight at all, eh?"

>>29108950
>other
Hear him out. Then decide.

>>29108950
"Not there huh? Well my friend here says otherwise, now why would that be?"

>>29108950
"How about this, you tell me where the gold is, I go check it out, and if you're lying, well, I've always wondered how many body parts I could cut off a man before he stops screaming."

>>29108960
>>29109032
>>29109038
>>29109043
>>29109063
>>29109086

'Not there, is it? I've got at least two friends who say it is there. So tell me why I shouldn't be annoyed at you lying, and cut your tongue out.'

'Because I moved that gold! You saw it being moved in chests, right? Big chests? Wooden chests?'

'Yep,' Stella says. 'So those chests were empty?'

'Worse than empty! I'm being honest with you. They've got... they've got poisonous vapours trapped in them. Rockfrost and sulphur, so once you open the chest and they mix, the gases will kill everyone within ten paces!'

'Woah.' You say, squatting down. 'That's pretty outlandish. So how about this. I don't like dying so I'll believe you once. Tell me where the gold is, and we'll go check it out. And if I don't find it... you've got really nice toes, you know. Nice fingers too. You're a good fighter, I take it? Strong arms. Might take hours to strip them to the bone.'

'I'm not lying. I'm not lying! I swear! It's in the pear orchard! Back in the village! The pear orchard... you will see this white rock in one corner. It's between that rock and the fence. It's in a hole, inside a bag.'

'That's pretty detailed...' Stella looks at you. 'Should we go alone? To the village? Again? And what about this fellow?'

> Take him back to camp.
> Get someone to watch him here.
> Tell Stella to watch him, you'll go check it out.
> Other.

>>29109137
>> Get someone to watch him here.

>>29109137
>> Get someone to watch him here.
We could use the chest as a trap.

>>29109137
>take him back to camp
You're one of us now boy, you can never go back now. You sold out and they know it, if this pans out you'll earn keep like the rest of us and we'll take care of you. One of us one of us one of us

>>29109207
Nope, too early for that if he is telling the truth then lets do that.

>>29109225
I'd just don't like having our people out here where they can be ambushed after we did give our name

>>29109256
Then move the little shit and burry him in a hole and have someone watch him.

>>29109171
>>29109153
>>29109207

You tell Stella to go back and get someone here to watch the man. No good letting him know where the camp is... she comes back with Pago, whose blood-stained hands do nothing to assuage your prisoner. This is quite amusing, actually.

'Sit on him if you have to,' you say. 'We're off.'

Stella, again, leads the way, looking a little worse for wear by now. Come think of it, she hasn't been sleeping for nearly a whole day, and this is after sleeping minimally for nearly ten days. 'Stella. If you need to rest a little, you can.'

'Hmm?'

'Besides, I don't think we should dig around in the village in the afternoon,' you point out. 'We're already almost there. Let's see where the white rock is if there's one, and then rest.'

'... sounds good.' She yawns again, stifling it as hard as she can, which makes you yawn as well. When you again reach the vantage point from which the village's pear groves are visible, you see that at least the white rock bit checks out. It's a tall stone, nearly as tall as a man, almost where orchard touches forest.

Stella sits down on a log. 'Well, that makes sense. Wait until dark?'

'I suppose.' You sit beside her. 'Good work. A bit of leg, you said?'

'What can I say? I'm pretty.' She grins. 'Am I not?'

But before you can answer she yawns again and, propping her face in her hands, falls asleep sitting. How does she snore when she's sleeping facing *down*? Seriously...

> Do anything until evening? It's a little chilly, but your cloaks keep you well, so not to worry.

>>29109288
Fall asleep groping her.

>>29109288
we're by the woods right? search for a good piece of wood to use for that spear we owe Stella
>we did promise

>>29109301
This

>>29109288
Grab Stella, take her to her sleeping quarters, and lay her down comfortably so she doesn't get a cramp. No sense ruining her future performance like that.

>>29109342
We are taking a nap break so we can sneak in at night.
>>29109301
>>29109315
These two work for me.

>>29109315
Oh, we can give her a spear all right. A nice strong sturdy long and hard spear, made of the finest wood, but seriously that's not a bad idea.

>>29109342
Also this: >>29109315

>>29109288
Replace the strings on our bow.

>>29109354
All the more reason to make sure she's not needlessly inconvenienced.

>>29109301
>>29109315
>>29109320
>>29109342
>>29109354
>>29109355
>>29109359
>>29109360

Sleeping like that's going to give her a damned cramp, and if you get yourself in a fucking jam again later... Stella resists just a little when you grab her shoulders, but then you soon manage to ease her onto her back, balancing her on the log. Then you move her legs. Blimey, they're heavy when she isn't helping to move them...

Having laid her out, you squat beside her face and can see her chest slowly moving as she breathes, gaping a little and rasping. Eyes closed, she looks really peaceful and trusting.

Well, nothing to do... you poke around a little in the surrounding woods, trying to find a suitable shaft of wood for the replacement spear, but come up empty. In fact, while lifting a piece of wood, you disturb a single, massive wasp which buzzes angrily and drives you back. Oh, fucking hell! You run towards Stella, jump over her, and thankfully the wasp eventually lets you off after intimidating you thoroughly.

'Mmmrrr?' She murmurs, and you sigh and sit down next to her. Let's give her a pillow if you can't give her a spear... she mutters again when you rest her head on your thigh and giggles in her sleep, crossing her hands under her tits. You can see the freckles on her face, trailing down her shoulders, continuing all the way into where the cloth covers her skin. Her hair, dark reddish brown, flows over your lap.

> Try to sleep a little.
> Watch Stella sleep some more.
> Other. (Next post is wake up time.)

>>29109487
> Watch Stella sleep some more.
we've had plenty of rest and need to be allert

>>29109487
>> Try to sleep a little
With our pants off and our dick on her face.

>>29109487
>> Try to sleep a little.
We should cover our selves first though.

>>29109487
>other
Capitalize on her lucid dreaming and ask what her plans are. We might still be the "useful new boy" and she's obviously resourceful enough to pull our leg.

>>29109552
>>29109525
>>29109508
>>29109504

You admire her peaceful, sleeping face for a few more moments, then something occurs to you. How long has this woman been in this line of work? It can't be just two years for her to get this good at fighting, right? Maybe those two, Rilius and Mudel, and also you, are just people she's going through.

It's a little distrustful, but fuck, trusting people hasn't gotten your family too far. 'Stella,' you whisper. 'Stella.'

'Mmmm?'

'So... what are your plans?'

'Mmm. Gold...' then she shifts a little, rubbing slightly against your groin. Hrmm. 'Marry... get rich...'

... well, fair enough. Your goals definitely align. You move her head off your lap, then lie down the other way so your scalp nearly touches hers. Oh, that's nice- zzzz

zzzz- you open your eyes, and look up to see Stella's body above you, her face looking down, silhouetted against a darkening sky. Her thigh makes a really nice pillow, you must say. 'Uh, hello.'

'Just returning the favour,' she chuckles, and pats your chest. 'It's almost sunset. Let's go.'

You sit up. This could be improved by being a little longer, perhaps... but gold first! This time you lead the way, moving from cover to cover until you're just about twenty paces of the white rock. 'Watch,' you whisper to Stella, who nods; then you scurry down, past another tree, under the fence, to the rock.

Scratching away at the ground, you just about uncover a hint of cloth when Stella hisses and you flatten yourself to the ground. Oh, you see him too - just a farmer. Damn. Scratching some more, you find the bag. Then you cut a small slit in the side of the bag, and-

Fuck. That guy is right. It's gold. You spend the rest of the evening digging, finding another bag, then another, before the sight of torches forces you to retreat. Patrols, perhaps? Or just villagers...?

> Go and get backup first. Come back tomorrow.
> Let's get what we can now!
> Other.

>>29109608
>> Let's get what we can now!
We disturbed the soil, they will move the gold soon.

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>>29109608
>> Go and get backup first.
>> Other.
Come in the middle of the night.

>>29109608
>other
One establishes overwatch, the other digs and digs and digs like a deranged mole on crack.

Make the overwatcher Stella actually. She's the wise of the pair.

>>29109645

> Well, it's pretty deep in the night by now.
> Also, to clarify - you've dug enough to spot at least three bags, all of which seem to be legit. What you've dug out from the inside is silver or something nice like a trinket, anyway. And there's probably more bags, maybe up to another two or three.

>>29109682
Nab em now while we still can!
Do the ancient Hornet mating calls to distract them!

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Oh boy, look at all that easy XP... time to hunt some bandits!

>on a different note, here's the /vg/ mount and blade general >>>/vg/56065675 - get hyped for bannerlord edition

>>29109608
seconding >>29109632 & >>29109649

even if they don't find our digging, the guard who moved them is missing, and they likely know of that by now, were working on a tight schedule now

>>29109682
we want all the gold, all of it, cover up the sacks and wait to see if they pass, then we can nab it.

> Damn, looks good.

You quickly scurry back to Stella's position. 'There's three bags of money. At least. What are those torches?'

'Fuck if I know, mate, I'm not a cat,' she hisses back. 'But at least they're not heading this way.' Sure enough, the torches move up, and then turn around at the edge of the orchard. Maybe it's a night watch by people concerned about another raid. You *did* kill like, five people. And one guard is missing. They'll know what to do.

And so do you. 'Keep watch here. Listen out carefully. I'll go dig.'

'Are those bags heavy?'

'We can only carry one each, probably,' you admit. 'But fuck if we don't try.' Rushing back to the hole, you dig like a deranged mole, dragging out the three bags. Then another two...

'Ephidel!'

You scurry back to Stella. 'What?'

'Listen.' Hooves! Closing! Quickly both of you hide, but then you hear the hooves riding right past, through the pear orchard... 'they must be headed for the decoy spot. Go, dig!'

'Yes, yes...' fucking hell, you grab a few more branches and try to work away at the more clay-like soil below... soon, you manage to dig out the last two. Seven *sacks*. Of *money*.

... and, uh, two of you to haul it back. Fuck.

> What do? They're legit. They're all legit! Well, unless you're really good at grabbing silver in the midst of a bag of gravel.

> You can each carry 1 and run the hills without much trouble. 2, and you will be quite seriously hampered. 3 in the hills will be almost impossible.

>>29109769
>hooves
Damn you, /vg/! Stop giving him ideas!

>other
Carry 1 each. Slit all the rest and spread them all over the area, so you can come back and try to contest them later if possible.

>>29109769
Can we move them one by one and hide them somewhere else nearby?

>>29109769
Fuck leaving them here, they will know that we have been here. I propose that we take turns running each of the seven bags into the woods and finding a hiding place for them. No two bags in a single spot and then spend a moment to memorize the fuck out of them. Once they are hidden, take one bag each and get out of dodge before those hooves come looking for the real thing.

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>>29109803
Why don't you say that to my face instead of shouting it while running away at 5.2 speed?

>>29109769
move them far enough away and dig our own hole to put them into, then we can retrieve them at our leisure

Why don't we carry two each to where Pago is? Is that far?

Then get Pago to come with us and lift the other three. Once we have all seven in the woods, we can move them slowly or call backup.

>>29109803

Are you nuts? We'll never get more than 2 bags then at that rate!

>>29109880
>>29109769
This carry them two by two and burry them a bit farther away.
And then go back and get help.

>>29109903
They'll be busy gathering up all their precious gold. Meanwhile they'll lax security elsewhere, and we can move in to attack targets of opportunity. You people sure love blurting out remarks without considering shit.

>>29109918
> You people sure love blurting out remarks without considering shit.
You say this and your forgetting the gold is the only target of opportunity and the sole reason were out here at bumfuckoclock

stop being retarded, we can get a fuck ton of gold, if not all of it, if we're smart about it

'Right,' you say, scurrying back again. 'There's seven bags. Two of us. One bag at a time shouldn't be a problem. Maybe we should dig a hole somewhere and hide them.'

'Have you got a lot of time to be digging another hole, though? Look, let's just get two bags, and then...'

'Then what?' You hiss. 'Those five remaining bags won't be here next time we visit, Stella. They're not daft.'

'Fuck, you're right... oh, torches again. Looks like it is the village watch.'

You think this through. If the peasants were so wary of going into the forest even in the daytime, they won't risk it at night. The soldiers would risk it... but they're going back to search for their lost man. Good thing Stella led him a long way from the decoy stash, so Pago should be safe.

'Look, Stella. One each. We go back to Pago. Then we come back, take them. One night should be enough for... three runs.'

'Six bags, though.'

'Six out of seven, I'll take it. Now just come on-' you lead her down to the hole, pass her a bag and grab one yourself. Fuck, they're even heavier than you thought! That's a terrible thing! But wonderful as well! Like, wonderrible!

> Roll 2d100 for the first two runs. The guards are still distracted at this stage.

>>29109930
How's that? Racing against the knights who spotted the gold we dug up that are on their way? Seriously? Fuckface.

Rolled 7, 96 = 103

>>29109944
Gold! GOLD!

Rolled 82, 8 = 90

>>29109944
ere we go

Rolled 82, 45 = 127

>>29109944

>>29109948
>>29109930
>You're stupid!
>NO, YOU'RE stupid!
The internet used to provide an escape from the children.

Rolled 4, 45 = 49

>>29109948
read the fucking posts, that ain't wats happening at all 'Fuckface'.

>>29109944
DICE GODS HEAR MY PRAYERS

>>29109977
Your mother is a dumb whore with a fat arse.

Rolled 85, 42 = 127

>>29109944

Oh god all those rolls are unbalanced!

>>29109994
>>29109973

> ... I'm debating if this should be counted as a paricularly beautiful double. 82+45, 85+42.

Rolled 12, 4 = 16

>>29110007
dooooo eeeeeet

you know you want to

>>29110007
I am not going to say I am not biased, because I am, and I do want you to take those rolls, but you should be careful, because if you do that too much the quest may just devolve into a circle jerk.

>>29110007
Roll a 1d2

Rolled 1

>>29110007

1: yes
2: no

>>29110042
THANK YOU BASED GOD

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>>29110042

>>29110042
>>29110024

> That's why I was wondering. I share your concern.
> Someone here's banging the dice gods/goddesses. But I'm not going to ask about it. It's your life, do what you like...
> Double 127: Considerable Luck!

The first two bags go off without a hitch. How the hell does Stella do it at night? Find the way back, that is - somehow it's like she's figured out many of the trees along the route, so that after a while you both arrive in the clearing where Pago is actually sitting on the groaning guard.

'H-hey... Pago...' Stella pants, and dumps her bag on the ground. You do the same. God, that's heavy. Pago looks down.

'What's this?'

'Motherlode. We'll be back.'

You head down, and then grab another two bags each. Once again Stella leads the way, but this time she seems to take a different route... 'Stella, we're not going the same way.'

'I know. This is a short-cut.'

Somehow that rings all sorts of alarm bells in your head, which might have actually invoked trouble, since you're still climbing when you feel something tugging on your feet. Before you can look down at it, you can feel it snap, and the sound makes Stella glance back...

> cont'd.

>>29110117

Fuck! Seeing no other way, you lunge forward and tackle Stella behind her knees, bringing her down. Her bag of gold - also her body - falls backwards on you with a little 'woah', but that's a much better alternative to the sudden sound of something crashing through the trees and landing right in front of you. It's several large rocks in a rope bag, and it would have made mincemeat of Stella.

Instead she's intact and sitting on you now, and you don't dislike it. 'Sorry,' you mutter.

'No, thank you,' she says, finally rolling off you. 'That would have killed me. But you did twist my ankle a bit...'

'Shit. Sorry.'

'Don't apologise for saving my bloody life. I'll deal,' she says, and grits her teeth while hefting the bag. You manage to get to Pago's, but it takes a lot longer this time, and as Stella limps into the lead and you head down again, you can spot it from a long way off - torches, lighting up around the area where the stash was.

'Fuck, they must have figured it out...' Stella turns to you. She brought the guard some distance, but then those guys are on horseback...

> Fuck it. Four bags will do. Head back and haul to base.
> Get Stella back to help Pago haul. You'll go down for one more bag.
> What is life with some FUCKING DANGER? Stella will limp down with you and limp back up for six!
> Other.

>>29110137
>> Fuck it. Four bags will do. Head back and haul to base.
How big are these bags, by the way?

Rolled 60

>>29110137
>> What is life with some FUCKING DANGER? Stella will limp down with you and limp back up for six!

Even rawling fo rit.

>>29110137

> Fuck it. Four bags will do. Head back and haul to base.

That baron roasts people alive. I'm not too keen.

>>29110137
>> What is life with some FUCKING DANGER? Stella will limp down with you and limp back up for six!

>>29110137
>Fuck it. Four bags will do.

captcha: boaz ifillme

>>29110137
>Fuck it. Four bags will have to do.
Yea that was lucky, so time to haul in

>>29110137
>> What is life with some FUCKING DANGER? Stella will limp down with you and limp back up for six!
Pago is coming with us.

>>29110137

Wait, wait, why don't we get Stella to watch and Pago to follow us down for six?

Rolled 7

>>29110137
>> What is life with some FUCKING DANGER? Stella will limp down with you and limp back up for six!
Its like you guys don't want to be bandits.

>>29110180
Because it will end in a fight.

>>29110181
We just stole 4 fuckhuge bags of gold. We're pretty bandity. Don't get greedy.

>>29110180
>>29110137
This works for me.
Lets get him to help us.

>>29110180
Pago probably doesn't have her nightly navigational skills.

>>29110137

> Four bags will do

>>29110187
She sprained her ankle it doesn't mean she can't fight.
Hell we could fight with a deep wound on our side.

>>29110137
>> What is life with some FUCKING DANGER? Stella will limp down with you and limp back up for six!
>> Other.
Bring Pago instead.

>>29110202
She doesn't have her weapon of choice and a fucked up ankle against people who will BBQ us for shits and giggles. Smart bandits live longer than greedy bandits

>was cardeyo
That's what we need CAPTCHA

>>29110137
Four bags for a sprained ankle, sounds good to me, let's go home boys.

>>29110202

> It wasn't very deep, and it was Stella, not you. She *is* a tough girl, though.

You set the bags down, and then Stella hisses in pain and sits down. 'Is it really bad, Stella?'

'I'm okay with going back to camp from here. Not so much about climbing up and down the steep slope to and from the hole. Pago, do you want to go with Ephidel?'

'But I'm not really good at finding my way. Besides, that place is booby-trapped...' you glance around nervously. Those men could be upon you any minute now. 'Is four bags enough? It kind of is, is it not?'

'Pago, are you good at navigating?'

'No...'

Damn. You glance at Stella, and then gasp when you see her bare her ankle. It's pretty badly swollen. How did she manage to scrabble the rest of the way uphill, even?

> Bring Pago and risk it. (Penalties to dice apply.)
> Let's haul. Basewards.

>>29110237
>> Let's haul. Basewards.
Bounce

>>29110237
>let's haul. basewards

>>29110237

> Oh. Submitted without seeing the slight turn in voting... sorry bout that.

> Hope you don't mind inputting your choice again.

>>29110237
>> Bring Pago and risk it. (Penalties to dice apply.)

>>29110237
>> Let's haul. Basewards.
Bounce

>>29110237
>let's haul it. Back to base

>>29110237
>> Bring Pago and risk it. (Penalties to dice apply.)
Lets have the kid help, he should know where they are.

Rolled 7

>>29110237
>> Bring Pago and risk it. (Penalties to dice apply.)
I'm staying true to my word.

>>29110250
>>29110237
How big is the penalty and is it an opposed roll?
If the penalty id bigger than 20 i'm say lets haul it home.
Less than 20 i'm all for it.

>>29110237
>Let's haul. Baswards
Roll bounce up out of here. With the added threat to stick the kid if opens his mouth

>>29110237

> Let's haul. Basewards.

>>29110237
>> Bring Pago and risk it. (Penalties to dice apply.)
Any chance of having the kid come with us as well?

> Typing.

'So, boss,' Pago says as you look at Stella's ankle. You prod it, and she yelps in pain and smacks you in the face. That was a little stupid of you. 'What do we do?'

'Well, seeing as our only guide has sprained her ankle, let's split.' You look down at the guard, still bound up, and then sigh and unbind him before gesturing to one of the bags. 'Look here, boy. I'll tie one of these to you and unbind your legs. If you try to run, you will fall down, and that's the last thing you'll do. Well, the second last. The last one is bleeding out of a gap in your throat.'

'Fine. Fine! I'll carry the loot! I'm condemned anyway!' He says. Good thinking. You load him with one, you take one, and Pago, who's well rested, volunteers to take two. That leaves Stella to limp on ahead of you.

'Everyone comfortable? Let's mosey.' You then stumble over a tree root, but keep from falling. Right, let's mosey for real...

> Roll d100. You have a +10 bonus.
> Don't worry; this is not for the guards finding you. The secure option is secure, you have my word.

Rolled 44 + 10

>>29110336

Rolled 59 + 10

>>29110336
Rollan

>>29110336
>you have my word.

And that's the moment where 10 Dark Raiders in Black Plate Armour step out of the darkness, predicting it now.

GG people, 500 weaponskill in all stats 7 ironflesh 7 powerstrike...

Rolled 56 + 10

>>29110336

>>29110353
Aww shit we stumble across a mother bear and her cubs. Nighttime bow hunting

Rolled 96

>>29110336

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574 KB JPG

>>29110353

Rolled 46 + 10

>>29110379
>>29110336
Does this count?

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>>29110371
>you encounter a lich and his retinue of mage disciples

THOUGHT YOU WERE PLAYING NATIVE? HAHA! IT WAS PHANTASY CALRADIA THE ENTIRE TIME!

Rolled 23 + 10

>>29110336

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> Someone said Black Plate Armour?

> 96 + 10: Well, that's nice.
> Adding the bonus or not doesn't change whether the roll counts.

Hauling along, all of you begin panting, and again you're thankful for knowing Stella. You can find your way around at night, sure, but no way like she can...

... and no way like she can sniff out something, since suddenly she turns around and taps your shoulder just before diving to the ground. At that sound, the other two dive as well, and you crawl over to Stella.

'What?'

'Shh.' She points into the darkness. Nothing's the- oh, someone's talking. You don't recognise the voice, but there must be a few of them judging by the footprints.

'Strange,' one of them says. 'Could have sworn I saw people acting suspiciously around here.'

'Do you think they're looting without telling us?'

'Must be.' Oh, that voice you know. Stella turns to you and mouths Kevo, and you nod. 'Are you sure you saw that pretty bitch here?'

'Yeah. With that chief. They're a lot smaller of an operation than we thought, boss...'

'Mm. Disappointing. Loot would be nice,' Kevo says, 'but I was more looking forward to grabbing that Stella girl. Don't look at me like that, she's for sharing.'

Laughter. Maybe... three or four, you'd say? How'd they know... they must have spotted Stella, or you. 'Anyway, boss, reckon we should go back now. Good old fashioned raiding always works.'

'We'll have to figure out where their camp is and burn *that* down soon.' Kevo says as the footsteps fade away. 'Can't leave another aggressive hamlet. Most of the refugees here are clueless, but those are bad news...'

'Fuck,' Stella mutters when they get out of earshot, then gets up. 'Okay, my ankle's really busted. Let's go... slowly.'

It's nearly dawn by the time you struggle across the creek and back to your camp. People come out to see you unload the bag and introduce the newcomer, then Stella staggers to her hide and sits down, swearing. Fuck, that was exhausting...

>>29110454

> Sorry. That was like exactly 2,000 chars. Instructions here.

> Roll d100 for loot. There's a basic amount you've already secured, but the d100 is for bonuses and stuff.

> Also, what do now? Marrte, as per your instructions, is beginning to clear some ground for his herb gardens, and he's getting the kids to join in. They're planting with him right now, while the women get to work reinforcing the cellar.

Rolled 95

>>29110466
Either tell the fucker about the booby trapped treasure or lead the soldiers to his hamlet.

Rolled 81

>>29110466
right, we gotta start trapping the woods between the creek and us, because fuck if we are going to let Kevo raid us

Rolled 74

>>29110480
i'm thinking we should say we were scouting out the treasure, and we want to get him in on the raid, then let him gas himself

Rolled 15

>>29110466
See about getting something to wrap Stella's ankle and informing everybody to stay on guard and to tell no one about the hamlet

Rolled 45

>>29110466
>>29110487
>>29110480
I like the idea of putting booby traps around us.

>>29110466
Booby traps and heightened alert.

>>29110497
this works for me, and then how about we spread the location of their hamlet for being the thieves.