>>29207565
>> Let's visit his hamlet. It's close by.
This will do more for our moving than any other possible action if we get them on board.

>>29207688

'We do have some business to attend to...' you begin, then as Kuredel nods, 'but it would nonetheless be good to see your hamlet. Certainly if we could persuade you to move up here as quickly as possible, it would be for the good for all of us.'

'That makes sense,' Kuredel says. 'Follow me, then...'

How does he manage to navigate the forest? You're not surprised if Stella can, but then she's clearly been here for years if not all her life. This scholar, though... and then you realise how he does it when he reaches out to feel trees every now and then. Stella glances at the trees.

'You've marked them,' she says.

'Well, I would be dead without marking them.'

'That could easily be a trace for others,' she says. 'You're lucky no one's found your people...'

Just then, you catch sight of the clearing, ringed by fallen logs and a few bamboo stems carved into spikes. It looks... pretty orderly, actually, and Kuredel moves ahead to tell them what's happened, whereupon you see four or five men - clearly hard labourers, by the look of their build - emerge from the circle of hides. Two of them are carrying spears, the others have shields and axes which they are strapping on leisurely.

'Now, now, there's no need to be all armed,' Kuredel smiles, but then a figure with short hair and an ugly scar on his right cheek - well, his cheek is mostly an ugly scar - turns to him.

'With respect, scholar, guests are ours to invite. And since the guests are armed,' he turns to you, 'we must arm ourselves. Will you make that unnecessary?'

Stella grips her dagger but then hesitates.

> Disarm yourself.
> No. A man is never without protection here. Let's all remain armed.

> What do you say to the men now? They are armed, but at least they don't look hostile.

>>29207565
> Let's visit his hamlet. It's close by.

>>29207771
> No. A man is never without protection here. Let's all remain armed.

explain how we met the scholar scouting the new location of our hamlet and our offer for them to join us and help build our fort

>>29207771
>> No. A man is never without protection here. Let's all remain armed.

"We come in peace, but you'll forgive us if we keep our weapons on us, we don't know each other yet, and there are those who wish all of us ill roaming these woods."

"We're representatives of another hamlet, looking to move and were hoping your group might care to join us in making a fortified camp, we've found a location and are gathering food for the winter, but are shorthanded enough that even after building a palisade we'd need to worry about the raiders."

>>29207800
This

>>29207800
>>29207781

You clasp Stella's hand and move it away, then bow to the five men. 'We bear no ill will, but you'll forgive us for remaining armed. Besides you and us, we don't know who in these woods might bear ill will.'

'That is fair enough,' Scarface says, bowing in return. 'I am Maruin.'

Maruin - a very western sounding name. So Kuredel definitely wasn't lying then. 'Ephidel.'

'Stella.'

'I'll get to business, if you don't mind,' you say. 'We are from another hamlet, farther downslope. For some time, the hamlets around us have been plagued by raiders.'

'Those bastards,' Maruin says, cutting you off. 'Many of them were from the army as well and deserted it from the front. The war sweeps up all manner - some are decent, but many of them are beasts.'

'Indeed,' you say. 'The things they have done to those neighbouring hamlets - rape, mutilation, murder, torture... so, we have been looking for a place to move, and found the place below Tiger Rock, just over there...'

'Did you force Kuredel to lead you there?' The atmosphere suddenly changes. It seems like you have touched a nerve, and you can probably guess why - they might have intended to move there themselves. Maruin turns to glare at Kuredel, but you shake your head.

'No, we arrived there - by another route, thanks to Stella - and found him there already...' you blink, trying to consider your pitch. 'I see we both have an intention that way, and if we cooperate, there is a lot we can offer.'

'Do you have armed men, though? Is there a chance we can fend off a fort even if we build one?'

> Tell the truth.
> Be frugal with it.
> Other.

>>29207943
tell the truth

>>29207943
> Tell the truth.

>>29207943
>> Other.
Can we survive at all if we don't build one?

We know where the raiders are based, we can bleed them, especially with our combined manpower, if we avoid direct confrontation with their full force I believe we can win.

>>29207943
> Tell the truth.
but also so we are looking to expand and are hoping to recruit more fighting men in the future, with the hamlets around us being under thread, they may be looking for somewhere safer too

>>29207998
This and

>>29207996
Argue with these points if they complain.

>>29207996
>>29207989
>>29207986
>>29207998

Hmm. This is difficult - they're clearly looking for a guarantee of safety before anything else if they're to join you. And you can understand that. But you can't... really give that guarantee right now...

'Well?'

'We have about 40 people who can fight,' you say, adding in the women to that figure. 'And by the time we move up here, we shall hopefully have more. There are people around us who are also afraid and we wish to offer them protection...'

'So what exactly do you want of us when we move up here?'

'I would like you to lay the groundwork for building our fort. Clearing the ground, gathering materials. Meanwhile, we will gather both fighting men and women - and the food with which to feed us all through the harsh winter.' You glance up again. Holy shit, it looks like it's going to storm. Kuredel was right, after all! 'Once we've prepared that, we will make the move, and all together-'

'All together, with 50 men? How can we fend them off?' Maruin says. This time Stella stands out.

'And how do you intend to fend them off with 10? Or us with our... 40? With 50 men and a good location, we have a chance. But as you or us stand now, we will be nothing but meat for them!'

The five people stare at her in shock, and then Maruin chuckles and growls at the same time. 'You should keep your woman in her place, Ephidel. She's getting a bit uppity. And we can't have that.'

Damnit, Maruin. You want these tough men - they will be able to work. But...

> Agree with him to gain their support.
> Defend Stella. You'll have none of this.
> Other.

>>29208043
> Defend Stella. You'll have none of this.

>>29208043
>> Defend Stella. You'll have none of this.

You bring up a good point Maruin, though not the way you think you did, Stella is my second, anyone who joins our band listens to her as they would me, or they find themselves cast out and on their own, problem with that?

>>29208043

> Forgot to say, but it'd be ideal if you said how you defend/agree. After all there are many ways of doing either, so it's up to the tone you want to strike.

>>29208043
defend Stella

>>29208043
>Other
"Stop changing the subject. You have our plan and conditions, and you just heard the reasoning behind it. Deal or no deal?"

>>29208088
>>29208074
>>29208058
>>29208092

You nod. 'Hmm. You make a good point, Maruin.'

'Well-'

'But not in the way you thought. Stella *is* in her place. She is my second in my band. She is a tracker of great skill, and she has saved my life, and I would fight to save hers without a pause. She's the one who found Tiger Rock, and you didn't even manage to discover her, even though you're living here.' You smile. 'So if you aren't used to listening to a woman give arguments or instructions, it's high time you learned.'

There is a long silence after that, and even Kuredel looks a little nervous, glancing between you and Maruin. He fixes his eyes on you, meanwhile, testing your resolve. Then, finally, he breaks into a grin. 'Well, well. You are an unusual one, Ephidel.'

'Nothing unusual. I like giving power to the best. And I see you are excellent at fighting. So, will you perhaps join us? If so, then it would be best if you headed up to Tiger Rock for your own safety, and we can fulfil our part of the deal.'

'I am interested,' he nods. 'But, see, I'd like to know that whoever I'm joining with can stand on their own merits. Seeing as you have called this woman your best, then surely she would not mind if one of my men tested her skill? Barlus!'

With a grunt, the tallest of the five steps up. He has a spear, and a sword. Uh, what, really?

> Offer to fight, yourself.
> Let Stella.
> Refuse. (This will probably lead to his refusal).

> Also, tell Stella anything before she fights, if you let her fight?

>>29208161
> Let Stella.

Tell her to fight dirty.

>>29208161
>Let Stella.

>>29208161
>Let Stella
"Want my bow?"

>>29208161
"I haven't seen a man cross blades with her and live, so if he dies, no hard feelings?"

>>29208207
>>29208187
>>29208181

You glance at Stella. 'Are you tired?'

'No,' she replies, though she sounds a little tired. 'Hey, are you fighting with anything tied around that spear? Before I accidentally kill you when you try to stab me?'

'Trust me, girl,' Barlus grins. 'I shan't hurt you. I'll be gentle.'

'Damnit...'

'Fight dirty if you want,' you whisper into her ear, catching a little whiff of her hair. Mm. She nods a bit-

-and the next moment she darts away from you, a sword glinting in one hand and a dagger in the other. The next, she dashes forward, and Barlus blocks off a high slash with his sword before attempting to swing the pole at her head. She cartwheels on one hand, long legs swinging into the air... and glancing his head while they pass.

'Woah!' The soldiers laugh. Maruin nods. Stella's thin lips curve into a little grin.

> Stop the fight now, it's a draw.
> Don't. (Roll d100, this is an opposed roll)

> How lethal do you want the fight to be?

Rolled 82

>>29208288
> Don't. (Roll d100, this is an opposed roll)
To first blood, of course.

Rolled 77

>>29208288

Rolled 13

>>29208285
>We need both of them alive

Rolled 22

>>29208288
first blood sounds good

Rolled 4

>>29208345
>We don't need anyone alive

>>29208353
>>29208345
>>29208318
>>29208305

> 82 vs. 62: Win!

'Hey, Stella,' you grin and call. 'Don't cut his throat! I'm afraid for him!'

'Yeah, not to worry,' Stella says, then straightens, pushing her chest out while beckoning to Barlus. 'Heard that?'

He responds with a charge, but Stella's well in control of things. She bats away the spear once, twice, and the third time she slides past it and stabs at Barlus. But he's pretty good in his reactions too, grabbing the dagger and then giving Stella a powerful kick in the ribs.

'RRGH!' You want to step forward, but Stella refuses to let go of the dagger, even when he kicks her again in the ribs. 'RRGH!'

Damn it, let go! Barlus lifts the spear, aiming to slam the shaft right into her belly, but Stella blocks it with the shortsword. This time, using her entire body weight, she leans forward, and her wrist turns around-

'AUUUGH!' Barlus hollers as the tip of the dagger sinks into his arm. Another wrench, he hollers again, and Stella forces him to his knees as the soldiers rush forward. You move to stop them.

'Woah, woah. So the case is proven then?'

'... damn. Let go of him!'

Heh. You tap Stella's shoulder and she gets up, grinning. 'Just a flesh wound, don't worry.'

> Do/say anything to them before going back to the camp?

> Also, when you go back, do you wish to make any arrangements as to Maruin, Kuredel and their men? Might they need monitoring, perhaps?

Rolled 22

>>29208426
As stated earlier, they start with laying the foundation for our joint venture.
Leave, after a while send Stella back to keep an eye on them. If her ribs aren't cracked

>>29208426
>Ask them if they want our apothecary's aid to deal with the stab wound.

>Send some men every now and again to see if they've been upholding their end of the bargain regarding Tiger Rock.

>>29208426
seconding >>29208474 & >>29208477

>>29208526
>>29208477
>>29208474

'Well, I suppose that settles it,' you say while pulling Stella to her feet. 'Are you fine?'

'Fine! I'm fine.' She laughs, but then winces.

'Yes. Fair enough.' Maruin seems not to have felt anything at his comrade's injury, even as Kuredel moves up to look at the wound. 'We shall move up to Tiger's Rock.'

'So you shall.' You salute. 'We are much obliged. And we will gather the men and the food. Let's hope we'll meet before winter meets us all.'

'Let's hope. I don't suppose I shall send you off, then...'

It's slightly past dawn by the time you return to camp, and again it's up to Marrte to poke at Stella's sides as she gasps. 'Oh fuck off! Oww!'

'Hmm.'

'Anything broken?' You ask the wild haired man, who shakes his head, nods, and then pokes again. After eliciting another eight or nine swear words from Stella, he finally shakes his head.

'Just bruises!'

You refrain from bruising *his* ribs.

> cont'd.

>>29208620

The next few days seem to go by relatively smoothly. Sarius is training the men hard, drilling them not just in combat drills but also in coordination, and you notice that the women are making shields - square ones, just planks lashed together and covered with cloth. But try complaining when an axe comes at you and destroys the wood instead...

'Did you order the shields, Sarius?'

'Me and Orvo, boss. We'll have to do our best with so few men.'

Orvo also says that things are going quite smoothly; so far he has contacted five villages, and while some of them are a little reluctant to come up the hill - which they always viewed as a rather dangerous place - others are more willing. There's just some things need arranging, though.

'The villages want to know how many people you're inviting. And they'd also like to meet you beforehand, as the boss. I suggested they could perhaps meet you all together in a few days, if you would like to make the arrangements...'

'Hmm,' you say. You're standing near the barricades now. Actually, you could cut the step of letting them come to the banquet, if Orvo's suggested that. A glance at Orvo suggests that's exactly what's on his mind. You cunning bastard...

> Make arrangements regarding the village chiefs. How many invitations? Where to meet? And what do you intend to do?
> Ask about the hamlets instead.
> Other.

> Task your leaders with other things. Stella, in particular, has nothing much to do; she reports that Kuredel and Maruin are indeed on Tiger Rock now, but they don't really like her so she doesn't visit much.

>>29208682
>Invite as many as there are fighting men in the villages or as many as we can offer a fest to. Obviously spreading invitations proportionally per settlement.

>Task Stella with keeping a distant watch on the ongoings of Wolf Rock. If possible, we can waylay another raiding party and even things up further for our inevitable confrontation.

>See if Martell knows how to produce poisons. If the Wolf Rock water source is poisoned, we'd chip away at their strength even further

>Do we have any one capable of building crossbows? We could just skip toss over some to the least capable members of our group and they'd be useful.

>>29208790
>Skip training and toss over*

>>29208682

> Invite five elders each. Get them to meet us at a spot that's easy for ambush. Then we'll kidnap the lot and ask for grain as ransom.

> Stella to go and get the hamlets to start moving in, and to count their numbers so we know who we're taking on.

>>29208790

Crossbows... you probably could just mount some of the self bows on stocks. It wouldn't be any more powerful than a bow, but at least it'd be easier to use.

> Do that?

>>29208855
Do we have enough incapable bowpeople that would make such an action worthwhile?

>>29208855

Let's do that.

Also, seconding >>29208813. It's time to get our grain.

>>29208855
Aren't crossbows like really hard to make? I think it takes a mechanism to make a crossbow that shoots further than 10 meters

>>29208888
>>29208884
>>29208813
>>29208800
>>29208790

'Sarius, how many of the people in the village are not that good at archery?'

'Well... quite a few. Some of the girls are learning quick, others not so much. But then they've only been practicing for half a month, so...'

'Should we make them some crossbows? Just mount the bows on a stock. It would be easy to use.'

'I could-'

'What the-' you jump. 'Marrte, where the fuck did you come from?'

'I was here all the while, tending to the herbs,' he points at the rather sparse garden. 'They probably won't survive the winter though, so I could help with the wooden stocks.'

'I'll get a few men to help,' Sarius adds. 'We could make 10 or 15, and they wouldn't need new bolts either.'

Sounds fair enough. As for Orvo, you tell him that each village is to send five people, and then they are to meet in... two days, just a little time before the next council. 'Boss, are we going to...'

'Yes. Stella will find a spot.'

> Roll d100 for Stella's scouting a spot for your kidnap plan.
> Also, presumably you're still heading down to the blacksmith. What do you want to get? And what is your budget?
> Remember, you have about 1,600 silvers and 380 gold. If you can blackmail the grain out of the villages, you won't have to spend a cent on them, which is *brilliant*.

Rolled 79

>>29208934
Manufacture/training time is not imoprtant in quests in general it seems. Bows are made overnight, skills learned in an hour(not this quest)... A good longbow can take 2 years to make, from you harvest the wood(needs storage+++) I try not to pay too much attention to it.

Rolled 51

>>29208936
>> Also, presumably you're still heading down to the blacksmith. What do you want to get? And what is your budget?
iron axes, iron spearpoints, iron arrowpoints.
budget: 80gold

>>29208983

> To be honest, your bows now are pretty crap. Yours is the only good bow. The rest have pathetic range, but then they did take just five or six days to whittle out of old wood.

> Yeah, a good longbow takes 2 years, a composite bow can take 4 or 5. But, well.

> Anyway, let's set the budget and go blacksmithing before you become a well known asshole throughout the world for your kidnapping.

Rolled 63

>>29208936
>Blacksmith... maybe proper shields that don't explode at the first hatchet strike and some iron arrowheads. Definitely a good spearhead for Stella.

>>29208936

Set aside a good 10 gold for a nice spear or spearhead for Stella.

If we're bringing someone with us, shields and swords sound good. Otherwise I'm good with bodkin arrowheads and axe heads.

>>29209020
>>29209009
>>29208998

> 79: A good spot is found.

Stella groans and rolls her eyes when you tell her to go scouting. 'You know, the day I sprain my ankle-'

'We'll be blind for a few days,' you finish. 'And we *were*, remember? Now move along.'

You see her off, past the barricades and almost out of sight of the camp. The weather is not as awful as it can be, but there's still an annoying, lasting drizzle all over the forest, and your hair is wet. Stella's is a little, too. She glances back at the camp, then pulls you behind a tree and grabs your face with both hands.

'Is this going to be just a normal send off?' Her eyes twinkle as she says that. Dear god, they're as grey as a cloudy sky, and you could probably put it better but fuck that you're not a poet.

'I've got a blacksmith to visit,' you say. 'Should I risk it and go to the town?'

'You aren't really risking anything though are you? They don't recognise you. But the village is safer, of course. Not that your safety is of any importance,' she adds.

> Kiss her.
> Yeah, go do your work lady.
> Other.

> Go to the town blacksmith.
> Go to the village blacksmith.
> Either way, roll d100. You'll get a -10 penalty if you go to the town.

Rolled 93

>>29209091
>Kiss her.
Grope her ass to while we are at it, she needs to get her warmth up so the rain wont bother her.

> Go to the village blacksmith.

Rolled 1

>>29209091
> Kiss her.

> Go to the village blacksmith.

fuck you too capcha

Rolled 95

>>29209091

Rolled 34

>>29209225
derrp dice, acidently rolled a 1d1

>>29209225
so glad that wasn't real

>>29209225

DUDE, YOU

> Checks dice

Oh thank you based dice

>>29209129
Great thinking.

Rolled 60

>>29209253
>>29209254
you guys need 4chan Xtension, shows what dice are rolled in their post

>>29209129
>>29209225
>>29209242
>>29209243
>>29209253
>>29209254
>>29209258

> Bloody hell, that gave me a fright.

You smile. 'Of course a proper send off. Come.'

Stella pulls you around and then pushes you up against the tree before pressing against you, lips seeking out your lips. The rain drips on both your faces as you bite and nibble and lick and tangle tongues, her arms wrapping around your neck to pull you close while you caress her back down to her butt.

'Mmm!' She stiffens when you squeeze her rump. 'Mmm, mmmm.'

It feels like an hour before you finally pull away, though you still remain close and lick each other's faces and lips, you tasting her cheeks. Kneading away at her butt as she squirms and giggles. 'Gotta get you warmed up,' you mutter. 'Don't want you to catch a cold...'

'Yeah, yeah,' she says, kissing a trail around your jaw and then pushing away. 'Right. I'm warm enough. Going to work. See you.'

You wave, then sense a presence and turn around. Oh damn, everything's been seen by one of the little girls from the camp. Also, she's outside the barricade; you said the girls should not wander out...

> Scold her.
> Do something else.

> Also, before we do anything: so town blacksmith, or village? Since you've rolled 95, 93, I'll still need to know what to write, encounter wise.

Rolled 82

>>29209308

>scold her, if she is just a kid don't go overboard

>village blacksmith

>>29209308
I'd assume the town blacksmith would be better stocked

Rolled 99

>>29209335
better stock, bigger risk of someone wondering why we stock up for war imo. might bring the thunder down on us, i would prefer being somewhat incognito atm.
even if our rolls were good, people can still ask questions about us

>>29209308
>Scold her, for peeking and disobeying safety instructions.

>Town blacksmith might be the option with most potential.

>>29209308
>village

>>29209308

Let's play it safe, head for village.

>>29209349
if we can use that roll for town, then my vote is town

>>29209308
ask her why she was outside the barricade, tell her how dangerous it is

>>29209324
>>29209335
>>29209349
>>29209350
>>29209356
>>29209359

Oh bloody hell. She looks a little surprised, but then doesn't move when you move towards her, until you speak. 'Lera, isn't it?'

'Uh, yes sir.'

'Who told you you could walk out of the barricades? Did you not see what happened to the people from other hamlets who got caught outside the fence?' You frown, but say it more in a chiding way than fiercely. Lera's eyes widen a little, and she turns around.

'I... I'm sorry, sir.'

'Run along now, go. It's safe inside, don't make your parents fret about you!' You follow her back to the camp, then get some money while considering your options. Certainly the town might have more of what you need, but then... would it be safe? The village might be making war material too by this point. You don't feel the risk is worth it...

... besides, you're fucking lazy. The town is a long way off and it's drizzling... holding your cloth bundles, you make your way down the hill, picking through the trees, until you reach that village. Orvo must have been there. It's the biggest village around, and even has a stables. Slipping in behind some houses, you soon realise that again the menfolk are mostly out finishing the harvest.

Then you walk past the tavern, and see the buxom wench whom Gaulois mentioned. Oh yes, Gaulois... his information was solid. But just then you hear another voice, a man, from a corner of the tavern.

'Ephidel, isn't it? Hey, Ephidel!'

Oh bloody hell. You glance that way - wait. Isn't that... the wandering swordsman who's stopped by your village a few times in the past?

> What say to the man? This is a great encounter!

>>29209422
>Buy the man a drink and make it implied in the conversation that you're in need of trusty swordarms

Rolled 53

>>29209422
Buy a round of ale for us both.
Say little, listen much. What has he been up to lately?

Rolled 63

>>29209422
seconding >>29209463 & >>29209465

>>29209463
>>29209465
>>29209481

Your eyes widen a little, and then you quickly dodge under the roof, going up to the man who gives you a great big hug. The fact that he's got a formidable-looking pair of swords under his belt does not escape you. Holy shit, if those swords could...

'Ah, I didn't think I'd see you here! To be honest, I... presumed you had died in the fire,' he says, softly. Images of what happened to you two years ago flash before your eyes again, though you push them away with some effort.

'Life is tough,' you say, nodding. 'But then so am I.'

'I always thought that of you.' He isn't kidding. Fuck, what's his name? Zawadel, that's it - a very distinctive name, certainly. You turn around and signal for two pints of good ale, and Zawadel grins.

The girl comes with the mugs pressed against her ample bosom, and you get a nice view as she bends over to serve them. She sees you looking, and winks at you. Well, all in the job perhaps... 'keep the change,' you say, giving her a silver.

'Wha- oh, thank you, sir!' She laughs and struts off.

You listen to Zawadel talk about some of his adventures. Turns out he went west and joined the army - he shows you a badge, and then shows you a scar. 'Tough fighting. But *good* fighting. Learned more in a day of fighting than a month of routines, I'll tell you that!'

> Ask him about the war.
> Ask him about his family, you know he has siblings.
> Ask about something else.
> Ask about recruitment right away.
> Other.

>>29209585
Aska bout the war, and then the family. We need to know what sort of morality this guy has. And news of the war, will it continue to affect the grassroots?

Rolled 1

>>29209585
>>29209626

seconding the namefag

>>29209585
"So how are you going man?"
Never ask someone you haven't met in a while specifics to start with, let them talk. The last thing you want to do is ask the unemployed guy how work is going etc.

>>29209642
What this fellow said, but try steering the conversation to those topics.

Rolled 67

>>29209642
>>29209656
if you read op's post

>>29209585
>You listen to Zawadel talk about some of his adventures. Turns out he went west and joined the army - he shows you a badge, and then shows you a scar. 'Tough fighting. But *good* fighting. Learned more in a day of fighting than a month of routines, I'll tell you that!'

>>29209626
>>29209638
>>29209642
>>29209656

> Fuck, that's a real critical fail. Lucky we're not looking for a roll.

You nod. 'Well, so how did that go?'

What you get is an account of how the war had gone since early summer, when he joined. Zawadel rants on about the idiocy of those in command, and then goes on in detail about some of the battles he's fought.

From the general sound of it, the war has gone *very* badly for the Royal forces. They're holding, where they hold, only because of sheer weight of numbers, and mountains blocking their northward advance; but that simply means they'll be heading here eventually. 'They're definitely heading east. As are the refugees before them.'

'Yeah, tell me about it. So things have not gone well then.'

'I've fought and survived 11 battles, major and minor. Not counting 4 sieges and stormings of forts.' He clapped his sword. 'Between this and lady luck, I'm still walking, which is itself a blessing. Remember these swords?'

Course you did. He sliced a table in two with the longer one once... you ask about his family. His sister's married away southwards so hopefully she's safe, but one brother died of dysentery, and the other was killed in battle. 'The way things are, I guess.'

'Yes...' you nod.

'Still. One soldiers on. So how about you? You look a lot stronger than you did before, that's for sure. Been toughing it out as well? Any interesting deeds?'

> What say to Zawadel?

>>29209686
Well, there's still the family to not-ask about then. And specifics on the war.

>>29209718
I think we should be cautious with him... He has been in the army and is a good fighter. He might be here as a spy.
>tell him we have been living off the land
>talk about how the commoners are being raped and robbed
gauge his reaction on these topics

>>29209718
>Ask him about how he feels that our village got torched for a bogus tax. Share info on our activities according to how he answers.

>>29209747
Don't forget telling him about our sister. The sooner we get that out of our system, the better.

>>29209758
>>29209748

Read above. He already knows. He thought we were dead when our entire village was burned.

I second >>29209747

If he seems indignant, then we can tell more and offer for him to join.

>>29209777
He might not know why it was burned though.

>>29209777
oh yeah. I change my vote to gauge his interest first.

>>29209777
We don't know if he's resentful enough to overlook or understand our less than wholesome turn.

>>29209724
>>29209747
>>29209748
>>29209758
>>29209777
>>29209788
>>29209795
>>29209796

You continue drinking, watching the drizzle outside, and meanwhile Zawadel is talking on more and more about the horrors he's seen. You reply with some of your own, which makes him flush with anger, and finally, after two more rounds of trading horror stories, he spills. 'The Royal armies started suspecting everyone of being a rebel when they kept losing. I left because of something like that.'

'Oh? What happened?'

'My company was led by this wet-nosed noble, the bastard son of some baron - that's why he's only a lieutenant. But he's been spoiled, and this is his first war, and he really doesn't like losing. So once we had to retreat, and stopped by this village, see. And then we wanted food - I just went fishing by a nearby stream and caught my brothers some carp. But the noble wanted good white bread. So he goes to the village and they say they haven't got that, because who does in the bloody boondocks?'

'That's ridiculous,' you say, already guessing how this goes.

'So that fucker says, these men sympathise with the rebels by refusing aid. Burn the lot, kill the men, take the women. I came back with five carp on my shoulders and heard that - I was made a sergeant because I am a good fighter - and I said, no, there's no need for this. And the lieutenant, guess what he did?'

'Tell.'

'He *struck* me. In front of my men. With his *whip*.' Zawadel points to a fine scar on his neck. 'Then he grabs a villager and executes him, runs a sword through him. That's more than I can take. So I took his head clean off with the long one.'

'Wait a minute...' that means he's an outlaw! He's already like you!

'Yeah. And that's why I'm here instead of fighting at the front.' He shakes his head.

> Offer for him to join straight away.
> Ask something else. (What else?)
> Other.

>>29209864
>> Other.
Tell him we could use a good man like himself, this land is to dangerous to travel alone.

Rolled 97

>>29209864
>> Offer for him to join after buying him another drink
explain our situation and see what his thought are

>>29209864
>How have you been surviving since then?
>Do you have anyplace to stay, a home to come back to?
Then ask him to join

>>29209864
>other
Tell him there's still fighting to be had around these parts. In fact, we're gearing up for a moderately large one. See how interested he is.

>>29209912
>>29209894
>>29209893

You quickly buy another drink to hide your excitement, and then look him over again. Man, that sword - it would be a formidable thing to have. Besides, if you are going to have so many soldiers joining, having a former sergeant on your side might gain them the respect that Stella would never get.

'So. What have you been up to since then, Zawadel? Surviving... have you a home or anything?'

'I can't really afford a home. Staying in one place would be dangerous for a murderer, much less that of a noble.' He shakes his head. 'Do you think I should not have killed him? That village was safe, by the way. Well, at the time, I don't know about now.'

'Of course you should have killed him,' you say. 'It would be nice if you were at mine when that little fire happened...'

He sighs. 'So, why're you asking me about a home?'

'Because I have a home that might welcome you. It's, uh... let's say it's up in the hills, and that we are kind of preparing for a possibly major fight. So... have you lost all appetite for blood?'

'Wait, are you-' he pauses and both of you look at the cleavage. Mmm. Zawadel gives three coppers extra. You've used two silvers on those tits, mate, they're effective. 'Are you... a bandit?'

'Something like that. More like we're protecting people against bandits. You wouldn't believe what some of those raiders do.'

'Fuck, I'm up for that! So why are you here?' You quickly down the ales and stagger out, filled with five each, towards the blacksmith after you tell him. The blacksmith is a sooty, smoky shop as you might have guessed; two young men are working the forge, while an older man looks you over. Looks like you're in luck; they're making military equipment, no doubt in response to some nobles' calls.

You get a good bag of bodkin heads, and Zawadel pitches in for another. Then you get some good axe heads as well, and finally you ask about the spearhead...

> Roll d100 for spearhead. You have a +20 bonus.

Rolled 12

>>29209998

Rolled 7 + 20

>>29209998

Rolled 86

>>29209998

Rolled 27

>>29209998

Rolled 33

>>29209998

Rolled 41

>>29209998
rollan

>>29210044
>106
that's a hell of a spearhead

Rolled 79

>>29209998

> 86 + 20, but against a background of poor rolls: Not unalloyed success.

'Spearhead? What, just a spearhead?'

'Well, if you have a spear...'

The old man considers this a moment, then goes off to the back to fetch what turns out to be... oh dude, that's not a spear. That's too long! That's a cavalry lance! But then he shows you the head of the lance, and it is truly quite impressive.

The head is a slender but very hard and strong willow-leaf shape, graceful as well, with little patterns of serpents engraved around it. At its base are two wings, which are for tying distracting baubles, and also just to look nice - they are two serpents rearing as well.

'This is nice,' you say, 'but this is more a fighting spear. I was thinking more of a throwing one...'

'Oh, those we don't have, I'm afraid. This one's going to be quite expensive too, I'll have to charge you 60 silver for that spear.' That's 12 gold, slightly over budget. 'If you want throwing, we have some javelins...'

The javelins aren't very remarkable. But, well, they're cheap. Wonder if Stella uses a fighting spear? That spear she had was actually a little too long for a javelin, you reckon...

> Get the spear.
> Get the javelins.
> Get neither.
> Other.

> Do anything else in the village before you leave with Zawadel? Staying around *too* long might lead to more unwelcome attention. And you're slightly tipsy.

>>29210151
Get the spear.

>>29210151
>Get it
time to keep a long overdue promise

>>29210151
>Get the spear

Rolled 17

>>29210151
> Get the spear.
> Get the javelins.
why not both?

we should even look for a bowyer imo. our loot is worth nothing if we die 'cause of shit weapons.
our numbers are swelling to, so i think we need all we can get.

>>29210188
A bowyer or a cutler to produce more reliable weapons would be a good idea.

>>29210188
>>29210186
>>29210175
>>29210164

You look at the spears, then at the javelins. No... you wouldn't want to disappoint Stella, would you? 'I'll get the spear,' you say, forking over the gold and silver. In any case, if she relies on this for protection, then...

'And I'll get the javelins,' Zawadel cuts in. Eh? You turn to him as he takes over a bundle of 6 and pays some silver. Then he ushers you out.

'I didn't know you used those,' you say.

'I do these days. They can be a lot more useful than a sword at times!' You stagger out of the village, and just then you wonder aloud if there's anywhere you might get a bowyer. Zawadel replies that's probably only available in the castles, though - after all, if a commoner needs to hunt, he either makes a bow himself or he puts up and uses a sling or something.

... well, damn. Maybe the town might have one or two. Of course, a bow being a weapon, it would be restricted by laws; but you don't know how many laws apply these days anymore.

By the time you talk about these things, you're already well into the forests, and suddenly you hear a sound which makes you freeze. It's howling - but it's not animal howling, it's certainly humans. Quickly you pull Zawadel aside and look out to see - holy shit, it's another group of raiders. You don't even recognise these people, or the clothes they wear; they seem to have smeared ash on their face, and are whooping and wailing along while running on...

... they're headed in roughly the same direction as you are. In other words, they might be coming across your camp. There's... eight of them.

> Follow them.
> Detour around them.
> Other.

Rolled 49

>>29210258
>> Follow them.

Rolled 10

>>29210258
> Follow them.
Sneak attack them at night, or attack them in the back if they attack our base.

Rolled 67

>>29210258
> Follow them.
see if they are heading towards our camp, if they are, we might be able to get the drop on them if they start attacking

>>29210258
>> Follow them.
That fucking cunt of a little girl got wooed.
I knew we should have grilled her on why she was out.

>>29210258
>Follow them

>>29210270
>>29210271
>>29210283
>>29210289

> By little girl I do mean she's little. Anything older than 7 or 8 here is a big girl, capable of doing some proper work.

You swallow your fear and heft the spear in your hands. Encumbered as you are right now, this isn't the best time for fighting, but if they should attack the camp then... well, fuck it, no point getting axe heads if your band's destroyed.

'Come on,' you whisper to Zawadel, who nods and hefts his own bag. The two of you follow the whooping and howling band at a pretty far distance, not eager to be seen; they continue loudly for a while, but then suddenly, stopping at a stand of trees, one of them holds up his hand and they fall silent.

... somehow that makes them even eerier. But worse still is the fact that you can see two of them tracking on the ground. This is a relatively common route your people use to go downhill, so they must have figured it out - they're probably headed for your camp. But no one there knows it yet!

You close in a little, heart beating faster and faster as they close in on your home base. All those children and women playing and cooking, and all the men training or at work... shit!

> What do? They're just maybe 150 paces from the camp now. It won't be long before they see it...

>>29210318
How many are there?

Rolled 64

>>29210318
Shoot
Throw javelins

Scream
<ALARAMA

shoot more
stab

>>29210339
do you even into reading?
>>29210258
There's... eight of them.

Rolled 84

>>29210318
Attack them, and try to get them away from the village.

Rolled 13

>>29210343
If we take out 2 or 3 outright, the surprise might be enough to send them scurrying

Rolled 2

>>29210363
yeah, and i though we had guards at our base to, they should join in pretty quick

right?

>>29210373
>>29210363
>>29210355
>>29210343
>>29210339

> Two or three posts, and I'll be done for the evening.
> Thanks for playing, and happy new year.

> 84: Well, I'll take this shot then.

... damn. There's nothing for it. You get Zawadel to follow you, and then whisper, 'we'll have to attack them.'

'Yes, let's...'

'But not now.' Instead you follow them until they - and you - finally catch sight of the camp. You watch them spread out in a line and reach for their weapons - some javelins, some with axes and one with a wicked-looking, curved sword. That man seems to be the leader.

You nock your arrow, and Zawadel moves in a little closer, holding his javelin. But just then you hear a voice - a woman's voice - call out behind you.

'OI!'

'Eh?' A few of them turn around, just in time to see you release your arrow. Thwack - and the thing spins out, thunking right into the thigh of the leader, making him yowl in pain. Stella! That's Stella yelling! Where's-

A shadow rushes out and grabs your shoulder just as Zawadel jumps up with a yell. 'RAIDERS!' He hollers, then looses his javelin before rolling aside. Someone hurls a javelin at you which thunks into the tree two feet away, and you hear another ARGH as a raider falls, skewered under the left collarbone.

'Hey! Someone's there!' Orvo's here. Stella grabs the spear from your back and swipes off a javelin with it, and then the raiders realise what's happened and begin to scatter and flee. Damn, they're fast - Stella hurls her new spear, which sinks into one man's kneecap and sprawls him out, but Zawadel's second throw misses.

> Let them go.
> Grab just the stragglers.
> Hunt them all down!
> Other.

>>29210492
>Hunt them all down

Rolled 22

>>29210492
>> Hunt them all down!
They know where we are.

>>29210492
> other
Incapacitate the healthy ones. We can't allow them to return to camp.

Rolled 84

>>29210492
> Hunt them all down!

>>29210492

> For those who want to hunt them all down, roll d100. There is a -20 bonus, because these fuckers are *quick*.

Rolled 46

>>29210492
> Hunt them all down!
we dont want word of where we are getting out

Rolled 77 - 20

>>29210492
hunt them

Rolled 50 - 20

>>29210492

Rolled 25 + 20

>>29210492

Rolled 89

>>29210492
hunt

Rolled 62 + 20

>>29210526
Hunt them all down!

> 89 - 20 vs. 73: Damn, missed it slightly!

'To the flanks!' You quickly yell as you nock another arrow and try to aim. 'To the flanks! Don't let them run!'

'Right, Sarius!' Orvo yells as he leads five men, spreading out on the camp's left. You shoot and miss, but your second attempt hits someone right in the neck, and he sprawls out and crawls a little before falling still.

Zawadel, meanwhile, has cut the right leg out from under a slower person, and Stella jumps onto someone just as one of your men hits his head with a rock, slitting his throat. The others take care of the rest...

You jump on the man with a shot kneecap and he screams in pain, then look around and laugh. Wow, to think you- oh wait. Wait. There's only seven corpses or people here. 'Where's the eight person?'

'The what?' Sarius looks at you.

'There's eight of them! One's run!' You look around, as do the men, but there's no trace anymore. These guys are truly speedy. 'Fuck!'

To take it out, Stella pulls her spear out of the man it's bitten, and then thrusts it into him again, this time in the gut. 'AUUUAAGH!'

'Fuck...' the leader says, softly, holding his thigh. He attempts to stand up, leaning against a tree, but Orvo shoves him down onto the ground. 'Heh. You're all dead, man. We've seen... you... prepare for something a thousand times worse than this...'

> What do/say? There's three survivors, including the leader. One's run. Shit.

> Also, time to make more plans. Stella's scouted a location for meeting the elders. What are the other tasks you want to prioritise and check on now? You'll have to get a move on, it seems - and soon.

Rolled 10

>>29210608
-Get Stella to track and kill the last one, Zawadel can help her if he can keep up with her
-Get info out of these fuckers, then kill them, take them away from the camp when torturing them, the sounds are not pleasant.

>>29210608
Grab all the survivors, and have your villagers who are fresh to combat kill them. Let them know the feeling before the real fight begins.

>>29210608
>What are the other tasks you want to prioritise and check on now?
we need to hurry up with getting food for the winter

>>29210608

Stella should go track the last one if possible.

Try to figure out where they are based and whether they're new to the hills before we kill them.

Right. Let's call a council. We all know what's happened now.

>>29210706
>>29210700
>>29210644
>>29210640

'Stella,' you say. 'We have to try to find the last one.'

'On it,' she says without hesitation, pulling the spear out. 'This spear is *way* too long...'

'I'll handle it, just go!' Then, as she sprints off, glaring at you, you go to the chief. 'So are you new to these hills? Think you can whoop and wail and rape your way through everyone here, do you?'

'You think... you've seen a fight... you haven't seen anything. This place... so peaceful. We'll settle here and you'll be our slaves...' he grins, then spits at you but misses. 'You ought to know who we are so you know who's playing with all your womenfolk later. We are based near the great oak tree...'

That one. The one Stella mentioned, that was struck by lightning but somehow survived. Damnit, even that spot is taken? Tiger Rock will be practically encircled even if you tried to move there now. He says there are 50, 60, maybe a hundred brothers of his, and laughs at how large your band is. Then you stop his laughter by slitting his throat.

'Let the villagers who've never killed do the rest,' you say to Sarius. 'They need to know what killing is like. And we're having a council. I have someone to introduce.'

> cont'd.

>>29210743

> Last post for tonight.
> Someone please archive this for me. Thanks very much.

Soon the men are dispatched, and then you gather the council - only to see Stella running in from the distance, shaking her head.

'Lost the trail,' she mutters. 'Fuck.'

'It's fine-'

'Don't touch me,' she growls at you. 'Treating me just like some hunting dog, sending me here and then there...'

'Right, right...' what's wrong with her? You turn around to the crowd. 'Well. Things just got urgent, I suppose we can see. We'll really have to step on the tasks now. I've got weapons, which we must fashion handles and arrow shafts for. The ladies are to do this...'

'I'll get them to do that, boss!' It's Eluna, a portly mother of two who's also taken one of the raped girls under her wing. 'We'll get on it.'

'Good. Orvo and Sarius, in charge of defences as usual. This is Zawadel, a swordsman and skilled fighter, and an old acquaintance of mine. I want you to go around the hamlets and begin recruiting. And Stella, let's get that ambush ready...'

'I've found a spot. Little bowl shaped clearing, one entrance, easily guarded. We should be able to kidnap the lot.'

'Good...' but wait, not so good. To get the men needed to kidnap and hold 25 elders, you'll need... practically everyone. But then that leaves the camp open to attack by the raiders...

> Take the risk. Lead all the men to the clearing two days later, for the ambush.
> Don't take the risk. (Then what arrangement do you make?)

> Other plans are welcome. Try to look into the distance a bit - you're the leader, after all.

>>29210800

How about let's pull a shifting plan.

We shift *all* our people to the ambush spot, and have that as a temporary camp for holding those elders.

Then, if we scout the raiders trying to destroy our camp, we can head back and fight them if we have a chance.

>>29210800
why are we ambushing the elders?

>>29210871
Maybe even with some booby traps at our old place.

>>29211006
Making our presence known, and influence them to not mind us.

She followed us to town and saw us ogling the barmaid. It's why she was behind us when the fighting started. Or she's pissed because the little girl started talkin shit when we didnt tell her not to say anything

>>29211019
I thought we were inviting them/whomever from their city to join us...

>>29211019
I thought it was to blackmail their villages to give us food and grain

>>29210800
> Don't take the risk. (Then what arrangement do you make?)
we can't risk it with that escaped raider knowing where we are

we may have to turn the kidnapping into an impromptu meeting, to try and gather support for anyone threatened by the raiders

>>29210800
I am against this ambush
-Send our people to Tiger rock
-Meet with the elders, explain that we are looking for men and resources so we can clear this area of all the raiding niggers

>>29211046
>>29211031
Well, no reason to turn the meeting into a diplomatic one. Blackmail, but also drive the point that we are more than just raiders, we are people like them, just trying to survive. And if they are to be as kind as giving some of their food and grain until we can self-sustain, we can try to counter-raid the other raiders.

tl;dr protection racket, but it ain't us that does the rackets.

>>29211076
No! I oppose this plan.
What if they refuse? We lose the opportunity to trade with them...
We also will be in war with and at all sides.

-Nay, ambush
>Yay, diplo

>>29211098
the 'ambush' is more of an unexpected meeting, really. Diplomance away, indeed.

Rolled 14

>>29210800
> Don't take the risk. (Then what arrangement do you make?)

Let's just deal with the raiders first before getting into kidnapping and stuff. These guys are an obvious threat not only to us but to the rest of the hamlets in the mountain and the villages below.

>>29210800
> Don't take the risk. (Then what arrangement do you make?)
We can't afford to ever leave the place undefended. Lets just take three men and trade with cash, we need to think long term and pissing all these people off is dangerous, a show of force is fine but outright kidnapping will cause more problems in the future.
Plus by now they know what's going on in the hills, and that when winter is over, it's going to come down.
We just need to convince them we're not bad people even if we are and that we need everything we can get to deal with the bad people.

>>29210800
Don't take the risk
try to get the other hamlets to join

File: 1388616092363.gif-(459 KB, 240x180, Op is awk.gif)

459 KB GIF

>>29209308
virgin confirmed, that is in no way how kissing works you neckbeard.

pic related, it's OP in this post.

>>29216046
Damn look at OP go to town. I bet he tore that up.