andres ♔ are we wrapped in black paranoia

[koraith]

♬ wood - second person

WHO || Koraith, Tia Ellison, Stiles Stilinski, Lydia Martin, Jackson Whittemore, Gold, Belle, Grimrot, Dovan Ironsides, Miles Cuivre, Jaina Solo, Penelope Sariel, David Levin, Davin, Derek Hale, Richard Riddick
WHAT || A team of Knights is tasked to contact the residents of the Shadow Village on Andres Isle, recruit those who are willing to aid them, and protect the others from harm
WHERE || Andres Isle
WHEN || September 19th, 2014
HOW || Actionspam

[ The two groups tasked to deal with the denizens of the Shadow Village arrive on the bank of the river that bisects the capitol city of Andres in half.  The river slopes down from the woods and city around it, meaning that they're afforded a bit of concealment here, unless anyone stood at the top and looked down.  At this hour of the night, however, there's no one around.   Dovan grumbles a bit about 'blasted magic' as they shake off the disorienting sense of vertigo, while Koraith waits for Belle to confirm they've arrived in the right place.  She pats Gold on the arm as she pulls out her phone, and moments later, she nods to the others in confirmation.

The water laps gently nearby against the rocks, and in the distance, a bridge is visible that links the segregated Shadow village with its thatched roof houses, to the city proper, which seems lined with wealthy manor homes.  ]

Comments

[undealt]

[Gold's expression of quiet Scotland PTSD fades as Grimrot starts talking and he slowly turns to look at her, like "oh god...."

But once she finishes talking and he knows there's no way to save this conversation, he turns back to the bugbear and looks up. Way up.]

We'll even provide the weapons.

[(Diplomacy 20 total??? to back Grimrot up??) Can you even assist a diplomacy roll...]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ belle is just gonna let you two field this, her eyebrows up in her hair line as she looks from them to the bugbear hopefully. SURELY ONE OF THOSE APPROACHES WILL WORK???

the bugbear is frowning down at grimrot, seeming stuck on the word 'disenfranchised', but gold's statement draws his attention and he slowly turns to look at him instead. ] How big?

[grimrot]

[BUT WHY, BUGBEAR. THROW OFF THE SHACKLES OF PRECONCEPTIONS OF YOUR SPECIES AND RISE TO A MORE ENLIGHTENED WAY OF BEING.

But... wis 15... Grimrot sees this is not the time. She just sighs and suppresses an eyeroll.] Very big. We have many sizes available.

[undealt]

We have another team liberating a cache of weapons from the local military, as we speak.

[He waves a hand, indicating the rest of the town.] But obviously getting those who would rather avoid the fighting to safety is our main priority at the moment.

[untethered]

Do you know others, who might be able to help us?

[ the bugbear looks, well thoughtful is a strong word. like the wheels are slowly clicking away up there as he considers this, before he nods.

"Cubs. You'll take cubs away first?" he asks. "Then..." his mouth splits into a fangy grin and he punches one paw into another. "We smash them all." ]

[undealt]

Grand.

[Gold nods.] Rally the rest of the village and we'll do the rest. Your children will be quite safe, I promise.

[behindcloseddoors]

[ he gives some sort of weird growl laugh at that, looking excited tbh ] Grulk have many friends! Know best fighters. Strongest! Build you powerful army, if you bring big weapons.

[undealt]

[Man, maybe Gold should reevaluate his bugbear racism. They're so much better when they're on our side.]

Gather them in the center of the village while we check in with the rest of our team. With any luck, this island will be free of Sarandis's tyranny by morning.

[behindcloseddoors]

Humans with their ideas. [ he grins further, clearly amused by... humans. and their ideas. ] Humans like you once made Grulk god. Good days, for Grulk. Perhaps find them here again! Spill Sarandis' blood!

[grimrot]

Perhaps. But we have brought the rightful prince of this Isle. That being said, I do believe he's open to instating a democratic process to choose the next leader, so I suppose it could be you, if the other citizens are amenable to the idea!

[Grimrot smiles anxiously, hoping this is... information he'll want to hear (wis 5). Then she glances over at Belle and Gold.]

We should see who else we can tell. Perhaps find some... cubs we can bring to safety.

[behindcloseddoors]

Grulk make finest leader! Better than Prince! [ he thumps himself on the chest ] You go gather cubs. We make big war.

[undealt]

[Gold does not appear to think he's made a horrible mistake here (wis 13).]

Indeed we shall.

[And he's just gonna nod politely and head off, like that isn't something that's gonna bite them on the ass later.] I think that went well.

[untethered]

[ belle is smiling about it too, with her crappy wisdom check. she has all the blind faith in beasts, ok. it's her job. ] They've probably been waiting on this opportunity for years. All they needed was a little push. Should we find Koraith and let him know?

[undealt]

We might have better luck continuing on and hoping we cross paths with him. [Two birds, one stone. Etc.]

[grimrot]

[Even with her -1 mod, Grimrot got a 15 wis. She hesitates, looking worried as they leave.] I'm not certain Grulk intends to back down once we've taken Sarandis out of power. This could end poorly.

[untethered]

You don't think it's a good idea to arm him, you mean?

[undealt]

Well, we can't refuse him a weapon on a hunch, Ms. Grimrot. We've only one enemy to fight here. We can't go around making new ones.

[grimrot]

No, we can use his help, it's just... [She frowns.] We should just keep a close eye on him when the fighting's over.

[untethered]

That doesn't seem like too much to ask.

[undealt]

[Gold nods and looks around to see... if there's another good house to approach or anything going on, etc. (spot 22)]

[grimrot]

[Grimrot's wariness has lead to her keeping a more careful eye on their surroundings, apparently. (Spot 23). If nothing jumps out at her and Belle or Gold don't pick soon, she'll head to a house across the street at random.]

We need to start gathering the children and other non-combatants. Whatever else Grulk may be, I don't doubt he'll be adept at getting others to fight with him.

[untethered]

[ there's a little light on at the local tavern nearby??? otherwise it's just houses, all pretty quiet. ] You're right. We need to get the civilians to safety before the fighting breaks out.

[undealt]

Then shall we?

[He points to the nearest house and heads towards it. Doing his "landlord knock" again.]

[grimrot]

[Grimrot follows, looking, well, grim.]

[bloodrager]

[ give her a second, ok.

the door is finally yanked open by a slightly irritated looking woman, tall and shapely, with abnormally clear blue eyes that fill with shocked recognition as she looks right past belle and gold, and stares at the half-orc beyond them. ]

... Grimrot?