Barbarians, guards and choices
Subject Salix's return
He got me. I was like "Oh Shit!" I thought he was writing me out of the game since he couldn't find anyone to play Salix.
From: Karl
Subject Salix's return
How far was it Mark? 3 miles?
From: Randy
Subject Guards
OOC: Mark just gave me one more thing that Ran learned.
Ranthir also adds that most of the house guards are being sent out to the estate in the evening. There will only be 5 or so guards at the house (-1 for Ran). He doesn't know why they are being sent but perhaps The Mockers could do something to stop them from reaching the estate.
From: Kevin
Subject Guards
"Ran, that's a great idea. If the Mockers can slow them down, or even stop them, it would be that much less we would have to worry about out there.
What do you think, Salix, should we have Surin check on that while he and Kal are trying to trade the armor for the potions?"
From: Porter
Subject Barbarians
OOC: Mark, please correct me if this is incorrect.
IC: "Weasel, Snow Rabbit, and Snow Leopard? Yup. Those are three of our tribes. Smallish ones, though."
"I guess I'da better tell y'all a bit how things work with the tribes. There are about two dozen big tribes, and about twice that many smaller ones. Each one is led by the clan chief, chosen by rite of combat each year."
"A lot of the tribes don't get along, and have been fighting together for a long time. I reckon if we ever fought together, we could rule the world, but it ain't like that's ever gonna happen."
"I don't know much about the weasels, snow rabbits, or snow leopards, though. They probably don't have no grudge against each other, or they wouldn't have come together all peacable-like."
From: Derek
Subject Guards
Allistair speaks up. "If only we had more people here... if there will only be 5 people at the house, it would be much easier to rescue Sephira. But I suppose getting Acer is our first priority."
"As for the barbarian tribes, I think one thing we could do is attack/destroy the altar that's in the center of the three tribes. Whatever foul rite Faldor has planned for tribes will certainly involve that altar. If we destroy or desecrate that, it would most likely cause Faldor to postpone the sacrifice of Acer also. Since there is so much open area on Faldor's estate, we could hide out there for quite a while, especially with Salix's knowledge of nature and my Rope Trick. Or if we can get on a friendly basis with one of the barbarian tribes, they might be willing to help us hide."
From: Jason
Subject Guards
Ragnar speaks up "I've been thinking along the same line, with the altar. It seems highly likely that the area around it will be specially dedicated to Nerull. If so, I have a blessing that will cut off its connection to Nerull. This might be particularly important, because if it is so dedicated, it will make undead significantly stronger, as well as weakening our ability to call upon Heironeous to smite them."
From: Karl
Subject Guards
Well, we've paid for a distraction we haven't cashed in yet. It's tonight or never.
From: Porter
Subject e-mail
Did anybody get an email that I sent out this morning?
From: Jason
Subject E-mail
I got one where you talked about which 3 clans were there, and a very brief overview of tribal relationships.
From: Mark
Subject Guards
Ok is anyone waiting on an answer from me? If not what is the plan?
From: Karl
Subject Choices
Salix addresses the group. "So, we can approach one of the tribes and see if we can persuade them to join us, we can deface the altar, and we can infiltrate the estate and rescue the Stormfather." He touches a finger with each option he names. "Of these three, our most important task is to rescue the Stormfather. The others may be equally important, but only if they serve to help us with this primary task.
"I believe the tribes need to be warned of the danger they are in, but I'm afraid of tipping our presence here. If they will not hear us or be moved, then they will surely try to warn Faldor or his minions. Likewise if we attempt to destroy the altar and are discovered. It might make it harder for us to reach the Stormfather."
Salix looks to the group, clearly at a loss how to decide their course of action. "Ragnar, how important is it we destroy this altar? How badly will it weaken you and the others of Heironeous if it stands? Mund, do you think it wise to try and reason with the barbarian tribes? Would they ally with us, or would we just be risking ourselves to save them from a fate they have chosen, albeit blindly?"
From: Porter
Subject Choices
"Well, I look at it this way. They've been promised power from Faldor, who obviously has it. Why would they believe us when we say he's lying?"
"Like I said before, the clan leaders are chosen by rite of combat, so they're all strong, but that don't mean they're good at logicating. There's no way to know what they'll do."
"I wouldn't mind trying to talk to them. It might to some good. But before I went in there, I'd first be thinkin' about ways to escape of the chief thinks we're trying to cheat him out of what he's been promised."
From: Kevin
Subject Choices
Harp hears the frustration in Salix's voice. Too many choices, too little time, too few people to accomplish it.
"Salix, as you said, rescuing the Stormfather is our main goal. Without him, Faldor will not be able to complete the ritual he wants to do. My guess is, the tribes will not take to that kindly. While I would love to see that altar destroyed, if trying to do that diverts us from our main mission, then we let it go. If we stay away from there, then it can't directly hurt us.
It is your decision, but I will support whatever you decide."
OOC: Mark are we to the point where Ragnar would take care of Harp's little problem? Also, what has been decided about sending Kal and Surin to the Mockers with the armor and trading for the potions and having them set up an ambush of the guards heading to the estate later in the day?
From: Porter
Subject Choices
That burning sensation?
From: Jason
Subject Choices
"Pardon, Salix, I misspoke slightly. It is only important that we destroy the altar if we are going to do any fighting near it. If we can manage to rescue the Stormfather before the ritual is begun, the altar itself is trivial compared to the importance of getting him to safety."