Subject: Re: Test

I'm not sure that I have it with me here in New Zealand. I'll check on my iPod when I get back to Christchurch (no access to a Mac at the moment). I do remember some of them, though.

Subject: Re: Test

Wait, if Erk is in charge of the expedition now, does HE get to decide if I'm going? :P

In any case, Elotai will want to talk this over with Erk but he'll wait until after the prisoner interrogation. If Erk will allow it, he'd like to at least be present for the interrogation.

Subject: Approaching the Prisoners

The prisoners have been tied very securely and gagged. The three of them are being held behind the inn by two of the outpost's newest soldiers (who hadn't yet had time to get to know any of the fallen men, and so, Bermid felt, were less inclined to take out their malice on the prisoners).

The three are grimy, covered from head to toe in greasy black soot and mud, which seems to provide them some camoflage in the darkness. Their leathers are heavily worn and often mended, but are stained dark with the same greasy soot. Two of them have visible light wounds. The first has a sword gash across one cheek, but the blood has thickened into a blackish, flaking gob from earlobe to nostril. The second is bruised badly around the right eye, possibly having a broken bone - the skin has swollen the eye shut, and some blood has dried on the man's temple. Other injuries are unknown, as they are covered by armor.

They all seem defiant and wary, rather than subdued. They have not been broken, only captured. There is caution in their eyes, but little fear. The one with the gashed cheek seems to rest a little more comfortably, as though he is sure nothing will come of them. The others look to him from time to time, but he simply watches the guards. Of the three, he is most likely to have some answers - he may be closer to Tossuc than the others, who seem to look to him for leadership in how to compose themselves.

The man is obviously of the grasslands. He may know about Tossuc's reasons for attacking the outpost, or where Tossuc has gone. He may have information regarding the caravan, or of the first lost group of rangers sent to find some trace of their passing. He may know things about the Tall Grass, or about the region in general. Lots he might know.

(ODM: Okay, you ask, I'll see what I can do about answering. Intimidation, Gather Information, and Diplomacy (to some extent) will determine what answers I can give.)

Subject: Re: Approaching the Prisoners

(Ok, Erk is good at diplomacy, but has very little skill in intimidate or gather information. I am writing this turn as if Buchek did in fact accompany Erk to the prisoners, even though nothing has been written that says he did.)

IC:

Erk whacks Buckek across the back in a rough gesture and says, "Keep your temper in check this time! I would like to get a word or two out of these men before you pursue your vendetta on them. Stand over there and keep your weapon in its sheath until I say otherwise!" Erk points at a spot behind him, and when his head is turned away from the prisoners, he winks at Buchek.

Turning back, he will crouch to put himself at eye level with the bound men. "I am sorry if you've been ill treated. My people have a custom of treating prisoners well, once they've given their parole. Do you know my people?" He turns to Buchek behind him and says, "What is the word for dwarf in your tongue?" Once he has the word, he turns back to the prisoners. "If you know of us, you know we are reckoned as fierce enemies, but with no stain on our honor. You can trust that I will do as I say, both for good and for ill."

He removes the gag from the leader. "Now, will you speak with me, as an honorably defeated foe? Are either of your men seriously injured? I am a priest, and as such I can tend to wounds. If you or your men are badly wounded, then tomorrow, after I have prayed to my god, I can heal those injuries. I do not do this to bribe you, but simply because my faith requires that I treat all without prejudice when dispensing God's grace."

His face grows grave. "But I do not control the men into whose hands your lives have fallen through your attack here. They will do with you as they see fit. However, if you would agree to aid me in some small ways, it is possible that this could be used to justify gentler treatment than they might otherwise deem necessary. If you see the wisdom in this, then I would begin with a simple question: Why did you attack this outpost and destroy the tower? What do you gain, here?"

Subject: Re: Approaching the Prisoners

The man looks at Erk cautiously.

"We need none of your gods' works, priest. You do not control these sunset men, but you fight by their side and are little better than they. Your kind stays to the mountains, which is your rightful place, and we have no quarrel with your people."

You, however, fight at the side of the sunset men who steal our land and push us into the Tall Grass. You bring the quarrel of the The People upon your kind."

He sets his jaw and looks up into Erk's eyes.

"I will answer your question, nonetheless, as it is no secret. We attack to drive the sunset men from lands they stole from The People. They have no right to the shores of this river, and must be driven back to their stone villages like ground squirrels before a wolf."

At this, the guards shuffle their feet in the background, but say nothing. It is obvious that this sort of thinking makes them uncomfortable.

Subject: Re: Approaching the Prisoners

Erk nods sadly. "This is no surprise. Men have always butchered each other for the bits of ground they wish to hold. My people have fought as fiercely for our mountain halls, when they were threatened. I serve a war god, and there is a reason the god's of war are so powerful. It is in our nature to offer them many sacrifices.

"I do not hold you to be evil for such warring, lest all men be found equally evil, for all will fight when backed into a corner. My purpose here is not to judge you for these acts, nor is it to help men take your lands. If I fight by their side, it is an accident of circumstance and because there were many innocents in this town needing protection. I notice you did not bring your women and children to battle.

"If you help me with a few more things, I and my band will move on to other business. What is this 'tall grass' you speak of that the men drive you into? We are following an expedition of men from my city who may have gone into it. Would you know of them? When they were lost, other men followed to find them, and were lost as well. We seek either or both of these bands. Can you tell me anything of them, or the land they went into?"