Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=74910&page=221#2206 Author: Falconetti Time Posted: 8/25/2021 at 12:04 PM Morning -- You don't know what either orc wants the material for, but by the looks of things they wouldn't stain their pride by accepting such a compromise. You also look around the marketplace - there might be what looks like another linen merchant halfway across the square, but by the time you bully through the crowds to make sure there is no telling how far the dispute would have escalated. "Yes," the goblin answers your question, agitatedly. "And I tried to explain that to the second lady who wished to buy my product, but she wouldn't listen. She insisted she must have this material right now, and then... this happened," he gestures helplessly to the arguing orcs. Since you didn't try to break into their argument, they haven't turned their ire onto you - giving you a chance to talk to the merchant. They carry on bickering, the tension growing thick in the air.

"They obviously don't need it right now if they can spend their time arguing." Pike thinks out loud, chuckling to himself in an attempt to lighten the mood threatening to crush him. "I'm supposing you would be willing to barter otherwise you would be selling it to the second one already. Do you know if any of the other merchants hold this item that we could point them to? I'm not sure I can be of any help."

Afternoon
--
They look up at you and nod. Crimson sits obediently, tail swishing excitedly behind her.

You approach the middle of the camp. Most of the dwarves have gathered here, and you have to push through the crowds to find out what the centre of attention is.

An agitated Havdur breathes heavily as if he's just been running. He is being barraged by questions by everyone around.

Daavun, when he notices you there, approaches. He looks worried.

"Havdur is back," he gestures to the other dwarf. "He brings news from the raider camp. They are preparing to attack tonight, and they're sending everyone to wipe us out."

Afternoon
--
The orc and the centaur guards cast a confused look at one another. "What warehouse?" one whispers.

The elf's eyes narrow and he briefly glances at the scroll again, promptly ignoring your request. "Hair dye wasn't the only thing you robbed from that warehouse. Enchanted weapons don't just go missing from one of the finest rune-masters in the land without being noticed."

He looks troubled. "That aside for now... true. Only a fool would walk straight up to the gates with crimes against their name such as yours." He pauses before adding: "Or someone oblivious to the fact."

"Boss," the orc hisses. "We're supposed to-"

"I know Brog," the boss snaps, rolling up the scroll. "But I don't like this at all. Nicote, explain to me where you have been for the past week, and do it like you're life depends on it." His sardonic smile doesn't make that last statement sound any better.

Evening
--
"Oh!" Rythia looks flustered. She quickly tidies something out of sight before you can see what it is. "Hello! Oh dear, whatever would you need a lamp for? Not planning on staying up all night are you?"

At your last statement she nods with a giggle. "The uh... friends of the 'Turnip have been giving me good business for many years now. My place is an old favourite - I inherited it from my father, you know, along with its usual customers."

Morning
--
The other goblin doesn't join in your laughing. "I haven't had the choice! You try and interrupt them. I'd rather take the gold and get on with it, but I've got to stick to my principles of first-come, first-served. At least, most of the time."

But the goblin nods at your question. "Yes!" then he sheepishly admits: "I uh... actually bought this offcut piece of material from another merchant across the marketplace this morning. It might look good on the outside, but I've rolled it up so the inside isn't showing. It's, ehh... let's just say I got it nice and cheap to sell on for a better price. If you know what I mean."

The merchant doesn't have anything more to add, settling back into the shadows of his stall. It's up to you to take it from here - one orc has changed their stance, and you instinctually know that's the look of someone who is about to take a swing.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=74910&page=222#2212 Author: Falconetti Time Posted: 9/1/2021 at 11:34 AM Afternoon -- They look up at you and nod. Crimson sits obediently, tail swishing excitedly behind her. You approach the middle of the camp. Most of the dwarves have gathered here, and you have to push through the crowds to find out what the centre of attention is. An agitated Havdur breathes heavily as if he's just been running. He is being barraged by questions by everyone around. Daavun, when he notices you there, approaches. He looks worried. "Havdur is back," he gestures to the other dwarf. "He brings news from the raider camp. They are preparing to attack tonight, and they're sending everyone to wipe us out."

"Everyone? Okay Havdur do you have more imformation? Did you see any good places for me try and take some out with my bow? Daavun can you help keep everyone calm? Murva in case we need to get groups ready to move. Aegis do you know of a good place to possibly snipe the orcs before they get here?" Asteria was worried. This was a worst case situation. She thinks to Crimson, Find a place to hide tell Numbat not to panic but to get ready for a fight. The orcs are comming in full force tonight."


(Any advice? I'm having writers block after an English class assignment.)

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=74910&page=222#2213 Author: Falconetti Time Posted: 9/1/2021 at 11:59 AM Afternoon -- The orc and the centaur guards cast a confused look at one another. "What warehouse?" one whispers. The elf's eyes narrow and he briefly glances at the scroll again, promptly ignoring your request. "Hair dye wasn't the only thing you robbed from that warehouse. Enchanted weapons don't just go missing from one of the finest rune-masters in the land without being noticed." He looks troubled. "That aside for now... true. Only a fool would walk straight up to the gates with crimes against their name such as yours." He pauses before adding: "Or someone oblivious to the fact." "Boss," the orc hisses. "We're supposed to-" "I know Brog," the boss snaps, rolling up the scroll. "But I don't like this at all. Nicote, explain to me where you have been for the past week, and do it like you're life depends on it." His sardonic smile doesn't make that last statement sound any better.

"Well then. Long story short: some orcs and i think goblins decided that I'm the perfect pick for a hostage-probably has to do with my conenctions to cettain influential elves- and went after me. Tried to disguisw myself using hair dye, broke intot heir camp to get this lot out, now theres a group going after our heads and I need to deliver an urgent message to my brother before he gets himself into something." Nicote rattled off. "So yeah. Basically spent a week running around trying not to die can we please go now, I'd like to not start an accidental war jsut because i tried to mind my own buisness and ill pay the rune master and whoever owns tbe warehouse back while im at it."

(Heh, not ideal.
One thing though is I scrapped that telepathy-thing with familiars. Seemed like an arbitrary concept which was hard to explain.
Okay, maybe the fairest advice is to remind you of the options you have at your disposal...)

Afternoon
--
Havdur nods. "Their camp is in a small canyon west from here, which flows southward. The mine entrance is there too. It's a highly defendable position, but also exposed if you were to shoot down from the ravine's edge while they were out in the open.
There are eight orc warriors and four goblin overseers, with twelve thralls, a mixture of orcs and goblins who are forced down into the mines.
I was wrong the first time. They are mining gold - they have a yeti-drawn cart which takes the gold down the chasm to the south in the morning. I didn't see it returning while I watched."

Murva isn't here right now. You'll need to go looking for her.

Aegis ponders the question, looking unsure. "It's a climbing slope all the way from here to their camp, with sparse forests growing there. There isn't much cover unless you make some. The only good sniping location sounds like Havdur's idea, but I haven't seen the lay of the land that far west, so I couldn't tell you if that was your only option."

You see Numbat squeeze through the crowd behind you. He looks scared, but manages to stammer a suggestion out. "You... you suggested guerilla tactics, earlier..? Would that work?"

You have an enemy camp to the west - defendable but still able to be assaulted - coming for you by nightfall when their warriors can see best. Your camp has hidden fortifications to the west, also. Your fighers are a couple of dozen snow-clearers armed with slings, rocks and their tools who are inexperienced in combat. Your escape routes include either going south, bogged down with snow, or north, where there will be no help to be found. On the other hand, retreating north means you will have more time and a greater distance to deal with the warband, as their only option to pursue you will be the exact same mountain pass you take.

Afternoon
--
The guards look at one another as your group affirms your story.

"I think we should just make them let us go," Knight growls.

"Your story is sound," the elf says slowly. "You may have been trying to mind your own business, Nicote, but it seems someone has made it their own. You're message is far too late to make a difference now - you're both already deep into trouble.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you have any communication with your brother until I've brought you in for questioning. You've been implicated in a plot against the Elven High Council, which is tantamount to treason. Your party need not be involved, but if you try to fight then you will all be brought in until this matter is resolved."

Knight growls, flexing his claws. Spork bares his fangs in agreement. "I not letting us get imprisoned again."

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=74910&page=222#2218 Author: Falconetti Time Posted: 9/4/2021 at 4:34 AM (Heh, not ideal. One thing though is I scrapped that telepathy-thing with familiars. Seemed like an arbitrary concept which was hard to explain. Okay, maybe the fairest advice is to remind you of the options you have at your disposal...) Afternoon -- Havdur nods. "Their camp is in a small canyon west from here, which flows southward. The mine entrance is there too. It's a highly defendable position, but also exposed if you were to shoot down from the ravine's edge while they were out in the open. There are eight orc warriors and four goblin overseers, with twelve thralls, a mixture of orcs and goblins who are forced down into the mines. I was wrong the first time. They are mining gold - they have a yeti-drawn cart which takes the gold down the chasm to the south in the morning. I didn't see it returning while I watched." Murva isn't here right now. You'll need to go looking for her. Aegis ponders the question, looking unsure. "It's a climbing slope all the way from here to their camp, with sparse forests growing there. There isn't much cover unless you make some. The only good sniping location sounds like Havdur's idea, but I haven't seen the lay of the land that far west, so I couldn't tell you if that was your only option." You see Numbat squeeze through the crowd behind you. He looks scared, but manages to stammer a suggestion out. "You... you suggested guerilla tactics, earlier..? Would that work?" You have an enemy camp to the west - defendable but still able to be assaulted - coming for you by nightfall when their warriors can see best. Your camp has hidden fortifications to the west, also. Your fighers are a couple of dozen snow-clearers armed with slings, rocks and their tools who are inexperienced in combat. Your escape routes include either going south, bogged down with snow, or north, where there will be no help to be found. On the other hand, retreating north means you will have more time and a greater distance to deal with the warband, as their only option to pursue you will be the exact same mountain pass you take.

"I suggest we go north that way it will take longer for the orcs and goblins to follow our trail. Also I've seen the land up north before so I know some of the ground. There are some decent snipping spots in that direction. What concerns me most though aside from the orcs and goblins' are mining gold and using a yeti drawn cart. Aegis do you know where Murva is by any chance," Asteria asks looking around for Crimson.

(Okay thanks for telling me. That leaves one question how will familiars and their bondmates communiticate? There have been situations in the past where a familiar can't speak but spoke through their bond.)