IC Knee Deep III

[Admiral]

"And nothing we do is singlehanded. We work as a team, and every hand complements the others."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia, too, lifts up her jacket and shirt to show the long scab running down her side. She says, "Mithril's magic, Miriam's cure, Shiny's tricks, Valen's tempest, Kurt's smash, my sword rain. All of us." How could they disbelieve Kurt, who saved their lives so many times in the caves?

[Zman]

Valen watches on silently, his anger growing at the accusation, but Kurt preempts him.


Sergeant

Seeing that his words were taken as an accusation, "I meant no offense, it was an impressive feat. And if all your words be true..." he seems to stare directly at Shiny, "then this town owes you a great debt. And so do my men, we welcome the opportunity to return to the defense if Hullberg."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia smiles at the sergeant's words, but then remembers. Oh, right. She asks him and the mayor, "Got...Silver raven? For you or Max?"

Hadn't he had his eye cut out by this orc too? He'd want closure...

[Cavelcade]

Kurt nods at the sergeant's words, relaxing slightly. "Good. There's still work to do, but by taking our opportunity, we took care of one side."

Spoiler

Show

Off to bed - Kurt would like to travel with the guards if possible, in case of another Ogre attack.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia looks up at the sky. It's starting to get late. "Rest, and...?"

She hopes their bird made it to the inn, that they're not the only ones who made it back intact.

[Admiral]

"We believe you can indeed go back to Hulburg's defense," says Shiny, "but we can offer more than that."

Shiny leans in a bit, with an earnest, warm expression. "We've offered our help to Hulburg before, but were rebuffed rather brusquely by your commander. By now I think we've proven our qualifications, and we'd like to assist in your war against the ogres."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia looks over at Miriam, who had mentioned the ogres before. She turns back to the sergeant and adds, "Deny them dinner. Rescue next...meal."

[Admiral]

Spoiler

Show

To get on the sergeant's good side:

Diplomacy check: (1d20+14)[22]

[Zman]

Sergeant

Bothe the Sergeant and Mayor look at Natalia with a confused expression as she asks about a silver raven. Their face is one of indifference.

Looking at Shiny, "Maybe he didn't find your stories and antics very promising. Talented you may be, but trustworthy you are not. I do not blame the Commander for dismissing you immediately.". After a moment the Sergeant calms down, "You are welcome to travel with us, we will depart in the morn.". Once finished the Sergent leaves and begins to spread word to his men.
The group of onlookers are excited, a few are trying to edge closer and gain a look at the severed head.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia sighs and walks away from the group, towards the inn. Maybe the bird was there and Max just hadn't told anyone? Her hands are shoved in her pockets as she trudges towards the tavern, her shoulders are slumped and her head hangs towards the ground. The way they looked at her...She thought...Since everyone she travels with thinks otherwise...But it's still the same. It'll probably always be the same.

It doesn't matter. To the rest of the world, I'm still just Nuts.

[Athedia]

Mithril noticed Natalia walking away and caught up to her."You did send the bird though? I wonder why they didn't get it?" Seeing her despondent look she tried to cheer her up "You did a good job back there, saying how we worked well together."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia sniffs, rubbing back a few tears with her knuckles. "Thanks," she says with a small genuine smile. "You heard, more than Nutspeak." They knew. Someone knew, and that's what was important. "Glad...Here. All here, all of you."

She asks Mithril, "Sent the bird as you spied...Either orcs caught, or Max holds...To the inn? Find out?" Natalia will then go over to the inn, hopefully with friends with her.

[achinca]

Miriam listens in silence as Shiny tells the story as plain as it happens. She is shocked at the town reaction but still stays silent.

When Kurt starts to get upset, she gently puts her hand on his shoulder and gives him a small squeeze to calm him down but let him know she has his back.

Finally when the sergeant mentions going back, she finally speaks "One thing we learned is that your armed presence was keeping the orcs at bay. I believe that leaving now would give a chance for the orcs to do a stupid revenge attack. After all, the Cleric of Gruumsh is still there as is the "advisor", the hooded one and possible a couple of ogre mages. Leaving now could open the door for a attacked from a weakened tribe but still an attack."

Regardless of the sergeant's response which she expects to be a rebuttal of her idea, she will not insist. She will wait for group to be together in a quiet place for another important discovery speech.

She addresses the mayor "Sir, I would like to meet with the widows and children of the 9 men who died during last attack. If you could tell me where they leave, I would appreciate it. I am just looking to show some gratitude for their sacrifice."

[Zman]

Inn

As Mithril and Natalia move to the Inn, leaving the rest of the group by the Mayor and the Sergeant, the Sight of Max behind the bar greats them. Max, as ever, looks like a barrel chested man between 40 and 50, smells of ale, but has a certain charm about him which puts you at ease.

He simply looks up, making eye contact with both on you in turn...

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia smiles. "Found your wish. Head of your eye-stealer."

Playing her fingers together, Natalia decides to be blunt about it. "Got...Our message? Little bird told you?" She kind of wishes Shiny were here...

Natalia looks to Mithril. Someone else who can speak clearly, as she waits to see what Max says and does.

[Cavelcade]

Kurt nods at the affirmation by the sergeant, calming himself with the help of Miriam's presence. "Very good. I'm going to see how the defences are coming...they might get desperate." Kurt leaves them, then, going to inspect the verge of the village, not saying much but examining it all.

[Admiral]

Shiny clears his throat and turns to Max. "What Natalia's trying to ask is whether you've suddenly gained the ability to speak to birds, which we among the privileged call Ornitongue. I, Shiny Featherfriend, avian enthusiast and shopping consultant, have started an institute for those blessed with such ability, and we think you might be a worthy recruit."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia nearly jumps at Shiny's voice popping up behind her. She turns around and blinks, opens her mouth though no words come out. Even her normally buzzing mind is at a loss.

...What.

[Athedia]

Mithril spun around. The gnome must have followed her away from the group, but how he had managed to stay quiet for so long bemused her.

[Zman]

Mayor Benton

Having little choice, but to believe the group about their exploits and believe that they had ruffled their agreement the Mayor leaves to collect the reward for the party...


Around the Village

Kurt, Miriam, and Avalon walk around, inspecting the meager defenses around the town. They'd managed to erect a few small pallisades, creating a couple of defensible positions and choke points around the center of town.

The trench had been readily abandoned and Kurt could see the Soldiers had spent more time arming and handing basic training of the townsfolk. An aging farmer now held his pitchfork as if he could defend himself with it.

The Sergeant moved around, giving orders to his men, who achnowledged the orders and continued to work with the people before they leave in th morning. It appears if they are bunking in the Town Hall.

Horses Head Inn

As Natalia and Shiny begin talking, Max pulls the Silver Raven out of a pocket, whispers a word, the Raven growing and coming alive quickly flies to Natalia. "Yeah, got your message. Damned bird sat in my bar till I took the note."

He looks around sheepishly, making sure no one was in earshot, "Yur probably wondering why I didn't tell the rest o them about Yur successes. Truth be told, they were workin harder thinking they was going to die. And it wasn't any of their damned business to know about Alabastor's cave."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia smiles as the raven lights onto her outstretched hand. "Still works, though he's long gone."

She nods and looks at Shiny and Mithril. He does have a point; desperation brings about a certain effort not seen otherwise. "Why...Sent here," she says. "Though, we didn't know either, if we'd live...Until we did. The rogue then brightens. "But not a lie. Head for your eye, and friends...Alabaster helped...save you, your town, years later. Still...Looking over you, helping his blood."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Spoiler

Show

Forgot to add, though I don't think it's necessary:

Sense Motive: (d20+5)[13]

[Zman]

Natalia doesn't believe Max is being even slightly dishonest.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia always figured he was trustworthy. She hope's he's happy to learn that the rumors of his ancestor weren't a lie after all. She asks him, "Do you...Want to see the orc?" as the raven hops into her pack and then goes still.

[Cavelcade]

Kurt grumbles a bit as he walks around the village, seeing the abandonment of the ditch and dyke. "A palisade is fine but without that they can just march in so easily..." He then goes off muttering to himself a bit in dwarvish, wondering at how they can be so careless with their lives.

[Admiral]

"Good thinking. I knew you were the right person to contact." says Shiny warmly.

Spoiler

Show

Shiny trusts no one. Sense Motive:

(1d20+5)[22]

[Zman]

Shiny knows lies, and if Max is being deceptive he's better at it than Shiny.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia, remembering something, asks Max, who is silent, "What...Else about orc caves? What you saw there, long ago?"

[Athedia]

"I think Alabaster died happy. He looked at peace when we saw him. He would have been glad to know you where safe here."