Stranded in 1650: IC

[Evoker]

So, we are agreed that we should travel to Citallon with the soldiers, but stop them before they can reach Citallon?

[Toliudar]

Mama grimaces at Ontor's proposal.

"I'm not so sure. These people seem to be in the process of capturing this entire island, and we have no idea how long we're going to be stuck here. I don't get the feeling that the townsfolk have anything that's gonna stand up to this army. So maybe our best course is to figure out how to seem boring and compliant while we look for a way to get home."

[Thundercracker]

Samuel

“I don’t know of any magic powerful enough to teleport an entire town, we may be stuck here a very long time,” Samuel said, “I think we should start finding out more about our hosts, and what their capabilities and customs are. That will give us a better idea of what we can do, but for now I agree, we should play along.”

[Dimers]

Emlin looks pensive. "Perhaps it would be best just to get across that we need to see our loved ones before continuing. How long could a side trip take? Surely less time than what's needed to move four people objecting to being moved. It's hardly an unreasonable request."

[Thundercracker]

Emlin looks pensive. "Perhaps it would be best just to get across that we need to see our loved ones before continuing. How long could a side trip take? Surely less time than what's needed to move four people objecting to being moved. It's hardly an unreasonable request."

Samuel

“They’re taking us back to the town, with a detachment of soldiers,” Samuel replied.

[Evoker]

Ontor grinds his teeth.

I'm uncomfortable with just... allowing them to get away with making us into a subordinate village. I know they are powerful, but it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Not to mention that if we become a subordinate village, that makes us a potential target for anyone they're fighting.

[Thundercracker]

Samuel

“As am I, perhaps we will be able to reason with the commander of the soldiers, or with Sinbul, if he has any sway over them,” Samuel said, “I don’t think slaughtering a company sent to escort us is an option, so we may need to accept control for the time being and find a way to liberate ourselves afterwards, once we know more about this place.”

[Toliudar]

Mama offers an expansive shrug.

"I don't think any of us are thrilled with the idea of being, well, occupied. But with garrisons and such they've probably got more soldiers than we've got chickens.

If we kill one of them, a few of them, it's a declaration of war. They come after us in force. Then we lose any kind of leverage over what they do and don't do in our town."

[Thundercracker]

Mama offers an expansive shrug.

"I don't think any of us are thrilled with the idea of being, well, occupied. But with garrisons and such they've probably got more soldiers than we've got chickens.

If we kill one of them, a few of them, it's a declaration of war. They come after us in force. Then we lose any kind of leverage over what they do and don't do in our town."

Samuel

“They have no magic,” Samuel said, “if we charm the right people, we’ll be able to buy ourselves some time or autonomy, maybe both.”

[JbeJ275]

All

In the morning they rouse you before dawn, leaving you with breakfast and clothes that fit beneath armour. Not long after they return, escort you to a carriage and set out east. You are accompanied by fifty soldiers on foot and fifteen horsemen, likely a somewhat depleted company. It takes a full day to travel back, giving you ample time to talk with the soldiers if you want to, if you try and write up a dictionary today though you can exchange a few words and learn a very primitive outline, but the bumps in the road make transcribing slow and Sunbul seems pre-occupied with other thoughts. The light is beginning to fade by the time you return, but illuminated spots around Emlin and various torches let you see most of the village's humans crowded around the square in front of the inn.

In front of the inn, on a small and recently constructed platform stands Samuel's father. The baron looks out over the convoy that approaches and looks at you with concern as you are escorted out of the carriage.

[Toliudar]

Mama

En Route

Once Mama realizes that writing will be difficult and Sunbul preoccupied, she cozies up to another of the guards instead, and starts to use mime, gesture and repetition to build up an oral understanding of some basic terms. It would't make for a peace treaty, but it would help her signal a need to use the bathroom.

Back in Town

Mama seeks out the faces of her husband and children as the group makes their way toward the town square. She points out her sons and grandchildren excitedly to the guard she has befriended. The sooner that these strange new people come to see us as like them, the better.

Spoiler: Language Lessons

Show

I figure that with a day, a hundred words might be within reach in a day. I researched a couple of pidgin dialects, and you can build a lot on a few basic nouns and concepts. So if Mama can learn a list something like the following 80 words, it's a good start.

Air
And
Angry
Belly
Big
Boat
Boss
Cat
Child
Clothing
Come
Cow
Dirt
Do
Dog
Down
Drink
Eat
Eight
Fast
Fight
Fire
Five
Foot
Four
Friend
Give
Go
Hand
Happy
Head
Hello
House
Here
Horse
Hug
Hurt
I don’t know
Left
Less
Listen
Man
More
Nine
No
Not
One
Or
Please
Problem
Right
Sad
See
Seven
Sit
Six
Sleep
Slow
Small
Smile
Stand
Take
Ten
Thanks
There
Three
Today
Toilet
Tomorrow
Trouble
Two
Up
Wagon
Water
What?
Woman
Yes
Yesterday

[Dimers]

En Route

Quiet throughout the ride, Emlin perks up a bit as the light dims and precious Citallon approaches. "It will be a delight to see the people we know again. I've felt so little opportunity to connect with the outsiders ... I had no idea how chasmic language can be! Even praying at my own humble altar takes on a new significance, now that I've been without it."

After a couple minutes of silence, he poses a question to his companions. "How do you think the baron would feel about pledging his allegiance to a new lord and resuming his responsibilities?"

[Thundercracker]

Samuel Arvandor

“I’m not sure, but it’s easy enough to find out,” Samuel said, “I am curious to see how our new ‘friends’ will treat us, as well.”

Samuel calls out to his father as he exits the carriage, and walks quickly to him.

“Father. We’re in a tight spot,” Samuel said, “there’s a siege of a city not far from here, these are but a tiny fraction of the invaders’ force. They wish to make us their vassals, or subjects, but most importantly, they have no magic, at all. We should be careful not to let them know any more than they’ve seen already, lest they figure out it can be learned.”

Edit: “but first,” Samuel added, “you should probably meet the one who is acting as their ambassador for the time being, Sunbul.”

Samuel motioned for Sunbul to approach.

[Evoker]

I'll cast Comprehend Languages to act as a one-way translator.

They don't speak Common, so I'll be acting as translator so that you can understand what he's saying. Unfortunately, complex communication back is probably impossible for the moment, although we can try to get across simple ideas.

[JbeJ275]

Mama

While initially you receive mostly confusion eventually one guard, a fellow named Damad, becomes friendlier. He tries to engage in discussion several times and does end up helping you with your hope to get some words translated. You're not sure all of them were communicated clearly but you have at least a guess at all of them. The guard is a little to far back in the formation when you march into town for you to see how he reacted to the village but your hopes for building some trust are high.

All

The baron regards this all with a steely visage, he hears what Samuel says and though of course it bites hard at his pride he seems to not be outraged over his new position.

Spoiler: DC 15 Sense Motive to Open

Show

He also seems entirely unsuprised by the revelation that these people are without magic. Perhaps he learn't this some other way?

He greets Sunbul with a formal bow, and though your customs are quite different, Sunbul seems to recognise it for what it is. He then begins.

In the Name of the great Sultan Mehmed Han, Sovereign of The Sublime House of Osman, Sultan es Selatin, Khakhan, Commander of the faithful and Successor of the Prophet of the lord of the Universe, Custodian of the Holy Cities of Mecca, Medina and Kouds, Kayser-i Rum, Padishah of The Three Cities of Istanbul, Edirne and Bursa, and of the Cities of Châm and Cairo, of all Azerbaijan, of the Maghreb, of Barkah, of Kairouan, of Alep, of the Arab and Persian Iraq, of Basra, of El Hasa strip, of Raqqa, of Mosul, of Parthia, of Diyâr-ı Bekr, of Cilicia, of the provinces of Erzurum, of Sivas, of Adana, of Karaman, of Van, of Barbaria, of Habech, of Tunisia, of Tripoli, of Châm, of Cyprus, of Rhodes, of Crete, of the province of Morea, of Bahr-i Sefid, of Bahr-i Siyah, of Anatolia, of Rumelia, of Bagdad, of Kurdistan, of Greece, of Turkestan, of Tartary, of Circassia, of the two regions of Kabarda, of Gorjestan, of the steppe of Kipchaks, of the whole country of the Tatars, of Kefa and of all the neighbouring regions, of Bosnia, of the City and Fort of Belgrade, of the province of Sirbistan, with all the castles and cities, of all Arnaut, of all Eflak and Bogdania, as well as all the dependencies and borders, and many others countries and cities I announce that it is the will of his most faithful servant Gazi Hüseyin Pasha that Samuel Arvandor be appointed the Bey of this village of Citallon to rule in the name of his high majesty for all his days granted all privileges, duties and responsibilities associated with such rank and title.

How do you choose to pass this along?

[Evoker]

I'll translate everything, but I will stop for a moment in shock when Samuel is appointed "Bey" and it is explained what that means. I'll also start to sound a little bored/tired after the first twenty titles or so, until the titles end.

[Thundercracker]

A look of shock came over Samuel’s features.

“W-what?” he said, “are you sure that’s right?”

[Toliudar]

Mama tries to stay still and dignified during the proceedings. Appointing Samuel made sense - he was authoritative, he'd lead the first contact, he hadn't exhibited any signs of being a witch, and he had a penis. He checked all the boxes.

She thought about the extent of the empire that they had just stumbled into. If even half of the titles weren't bull, it would be a very good idea to cosy up with these guys. She had been thinkng of trying to slip through the seige and try to help the other side, just to distract from Cirallon. But perhaps that was a lost cause.

Spoiler: Sense Motive

Show

(1d20+3)[11]

[Evoker]

Unless my spell is misleading me, and it never has previously, that's right, Samuel. Apparently they think you will be best for the administration of the village.

[Dimers]

Emlin watches others' reactions as Ontor translates. Raising his eyebrows at the unexpected revelation, he recovers quickly and kneels to Samuel with grace. "Congratulations on your promotion, friend." He chuckles a moment as he stands. "I'll obey you, O Bey. Or your father as an appointed Grand Advisor, if you don't feel ready for the responsibility."

[Toliudar]

Mama offered up what she hoped was a reassuring half-smile.

"Don't worry about it, kid. It's going to mostly boil down to listening to what our imperial overlords tell us, and telling everybody. Leastwise, for the time being."

[Thundercracker]

Samuel

Still somewhat in shock, Samuel turned to Sunbul and bowed deeply.

[JbeJ275]

Sunbul returns the bow, and speaks once again. Addressing Samuel directly though he knows only Ontor can understand him he says Now it would be most appreciated, Bey of Citallon, if you could find rooms for the officers here, and provide some food to keep the troops, while they assemble a more permeant camp and report to the seigeworks and Pasha. The request seems more rote that genuinly questioning and you imagine this is likely one of the responsibilities ascribed to you, in some way.

You do know you can, Citallon had a limited reserve but was always expected to tithe, if to someone else, with Mama's message they ought to be ready enough. Though supporting this many people long term is not so possible.

In terms of the people's mood, there is a distrust there, most of you are fairly well liked but not sufficiently so to avoid your return with what seems like an occupying army very very tense.

The baron steps back at the announcement, seemingly very thrown off. He swallows, then steps forward once again with a smile. I am sure you will do well, son. I don't know what awaits us here but I hope you can maintain the families honour leading us through it.

He then steps forward to whisper into Samuels ear.

Spoiler: Samuel Only

Show

Once your "freinds" have been sorted out meet me in my study, we have much to discuss. Those who journeyed with you may also need to come. He whispers, in a voice colder than that a moment before.

At this point he smiles again at the Ottoman soldiers, bows formally in a style similar to Samuels and shortly departs from the platform.

Ontor

You quickly pick out the faces of the militia members you spent many of your hours with. A few of the younger ones look somewhat awed as this is the first military force of this size to move though the village in years, carrying exotic weapons but with the same order. Others though look quietly furious, many of Heironeous' sermons display the ignobility in ceding without fighting due to only a small disadvantage and they do not seem ready to accept what has happened here.

Mama

Damad seems to be smiling at the Citallonites with some measure of warmth and your presence and grantee has ensured at least some Citallonites are returning this smile. Other smiles from the Ottoman troops tend to be less savoury, or to be absent entirely replaced with looks of general disgust towards many of the locals.

Emlin

You seem to have caught the eye of great number of people inside the Stumble Inn. first and foremost your own parents, but many people of the village are there to. They look at you with some concern, and perhaps a little confusion though no more than that is apparent.

[Evoker]

I'll pull Samuel aside when it looks like he has a moment.

Sir? I think you should know that some of the militia seem to be upset at conceding without a fight, and I won't hide that I agree with them. However, if you'd like, I can try to calm them down.

Of course, if you plan on us getting into a fight in the near future, I could hold off on talking with them so that they are ready for a fight.

[Toliudar]

Mama

After the whatever ceremony, Mama murmured to Emlin that she needed fifteen minutes, and then would check in to assist as desired. Seeking out her husband and children, there was a hurried round of hugs, reassuring phrases, and promises to catch up later.

She tries to use her extremely limited vocabulary to help the visitors get settled in at a set of human homes, and will offer to billet Damad at her own home, to overfeed him, lovebomb him with her rambunctious grandchildren, and gradually expand her understanding of Damad's language and culture.

And then...back to whatever was going on with Sunbul and the Baron.

[Thundercracker]

Samuel

“Yes father, I will bring them, I think there is much to discuss in council,” Samuel replied “err, sorry about the whole ‘Bey’ thing, it was completely unexpected.”

Samuel will pass the word of the meeting with his Father to the others.

To Ontor:
“If we’re going to fight, it should be on our terms,” Samuel said, “right now, we’re completely unprepared; we don’t know our enemy, or if they even are our enemy. Make no mistake, I don’t think it’s right to roll over and give up everything without any resistance, but right now isn’t the time. Tell the militia to maintain readiness; we may need to forcibly expel the Pasha’s troops. If it does come to fighting, we’ll want it to be as bloodless for our people as possible.“

“My father is convening a council in his study, meet us there after you’ve spoken to the militia,” Samuel said.

[Dimers]

After extracting himself socially and coordinating with Samuel and Mama Masala, Emlin heads to the Stumble Inn to catch up with his parents briefly. "Dad, Mom! It's so good to see you again! I know it's only been a few days, but I missed you intensely," he says while gathering them both in a big hug. "I'm sorry, I won't really have a chance to tell you about what's happened yet, the baron and his son need my presence in just a little while. But goodness, it's a strange world we've been dropped into! ... How have you both been?"

[Evoker]

I'll talk to the militia members that seemed upset.
Look, I know you're upset at surrendering without a fight. I am too. But this land we've appeared in is being disputed over by two significantly sized empires. While I'm confident that, working together, we could defeat the soldiers they've sent so far, this is a tiny fraction of their power. The only way we can keep ourselves and the rest of the village safe is by accepting their protection. I know that's upsetting, but I'm sad to say that it's the truth, and I hope you trust me on this.

Spoiler: Diplomacy

Show

(d20)[16]

[JbeJ275]

Ontor

Most of the militia members shoot somewhat sad or despondent looks after this remark but don't say anything to challenge it. Maria, one of the theoretical officers though says "I know we shouldn't throw away are lives on a fight we can't win, but you're sure this army is the better option? We have strength enough to fight them and we should be able to make a proper difference at least?

Mama

Damad makes faltering apologies in this language you're starting to understand, he says he would stay there but the soldiers must stay together in camp and he wishes to not offend either his fellows or to get in trouble by taking a privilege mostly seen fit for officers. He does say he will eat with you, and after a few glances towards the horizon says he should be able to do so very soon.

Emlin

We're fine Emlin. Your mother says. We've gone through worse than this before. I do hope you've been well though, we were very worried when we heard you'd chosen to go. Who are these people though? Don't tell the Baron but your father rode out of town one night and men in these same uniforms seemed... less than deserving of your goodwill. Are the rest of these men different?

Sam

With many of the others asking for delays you seem to have around fifteen to thirty minutes to deal with things. Would you go to your father and have the rest arrive slightly later or would you be sorting something out in the village?

[Thundercracker]

Samuel

Sam inquired as to their food and water supplies. He wanted to know how long they would be self sufficient before they needed to rely on trade or crops.