TUW: The Outpost

[MacConnell]

Maka will search the bodies for anything useful, comparing their armor with his, to see how well they are equipped, and also looking for talismans, such as bones, ore, or stones, which might have Way proclivities.

Vittero searches his fallen opponents.

Adisakti motions for Taylar to give him a hand as he removes the bodies of the fallen from the main path, carrying them random distances and directions into the surrounding forest. "I am sure that the local animals will get at these soon enough, but I would rather err on the side of caution about leaving the signs of such a battle visible on the road."

The bodies are stripped of all that is of value. Each man contains only the stubble of growth of hair about his head and face, as if each was shaved before setting out upon this assignment. Underneath the white linen tabard, each is armored with the standard quilted tunic, that has been dyed green, of a Kingdom Regular. Unlike the nomadic bands of indigenous peoples that are occasionally encountered, these soldiers are not adorned with any trinkets or talismans.

Vittero offers, "Looks like these were regular soldier who have recently been proselyted into whatever they are now. It was almost like they could not think for themselves."

Though nothing can be found that might offer a particular proclivity for waylines, a total of twenty harnin short swords and twenty wooden bucklers should provide quite a return in trade, and each man is carrying several measures of dried meat. In addition to the quilted tunics, each proselyte is girded with a simple, yet practical, pigskin belt and shod in pigskin Knee boots. A total of 340 marks are recovered from the lot.

Once their garments are removed, it can be noted that each man has a brand on the left deltoid area of that shoulder. The brand appears to be an image of the sun. Other mars and various scars are noted, but only those expected on the body of any soldier.

All unwanted clothing is summarily burned, a single piece at a time so as to not create too much smoke and the possibility of unwanted attention. The party's cart and donkeys are retrieved and a camp is made. Vittero looks after Raven Elk's injury, from which he will soon recover.

Spoiler: Inventory

OOC: Current Inventory: 4-Wheeled Cart pulled by 2 donkeys Coins: chest of various coins marks: 121 Animal Parts: Grizzly Skull Minerals: Slate: 63: {Thump x2} Flint: 10 {Heat x2} Coal: 2: {Heat x3} Bloodstone: 2: {Confluence +1} Sunstone: 9: {Persona +1, Muddle x2} Heartstone: 5: {Confluence +1} Lodestone: 4 {shock x2} Ores: Zinc Ingots: 1: {Health +1, Mend x2} Tin Ingot: 1: {Persona +1, Muddle x2} Lead Ingot: 12: {Rend x2} Iron Ingot: 1 {Confluence +1, Mend x2} Calcium Ingot: 1: {Cohesion +1, Restore x2} Plants: Mend Leaves: 1 measure {Mend x2} Muddle Leaves: 2 measure {Muddle x2} Soothe Leaf: 1 measure {Soothe x2} Unknown Items: Angry Spirit Dust: Grizzly Claws: 20: .

Spoiler: Character Data

OOC: Vittero: hurt Bracers: 20 - 1 = 19 tunic: 60 - 12 = 48 harnin arrows: 17 Body: 10 - 1 = 9 Taylar: hurt Spaulders: 20 - 6 - 6 = 8 Body: 10 - 2 = 8 Maka: full health harnin arrows: 21 Raven Elk: hurt. Body: 10 - 1 = 9 - 1 = 8, hurt Buckler: 20 - 1 = 19 tunic: 60 - 12 = 48 - 12 = 36 Adisakti: full health javelins: 3

Spoiler: Party Discoveries

Acolyte Avery's Ledger
Slate Boulder: 76 stones worth, East Pass
Tin Vein: 43 stones worth, East Pass
Zinc Vein: 61 ingots worth, 7 days north East Pass
Keep of the Rising Sun

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Maka will help heal everyone who is injured, by adding his talents to the manipulation of Way.

Maka will then compare the Pigskin knee boots to his Sheepskin boots; if the Pigskin is better, and if the boots fit, he will take them. He will also pick up a Pigskin belt, since he has no girding currently, and he recognizes the benefit of having it.

OOC: The Southroad Fair Developing Community thread lists Pigskin as being better, but only base statistics are given. Can you give me the exact stats for the boots in LINE chat?

 

[MacConnell]

Maka will help heal everyone who is injured...

The injured are all tended but some time will still be need for a complete mend. Time is currently and available luxury. Maka find the confiscated belt to his liking but rejects the notion of trading boots.

Adisakti paces about as if something is bothering him. Perhaps he was gathering his thoughts. "No orders. We did not find any documents on this group. Their orders must have been verbal. I am guessing the were specific to the Pelimonra fishing village. Shame! They are such peaceable people."

"Anyway, I think Vittero is right. These are new recruits. I bet this was a test mission. Supposed to be easy. I am glad we were able to make it impossible to report. I only wish we could have known how to prevent it."

Vittero nods at his words. "I think this sunburst dyed into their arms is significant too."

The twenty swords are loaded into the wagon along with the bucklers. Nothing else was considered to be of any value.

Once the Outliers are ready to move, Vittero brooches an idea. "I think we should make our way toward the Kingdom seat, not all the way into West Cove, mind you, but close enough to take note of any more troop movements. It seems that the priesthood is commandeering Kingdom Regulars. This is a bad notion of a power shift. What say you?"

Spoiler: Inventory

OOC: Current Inventory: 4-Wheeled Cart pulled by 2 donkeys Harnin Short Swords: 20 Coins: chest of various coins marks: 461 Animal Parts: Grizzly Skull Minerals: Slate: 63: {Thump x2} Flint: 10 {Heat x2} Coal: 2: {Heat x3} Bloodstone: 2: {Confluence +1} Sunstone: 9: {Persona +1, Muddle x2} Heartstone: 5: {Confluence +1} Lodestone: 4 {shock x2} Ores: Zinc Ingots: 1: {Health +1, Mend x2} Tin Ingot: 1: {Persona +1, Muddle x2} Lead Ingot: 12: {Rend x2} Iron Ingot: 1 {Confluence +1, Mend x2} Calcium Ingot: 1: {Cohesion +1, Restore x2} Plants: Mend Leaves: 1 measure {Mend x2} Muddle Leaves: 2 measure {Muddle x2} Soothe Leaf: 1 measure {Soothe x2} Unknown Items: Angry Spirit Dust: Grizzly Claws: 20: .

Spoiler: Character Data

OOC: Vittero: hurt Bracers: 20 - 1 = 19 tunic: 60 - 12 = 48 harnin arrows: 17 Body: 10 - 1 = 9 Taylar: hurt Spaulders: 20 - 6 - 6 = 8 Body: 10 - 2 = 8 Maka: full health harnin arrows: 21 Raven Elk: hurt. Body: 10 - 1 = 9 - 1 = 8, hurt Buckler: 20 - 1 = 19 tunic: 60 - 12 = 48 - 12 = 36 Adisakti: full health javelins: 3

Spoiler: Party Discoveries

Acolyte Avery's Ledger
Slate Boulder: 76 stones worth, East Pass
Tin Vein: 43 stones worth, East Pass
Zinc Vein: 61 ingots worth, 7 days north East Pass
Keep of the Rising Sun

OOC: Each character receives 2 DP.

 

[Kwargrow]

Taylar gives a big stretch, as though he hasn't been active in a while. Before all the soldier uniforms are burned, he suggests that the group keep five of the best examples to wash and repair in case they need disguises for infiltration. If there are any soldiers that cling to life he will touch and drain them of what is left to heal his wounds. He helps collect the swords and other items, and then suggests, "Instead of selling these weapons and armor we should donate them to worthy villagers to help defend their homes. It will mean more to them than the coin will mean to us."

 

[Waynan]

Raven Elk is astounded by the relative effectiveness of the sonic attacks versus the comparable feebleness of the physical ones.
He is also surprised by the ease with which the darker powers of Way, like draining essence, comes so easy. He now sees that his Doom is not the end of his life, but that to be a medicine man or shaman one gas to balance light and dark, and darkness comes too easy. He would have to be careful.
While thinking these things, he also checks for anything with enhanced Way proclivities.
Hearing Vittero's idea, Raven Elk merely nods in agreement. There'll be time for talk later.

 

[MacConnell]

Taylar... "Instead of selling these weapons and armor we should donate them to worthy villagers to help defend their homes. It will mean more to them than the coin will mean to us."

Adisakti looks at the over the gathered supplies, at each of his friends, and nods his agreement with Taylar.

Raven Elk is astounded by the relative effectiveness of the sonic attacks versus the comparable feebleness of the physical ones. He is also surprised by the ease with which the darker powers of (Bending), like draining (life), come so easily. He now sees... While thinking these things, he also checks for anything (tuned to certain waylines)...

Taylar successfully leaches the remaining life from a few of the men to find himself restored, as if untouched in the previous combat.

Seeing that Raven Elk is perusing the spoils and recognizing what he is doing offers some deduction. "You have sensed nothing yet. Am I right?"

Raven Elk nods.

"These religious soldiers seem to be on a mission not only to kill those who are not Markidian but also those who have the talent of Bending. You can save your time. They are not going to have anything tuned to any proclivity. I am suspecting that the real mission behind these raids is to prevent any chance of resistance against whoever is orchestrating them. I would bet against a shaved head that the top dog and his cronies are all Benders."

Adisakti shakes his head at Taylar's idea for disguise. "Sorry, big guy, but it will never work. Look at these men. They are all Markidian. Their heads are shaved, and they all have that tattoo on their arm that Vittero noticed. Vittero is the only one of use who is Markidian. Blast the West Wind! He and Raven are the only ones of us who are even Aedaman."

He paces around a bit, gathering his thoughts and kicks at one of the bodies. "We are not going to be able to infiltrate this order. We found that ledger on that one upshot priest. I say, after we take this stuff the the Pelimonra Village, we move toward West Cove like Vittero was saying. We will have to do it from hiding. We need to see if we can find someone giving orders. I don't think we are ready to take this problem head on, but we can sure as the Darkness start picking off the pieces!"

The twenty swords are loaded into the wagon along with the bucklers. Nothing else was considered to be of any value.

Turning the wagon toward the coast, the Outliers decide to make camp for the evening in order to not arrive at night. Starting out at first light, it is early yet when the edge of the village is reached. It is the smell that assails the senses, first. It is not only the coastal haze that lingers but smoke. As the crew moves about the village or what used to be a village, they find that everything has been burned and every living thing has been killed, even livestock and pets, not a building remains standing, not a boat remains on the water.

Spoiler: Inventory

OOC: Current Inventory: 4-Wheeled Cart pulled by 2 donkeys Harnin Short Swords: 20 Coins: chest of various coins marks: 461 Animal Parts: Grizzly Skull Minerals: Slate: 63: {Thump x2} Flint: 10 {Heat x2} Coal: 2: {Heat x3} Bloodstone: 2: {Confluence +1} Sunstone: 9: {Persona +1, Muddle x2} Heartstone: 5: {Confluence +1} Lodestone: 4 {shock x2} Ores: Zinc Ingots: 1: {Health +1, Mend x2} Tin Ingot: 1: {Persona +1, Muddle x2} Lead Ingot: 12: {Rend x2} Iron Ingot: 1 {Confluence +1, Mend x2} Calcium Ingot: 1: {Cohesion +1, Restore x2} Plants: Mend Leaves: 1 measure {Mend x2} Muddle Leaves: 2 measure {Muddle x2} Soothe Leaf: 1 measure {Soothe x2} Unknown Items: Angry Spirit Dust: Grizzly Claws: 20: .

Spoiler: Character Data

OOC: Vittero: full health Bracers: 20 - 1 = 19 tunic: 60 - 12 = 48 harnin arrows: 17 Taylar: full health Spaulders: 20 - 6 - 6 = 8 Maka: full health harnin arrows: 21 Raven Elk: full health Buckler: 20 - 1 = 19 tunic: 60 - 12 = 48 - 12 = 36 Adisakti: full health javelins: 3

Spoiler: Party Discoveries

Acolyte Avery's Ledger
Slate Boulder: 76 stones worth, East Pass
Tin Vein: 43 stones worth, East Pass
Zinc Vein: 61 ingots worth, 7 days north East Pass
Keep of the Rising Sun

OOC: Each character receives 2 DP.

 

[Waynan]

"By the Wind, the Wave, the Flower and the Flame." Raven curses, "We are too late."
Raven Elk is filled with horror, sorrow --- and rage, --- at the sight before him.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Maka frowns, but says nothing. But it is obvious that a hatred is growing deep inside him; a hatred for the soldiers, and for their genocidal masters.

 

[Kwargrow]

Taylar will search the village anyway, looking for things the soldiers missed.

Spoiler: Rolls

50, 74

 

[MacConnell]

Taylar will search the village anyway, looking for things the soldiers missed.

Everyone helps in the search. Absolutely nothing of value remains in the village, not that the village likely contained anything of monetary value, anyway. Every single thing appears to have been meticulously destroyed. No structure remains standing. No item is unbroken.

Spoiler: Inventory

OOC: Current Inventory: 4-Wheeled Cart pulled by 2 donkeys Harnin Short Swords: 20 Coins: chest of various coins marks: 461 Animal Parts: Grizzly Skull Minerals: Slate: 63: {Thump x2} Flint: 10 {Heat x2} Coal: 2: {Heat x3} Bloodstone: 2: {Confluence +1} Sunstone: 9: {Persona +1, Muddle x2} Heartstone: 5: {Confluence +1} Lodestone: 4 {shock x2} Ores: Zinc Ingots: 1: {Health +1, Mend x2} Tin Ingot: 1: {Persona +1, Muddle x2} Lead Ingot: 12: {Rend x2} Iron Ingot: 1 {Confluence +1, Mend x2} Calcium Ingot: 1: {Cohesion +1, Restore x2} Plants: Mend Leaves: 1 measure {Mend x2} Muddle Leaves: 2 measure {Muddle x2} Soothe Leaf: 1 measure {Soothe x2} Unknown Items: Angry Spirit Dust: Grizzly Claws: 20: .

Spoiler: Character Data

OOC: Vittero: full health Bracers: 20 - 1 = 19 tunic: 60 - 12 = 48 harnin arrows: 17 Taylar: full health Spaulders: 20 - 6 - 6 = 8 Maka: full health harnin arrows: 21 Raven Elk: full health Buckler: 20 - 1 = 19 tunic: 60 - 12 = 48 - 12 = 36 Adisakti: full health javelins: 3

Spoiler: Party Discoveries

Acolyte Avery's Ledger
Slate Boulder: 76 stones worth, East Pass
Tin Vein: 43 stones worth, East Pass
Zinc Vein: 61 ingots worth, 7 days north East Pass
Keep of the Rising Sun

OOC: Each character receives 2 DP.