D1: Ashin's Commission (El Jefe judging)

[Rystil Arden]

*Zaeryl is bemused by the complete stupidity of his teammates.*

"You realise that if they don't think they can win, they're going to ask you to talk to their superiors and then lead you to a mass of soldiers so large that not even all of us can hope to kill them all, after which they capture us. And if we don't go with them, they'll go themselves and send out alerts and patrols. Really, if you want to save the town and the people they are oppressing, these soldiers need to be defeated. What do you hope to gain from talking first? They're not going to leave just because you said so. We already heard from the shepherds that they're detaining people in concentration camps."

 

[Patlin]

"There is some ambiguity in their actions. Let's give them a chance to clarify it. It's too late to apologize later if we kill them first and then discover they aren't as bad as we've been lead to believe. Even if we take it as proven that Fallon is evil, for all we know these soldiers were conscripted. I don't want to slaughter farmers even if an evil lord did make then wear a uniform. I realize we will need to accept a tactical disadvantage in order to check, but I am not overly concerned. We are strong of mind and strong of body, are we not? Let our enemies see that we fear them so little we offer them compassion rather than a knife in the darkness. Let them tremble in that knowledge if they dare to oppose us."

ooc: The length of this conversation begins to exceed the available time... are we there yet?

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Idiocy. If you don't want to kill them, fight to subdue. Honestly, there's no possible scenario where talking to them first is a good idea that doesn't involve convoluted weirdness, and even then you can just work that out after knocking them out so you don't risk all the townsfolk's lives for your vanity."

 

[Patlin]

"Fighting to subdue is a bit tricky. I'd rather give them the option to avoid combat, and then if they decline be able to fight unfettered. I understand your argument, Zaeryl, and it's completely sound based on the value you assign to the lives of the soldiers. That's where we disagree. Anyone else want to chime in on this? The soldiers are just ahead according to the crystal."

 

[B4cchus]

"Them soldiers are just doing thier job, i think. We should just ask our rock back because it's ours. If they then refuse then they're thieves and thieves i do hit. Right?"

 

[Patlin]

"Them soldiers are just doing thier job, i think. We should just ask our rock back because it's ours. If they then refuse then they're thieves and thieves i do hit. Right?"

"That's it exactly Hulgyr." Ironwolf agrees. He politely doesn't point out how much easier the Orc understood the concept than Zaeryl.

 

[ajanders]

Michael opens his mouth to say something, then saves his breath for walking.
*Creak-rattle-crunch*
He looks embarrassed and tries to tiptoe.
*Creak-rattle-Creak-rattle-Creak-rattle*
Some days it's enough to make a fellow wish he'd become a ranger...

 

[B4cchus]

Hulgyr smiles when Ironwolf says he's right and heads onward. If all go by foot, so will Hulgyr.

 

[doghead]

--- THE STONEPIKE MOUNTAINS ---

The party ties off its horses and, now on foot, closes in on the location of the psicrystal. Eventually they spot a group three soldiers in a small clearing about 50 feet up ahead. A little behind the three soldiers is a hastily erected barricade across the road.

Beyond the barricade the forest closes in on the path again somewhat, but you get the impression that it opens out again a little further up hill.

Two of the soldiers are kneeling on the ground. The third stands a couple of steps back. He has a shield and spear in hand, but his attention is on his two companions.

The path that the psicrystal was following lies about 20 feet to the right of where the party now is.

There is cover up for another 30 feet or so, up to about 20 feet from the soldiers. But from here on, there is the chance that the soldiers will spot anyone approaching.

[sblock=Listen DC 10] In the distance you can hear a low murmer of noise, like you would hear from a small village or large camp.[/sblock]

[sblock=Paltin]The concensus seems to be that the rock is a baby earth elemental. Which lead to the question, can you train earth elementals? Two of the soldiers seem to think it would be a good pet, or mascot. She crystal's lack of movement seems to have reassured the soldierss, and they turn to discussing how to get a look at it. Yanking off the cloack and grabbing it seems to be the currrent favourite option.[/sblock]

[sblock=ooc]OK, about 3 minutes has passed since the psicrystal was jumped. About 1 minute has passed since spells were cast. That should be more than enough time to cover 200 feet through the forest and have the conversation.

I'm assuming Zaeryl has just left his armour beside his horse?[/sblock]

 

[B4cchus]

Hulgyr doesn't make the listen check.
Hulgyr follows any action the rest take.