IC - Mad King's Monkey

[Fangor the Fierce]

Bayar's threats to the gnoll seem to be working against them. Even with that, Eban still thinks that perhaps this confrontation can be salvaged. "If you help us find the spirit man, then he can help you find your traitors. Perhaps the traitors heard of this man being sought out to turn them in and took him as prisoner. No matter, for all I know is that you have the ability to track with the dogs you keep, and we have need of this spirit man. Remember, you attacked our own first. Even with that, you are alive and unharmed."

With that last statement, Eban looks to Bayar, adding, "And you will remain unharmed. We are not outlaws or thugs, and are here on our own orders. If this pack is out there, then you would capture them easier with out help. You saw how easily we were able to bring you down without need of weapons. Imagine what we can do to the whole pack you are tracking?"

Eban leaves the last question as enticement to the gnoll, hoping that it would better serve to work together than have to deal with these gnolls as well as another pack out there nearby. Having dogs to track down their own quarry would help as well...

 

[doghead]

despite the stubbornness of the gnoll, Jan asks, "Wait, did you say your number 1 dog spoke to the number 1 human?"

It takes some encouragement even to get the gnoll to confirm what it said previously. The cannot, as it claims not to have been present, or will not, as well may be the case, tell you what was said at the meeting.

Bayar's threats to the gnoll seem to be working against them. Even with that, Eban still thinks that perhaps this confrontation can be salvaged. "If you help us find the spirit man, then he can help you find your traitors. Perhaps the traitors heard of this man being sought out to turn them in and took him as prisoner. No matter, for all I know is that you have the ability to track with the dogs you keep, and we have need of this spirit man. Remember, you attacked our own first. Even with that, you are alive and unharmed."

The gnoll listens to Eban in silence. All he will say is, "You speak words to number one pack dog. He here soon."

 

[Scott DeWar]

Knowledge check to form a 'peace council' with the gnolls?

 

[ghostcat]

Libros listens to the questions without speaking, although his thoughts are racing. He finally concludes that he is not knowledgeable in the ways of the world to know if they can trust the dogs or not. After he few moments thought he outlines his concerns "So first off, can we trust the Gnolls to negotiate in good faith and keep to the agreement? Secondly, What happens if Henri doesn't want to help these Gnolls?"

 

[Scott DeWar]

"good questions . . . . ."
[knowledge :? are the dogs trustworthy?]

OOC: just read the ooc

. . . . .

[sblock=for me from Doghead]
moving knowledge to here

The tales and legends are full stories of gnolls terrorising the peasants, looting and burning villages, robbing travellers and kidnapping fair maidens; at least until the noble hero of the story came along and vanquished them. Gnolls are used by parents to scare wayward children into obedience. Gnolls are the perfect adversary archetype. Gnolls are savages, fierce fighters of bestial appearance. They are made for the role, no?

Once, gnolls were found across much of the land. Many wars and conflicts were fought between men and gnolls. Mostly mankind was victorious and slowly the gnolls were driven back until the survived only in the mountains that dominate the centre of the land. So it has been for the last few centuries. On occasion, the gnolls have come out of the mountains and waged war on mankind. The guard tower that the party passed on the road was likely as not built during such a conflict in order to protect the boarders and the roads.

There are a few counterpoints to this picture. These stories are less common. There is the legend of the tribe of gnolls that sheltered the children of the Lord Fayr and guided them across the mountains to safety after he was betrayed and overthrown. Lord Fayr is famous for having established peace 'between all of the beasts and man'. The tale of Lord Fayr is a favourite of the romantics, and the notion of peace between man and beast is usually interpreted as just allegory. But just as allegory can be used to illuminate truth, truth can also be hidden in allegory. Then there is Borse, the stout, loyal companion of the gallant knight-errant Sir Hodenfeld. Most tales describe Borse as a 'dog ugly fur clad warrior from the northern lands'. But some versions of the story, less common, describe his as a 'dog-warrior from the northern mountains'. In other words, a gnoll.

So, in all, gnolls may be more than simple savages. But choose your friends carefully perhaps. [/sblock]

to the gnoll: I agree on the promise of no harm to you.

to party: I remember accounts of the past that give reason for a peaceful council between us and the alpha gnoll. let him stand un bound if you remember the time when the children of Lord Fayr who were sheltered and safely lead accross the mountains. that being just the first"

Jan gives an oratory of the following events:

"There is the legend of the tribe of gnolls that sheltered the children of the Lord Fayr and guided them across the mountains to safety after he was betrayed and overthrown. Lord Fayr is famous for having established peace 'between all of the beasts and man'. The tale of Lord Fayr is a favourite of the romantics, and the notion of peace between man and beast is usually interpreted as just allegory. But just as allegory can be used to illuminate truth, truth can also be hidden in allegory. Then there is Borse, the stout, loyal companion of the gallant knight-errant Sir Hodenfeld. Most tales describe Borse as a 'dog ugly fur clad warrior from the northern lands'. But some versions of the story, less common, describe his as a 'dog-warrior from the northern mountains'. In other words, a gnoll."

 

[Axel]

Bayar

Bayar rounds on the rest of the group by the gnoll with an expression of incredulity. "Lost packs? I ain't wasting my time looking for a bunch of bloody lost dogs..."

Shaking his head he leaves the group to sort things out for themselves, heading for the house. Promising to free the prisoner on his good behaviour...helping it on some quest that will take years for useless information. What sort of useless children are these people???

Kicking at the front door of the house open with his boot, Bayar raises his eyebrows at the destruction and chaos. "Sukri, you in here somewhere?"

[sblock=ooc]
Heading out for a field trip for a week Monday morning. Uncertain internet access. Don't wait for me if I don't update.
[/sblock]

 

[Electric Wizard]

Sukri emerges from the cellar with a disappointed grimace. He always hated returning from a search empty-handed. The dog men must have made off with everything worth carrying.

"I'm here," he calls to Bayar. "They did take everything. Not even a smoke stick is left."

He is more than willing to take his frustration out on their captive. But he pauses at the cabin doorway when he realizes the interrogation's tone had changed during his search. Jen was regaling the beast with his warm, storytelling voice. He does not catch every word, but Sukri grins as he imagines what the troubadour could have said to the freak. He edges towards the circle.

"If we will free him," he says to Eban, not wanting to interrupt Jen's silver tongue, "we should ask his friends for what they took from the house."

 

[Axel]

Bayar looks questioningly at Sukri. "Why should we care what happens with Henri's stuff? I just want the Chancellor's potions and he can go back to his whole stinking life. That old barman knew more than he was letting on, I tell you. There's really nothing left behind? Notes? An order book? His workbench? Strange...

 

[Scott DeWar]

Jan: " does seen quite odd for those to be missing . . . . ."

 

[doghead]

From outside the house comes a shout of greeting in the local Hessian tongue.

"Hello there and good evening! I was wondering if the master of the house be around!"

Standing at the south edge of the clearing is a single figure wrapped in furs. He chews on the stem of an unlit pipe and carries a heavy crossbow loosely cradled in his arms. Beside the man stands a mule, heavily loaded.

The man repeats his greeeting in common.