[Lakelands] Six For Adventure

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

"My apologies, Brother. No threat was intended - the wrath of the Seven is not something I wish to incur. I am a simple man here to save his simple village; the lives of my townsfolk are my primary concern, not the machinations of the ambitious."Whether Amalric was merely a sour and suspicious man or his warning did actually have merit, only time would see his statement bear fruit. Hopefully, that fruit wasn't a bitter one. Horsom cast appraising glances at Dain, Hengist, and the guardsmen."I thank you for your warning", Horsom murmured to Amalric.

In response to Fellan's surprised look, Horsom said:"Brother Amalric thinks that the manticore may actually be demonic in origin. The how and the why of this are to remain a mystery until we are actually face-to-face with this creature apparently. He also surmises that the Archdeacon may be using us as a test for the manticore, in order to assay its powers. He fears that we are expendable in the Archdeacon's eyes. "At this last, Fellan also looks sharply at the priests who've accompanied them from Selby-by-the-Water, but he says nothing. Horsom couldn't help but wonder if Dain and Hengist were patsies of the Archdeacon or if they were complicit in his plotting. If there was any plotting. Horsom shook his head angrily, as if to shake loose the seed that Amalric had planted there.

Horsom addressed the room."Regardless of the truth of this situation, the beast must be slain. I ask you all to consider my plan of laying an ambush for the manticore in its lair." Horsom ponders for a moment."Although if the creature is really a demon in disguise, it may have infernal servants guarding its lair when it leaves to search for prey. In which case, better to tackle these guardians without the manticore there. What say you?"

 

[Samuel Leming]

Maldordo listens quietly during Dain & Horsom's confrontation with Amalric, the local priest. He at least remembers his manners enough to stop eating during the exchange.

In response to Horsom's plan, Maldordo states, "I'm all for examining this beast's lair before our confrontation with it. In my natural cat form, I'll be able to clearly smell if we're dealling with a fiend or a chimeric beast. As a cat, I really am cat-silent and cat-quick, so I should be able to sneak into its lair while only taking reasonable risks. My cat's nose can tell me things the eyes and ears can not, and luckily, I've got eyes and ears too."

Turning towards Amalric, Maldordo asks, "Has anyone here in Kell's Reach seen this beast close up? The more we know going in, the better. Demon or manticore, we're going to solve this problem for you and come back for more pancakes afterward." Maldordo gives the local priest a broad grin before taking another bite of his pancake.

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

Horsom smiled at Maldordo's comments. He appreciated the cat-man's seemingly effortless manner in disarming a hostile situation."I agree. Your cat wiles will serve us well Maldordo. If you require assistance, my upbringing in the woods have lent me some skill at passing unseen. I bow to your superior knowledge in this area though."

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At his next opportunity, Horsom pulls Dain aside."Dain, you seem like a noble and straightforward sort. Tell me man-to-man that you won't abandon us to the manticore. As much as I want to chalk them up to jealousy or insecurity regarding his colleagues in Selby, Amalric's claims are disturbing me. Tell me I'm not being played for a fool here. I need to know that I can count on the warband with which I travel."

Edit: Added comments to Maldordo.

 

[Raven Crowking]

"There are those who say that have seen it in flight," Amalric said. He looked distinctly uneasy. "Goodwife Horner says she saw it at night, pulling something into a local barrow. The Dwarfie Run it is called, the barrow is called, I mean. It lies not far from here, to the east and south. You could ride there in half an hour."

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

"So on foot we could be there by mid-afternoon. If it was observed returning with prey after dark, there's at least a chance that it's abroad during the day, leaving it's lair empty. I vote for leaving right now. Maybe we should bring a few lanterns and some oil in case we have to face it after sundown though. Amalric, where can I get lanterns and oil?"

 

[Raven Crowking]

"So on foot we could be there by mid-afternoon. If it was observed returning with prey after dark, there's at least a chance that it's abroad during the day, leaving it's lair empty. I vote for leaving right now. Maybe we should bring a few lanterns and some oil in case we have to face it after sundown though. Amalric, where can I get lanterns and oil?"

"There are three lanterns, with enough oil for six hours each, that I brought on the cart," Brother Hengist said. "The Archdeacon thought you might need them."

 

[maddmic]

Kregor sat and continued eating during the heated discussion. He then placed the bowl on the table as they finished their discussion. Returning to his seat he looked at the two entering after taking care of the horses. He sat down and patiently waited for those involved in the debate to finish. Upon hearing Maldordos speach, he almost chuckled. 'The little one has a way with twisting words and calming others down. He shall be the diplomat.' He moved his eyes over Dain and Horsom. "These two are an interesting sort. Something eats at the dwarf, while the passion of saving his people consumes the human.'

Wishing not to stay any longer in the hostile room, Kregor stands up. "My name is Kregor. I have been sent here not by your Archdeacon, but by a greater authority. Demon, or manticore, I care not. I have been sent here to claim a soul so that the innocents may rest knowing that their protection is secure."

Turning to Horsom he continued. "So you may count me as one you can trust. For I have come this day to protect these poor people and I bring with me death."

He then turns and exits the church, content to wait for the others outside.

 

[Samuel Leming]

"The sooner we set out to confront this demonticore, or whatever it is, the less chance that anyone else will be killed by it. Well, anyone other than us, that is", states Maldordo while grinning broadly. "Our chances of success may be improved by collecting more information on this beast. We can talk to the good village folk of Kell's Reach, such as Goodwife Horner. Since I speak the tongues of felines, canines & rodents, I may be able to learn more from some of these unexpected sources".

Maldordo continues, "It's a hard choice. Proceed at once to the demonticore's lair and reduce the risk to the villagers or take time for additional research and perhaps increase our chance of success. Yes, not a choice to make without consideration," Maldordo hold up his open palms for emphasis.

Broadening his smile, he then turns to address Horsom. "Having a warrior at my back while creeping into this monster's lair would be a comfort. Well, at least until you step on my tail because you wouldn't be able to see my tiny black form in the darkness. My shocked screech would probably draw the demonticore, if it's there, right to us, unless my blood-curdling YOOOOWWWLLL startles it into keeling over from a heart attack."

Maldordo stops to ponder briefly before continuing. "I suppose that a monster such as this would choose a lair he can reach without going through doors or traps. Though agile in combat, manticores aren't know for their manual dexterity. I doubt I'll encounter such obstructions while creeping forward in my natural form, but if I do that'll be an additional clue that this creature's nature is not what we've been lead to believe."

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

Horsom laughs out loud as he pictures the manticore clutching its heart as it collapses from fright. "Alright, alright, point taken! As to a departure time, I don't know how much more information we can gather, but we could spend the rest of the day speaking to the villagers and head out first thing in the morning." Horsom pauses to pick up his soup bowl and take another sip of his quickly cooling meal. "Although I'm still in if the majority wants to leave now.", adds Horsom, showing the recklessness of youth.

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Horsom gives a solemn nod to Kregor as this last strides out of the church.

 

[Raven Crowking]

Amalric licked his lips.

"If you want my advice," he said, "I would speak to the villagers. Of course, some of you might not be as well suited to that task as others." He indicated Glom with a nod of his head.