[Pathfinder] Hewligan's Rise of the Runelords: The Hook Mountain Massacre

[frostrune]

Jokad grows angrier by the moment at the shop keeper's lecture and condescending tone. He finally snaps. Jokad leans down to bring his face within inches of the shop keeper and speaks in a firm, quiet tone as cold as the winds off the Storval steppe.

"Listen old one, and listen well. I don't care how tough you or this town think you are, you are not prepared for the danger you are about to face."

"Ft. Rannick has fallen to a horde of ogres. That little attack on a remote farmstead you heard about last night is just the begining. There is nothing, NOTHING between this dirt hole and that ogre horde except my friends, those three battered Black Arrows, and that bear you made mention of."

"We are heading north within the hour to do what we can to stop it or slow it but those men will be a lot more effective will swords, bows, and gear. You have my coin and you have my word. Consider this a loan. An we come back the items will be returned or paid for in full. If we don't, you can take the matter up with my corpse... if you live to worry about it."

"Tis is far fairer deal than you'll get from the ogres."


He stares at him icily for a few seconds longer to let the full gravity of those words sink in, then he turns and begins to gather up the items not waiting for his answer.


[sblock] Jokad realizes he may just start a panic but he is too pissed off to care. He will use his intimidate to back this guy down. He is leaving his 138 gp and planning to take what he feels he needs. He is in control enough not to get physical unless the guy draws steel first.

He will take the (4) longswords, (4) bows, (5) quivers of arrows, cold weather gear, packs, blankets, rope, rations, etc....

Without the armor the price for all this is considerably less. Probably more like about 400 gp, 1/3 of which he has in coin. [/sblock]

Assuming he is not hindered, he takes it all** back to the inn and dumps it uncermoniusly at the feet of the Arrows. He looks Jakardos in the eye firmly, but not without kindness (he may not be a good father but he did the best he could with his men) and says, "We are leaving. Assuming you are still with us you can gear up and follow at the best pace you can set. Head for the fort and stay hidden. Leave sign along the road and I will find you."

"We have horses and can move far faster. We will finish the Grauls then link up with you before trying the fort."

"Move swiftly and silently and pray to every god you know for luck. See you soon."


** Jokad has one bundle of gear set aside for Shalelu, when they recover her. Wordlessly loads it on Joviks horse before they set out.

 

[Friadoc]

Looking from the gear that has been dropped before the rangers toward the man who has dumped it, Kael asks a simple question, his tone concerned, but not reproachful "Hopefully you left a debt and not a corpse, my friend. The former is easier to deal with than the later."

 

[hewligan]

As Jokad takes the gear and leaves, the old man stands behind the counter, his jaw slack, his mouth open. A look of confused fear is upon his face.

Jokad hears a voice call him back just as he is about to close the door.

"Boy. Wait a second."

The old man disappears into the back room, and a couple of minutes later returns with a single suit of chainmail armour.

"It is old, lad. Very old. Actually, it is mine, from when I was a little more ... adventurous in my youth. But it is very good stuff. VERY GOOD" he says this last part with focus, as if trying to make Jokad understand something.


"Return it if you can. Boy, I HATES ogres! Lost my wife to them. Give em hell."

OOC: Chainmail armour + 2, on loan from the old man in the shop. Only 1 suit though, and quite small fit, so no good for Vale who is just too large for it.

 

[frostrune]

As Jokad takes the gear and leaves, the old man stands behind the counter, his jaw slack, his mouth open. A look of confused fear is upon his face.

Jokad hears a voice call him back just as he is about to close the door.

"Boy. Wait a second."

The old man disappears into the back room, and a couple of minutes later returns with a single suit of chainmail armour.

"It is old, lad. Very old. Actually, it is mine, from when I was a little more ... adventurous in my youth. But it is very good stuff. VERY GOOD" he says this last part with focus, as if trying to make Jokad understand something.


"Return it if you can. Boy, I HATES ogres! Lost my wife to them. Give em hell."

OOC: Chainmail armour + 2, on loan from the old man in the shop. Only 1 suit though, and quite small fit, so no good for Vale who is just too large for it.

Jokad hesitates at the door, after hearing a change in the old man's tone. When he returns with a heavy bundle smelling of oil soaked leather, Jokad knew something significant was at hand.

The shop keeper lovingly unwrapped the bundle as he spoke to reveal a gleaming coat of fine links. As Jokad realized his intent, all the anger and frustration drained from his face. He set aside the heavy bundle of clothing and gear and held the ancient suit admiringly out at arms length. When he looks again at the old man his smile is sincere. "Many thanks... friend. Know that this will be worn proudly by the last standing leader of the Black Arrows."

He puts a large hand on the old man's shoulder and offers a final "Thank you" before adding the mail to the sizeable bundle and pushes through the door.


___________________________

To modify my earlier post based on this new boon...

When Jokad returns to the inn he dumps all the gear on the floor near the assembled Arrows then pulls aside Jakardos to speak with him (as previously written). At the end he hands the man the oil soaked bundle and says, "This is a loan from the old trader; let it be a reminder that you carry the hopes of those you vowed to protect."

"Jakardos, you can't change the past. Do the best the you can with the future that is given you."

 

[frostrune]

Looking from the gear that has been dropped before the rangers toward the man who has dumped it, Kael asks a simple question, his tone concerned, but not reproachful "Hopefully you left a debt and not a corpse, my friend. The former is easier to deal with than the later."

Jokad looks up at Kael and smirks as he pulls Jakardos away to speak with him.

 

[Rhun]

By the time Jokad returns with the equipment, Danth is ready to leave, having armed and armored himself. As he secures Crimson Dawn at his waist, he gives the Shoanti a concerned look. "I realize you have a friend held within the fort, but I hope you do not let it cloud your judgment further. There is much more than one life at stake."

The cleric then turns his gaze upon the three Black Arrows they had rescued. "My companions and I have risked much, and shed blood to rescue you from your captors. You now owe us a debt...a debt that you can now repay by accompanying us, and helping us rid the land of the threat of the Grauls and Kreegs. The path to redemption lies before you, lit by Sarenae's radiant light...but only you can decide to step from the shadows and travel the path that will lead you from darkness and despair."


Diplomacy to convince the rangers that their best choice is to join us.

Diplomacy: 31

 

[frostrune]

By the time Jokad returns with the equipment, Danth is ready to leave, having armed and armored himself. As he secures Crimson Dawn at his waist, he gives the Shoanti a concerned look. "I realize you have a friend held within the fort, but I hope you do not let it cloud your judgment further. There is much more than one life at stake."

He returns the cleric's concerned look with a cold stare but says nothing in reply.

________________________________

Much later as the brooding company takes a break somewhere further down the trail, Jokad will approach Danth out of earshot of the others.

[sblock] "I owe you more than a cold stare as an explanation."

He shuffles his boots for a moment before continuing, "Jovik loves Shalelu even if he will not admit it to himself. He means it when he talks of killing every single one of them. We all have heard the horrors and atrocities that ogres can inflict on their vicitms. It makes me sick to think of Shalelu in their clutches. I can only imagine what is running through Jovik's mind."

"So I apologize now and ask for Sarenrae's forgivness because my actions in these next few days may forever change your opinion of me. I follow Jovik's lead and the butchery we are capable of may be shocking."

"You and Kael are the heroes. You know how to handle people looking up to you. You know how to lead by example. Don't fall to our level. Do what you need to do to save the town, even if that means leaving us behind."

"I never enter a battle wanting to die but I don't expect to survive this. Remember me as you have known me these past months, not as you see me now."

It is probably the most eloquently you have ever heard Jokad speak. The emotional turmoil behind the words is evident. He looks you in the eye one final time before turning to head back to the others. [/sblock]



OOC: This has been a FUN bit of roleplaying for me. I hope no one minds the long, emotional posts.

 

[Rhun]

[sblock=For Frostrune/DM and any curious parties]Danth nods at his companion's words, and reaches out a hand, grabbing the Shoanti's muscular shoulder and turning him so that he faces him as he tries to walk off. Danth looks deep in Jokad's eyes, and the warrior can see the compassion and understanding there. "It was not long ago when my mentor was butchered by the Skinsaw Murderers," he says, his voice low, even. "He was a good, kind and innocent man, undeserving of such a death. But I remember how I felt. So believe me when I say that I understand how you and Jovik must feel."

The cleric pauses a moment to take a deep breath. His voice is stronger as he next speaks. "You cannot defeat these monsters by becoming like them. You, both you and Jovik, are good men...our friendship would not be so strong, and our company would have fallen long ago, if it were not so. And getting yourself killed will serve no one. Think on this: If you fall before we can free Shalelu and the others, their fate will be sealed. Kael and I are not strong enough alone to rescue them; we need to work together, all four of us. I pledge myself to this cause, and vow to route these ogres and save the prisoners. But I must know that you will not needlessly through your life away in this."[/sblock]

 

[hewligan]

And so onto the trail, and towards the fort, and a day of reckoning with the Grauls. All of the rangers are with you. 7 strong, 8 with Kibb, 9 with Mal. A strongest you have ever been, yet doubts dog the back of your mind. After all, you are about to assault an ogre-kin homestead, and after that ... a fort.

OOC: Any tidy-up posts today please, and then tomorrow the GRAULS.

 

[frostrune]

Jokad's reply to Danth
[sblock]Jokad scratches the stubble on his chin and studies Danth's face for a moment, "You need to convince Jovik of that, not me."

"As long as she's alive, I think he'll listen to reason. If we learn she is gone.... <he shakes his head> ...he might lose it."

"If it comes to that, I won't leave him to die alone; even against overwhelming odds."

"That's when it's time for you to do what is right for the town."[/sblock]