Paths of Legend: Lord Noran's War (IC)

[Yttermayn]

"I would trust that the Lord Noran has a far better grasp of his situation than we. Let us leave, and prepare for the journey." Ahote reasons. Then he smiles suddenly, showing many teeth in a deeply unsettling grin. "Besides... Don't you wish to crush the enemy? See them driven before you? And to hear the lamentation of the women?"

OOC: Nods to Arnie.

 

[Voda Vosa]

"No" Shajroms answered dryly. "I wish to defeat them, using the least effort possible. I see a rush depart as a fool choice to say at least. We will leave this place with just some youngsters guards, who can barely handle a sword. And for what? To kill a bucho of idiotic orcs, who eventually will get here, to this city walls? I say we wait and prepare, and then crush them right here. Besides, if the King was to send part of his army here... Won't you agree that this will be an excllent opportunity to test those walls? Another point to my favor, is that a certain victory against the orcs will rise the morale around here. And that will be nice, our mens are deeply deppressed, and some started to leave the city, even some guards leav to join the knig. Logic is on my side, this is the best thing to do." Explains The dwarf.

 

[blackdraco]

”Well talked Shajrom” Phai says with a small grin,”but I may have a even better idea…” he turns so he now speaks to all in the room ”we could turn this in our favour… we have two armies marching towards us, but those two a not friends… maybe we could redirect the orcs, and thereby let the orcs handle the kings army.” Phai’s smile becomes bigger “then we could handle both armies with no causalities, and swipe the remains of the ‘wining’ army with no trouble…” he turns to Shajrom “or am I mistaken master dwarf… uhm… Shajrom”

 

[Voda Vosa]

Shajrom nods, thoughtfuly "It is a temptating idea dear boy, to say at least. But I'm afraid we will have some synchronization problems ... We are not certain when the king would strike us... Or if they will do it from the same flank the orcs will... I'm afraid that we could face the two enemies in the same battle. That been said, I think it's quite a good plan, if we could have an idea of when and where the kings army is going to be, for the next weeks." he says as he brooms his beard.

 

[shadowmask]

Keefe shrugs nonchalantly, "While that is all well and good, they, like men, are mortal, and all must die. Plus I still think she could fly. Don't see why we should give her a horse."

He turns to addresses the horsemaster. Looking him up and down, Keefe sighs to himself. "Okay. Obviously you know who I am. If you don't, once I leave ask around, they'll tell you. Then you can live with the fact that you did business with me and my family at a price I will be happy over. Or you will have to deal with the fact that if your price is bad that no one in my family will ever buy a horse from you again, nor will anyone from this town. That is not a threat, it is a fact. I am not being callous, merely honest.

"We are in need of a horse. Obviously, you are the only one around. I could obviously use one of my family's, but I most of ours are being used for the war. Needless to say, the rider is an angel. Know what I mean by that? I mean wings, holy warrior, hates all things not good and pure, big complainer. So a bad horse and a bad price leaves you with an angry angel who has so much pent up rage and aggression from years of being stifflingly nice. Which in turn makes me angry. Which in turn comes back to you.

"So. We need a horse. Something fast and light, but strong. What do you have?"

[sblock=Skills]Bluff +17, Diplomacy +12[/sblock]

Nyrazha looks on from beneath her lashes maintaining her unobtrusive manner. At Keefe's non-chalant comment regarding the Emiran horses, she mutters just loud enough for him to hear (and not the horse trader), "You've never ridden an Emiran steed, or you would not dismiss them so quickly."

Her eyes widening incredulously at his description of Kae'Ari, Nyrazha's head snaps up as she looks at him directly. "My lord, I don't believe the angel, or her Church would appreciate those words." Laughter underscores her words.

 

[Yttermayn]

”Well talked Shajrom” Phai says with a small grin,”but I may have a even better idea…” he turns so he now speaks to all in the room ”we could turn this in our favour… we have two armies marching towards us, but those two a not friends… maybe we could redirect the orcs, and thereby let the orcs handle the kings army.” Phai’s smile becomes bigger “then we could handle both armies with no causalities, and swipe the remains of the ‘wining’ army with no trouble…” he turns to Shajrom “or am I mistaken master dwarf… uhm… Shajrom”

Ahote looks at Phai with a new respect evident in his eyes. "That is indeed an excellent idea. But Sharjom is correct in that it does present some logistical problems. We may need to do some scouting to see if it is even possible. And I would still like to hear what Lord Noran thinks of all this. It is, ultimately, up to him."

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

Frontier City of Delagund, Duchy of Vedlund

Lord Noran's eyes narrow, his voice low, "You would have me unleash orcs upon my own countrymen? Aye, the King levies demands I refuse to meet, but that does not mean I would wish the blood of his armies to stain the swords of orcs. Were I to have my wish, human blood would not be spilled at all in the coming days, whether they be the King's men or my own."

He takes a deep breath and straightens, "I believe it best to your individual strengths where they will be of most use. I wish to know the numbers and strengths of this orcish horde that approaches. For that, I will need reconnaisance, not engagement, to better prepare for the assault. The King's armies do not yet mass to the attack. The King will first send a diplomat to attempt to convince of the error of my ways. Only after that fails will the seige begin. So, I would have you four scout the orcs, learn what you can of them, and return with that information. I leave it to you to discuss how you will accomplish that mission. I have other matters to attend. My castellan can provide you with maps of the terrain, supplies and whatever else you might need."

With that, Lord Noran turns on his heel and stalks out of the room.

The Capital City of Azgund, Temple of the Healing Light

The priest nods, "The King wishes the Healing Light to take sides. Do you feel that we should become involved in this war of the Emirans and the Thayvians?"

The Capital City of Azgund, Horse Merchant

The horse merchant shifts nervously, his eyes darting back and forth between Keefe and Nyrazha. After several moments, he finally speaks, "Of course, of course. Only the best for the King's esteemed and well-mannered nephew. An angel you say? Then a horse that is light and swift and humble should suit the winged one's needs, wouldn't you agree." A stableboy leads a young mare up for Keefe and Nyrazha's inspection. The merchant continues, "Nothing but fair prices for our esteemed allies, the Azgundi, of course, of course. Fair treatment for fair treatment, of course, of course. Let us say...150 pieces of gold for the horse and all of its tack?"

OOC: PHB prices - Riding Horse: 75 gp, Riding Saddle: 10 gp, Bit and Bridle: 2 gp, Saddlebags - 4 gp, Total: 91 gp.

 

[Voda Vosa]

Shajrom thinks "Humans..." and then he speaks "Well then if that is your wish my lord, then we shall do as you say." When Lord Noran walks out, Shajrom sighs, and turns to his new 'friends' "Very well gentlemen, it is up to us now, we should prepare ourselves as fast as possible."

 

[ethandrew]

Keefe stares at the Emiran merchant for a moment with a cold steely glare, eyebrows half cocked. Finally he furrows his brow and tightly shuts his mouth before opening it again to speak, "You're serious, right? 150? That's not a joke? Hmmm, interesting." He continues to stare, never moving his eyes from that of the merchant's. "I am in a quandry. I'm sure that word doesn't translate well to your language, but I won't feign to be an expert on Emiran linguistics. I'll state it simply for you: I do not know what to do.

"You see, I could easily take one of my uncle's horses; one horse would not be missed. But during these trying times I thought I would help out the city's local economy as well as a well-known merchant, such as yourself. This could be mutually beneficial for us. You get a wealthy, influential client, and I get an angel who might not complain for a long ride. But 150 pieces of gold? I could use that to have one thousand men carry us for the whole trip. Sure, one or two might die from exhaustion, but they have replacements, waiting to claim to have carried an angel, if just for a day.

"150? No. I won't take your mare at 150. I'll write you a note of promise for 100 instead. You take this up to the guard at the gate and have them give this to the castellan. He'll get you your 100. You'll be happy, the angel will be happy, I'll be happy, the castellan won't like walking to the gate, but he needs the exercise anyway. He'll probably end up sending someone else to do it instead.

"I trust you know how to get to the gate? Good. Next time I need a horse, I'll come here first. I might even want to replace my own personal one in the near future, so keep an eye out for me." Keefe digs into a satchel at his side, ready to pull out whatever supplies needed to complete his dealings with this unsavory man. Loathe as he was to part with money when unnecessary, he got a particular joy out of buying Kae'Ari's horse out of the country's coffers.

 

[bedford]

"I think it would be best for us to travel the first part by horse or in my case wagon since there are no large enough horses around.. , and continue on foot as we get real close to the orcs. "