[PBP] Tholestia Chapter 1: Minotaur trouble and a failed ambush

[Ilan]

"It seems not all share your words, Roland. So sheath your sword and let's talk about this. There is a decision that needs to be made now. And that is your job."

"We can go back but then the tracks of the knights will be far to old to track them. Or we can go on and let the situation here solve itself until we get back."

"The time has come for you to lead us. A choice must be made. Or has the governor made it already and we must go after the gold that he needs to safeguard his position as a leading man in this land. Do you follow your hart or the land, Roland?? Choose your path now. Time is running out."

 

[Ravellion]

Patrick, to Roland:"Er... are you going to arrest Ilan? Whatfor? For insulting you and your honour? If you are so engaged with honour, challenge him to honourable combat, or a joust, to regain your honour. If he declines or loses, you have regained your honour under the code of chivalry now have you not?" Ranger Patrick remarks. "You seem to have forgotten what this argument is about... all of you. The minotaurs left us alone for a long time, but have now started demanding tribute from the townsfolk. They may or may not have killed the tax collectors and Amstradan knights. Ilan wants to kill them for these acts, you want to take them to court. Noble, but I don't think any magistrate will let Minotaurs in to their courthouses. I too doubt whether the Minotaurs will submit to you. Try if you will, I suppose your honour might even demand it, but I do think that you should bring your sword to any meeting. Besides from all those things, apparently Ilan has an indentured status to you, fine. Are you sure you are doing the right thing though?"

[Note: This is not a DM voice, this an NPC voice, as all of my NPCs are - do with it what you will... and it was supposed to be before Ilan's post, but my post took longer to type]

 

[Deepwinter 7]

When being stared at intently by Paladin Roland, DW7 smiles and stares back with a blank face while secretly thinking to himself "I will definately enjoy the time when he lays dieing on the floor of a dungeon, abandoned by friends and Gods alike ..."

(after my adventuring time with Tobias I hope I have an inkling of when a paladin is trying to use a Detect Evil power)...

And oh yeah I have a Ring of Mindshielding

"Let's get on with our mission. We will try and capture a small group of patrolling Minotaurs, fighting them if they refuse arresting. Any of them that we can apprehend, we will bring to the nearby town for trial."

"We set up camp a small camp here, and will go Minotaur hunting at dawn. We need the light of the sun for them to be able to identify our legitimate power. Now I am tired of hearing your conversation, I will not abonden thee yet, I stick with Ilan for his bow has saved us many a time."

"I do warn you Sir Roland that the villagers might have a different approach to justice then you would like though, but for your minds peace we will do our best to abide to the laws of Amstrad"

"And now I will make a mighty stew"

 

[Ravellion]

(after my adventuring time with Tobias I hope I have an inkling of when a paladin is trying to use a Detect Evil power)...

And oh yeah I have a Ring of Mindshielding

[Which was worn by one of his previous PCs!

Deepwinter 7s character greatly amuses me - he reminds me of Ravellion, but with double the CON score . Come on Bacter, join some of the finest roleplaying ever done by our group!]

 

[Sullaf]

"What in Godsname has happened to you all. I will not stand here and listen to all your miserable complaints and stupid arguments. You heathens have annoyed me for the last time. I would more gladly fight demons from the abyss than listen to you all rambling like crazed buffoons.

"Elf, you think I fear the Elven Kingdom? You really are delusional. Your Elven blood has NO meaning in this part of the Realm. Only the Law has any meaning here and you don't seem to comprehend that, or ANYthing for that matter. Furthermore I question your argument that we will enrage the Elven Kingdom. I personally think I would do Elvenkind a favor by killing you. More likely your kind sees it the same way. Alas, I am bound by the Law. You Lord are a coward and a disgrace to your kin."

"Patrick what honor is to be gained from killing an insane Elf? I would kill him in an instant!"

"Tristan, never would I thought the day drew near, that we were to part. You have shown me your weakness by disobeying a direct order. Since when do you prefer talking over upholding the Law? You have disappointed me greatly. Our friendship ends here".

"Deepwinter 7, I do not know what tricks you play. I order you to stay, you want freedom. I give you freedom, you stay. One way or the other, my senses say that you is trouble. You complement the insane Elf just fine.

Roland mounts Simba and lets him turn. While Simba moves Roland speaks once more: "I have had it with the lot of you. Even the Evil Gods do not put such strain on me. I am to risk my life with an insane elf, a questionable cook, who thinks too highly of himself and a friend who betrays me in front of the rest? Tristan, clearly you have abandoned your ways. I wish you best of luck with these savage convicts. I will find these Knights alone. If I were to battle the Minotaurs I stand a better change alone, for no sooner I would turn my back or one of YOU would put a knife in it. I hope to never see the likes of you again. May the Gods have mercy when your time comes.

"Diactum, Wulf choose thy own path. You are free to accompany me, or to stay. Either way suits me fine.

With that Roland rides off.

When he is a few hundred meters away, he turns once more and shouts: "Please leave Amstradan at ONCE for when I return, I will not be this kind."

OOC: Et tu, Brute

 

[Ravellion]

[ You can make a new character with the stats Str 13, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 17, Wis 12, Cha 12. You can make a single switch.]

 

[Deepwinter 7]

When the knight is at 100 meters but still in sight, Deepwinter 7's face opens up when he bursts out in loud laughter

"What a twat! Good ridance I'd say! Boy would I like to see the look on his face when his direct superiour tells him he has violated the law by letting us outlaws go freely"

Then turning to address the remaining partymembers:

"Hopefully you guys are sane enough to judge the actions of noble Roland as rather deranged and selfish. If you are willing you can party along with Ilan and I. We do not intend to stay in Amstrad much longer for this place puts too many limitations on our free will. Much we can learn from one another, join our cause or make it your own, I promise you it will be rewarding!

I take command of this parties strategy and course of action, Ilan will lead when it comes to combat. Our authority is negotiable and not absolute, it's a one mans world after all...

If you agree we set course for Naran's border, it has been too long since I set foot in that country"

OOC: If Roland decides to attack us (when he hears/sees me) DW will address the others after we killed him

OOC: What the smeg was the purpose of Roland? Gee we DID try to come to agreements didn't we?

 

[Ravellion]

If you agree we set course for Naran's border, it has been too long since I set foot in that country"[/COLOR]

You have never been to Naran - you hail from Verdura, to the South. Naran is on the other side of the mountains (the mountains of which you are now in the Foothills). Naran is one of the major trading partners of Corum, buying ores, furs (white fur as opposed to brown due to to the snowy climate in Corum) and Dwarven items from them.

Anyway, Tristan, Diactum and Wulf are technically all still under service of the Crown. Though that needn't be more business than reporting the location of a minotaur cave and saying "we can't handle it, send a contingent of knights!". Of course, dealing with the problem would be the heroes choice, gaining fame and reputation.

Do as you will, I have plot hooks coming out of my nose, so many, so you needn't follow the designated story line if you do not wish to do so.

It might also be worthy to note that Amstrad is a totalitarian monarchy, not a fuedal monarchy: All power lies with the king. That just came up, and I don't think I ever told you.

Rav

 

[Deepwinter 7]

"Sorry slipped my tongue, I meant that I have dreamt of setting foot in Naran long enough now "

<OOC>To hell with Amstrad ... </OOC>

 

[Ilan]

"Is he going after the Minotaurs or is he going home?? What is wrong with that guy?? Did he just threw overboard everything he believed in??"

I turn to the others. "Deepwinter also speaks with my tongue. You can join us. I have no quarrel with you, nor did I with Roland. We just had a disagreement. If he can't handle that, mabye he isn't the natural leader that he claimed to be.

"Tristan, I'm sorry about what happenned. But atleast now you see what your friendeship meant to Roland, NOTHING. He ends your yearlong friendship because you didn't follow an order, what kind of friend is that. And above all he leaves you at the mercy of a crazed Elf and a disturbed cook," I add with a smile.

"Deepwinter, come here for a minute. I take a few steps to put some distance between me and the rest of the group. When Deepwinter joins me I whisper: "It might be a good idea to put some miles between this place and us, just in case Roland has the weird idea to round up some villagers and go after us. In the state he is in, we can expect everything. We can best ride now. Mabye we still have some time till dark

OOC: DM help me

and then it will be impossible for others to follow us. I can hide our path the best I can. What do you think?? We can ask the others their opinion, but I think they might be in shock still. As for me, I want to get the hell out of here. I look at Deepwinter with a face awaiting an answer.