To Con the Con-man

[Zerith]

[sblock=OoC]the Gnolls had just got done fighting other cats and, if I recall right, one of them was bloodied and then an other was majorly mulled, there should have been 4 of them by Alden, if not 5, and they then all stabbed that last demon cat, so they would have all had bloodied weapons. :/[/sblock]

Alexander glanced at Alden with narrowed and glaring eyes; he was not amused, not even in the slightest. He knew Alden was readying to eat his own foot back at the stable, but this was just ridicules! Alden had the foolish impulse to completely omit the gnolls from his story without knowing how much Tio knew, there were so many better ways Alden could have spon the story that the story could have been spun that the story would have been harmed by Tio knowing Gnolls were invalid; being vague when trying to do things suddenly was a virtue. Alexander did not like doing damage control for the blunders of others; since it was Alden’s story, and he did not know everything that happened, Alden had to do the closing. Alexander was not amused at all.

Alexander quickly discarded condemning glance towards Alden and then looked towards Tio “Attacked, we were not actively trying to find the things; why would we seek anything so dangerous?” Alexander corrected Tio before query him and then turning his gas back onto Alden. Alexander still was not amused.
“As for you,” Alexander began with venom, “Are there any more details you’re omitting from us? I’ll admit I fell first, but I’m also curious how such a large detail was lost on you.” Alexander spoke condemningly to Alden before grilling him further with veiled ideas as he lend forwards deeply and templed his hands “When the gnolls appeared were they more interested in you or the animals? Did they leap from the bushes? Did they take action immediately? What did they do?”
Alexander spoke judgmentally and commandingly, he was annoyed at Alden, and he did not choose to hide it, he chose to invoke it to give Alden a natural reason to be off center if he did not have a smooth retort ready for tio.

 

[Axel]

[sblock=OOC]
Apologies for the late action...been on an emergency trip to the Pilbara region of West Australia (Pannawonica if you're Google Map savvy). These trips are becoming more common.... I had typed a massive post on my phone at the airport that does not seem to have been added. (((

In a more game related vein, happy to throw a bluff check, diplomacy check or any other e-Check our esteemed DM deems fit.
[/sblock]

"Well gents, now that the dirt of travel and honest labour has been washed off you, I would happily remind both of you that the ladies love a hard working and bloodied man. To me, I think it encourages the mothering instinct. Didn't you see the way she looked at me when she came over?" Alden grinned broadly at his last comment.

"Asking questions of the gnolls is to get ahead of ourselves, Tio. Please allow me the luxury of starting at the beginning, as is customary. It is not a long tale to tell... To my right, and just quietly between ourselves," Alden said in a low voice, indicating Alex, "sits the commander of Bear's G-division. I am but a poor aide-de-camp in comparison. I can't tell you why we were on the way to Rem, even if I knew... Still, we were and that is all that is important." Alden paused, to take a gulp of ale. Catching the eye of the serving girl he holds up his mug upside-down, hoping that she catches his drift...

"Before we arrived, an unearthly screeching sound came from beyond the hills. I daresay you heard it too. Horrible noise, and I am thoroughly glad it was not the last noise I ever heard in this world. Our horses were proper spooked at the sound. It took a good deal of horsemanship to keep in the saddle and under control, even if I say so myself." Alden looked up as the serving girl came over with more mugs of ale and winked at her. "Thanks love, you have no idea how good this tastes after a long trip."

Raising his fresh mug, he takes another gulp, letting out a satisfied sigh. "So, the screeching. Over the hill comes one of those demon-cats. The fur pulls back from its face when it sees us and screeches again! Not knowing what manner of beast it was we set off at the double towards Rem. To my everlasting surprise there were four more of them across the road, right in front of them. Oh...gods above it was a horrible moment when THEY started screeching too! I think my stomach is still in my boots somewhere. The horses were near uncontrollable by this point, so we dismounted before being thrown off. Now, this is where the story gets strange."

"Drink up lads! Near-death experiences don't come around too often. Enjoy surviving them, because I didn't enjoy being almost dead." Alden takes another gulp. It is becoming apparent he is, well, rather relieved at being alive.

"Now, the strange part. His Lordship does what any good soldier and noble would do. He drew his sword, gathered his magical powers and marched straight up the centre at the four demons. For myself, being slightly more practical minded about fighting four demons, I got out my crossbow. I had one down before the boss here got close. Then, the weird bit. The demon-cat that we first saw was still chasing us. And behind is was a pack of Gnolls! Dirty great big ones too, waving spears and barking and yipping at things!! I will admit that my first thought was something along the lines of Bloody Cats and Dogs! Hard not to laugh it was, and must've put my aim off with the giggling. From that point, I don't think I could've hit the water if I had fallen out of a damned boat. Eventually I have up - it was too hard to shoot without hitting the boss."

More ale goes down the back of his throat at this point, as if Alden is surpressing some horrible memory. "So, seeing as the pack of dogs caught the demon-cat at the back and, for all I know made some sort of hat outta it... I draws my sword and runs in to help the boss. He had given a good account of himself, but three - two it was by then - demons is more'n enough for any man to fight on his own. 'fore I get there the boss goes down. I should've thought more about that at the time, but 'twas all I could do ta keep meself from getting smashed. I got the last one just after the boss went down. Disgustin' effen stink to the ichor and blood....ugh!"

Alden tries to drink again, but realises his mug is empty again. "MORE ALE LOVE, THASSA GOOD GIRL!" he bellows at the serving girl. "Drink up I say! It's a good day to be alive."

"The effen dogs caught up to me'n the boss by then. They made some sort of circle or somefen and started barking. I dunno...was too busy trying not to die. The last demon-cat got me 'fore I got 'im. Then there was an old geezer looken' at me when I was onna floor." Alden stares at the bottom of his empty mug of ale, wishing it was full again.

"I dun wanna talk about whad happened inbe'ween the fight an' the floor. 's not nice. When'd you come 'long Tio? I didn't see ya. And how'd you chase the dogs'way? Fought 'ey was gonna eat me I did..."

"Ah, more ale. Drink up lads!"

By the gods I hope they both buy it. Playing the drunken fool is easy enough, but its a fine line between pretending at and being. Still...Lord High-and-Mighty deserves whatever he gets. Commander of the Gnolls. Pffft!

Still, I don't mind that serving girl. Its not going to be all bad up here...

 

[Zerith]

Alexander immediately saw two gaping flaws in Alden’s cover story; he narrowed his eyes on Alden and subtly frowned. He did not like the actions of others forcing his and Alden was not doing him to many favors in that regards. Luckily the peasant was already heavly playinghimself up and swiging down drink, making it seem more natural and widening the story’s margin of error; events getting mixed yp while the story teller plays up themselves is not unheard of.


[FONT=&quot][sblock=Not for hero to read][sblock=No really]Hero if you read this and then use this imformation to your character's 'advantage' you’re being a poopy head[sblock=Any ways...]-Alexander had already, affectively, calmed he was oblivious of the gnolls, meaning he was either down before the gnolls arrived or that he was unaware of them before he fell; Alden pout the Gnoll’s, very loud, arrival well before Alexander fell and himself near enough to Alexander that Alexander would have no real excuse to not notice they Gnolls, even saying that he must have tuned everything out while fighting the beasts would be a far stretch at best.

-Alden noted Alexander was a commander; a commander, much less a commander who is also a noble, almost never moves without at least a small guard while either at war or near an unsecured area, meanwhile they were at war, in a area treated by the enemy, wild beats, and, by all appearances, Gnolls. few sane commanders would even joke about traveling were they were with only an aid.[/sblock] [/sblock] [/sblock]

Alexander could address the latter of the major holes in Alden’s story readily, but the former was unapologetically contradictory to what he had already conveyed, he would have to imply that Alden got his facts wrong and hop Tio was ready to believe Alden was still jumbled from the incident and the resent drink.[/FONT]

 

[Herobizkit]

Tio listened to Alden's story, first with rapt attention, then with growing disinterest as Alden appeared to become quickly intoxicated. He wondered if any man could take to liquor so quickly; he reasoned that the near-death experience made Alex's body hunger for any sustenance, happy to be alive at all.

Tio's eyes drifted to Alexander, trying to get a read on him. Alex was clearly irritated by Alden's story. Perhaps Alden had played down Alex's role in the combat, or perhaps Alex was humiliated for having fallen so early in the fray. Tio was unsure, but one one thing he WAS certain - if Alex was upset, there must have been something in the story that Alex did not like. And that made Tio curious.

"That is quite a tale," Tio slowly began, "And a heroic one at that. I do have one question for His Lordship..."

Tio paused, deadpanning a blank expression. He counted, one, two, three...

"If you are the commander of G-Division, what happened to the rest of your unit?"

[sblock]You guys are great writers. I feel like I'm not pulling weight with the narrative... it's never been my strong suit.[/sblock]

 

[Axel]

[sblock=ooc]
Great writers my left foot! Alden has the easiest personality to understand of any D&D character, ever. He is just a normal person placed in unusual circumstances... Meanwhile, Zerith can't write a sentence without typos left, right and centre (plus Alex's speech colour is hard to read). You're doing great HB, keep it up. Playing-by-post is a little different to placing face-to-face. It took me a few weeks to get used to it, but it grows on you.
[/sblock]

Alden let out a mental sigh of relief when Tio turned his attention to Alex. Whatever it is he doesn't like, it wasn't my fault. If Lord High-and-Mighty gets himself into trouble, that's his problem...and it serves him right leaving me to clean up the mess.

Tio has a serious stare on him though. Like a bloomin' judge! Another few minutes and I would have been reliving my trial. He was older though, and more intimidating. I think it was the weapons and armour...must remember that.

Alden idly watched the play of emotions across Alex's face. Must...not...smirk... I still have to work with this guy, somehow.

"'scuse me gents," Alden said, while pushing his chair back and standing up. "When ya gotta go you gotta go," he added by way of unnecessary explanation.

Remember to walk like you're three quarters pissed too you idiot! Three steps, small stumble. Four steps, stumble. Five steps, stumble. Stop, sway.

"Hi love," Alden said to the serving girl, near the bar. "Whereya keep them chamber pots 'round 'ere?"

 

[Zerith]

[sblock=OoC] Grammar is evil, forth must die, don’t you see, yes? Yes? Yes. Just be happy you can understand the guy who was told he would never read when he was a kid. Expect the typos to last
That said, feel free to send me any constructive criticisms :3[/sblock]

Alexander gave a slight grimace at ‘His Lordship’ he was going to have to correct them sooner than later.
Alden seemed better at playing drunk then Alexander figured, or the man had no tolerance for ale, Alexander could not see the latter being possible.
Alexander then turned a hooded and grievous glance to Tio. “I’ve only just gotten the command, and the commander I’ve replaced is both experienced and respected by the division; this mission seemed simple enough to do with a minimal amount of effort. I figured I would not need much assistance on this endeavor and that it would be a quick enough way to garner the respect of those I command. Further I assumed that, for the moment, it would be safe to move without a large escort, but I had not counted on such fierce animals not only being in the area but being so damned aggressive.” Alexander commented, scrolling at the end, he did not like running into things he did not expect and using said irritancy to misdirect Tio was too convenient to not evoke.

Alexander then briefly sighed and continued with a, moderately, softened expression “And while I could have brought platoons with me, causing a panic here could only drain resources that could be used better else were; even if there was no panic caused then it could adversely affect moral. If the citizens here see a host of warriors and assume they’re here for their protection, and then that host simply leaves the next day; disillusioned citizens make for woeful, unmotivated warriors.” Alexander then leaned back, eyed the beverage in front of him with bane and then motioned for the waitress who he would ask to bring a glass of water.

 

[Axel]

Alden had to suppress a smirk as he pretended to stumble in the direction of the chamber pots. Guess the bugger knows how to tell a good story after all. I did hear him say he was worth his weight in gold to anyone that saves his life... There MUST be a way somewhere.

Wonder why Tio declined eight thousand gold though? He must be rich too!!!! Eight thousand...that's nice...

Stumbling back to the table, Alden plonked himself down heavily. "Ay' lads, yer no' drinken'! Whassa madda withya?"

 

[Herobizkit]

Tio pondered Alex's words. To him, it sounded like bravado and arrogance were the cause of Alex's folly, and he found that typical of most privileged nobles. Still, he did have to give Alex credit for not endangering his own men on some fool errand to prove himself.

"What happened to the previous commander?" Tio asked carefully. The answer to this question would solidify Tio's opinion of Alex.

A sudden idea flashed in Tio's mind, causing him to smirk slightly. He decided that stirring the pot was the quickest way to see the real relationship between these two. "And Alden... I assume you were just following orders when His Lordship directed you to join him?"

 

[Zerith]

Alexander dropped his left brow and rose his right brow while he face contorted in mild comfusion; Alexander hadn’t a clue why he would need to explain that he rolled his eyes from Alden and then turned his attention to Tio again.
“I simply replaced the previous commander, and I’ve had Alden come with me on my predecessor’s recommendation; when trying to earn the respect of a division it pays to not disrespect the recommendations of those the troops in it respect.”

 

[Axel]

"Di' I miss wha happened when 'e showed then?" Alden made a childish pouting face, while discretely studying Alex's expression and tone of voice in reply.

It ain't going well between those two. Could be some fireworks, or at least pink coloured hair...

"Wha' is Lor'ship's sayin' is tha' he 'asn't done nuthin' yet. 'e only took over day 'fore yest'rday. I bin in G-d'vision fer 'bout six months. 'ol Marty jus' got kicked out. D'no why........'e wasn't a bad boss."