TUW: The Steel Trade [IC]

[Kwargrow]

Sannit shifts his spear from one hand to the other as he considers the Mhytres. "If they do come back I would like to think they would be more polite, but I don't mind teaching them another lesson either. It seems we've caught this operation near its end, so I don't know that there's anything here worth fighting for. I propose we wait for the bear to wake up, use his nose to make sure we did not miss anything in the mine, then move on."

Bolo sets up some makeshift targets and practices archery while waiting for Sannit to return.

Turtle dreams he's eating one of the burros.

 

[Sylvar B.]

Saemund looks at Sannit.
"I would like to think the same, however, I believe the reality is not going to be that idealistic. We should not linger, they may come back in force, seeking revenge.

Feroz sits in a tree preening.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Tor's Assessment

This creates some possibilities for the Seekers.
1) A party of miners could be returning as warned by the two escapees.
2) A settlement of unknown size could lie in relative proximity in that direction.
3) This mining operation has now been abandoned due to the superiority of the Seekers.

Tor says, "Thinking back over the possibilities, I think that believing we scared them off is a mistake; they are selfish, and cruel. They are the kinds of people who prey upon others, for no other reason than the fact that they can. I think they might have a settlement nearby, and I think they will probably return and attack, if for no other reason, than to simply kill us for their own entertainment. We are cattle to them. And they want what we have. And it is my belief that they will come back, and try to take it. Therefore, we should be the ones to strike first. I say we find their settlement, and kill whomever leads it. Make it clear that they are not welcome here. If strong action is not taken, they will victimize others who pass through this area."

"...It seems we've caught this operation near its end, so I don't know that there's anything here worth fighting for. I propose we wait for the bear to wake up, use his nose to make sure we did not miss anything in the mine, then move on."

Merin shakes his head. "I'm with Tor, we shouldn't let this go. There might not be any material gain to be had, but I agree that those Mhytres need to be put in their place. It's unfortunate, but also (sadly) necessary. People like that do not listen to diplomacy. They only understand a show of force. Of course, if the rest of the group is against it, neither Tor nor I will fail to abide by the group's decision. We should put this to a vote. What say the rest of you?"

OOC: Tor and Merin vote for finding their settlement, and launching a surgical raid, to kill the chieftain and perhaps his best warriors.

 

[Sylvar B.]

Saemund replies to Tor and Merin.
"If this is to be our course of action I propose we attack in the wee hours of the morning, and use as much distraction as possible in order to disorient them. If we are attacking a settlement there will be more of them, and there may also be trained fighters. There is a strong possibility that the men we fought were merely over eager miners or from their gatherer caste."

 

[redraider629]

Vadin gives a bit of a chuckle. "I like where you are thinking Tor. I too think they will come back, or they will continue to take whatever they want and kill future travelers. Perhaps we should kill the leader. I think Saemund's idea is a good one. We should probably be stealthy about it. Perhaps we can use some of us faster members to get in and out quickly?"

 

[Sylvar B.]

Saemund continues.
"This cannot be a decision we take lightly. Attacking a settlement is going to be messy business. What do we do if women and children standup to fight with their men, do we kill them? What if they have Benders, do we slaughter them too? We must also consider that anyone we leave alive will one day come looking for revenge, are we prepared to kill everyone in that village? To what extent are we willing to take this?

It may be just as prudent to leave things alone, or lure just their fighters away from the village and plan an ambush. If I can instill fear in someone I'm sure I can instill blind rage, rage that would cause them to run headlong into a trap."

 

[MacConnell]

Day 122: Discussing Plans

Sheldon pokes around the campsite a bit then joins the conversation.
"I may be the voice of dissension on this one. If we take the actions of the mining crew as justification for an attack on their settlement, how are then more benevolent than they?

It is possible that this entire tribe of Mhytres behaves in the same selfish manner, but it is also possible that the mining crew acted more malevolently toward their own disposition without any nearby control of society.

We need to wait until Turtle can move, either way. Once he has regained his feet, if no Mhytres have returned, I am for moving on and forgetting them. Indigo and I, of course, will go with whatever decision is made."

OOC: Total iron collected from the fallen Mhytres amounts to 40 bricks, as well as 10 Iron Mining Mauls and 10 Iron Mining Spikes.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

It is possible that this entire tribe of Mhytres behaves in the same selfish manner, but it is also possible that the mining crew acted more malevolently toward their own disposition without any nearby control of society.

What do we do if women and children stand up to fight with their men, do we kill them? What if they have Benders, do we slaughter them too?

Merin replies, "Ok, your points are well-taken; I have no desire to kill innocents. But my instinct tells me that their behavior is societal, rather than personal. But I could be wrong; perhaps we should continue on then, and when we finally encounter the Mhytres we came here seeking, we should ask them about these people. Maybe they can shed some light on this, and give us an idea of how to deal with them. Surely, they have had contact with these people. We should ask them what their solution was."

Tor nods in agreement. "I too, have no wish to take lives. My intention, by my suggested course of action, was to save lives, by acting in a preventative manner. Let's move on then, as soon as Turtle is well."

 

[MacConnell]

Day 122 - 129: Making a Decision and Moving on

OOC: per text

After Merin and Tor rethink their previous decision, Vadin adds his own thoughts,
"While I would like some sort of revenge for the damages given, I realize that it probably is best not to let revenge drive my decisions. I agree that we should wait for Turtle to recover, then move on."

GM: By late afternoon, Turtle recovers with no signs of previous injury. No sign nor sound of the previous Mhytres returns in that time. The party gathers its belongings and the new spoils and moves on for a few hours before needing to make camp again. The next six days of travel bring contact with normal flora and fauna of the area, but nothing of note and no other people. Game is plentiful and the party has no difficult remaining fed. Having no need to collect the hides of game animals, only small game and birds are taken. Shortly after continuing to travel the seventh day, the path becomes much more clear as if it is being used by other people. By mid morning, Feroz gives a call of alarm indicating that he has spotted people. Saemund conveys this to the rest of the party. No one, however, gets the feeling of imminent danger. Sharp walls rise on each side of the path eliminating any practical options for travel. As the party rounds a bend they are greeted with a shock. A large, iron reinforced gate blocks the path. Several Maldrog let their presence be known on the ridges above, and two other appear on top of the two pace high gate.

One of the Maldrog calls from the top of the gate in a loud voice, neither friendly nor menacing,
"Geben sie ihr Anliegen an."

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

If Tor can remember the word of greeting that the Maldrog used in their last encounter, he will repeat it. If not, he will simply wave in a friendly manner to the guard who spoke.