TUW: The Steel Trade [IC]

[Sylvar B.]

Saemund looks at Tor and Sheldon with a grin, then back at the soldier.
"Easy there Captain, my name is Petrus...my associates are Paulinus (Saemund points to Tor) and Marius (pointing to Sheldon) there will be no attempts at thievery today. We represent the interests of the Southroad Fair. We came out to see what your intentions are with our humble town."

Saemund uses Way to attempt to detect the man's disposition to see if he is lying.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Tor adds,
"Indeed, we are honorable men. We have not come to fight, but rather, to welcome you to Southroad Fair, and to escort you into town. If you will permit us, we'd like to walk alongside of you, and talk for a few moments. How many beds will your caravan require for the evening? I can send word ahead to make any preparations you might request for your impending arrival. My friends and I are the advance scouts for the Volunteer Town Militia, who are stationed a bit further in your current direction of travel. I apologize for our attire, we have not been issued proper uniforms yet. Your apprehension is completely understandable, Captain. But in this instance, it is misplaced. We mean you no harm."

Tor will also attempt to sense the motives of the Caravan Captain and his men while he is conversing.

A thought suddenly occurs to Tor. ~What if this is not a caravan at all? What if it's a few wagonfuls of soldiers masquerading as a caravan? A small invasion force, coming to finish what the assassins started?~

At this point, Tor attempts to sense the presence of other people, and their proximity. A normal merchant caravan might have 3 or 4 people per wagon, the rest being cargo. If Tor senses a greater number (for example, 10 people in a single wagon), he will be on his guard.

 

[Kwargrow]

While the three converse with the guard San-Bolo watch the caravan from their vantage point. They look for anything suspicious and identifying marks or symbols. They attempt to see if they recognize any of the guards.

Turtle lounges around, waiting for Bolo to decide what she wants to do. He smells the caravan, but puts it out of his mind. She's not going to let him eat any of them.

 

[MacConnell]

Day 158: Conversation Engaging the Guard

Saemund looks at Tor and Sheldon with a grin, then back at the soldier.

"Easy there Captain, my name is Petrus...my associates are Paulinus (Saemund points to Tor) and Marius (pointing to Sheldon) there will be no attempts at thievery today. We represent the interests of the Southroad Fair. We came out to see what your intentions are with our humble town."

Captain -
"I do not see that a community would send young ruffians to engage an incoming caravan. By authority of the Ansylin Magistry, stand aside."

Saemund uses Way to attempt to detect the man's disposition to see if he is lying.

GM: OOC: Empathy: 29% Range: Self Effectiveness: Essence + Cohesion Collegiate This passive technique is used to augment the outcome of various Commercial Tasks. Observation: Empathy (Collegiate Task) + Mind + Knowledge + Commercial This active task represents watching and listening to the immediate area to determine patterns, anomalies, or dangers. It can also be used to determine a person's intentions or motivation. Saemund: 29 + 28 + 66 = 123 Saemund perceives that the guard who is speaking is acting out of a sense of duty.

 

[MacConnell]

Day 158: Conversation Engaging the Guard, part 2

Tor adds,

"Indeed, we are honorable men. We have not come to fight, but rather, to welcome you to Southroad Fair, and to escort you into town. If you will permit us, we'd like to walk alongside of you, and talk for a few moments. How many beds will your caravan require for the evening? I can send word ahead to make any preparations you might request for your impending arrival. My friends and I are the advance scouts for the Volunteer Town Militia, who are stationed a bit further in your current direction of travel. I apologize for our attire, we have not been issued proper uniforms yet. Your apprehension is completely understandable, Captain. But in this instance, it is misplaced. We mean you no harm."

GM: The captain uses his off hand to ease his sword partially from its scabbard. This is a usual gesture from a soldier that while he is on the verge of initiating violent action and will do so, it is not what he actually desires. The guard to his side stands calmly.

"Obviously you have outliers waiting to spring an ambush once the caravan has moved into position. I have 8 more soldiers in my command. If you do not walk away now, I will draw my sword and we two will kill you three. Your fancy armor and towering height do not impress me."

Tor will also attempt to sense the motives of the Caravan Captain and his men while he is conversing.

GM: Tor perceives nothing different from Saemund.

A thought suddenly occurs to Tor.

~What if this is not a caravan at all? What if it's a few wagonfulls of soldiers masquerading as a caravan? A small invasion force, coming to finish what the assassins started?~

At this point, Tor attempts to sense the presence of other people, and their proximity.

GM: OOC: Sense People: Range: Adhesion + Persona Effectiveness: Essence + Adhesion + Collegiate Resistance: Inversion This active Basic task is used to detect the presence of people within the effective range. The specific race or tribe of people may be in mind and can be as specific as adolescent male Maldrog or as general as any people. No specificity is necessary, unless in an urban setting where trying to sense all people would generally create overload. This task will not detect animals, even sentient animals like coatls or dragons. Tor does not sense an unusual number of people. There is only the driver in the first wagon. The man climbs down and approaches the two forward guards from behind. Tor recognizes the man as he steps forward.

GM: Party XP will be awarded for this innovative idea.

 

[Sylvar B.]

OOC: Internally Saemund is fuming, if not for some self control he would have cut these men down already.

 

[MacConnell]

Day 158: Engaging the Guard, part 3

While the three converse with the guard San-Bolo watch the caravan from their vantage point. They look for anything suspicious and identifying marks or symbols. They attempt to see if they recognize any of the guards.

GM: Party XP will be awarded for this innovative idea.

GM: From their vantage point off to the side of the caravan, San-Bolo do not recognize the guards specifically, but they do recognize their uniforms. The are five wagons in the train, each accompanied by a pair of guards. The guards are all wearing the uniform of Magistry Marshalls, not Ansylin Regulars. Other things catch their attention. There are no children. Though there are men and women, there appears to be no couples. When the caravan stopped, the guards turned in due diligence to the surrounding to ward against a possible attack. All the other people continued to stare forward or look at the ground. A man with a pickers stick continually tugs at the collar of his shirt like it is uncomfortable. The woman driving the central wagon is recognized as the weaver from the former Silk Caravan.

The man in the wagon climbs down and walks toward the guards engaged in conversation with Saemund and Tor. Even from behind, San-Bolo recognize the man. The man steps between the spaced guards. At seeing Tor a brief look of recognition lights the man's eyes, but he quickly hides it.

He turns to the captain.
"The tall fellow there is indeed from Southroad Fair. There is no mistaking that height."

He then faces Saemund, Tor, and Sheldon.
"I am the caravan master. This is the official Ansylin Silk Caravan. The guards are very cautious. If you will go ahead and report that we are coming, we shall follow more slowly. A whole caravan cannot travel at such a pace as you three."

GM: The man expresses a pleading look upon his face as if to say, "Please, do not interfere." He tugs at the collar of his shirt, as if subconsciously. All three men notice that he is wearing a collar.

 

[Sylvar B.]

Saemund looks at the Caravan master, noticing his discomfort, yet remains expressionless. He turns to the Captain and attempts to use way to change his disposition toward Tor, Sheldon and himself. He sends feelings of calm and peace, also feelings of deep friendship and trust. The same feelings you get when drinking a pint comrades who have experienced hardships together, like old soldiers who have fought many battles, and relied on each other. Then he asks... Good Captain, we aren't looking to interfere in the business of silk trade, but I'm wondering if can you give me some details as to your business with Southroad Fair, and what orders you have received?

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Tor places his left hand on Saemund’s shoulder, and says the following, attempting to INTERRUPT both his statement, and his attempt to manipulate the guard with The Way.

“Come, let’s go. I believe what both of them have said,” Tor says, indicating the Captain and the Caravan Master. “I have no wish to spill the blood of innocents over a simple misunderstanding. I have good instincts, and I see no treachery here. Let’s let these fellows travel in peace. We’ll see them soon enough, once they arrive in town.”

And with that, Tor FIRMLY pulls Saemund along with him, and turns to walk away.

While doing so, Tor attempts to use Way to send the following thought to Saemund: ~Don’t play with fire! These fellows look legit. Something is amiss, so forcing a confrontation will only make matters WORSE.~

 

[Sylvar B.]

Saemund stops talking mid sentence, allowing Tor to interrupt his statement, but Saemund continues to manipulate the Captain's disposition toward the three of them for as long as possible even as he is walking away. When the three of them are far enough from the Caravan to not be overheard and Saemund is no longer able to manipulate way on the Captain because of distance. Saemund looks looks at Tor with a grin...

We could have taken them... but that was a bit odd wasn't it? Hopefully the Captain is in much better spirits when reaches town. Saemund proceeds to tell Tor and Sheldon about his attempt to change the man's mind about them.