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Wolf at the Door - 08 Nov 2021 17:34
Late in Earth Season
Dramatis Personae
PC
Berra
Irillo
Lenta
Maalira
Varanis
NPC
Events
As before, the log will be recounted with extracts from Berra JarangsdottiHumaktisaga, NalaTiwrSaga and The Death of Rajar. As with last time there will be extracts from the Sonnets to Varanis, Sonnets in Praise of Xenefos and The Sonnets to Mellia, Sweetest of Healers, White Lady of Esrolia. There will be reference to the Accounts of the Travels of Irillo Goldentongue. Editorial commentary will be recorded [thus]. The {"D"} voice appears.
Irillo arrived unannounced, with a significant caravan of heavily laden mules. They’d been supplied by Silor and Thenaya. There were no marks of previous ownership on them, indicating that while they might have fallen off the back of a mule train, Silor was innocent of theft. He began setting up on Dogva’s invitation. Venlar interrupted him to talk to him happily about what he had been sent. There was not yet a house to put it in, but Thenaya had sent his furniture. There was however a barn that was hardly haunted at all. Irillo was unimpressed that Venlar was not taking care of his cousin Mellia, by leaving her furniture in a place haunted by a poltergeist, but Venlar countered that he was making his mother feel useful by adopting all of the furniture.
Irillo felt this was appropriate given that the poltergeist was, as Venlar pointed out, an apparently valued member of the clan. He noted that if the furniture was damaged, then Venlar could bring a suit against the poltergeist. Venlar went away to consider this.
Berra came onto the scene, looking determinedly innocent. She asked Lenta for a favour. Lenta said she felt she owed one to Berra, which confused the young Humakti, who decided to shelve the notion of asking, as the favour was happening. She needed Ernalda to help bless her fields.
Lenta was unsure if she would suffice, as she knew the Esrolian ways, but Berra was sure that Ernalda was always Ernalda, and she would explain the methods on the way there. She went off to find an Orlanth. That was, of course, Varanis.
Varanis greeted her cousin, but he rapidly got caught up in his patter, appealing to the purse-holders of the clan. Noticing Salid, Varanis went to greet him and was intercepted by Berra. The little Humakti asked Varanis to be Orlanth to Lenta’s Ernalda for a fertility ritual for one of Berra’s hides. Varanis agreed without argument.1 Varanis noticed at this point that Berra had a duckling hiding under her cloak, but did not say anything, as Berra was not mentioning it.
Varanis then approached Salid to welcome him and offered him some food. He gave her a gift of honeyed locust in exchange and then offered one to Berra too. She shared some of her jerky with him and asked him to be part of the ritual as well. There was a suggestion that Salid and Varanis might need to wrestle, which seemed to amuse the Vingan. Salid noticed the two ducklings that Berra was hiding, as his Darksense allowed him to see in a limited way through the clothes to the delicious things she was hiding. The next person Berra corralled was Irillo, asking him for Salid’s help and suggesting he’d like to come as well. After saying that she didn’t think the ritual would be dangerous, Berra decided that it would be wise to invite Maalira along too. After consideration, Maalira decided that if the group were going anywhere that was probably not dangerous, they definitely needed her.2
Varanis asked about armour and then went to fetch hers and painted her face runes for good measure. Irillo elected to bring his armour with him, but not to wear it. He packed up most of his gear so that people could3 want it overnight, and set off with the others, taking only two mules of high quality gear that Berra suggested.
It was an odd party of Issaries, Chalana Arroy, Humakt, Ernalda, and her husband-protectors that left the village to head for the hide. While they were travelling, Varanis kept staring at Berra’s chest, as Berra tried to explain the ritual. There were occasional quiet quacking sounds. Finally she asked why the Humakti was carrying a duckling around. Berra pulled down her top to reveal a very cute looking pair. Of ducklings. She was taking them back home after the ritual, but wanted them to be there for it, as she had seen a bad omen. She was sure it was not a problem, as it had not been over her lands, and all that was needed was to make sure the hide was blessed so as to see off any problems of war - it had been a Humakti omen of crows and ravens fighting, and the ducklings had seen it too.4 She had been telling them stories about D’Val and they had followed her. Their names were Ifgiy and Mifgiy.5
Varanis told them stories about Berra, especially the ones that made her sound heroic, though she also told them that Berra was a duck too6 and that she was still learning how to swim.7 However, they were very chatty once they were no longer hiding, and Varanis and Maalira offered to help carry them. Unfortunately, Maalira got her tradetalk wrong, and they understood that she would be selling them to trolls. Ifgiy went with Varanis, and Mifgiy stayed with Berra, as he had been very impressed by the tales of her.
When they came to the farmhouse, they were met by Barntal, Berra’s tenant. He fed Lenta (and the others, but mainly Lenta) and thanked her in advance for the ritual she would lead. When she was ready to begin, Ernalda decreed that she required Orlanth beside her as they walked the perimeter. Barntar followed with Chalana Arroy, trailed by Argan Argar. Issaries took up rear guard. As they left, he saw Berra reaching for her kohl and brushes.8 He and Maalira heard Berra telling the duckling that no, he was not allowed sacred Humakt make-up, although only Irillo understood the Heortling.9
There was a brief delay at the start as Lenta struggled with being an Esrolian Ernalda in Sartar, but Orlanth sang and Ernalda danced and the ritual came together as it was meant to. Where Ernalda walked, the grass grew just a little greener. Just outside the field boundaries, in the edges of the forest, Humakt followed, sword-dancing his protection round the outside. Only Irillo noticed him at first. He also noticed a slightly incongruous duckling following Humakt. Irillo put a handful of silver into his fist, to be able to face Death as an Issarian, should it come to that.
About an hour into the walk, Salid noticed that there was something going on in the woods, and put his pike down. Varanis spotted it too! A flaming sword and Humakt having all the fun. Orlanth decided to help him, just in case10, and handed her dagger to little Ifgiy, instructing the duckling to protect Ernalda. Ifgiy, weighed down by the dagger, promised to do so with her life. Orlanth took off at a jog, followed by Salid. Irillo noticed as they were running that there was a figure leaving. It looked big and bulky, maybe hairy. He made sure that he had a weapon to hand once more, in this case his sword. Meanwhile, Lenta and Maalira had just about noticed that people had left.
Varanis and Salid probably would not have even noticed Mifgiy, except that he was yelling something about Berra being attacked11 as he bolted past them, towards the others. Varanis broke into a run.
Mifgiy arrived, shouting that Berra was dead and Maalira needed to help. This was a little confusing, but he set off back up towards Berra without answering any of the pertinent questions like ‘what the hell?’ which this sparked in Maalira. Lenta, keeping an eye on her husband, decided that to keep the ritual going, she would have to continue as if she were in charge and solve it. She declared that the husbands were in trouble, and ran that way. Ifgiy followed. Barntal sensibly just let go of Maalira’s arm so she could run. Irillo cast Mobility on Maalira, who accelerated across the ground. He then trotted on at his own speed, on the very reasonable basis that if Berra, Varanis and Salid could not deal with a thing, he did not want to arrive there quickly.
Salid and the Vingan found Berra’s crumpled body in the woods, barely breathing. Berra had a massive claw mark over her face and the back of her head, big enough to crack her skull. Varanis yelled for Maalira and then attempted to heal her friend.12 Maalira arrived a moment later and brought with her Chalana Arroy’s healing, bringing Berra back from the point of death. Berra had a slightly confused tale of a man who had been poaching, and had then grown thick fur. Her sword had bounced off his hide. She was very angry and shouty about Telmori in general. Irillo reminded her of the last time they had seen Telmori - after a while she complained that if she did not fight people wrote songs about her being a coward, which she hated. Orlanth sympathised with his brother Humakt over that. However, as Humakt she then did not speak until Ernalda invited her to, being careful not to ruin the ritual by bursting in on it. Ifgiy and Mifgiy were in favour of hunting the Telmori. Mifgiy’s kohl Death Rune was very cute.
Varanis wondered if he might be a Telmori and Berra agreed that it was possible. Orlanth was overcome with the urge to defend his brother and go charging off after the Telmori, but Ernalda put her foot down firmly. Prideful Air met implacable Earth and it is not entirely clear who won. Although Ernalda eventually allowed Orlanth to choose and Orlanth chose hunting the Telmori, it did not happen13 and instead, everyone returned to the farmhouse to make plans, completing the ritual.
There was a discussion of what to do, and Berra suggested leaving the farmhouse for the night, because if there was only one Telmori it would not attack, but if there were many they might come for vengeance. They agreed, deciding to return Ifgiy and Mifgiy to their family, so that they could bravely guard the settlement. Thus, they took Barntal with them, travelling as soon as they could secure the place, and found the way to a tiny, secret duck village.
Along the way, Maalira was certain she saw a werewolf following them, even when Berra walked around it, telling her it was a bush. She was certain she had seen it move. Berra cut the bush in half with a flaming sword, and Maalira gaped because she had been so sure. The Humakti had, as far as those paying more attention could tell, cast Rune Magic, and was leading them by paths that were set up so that they could see the way behind them. Ifgiy and Mifgiy knew the way very well.
The duck village, a place of a lot of mud, and some houses on stilts was silent as they rode in, and then all at once two people spoke, one rushing forward to scold the missing ducklings, and another coming forward to ask what Irillo had for sale. Hospitality was offered once Berra spoke for the people with her, and the biggest house available was cleaned out, and blankets put over the huge nest there. It was still rather too small for all of them, although Ifgiy helpfully pointed out that it was best if everyone slept on top of each other. Berra volunteered to guard the village, and Irillo slept by the mules, with Salid guarding there. There was then room for Varanis, Lenta, and Maalira to snuggle up together in the nest.14
Irillo did some trading the next day,15 and the ducks put together rafts to take them, and then their animals, back to a landing place down by the village.
Berra and Varanis noticed that they had been followed by the two determined ducklings, who made their way home after being caught. Ifgiy never did return the Vingan’s dagger, but thankfully, neither did she try swimming with it.
Venlar greeted them on their return to Blue Tree. He looked somewhat harried and awkward, with baby Tamakt in his arms. He passed the baby off to Irillo. Some stuff was said but Varanis missed it because she was too busy connecting dots and finally realising that Tamakt was Irillo’s. Others heard Venlar’s explanation that he was not going to move with the child, so he had been stuck for some time, and some good-natured questions about the baby clothes that Irillo had. He was relieved that his mother was not sending them as a hint to him. Yamia was off losing at sparring practice again and Venlar and Varanis decided that this was a good time for Orlanthi drinking and they went into the hall together.
Varanis, rather drunk, later asked Irillo if Serzeen knew. He said she did now. On further questioning about some rather private parts, he said that Serzeen read slowly.
Later investigation around the farmhouse found many large wolf-prints, but the livestock, which Barntal had released, was all fine, and got rounded up.
Notable Moments and Quotes
"Guess who did print a papercopy of character sheet and did not take it home?" - Lenta
"… YOU?" - GM
"*nod*" - Lenta
"… as Irillo discusses the importance of the quality, not the width…" - GM
"Don't bankrupt me. Or yourself." - Berra
*offended gasping* - Irillo
"Yeah, sorry, dunno why I said that." - Berra
""Coward." Followed by, "Oh! I'm not muted." Switches mute on.»" - «Irillo chickens out on talking to Yamia. Varanis mutters
"Berra is walking around with a cleavage full of ducklings. I wasn't even sure Berra had cleavage!" - Varanis
"She does now." - GM
"With ducklings it might be achieavable" - Lenta
""I'm nearly sure no one will get hurt."" - Berra
"Berra… when you say 'nearly sure'…?"
""Well, there might be kind of a wrestling match."" - Berra
""… I'll bring bandages."" - Maalira
"Maalira is also happy to carry a duckling" - Maalira
". o O (Yes, of COURSE White Ladies won't sell Ducklings to the Trolls. They can't bargain worth a damn)" - Irillo
"Are you saying anything or are you just yanking and going?" - Berra GM to Lenta
"So, without breaking the ritual, I'll chase the ritual…" - Maalira
". o O (If it's dealt with Berra, Varanis and Salid, I need to talk at it)" - Irillo
"Lack of sex before the ritual, clearly…" - Lenta
"You need to let Orlanth know!" - GM
"Friendly magic, isn't…" - Lenta
"I rolled this and Berra got CREAMED." - GM
"if only you could put those healing potions inside the person, like inject them somehow.." - Lenta
"Lenta demonstrating the textbook definition of "milking it for all it's worth."" - Maalira
"Lenta rolls Petty. Specials." - GM
"Irillo slips the roll of silver into his fist." - Irillo
"Is about where you put the spear in and lever." - Argan Argar
"Maalira, do you think that was about sex?" - Humakt
"*goes red and sputters*" - Maalira
"Nice scenery." - Lenta rolls Scan
"Rolling hills and stuff." - Lenta
"There is such a thing as professional courtesy between bloodsuckers" - Irillo (re mosquitos)
"I think that by now I have heard the rumour that Lenta sent her to do stupid shit." - Lenta
"Also, Ifgiy has still got your dagger and is not letting it go." - GM
"It's about as long as she is." - GM
"I’m ok with that. She’ll grow into it." - Varanis
"I was not Yamia enough with Tamakt. She would totally have left Venlar in a thorn bush with the baby so you'd pass him on the way back. And he'd not have been so obvious about what he did, because he's smart as well as clumsy. But it's fine, sometimes she obviously makes sure he can work out he should not be subtle." - GM
Climactic Explosion - 11 Oct 2021 20:46
Earth Season, Stasis Week, Clayday
Dramatis Personae
PC
Berra
Maalira
Nala
Rajar
Suuraki
Valseena
Varanis
Xenofos
NPC
Gallem
Koraki
Some spearmen
An army or two
Someone who doesn't want to face Rajar
Someone who doesn't want to face anyone
Events
As before, the log will be recounted with extracts from Berra JarangsdottiHumaktisaga, NalaTiwrSaga and The Death of Rajar. As with last time there will be extracts from the Sonnets to Varanis, Sonnets in Praise of Xenefos and The Sonnets to Mellia, Sweetest of Healers, White Lady of Esrolia. There will be reference to the Accounts of the Travels of Irillo Goldentongue. Editorial commentary will be recorded [thus]. The {"D"} voice appears.
There was brief combat which did not change the situation much, although Berra claimed first blood on Gallem, despite the odds. There was a sudden wall-shattering boom, deafening many, and knocking several people off their feet.
On top of the wall, Varanis engaged with the Humakti in front of her. As they exchanged blows, there was a brief moment when Varanis thought they might be equally matched. She called upon her magic to make herself stronger, but as she did so, the warrior’s sword sliced into her, severing her arm. By some miraculous effort, she was able to leap away, only to tumble unconscious and bleeding out at Maalira’s feet. Koraki barged the man off the wall, having teleported the third Humakti into mid air only moments before. Berra, who had kept her feet, gave Gallem the chance to get up, although she offered once more to let him surrender. He responded in kind.
Down at the bottom, Rajar got Vengeance to butt the spirit-possessed horse, and broke it a lot. Suuraki faced up against an opponent who drove him back with the weight of a horse, and then thrust a spear through his arm. Nala demanded the surrender of those who faced her, in a voice close to that of the goddess Ernalda herself. Faced with the numbers, one did indeed surrender, while another tried to flee back through the lines. The Sun Lord who was facing Rajar called on his god to call him away, and vanished. Meanwhile the spirit that had been in the horse - the Rune Lord’s ally - tried to attack Rajar. This did not work, because the Storm Bull rode straight at his next target, the back of the man trying to get away. Rajar stabbed him lightly, and he surrendered. There were further booms from far away16, and from the breach in the walls there were screams.
Valseena pushed her way through the lines to reach Suuraki, bravely putting herself at risk in the process. She called upon her goddess for inspiration, but with the stress of the violence around her, it seemed as though Eiritha did not hear. Fighting against the despair, Valseena determinedly continued her own battle to help Suuraki, attempting everything that she knew how to do. Finally some of the front line warriors pulled the lance from his arm, allowing her to start using magical healing.
Xenofos, having sliced the enemy cavalry apart with those under his command managed to pull up, turning to close gaps in the wall, although there was very little damage. He kept them under control, also keeping those inside the lines from escaping, and shortly there were no targets left.
On the wall, Gallem finally got through Berra’s guard, sinking his sword through her armour and into her abdomen, and she dropped. Gallem reversed his sword with a flourish, saluted Maalira, and turned to go, taking with him the survivors of his bodyguard. Maalira did some quick calculations about the wounded, and shouted for help while electing to heal Varanis. Those who heard ran for the stairs. Berra, who was still conscious, asked for healing from the shock troop of axe maidens, but the axe maiden who volunteered was unable to help, so Maalira pushed her aside, and was also momentarily unable. Nala, who had arrived at speed, was able to - she told Berra to get to Tiwr, although Berra wanted to get back to her command instead. However, it rapidly became clear that there was no fight below, and so she sat down by Varanis, who was unconscious.
Xenofos, in looking around after the battle, found that in the breach, there were many many people dead, all looking like they had been struck by multiple slingshots. As soon as Varanis stirred, Berra did go to see Tiwr for healing, then went off to organise the army and send out patrols into the city to keep people safe. There was a little looting, and Varanis managed to find a body with a glowing crystal on it. Berra found some potions with labels. Xenofos was too over-wrought to read the crabbed handwriting but Varanis pronounced that they were blade poison, so Berra took them to the Humakti Temple to be destroyed. There she met Gallem, who kindly explained to her that they were not in fact poison but healing potions; she gave one to him on the ground that his leg might need it17, and he put it on the altar.
Venna gave grudging praise to the Esrolian army, stating that their diversion had been more successful than anticipated. Berra bristled on learning they’d been a diversion, but also appeared to recognise the reasoning behind it. She did shut up when she realised that the Cannon Cult were there, meaning dwarves might be free to mend the walls. Varanis was quieter than usual around Venna. The Prince’s Fort had not surrendered, and so the cannon was called up, arriving a little after dawn. It was pulled by humans who wore only loincloths, but accompanied by six dwarfs; one had his helmet slung, and appeared to be T’Dwarf. Nala danced joyfully behind him, and Berra looked agog, as it seemed she might see the cannon at work.
Someone in the fort sent out a Sunspear or some similar spell, which simply bounced off T’Dwarf’s armour. He ordered the cannon to fire, and the gate disintegrated. The Prince’s fort surrendered, using the traditional green branch waved from a safe place. Nala tried to hug T’Dwarf but some of his bodyguard interposed themselves. Berra asked if she could touch the cannon PLEASE but was told no. T’ Dwarf, and Cannon, then departed.18
Rajar examined the horse that had once been a spirit ally, and found that it had horse-shoes that looked magical. He took them off by cutting through the bone, and also decapitated the horse to take the head to Storm Bull’s altar. Xenofos later determined that the horseshoes were a mobility matrix.
Nala determined to help Valseena, who was looking very forlorn, and took Suuraki and Valseena to the Earth Temple, to ask the priestesses there to arouse passion within Valseena once more. The priestess she talked to was rather pointed on the subject of how many wounded there were, and how the enemies Nala was talking about were in fact Alda Churi. They were sent away.
Berra took an hour at the Temple of Humakt as soon as she could, to ask Lord Eril if he had orders now Alda Chur had fallen; she got the impression that he wanted a secure border for Sartar there - Berra went to ask Varanis for help. This required some politicking, at which Varanis was rather better than Berra.
A few days later, Venna summoned Varanis and Berra, by way of Koraki. The Storm Khan informed them that Alda Chur was to be a wedding gift from the king(s) to the bride (i.e. the Feathered Horse Queen), though names were carefully avoided despite Berra’s confused attempts to elicit them from Venna. She had some further politics to address, namely the selection of a king to manage Alda Chur. The King of Alone felt that Koraki was the best candidate, much to his surprise and dismay, and Varanis agreed that this was an appropriate choice, or at least better than her being designated.
Notable Moments and Quotes
"You take a beard trimmer, and gauntlets…" - Rajar
"Morale? Ending at sunrise?" - Xenofos
"Ends at Sunrise, yes. An hour from now." - Berra
"So many things go down at sunrise." - Nala
"Can I see where he went down?" - Valseena
*snorrrk* - Maalira
"I am going to heal whatever happens." - Maalira
"Rajar wants to practice safe seax" - GM
"I am now inspired with Death. +20 to fightiness." - Berra
"And he's specially inspired." - GM
"So 83%… DAMN HIM." - Berra
"(If he disarms her surely she will yield…)" - Xenofos
"… probably." - Berra
"Having thought about the odds of diving at a Humakti with a very long skewer." - Berra
"(I would not bet on it though…)" - Xenofos
"Do you have that average zebra open?" - GM
"… ew." - Berra
"SELLOTAPE!" - Nala
"The good news is it's your right arm." - GM
"That's right up there with 'the good news is they can sew it back on'." - Rajar
"Free lance!" - Suuraki
"Freelance - the Yelmalian Regiment" - Berra
"Expensive Lances - also the Yelmalian Regiment" - Berra
"Double dice. That's a lot of dice… I'm going to take a little while to add this up." - Rajar
"Jesus Christ, 40 points of damage…" - Rajar
"Golden mist, not shower…" - Xenofos
"You have to lower the tone, X…" - Berra
"I admit we were not pulling our weight with that." - Berra
"While I'm waiting, should I inspire myself with Love (Suuraki)?" - Valseena
"That's only 30, so it'll go badly." - Suuraki
*fumbles Devotion (Eiritha)* - Valseena
"Your battle roll." - GM
"A normal pass." - psuedo-Xenofos
"A large chunk of the wall ceases to exist." - GM
"Secret Dwarfs." - Berra
"Secret dwarfs sounds very like a VERY secret magazine." - Nala
"I'm going to offer Gallem the chance to surrender. While he's getting up. Then I'm going to attack him, because he's not going to surrender." - Berra
"My intention is, unless he yields, stick him with my spear then run him over with Vengeance." - Rajar
"You have one cavalryman with his back to you." - GM
*eyes light up* - Rajar
"Do you wish to yield my lord?" - Berra
"You yield, and tell Eril how brave I am." - Gallem
"I do believe he respects you, my lord." - Berra
"Wait, you're stabbing him in the back with a bison?" - Berra
"I love you." - Berra
"How bad is it when you roll high on the Fumble chart?" - Varanis
"How high?" - GM/others
"96." - Varanis
*collective wince* - everyone
"Suuraki, make sure Valseena knows that she can milk this." - Berra
"Xenofos has no idea of what the two so called commanders have gotten them into." - Xenofos
"those falling rocks are quite distracting…" - Xenofos
"we are riding around the hippodrome as I said earlier though" - Xenofos
"Berra is probably going to die in next ten minutes." - GM
"NOOOOO." - Xenofos
"Any of you bastards able to heal? Bitches, sorry…" - Berra
"Maalira's build is all about stopping us from doing these idiot things." - Berra
"Maalira is rapidly coming to understand that this is not entirely possible" - Maalira
"Yes. I'm sorry to have helped there." - Berra
"Not VERY sorry, obviously." - Berra
"Alda chur architecture is pretty nice. And quite well lit for the time of the night." - Xenofos
"A bit too well lit." - Xenofos
"I WANT TO SEE THIS SO MUCH!" - Berra
"I SAW THE CANNON!" - Berra
"eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee DANCE" - Nala
"Berra looks very excited." - Berra
"Do we all want to make POW x 3 rolls?" - GM
"Well, we all want to, but some of us…" - Xenofos
"Your entreaty is important to us." - Suuraki
"Wow. She's GOOD at dwarf stuff." - Berra
"She keeps digging!" - Berra
"Such admiration." - Berra
"I think Maalira is going to keep following this group. Because they keep doing really stupid things, and need my help." - Maalira
"Berra, you talk a lot." - Varanis
"It is necessary to have a new King of Alda Chur. The King of Alone suggests Koraki Silverhand." - Venna
"Koraki does not look pleased." - GM
"That's not my problem." - Varanis
"I believe my Prince would be comfortable with this choice as well." - Varanis
"Get yourself unseated by the local tribes if you can't make a decent hash of it because you're too incompetent." - Venna
"I see… That is not what I was led to believe was going to happen…" - Koraki
"Maalira, have you melted yet?" - GM
"Wuh?" - Maalira
"You can't increase intelligence or size." - GM
"Which is wrong, because I think I can eat all the pies…" - Rajar
"It took Varanis about 2 years to stop blushing. Much." - Berra
"Sadly, Xenofos, Berra became more charming." - Berra
"Squeee" - Xenofos
"So how much trouble are we in?" - Berra
"I don't know that you're in trouble…" - Koraki
"… fuck." - Berra
"Thank you for the offer, but my heart belongs to another." - Koraki
Ups and Downs - 04 Oct 2021 16:54
Earth Season, Stasis Week, Clayday
Dramatis Personae
PC
Berra
Maalira
Nala
Rajar
Suuraki
Valseena
Varanis
Xenofos
NPC
Gallem
Koraki
Events
As before, the log will be recounted with extracts from Berra JarangsdottiHumaktisaga, NalaTiwrSaga and The Death of Rajar. As with last time there will be extracts from the Sonnets to Varanis, Sonnets in Praise of Xenefos and The Sonnets to Mellia, Sweetest of Healers, White Lady of Esrolia. There will be reference to the Accounts of the Travels of Irillo Goldentongue. Editorial commentary will be recorded [thus]. The {"D"} voice appears.
Rajar and Nala encountered an incoming cavalry unit. The Storm Bull managed to somehow make a large u-turn on Vengeance in a bid to lure the cavalry back towards the Esrolian troops at the gate. Nala and Tiwr had no difficulties following suit, much more nimbly. Although they made efforts to use the massive statues for cover, their attackers also made efforts to use the two Praxians for target practice, lighting them up with a Sunbright spell. Arrows (including some on fire) flew at them several times. Although some bounced, at least one Tarshite arrow found purchase in flesh, wounding Nala badly.
Closer to the gate, Suuraki, mounted on his High Llama, took advantage of the elevation to shoot at the enemy forces, putting two or three arrows into the mass of horse and rider, and doing some damage in the press.
Xenofos chased down his horse, then gracefully leapt into his saddle and followed the Esrolian cavalry, who had dashed left from the gate, rallying them.
Berra was charging up the stairs, invoking the terrible powers of her god as she ran. The Humakti made short work of the first to stand in her way, cutting his arm off and demanding his surrender to get him out of the way as fast as possible. The Babeester Gor shock troops followed her.
Meanwhile, both Maalira and Valseena were frantically trying to heal the rising number of injured. Chalana Arroy’s initiate did not discriminate, caring for warriors from both sides of the conflict. Valseena, follower of the great and wise Eiritha focussed more closely on her own herd, attempting to heal wounded infantry. One of the people taken prisoner by Berra also threw himself on Maalira’s mercy, potentially causing a marvellous problem later.
Varanis called on Orlanth and leapt to the top of the wall. She made the honourable choice to ignore the warrior whose back was turned and instead attacked one who met her face on. They exchanged blows several times, before the Vingan struck his head and he tumbled from the wall. On the ground, still some distance away, Rajar called out a warning about the cavalry. Varanis heard and took up the cry, but below, Maalira misheard her. The White Lady thought Varanis was mortally wounded and charged towards the stairs in hope of saving her. The warrior who had just lost his arm clung to Maalira’s robe, begging for sanctuary.
Before Nala retreated to seek out a healer, the shaman called on Maran Gor to open a chasm in front of the lead cavalry. Several fell, wounding horses and riders badly and trapping them for the time being. About half of the attacking cavalry made it over the chasm, as the second rank had time to jump. Three of them punched through the Esrolian infantry, causing some havoc behind the lines.
Still amongst the infantry, Valseena spotted Nala and pushed her way through to aid the injured shaman. While it took several tries, between them, Valseena, Nala, and Tiwr were able to repair the damage to Nala’s leg.
Xenofos, both scribe and cavalryman, sang the battle song of the Greens, inspiring himself and the Esrolian cavalry to plunge into glorious battle. Shining and fierce, they charged! Should anyone survive this conflict, surely songs will be sung in their honour.
Rajar and Vengeance connected with the three warriors who had broken through. Suuraki shifted to his dagger-axe, then made a rather spectacular, if unintentional, dismount.
On the wall, Berra spotted the local High Sword, Gallem, charging in her direction with his guards at his heels. She closed the distance between them, hardly pausing to cut a man in half19 and take the pressure off Koraki. Maalira dived into the melee to help heal Koraki.
As Gallem approached Berra called for his surrender in in the name of the Household of Death. He called her to surrender in the name of the God, and neither of them did. Instead they exchanged blows. The Sword Lord shattered Wind Tooth with his greatsword, but Berra swapped Lord Eril’s sword into her right hand and continued to attack.
Varanis leapt overhead, to land on the other side of the cluster of Humakti, attempting unsuccessfully to hit one of them on her way past. Her battle cry was a call to Vinga and Kallyr. Koraki, now bleeding a little less, swept into the fray. The other Vingan bodyguard either flew or leapt around the walls.
Notable Moments and Quotes
"You are all expected to put your hands up when you have something to say…" - GM
"Does it have to be valuable?" - Rajar
"You're on the road, just where there is a little kink…" - GM
*no* - entire game
"Do I have room to use the llama as an archery platform?" - Suuraki
"We all have our vague ideas about what's going to be happening." - GM
"Including you." - Berra
"Special on Ride. Which is already ticked. Damn." - Rajar
"This is definitely a fold'em moment." - Rajar
"He is going to try to stick a spear into you." - Tom
"Fantastic." - Berra
"Could I ask you to also make a stealth roll?" - GM
*bursts out laughing* - Varanis
"What would Dormal do?" - Dormal, from a very long way away
"It was easy as soon as I thought about what Dormal would do." - Varanis
"Suddenly the other guy [having been alerted by Varanis] decides he will not use his javelin as a javelin." - GM
"'Friendly' does not normally mean 'friendly'." - Nala, to GM
"I am fleeing like a brave Storm Bull warrior!" - Rajar
"I HELPED!" - Berra
"'helped'" - Berra
"… Again." - Berra
"With friends like these…" - Xenofos
"Nala’s leg is stopping her from dropping her crevice, huh…" - Maalira
"That's what I heard too." - Berra
"You could inspire with Earth or Harmony or…" - GM
"Too late. I've hit it, failed, and moved on with my life." - Valseena
"A crit and two specials right next to each other…" - ???
"… can offend, so please do not ask for credit." - Berra
"Varanis, you've heard tales about the duck cutting a head off casually. You've just seen Berra casually cut someone in half at the chest." - GM
"Good. If she dies… if she lives or dies I look forward to telling her High Sword about it." - Varanis
"Maalira, Berra just cut someone in half at the chest." - GM
"That's not going to fix, is it?" - Maalira
"OK, that gives me a 302% Sword Skill with my right hand. But Gallem's approaching." - Berra
"Sweet white lady, is there a foe I can fight for you?" - Koraki
"I just gesture at the battle around us." - Maalira
"Surrender in the name of the Household of Death!" - Berra
"Surrender in the name of the God." - Gallem
*Speed dismount!* - Suuraki
'Suuraki does a cat impression. "I meant to do that!"' - Varanis
"Trample the fucker… sorry, carry on." - Rajar
"It was the horse…" - GM
"The horse, in the cavalry, with a smugger-than-thou attitude." - Nala
"These people are cheating by actually being as good as us." - Berra
"Those watching the battle up top are going to be seeing Humakt facing off against Humakt." - Berra
"Death for the Death God" - Rajar
Into the Far Place - 24 Sep 2021 21:16
Earth Season, Stasis Week, Waterday-Clayday
It was about a week after the last session, but also probably not Ernalda's holy week.
Dramatis Personae
PC
Berra
Maalira
Nala
Rajar
Suuraki
Valseena
Varanis
Xenofos
NPC
Griselda
Koraki
Venna
An army
Some horses
A battle line
Some cavalry
Events
As before, the log will be recounted with extracts from Berra JarangsdottiHumaktisaga, NalaTiwrSaga and The Death of Rajar. As with last time there will be extracts from the Sonnets to Varanis, Sonnets in Praise of Xenefos and The Sonnets to Mellia, Sweetest of Healers, White Lady of Esrolia. There will be reference to the Accounts of the Travels of Irillo Goldentongue. Editorial commentary will be recorded [thus]. The {"D"} voice appears.
Over the course of the week that they were finalising the details of the rising, Berra had been talking to the various leaders, trying to instill in them a sense of Not Looting, but for some reason it had been coming over as some very specific things that were possible and should not be done. Highly, suspiciously specific. Some of those nearby were convinced that she meant the opposite. Others thought her heart was not in it. Varanis patched up some of the damage that Berra was doing, and at least the Humakti managed to talk more generally about honourable behaviour.
Rajar woke, hung over, naked and with an axe20. He relieved himself on the remains of a statue of a lizard-person, and set off. After walking for a couple of hours he spotted Kero Fin and realised he was going the wrong way. He turned around and started walking back, having figured he was somewhere close to Dwarf Mine. After some time, he heard singing out in the wilderness, and came across Koraki enjoying a goblet of wine.
He was able to piece together a little of what had happened; Koraki said that a lot of Storm Bulls had become very drunk and decided to drink more then invade Snakepipe Hollow. Everyone else had passed out in the ‘drink more’ phase. Koraki then volunteered to get Rajar a bison and clothes, and even managed to get him clothes that already belonged to him.
Rajar returned to the camp and went to the Storm Bull tent where he found his armour had been put up as an offering to Storm Bull in thanks for his glorious death. He made a donation to the Temple to replace the glorious thing, buying his armour back for 50L. Then he went to see Venna to find out what was likely to be going on; he met Nala, who was suspicious-innocently hanging around there, and they went in to see Venna. Rajar gave her beer.
Venna took a little time to vent about how hard it was to find a Eurmali in the camp, which confused Rajar, although he readily admitted being sorry for having suggested it. However, it turned out that Nala did already know what Venna was talking about. While Nala was talking about the other part of the plan, and her sisters - presumably the women of Maran Gor - she saw someone sneaking out from under the table and lifting Rajar’s purse. She giggled a bit, and then asked the thief, whom she recognised21 to come out. Nothing happened, and then Venna lifted up the table and swung it through the air. It hit Rajar, but Rajar had worked out something of what was going on, and he swung his axe, using it as a club. It impacted on the thief, and he grabbed her. Nala healed her, and she healed herself as well, and Rajar got his purse back, tucking it into his armour this time.
Griselda the thief and Venna negotiated about price and plan, and the Esrolians received orders. There was an initial planning session with a few higher-ups, where the basic plan was put; The Esrolians would sneak in towards the gate by night. It would be blown apart at dawn, and they would charge and hold it until reinforcements arrived. Varanis suggested that Berra would use a Morale spell, and Berra asked for the timing to be moved so that they could fight before dawn, allowing them to attack some time before the spell ended. Various people made their preparations, and they marched off down the road as they had a couple of times before. Nala suggested that she try to break the walls with Maran Gor’s magic, but it was decided that the walls were too strong, or at least, Berra had a better thought for her than that - she wanted to keep Nala as a mobile maker of surprise defensive ditches.
This time, rather than moving on to Glasswall, they marched off the road to brief the troops and make sure they all had a good meal, then the marched a bit more. After evening came, Berra started the Morale ritual, and was happily surprised to find that once more, Koraki was part of the Regiment. Everyone got to talk to everyone else about why they were here, and why they were following Varanis; the Vingan was the focus of the ritual, as the head of the Regiment. Koraki gave some small gifts to the poorly-equiped slingers; some people could see that it was woad. Berra thought it was strong drink. Berra cast her Shield spell early, indicating that it was an extended one.
Berra elected to go in with the cavalry, and asked Rajar to look after her. He suggested that she ride behind him on Vengeance, which she agreed was a good idea. Varanis would go in with the infantry, on foot. Varanis took the time to tell the healers about various people’s attitudes to resurrection; that Xenofos wanted to be left to rest, and that Berra would likely try to stop any resurrection, so avoiding her would be important. After that, they marched in the dark, getting close to the city, and creeping up slowly.
The signal went at the appointed hour, when the gates splintered suddenly, and those with good eyes could see a woman appearing in a half dug-out that was suddenly unhidden. Everyone charged, with Suuraki and Xenofos taking point on the cavalry, and Varanis leading the infantry from the front. The healers went on their mounts, but without riding too fast, so that they would not be in danger. One of the Greens who worshipped Yelmalio cast Sunbright, allowing everyone to charge as fast as they could.
The attacking group could see there were only small numbers of people rushing to fill the gate, and it quickly became apparent that they were unarmoured, with spears and wicker shields only. The attack was successfully surprising.
As they closed, Berra dismounted by jumping, trusting to her Shield spell and her reflexes to keep her from getting hurt. This put her behind the group, meaning that others impacted first. Rajar’s lance failed to hit someone, who nearly managed to hit him, but then his opponent got folded in half around Vengeance’s horns. Xenofos struck someone, killing him instantly, and Suuraki had a fine try at someone else’s chest. Nala set someone’s clothes on fire, but the man had the presence of mind to stop, drop, and roll. Things then went badly for Xenofos, as he was struck by a spear that left his right leg useless. He managed a dismount from his horse that also damaged his left ankle, and was left on the ground. Berra arrived, and left the man who had struck him in two pieces, appositely cutting off a leg.
The infantry were running in, taking arrow fire, with Varanis still leading, and looking good doing so. She was also casting Lightning at the archers on the walls. The run was long enough that she was able to blast three people and even kill one of them, who toppled from the walls after having had the temerity to wound her. The slingers behind Varanis had some surprisingly powerful magic, and were naked, covered in woad. Varanis had been one of those who saw what Koraki gave, so was not surprised.
Rajar cast Fear at the man who had been burning and was getting to his feet, and Nala cast Demoralize a few moments later, then Berra cut down the last of the standing men, as she defended the spot where Xenofos lay. Both of the people she had wounded so badly surrendered, and she accepted it. Xenofos began to heal himself, and the trained healers arrived; one of the wounded men appealed to Maalira, saying he had offered his ransom, and Maalira used Rune magic to heal his leg, because while her friends might be wounded later, this man was wounded NOW. She then tried to stabilise the other, possibly because she was preparing her spirit for more magic.
Nala looked at the spirit world and was pretty sure she could see a Wyter close by. Rajar decided not to bother slowing down, but rode into the city. He went around a curve and could see twenty horsemen in two lines in front of him. Nala, knowing there was a Wyter about, followed him, but was some way behind when Rajar elected to charge the force22.
Notable Moments and Quotes
"Why would you put a dead person in the ground? That's just crazy talk." - Suuraki
"I have a question or two about Rajar." - Rajar
"Go on." - GM
"Where do I wake up?" - Rajar
"What's the Praxian for 'Ozymandias Can See Ur House From Here'?" - Maalira
"Where is my listen skill? It should be near scan, surely." - Rajar
"Rajar walks towards the song, naked and unafraid, axe held high." - Rajar
"I'm glad the plan to drop everything and charge through Snakepipe Hollow got shelved…" - Koraki
"You've certainly done the drop everything part." - Suuraki
"A quick nip of the alynx that bit you." - Koraki
"Do you want me to go get you a bison, and/or your clothes?" - Koraki
"That would be amazing!" - Rajar
"Rajar smiles as though he remembers any of this. He doesn't." - Rajar
"The others passed out before they could leave." - Koraki
"Frankly, it doesn't get much better than waking up alive…" - Rajar
"He has someone else riding the bison, on the grounds that if he wanted to kick a big, hairy smelly thing into faster movement, he needn't have left you in the first place." - GM
"Bring me a beer! And him!…. Fetch HIM a beer, not bring me him…" - Rajar
"Xenofos is just playing sadder and sadder songs." - Xenofos
"Bits of last night are coming back to me!" - Rajar
"The bucket's in the corner." - Suuraki
"Because of Berra the Esrolians have been given the sneaky part as vanguard…" - Xenofos?
Xenofos: Varanis - Aranda at the temple has my last wishes if they are needed.
Varanis: And you still wish me to let you stay dead if Ty Kora Tek takes you?
Xenofos: Yes just bury me in the ground.
Varanis: As you wish.
"I'm going to be the most charismatic invisible person EVER." - Nala
"Are you saying I should not bang my rapier on my shield?" - Xenofos"It's burning from just licking a bit." - Maalira
"That's a regular success on the pita bread. I mean the intimidate." - Rajar
"Rajar with the lance, vs the first available idiot." - Rajar
"GM, when I'm in range, can I chuck a lightning bolt?" - Varanis
"Maybe at someone on a wall or something. Preferably not into the back of my cavalry." - Varanis
"We are playing Praxian polo with the dagger axe." - Suuraki
"Thanks for coming, look what you could have won." - Xenofos
"WAAAH!" - Xenofos internal monologue, per Berra
Nala: Ankle-biter
Nala: Duckling honour name
Nala: …or Berra's honour name
Berra: Ankle Slicer
"Healing it back as it was. Talking logic to it." - Xenofos
"When you look at it later, you will find an anatomical map of the area tattooed onto the skin." - GM
"I hope I was awake during the anatomy lessons…" - Xenofos
"Can I have my leg back?" - Mook
"Where is your leg now?" - Maalira
"I don't know that any of these people will get wounded in the future, but these people are wounded NOW." - Maalira
Nala: Shut up Berra.
Berra: But I'm helping!
Nala: No. No, you're not.
Berra: Halping.
"He's casting flight. He just vaults out of the saddle and keeps going." - GM
"Someone on the other side cast Dispel Magic, or I will do it myself." - Xenofos
Clothed in Dignity - 06 Sep 2021 19:46
Earth Season, Death Week, Windsday
Dramatis Personae
PC
Berra
Maalira
Nala
Rajar
Suuraki
Valseena
Varanis
Xenofos
NPC
Events
As before, the log will be recounted with extracts from Berra JarangsdottiHumaktisaga, NalaTiwrSaga and The Death of Rajar. As with last time there will be extracts from the Sonnets to Varanis, Sonnets in Praise of Xenefos and The Sonnets to Mellia, Sweetest of Healers, White Lady of Esrolia. There will be reference to the Accounts of the Travels of Irillo Goldentongue. Editorial commentary will be recorded [thus]. The {"D"} voice appears.
In Flashback, last year: Maalira saw a rider on a very pale zebra bring a broken lance with a bloodied end into the camp. Being a peaceable sort of person she did not know what that meant, but was told by her Khan that Argrath would be marching. He asked her to accompany the young Straw Weavers who would be following the Khan of Khans. She agreed to help keep the young fools alive. When the summons came, she went.
Out with Argrath’s army, Maalira noticed that the Praxian armies were taking too much from the locals. She brought her concerns to Venna (guided by a starry-eyed High Llama warrior). Venna admitted that it happens this way and yes, the locals will have hard times down the road. The Storm Khan agreed to make compensation when possible. She did not want Chalana Arroy angry with them when they were about to go to battle.
Time passed; they took Alone and ended up encamped outside Alda Chur.
In the camp outside Alda Chur, Maalira was in her hospital tent when a broken and sleeping Nala was delivered; this might have been some time after the Heroquest. The God Talker’s wolf followed, clearly intending to look after her human. Tiwr made a bit of a nuisance of himself. He told Maalira that he could heal Nala and tried to enter the hospital tent, but managed to remove the door-frame instead, getting it stuck on himself. Maalira woke Nala by realigning her jaw, one of the many injuries on her body, and Nala tried to bite her. Awake, but in pain, Nala crawled to Tiwr for healing, which was promptly and somewhat graphically managed. Her limbs did not work like a human’s.
Nala announced that she needed her clothing and asked Tiwr to go find it. He agreed and headed off in search. Nala asked Maalira about the shaman, but all Maalira could say was that Erhehta was still dead.
Back in the Esrolian camp, Berra was napping, having spent the past two days and nights awake and active. She had told people to wake her if and when the next disaster happened23.
Tiwr turned up at the edge of camp, where he encountered Suuraki. He told Suuraki he needed clothes, sugar and carrots for Nala’s healing, so the High Llama rider pointed him towards the army’s very limited supplies. The noise made by Tiwr’s argument with the quartermaster drew Varanis’ attention. She came and asked what he was doing, then offered to carry the vegetables to Nala herself.24 Xenofos and Valseena were invited to come with Varanis to visit Nala, while Suuraki was tasked with tracking the clothing.
The spirit-infested clothes had left no tracks, but an expert like Suuraki could not be avoided for long. He spotted them, and made his way towards them. Very briefly he thought he saw a flash of red hair, and some armour, then the clothes attacked him. There was a spectacular wrestling match that ultimately ended with Suuraki wearing two sets of clothes over his own. The clothes danced across the sprawling camp, carrying the brave warrior with them. Venna’s rhino watched and even offered to help, but Suuraki decided against it. He let the clothing dance him to the healer’s tent.
At the tent, Varanis was attempting to talk to Nala, but Tiwr was filling the entrance entirely. The Vingan had brought a cloak to cover Nala until her clothing returned. There was also some discussion about the vegetables, which was never fully resolved, and it is possible that Tiwr managed to eat them, and also possible that the Chalana Arroy initiates took them away as an offering..
Nala convinced the clothing to leave Suuraki alone and was able to dress herself, while Erhehta’s clothes danced off somewhere else. When Nala asked about the shaman again, Valseena was able to tell her that the shaman was still dead. The God Talker decided that she should go check on Erhehta and his assistant. She revealed that they’d been on a Heroquest and that something had gone wrong. Something to do with Lunars. Suuraki picked up on that and suggested that Venna needed to know.
The group made for Venna’s tent, while Varanis sent word for Berra to be woken and invited, if she was amenable to it. Presumably because they had Nala and Maalira with them, there was no waiting - the Storm Khan was immediately available. Venna gave Valseena and the others greetings, with Varanis coming last. Berra arrived at a dead run, having been woken with the butt end of a spear.25
Venna asked if Varanis had rewarded her followers yet and when the Vingan admitted that she hadn’t, Venna shamed her by tossing a ring to Valseena. Tempers began to rise, but Varanis tried to rein herself in by focussing on what she needed to do next. Things became muddled when Venna mentioned that Varanis could stand proxy for Argrath in the marriage to King Stark’s daughter. Berra interrupted to say that Varanis couldn’t marry without Prince Kallyr’s permission. Things began to escalate when Venna called Kallyr a usurper. Nala decided that this was a good time to go. Before long, both Venna and Varanis were raging at each other. Maalira gave Berra a look and Berra totally ignored it and continued to put her foot in. They managed not to come to blows, despite Varanis calling Venna a mannerless barbarian, and Venna offering to fight Varanis after Argrath no longer needed them. Varanis stormed out of the tent with Xenofos at her heels.
Berra chastised the Storm Khan for shaming Varanis and asked when the army would be given gifts, if Venna was saying Varanis should give them. Venna pointed out that they hadn’t proven themselves on the field yet, but if they did, they’d be rewarded. Berra stepped out of the tent. Maalira, having spotted who was trouble, followed her. Berra paused to not lose her temper outside.
Suuraki and Valseena were lingering, so Venna turned to them. Suuraki told her what he knew of Nala’s quest and at the mention of Lunars, Venna swore, and had Nala sent for, and Berra went back in once she heard there was Lunar trouble. Nala returned, and danced the dance of the Heroquest that had happened. Venna ordered the guard doubled, and went to tell Argrath about the problem.
Meanwhile, Varanis was not yet ready to return to camp. She made directly to the river, dropped her armour and clothing on the riverbank, and ordered Xenofos to watch for crocodiles. Then she jumped into the water and swam, trying to cool her temper. Xenofos forgot about the crocodiles, getting distracted by the local architecture. He was distracted enough that he didn’t spot the arrival of Koraki Silverhand. As Varanis clambered out of the water, the Wind Lord called out to Varanis that it might be unwise to go swimming so close to the enemy. She invited him to come back to their camp.
Berra invited Maalira to join them back at the Esrolian camp and the healer agreed. When they all got there, it was to find Varanis and Xenofos missing. They didn’t have time to worry before the cousins returned, with Koraki in tow. Meanwhile, Berra had doubled the Esrolian guard, and told people to be ready for new orders to come in. She had also politely suggested that Maalira come with them, and Maalira had politely said that she had not been West for a while.
Notable Moments and Quotes
"We could add a couple of cows to your herd…" - GM
"Is that a euphemism for Ernalda's bounty?" - Nala
"If I'm sending some of the… young single warriors with the White Bull, I'd quite like some of them back." - Gallaf
"You want me to go along and make sure they don't get killed?" - Maalira
*offers money* - Gallaf
*would have done it for nothing* - Maalira
"I'm sure the Great Khan will give loot for you as he would for any warrior." - Gallaf
"Only if we win." - Maalira
"A true king wouldn't starve his people." - Varanis
"A true prince wouldn't have botched Sacred Time, to be fair…" - Nala
"All of the Straw Weavers are young - under twenty." - GM
"We had some slightly older people than that before. We must have been wrong." - Berra
"Go right in. Venna's expecting you." - Guard
"Well that sounds ominous." - Maalira
"The good news is, anyone who actually hits you with an axe is in a heap of trouble." - Suuraki
*expression* - Maalira
"And so are you." - GM
*more expression* - Maalira
"Struck dumb in the face of female authority. Sound woman." - Nala
"That's male authority with boobs." - Berra
"The peasants here are stick-pickers. They forage the plants that grow around them. They called it 'faraming'." - Venna
"I have heard of this. It sounds inefficient. The plants can't follow you around." - Maalira
"…in good odour." - GM
"Odour is important in the bison tribes." - Nala
"They've chopped down trees and put them in the ground around their village…" - GM
"They could have just herded them!" - Maalira
"Snake-pipe Hollow is an army-eater." - Berra
"Sounds like an excuse to me…" - Xenofos
"Venna really is an unusual Storm Bull." - Varanis
"'old'…" - Berra
"tutu…" - Xenofos
"He's looking a bit ruff?" - Berra
"I think maybe the GM is not hanging on our every word here." - Berra
"What happened BEFORE this?" - Maalira"
"I have Prepare Corpse. It's one option." - Maalira
"Well, she's responsive." - Maalira avoids getting her fingers bitten
"I am the brains of the operation. Here is my helpless life partner…" - Tiwr
"Who is the jaws of the operation?" - Maalira
"There is a scar there." - GM
"No, no scars with unicorn." - Nala
"Usually, yes…" - GM
"She wasn't so much the receiving end as the outer balloon." - Berra
"The patients who are mostly drunk and punched someone. Drunk and got punched… Punch-drunk…" - GM
"Drunk on punch." - Maalira
"Do you have clothes, or sugar lumps, or a carrot, because Nala desperately needs those things for her recovery." - Tiwr
"The hairy two-leg with the big chopper…" - Tiwr of Suuraki
"The clothes are wanted on material charges…" - Maalira
"If the clothes are having an understanding really weird things might happen" - Xenofos
"Baby clothes!" - Berra
"That's probably a Charm…" - GM
"Highly unlikely." - Suuraki
"Fast Talk?" - GM
"No, that's even worse." - Suuraki
"I can hold my own in Praxian." - Nala
"But when the Praxians try to hold yours you get upset." - Berra
"That's why I have a fist into face error." - Nala
*tries to start talking* - Berra
"NO!" - GM
"BUT!!!!!!" - Berra
"I don't normally hunt clothes. I don't know how dangerous they are." - Suuraki
"Into the fray…ing" - Maalira
"Don't think I've got any suitable useful spirit magic…" - Suuraki
"Suitable hahahaa!" - Nala
"HELP! ROGUE CLOTHES!!" - Suuraki
"You're dancing through the camp, as the clothes choose your direction." - GM
"And the good news?" - Suuraki
"You're doing it quite gracefully." - GM
"I'm not sure that's good news…" - Valseena
"I'll take what I can get." - Suuraki
"White Lady. I've just realised you're not Mellia. Who are you?" - Nala
"Maalira." - Maalira
"Well, that's not confusing at all." - Nala
"You could warn people, but why do that when you can WRITE IT DOWN?" - Berra
"Odd coincidence that we only have disasters when Berra is awake. Couldn't possibly be linked" - Maalira
"I am glad you understand how this works." - Berra
"I don't think we'll starve them out before winter sets in." - Venna
*perks up* - Berra
"Nala starts tracing patterns with her toes (by the way, she's wearing non-matching shoes) while the others are talking." - Nala
"I HELPED AGAIN" - Berra
"She's not getting married without permission of the Prince of Sartar." - Berra
"The Prince of Sartar will be ordering you to do that, and I don't care what the Queen of the Kheldon says." - Venna
"We Do." - Berra
"Kallyr is the King of Sartar, Argrath is the King of Prax. I came here to negotiate a marriage between two kings, and you know that. You were there!" - Varanis
"You'll miss the fight!" - Suuraki
"Berra can I suggest you stop helping for minute or two…" - Maalira
"You CAN." - Berra
"When you two are finished posturing, I'll be at the shaman's tent." - Nala, to Varanis and Venna
"It's convenient for you to be alive." - Venna
"I see our feelings for each other are mutual." - Varanis
"Yes, but unless you have become a Priestess of the Earth we cannot act on them." - Venna
"Maalira, if you're outside, you'll see that Berra looks like she was in a VERY BAD MOOD and she stops outside." - Berra
"But as soon as there's a problem, her expression changes, and she sticks it all away and just looks like that professional you've seen before." - Berra
"The Storm Khan would be grateful for your time when convenient to yourself." - Guard
"As long as it's now?" - Nala
"So to take Sedenya out, we need to take out the Red Moon." - Nala
BAHAHAHHAHA - Berra
*blinks a lot* - Venna
"Well, her shaman training is definitely coming along because she's crazy enough." - Suuraki
"We'll scribe that one down as a long-term goal. I admire your forward thinking." - Venna
"He's enchanting my iron." - Nala
"Can we write down that euphemism?" - Suuraki
"When Berra makes a horse bolt, she's talking the Humakti way." - Berra
"I have an on again off again thing with Kalis…" - Varanis trails off as she realises what she's said…
"You get on and you get off." - Berra
Horse Whispering - 28 Aug 2021 23:47
Earth Season, Death Week, Freeze Day and Waterday
Dramatis Personae
PC
Berra
Nala
Rajar
Suuraki
Valseena
Varanis
Xenofos
NPC
Events
As before, the log will be recounted with extracts from Berra JarangsdottiHumaktisaga, NalaTiwrSaga and The Death of Rajar. As with last time there will be extracts from the Sonnets to Varanis, Sonnets in Praise of Xenefos and The Sonnets to Mellia, Sweetest of Healers, White Lady of Esrolia. There will be reference to the Accounts of the Travels of Irillo Goldentongue. Editorial commentary will be recorded [thus]. The {"D"} voice appears.
In the Esrolian section of Argrath’s camp, Varanis was eating whilst Xenofos hovered, apparently not trusting his liege to do as she promised. Rajar loomed nearby, standing guard. Although Varanis had tried to report to Argrath on their return, he was too busy to see her, again.
It wasn’t long before Valseena arrived, with Suuraki and Berra. The little Humakti was vibrating, while Valseena looked both excited and nervous. Varanis offered them food and encouraged the Eirithan to explain what was going on. She told them about seeing Nala, who was crawling about like an injured crocodile and that the shaman Erhehta had died again. Beyond that, she had Berra explain Venna had asked Valseena to enter Alda Chur to find out what condition the horses were in.
Valseena’s news explained Berra’s excitement. Immediately, people began discussing options for getting into the city. Ideas ranged from smuggling, disguises, and bribery to swimming, climbing, and flying. The Praxians had an idea and went to see Venna again in order to learn who and what was able to enter the city. They learned that single riders were sometimes able to get through the gate, but larger groups had never made it. Valseena, who had had the plan of disguising herself to be less Praxian-looking, asked if she could have robes run up for her.
The plan was that Valseena was to go over the wall, guarded by Berra and Varanis. The others would coordinate distractions to cover both the entrance and exit times. Xenofos attempted to argue, unhappy that the Vingan was entering the city in such a small group and without her armour. But, as she was the most proficient climber and the only one capable of casting Flight, he was firmly overruled.
Berra secretly noted to Rajar that if they could not get out, she would try to put an arrow over the wall, West for the horse being in fine condition, South if they were not. Nobody else got told that.
Well after dark, Xenofos made a mad dash for the city gates, pursued by high llama and bison riders. The intent was to draw the attention of the guards at the gates and walls, making them think that a messenger was attempting to reach them. He used a Light spell on his shield, and shouted for the gates to be opened. The high llamas began to encircle him and with some brilliant riding, Xenofos evaded them though he was forced to ride in the opposite direction. He was “captured” by the bison riders who had been trailing behind.
Meanwhile, Varanis and Berra scaled the wall on the west side, close to the market. There were a couple of guards there, but they didn’t notice the climbers. Once she was secure, Varanis cast a Flight spell on Valseena. The Eirithan discovered that flying is a bit tricky and so Varanis helped to guide her up and over the wall, setting her down carefully in the market, where there were soldiers sleeping rough. As Berra and the Vingan went over the wall on the other side, Varanis made enough noise to attract the attention of one of the guards, but Berra hid so effectively that somehow neither of them was spotted.
Valseena was dressed in the robes and veils of a Sun Domer woman, so that if she was caught, she might pass as an Ernaldan of those people. Varanis was all in dark blues and blacks, including woad covering much of her skin. Berra was in dark clothing and mud. Neither was going to pass for anything other than spies, but thankfully, they were ignored by the few folks who were awake as the three of them scouted around the city.
They toured the city briefly, seeing men everywhere and horses in much of the North-East part, then Valseena decided to try her luck with the horses in the Temple Court. She learned that they had enough (but not plentiful) food, and were in good health, though out of condition for lack of exercise. She attempted to persuade them to stampede, but they were uninterested. The trio found a reasonably safe place to wait until an hour before Yelmrise, which is when they were due to make their escape. It took a few horses, but Valseena was able to startle one into stampeding by telling him there was a lion. There was just enough of a ruckus kicked up that Rajar knew to kick off his own plan.
Rajar led a group of Storm Bulls and Esrolian cavalry at the east walls of the city. They made a spectacular amount of noise and then called for Storm Bull’s holy rage to take over some of the guards on the walls. Storm Bull was mightily pleased, as he granted the magic without taking anything from Rajar. Immediately, those guards turned on their comrades and small-scale chaos began on the wall.
Under the cover of the stampede and the fighting on the far city wall, Varanis cast Flight on Valseena once again and guided the healer up and out of the city to safety as she climbed out herself. Berra and the Vingan made the climb rapidly, ending on the opposite side of the Alda from Valseena, Suuraki, and Xenofos who were waiting for them. After vanishing way over to the west instead of swimming over Berra shouted something impolite towards the walls, explaining to Varanis that she wanted to signal to her friends. Eventually, she cast Flameblade to wave it briefly at the walls, and then vanish. The river proved too strong for them to cross, but Suuraki and another high llama rider forded it and carried the unarmoured warriors back to camp.
The return to Argrath’s camp was swift, with everyone regrouping before Yelmrise. Rajar, the Storm Bulls, and the Esrolian cavalry who had accompanied them were enthusiastically proud of their success. Valseena decided to see Venna right away, going to the Storm Khan’s tent accompanied by most of the others. Venna demanded a report from the Eirithan first - Valseena informed her of all that she’d observed about the horses. Rajar was then praised for his efforts and he and Venna briefly discussed repeating the attack another night. Varanis was permitted to speak, and presented the khan with a few details about the state of the city. When it was Berra’s turn, the little Humakti had observed so much that Venna was impressed despite herself, or possibly just alarmed at her enthusiasm. Valseena was definitely the heroine in Venna’s eyes. Venna gave Rajar rhino kumiss. There was a punch-off of friendship between Rajar and Venna, with Rajar being far too smart to hit hard.
Valseena attempted to return the gold that Venna had given her for the mission. Venna removed about half the coins and handed back the purse. It looked pretty heavy. On their return to camp, Varanis greeted Yelm then went to sleep, still covered in woad. Berra and Xenofos praised the cavalry, and the scholar enjoyed the kumiss given to him by the high llama riders.
Notable Moments and Quotes
"Session 50, guest happy GM who loves you." - Berra GM
"It is a trap" - Xenofos
"… Yes." - Berra GM
"Always." - Varanis
"By "the army" you mean the Esrolians, not the Praxians?" - Varanis
"Berra looks really bouncy."
"Somebody threw a war and she got invited!" - Rajar
"Just let Fish through and let the smoke settle…" - Xenofos
"Valseena goes to see Venna. Has to wait 10 min. If I tried, it would be hours." - Varanis
"The Sun County yokels have been described as special…" - Xenofos
"YEP." - Berra
"She is Eirithan. Not a redheaded idiot." - Xenofos
"Ignite horsetail would be very wrong." - Xenofos
"Yes, but funny." - Berra GM
"Ignite swine?" - Varanis
"YAY!" - Berra GM
"I might get high." - Varanis
"Well, you'd hope so. Climbing a wall." - Suuraki
"So it makes sense to disappear into Alda Chur with the info…" - Xenofos
"I do not have armour on so I do not have penalties on move quietly. Because it is lousy." - Varanis
"There is that one horse that neighs yea… and gets discouraged by nobody else reacting." - Xenofos
"Happily failed both move quietly and hide while approaching the riverbank." - Xenofos
"Very stealthily." - Xenofos
"I'll get you to roll when I get there, so I can keep track." - Berra GM
"Maybe you'll get lucky. (But not with Berra.)" - Berra GM
Drinking Song - 05 Jul 2021 16:40
Season, Week, Day
Dramatis Personae
PC
Berra
Rajar
Suuraki
Valseena
Varanis
Xenofos
NPC
Events
As before, the log will be recounted with extracts from Berra JarangsdottiHumaktisaga, NalaTiwrSaga and The Death of Rajar. As with last time there will be extracts from the Sonnets to Varanis, Sonnets in Praise of Xenefos and The Sonnets to Mellia, Sweetest of Healers, White Lady of Esrolia. There will be reference to the Accounts of the Travels of Irillo Goldentongue. Editorial commentary will be recorded [thus]. The {"D"} voice appears.
Varanis realised that she had neglected to tell King Stark of the Tovtaros that the Princeros wanted to borrow his regalia. He rejected this outright, and she admitted that it was a big request and she’d try to negotiate with the Princeros for something more reasonable. Having come to something of an agreement, the party went off to collect the army and make haste for Princeros lands.
As they travelled down a minor road, off Tovtaros lands, Suuraki was out scouting at the front, and saw what looked like a pit trap in the road. Around it were various loops of cord among the trees. There were no clues as to what had prepared them, despite Suuraki, Rajar and Xenofos all looking. The army detoured around it, and sent on towards the road built by Sartar.
Suuraki, Rajar, and Valseena were sent out with scouts to check the road ahead. They reported back that there was a burned wagon and five corpses. Berra coordinated the movement of the army to ensure maximum readiness, as the Praxians investigated the damage. They discovered evidence of Onjur-Eel’s work, in the form of a decent but not perfect imitation of a Praxian spearhead. Rajar could tell that the thread was wrong, even though Suuraki thought it looked like a bison spearhead.
Just as Valseena began to check the bodies over, a large unit of Tarshite cavalry came onto the scene. Suuraki held his dagger-axe ready, and there were therefore three Praxians up amongst the dead when the unit arrived. There was some arguing back and forth about surrender, as the commander wanted them all to give themselves up, and Berra was very tempted because then they would be fed. Varanis walked forward, with the others of her group just behind, but the opposing commander wanted them to surrender their weapons, which they would not do. According to Xenofos, the people looked like Issarian traders out of Boldhome, with perhaps a Humakti bodyguard.
Tensions were high, although now all of the group knew who was to blame. After some calling back and forth about surrender, Berra called the commander an idiot for not realising that the ravens had been there for a while, and this did cause him to pause and think but there was an arrow put just short of her in warning. Varanis managed to talk him round into listening to her, saying that she was there to see the Princeros and naming herself, and a truth-sayer among the cavalry said she was telling the truth.
Varanis suggested that the Tarshite trackers should take a look around to see how recently the army had arrived. The commander was convinced, and one of the trackers agreed with Rajar about the wrongness of the spearhead.
Given how recent the attack was, there was a strong desire to give chase, however, the negotiations had to take priority. Varanis was able to convince the commander to send half of his unit in pursuit, especially after Rajar summarised Onjur’s past actions.
The rest of the unit accompanied Varanis back to Glasswall, where after a little checking it was agreed that the army was there as friends and guests, and all of Varanis’ select group went into the city. Irillo the quartermaster was to be allowed to go into Glasswall in the morning, to trade.
The Princeros king provided them with a small feast, while the bulk of the army camped outside Glasswall. Varanis explained to the king that as she’d feared, his request for the Tovtaros regalia as part of a Heroquest had been rejected. She proposed some alternatives, but the one that gained the king’s attention and approval was her offer to arrange for the Tovtaros bard to compose and perform a praise song for the Princeros king.
After the negotiations were settled, she told him about Onjur and her concern for the Princeros cavalry who had pursued him. Having dealt with him before, she assured the king that he was trouble. She pointed out Rajar, saying that he had very nearly killed Onjur and this impressed the king, as he recognised the name.26 So impressed was he that he signalled his bard to have a song made. Varanis told the king that Rajar was very fond of beer, and soon afterwards a massive drinking horn was brought out and presented to Rajar.
Rajar called on Storm Bull for help27 and began to drink. He drank, and he drank, and he drank.28 It rapidly became apparent to some of the party that the horn was magical and the barley wine was not going to run out. Berra warned Rajar, even as she cheered him on. Even after the spell ran out, he kept drinking. The entire hall (barring Berra) fell silent as they watched his feat. He finally stopped, the horn still full, and stood up to salute the King. After that he casually held himself upright with his axe.
The bard stepped forward and began to sing. He sang of Barntar’s bounty and a magical horn that could provide any liquid. He sang of the warrior who fought Onjur-Eel and nearly killed him. There was a translated version of Xenofos’ Lightbringers Lay, and a song in praise of Rajar. Pleased that the bard knew the Rajar song and performed it well, Varanis gave him a ring from her own hand. Valseena performed a Praxian love song, which drew some standard leering and applause. As things became more rowdy, Varanis taught the bard the Rajar and the chicken song. Rajar snapped out of his drunken daze at the chorus and, using his great axe, cleaved a roast chicken in two. And the table beneath the chicken. The king seemed more amused than upset.
The next day, Varanis woke early and went with Berra to salute Yelm to death. Before the Vingan had started, a messenger came running to show them a broken arrow, sent from the army. It looked like it had been broken off to get it out of someone. Varanis saluted the sun very quickly indeed, while Berra went to wake the others, handing Rajar beer. He needed it, having put away about four pints of wine the day before.
On the way out Berra noticed that the pickets were hunkered down in low ground and behind shields. Suuraki and Valseena saw that the brush nearby was flattened, and burned. Valseena also saw a glint of bronze, which she investigated.
At the camp, Sorala reported all that had happened. The army had been attacked, taking shots to the positions of those on guard. The Babeester Gor, Varaneva, had stood up to call on the attackers to show themselves and fight, and got shot. She used a light spell29 behind them to mark where they were, and charged. The enemy fled, on horseback. The Babeester Gor stoically accepted Berra’s praise of her actions.
Valseena showed what she had found - a bronze horse-shoe which had moulded bison footprints under it. The tracks around the area were only an hour old, and Berra advised Varanis to set off in pursuit, asking if the cavalry that had escorted them the day before could come as well. King Herrengvot was appalled that his guests had been attacked, and was ready to send the whole army, but Berra told him not to then remembered herself and asked Varanis to tell him not to, and that there were likely to be problems in the area, and that their foe was Onjur. She advised him to send out scouts in the area instead, to find who was watching them.
After some consideration, Berra left the infantry in the charge of the Vingan Sorala, and took the cavalry on at speed. This required her being on Valseena’s bison, after a while. Sorala was given orders to back away as soon as she got suspicious about anything.
Along the attackers’ trail, the scouts came across a dead horse in the road. Approaching carefully, they see that it is wearing three horse shoes identical to the one Valseena found. The Eirithan spotted a glint of red beneath the horse and as she reached for it, both Suuraki and Varanis warned her away. While the cavalry moved on, the Praxians stayed back to deal with the horse. Rajar tied ropes around the corpse and attached it to Vengeance and Calamity. As the bison pulled, the horse shifted off the crystal and a Lune manifested. Rajar cut his bison free and hoofed it, while Berra called for warriors with the Disruption spell to kill the Lune. Rajar outraced the spirit, and it soon died.
After a while it became clear that the enemy force was getting further ahead. Some of the trail was clear enough that it could be seen there were spare horses, less laden. They had remounts. Berra called off the chase, on the grounds they could not catch up without getting far into territory where they could not control the situation. They went back towards the infantry.
As they approached the dead horse, there was a discussion over what to do with the red gem. Surraki suggested putting it into a bag without touching it, and Berra said she would do that - she would not call on people to do what she would not do. In the end he used his dagger-axe to prod it into the bag, and then carried it.
There was debate over whether or not to butcher the horse, with Berra favouring a quick reunification with the infantry and Varanis determined not to waste meat that could feed her troops. Suuraki made quick work of the butchery and they were on their way again soon.
Notable Moments and Quotes
"Nodding without a camera is so useful…" - Xenofos
"Very zen." - Suuraki
"So, you were making friends and irritating people at the Tovtaros." - GM
"Apart from the making friends, that sounds like us." - Valseena
"Varanis, you are starting to work as proper Ernaldan auntie as a matchmaker." - Xenofos
"Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a coup…" - GM
"It has come to my attention that I may have omitted a detail…" - Varanis
Berra rides beside Xenofos for a bit during the next day, and says, "You're getting rested for a bit."
«raised eyebrows» - Xenofos
"No need to explain commanders decision, Berra." - Xenofos
"No need, sure. But you need it, so you should take it. We'll be getting people used to other voices, and I'm hoping to have time to find out who's most workable." - Berra
"Xenofos shrugs, picks up his kithara and starts playing." - Xenofos
"Calculating… if they hurt my people in error I might have some negotiation power…" - Varanis
"Berra's probably just being Berra." - Berra
"She does that." - Berra
"Don't fumble, just don't fumble… I'm just going to check the table." - Varanis rolls a social skill…
"Give yourself into custody!" - Enemy Commander
"All of us? If we do, can you feed us?" - Berra
"When they say 'turn the other cheek' to Humakti, they really shouldn't. That one's got a Death Rune on." - Berra
"Send your chief entertainment adviser, Rajar, to persuade the bard." - Suuraki
"He specialises in personal injury, but he'll do entertainment law." - Suuraki""Do you want to make an Insight Human, anyone in the area?" - GM" - Berra
"0-1." - Varanis
"0-0." - Berra
"99." - Rajar
«Detect Chaos as a vengeance matter.» - Rajar
"Rajar pauses, mutters a prayer to Storm Bull (which might actually be a Vigour spell) and then goes for it." - Rajar"
"Regular pass, and I'm quite glad that I passed vigour." - Rajar
"Interesting, they've added some Tarshite geography to this song. It wasn't in the original, but…" - Xenofos
"I appear to have frozen." - GM
"You have, but we're willing to Let It Go." - Suuraki
"He hit him repeatedly in the head with a mole?" - Varanis
"maul." - Berra
"He said mole." - Varanis
"It's a sort of undead mole." - Berra
"Fail Scan, pass Battle. Fail Track." - Berra
"Pass architecture…" - Xenofos
Scribal Error - 04 Jul 2021 19:13
Earth Season, second half of Harmony Week.
Dramatis Personae
PC
Berra
Rajar
Suuraki
Valseena
Varanis
Xenofos
NPC
Arim, Yinkini
Vostor, son of the King
The King, whatever his name is
That Humakti, you know, Yarantor maybe?
Events
As before, the log will be recounted with extracts from Berra JarangsdottiHumaktisaga, NalaTiwrSaga and The Death of Rajar. As with last time there will be extracts from the Sonnets to Varanis, Sonnets in Praise of Xenefos and The Sonnets to Mellia, Sweetest of Healers, White Lady of Esrolia. There will be reference to the Accounts of the Travels of Irillo Goldentongue. Editorial commentary will be recorded [thus]. The {"D"} voice appears.
Xenofos departed the camp a few days after the death of the prisoner, taking with him five cavalry guards, a mixture of Greens and Racers. They were heading to see the King of the Tovtaros. The rest of the group, not long afterwards, was called in to see Argrath, who got Venna and Varanis to shake hands, even if they were not entirely brought together. Venna apologised for some of what she had done, Varanis for none of it.30 Venna tried to crush Varanis’ hand, and Varanis just smiled at her.
As Argrath had asked if Varanis had anything else that she regretted, Berra piped up saying she did; she should have stopped the Storm Bull. When Argrath said she could not have time with him on a casual basis, she made it official and challenged the Storm Bull, letting Argrath know that if he insisted on first blood with blunt weapons, she’d take it further.
Xenofos and the troop he was riding with encountered a chevaux de frise31 behind which were guards who challenged them and asked their errand. Xenofos said he wanted to see the king of Tovtaros on an errand for Varanis of Saiciae. After saying that he had news of a patrol that the Tovtaros would have been missing and requesting hospitality for his guards but not for himself until the king had heard what he had to say, he was told to wait and a messenger was sent to the Ironspike village.
Back at the encampment, on their way back to the Esrolian camp, Rajar32 spotted a goose and gave chase. Berra tried to drag him back, but was far too small, and just got dragged along, hauled with him. She promised him food, which got his attention off the goose. Valseena and Berra both saw a Morokanth eying Rajar up. Valseena noticed he seemed to be looking for brands, so began talking to Rajar like they were both just people. Berra did a bit of glaring at the Morokanth and Valseena informed him that Rajar was her brother-in-law.
Valseena and Suuraki took care of Rajar for the next few days, with the help of the Straw Weavers. He recovered and asked for his weapons and armour; Valseena checked he knew who he was, and then helped him into them. She and Suuraki explained what they knew, and sent to the Esrolian camp to say he was ready. Berra set off to see him at a run, and gave him an explanation of what had happened; he seemed to get it.
Xenofos and his guard entered the Tovtaros village under heavy escort. Before entering the king’s hall, the guards were given food and drink as tokens of hospitality. The local Humakti Lord asked if the scribe intended to leave himself out of the hospitality. Xenofos mentioned in passing that the king was unlikely to like what he had to say, but he should be free to decide after hearing what Xenofos had to say. The Humakti said this was Xenofos’ own funeral and led them in. In the hall, King Stark received Xenofos and his entourage with evident suspicion. The king did not like Xenofos telling him they had clashed with his patrol on his land and taken prisoners. He liked it even less when Xenofos asked if he was aware his advisor had been tainted by Chaos, citing the Orlanthi challenge to Chaos. Xenofos accepted the king's word on not knowing, but infuriated him by not accepting that the accusation of Chaos was false. Trying to organize his thoughts by relying on Truth failed on this day. When he tried to explain the murder of the advisor and Varanis’ offer of restitution, Xenofos stumbled on his words because of the shame he felt at the breach of hospitality that he and Varanis were guilty of33. The king was even more furious, would not listen to him state his case but threw him in a cell. Luckily his guard remembered they were protected by hospitality and let this happen without resistance.
As soon as Rajar was recovered, the rest of the group set off, with the army, to go check that Xenofos was alright, and to continue their negotiations. After some discussion, they did not take the prisoners; Rajar was in favour of having some throats they could threaten to cut, while Berra said she would refuse to give that order, and would prefer not to have people kept in the lines when she wanted to concentrate on the fighting, not the keeping of prisoners.
As the army neared the Tovtaros territory, several people noticed that they were being watched. Berra noted they were being herded towards a choke point. It seemed likely that the ambushers were few in number and after a brief discussion about how to capture them, the talk turned to whether to spring their trap or to attack early. Varanis decided to invite them out for a discussion. After she promised them safety, their leader, Arim, emerged and a diplomatic conversation was had. There was the sound of a zebra - or a horse - galloping away to take a message.
Arim told them something of the situation; Xenofos had been taken prisoner, but his friends had not, after asking for hospitality for his associates, then making an accusation of Chaos-loving against the King, who had been blood-brothers with the assassinated Lunar. People thought the King had gone too far, Arim said. Berra took Varanis aside to ask if there might be a chance of getting people to rebel, given this abuse of a herald, and potential loving of Chaos. She checked if Arim could hear their private conversation; he could and mentioned that there were oaths and stuff, so there was not going to be a rebellion.
As the man in charge of the nearest Tovtaros fortification, he offered hospitality to the army. Varanis accepted and the army proceeded through the choke point to the relative safety of the fort to wait for a reply to the messages that had been sent onwards; one from the ambush spot warning of trouble, and one to ask for hospitality. This was Berra’s solution to not wanting to leave the army behind, despite Arim advising Varanis to do so.34 The group decided that they would try to have Suuraki call his Spirit of Law. They talked about hospitality, and whether a Storm Bull could take it knowing there might be Chaos, but they agreed that if there was it was Rajar’s duty to fight it. Berra decided that was not an assassination, because they were not planning to lie, only to fight if there was Chaos present, as everyone would be bound to.
Arim was able to tell Varanis some of what happened to Xenofos. For a long time he remained both part of and apart from the conversation, but it became clear that he was at least a little sympathetic towards their cause. The group talked about why Xenofos had done what he had done. Then the cavalry came back, to report that Xenofos had simply lost his mind! They told much the same story as Arim, but in more detail. Xenofos had refused hospitality, so that the King could make up his mind about whether to give him freedom.
The response from King Stark to the presence of the Esrolian army was to send an army of his own, led by his son, Vostor. Arim went out to negotiate, making sure there were no accidents, and then Vostor came in to say he had been sent to offer battle, but found that the army had been offered hospitality. So, they went up towards Ironspike, leaving the troops behind them, but taking Varaneva as a bodyguard for Varanis.
The trip to Ironspike and the king’s fortress outside it was uneventful. Welcomed courteously by King Stark, the party accepted his hospitality. They were given food and wine, and Stark asked how it was with Varanis; she was very polite about it, enough to count as praise for what was not up to Esrolian standards. Then Stark mentioned how she was the diplomatic one, and the hot-headed one had been sent as the herald. This began talks, with Varanis saying that there was evidence of Chaos, and Stark being not pleased.
The Vingan asked if Suuraki could summon a Spirit of Law, which Stark initially refused. He wanted proof that his blood-brother had been Chaos-tainted first. Rajar was able to swear in front of the King’s Humakti bodyguard35 that Urox had blessed his holy rage in a way that only happened when Chaos was present. This seemed to be enough to satisfy the king. He had his people gather within reason, sensibly refusing to strip the walls of defenses. Suuraki summoned the spirit, which left for Snakepipe Hollow after finding no Chaos to fight at Ironspike Fort.
This meant that negotiations could begin in earnest. Varanis explained that she was seeking allies for Argrath against Harvar Ironfist, in Alda-Chur. She offered to return his warriors without claiming the ransoms in order to facilitate an alliance. They talked about the weregild of the dead, with both agreeing that it need not be paid for the Lunar. Somehow, Varanis managed to persuade the King to give up Xenofos in exchange for not paying the weregild on the dead men.36,37
Stark returned Xenofos to Varanis after offering to beat the scholar for his insolence. Varanis said that she would deal with her cousin personally. Xenofos, looking a little scruffy but otherwise well, was delivered and all were given a place to retire for the time being. Berra and Xenofos started a whispered argument, but it did not get far.
Stark did not wish to be the only tribe rising, but was pleased when Varanis said the Princeros would rise. Varanis named their price - the use of the Regalia in a Heroquest putting right the fact that the Princeros had had to pay tribute to Harvar. Stark wanted that sweetened, and mentioned he had a daughter who was unmarried. Varanis mentioned a few possibilities for husbands, including finding a Praxian, and the King said that if Argrath was free, that would be wonderful… but at close of play the likelihood was that it would be the Princeros who supplied a noble or royal.
Notable Moments and Quotes
"Fortunately I was berserk when they cast (Mindblast) so I didn't notice." - Rajar
"Tarsh is that not the new Saiciae lands?" - Xenofos
"Nope." - Berra
"Look, Argrath has it!" - Berra
"Shiny!" - Berra
"I don't particularly care what Mirava wants." - Varanis
"So, we're going to have to go up there in enough force to get people back alive - this time we're taking the other Praxians too, and everyone knows to be careful, and this time we'll have a leader of scouts who isn't Xenofos." - Berra
"I want you to know I hate that I can't do that. But we'll wait for Rajar to be ready. No point going off without the heavy." - Berra
"We have one of him." - Berra
"Somehow I do not like the sound of Ironspike right now…" - Xenofos
"What is your STR + SIZ, Rajar?" - Berra
"Oh dear." - Also Berra
"GM passes Imitate Tapir." - Xenofos
"Varanis is fussing over food supplies, giving her own food to others, and trying not to look like she's doing any of that." - Varanis
"Your brain returns." - GM
"Kill it with beer!" - Suuraki
"Would you like to make an intelligence roll?" - GM
"Rajar sometimes finds its best not to." - Rajar
"As soon as Varanis gets word that Rajar is himself, she commands that they pack up the army." - Varanis
"Time to get moving." - Varanis
"Where is the iron-sword-wielding dead person?" - Rajar
"Kinky preference for mallards?" - Xenofos
"It's the tail feathers." - Berra
"Set dagger-axe to stun." - Suuraki
"If you have such a ridiculously high honor score…" - GM
"Praxians, there is the sound of a receding galloping zebra. Varanis… there is the sound of a galloping receding horse." - GM
"Your sage went in saying the guy had it coming." - Arim
"Twat." - Berra
""Rajar. Beer me."" - Varanis
"We have one bunch of dangerous Lunatics on one side and… King Kallyr on the other." - Arim the Yinkini
«proud perking up» - Berra
"You judge them as you find them. You've got to here on the frontiers." - Arim
"What about the back ears?" - Valseena
"Oh, that's a sign of Chaos." - Suuraki
"Father sent me here to offer you battle. I understand you've accepted hospitality." - Vostor, son of the King
"When you say you're not bringing the mouthy vingan?" - GM
"I mean the other one, not me!" - Varanis
"Is everything topsy-turvy in Esrolia? By tradition the diplomatic one is the herald, and the hot-headed one is the Orlanthi." - Stark
"My daughter's unmarried." - Stark
"Good news, Xenofos!" - Suuraki
Berra gives Xenofos a mutter. "You idiot."
Tired Xenofos answers quietly "Is the prisoner you guarded alive, Humakti?"
"Which one?" She looks confused.
He shakes his head. "Nevermind."
"Because if you're looking for knowledge I can tell you, but if you're asking a question you know the answer to, then you might wanna consider doing that after we're safely back." Berra looks straight ahead.
"It would be unjust to chide you for negligence when I had made myself unable to defend him. Forget I said anything." The scholar is looking at the rest of the crew and ignoring Berra.
Charges May Apply - 21 Jun 2021 15:20
Earth Season, Disorder Week
Dramatis Personae
PC
Berra
Mellia
Nala
Rajar
Suuraki
Valseena
Varanis
Xenofos
NPC
Events
As before, the log will be recounted with extracts from Berra JarangsdottiHumaktisaga, NalaTiwrSaga and The Death of Rajar. As with last time there will be extracts from the Sonnets to Varanis, Sonnets in Praise of Xenefos and The Sonnets to Mellia, Sweetest of Healers, White Lady of Esrolia. There will be reference to the Accounts of the Travels of Irillo Goldentongue. Editorial commentary will be recorded [thus]. The {"D"} voice appears.
Xenofos asked Rajar for advice about gifts for surprise babies - and Rajar offered him beer, and talk about giving things to women. Rajar suggested sending herd beasts to the Clan, but Xenofos wanted to give them to Neela.
Venna summoned the group with a political mission which it was easier for foreigners to do. She wanted to call on those who were not Praxians to help, because the Praxians were not in good favour with the locals, after having essentially ruined a harvest by arriving and foraging as they wished. Someone who was kin to the ‘Queen of the Kheldon’ would do. Varanis, as a Colymar, was a Sararite, and therefore less tainted by the theft from fields.
She gave them a short briefing:
Around Alda Chur, there were three major tribes, with three somewhat smaller ones around Alone. Venna was sure that the Tribes of Alone could be handled, which left Varanis trying to make accords with those who held Alda Chur as their main city. Harvar Ironfist, King of the Vantaros (and captain of the Yelmalian Regiment), had risen to power and crushed those who opposed him; at least two of the other Tribes. The Vantaros themselves were based in Alda Chur, but the Tovtaros were based at Ironspike, and the Princeros at Glasswall. The Princeros had been crushed worst. Argrath was after an internal rising of the tribes of Alda Chur. Venna hinted that there was some disquiet in the Vantaros, but it was unlikely this could be brought to the fore in time. After considering the options, the group decided they should bring the army rather than travelling as a small force.
Xenofos said that he needed to visit the merchants (who turned out to be part of the quartermasters’ crew, really), in order to make some arrangements. His cousin asked him to see if they had any knowledge about the roads. He meant to, he really did. But he was distracted38. He did, however, successfully negotiate for some zebras to be sent to Neela in the Straw Weaver Clan. Varanis had to go speak to the quartermasters and scouts herself to get the information needed.
Berra rounded up the troops and got them ready for the march, which required far less yelling than previously. Some of the yelling was at people nearby, over whether anyone would move into the space while they were gone. Varanis decided that they would make for the Princeros first, as that tribe had the strongest grudge, having been forced to pay tribute to the Vantaros for some time now.
Xenofos and Rajar were out scouting along the road when Rajar spotted a ferocious pack of trees.39 The Esrolian was skeptical and before long even Rajar had to admit that the trees were likely not a threat. Later in the afternoon, they spotted actual troops issuing from the Princeros town, Glasswall; it was a force about equally balanced with the Esrolians for numbers, which Rajar decided meant they wanted to parley. They reported back to Varanis and Berra, and the army marched up the road to deploy. They did it in good order, again with relatively little shouting.
The Princeros were formed up to defend the road, but in an odd spot to call for a pitched battle. As the Esrolian army came to a stop, a small group broke off from the Tarshites as though to ride forward. Xenofos mentioned the banner and Varanis decided to bring it, and called for three pale staves to go with it, for signalling Harmony.40 This seemed to trigger a similar movement from the other side, which was not entirely prepared to have its banner brought forward, but managed to look not too flustered about it. Varanis asked Xenofos, Rajar, and one each of the Vingan and cavalry commanders to accompany her and they rode out to greet the Tarshites.
The Tarshite party was generally better (and more expensively) equipped than the Esrolian group. At the head of the party was a man in an iron breastplate, with more iron at his side and a gold circlet. He introduced himself as Arofarn of the Estaloth, speaker for the Princeros, while Varanis introduced herself as Varanis Saiciae, Vareena of the Colymar, and Lightbringer. After greetings were exchanged, he offered a meal, asking if Varanis wanted two seats, one for her and one for Vareena.41 She declined politely and thus only two seats and a table were brought forward. A range of fancy finger foods were elaborately laid out on a platter, and Arofarn made a show of tasting much of it so that Varanis would know she was not being poisoned.
Negotiations ensued. Varanis explained what Argrath wanted and Arofarn seemed amenable if certain demands could be met. First, he wanted the Princeros to have the sole rights to the sacking of King Harvar’s villa. Varanis raised an eyebrow at this, but decided it was probably doable. He then stated that he wanted Tovtaros Regalia. This was something that Varanis knew was not viable, as she also needed to win that Tribe over to Argrath’s side. She pointed this out and he amended his request to say that what he really wanted was to have them be the losers in a Heroquest restoring the Princeros to their former standing. This would need to involve the Regalia. Finally, he wanted the Princeros taxation rights for the stretch of road between Glasswall and Alda Chur to be restored.
Varanis agreed to take all these back to Agrath, at which point Arofarn attempted to show off by signalling to a hidden force flanking her army. Unfortunately, they did not respond well, coming out of hiding without cohesion, and Varanis’ left flank turned out to have some very ready cavalry of the Greens nearby, and executed a neat wheeling retreat to present a shield wall at the end of the left.42 Arofarn seethed silently, and Varanis gave him a bright smile. They parted as if they were friends.
In order to travel to the Tovtaros lands, the army needed to return to Alda-Chur first. Varanis stopped in to report to Venna, letting her know the progress. The troops camped with the Praxians again and then left early the next morning for the Tovtaros.
Once again, Rajar and Xenofos were riding out as scouts, this time with a scouting unit of cavalry under Xenofos’ command. Some distance out from the army, Rajar and one of the scouts spotted a set of a dozen armed people coming down the road. The big Praxian reported it to Xenofos and suggested stopping them and sending a report back to Varanis and Berra. After sending a scout back, and getting the cavalry together, Xenofos called the charge.43
Meanwhile, back at the army, Varanis was sorting out how to get wagons over rocky ground - she followed Irillo Quartermaster’s suggestion of using the Infantry. All was peaceful.
With the charge called, the cavalry scouts leapt into action, throwing javelins at their new-found enemies in a flanking run. Rajar shrugged and rolled with it, showing everyone what heavy cavalry was capable of. After a couple of rounds of javelins, and a brief interaction with the Kopis-wielding leader of the group, they were still balanced pretty evenly, although Xenofos had seen his javelins bite. Rajar charged in and went berserk, and did a lot of damage, despite the attempt by the party of twelve to surrender. He even got mind-blasted, but this made no appreciable difference to his level of intelligence; he still fought.
The army saw a scout arrive - he was over excited, but they got enough information from him that Berra was prepared to pour the cavalry forwards and advance with the infantry, as fast as she could go without exhausting them. Varanis rode with the cavalry, eager to get to the others as quickly as possible.
Given that they had surrendered, Xenofos used magic to remove the Berserker spell, and Rajar stopped where he was, and stopped responding to anyone at all. The cavalry arrived about ten minutes afterwards. By that point, Xenofos had found out that his javelin had killed someone. He handed the leader’s iron kopis to Varanis as a means of giving the prisoners to her. There were two dead warriors and ten captives. Lenta helped Rajar as best she could, but suggested that he would need better healers than her. She knew that it was Lunar magic that had harmed him. One of the captives was a bard, but the rest were warriors.
Irillo Saiciae finally caught up with the army; his namesake had put staves in the ground around the supply wagons, but they were not needed (and indeed not activated). The two Irillos talked a bit about supply. It was too late to return to Argrath’s camp, so Varanis decided that the army should return to the supply wagons and camp for the night. This led to a happy(ish) reunion with Irillo. Xenofos drank heavily again, Rajar drooled, Berra prowled, and Varanis fretted. She did let slip to Irillo that Xenofos had learned that his Praxian lover was expecting. He reacted shiftily, but somehow did not get around to explaining why and Varanis did not ask.44 Berra told him that she thought his spying was bad for Harmony. Irillo sold wine to Xenofos at cost, as it was clear the man needed to be drunk.
The next day’s return to the Alda Chur environs was as quick as they could make it. Xenofos continued to drink and Rajar continued to drool. After a little while this was improved when he was taken to the White Ladies, who restored enough of his intelligence that he could at least eat random things. Varanis was preparing to go speak to Venna when a large Storm Bull stormed into camp and killed one of the prisoners. Berra tried to intervene. Things got heated. The man spat on Berra, which almost set Varanis off, but the Vingan did not want to get her entire army killed. Berra looked to Varanis for permission to go after him, but this was refused. Xenofos was pissed AND angry now, as he believed his honour was injured by the killing of the helpless (if Chaotic) prisoner.
Varanis received a summons from Venna. This was particularly irksome, as the Vingan had been going to see the Storm Khan before the interruption. She was tempted to decline, but was informed that it was not really a request.45 Angry now, Varanis took Xenofos, Berra, and Rajar with her. After seeing how drunk Xenofos was, Berra stabbed his wineskin as they walked.46 As they approached Venna’s tent, Humakt gave Berra a little nudge. She declared that she was entering the tent first and while Varanis was set to argue, the little Humakti gave her no choice.
On entering the tent, Berra was grabbed by the straps of her armour and lifted from her feet. Venna raged and raged even more when she realised that she didn’t have Varanis.47 From outside the tent, the others could hear Berra hit the ground when the Praxian tossed her to one side. Varanis attempted to enter the tent then, but this time Xenofos stepped in front of her. Tempers on both sides of the tent flap increased noticeably. Again, Venna grabbed and yelled and raged. Xenofos was both drunk and angry - furious about the blow to his honour. As he and Venna argued, Varanis finally made it into the tent, followed by the toddling giant that was Rajar.
Much more yelling ensued as Venna argued that Chaos is never protected by honour and how dare Varanis bring a Chaos-tainted Lunar to her camp! And why did she break Venna’s Storm Bull?! For her part, Varanis raged about how Rajar was her Storm Bull and how dare Venna lay hands on her people!?!48 Somehow, things wound down, possibly because Rajar distracted everyone by chewing on worms and an axe. Xenofos continued to try to argue until Varanis sent him away, ordering him to return to camp to check on people.49 Varanis explained that they had no way of knowing the man was Chaos-tainted and that her intention had been to bring a powerful bargaining chip for Argrath.
Berra and Varanis left the tent, but as they did, both heard Venna dismiss Varanis in Praxian, using a slang term usually reserved for sending away ladies of the night. Varanis was ready to storm in again but Berra was outside so she stood in the way with her arms out and refused to let Varanis back in. Varanis backed down because it was that or go through Berra, which she mentioned; Berra said that was why she was standing there.
They returned to the camp, where Xenofos noted sadly that he had torn his wineskin. Luckily a friendly trooper had a skin of Impala kumiss, which Xenofos accepted and continued in his attempts to knock himself out.
Notable Moments and Quotes
"If there are children born outside marriage, what is the proper way to address this situation?" - Xenofos
"Well, then they are a blessing on the herd!" - Rajar
"A child is a blessing. A new calf is a blessing. All is good. Drink." - Rajar
"… what did I say about the advice I'd get?" - Xenofos
"In Esrolia you'd send a gift of celebration…" - Xenofos
"Is this a question for your scrolly things, or is this a more.. practical question?" - Rajar
"Oh, it is certainly a practical and personal question." - Xenofos
"Oh, don't worry about it too much. Have a drink." - Rajar
"Gifts are always welcomed." - Rajar
"You don't think that would be intrusive?" - Xenofos
"…" - Rajar does calculation of value transfer
"Is there a tradition of what these gifts should be?" - Xenofos
"Herd beasts. Bison - not herd men." - Rajar
Berra: SEND HER A DRESS!
"Possibly best to make it a general gift. To the clan." - Rajar
"I don't think that's a good idea." - Xenofos
"It's your gift…" - Rajar
"I suppose horses are out, even given they're the animal I'm most familiar with." - Xenofos
Varanis: Eat Fish!
"Gold and bronze are always welcome." - Rajar
Varanis: Xenofos you were asked to find out about road conditions…
Berra: he's drunk, though…
Varanis: He should at least have an INT roll.
"I did that thing… I'm quite relieved." - Xenofos
"I asked you to find out about the road conditions." - Varanis
Varanis: Chaos trees!
Varanis: Waste of a fumble, Xenofos!
Xenofos: Quite. Disappointing.
Xenofos: As anyone else than Xenofos I would suggest some random burning and looting right now
Varanis: Are they real people this time?
Varanis: Not just sharp trees?
Rajar: What's the betting this is the Prince we wanted to talk to?
Varanis: Not taking that bet!
Varanis: Though, he does have a kopis…
Varanis: Urox-shock is a bit like shell-shock, only different?
Hobbitomm: Not VERY different
Berra comes to stop Xenofos getting more drunk, after a bit. "Or else name a second."
Berra: Berra is vibrating with anger.
"WHAT THE FUCK, AND WHY AREN'T YOU FUCKING VARANIS?" - Venna
"I'm not fucking Varanis because I don't find her attractive." - Berra
Berra: Tom is WAY nicer than I am with numbers.
Berra: passes What Would Varanis Do
"Do I need to provide you a new Storm Bull?" - Venna
"Rajar, you SICK FUCK, what are you eating?" - Berra
"This wineskin seems to be broken. I can't understand how, I was really careful with it…" - Xenofos
Decent Proposal - 04 Jun 2021 17:31
Season, Week, Day
Dramatis Personae
PC
Berra
Mellia
Rajar
Suuraki
Valseena
Varanis
Xenofos
NPC
Some Vingans
Some cavalry
Some bandits
A peasant at Dangerford
Some villagers
An Impala rider who survived Rajar more than once
Argrath
Venna
A talking heavy assault unicorn
Events
As before, the log will be recounted with extracts from Berra JarangsdottiHumaktisaga, NalaTiwrSaga and The Death of Rajar. As with last time there will be extracts from the Sonnets to Varanis, Sonnets in Praise of Xenefos and The Sonnets to Mellia, Sweetest of Healers, White Lady of Esrolia. There will be reference to the Accounts of the Travels of Irillo Goldentongue. Editorial commentary will be recorded [thus]. The {"D"} voice appears.
The party headed towards Alda-Chur on the King50’s road. They stopped for resupply at Jonstown, where Xenofos was able to worship. During a ceremony in which he looked up and saw Knowledge was looking back at him, he found he could read once more. Irillo the Quartermaster went into town with Varanis, to replenish supplies. People due for a reward were released to go into town, and did not get into trouble. Rajar refreshed his beer. Suuraki spent the down-time hunting, although he caught nothing. Berra spent the afternoon not shouting at the army, an occurrence which was becoming more frequent. They marched on at wagon pace the next day.
As they went on, Berra put out scouts for practice, and on finding out there were likely to be bandits in the area, sent the Vingans out to deal with them; on hearing the clash, she sent out the cavalry. Rajar and Suuraki sent themselves out. They arrived to find most of the Vingans forming a shield wall against a set of people who were, they hoped, bandits; the cavalry under Xenofos kept in good order right up until they got a bit carried away while flanking, and - bringing Rajar along - began to charge. The ‘bandits’ surrendered, promising their ransoms of fifty Lunars each. A short time later, the rest of the army happened along, to find that Rajar had made one of them wet himself, and the group had admitted they were ‘masterless’. They had indeed captured bandits. With some threats from Varanis, backed up by Rajar promising to kill them all if they returned, and Berra volunteering to help, the group agreed they would leave.
Berra took a report from the Vingans on what happened. Xenofos noticed that the Vingans had made their challenge about being bona fide travellers in a way that included an Esrolian word, and could therefore have been misunderstood. He mentioned this to Varanis.
Before the war-band got within range of Dangerford, Berra took Rajar aside for a short conversation about getting Varanis across the ford with her dignity intact and no new crocodiles in the water. Rajar agreed to ride ahead to ensure that the ferry would be accessible, while Berra convinced Varanis that taking the ferry was appropriate for a commander. She fell for it. The peasant who had to leave his fields to ferry Varanis and her honour guard across managed not to grumble where she could hear and in relatively short order, the entire group was on the correct side of the ford.
As they rode along the road from Herongreen to Alda-Chur, they noted that the fields were over-harvested given how early in the season it was, and Suuraki pointed out that there were not any herds out. Mellia noticed a scent of plague on the air, and Varanis stayed in command of her army, while the others volunteered to go help her, despite the risk. They went to the village Mellia had thought it came from, where the White Lady was welcomed and her companions given hospitality. Rajar could find no Chaos, try as he might, even when he followed Mellia’s suggestion that it could be in the wells. Suuraki looked around at the spirits, seeing the village’s wyter, which he noted to others. Berra, hearing it was a large Alynx, burned some meat for it as a gift from Humakt to Yinkin.
They could find no plague, although Mellia healed a few minor arrow wounds, and other such things. Xenofos asked why all the cattle were inside, and was told in a voice pitched for the stupid that the King of Pavis was around and his troops had been raiding them. The headman gave Mellia an amphora of wine in thanks. They bade farewell and left. Xenofos reported the cattle matter to Varanis.
As they drew closer at last to Alda-Chur, Rajar and Suuraki heard someone yelling insults at the Stormbull in Praxian. It wasn’t long before an Impala rider by the name of Imchi made his appearance. Rajar recognised him as someone he used to raid and who raided in return. Insults were exchanged, beer was shared, and Imchi invited the warband to visit Argrath’s camp. His impala riders and then many others acted as a sort of honour guard for the war band.
Not long after the yurts came into view, Venna and her rhino51 intercepted. As she rode up, Suuraki warned Xenofos about Venna threatening Nala back in Pavis. This was news to the Esrolian who then urgently warned his cousin. She seemed less concerned.
Venna had a brief greeting for Varanis and then took Rajar to task for failing to report to her. There was a flying tankard, beer, and flying beer. At one point in the conversation, Venna asked if Varanis needed her Stormbull, to which the Vingan replied in the affirmative. The rhino was informed that he’d need to wait for another day. After making sure that Varanis was indeed not there to challenge ‘the King’, and Varanis had said she was from the King of Sartar, in Boldhome, Venna led her, as an emissary from Kallyr Starbrow, to the Great Khan’s yurt. They parked the army, as others brought fodder, and went to see Argrath.
The King of Pavis greeted them courteously, knowing who all of them were, and giving them some apposite title, putting Rajar in the list only just after Thane Vareena, who was given her title rather than a special kenning. When he listed his own titles he included Prince of Sartar. He asserted his claim to Dragon Pass and asked if they’d come to join him. Rajar prostrated himself and Argrath helped him up, forestalling answer for a moment.
Varanis named Kallyr as King of Dragon Pass, but there was no argument, or at least not a loud one, and she presented the idea of the mutual proxy marriages. She agreed to the King’s hospitality, on behalf of her group, and then they went to do their own things. Rajar and Varanis went to the White Bull lodge, Suuraki went off to worship Waha. Berra went to see if Xarnis, the sable-riding Humakti Sword was there, and if he wanted to challenge her, taking Xenofos with her as he offered to be her second. He was not around, so she went to check on the army while Xenofos went in search of the Straw Weaver bisons.
Notable Moments and Quotes
"Rajar has noticed that we're low on supplies, so he's going hunting too. He's heading into the nearest bar…" - Rajar
"Give me a Battle roll, whoever is explaining to them what they are doing." - GM
"I delegated!" - Varanis, proudly
"Berra… remind me to wait?" Varanis looks like she'd rather be charging in.
"Yeah, we need to trust them. We're the command level." - Berra
"Manasa is shifting about, probably as impatient as her rider." - Varanis
"Berra looks completely relaxed. Annoyed, but relaxed." - Berra
"Oh my god, we've actually captured some bandits." - Rajar looks slightly confused for a minute.
"How come Rajar only gets wet up to his mid calfs, and I get wet up to my thighs?" - Berra
…
"No idea. It must be magic." - Rajar
"Now if I could only give Lenta Hulta a brain…" - Mellia
"Can someone roll Scan for me?" - Mellia
"I have just fumbled on Mellia's behalf and I'm very proud." - Berra
"Mellia will miss Venlar, but he probably needs to go home." - Mellia
"He gives her poetry to read while they are away from each other." - Venlar
"Regular fail, Sense Chaos… I rolled a 94. I was sweating for a bit." - Rajar
"How long have you lot been gone? Trying to work out how wound up Varanis is." - Varanis
"The special on mobility suggests that Varanis is really impatient." - Varanis
"What the hell am I supposed to do with Argrath again?" - Varanis
"Shout an insult back about him licking hyena backside, and then say I have beer." - Rajar
"These come to fight. Alongside." - Rajar
«They're keen, bless them.» - Rajar
"High capacity assault unicorn." - GM
"Heavy assault unicorn." - Suuraki
"I assume that you're not here to challenge the King." - Venna
"You do know I -" - Varanis
"That would be a yes, Varanis." - Berra
«critical on Air» - Varanis
"I'm not here to challenge the King. I'm here to negotiate on behalf of the King of Sartar, who is in Boldhome." - Varanis
«high-pressure glaring» - Venna
"An emissary from Kallyr Star-brow is welcome. This way please." - Venna
"Berra, how's your truth sense doing?" - Suuraki
"He touched you on the shoulder. You will go on never washing that shoulder!" - Suuraki
"They're as green as buffalo shit in the good place." - Rajar
"How is your sister?" - Argrath
"Well, last I saw her she was sleeping with a Lunar…" - Varanis
"But in good health." - Berra
"And if I were to give a message for your grandmother, would it get there?" - Argrath
"If you asked it of me." - Varanis
"Tell the lady of saiciae that she can have Esrolia but Tarsh is mine." - Argrath
(To some people.) A troop of cavalry can be stopped by charging them. And they did stop.
“It’s because he was there as a spy and that is WRONG.” - B
"I'm not fucking Varanis because I don't find her attractive." - Berra
