Session Six: The Return of the Old Ones...?
[2025/08/06 14:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me fishes out NCs
[2025/08/06 14:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: I should really get some kind of coherent thing put together for this
[2025/08/06 14:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: but, we're still easing back into this for now
[2025/08/06 14:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: Debben, Leesha, you may recall we left off coming across a bunch of people standing around while officials directed guys to prep stakes
[2025/08/06 14:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: along with a bunch of victims, some bundles of kindling, and flaming torches
[2025/08/06 14:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: Something which seemed annoying to Debben
[2025/08/06 14:18] Mecha: Leesha finds a nearby viewer and asks what is going on?
[2025/08/06 14:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: And with that, GGGRRREETTTIINNGGGSSSS Adventurers! Other players play with fire breathing dragons, you get burnt by matches.
[2025/08/06 14:19] Sapphire: Ah, yes, since it looks like they're prepping to burn a witch of some sort
[2025/08/06 14:19] Sapphire: And Debben, being an illusionist, doesn't take kindly to such burnings
[2025/08/06 14:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: a handful of witches, there's five stakes
[2025/08/06 14:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: a father, a mother, a son and two daughters, of various typical ages.
[2025/08/06 14:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: we'll start with Debben: what are you doing, you firey-tempered dwarf of darkness?
[2025/08/06 14:21] Mecha: "OI! What in the nine hells is going on?!
[2025/08/06 14:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: Heads (and bodies) turn to the sudden disturbance, but no one answers.
[2025/08/06 14:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: Leesha?
[2025/08/06 14:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: wait a minute... stop confusing me... *Debben*?
[2025/08/06 14:22] Sapphire: "It looks pretty obvious what's going on, doesn't it? They even decided the children should burn."
[2025/08/06 14:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana: "These are rightfully elected officials, they are carrying out the law. We shouldn't be interrupting."
[2025/08/06 14:24] Mecha: Like hell we shouldn't there are kids in there!"
[2025/08/06 14:24] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana: "But if they've committed some major capital crime..."
[2025/08/06 14:25] Sapphire: "What possible capital crimes can a five year old commit?"
[2025/08/06 14:25] Mecha: Children committing capital crime...
[2025/08/06 14:26] Sapphire: Debben eyes the crowd to see if anyone is listening to their by-chatter
[2025/08/06 14:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana: "how am I supposed to know? It's clear the local lawful authorities are here and have judged."
[2025/08/06 14:27] Sonja Bikergrrl: Most (the villagers) are watching with some bemusement. The official types are watching with more increduluousness. As for the five due to be incinerated? They're struggling and crying for help.
[2025/08/06 14:28] Mecha: Leesha shakes her head and marches to one of the official types."What is their crime?"
[2025/08/06 14:28] Mecha: Settle this matter right now
[2025/08/06 14:29] Sapphire: Debben keeps back a bit, instead counting up the local... ballifs, guards, beatstickers or knights. What sort of troops are on display?
[2025/08/06 14:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: The guy, who is wearing some finer and more official-y looking outfit, just blinks and backs up as you approach. "Excuse me? You are...? Not from here, are you?"
[2025/08/06 14:30] Mecha: No but me and the missus are looking for a future snuggle spot...Now, answer the question."
[2025/08/06 14:30] Sonja Bikergrrl: Debben: about three who seem to be in charge, say a dozen city guard types doing various things
[2025/08/06 14:30] Sapphire: arms and armor of the guards? the officers in charge?
[2025/08/06 14:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: Official: "They've been suspected of witch craft and consorting with demons."
[2025/08/06 14:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: The usual chain mail and spears, Sapphire. At least, that's what you can see.
[2025/08/06 14:32] Mecha: First off, Suspected? Not found guilty? Second we are in a world with mages and clerics and magic is all fucking around us.. As you can tell I'm the demure one in the relationship. Now what is burning them going to do? Why not just take them to a cleric to drive out the devil and demons?"
[2025/08/06 14:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana (slowly and quietly): "...-suspected-....?"
[2025/08/06 14:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: Official: "Reason enough, isn't it? No smoke without fire, is there? They wouldn't be suspected if they weren't suspicious, and they're suspicious because they're doing something, right?"
[2025/08/06 14:34] Sapphire: "Who is lord of this town? Have they signed their name to this burning?"
[2025/08/06 14:35] Sapphire: Granted, in Debbens eyes this is more about 'who is most at fault' than 'is this right'
[2025/08/06 14:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: Official (waving a parchment vaguely): "It's all legally sanctioned. Now if you don't mind..."
[2025/08/06 14:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: Roll D20 everyone.
[2025/08/06 14:35] Mecha: Leesha shrugged. "You may have a point. we should bring more stakes then. I suspect you three of the same thing. No smoke without fire, right? you wouldn't be suspected if you weren't suspicious."
[2025/08/06 14:36] D20: Mecha rolls 12
[2025/08/06 14:36] Sapphire: Debben moves to actually read the parchment, for she bears the eldritch art of literacy
[2025/08/06 14:36] D20: Sapphire rolls 13
[2025/08/06 14:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: You don't notice anything out of the ordinary.
[2025/08/06 14:36] D20: Sonja Bikergrrl rolls 7
[2025/08/06 14:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: As for the parchment, he doesn't seem inclined to let you read it.
[2025/08/06 14:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: Official to Leesha: "Seems to me you're not from round these parts, are you?"
[2025/08/06 14:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana: Unhefts her blunderbuss casually
[2025/08/06 14:38] Mecha: Leesha smirks."Nope, but I am getting the lay of the land real quick."
[2025/08/06 14:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: Official to Leesha: "Well, strangers got to pay taxes, you paid your taxes for coming into these parts?"
[2025/08/06 14:39] Mecha: I would but you're stranger than me."Before looking at the Gith as if to ask for clearance to do something."
[2025/08/06 14:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: Valyra is at the cart, unconcerned and uninvolved.
[2025/08/06 14:40] Sapphire: "What do these taxes pay for?" she quips, now eyeing the layout of the crowd. If the ropes were to break, is there an escape path for the family?
[2025/08/06 14:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: It's usual for people to be taxed, especially travellers/strangers. The family are being held by various guards.
[2025/08/06 14:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: Official: "Once we deal with these heretics we'll address the question of your taxes."
[2025/08/06 14:43] Mecha: Lessha looks back at her. At least bail me out when this is over." before punching the official right in the face."
[2025/08/06 14:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me facepalms
[2025/08/06 14:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: DM voice: Are you sure you want to do that?
[2025/08/06 14:44] Mecha: Actually wann do much worse.
[2025/08/06 14:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: well, it's probably time we had a TPK.
[2025/08/06 14:45] Sapphire: my thought
[2025/08/06 14:45] Sapphire: is that if we Go Loud, we Go Loud, no half measures
[2025/08/06 14:45] Sapphire: and we're currently outnumbered with 12 proper combatants and three times that in general crowd
[2025/08/06 14:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay... we're doing this
[2025/08/06 14:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: roll initiative, d20, low goes first
[2025/08/06 14:46] D20: Sonja Bikergrrl rolls 1
[2025/08/06 14:46] D20: Mecha rolls 17
[2025/08/06 14:46] Sapphire: .....
[2025/08/06 14:47] D20: Sapphire rolls 13
[2025/08/06 14:47] D20: Sonja Bikergrrl rolls 16
[2025/08/06 14:47] D20: Sonja Bikergrrl rolls 15
[2025/08/06 14:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: well
[2025/08/06 14:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: I wasn't expecting that
[2025/08/06 14:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: Things happen quickly. As Leesha takes a swing at the official, just as he's starting to duck, while the guards are looking on with jaws falling open in surprise
[2025/08/06 14:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: there's a thunderous -BOOM- and a vague feeling of metal scrap hurtling close by. A slight ringing in Leeshas' ears, and a flash of orange and black streaking away to one side
[2025/08/06 14:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana: "That was a warning. We'll not be having any violence, unless you're starting it. So, who wants to listen to reason, or wants the next blast? It won't be a miss next time."
[2025/08/06 14:50] Mecha: ... The fuck?
[2025/08/06 14:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: Sapphire? You're next in intiative.
[2025/08/06 14:52] Sapphire: She unlimbers her own musket, aimed at the sky for now, one hand free. "Why should you burn these folk instead of simply exiling them?"
[2025/08/06 14:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: Guards are next. Mostly, they're standing frozen in surprise, rooted to the spot. Meanwhile, the official, rather pale faced: "Wha...? Because we're to burn them!"
[2025/08/06 14:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: Tiger has already legged it
[2025/08/06 14:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: Leesha, you're next
[2025/08/06 14:55] Mecha: Leesha glares at Katana."Quick to claim evil except this time." Before looking back at the official."You have no proof that they deserve burning and without actual proof you're murdering them. None of this smoke and fire crap."
[2025/08/06 14:56] Sonja Bikergrrl: End of combat round... back to Katana
[2025/08/06 14:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana: "Perhaps we can discuss the nature of evil at a later time?" then, to the guards: "Unhand those citizens. Any suspicions of heresy or witchcraft is to be heard by the local clerical order, with a maximum penalty of half an hours' social inquiry with a red hot pincer. Not burning. And kindly release them fast, or I'm firing this staff again."
[2025/08/06 14:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: Debben
[2025/08/06 15:00] Sapphire: "As the lady says." She affirms, ready to support, one hand free to launch an illusion of masks at any guards preparing to start swinging
[2025/08/06 15:01] Sonja Bikergrrl: The guards don't seem immediately inclined to start anything. They're mostly edging backwards, still surprised, eyeing the muzzle of Katanas' musket, which still issues smoke.
[2025/08/06 15:02] Sonja Bikergrrl: Oh, they're next. They let go of the villagers who immediately run forwards, yelling out in gratitude.
[2025/08/06 15:02] Sonja Bikergrrl: Official: "You're making a big mistake here, outsiders... you'll be marked as outlaws."
[2025/08/06 15:03] Sapphire: Figuring out how to deal with an extra five people traveling in a cart barely big enough for their current party is somethign Debben will figure out later. "To the span of which lands, then? the ones your town controls?"
[2025/08/06 15:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: oh! Leesha?
[2025/08/06 15:05] Sapphire: Debben doesn't respect the law much to begin with, and if they're going to burn their own citizens on suspicion? something is deeply sick with the local government.
[2025/08/06 15:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: Debben is much more right than Debben knows...
[2025/08/06 15:05] Mecha: Leesha is growling at the official. "Here's teh deal. We finish this here and now and we leave your land. Screw this outlaw crap, or...
[2025/08/06 15:06] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me is curious about the or...
[2025/08/06 15:07] Mecha: *Oh please let him ask or what.*
[2025/08/06 15:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: Nuh uh, you surprised him too much
[2025/08/06 15:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: but I'll allow you all to roll D20 again
[2025/08/06 15:08] D20: Sapphire rolls 7
[2025/08/06 15:08] Mecha: Or.. HERE KITTY KITTY! WHO'S HUNGRY?
[2025/08/06 15:08] D20: Mecha rolls 1
[2025/08/06 15:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me reminds: Tiger already ran away.
[2025/08/06 15:08] Mecha: Yeah but she has animal friendship so there is a chance he will come back
[2025/08/06 15:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: Sapphire: you notice that the official is missing the tip of his left pinky.
[2025/08/06 15:09] Sonja Bikergrrl: Leesha: you notice that most of the people present - officials, guards, villagers - are in face missing the tip of their left pinkies
[2025/08/06 15:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: Top of combat round! Back to Katana
[2025/08/06 15:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana: "Perhaps if you would kindly escort our new guests to the cart? I'll just stay back to discuss exact legal positions."
[2025/08/06 15:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: Sapphire
[2025/08/06 15:13] Sapphire: A curious injury, especially in a clerk. It would be a distraction to ask of it now... are the 'witches' in the process of being released?
[2025/08/06 15:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: They're already behind Leesha, expressing considerable gratitude at being rescued
[2025/08/06 15:14] Sapphire: Helping escort, since it seems Katana has a plan, but keeping her eye mostly on the guards and Katana in case something changes.
[2025/08/06 15:15] Mecha: Thank later, cart now." She says, not taking her eyes off the official.
[2025/08/06 15:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana is facing the guards, blunderbuss levelled and pointed at them, between you and guards.
[2025/08/06 15:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: Official: "You're all outlaws! Mark my words!"
[2025/08/06 15:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: All back to the cart?
[2025/08/06 15:17] Sapphire: "And which great paper pushers words should I be marking, hmmm?"
[2025/08/06 15:17] Mecha: Yeah, still keeping an eye on the officials
[2025/08/06 15:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: Official scowls. "You'll burn! I'll see to it! I shall see you strung up from the highest tree in this land!"
[2025/08/06 15:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana: "Perhaps concentrate on getting out of here, before they realize I'm bluffing?"
[2025/08/06 15:18] Mecha: Or before the realize I'm not.
[2025/08/06 15:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: well, now what?
[2025/08/06 15:20] Mecha: Off we go.
[2025/08/06 15:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: Once away, Katana snaps open the musket and reloads. "Maybe next time we might not attack the authorities?"
[2025/08/06 15:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: Blunderbuss. Not musket.
[2025/08/06 15:23] Sapphire: "Can't even put your own name to a threat?" She cackles. "Well then, may the twisting shadows find their way to your dreams and awaken you incessantly," before falling back to the cart.
[2025/08/06 15:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: Father: "We thank you, strangers, you saved our lives!"
[2025/08/06 15:24] Mecha: Leesha sighs."So, what was all of that about?"
[2025/08/06 15:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: Mother: "There's this cult, someone was talking about it, they came round and tried to get us to join, when we didn't, they said we'd regret it."
[2025/08/06 15:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: Father: "And now we are destitute and have nothing."
[2025/08/06 15:27] Sapphire: "Incorrect." Debben says. "You have your lives, your bodies, and knowledge of where your things are." The dwarf smirks as they move out.
[2025/08/06 15:27] Sapphire: "Has the town already stripped your home for it's things?"
[2025/08/06 15:28] Sonja Bikergrrl: Father: "Our things are in our cottage. I doubt we can safely return."
[2025/08/06 15:28] Sapphire: "Which end of town is it on?"
[2025/08/06 15:29] Sapphire: "While I won't promise to get very much... I wonder how closely they plan to watch that cottage tonight."
[2025/08/06 15:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: The man jerks a thumb over his shoulder. "Back there, a ways. We thank you for your help, but, we'd best be going. You're heading towards town."
[2025/08/06 15:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: perception check from you both
[2025/08/06 15:30] D20: Mecha rolls 1
[2025/08/06 15:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: Leesha catches sight of Ragnars' empty hand drawing back out of a pocket in the mothers' apron. She hasn't noticed.
[2025/08/06 15:31] Sapphire: Do these people have the injured hands?
[2025/08/06 15:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: Roll d20, Sapphire
[2025/08/06 15:34] D20: Sapphire rolls 4
[2025/08/06 15:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: Not that you can tell, no
[2025/08/06 15:34] Sapphire: Hmmmm
[2025/08/06 15:35] Mecha: *Ragnar?*
[2025/08/06 15:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: Ragnar starts in surprise, flashes you a grin and sidles behind one of the daughters
[2025/08/06 15:36] Mecha: Leesha growls at Ragnar.
[2025/08/06 15:36] Sapphire: "So what's the name of this town we're supposedly outlawed from now?"
[2025/08/06 15:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana: "I hope you have somewhere safe to go. I don't carry much coin, but, take all I have. It may perhaps help you."
[2025/08/06 15:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: Mother: "That'll be the town of Amigara. It's been a bit strange of late."
[2025/08/06 15:40] Mecha: Since Leesha is at her usual place walking by the cart she reaches for Ragnar. "Hands to yourself. Still kind of grumpy after that."
[2025/08/06 15:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: Ragnar looks bashful and shy, a bit like a mischievious kid that got caught stealing a cookie from the jar
[2025/08/06 15:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: Amigara is perhaps a day or two ahead, and it might be getting late soon, time to think of stopping and camping for the night
[2025/08/06 15:43] Mecha: Yeah we should get off the main path if we're going to do that.
[2025/08/06 15:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: Who's taking which watch?
[2025/08/06 15:43] Mecha: Leesha has first
[2025/08/06 15:43] Sapphire: Debben will take first watch, then switching to studying her books
[2025/08/06 15:43] Sapphire: ah, third then
[2025/08/06 15:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay... who's taken second, now?
[2025/08/06 15:44] Mecha: "Hey Katana, Would you be willing to take second watch?"
[2025/08/06 15:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: Leesha takes first watch, and not much happens, over than Valyra casting occasional smirks at Leesha, while Debben sleeps and Katana sits back against a rock.
[2025/08/06 15:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: Even Ragnar isn't putting his hand in pockets, and Tiger is snoring nearby. Loudly.
[2025/08/06 15:47] Sapphire: And Stellarnight Dreamnoir roll
[2025/08/06 15:47] D20: Sapphire rolls 8
[2025/08/06 15:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: noted
[2025/08/06 15:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: What's Leesha doing during first watch?
[2025/08/06 15:48] Mecha: Leesha smiles at Valyra. Silently chuckling that She didn't get shit for the the whole me and the Missus thing
[2025/08/06 15:49] Mecha: In the mean time she is keeping an eye out while doing her workouts and training
[2025/08/06 15:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: Time passes. Valyra wraps herself in a blanket, muttering under her breath. Eventually, it's time for watch change. Where you going to sleep?
[2025/08/06 15:51] Sapphire: on top of the cart
[2025/08/06 15:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: and Leesha?
[2025/08/06 15:52] Mecha: Leesha moves by Valyra.Laying down a short distance away. Bold earlier shy again. Like a bottle of bold just emptied out
[2025/08/06 15:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: Snores come from Valyra as Katana rises and starts to wander around the impromptu camp.
[2025/08/06 15:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: and that's about when.... -it- happens. Valyra awakes with a jerk, and looks round wildly. You can't see, but Katana has suddenly halted, staring out into the distance.
[2025/08/06 15:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me pausing for Leesha, if Leesha does anything
[2025/08/06 15:56] Mecha: Leesha wakes up and looks around. her hand going to her wrench
[2025/08/06 15:57] Sonja Bikergrrl: Leesha sees Valyra looking into the distance, then at Leesha, then at the distance again. After a few muffled curses, Valyra is suddenly kissing Leesha. Deeply.
[2025/08/06 15:59] Mecha: Leesha is obviously surprised but soon goes with it, kissing her back. No idea what is going on.
[2025/08/06 15:59] Sonja Bikergrrl: About a moment or two later, and Debben wakes rather early with Katanas' great stone hand about her mouth, as Katana ducks under the cart. "Not for words!" Katana hisses in Debbens' ear. "If we are silent, we might survive!"
[2025/08/06 16:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: Tiger, meanwhile, wakes and is pressing down to the ground, ears flicked back and tail twitching
[2025/08/06 16:01] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me pausing for Sapphire
[2025/08/06 16:02] Sapphire: Debben frowns at Katana and looks around, keeping quiet, though glancing quizzically to Katana for an explanation!
[2025/08/06 16:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana is under the cart, keeping Debben close and silenced. Tiger is hunkering so low he almost appears to be sinking in the dirt. And Valyra is apparantly making out with Leesha like some hot date.
[2025/08/06 16:03] Mecha: *Does Leesha hear Katana?, or is she... too distracted in enjoying the kiss*
[2025/08/06 16:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: And that is when you hear....
[2025/08/06 16:03] Sapphire: wait
[2025/08/06 16:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: well, you'll find out next time :)
[2025/08/06 16:04] Sapphire: debben was sleeping on *top* of the cart
[2025/08/06 16:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: And Katana grabbed her and hauled her under.
[2025/08/06 16:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me closes up NCs and makes a point to prepare something for next time
[2025/08/06 16:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: Hope you enjoyed tonights little horror with the ramping up of horror
[2025/08/06 16:07] Mecha: Shoulda let Leesha punch him
[2025/08/06 16:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: punch who?
[2025/08/06 16:07] Mecha: The official
[2025/08/06 16:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: oh, him
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