>>29075166

Current equipment:

> 1 Strong Ammojori bow (Bonus in Range, Penetrative power)

> 1 General purpose knife
> 2 Daggers, one with a Ruby-mounted hilt

> 1 Calf's skin and chamois cloak with hood, trimmed with silver thread

> Loot, including three keeper jewels:
> 3 gems as keepers: a shiny black pearl; a finely cut black opal the size of a quail's egg; and a small, bright blue sapphire.

>>29075196
Take the ruby out of the dagger.

Let's look into kidnapping. Expand cautiously.

We need equipment, but food is important too. No opinion on this one.

Let's be cautious about expansion first.
>Hiring and winning over people; we don't wanna get a bunch of paladins mixed up with us, eh?
>Building up food stores

>>29075166
>Let's be cautious about expansion first.
Focus on winning local hamlets and towns over, then we can start trading between them proper.

>Building up food stores.
Never know when things are gonna go south, or just how long the winter will last.

Rolled 92

>>29075166
> Let's be cautious about expansion first.


> Building up food stores.

>>29075221
>>29075222
>>29075227

You begin picking at the ruby on your dagger's hilt, and after a little digging around it comes off with a click, thankfully dropping into your hand. Oh... oh holy shit, it really is just a single ruby that pokes out on both ends. And it's about the same size as that sapphire you got earlier, about as large as a sago seed.

Damn! You keep it away in your purse. 'Well, I think food is going to be the main thing. We don't know how harsh or long the winter might be this year and I somehow have a bad feeling. I mean, it's already beginning to rain now.'

'True, true... and if that's the case, I suppose we ought to be careful about building up the band? Not to add too many mouths at a go?'

'Yeah.' You nod. 'We could try to make contact with the local villages, though, and have people keep lookouts for us. In case there are some who ask around about us, or if we need to trade. We do have those jewels to fence.'

'I was considering keeping them in case, really. But sure. But then - you know, if people are being forced into the hills to set up house - should we attack them, or try to make nice?'

> Attack the other hamlets. The strong prey on the weak.
> Make nice. Those are potential allies.
> Other.

> Also, what are the players' opinions on timeskipping? I was thinking of skipping around once you make certain decisions, unless my dice say something major will happen or you intend to go personally on a mission. So the narrative will move forward more quickly.
> What say you?

Rolled 99

>>29075306
> Make nice. Those are potential allies.
-invite the ones that want to join into our centre
-if the other's houses get burned, it will work as an early warning for us.

>>29075306
>Make nice. Those are potential allies.
Anybody we can con to our side with the equality shtick we've got going on is a useful body.
I wouldn't invite them to join us proper until winter is through though, but a deer here and a goat there to help them through the winter would do amazing things to bring men to us in spring.

Also, I'm cool with time skips.

>>29075306
>> Make nice. Those are potential allies.
>>29075335
this works and i don't mind the time skips.
Also we should train these buggers.

>>29075335
>>29075354
>>29075355

> 99: Your general luck is improved.

'Well, there's no point antagonising the poor fuckers, is there?' You shrug. 'Firstly they've got nothing for us to take, and secondly, if there's anyone we can get on side, so much the better.'

'Fair enough.' You hear Stella yawn. 'Right, well. I'm off to bed. Wake me up when it's my watch.'

'Of course. Wouldn't let you skip it. Sleep tight.'

To your surprise, by the time you've gathered your stuff and crawled out, Stella is already softly snoring. Wow. Then again, you haven't slept much for an entire day as well, what with the raid... stepping out, you see Orvo and the other dude, and give him one of the short swords.

'What, for me, sir?'

'Don't call me sir, just call me brother. And yes, it's yours if you use it well.'

'Certainly, brother!'

You nod, and look around. The coals are beginning to burn down, but the air is still warmed by them, which is nice. Stepping away, you feel the chill and draw your cloak around yourself. Orvo's followed you, up to the rock, where he stands as you sit.

'Where's your bow, brother?'

'Drying and resting. Can't leave that thing strung all the time, and not in rain. It'll loosen and get fatigued, and it won't shoot properly.' You look out over the nighttime forest, live with sounds.

The silence that follows is long, as Orvo goes around patrolling, and then suddenly you hear a noise behind you, in the forest. It sounds like someone's tramping around in the woods. Or it could be an animal, but then suddenly you hear something that's quite distinctly a voice, though you can't make out the words...

> Investigate yourself.
> Go get someone and investigate.
> Leave it.
> Other.

>>29075433
>> Investigate yourself.

>>29075433
> Go get someone and investigate.
playing hero will only get us killed, or worse.
string bow, sneaky-slippers on

>>29075433
>> Investigate yourself.

Rolled 69

>>29075433
>> Investigate yourself.
the retards don't know how to sneak right yet, but have them spread out farther away in case something tries to run.

>>29075462
>>29075457
>>29075448
>>29075446

You don't really have a way to communicate with the others without arousing the attention of whoever is prowling behind you, and if you run away then whatever it is might... well, you don't know. Screw it.

Drawing your dagger, you get to your feet and crouch low as you make for the trees. Slipping between the first saplings, you then crouch lower still to the undergrowth, all the while looking around for a torch or something. A sign that there might be someone around.

But there's nothing... except for the sound itself, which is getting rather louder. It's from your... left? No wait, it's AUGH.

You bump into the person, gasp, then turn around and stab right into the darkness where it was; but the dagger thrusts into complete nothingness. Then a voice to your right makes you swipe in that direction, but again you miss.

'Woah, woah, woah, wait! Wait!' The voice says, and you wait, facing it. 'What... who're you? Where're you from?'

> Answer.
> Ask him back.
> Other.

>>29075488
> Ask him back.
tell him to stand still, and drop his weapons

Rolled 39

>>29075488
>> Ask him back
>>29075507
then we tackle him.

>>29075488
>> Answer.

>>29075524
>>29075511
>>29075507

You pull your dagger back into a guard position. 'Stand still, and drop your weapons.'

'I am standing still, and I haven't got any weapons, good sir-'

Well then! If so, he wouldn't mind if you- judging him to be slightly to your right by the sound of it, you rush forward and your hand manages to grab a lapel. But before you can push downwards or kick his legs out from under him, the man simply grabs your grabbing arms and, in a single movement, hooks your leg while pushing you down.

You have just enough time to let out a 'Woah!' before you are tackled to the ground by an unarmed person. He grabs your wrist with the dagger, stopping it. 'Let me go!'

'I'm unarmed, but that doesn't mean I can't fight, sir. I'm merely a wanderer, a trader, and a monk if the fancy takes me. Now, if I may know who you are...?'

> What answer this person? He's pretty strong for someone who feels rather thin... he's let go of you though, and you feel compelled to keep your dagger for now.

>>29075592

"Well, I'm someone from a nearby hamlet. Let me go. What do you trade?"

This sounds interesting.

Rolled 13

>>29075592
What do you trade and is there a chance you can teach me your ways?

>>29075665
>>29075659

You struggle a little, and then the man lets go and you sit up.

'Well. I'm a man from a hamlet in the forest.'

'Another man forced into the woods by necessity? Many do that. And many die awfully out here.' The man heaves a rather dramatic sigh. 'It is the same here as in many other forests, swamps and wild lands of the kingdom. When the rulers are corrupt, then-'

'Yes, yes. Save me the speech. You're a trader? Wandering alone in the forests?'

'Oh, I'm just here trying to find a little peace. These woods are quite familiar to me. I spent fifteen years in them as a child. They change, but not so much. You know, there is a wood-'

'Save me that as well. What do you trade in? Where are your wares?'

'Oh, no one's trading with me *now*,' he says. 'But still, I have information I could trade for, if you've got the silver. I don't like talking out in the wild though, so if you'd like to bring me where you live, I could tell you some tales, perhaps, come to some sort of arrangement. I don't know what I might offer that a refugee might like. Some grain, perhaps? Some information about the lords and their movements? You know how furious the Count was with his Baron when some of his treasures were stolen from the abbey out west, just last night...'

... well, he sure does seem rich in information.

> Let him to your hamlet.
> We'll talk right here, if it please you. (What do you want to talk about? You'll have to pay him to get info, by the way.)
> Other.

>>29075755
> Other.
Maybe he can teach us and our men some unarmed combat. he seems capable, or at least more capable than us...
don't take him to the hamlet just yet, screen him for a little while longer

Rolled 21

>>29075793
>>29075755
This,once he convinces us he is trustworthy, that is when we bring him.

>>29075793

This.

>>29075841
>>29075836
>>29075807
>>29075793

'I don't trust you enough to take you to my hamlet,' you say. 'Who knows who you might tell?'

'Well, why would you fear that unless you've been up to some unlawful dealings?' The man chuckles.

'Will you teach me some unarmed combat? And perhaps those of my... companions and neighbours? In case of self defence...'

'Hmm?' Now he laughs properly. 'Oh, but why would I do that? Why would I stay in one place when there is a world for me to travel in? No, I won't do that. But well, if you're distrustful of me, what will make you trust me more? I wonder what I have that a bandit might desire...'

Wait, how did he-

> Some info on nearby travellers.
> Some info on the wealthy local families.
> Some info on the hamlets and villages around here. (More specifically, what?)
> Other.

> Be prepared to pay some money if you're asking, by the way.

>>29075903
>> Some info on the wealthy local families.

Rolled 95

>>29075903
>> Other.

Yeah, I'm sorry, I don't like this sage fuck. Rolling to swing at him in the back of the head with our bow.

>>29075903
>> Some info on nearby travellers.
>> Some info on the wealthy local families.
>> Some info on the hamlets and villages around here. (How are there and which ones are for the lord, also ask how far has news traveled of the robbery.)
>> Other.
Ask him if there is anything he thinks we should know.

>>29075903

> Some info on the wealthy local families.

Tell us one that's got something to rob.

>>29075903
Lead him back to the village. Talk with him there. Kill him.

>>29075986
No, this feels very murderhoboy actually...Graaah. See if we can't convince him we're a bandit, then ask about all of the options.

>>29075921
>>29075932
>>29075938
>>29075951

> You didn't bring your bow with you. Just saying.
> Also, he's figured you're a bandit already. Read the posts.

'Well... what do you think I need to know?' You say, now also a little intrigued. The fact that you're talking in the darkness to someone who might disappear easily - or that you could also leave quickly if you wanted to - makes you feel a little more secure.

'I suppose if you're a bandit you're not bad at it? So maybe for three silvers, I could tell you about a group of travellers I met in the inn, though they might not be lucrative. And for ten silvers, I could tell you about a certain family in the local area.'

... shit. You sigh and take ten silvers and reach out, and one hand grabs yours while the other catches your payment. Quickly you withdraw your hand and draw your dagger. 'Now, if you run, I bet I can skewer-'

'I'm running nowhere, man!' He laughs. 'Well. I can tell you the tale of a family who might be a kidnap opportunity, and another that might be doing something worth stealing from.'

> The kidnap opportunity.
> The stealing opportunity.
> Give me back my money.
> Other.

>>29076015
>> The kidnap opportunity.

>>29076015
> The stealing opportunity.
kidnapping is only going end up in total murderhobo.

>>29076015

> The stealing opportunity.

Less trouble for possibly the same amount of money. I can't be arsed to deal with some screaming youngster or young girl.

>>29076056
Stealing.

>>29076015
"I'm in no hurry and I've paid you well. Tell me of both"
If the target for the kidnapping is where he says they will be, it's likely his information is good. We don't have to go through with the kidnapping, but we should make sure his information is actually worth something before taking action.

>>29076074
>>29076072
>>29076056
>>29076047
>>29076032

'Do I have to choose one?' You fold your arms. 'For ten silvers I expect to get my money's worth. Besides, I'm in no hurry. You know I've been honest with the coin, so tell me both.'

'Oh, that's not how trading works.'

'It might be how banditry works.' You draw your dagger, loudly. Then draw your other one. 'As a bandit who pays, I'm already doing you a favour.'

'Fine, fine, fine,' he says, 'since it's the first time we're doing business, I'm willing to make a concession. By the way, it's a lovely night, isn't it?'

'Somewhat chilly.'

'Then that cloak of yours comes in handy, no doubt. Right. The kidnap opportunity. Every year, of course, the season of the Court at the Barony - and the County - attracts a lot of wealthy men and women, the local gentry. These days you don't need to be a noble to go to those things, so long as you pay, and there is this girl whose parents have paid handsomely. I can't tell you what I don't know, but what I *do* know is that in three days' time, this girl and some attendants and one or two guards will be headed south on the road to Lessi Keep. Think about it, all the dancing and music and revelling! It'd be a pity if she missed out on it.'

You're about to tell him to shut up, when you remember you paid for every word. Well, if he doesn't mind it... 'Sounds intriguing. And the stealing case?'

> cont'd.

>>29076129

'Now. South of here there's a place called Hofste Manor. Not a real manor, just an impressive house, but still. They make a tidy profit off owning some local lands, and also from their business, since they're officially licenced millers and own a weavery. Now. The house steward and butler, a shrewd man, has been squirreling away quite a sum of money somewhere, for use when one day he intends to set out and begin lording it over others himself.'

'So you know where the money is, then?'

'Well, if I don't know it, I wouldn't charge for that knowledge. That would be boorish, no?' He chuckles. 'He keeps it in a village to the east. Gives part of it as a gift to the two elders, and lets them keep the rest for him. I doubt it's his only stash, but hey, you wouldn't give up a chance to get your hands on silver, would you? Now, of course, that money also means those elders get to hire some local toughs to guard their houses, so that's the opposition you have. So. How has this discussion been? If it is satisfactory, I shall go now...'

> What do/say/ask?

>>29076147
satisfactory, thank him and get back to our watch, or if we've taken too long, wake up Stella for her watch

>>29076171

This.

>>29076147
kill him, loose lips sink ship and all that wisdom

>>29076171
>>29076202
>>29076208

Given how much he knows, you are tempted to finish him off. But then he doesn't know where your camp is, and it might be worth checking out if he isn't just a madman spouting rubbish. That works out well for him both ways, really; if he's speaking truth, he's useful. And if not, then he's just mad.

As you're considering this, though, you hear someone yell. 'Brother? Brother!' Oh shit, you've been out here all this while... keeping your daggers, you get to your feet as he does too.

'Well, this has been... interesting.'

'This might not be our only meeting. I like customers who pay promptly.' You can almost hear a smile from the man. 'Look, if you would like some information at any point, why not head down to the pub in the village to your south - it's run by a young girl with beautiful freckles, and a full and lovely bosom - and ask that girl, Carlene, for Gaulois. She will know the means to summon me, like a ghost.'

'I'll... keep that in mind.' You keep your daggers and run off, and also hear Gaulois move away. Then, moving back out into the clearing with the rocks, you nearly run straight into the other dude at watch. 'Woah, careful.'

'Brother! What happened? Are you-'

'I'm good. Is it the end of our watch?'

'Yes. Nothing to report...'

You nod, then go down, with the information still fresh in your mind, to wake Stella up. She responds after two shakes, and sits bolt upright, drawing her sword. 'What? What?'

'Mate. It's your fucking watch. Don't knife me.'

'Oh. Sorry.' She brushes past you while crawling out, and you turn to see her slender figure slipping out the exit, standing up. Nice. Then you go to sleep...

> Roll d100.
> What do you intend to do with the information?

Rolled 97

>>29076273
we scout the locaton for the theft, kidnapping has too big a chance of going wrong imo

File: 1387986274318.jpg-(34 KB, 534x401, Richardtranson.jpg)

34 KB JPG

>>29075269
Rolled 92
>>29075335
Rolled 99
>>29076301
Rolled 97

>mfw these are my only three rolls in this thread

Rolled 74

>>29076273
>> What do you intend to do with the information?
Steal some shit. I don't want to deal with whiny hostages.

>>29076273
tell Stella about our encounter and the info we acquired, then >>29076301 followed by >>29076341

>>29076273
I vote for the kidnapping [spoiler[ because /tg/ has taught me never to earn a butler's scorn.[/spoiler]

>>29076341
>>29076329
>>29076301

You make up your mind, in the last moments before you fade into sleep, that you'll go and get some stealing done. Can't deal with a hostage, and if the hostage later blabs about where your base is...

'That'd be trouble...' you murmur, then close your eyes.

When you open them again, the sun is shining through some remaining clouds, heralding what seems to be a sunny, peaceful- oh what the hell is that hubbub? You sit up, realising suddenly that this hut has got a floor of wooden boards, and Stella crawls in. She's changed, and is wearing another tunic, nut coloured and quite a bit looser than her other clothes. More relaxed, perhaps. Her posture as she crawls in also gives you a glimpse of her which is a nice way to start the day.

'So, what's happening?' You say, recovering just in time from gazing at her breasts.

'Horse got stolen.'

'What?' You crawl out after her to see one of the men on his knees.

'Brother! I've done wrong! I apologise! I saw the horse was there, then went off and looked elsewhere, and then I heard a noise and came back and it was gone! I had no idea where it went... please forgive me, brother!'

Could we have another glimpse at Stella instead of this, please?

> Punish. (How?)
> Admonish.
> Leniency.
> Other.

> Also, say anything to the people gathered? Instructions, orders etc? You've set food-gathering as your main priority, and you're seeing strips of horse meat being hung up on poles to dry now... good stuff.

>>29076387
>Admonish

>>29076387
> Admonish.

>>29076387
>Admonish
Also, have him apologize to each of our group's members. He is the reason they lost food.

>>29076387
>> Punish. (How?)

Spanking.

>>29076391
>>29076414
>>29076422
>>29076423

> All right. One more post and I'm done for the evening. If this is still around tomorrow morning, I will continue it.
> Thank you for playing on Christmas.

Negligence on the watch - well, that could be punished. Then again, you can't really blame someone for not keeping an eye on *everything*. So you settle for getting to your feet.

'Do you know how much food you've cost everyone by allowing that horse to be stolen? Winter is coming, and we need every bit of food we can get. I will not punish you for now, but you must apologise to all of us for what you've let slip.'

The man nods, then turns around and apologises to each one abjectly. When he's done, you scold him a bit more and send him back in line to address the people. 'As I said. We need to gather as much food as we can. This includes grain, as well as meat, and what fruits we can get. Does anyone have any ideas?'

There's a pause, and the person who ends it is the boy who led you here in the first place. 'Um... there are some apple orchards nearer the foothills in the west. And there are pear gardens to the south and east as well.'

'Those apple orchards belong to the Abbey!'

'And the pear orchards are of the villages, including our neighbours!'

Meanwhile you turn to Stella. She smells a little greasy. 'Something to discuss with you later.'

'Settle this first,' she says, while tying her hair up with string, turning this way and that to gather the strands.

> Approve of stealing pears and apples.
> No, that's too risky.
> Other.

>>29076485
>> Approve of stealing pears and apples.
Steal the pears but not the apples.

>>29076485
>> Approve of stealing pears and apples.

>>29076485

> Approve

"If you're confident of pulling it off, go for it."

>>29076493
This. The abbey is dangerous shit.
Also merry christmas, OP. Thanks for running.

>>29076485
seconding >>29076493

>>29076485
stealing from the abbey, may have bigger consequences than stealing from the village.... but we might need the goodwill of the commonpeople.
is tricky question

how bout stealing from the abbey, and trying to blame it on the villagers in some way?
they will get tormented by the abbey, and we might use this to get more of them to join us

>>29076493
>>29076512
>>29076516

The people are showing their normal fears, of thieving and stealing, and you can see how, while a successful raid could make people confident, a failure could easily collapse morale at this stage. It might be best to reduce the risks of being caught as much as possible...

'Well. Are you confident that you can do it?'

The boy is quickly joined by another girl, a skinny young thing. And then another slightly older man joins them. That's one of your fighting men, since you didn't count the boy previously. 'We should be able to get some fruit in.'

'Good. Now, listen. The apple orchards belong to the Abbey, and those are dangerous. Do not go near the apples. I don't want you people getting hurt for some bloody apples. The pears, if you think you can, go and get them.'

'Yes, sir!'

'And the rest of you - continue to prepare the meat. You're drying it, I'm guessing?'

'Drying and smoking, brother. It'll be delicious by the time snow falls!'

> cont'd.

>>29076583

Leaving behind the laughter and work, you go back in the shelter and tell Stella about what you heard from Gaulois. She wrinkles her brow. 'What, do you trust that person? He might've been the horse thief for all we know.'

'Maybe. But I paid him ten silvers and he seems quite specific. It's worth checking out, anyway. Wouldn't be more than a day's walking to that village, right?'

'True.' She gets your bow for you, already strung. 'Strung it for you. See if it's fine.'

'It's good, thanks...' you pass a few simple instructions for your people to be discreet, and then follow Stella into the forest. She walks for a while ahead of you.

'Your hip still hurting?'

'Not really now. You?'

'My side aches a bit...' you walk some time in silence, Stella looking out for tracks but finding none, and then suddenly you reach an outcrop overlooking the eastern valley plain and both of you crouch. 'Shit, look.'

You follow Stella's finger and see it. It's... a procession. Horsemen, then several carriages surrounded by infantry, then attendants and more infantry behind. Banners, red and blue and black, are flying, and you can hear the faint sound of drums even from here. Entranced, you sit down, and Stella does too, sidling up a little closer to you.

'That's grand.'

'Yeah,' she says, and sighs. 'That village - not the one they're heading to - is the one we're after, I think.' She takes out the map, puts it on her lap. 'Yeah. Definitely. Ah, isn't this how life should be like for a hero, Ephidel? Look at that.'

> What say to Stella? She looks wistful.

>>29076612
who says only heroes can live like that? we do well enough and we can get our own grand processions

>>29076612

Give her a nudge.

"Cheer up. One day it'll be our turn."

>>29076621
>>29076633

These. Encourage her.

>>29076612
Power is never out of reach for those hungry enough to reach for it, Stella. We'll get there together.

>>29076904
This. We ARE villains after all.

>>29076612

Merry christmas, OP.

Also we should remind her of the reality of our situation. The people in that carriage used and put innocent people to death to get to where they are. One day we're going to have to do that too.

>>29076621
>>29076633
>>29076723
>>29076723
>>29076904
>>29076931
>>29077781

You turn and look at her wistful expression. She's sitting with one leg up, propping her left arm on her knee, eyes looking into the distance and lost in thought. How did a pretty girl like this end up in the woods being a bandit, you have no idea. You nudge her with your elbow, and she shudders a little and turns to you.

'Eh?'

'Wake up, Stella. What do you mean, heroes? Most of the people in that carriage are worse than rats in most respects. They put innocent people to death, squeeze people of their hard-earned crops and livestock. They have no courage or honour.'

'I suppose. Then what gets them there?'

'Hunger for power, Stella. And we do have that. Don't we?' You nudge her again and she chuckles, bumping you back with her shoulder. You bump her back. She bumps you back. Then you realise what you're doing and move away a little.

'I don't know about you, but I do!' She looks away a moment, then clambers to her feet.

'Well, the day you become Emperor of the World, don't forget me then,' you joke and follow her. Where tracking's concerned, following Stella is nice.

After about half an hour of walking, you come to the outskirts of the village orchards. Oh, damn, the kids were right. It isn't a very large bunch of orchards, but the trees are heavy with pears, some ripe, most half-ripe. The village itself seems quite quiet; the men are away in the fields after all.

There's about... 15... 20 huts or so, you count. That's a nice size.

> Approach sneakily.
> Approach with diplomacy.
> Other.

>>29081672

> Approach with diplomacy.

Maybe ask one of the farmers where the elders are.

>>29081672

Approach with diplomacy

>>29081672
>> Approach sneakily.
>> Approach with diplomacy.
>> Other.
Have stella approach for diplomacy while we are sneaky, they should still be looking for a pair of thieves and they only know how we look like.

>>29081994
>>29082193
>>29082251

Spotting a trio of men head up towards the orchards, you are about to break cover when Stella stops you. 'What's the plan?'

'We go up, ask them nicely about where the elder's house is.'

'Then they'd recognise us, won't they?' Oh damn, that's a good point. You peek at the trio again. They're not carrying tools other than a ladder, so this isn't a harvesting trip; anyway most of the pears aren't quite ready. 'Right. So how about you go and run distraction, and I sneak around?'

'Then they'd recognise *me*.'

'But you're pretty. They'd fall for your trick in a second.'

Stella is about to argue, but then vanity stops her and she simply glares. 'Fine. Go the other way.'

You wait a few moments, giving Stella a headstart. Then, when she hails the three men who look up at her puzzled, and after watching a bit more to ensure they don't suddenly go murderous on her, you sneak around the other side. To be honest, you don't really have to ask where the elders' houses are. Two houses in the centre of the village, and another to one corner near the fields, are noticeably bigger than the others. And when you approach, only the two in the centre have got men hanging around them - three or four men, all wielding sticks. No doubt the ruffians Gaulois was talking about.

You sneak from house to house, listening to women singing and working and taking care of the kids, until you're within two houses of the elders' residences. But there's a space between them with a large tree and people will see you trying to cross from one to the other...

> What do you try to do now?

>>29082388
Start a fire nearby that causes them to try and stop it.

>>29082461
This, but then grab Stella and put out the fire. We're going to need a trade or food source, and this village could be assimilated into our band.
Emphasize that the elders were weak in action, while you and Stella were quick to come to aid.

>>29082560
not gonna work when the elders have years of trust on them and is keeping them relatively safe/prosperous thanks to the bribes.

>>29082461
this, but also let some of the live stock go free to cause some chaos.

>>29082560

Did you just forget why exactly we're here? We're not here to recruit the villagers. There's too many of them anyway. We're here to scout out their houses.

Set the fire, distract them, then scout around the house. Look for entry points.

> Hmm. An instinct for destruction isn't a good thing everywhere and always, just saying.

The livestock are not kept together, but are all around the village. It would take a bit too much time for you to go and set them free, and besides livestock don't always stampede.

If you want to distract them, though you wonder if it's a little overboard, you might want to start a fire instead... taking out your two flints, you sneak around to a small pile of hay behind one of the houses.

> Roll d100 for arson.

Rolled 71

>>29082674

Rolled 48

>>29082674
What other way could we get them away from the house?

Rolled 53

>>29082674
Cmon baby give me an 80.

Rolled 86

>>29082674
Eh fuck it let me see if i can roll higher than 71.

>>29082969
>>29082826
>>29082708
>>29082689

> 86: Success!

Leaning close to the straw, you see it's wet and stir it around a little before striking your flints. Two tries later, some sparks fly into the pile, and soon a trail of white smoke is billowing. Right, time to split...

... you run past one house to another, getting nearer yet to the elders' houses, when suddenly you spot movement and freeze. But it's a bit too late; you're almost round the corner, where you can hide and watch the people and see when they notice the fire and clear the coast.

Except, around that corner, a little chick just scurried out, and now there's a little girl - maybe five or six - who's run out after it. She grabs the chick, you freeze, and she looks up at you. Her eyes widen.

'Hey, what's that smoke?' You hear a woman say in the distance. Bloody hell!

> What do?

Rolled 18

>>29084128
Well shit we had a child before or at leasty a younger sibling so lets try to trick her into thinking nothing of us and give her some coins to stay quiet.

>>29084128

Shush her, give her a piece of silver, and tell her to run along and be quiet.

Wait for them to panic about fire.

>>29084128
Shout "Fire!"
Then hide, and hopefully get to that treasure.

>>29084528
>>29084349
>>29084296

You quickly squat and put a finger to your lips just before she screams or shouts, and she obeys. 'Hey. That's a nice chick.'

She merely nods. That's a well brought up girl, not talking to strangers. But you take a silver piece from your purse, and give it to her, and her eyes brighten.

'Don't tell anyone, right?'

'O-okay.' You push her lightly to run along, and just then you dodge around, hearing someone run to the straw pile.

'Oh, oh my, fire! Quick! FIRE!'

Right, good! You peek around; the little girl runs away, holding her chick and your silver, and then the ruffians crane their heads, hearing the cries of the woman. Oh, well, there's now several women yelling, calling for people to bring buckets of water, and two of the ruffians glance at each other and move as well. 'Woah, woah, hey, quick, bring some water!'

Nice of them to feel some duty to their village! There's one ruffian left but he's also distracted, and you slip through the gap to one of the elders' houses. This is the larger of the two, and you quickly circle round to look into one of their windows. Empty.

> Scout around the house.
> Go in.
> Other.

Rolled 16

>>29084638
>> Go in.
We don''t have much time.

>>29084638
>go in

>>29084664
>>29084672

You glance around. Well, if you're going to explore this place and try to find the storage chamber... but it occurs to you that you haven't an idea what the chamber is supposed to look like. Oh well...

Aware that you might be entering a trap, you vault in over the window anyway. This is a bedroom, clearly; two straw mattresses lie there. Opening the door, you see the hall - a very well furnished affair by any standard, with a closet, two chests, and even a high table and chairs in the manner of wealthy families.

'Oh man, what are they yelling about?'

You freeze and dodge behind the door, just in time to spot a portly woman running out of the kitchen. She goes to the door, gasps, and runs out. Well, that was close... emerging into the hall, you crouch and look around.

> Roll d100 for perception.
> Give a direction to direct your attention. Bonuses will be given if you find the right place to look.

Rolled 47

>>29084867
A puddle in front of you

Rolled 39

>>29084867

Check under the mattress in the room.

Rolled 65

>>29084867
check the closet

Rolled 82

>>29084867
>Not checking for loose floor boards or under rugs

>>29084963
>>29084957
>>29084921
>>29084910

> 82 + 10: Success!

You run over the closet quickly, but there's nothing there, and then run into the bedroom and lift the mattresses. One of the rush mats under the mattress has a little hole in it, and you reach inside, feeling the prickliness-

-and a little metal key. Taking it out, you see it's a simple key, round with two small teeth. You'll keep that, thank you... running out, though, a quick inspection of the room doesn't yield any place that could fit such a key. Not the closet... not the walls...

Crouching at the table, you notice there is a single drawer under the table - wow, that must have cost some money to order - with that round hole. But then just as you're fishing in your purse for the key, suddenly you hear the ruffians outside.

'Come on! There's water in the kitchen!'

They're running towards the door! They're coming in! But at the same time, you hear another of them saying something. All three of them must be rushing here now.

'Someone came and said there's this strange girl talking at the orchards, what do we do?'

'Where's she?' But then the door begins to open before you can hear the answer...

> What do!? You are armed, but then...

Rolled 81

>>29085048
hid under the bed.

>>29085088

>>29085088
>>29085092

> There isn't a bed. There's a straw mattress, and it's in the room which is across the hall from the table where you are.

>>29085108
Oh. Then take out your dagger and quickly kill them.

Rolled 20

>>29085116
There is 5 armed men do you think we can take 5 guys we have to hide.
Go have to hide on the ceiling corner.

>>29085116
No horrible idea since its 5 vs 1 and all 5 have longer weapons than we do.
Lets find a place to hide in.

>>29085158
>>29085144
>>29085092
>>29085088

> Roll d100. You have a -30 penalty, seeing as you were caught unawares and there's several of them.

> Also, bloody hell, what happened to Stella? She probably didn't figure her distraction mission would get disrupted by a fire...

Rolled 58 - 30

>>29085186

Rolled 62 + 30

>>29085186

Rolled 28

>>29085186
the DC better be 50.

Rolled 27

>>29085186

Rolled 56

>>29085186
Here is hoping for a 90, if only we could trick them into thinking we are her male escort by getting naked.

>>29085230
>>29085223
>>29085209
>>29085197

Forgot to say: this is an opposed roll, so I'll be rolling as well.

Rolled 77

>>29085186
Rollan

Rolled 35 - 30

>>29085186
We are gonna need super luck and the right modifiers.

Rolled 20

>>29085186
o lawdy

> Unfortunately, you have neither great luck nor modifiers (you already have a modifier, it's -30).

> 62 - 30 vs. 83: Shit.

You have just enough time to keep your key, but a dive towards the safety of the bedroom fails. You are almost at the entrance when you hear a surprised 'what the fuck-'

Turning, you see the first two people entering the door, staring at you while holding their sticks. Fuck! The only way out now is through that window, so you quickly dash through the exit for the bedroom anyway, but just one step into the bedroom something smacks hard into the back of your head, making the whole world go wobbly and silent for an awful moment.

You have just enough time to turn around and fend off one blow which sends a jolt of pain up your arm, and then another guy kicks you full in the chest. Next thing you know, you are curled up, trying to shield your head from a hail of blows as they batter your legs, shoulders, back.

At length the battering ends, and you gasp and spit out something that turns out to be your blood. Someone takes your bow from you - oh fuck, your bow! - but you're too dazed to notice. Then another two people pull you to your knees by the arms, facing a man who looks rather bemused and is holding a stick.

'Now, now.' The stick comes down brutally hard on your shoulder, making you holler in pain. 'Was that you? The arsonist? Speak!'

It comes down on the other shoulder and you howl like a fucking kicked dog, feeling something give way in your shoulder joint.

> W-what say?

Rolled 23

>>29085400
The lord wanted the money he lost back and he had heard that this village was holding back on their taxes.

>>29085400
>vs 83
> with a -30 penalty
This does not compute. unless we were meant to be caught

>>29085455
How about.
In recent to his fail mood the lord has decided to crack down on rumors and he has heard that this village has more money than they are supposed to have and should pay to him in taxes.
>>29085479
Short of a 100, we would have failed either way.

>>29085479

> 2 things. Firstly, it's an opposed roll, which means I will roll as well (for the vigilance of 5 men rushing into the house).

> Because of the fact that it's 5 men, you're caught by surprise, and they're on high alert from the fire outside, you have a penalty. Even if the 5 men weren't particularly vigilant, it wouldn't be easy.

> Unfortunately, the 83 roll shows that the 5 men were vigilant, which means unfortunately that you had no chance either. If the opposed roll was, say, 25 (below the 32 final result of your roll), then you could have made it. If it was, say, 40, they might have glimpsed you but you would have got away.

>>29085512

> In recent to his fail mood the lord has decided to crack down on rumors

Huh?

But sure, I'll second it, I got nothing.

>>29085565
We stole his gold, that should get him mad, plus we have his seal on us.

Rolled 62 - 30

>>29085186
Shrug.

>>29085400
Say nothing, we're already concussed just let our legs go out from under us and hit the floor.

>>29085400
Pretend not to speak English. Or whatever language it is.

>>29085659
And have them steal our shit and turn us in to the lord for being thieves we have a better chance to lie to them since we have the lords seal on our person.

>>29085565
>>29085512
>>29085455
>>29085587

You glare up at the man, fighting through the horrible pain in your shoulders. Fuck, you definitely dislocated one of them. And your bow! It's in their hands now! So are your daggers, newly removed. Shit.

Should've made sure you had backup before running into the house alone... but then that thought is interrupted by a hard slap. The world blacks out for a moment before you come back. Oh right. Fuck.

'Well? Come on?'

'The lord... the Baron of Lessi... is here to collect back taxes. He's heard about the money... stashed away in the-'

'Oh, come on!' A kick in your chest, and another slap that makes the world blank out again. 'You want me to believe His Excellency's fucking tax collector comes in and out of a house through the window? You're a bandit, and I look forward to handing you over to be roasted and hanged. You know what the Baron does to thieves? Oh boy, you'd like to know wouldn't you? Guys.'

'Yeah?' You get hauled to your feet, though you aren't really supporting your own weight anymore. The world is swimming before you, and...

'String him up by the hands and feet and bundle him outside. Charge is arson and burglary. Old Master will handle him.'

Shit! 'Righto!'

> What do/say? You really don't want to be strung up, it's fucking awful stuff.

>>29085694
Tell him to look in our pockets for his seal.

>>29085739
This this this this

>>29085739
>1 Official Seal of a Lieutenant of the Militia
Hopefully this can work for us and also our bow should help as well.

>>29085775
>>29085757
>>29085739
So how about for an explanation is that he didn't want to look like a fool and waste resources just from rumors, so he ordered us to check out if its legit or not.

>>29085832
WE'RE UNDEROVER

>>29085844
that works as well.

>>29085739
>>29085757
>>29085775

As they pull you out towards the door and someone opens it, you look forward and realise two things that make you smile. That's not missed on the guard, who raises his hand again, but stops when you turn to him.

'I dare you to strike the lieutenant of the Baron's guard again,' you spit. 'I dare you.'

'Oh? You're a lieutenant now, are you?' You're at the threshold of the house. This is good. This is good... 'and how will you prove it?'

'Purse. Go on.'

The ruffian cuts your purse strings, and all five of them crowd around to look. A handful of silvers pour out into the leader's hand - followed by a single, larger piece of silver, which makes him frown.

'Oh, that looks like a real seal-'

'Shut up,' the leader snarls and looks up at you. You also notice he's pocketing the rest of your silver. Fuck. 'You really expect me to believe this? That you're a lieutenant of the guard?'

'Eh? You don't have to,' you sputter and chuckle, spitting out some more blood. Man, those are internal injuries. 'You just have to look at me long enough to not see who's coming.'

> cont'd.

>>29086042

'Huh?'

The leader frowns again, and then it happens - one of the men holding your left, dislocated arm suddenly relaxes his grip and stumbles back. You turn to see the pitchfork which has arced about fifteen paces through the air and sunk one prong directly into his neck.

'Wha-' the man's eyes bulge and he crumples back as the others look up, and that's when Stella strikes. Barrelling through the air into the man whose back is turned to her, a dart of hers finds the chest of the man holding your right arm; then, just as you fall backwards on your crumbling legs, she stabs her short sword into the person she's kneeling on top of.

'Fucking hell!' There's just one person left besides the leader, who's holding your bow, and the leader pushes him towards you and Stella. Stella quickly grabs the man and stick one of your daggers, on his belt, up through the bottom of his jaw into the brain, before grabbing the dagger and bow and kicking you awake. Wha... well, that was...

You turn and look, while getting to your feet, to see that about fifteen or twenty village women are looking at you. Smoke is still billowing and some of them are carrying buckets, but work has paused for the moment as they contemplate the quadruple murder. Stella grabs your arm- OW- and presses a dagger into your hand.

'Let's split, you idiot!'

> Run out the village's back (into the valley).
> Run through the womenfolk for the forest. (Say anything?)
> Other.

>>29086042
We are killing these fuckers in their sleep.

>>29086116
Chase the fucker that stole our silver and Bow we are not losing that BOW.

>>29086116

> Run out the village's back (into the valley).
You'll all remember this as the time your elder almost caught Captain...Jack..Sparrow!

>>29086156

The person who got your bow is dead, there's a dagger in his brain case. Stella's picked up the bow.

Just to clarify.

>>29086164
>>29086156
>>29086126

'Bow, bow,' you say, and Stella rolls her eyes and grabs it. Then you stagger to your feet and pull the dagger out of that last man's jaw, making some of the women scream, before you stand up.

'Well, you'll remember-'

'Come on!' Stella drags you along, and the women don't dare to resist either of you. You stumble and run as much as you can, leaning against the girl who's saved your life, while hearing someone yell murder and begin to ring the bell of the village's hue and cry.

Still, the women don't move, until you're some way into the pear orchard. One man comes along and yells at you not to run, then tries to stop you; but you kick him in the groin and fall over before Stella drags you to your feet. By the time you get to the fence and vault over it into the forest, there must be about six or seven men hot on your trail.

But they reach the fence, and it seems that's where they don't dare to proceed. The poor peasants, living near a forest they don't know and just fear... Stella drags you a while more before you yell that it's painful. Then, as you collapse to your knees, she turns and shoves your shoulder.

'OW! FUCK- oh. Oh it's fine now.'

'Course it is.' Stella looks back. 'We probably lost them. What the *fuck* were you thinking?!'

> You lost about 30 silvers and the seal of the lieutenant.
> What do/say now? The whole village is alerted to the two bandits. Also arsonists and murderers.

>>29086372
My bad.

>>29086372
Welp. On to the next village.

>>29086372
that shit is too valuable too lose lets get it back.

>>29086437

Well you should've thought about it before running into the village, no?

Say this might be a good thing. We need to keep a watch on the village.

>>29086450
we need to kill the leader he is the one that has all of our shit, plus we have the key to the vault.

>>29086398
>>29086426
>>29086437
>>29086450
>>29086462

You hobble on a little while more, silently, before finally finding a nice place to sit down. Stella groans and sits down too. 'I'm exhausted,' she says. 'Are you badly wounded?'

'Spitting a bit of blood, that's all,' you mutter. 'Well, it was my bad. I didn't think things through.'

'Of course you didn't. Why did you go *into* the house? What excuse could there be if you got caught inside?' She rolls her eyes. 'Did you lose a lot?'

'Well, one dagger, a purse full of coins and the lieutenant's seal.' Fuck, come think of it, that's a lot of stuff. 'Shit. We'll have to go get it back.'

'What? Do you realise what you're even saying, Ephidel? You really haven't a fucking clue, have you?'

'But I know where that stuff is,' you stagger to your feet. 'It's with that leader. The guy who dislocated my shoulder. If we sneak in and kill-'

Your words are interrupted by a slap, not quite the hard one dealt to you just now, but the sting added to your injuries makes you hiss and crumple back onto your knees. You glare up at Stella, who's furious.

'Sneak in and kill like you tried to do just now? Do you want me to go in and pick up your fucking corpse for you while you're at it? Why do you think like a four year old kid? We've alerted the *entire village*. They recognise us now. It's not just kill, kill, kill if you want to be a bandit, all right? You've got to stay alive. You've got to think. You had a plan where I went to distract them and you scouted it out, then you threw it all away, started a fire, and attempted to burgle the house. What the fuck were you thinking? Are you even thinking, Ephidel?'

> What say to that?

>>29086566
Murderhobos gonna murderhobo.

>>29086566

Wasn't thinking straight. Won't happen again.

But this could be good. We spooked them, and they will move their money. We have to keep watch.

File: 1388040466975.png-(467 KB, 750x600, file.png)

467 KB PNG

>>29086619
this works, while we hum this.
>>29086601

>>29086619
>Wasn't thinking straight. Won't happen again.
This

>>29086706
>>29086681
>>29086619
>>29086601

You hang your head, considering Stella's words. She's fearsome when she's angry, eyes burning bright - not just with rage, you sense, but also disappointment. Well, it was fucking disappointing. You were meant to scout out the loot and you ended up paying a purse full of coin for it.

What's more, though you're tempted to be defiant towards her, there's the small and uncomfortable fact that if not for her rushing in at the right moment you'd be strung up on a pole at the very, very least. You don't even want to think of what could be worse. Having a rope pierced through your ankles and wrists? Then getting dragged around on that rope? Getting stabbed is a mercy compared to that.

You wait a bit more, for Stella to simmer down. To your surprise, her eyes are slightly teary now, and finally she squats down, still glaring at you.

'I wasn't thinking straight, Stella,' you grunt. 'Won't happen again. But I just thought of something.'

'Oh, another thought, is it? Is it 'I'm going to go kill some people now'?' She bites her lower lip, apparently holding back worse.

'No. No. Think about it. They know that someone knows where the silver is. And the elder's away for a few days, apparently. Once he gets back and the ruffians report something this big to him, he'll spook. He'll move the gold.'

'Uh huh... oh.'

'Yes. We need to have someone else watch that village, so we know where the gold's been moved to. They wouldn't leave it in the village anymore. We could still have a shot at this.'

'Well, it's nice you finally came around to thinking,' Stella says, punching your should-OW. 'Oh shit. Are you badly injured?'

> Yeah. Carry me back?
> Nah, I'll deal.
> Other.

> Also, roll d100 for 'meanwhile'.

Rolled 20

>>29086825
>> Nah, I'll deal.

Rolled 61

>>29086825

Rolled 85

>>29086825

> I'll deal.

We tough guy still.

Let's think of something to tell the folks to do when we get back. Just to keep them busy. Maybe build a food store?

Rolled 64

>>29086825
>> Nah, I'll deal.

>>29086566
Are you that willing to give this up as a bad job? that willing to let this village think they can beat us? that just means they'll be hunting for us sooner rather than later, I'm not saying we should gut him tonight, but they'll relax their guard sooner rather than later, and an example must be made.

Rolled 84

>>29086974
A bit late there.

>>29087007
You don't say? I never would have noticed without your perceptive and charming post. Thank you for bringing that fact to my attention, I don't know what I would have done without you.

File: 1388041982414.png-(301 KB, 640x368, file.png)

301 KB PNG

Rolled 67

>>29087055
Your welcome anon and thanks for your kind and heartfelt reply.

>>29087099
>your
Go fuck yourself with a rust pipe whilst trodding upon a series of Legos..

>>29087137
That's not nice, that's not nice at all.

File: 1388042481717.png-(788 KB, 600x862, file.png)

788 KB PNG

>>29087137
Whats wrong anon, did i do something i wasn't supposed two do?

>>29087203
I honestly can't believe anyone has ever mistaken two for any other similar sounding word past the grade of 6, and that's being generous. You're just trying too hard now.

>>29087258
Man don't loose your temper so much, it's just the internet.

> I just got back from lunch and what is this?
> Reading and typing.

>>29086835
>>29086849
>>29086876
>>29086882

'I'll deal,' you mutter. 'It's fine.'

'Are you sur-'

'It's fine,' you say, trying to be assertive without being too aggressive. You're not sure if it worked. In fact, given those few hard blows on your back that is making blood bubble up your throat, you're not sure you can deal at all; but nonetheless you grit your teeth and limp and hobble along, until finally you both reach the village to find it in a state of excitement.

Orvo and one of the men run out to greet you and Stella. 'Brother! Sister!'

'Orvo,' you nod, and swallow a bit of blood. Fuck. Your legs are feeling heavy and a little numb. 'What's happened...?'

'Heh, you wouldn't believe what Pago did,' he puts his arm around the shoulder of the other man, who smiles a little embarrassedly. 'He snuck into one of the hamlets downhill and rustled their livestock. We've killed five of the kids and are making a good stew for everyone! There's still four goats, we could probably dry them or make sausages...'

You feel a little faint. Stella turns to you as you try to think. Well, that's nice initiative from Pago, but you did say you wanted to make nice with the neighbouring hamlets... this could really get in the way of that.

> Praise and reward Pago. (How?)
> Punish Pago. (How?)
> Other.

> Roll d100. You have -20 penalty.

Rolled 65 - 20

>>29087510
> Other.
"I'm going to collapse now"

>>29087510
>> Praise and reward Pago. (How?)
Let him have the best meat
>> Punish Pago. (How?)
Then punch him in the gut and tell him that we shouldn't make enemas of people who could help us.
>> Other.
Then pass out.

Rolled 56 - 20

>>29087560
>>29087510
Forgot dice.

Rolled 37 - 20

>>29087510

Rolled 92 + 20

>>29087510

Rolled 97 - 20

>>29087510
I winder where our luck went.

>>29087628
>>29087626
>>29087614

> And how would you like to deal with Pago's, um, initiative?

File: 1388044305661.gif-(884 KB, 200x200, ...yeah.gif)

884 KB GIF

>>29087626
>>29087628
that'll do bandit

>>29087638
>>29087626
>>29087560
this

>>29087560

I like this.

You really shouldn't take potential allies and stuff them up your ass, I agree.

>>29087638
Basically what i suggested here.
>>29087560
Tell him he gets the best meat and then punch him hard for not thinking of the consequences he could have brought upon us.

> 97 - 20: Success!

Fighting your way through the faintness, you take some deep breaths and then walk on into the centre of the hamlet, where everyone greets you and Stella with a little concern for your injuries. You didn't know they were that obvious. But well.

Pago and Orvo follow you as well, and you turn around and beckon for Pago to come over. The smell of roast goat is very nice indeed, wafting through the air as the fat drips onto the coals. The better cuts surround a large metal pot inside which more mutton is bubbling, making a rich broth. You nod.

'Pago.'

'Yes, brother.' His eyes seem to shine with the prospect for praise.

'You did well. Those sheep will be slaughtered, and then made into sausages. We should store them for winter. You did well. And in return, you'll have the best cuts of the meat. Remember, people,' you gesture to them, 'the shoulder is his.'

'Th-thank you, brother!'

'Don't thank me,' you say, putting a hand on his shoulder. Then, with your other hand, you backhand him across the face, and a collective gasp runs through the crowd as the stunned man simply drops on his knees. 'The meat is just a reward for you skill. And that slap was a punishment for your stupidity.'

'But, brother-'

'We are bandits. No one will protect us but ourselves. And to do that, we need friends. You've taken our nearest possible friends, and then made enemies of them. Have you thought about that? Have any of you thought about that?!'

Orvo hangs his head, and the others seem stunned. You continue. 'I got badly beaten just now because I wasn't thinking. Now you guys aren't thinking as well. We'll need to get smarter, or one day they will come and tear us to pieces.'

Oh fuck. Now that you've finished your speech, you're really feeling faint. There's one more decision to make before you fucking pass out... you spit a mouthful of blood on the ground and Stella gasps.

> Return those goats.
> Kill them. Hide the traces.
> Other.

>>29087774

> Kill them. Hide the traces.

Make sausages, bury the bones. We'll just say we never saw them.

>>29087774
>return sheep
play it off as we found them wandering in the woods and are returning them as a show of good faith and future friendship

>>29087774
Kill about half the goats, return the other half that we found "wandering".

>>29087840
CHANGING MY VOTE TO THIS. God damn

>>29087808
>>29087836
>>29087840
perfect, we get to be nice and not starve

>>29087840
this works.

>>29087808
>>29087836
>>29087840
>>29087861
>>29087864

'Brother!' You hear them yell. Stella calls out your name instead as you sit heavily in front of your hut. Goddamnit...

'Marrte. Get Marrte here,' you sigh. 'Also, those goats. How many?'

'Four, brother,' Pago says, still pressing one hand to his slapped cheek. Let's hope he's learned his lesson now. You nod.

'Fine. Kill two. Orvo, take the other two, send them back to the hamlet.' You gesture a little. 'Spin a nice story about how we found them and hope they haven't lost more. Pago, they didn't see you, did they?'

'N-no, brother.'

'Then that should work...' you sigh, the world begins spinning, and then you hear something as you fall back with a thud.

> cont'd.

>>29088001

... You sit up awake, but your head bumps into something and you fall back again, hearing someone yelp in surprise. Wait, are you back in your old hide again? But you-

Then you hear Stella's voice. Oh right. Not in your hide now. 'You have a really hard head, Ephidel.'

'That's why I haven't a clue, as you keep saying.' The room is lit up; someone's found a bowl to put some lamb fat in, it seems, and in lamplight you can see - well, you can feel - that your tunic's been taken off. You look down to see several really ugly bruises all over your chest and abdomen, many covered with bandages and some sort of herb. 'What's this?'

'Do you trust Marrte? He picked the herbs.' Stella moves the lamp closer. 'Orvo just led the two goats down and came back. Said the people were angry at the theft, but grateful for what they managed to recover.'

'Well, I'm glad we helped them recover their lost goods,' you smirk. Stella does too. 'Have I been here long?'

'It's night-time now. They've eaten their dinner. Watches posted. Left some stew for you,' she gestures to a bowl, then dabs with a cloth at your chest. 'You'll deal, Ephidel. Like hell you will. Just say if you're badly wounded next time, man.'

You look at Stella, eyes and face and neck reflecting lamplight, showing off the sprinklings of freckles. Come on, bend over to dab your chest over here... ah, yes. That's a nice view. Mm. You wonder if she's caught on?

> What say?

>>29088177
"We got to get that silver and badge back."

>>29088177

"If I said you were pretty, Stella, would it be a statement you've heard many times before?"

>>29088213
Ugh. Please don't.

>>29088213
If that ever develops, she falls for us boy-o, not the other way around.

>>29088213

Second this. Make it jokingly, though.

>>29088177
say this
>>29088193
Then say I'm only joking and stating the obvious, so have we sent anyone to see if they move the treasure yet?

>>29088177
Got to keep on going if we're going to live, can't be stopping before I need to.

>>29088213
No.

>>29088193
>>29088248

Fuck's sake. Let it go. We'll get more where that came from.

>>29088213
Fuck off.

>>29088213
Just stop, stop right now.

>>29088193
Voting for this because the other one is romance shit.

>>29088213
We make her fall for us anon, not the other way around.
>>29088253
Voting for this since it doesn't include being a retard.

>>29088274
I propose the development of the fatguy limit, a complex formula involving the identity of the OP, nature of a quest, quality of a quest, gender of the protagonist and timezone to determine how many posts before a thread develops into needless sex posts and waifu-bullshit.

You look at her a little more, thinking to make some joke, but then decide not to in the end. Stella finally sits up.

'So, Marrte says, you'll have to lie here for two days.'

'Really? I'm inclined to tell him to fuck off. We need to get that money back, and that seal.'

'What's it with you and that seal and silver? You've got like a bag of gems and silver with you right now. Which I hope you've hidden properly, by the way.' She leans over again to wipe your left shoulder. 'Treat it as spent, man.'

'Treat it as spent? There were like 30 silvers in there.'

'Well, maybe you ought to have considered that *before* you got into the position where it might be stolen. But I'm not about to get into an argument with you now, because you're injured, and I'm nice.'

'Well, did you send someone to watch the movements of the gold?'

'Yes, I have. Man. I've also gotten the rest of them to get to work on that palisade. Do you reckon we should make a cellar? Just dig a sort of cave to put things in?'

> Let's do that.
> Let's do something else. (What?)
> Other.

> You're nodding off. Say anything to Stella before you sleep? Two fucking days! Shit.

>>29088353
> Let's do that.

>>29088353
>> Let's do that.
> You're nodding off. Say anything to Stella before you sleep? Two fucking days! Shit.
Good night

>>29088353

> Let's do that.

Also, thank Stella sincerely for saving our life, because she did. Can we at least do that, you anti-waifu fuckers?

>>29088353
seconding >>29088370

And maybe add something like "You look nice when your kind" right before we black out

>>29088353
"I know I can be thick headed and a bit of an ass, but thanks for having my back Stella. I mean it, and I'll get you that new spear as soon a I can walk"

>>29088353
>> Let's do that.
Also thank her and say that's the second time i ever came close to dying.

>>29088370
>>29088367
"Stella...Thanks for back there. You saved my fucking ass and because of your pep talk, we might still get something out of this...Be careful."

Then, dig the cellar. A proper fucking cellar.

>>29088353
>> Let's do that.
>> You're nodding off. Say anything to Stella before you sleep? Two fucking days! Shit.
"Death must love me. But she can't have me, not yet."

>>29088353
Lady death must have made a deal with lady luck since this would be the second time i came that close to death.

>>29088409
>>29088396
>>29088392
>>29088391
>>29088386
>>29088370

'That sounds like a good idea. A cellar for storing stuff. We'll need that for the winter. Make it a proper one, by the way. Big one.'

'Course it's a good idea. It's my idea.' She rolls her eyes. 'And yes, a big one, with a little room to store all the gold and jewels when we lay our hands on that shit. Right. Off you go to bed, then.'

'I can't argue with that...' you sigh, then reach out to tap her shoulder as she turns. 'No, actually, wait.'

'Hmm? What?'

'I'd just like to say, today was me being an ass. I didn't think things through. That was daft. But you saved my ass, so thanks very much for that.' Then you pause, swallowing a little more pride. 'Also, thanks for that pep talk. Gotta see things clearly before jumping in to stab things. I got that now.'

Stella's expression noticeably softens as she listens to your thanks, pressing her lips together perhaps to keep from smiling. You're a repressed one, lady, you are... 'took you long enough to thank me. Thought you were just going to credit it to luck.'

'I am a lucky bastard. It's the third time I've nearly died.' That includes that winter when you got buried in snow. 'You're lucky to follow me, my luck will rub off.'

'Sure it will. See? You look a lot more pleasant when you're not being a damned fool.' Stella finally smiles.

'And you look a damn sight prettier when you're nice...'

Oh man, the colours... zzzz....

> cont'd.

>>29088494

When you wake up, it's still evening. Oh. You couldn't possibly have slept that long, then... well, that's you, Ephidel, always a man of action! But then, just as you sit up, Stella crawls into the hide again with her lamp and looks at you.

'Oh. Oh you're awake.' You look her over, and realise that this time she's back to wearing that tighter shirt you first saw her in. Wait a minute. So... she crawls up and sits next to your head, and you look up at her face lit up by the lamp. She looks serious.

'Yeah. Uh... was I asleep long?' You can hear the sounds of people scratching and digging outside. Oh wait, so they've started work already...

'No shit. You slept an entire day. It's now the next evening.' What? Damn. But Stella, still wearing her serious face, rubs her nose. 'So. I've got good news, and bad news. Which do you want first?'

> Good news.
> Bad news.
> Other.

>>29088553
Neither

>>29088553
Neither, but start with the bad news.

>>29088553
>Surprise me
"How boned are we?"

>>29088553

> Bad news.

Always nice to wake up to shit.

>>29088563
>>29088617
>>29088628
>>29088630

'You're giving me a good news bad news choice now? Really? Is there an option to just go back to sleep?'

'If you're not interested in either the silver and gold you lost, or the survival of your band, sure. But if so, do tell us in advance, so we can kill you and run away.' She folds her arms. That's a pretty stern warning. But wait, the gold and silver? Also, come think of it... if there was indeed such a movement, then Gaulois was trustworthy after all. The silver is there. It won't be where he said it is, but it *is* there...

You sigh. 'So how boned are we? Are we already surrounded by Barony troops?'

'No, though we've spotted a patrol the other day. Three men on foot. Didn't give the order.' Stella shrugs. 'So you want the bad news first.'

'Yeah, get on with it.'

'You know we get our water supply from the creek that flows nearby. Just over at the mossy field.'

'Yeah?'

'Well. While the women were gathering water there, they ran into a group of people - also refugees in the hills - who said the stream was theirs. We disagreed, so a fight broke out. Few of the girls got bruised, nothing serious. That was this morning. Then in the afternoon I went to have a look - there's about five or six people patrolling that creek now. They camped there, and threw rocks at us when our girls tried to get water.' Stella gestures outside. 'One girl got a cracked head. And I got this.'

You look at the ugly bruise on Stella's fair upper arm, contrasting starkly with her skin - clearly a lot fairer than her exposed lower arm. Well, can't bloody well have that, can we...

> Settle this first.
> Tell me the good news.
> Other.

>>29088726
>> Settle this first.
Good news can wait. It's good!

>>29088726
>> Settle this first.
We can survive a month or two with out food, but at most a week for water.

>>29088726
Now, we frame them for the assault on the hamlet.

>>29088726
Rub baby oil all over her tits and tell her she's a pretty girl.

What the hell are women doing leading bandits anyway?

>>29088788
Lets muse this out loud, before we head out.
It seems pretty in character.

>>29088770
3 days without water. Sort this shit out NOW.

>>29088726
"They give us stones, I'll give them sticks, where is my bow?"

>>29088741
>>29088770
>>29088785
>>29088801

> ... assault on the hamlet?

'So, anyway. That's the bad news. The good news is-'

'No, no, never mind the good news. Without a water supply we're fucked.' You sit up, wincing. Fuck, why does it still hurt this much? But at least you can breathe without trouble now. 'Did I do anything while I slept?'

'Brought up about a bowl of clotted blood,' Stella shrugs. 'Which is a good thing. Marrte says it needs to clear before you can breathe and work properly.'

'Maybe he's right. Anyway. So what else did you find out?'

'For one, I didn't recognise any of those faces guarding that creek. So those guys are new. I don't even know if they're from the valley to the east or the west, but there they are.' Are there that many hills where you are? Well, it is kind of a hilly land. 'And there's about five or six of them.'

'Fuck. Where's my bow?'

'If you're going to go out and start taking potshots at them,' Stella darts to your bow and stands between you and your weapon, 'sit down. Think it over. We'll need a battle plan if we're going to beat them. If there's five or six of them just at the creek, there might be abother ten or twelve behind. We don't even know where they're coming from yet.'

... damn. She's got a point. You were just about to lash out with something about having nice tits not qualifying her for leading a bandit group, but then... keep it to yourself, Ephidel.

> So. Let's make a plan.
> Reasonable questions about the resources we have will be entertained, gladly.

>>29088844
>Thinking I was saying attack
Jesus man. We aren't trying to murder hobo, we're just saying that shit has to be sorted. Fucking hell.

>>29088844
"Can we throw bigger rocks?"

>>29088860
>We aren't trying to murder hobo, Speak for yourself.

>>29088844

Here's a plan.

Stella leads a few men to cross the creek upstream and wait in ambush. We'll lead the rest, and the women armed with hidden stones, and approach the creek.

When the men start throwing stones, we throw back. I shoot an arrow, kill the leader. Then Stella leads the rest of the people from behind and we encircle those bastards.

Now the question is, can we cross the creek easily? Is it like a deep creek?

>>29088904

> It's easily fordable on foot. At its deepest, it's about up to your thighs, at the spot where your people get water.

>>29088844
It's simple, we get reeds and hide under the water at mid stream, and when they come in to get water we drag 'em under and kill 'em. Make them think the river is cursed.

>>29088904
>>29088869
>>29088866
>>29088860

You scratch your head and pace around, then suddenly an idea comes to you. That isn't the only spot where the creek is; those guys can't patrol the *entire* thing. And since Stella's good at sneaking... 'Stella, so that creek. It's pretty shallow, isn't it?'

'Somewhat.'

'How about this. If you cross the river and wait in ambush for them in the woods, with some of our men, I could then lead the womenfolk to incite them. Then I'll attack them from our side of the creek, and once they're engaged, you can move in behind them and we'll have them nicely encircled.' You nod. Stella looks skeptical at first, but then begins to nod, thinking it over. 'Then, assuming we don't kill the lot of them, we could use them as hostages.'

'That's a pretty good idea, actually!'

'Course it bloody well is. It's my idea.' You grin, and Stella giggles, shaking her head a little.

'Yes, yes. So. When should we do that? Don't you want to rest up first? We've got enough water to last another day or so.'

Actually, that's another thing you need to consider - water supply. Hmm.

> Yes, let's rest up.
> No, we do it tomorrow morning.
> No, let's do it in the dead of night. (Visibility for your bow might be an issue.)
> Other.

>>29089035
Let's do it tomorrow

>>29089035
>> No, we do it tomorrow morning.

>>29089035

We can't negotiate with them? We run the risk of those guys escaping and alerting the entire province of our bandit camp.

>>29089098

We could do that. Let's try to see where their camp is, and we then go and talk to them.

>>29088296
>>29088242

How do we make her fall for us? What's your plan? Being a dick and murderhobo don't work I don't think

>>29089127
>How do we make her fall for us?
We don't. Fucking waifufags.

>>29089127
If you had any clue at all, you'd be able to tell she already has. Now get your hand out of your pants.

>>29089127
>>>/a/
Waifu shit goes there.

>>29089127
She is already 3/4s the way there, there is no need to be OOC.

>>29089136
>>29089165

Fuck off.

>>29089151
>>29089168

Then why not reciprocate?

>>29089127
>>29089151
>>29089168
>>29089177
Don't you shitposters belong in PGQ with the rest of your waifu trash?

>>29089177
It's dull tho. Let's just let things progress naturally.

> Okay, before people get any more imbecilic (and the bar's going pretty low now on both sides):

> Attack tomorrow

Or

> Negotiate?

>>29089177
It's called being a man, we have shit to do, no time for feelings.

>>29089177
We are not trying to force shit here, just let the relationship progress naturally.

>>29089216
> Attack tomorrow

>>29089216
Negotiate, if that fails the attack is tomorrow.

>>29089216
>> Attack tomorrow

>>29089216
>Attacking an unknown enemy
I thought we said we were going to think, we need to scout their place out first, as in follow their patrols back to their base and see what we're dealing with.

>>29089216
seconding >>29089279

have Stella scout them out during the night, while we rest, then we attack tomorrow

>>29089216
Attack

>>29089216
Beat those fucking niggas up.

>>29089216

Negotiate

>>29089279
Valid point, let's scout first

>>29089279
>>29089262
>>29089242
>>29089251

'Actually, do you think negotiation might work instead?'

'It could. Then again, they were pretty eager to start throwing rocks before even talking. So maybe they're quite zealous about defending. Are you considering getting up before you're well, then?'

'I *am* well. Stop fussing over me, you're not my mother.' You walk around her and get your bow. 'But the thing is, we hardly know anything about them or their camp. So I'd much rather we scout them out.'

'By which you mean, I scout them out?'

'Hey. I leave the work to the best.' You grin. 'Have you had your shift of the watch?'

'No, next shift.'

'I'll take over that. Sleep now, then go and find their camp. We have a general direction, they can't be too far from the creek...'

Stella nods. 'Well, well. You're quite the strategist. Night, then.'

'Mmm.' You lie back down, and Stella blows out the lamp before lying down nearby. She starts snoring almost immediately. When Orvo comes in to wake her up, you get up as well, and Stella nods quietly before putting on her face cloth.

> Roll d100.
> Do anything in particular for the night watch? You're a bit hungry, actually. After sleeping a whole fucking day.

>>29089344

Eat, shit

Rolled 62

>>29089344
Eat

Rolled 26

>>29089344
ere we go!

> Do anything in particular for the night watch? You're a bit hungry, actually. After sleeping a whole fucking day.
get some food to eat

Rolled 40

>>29089344
Eat

Rolled 24

>>29089344

Rolled 71

>>29089344
give me an 80

Rolled 36

>>29089344

Eat

>>29089352
>>29089350
>>29089358
>>29089367
>>29089373
>>29089380
>>29089385

> 71 vs. 36: Top girl, Stella.

You come out, and Orvo nods, clearly a little sleepy. 'Have you got any food?' You say.

'Oh, on the embers, brother. Hunk of lamb.'

'Cheers. Off to bed then.' You easily identify the hunk by its shape. Oh bloody hell, it's hot, and dripping with hot juices, but you manage to toss it around for a bit until it's cool enough to hold before heading up to your station.

Sitting there, you tear into the meat ravenously. Oh, this is good. Maybe you should have hit Pago a little more gently for stealing it. Being goat, it's got that usual goat taste and odour, but you're really not complaining. Meat's meat, and this is good. Having a band of people together is a good thing for food.

Now, if only you had some ale... come think of it, drinking water like that from the creek could easily kill all of you if that water was somehow dirty. If that boy manages to get back from his pear orchard trips, then maybe you'll have stuff to make cider with. That'd be a joy.

Stella's good news must be about them seeing where the gold's been moved to, you realise. Or she wouldn't mention it. Once you grab that, then... but then your thoughts are interrupted when you hear someone below whistling. That's the alarm signal, for having spotted a person.

'Wheeeeew! Wheeeeeew!'

Taking the half-eaten goat hunk with you, you whistle back and run towards the place, where a young man stands near a tree, visibly excited. 'What'd you see?'

'There was a man standing over there, trying to creep near us. I whistled, and he ran. Off in the direction of the creek.'

Damn. So maybe they had the same idea too? Maybe they're not simple peasants after all...

> Give chase.
> Look for tracks. (This will be tough, at night.)
> Ignore. We have our own plan.
> Other.