It's cool man, it's enough that you run when you can.

>>31060206
>>Discuss the centaurs
Biggest topic to bring up right now.

>>31060206
talk about the centaurs and the way through the mountains.

maybe the surveyors a little.

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You decide to go over what Veles told you about the Centaurs, the separation of power between the council of the Szlachta, the royal line, and the Kozak's who roam the outskirts. Marie instantly perks up at this, listening raptly while Tai cleans the dishes with McCain. You also explain of the 'rule of four' regarding small squads, and the Bandyta, who are effectively bandits. Here Tai chimes in.

"If these horse men are isolated from the outside world, why is their term for outlaws so similar to ours." He says looking up from the sink.

"Good question, one of many I hope to ask when I get over there." You say, causing McCain to look up.

"That means you've found a way through?"

"Possibly, but I'm waiting to deal with the surveyors and trying to get a proper group together. 'Rule of four' and Veles insists on accompanying me."

"You know I can't in good conscious let you go without coming with."

"I figured, but I can't leave the ranch unmanaged. And I don't want to reveal that we have a way through the mountains by openly hiring."

Marie chimes in, "Well, this is interesting enough that I wouldn't mind tagging along, but you're the boss of course."

"Well, I figured I can spare at least one person here and get another from another source. Only problem is I could only think of Captain Keel, and that is reliant on his discretion, or Serrak, which my gut tells me would be more dangerous than letting the government know."

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>>31060910
McCain frowns. "Keel seems like a decent sort, most of the Nitor are. Nitor forces in the fifth used to be largely made up of those too rough or awkward for work on the mainland back when I was with them, but their officer corps were solid and discrete enough to deal with the... protocol breaches, that you get out of that sort of rank and file. Don't know Keel myself though, fella was probably barely a cadet back when I left."

"And Serrak?"

"He might be a problem, if I've got the orc figured right, only reason he's dealing with us is he figures he can get a cut of our action easiest through helping than pushing us out. Giving up our hand to him might make him less helpful."

"Either way, when Serrak's surveying team gets here I got Veles to show them around, he figures he can keep them away from the pass and his own lair."

McCain nods, "Seems wise."

Its is here that Tai gives a yawn, the infectious sort that soon has Marie joining in, and much to your chagrin, yourself as well.

>Anything else?

>Head to bed?
>If so pick one
>Tree in the Ruins
>Drifting Ship
>Burned Village.

>>31060931
>Burned Village.
I feel bad that I've never payed much attention to these dream scenes so it feels like I'm just poking in the dark when I vote for one.

>>31061008
They've got a purpose, and their subjects are discrete and separate. I'd explain more, but you could always give a roll to try and work out some of their logic in the morning.

>>31060931
>anything else?
not that I can think of.
>dream location
Why not burned village for the sake of voting simplicity.


On an entirely different topic I don't feel right leaving the ranch entirely to tai. Poor guy.

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You leave it at that and decide to head to bed, bidding the others goodnight you make your to your room.

The smouldering wreckage that was the slums of first wood pan away, towards town surrounded by walls of stone and the quay where the barges were docked. From here it extends down the coastline before breaking away and heading due south. Miles of waves are traversed in an instant before focusing on a barge. Aboard which you can see the bandaged form of McCain mechanically stretch in a container on the barge seemingly inventorying his capabilities, slipping out only when the crew is on the night shift. After a few days of this the barge reaches the old dock you barely recognize as one of the many jetties of Riverport. This is different than you remember though, smaller, more predominantly populated by people with phoenix empire faces. He slips off the dock...

You see him later, unloading luggage for a transport when a pickpocket bumps a man stepping off the quay. The man makes to go after them but checks himself, looking down at the child he was carrying. McCain sprints off after the thief and tackles him, wrestling the wallet out of his hands before unceremoniously booting him into the water. Returning the wallet McCain stops in his tracks after looking into the face of the man. You see your father thank him as he slowly backs away. Your vision then cuts to McCain, dressed in freshly pressed clothes entering your father's study holding an employment advertisement.

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>>31061572
You wake to find yourself fully ensconced in the blanket and it takes a bit of effort before you finally untangle yourself. It is fairly early in the morning for once.
>Action?

>>31061587
Go surprise everyone that we actually woke up at a reasonable time.

>>31061587
go see how tai does his ranch work.

We're considering leaving the place alone with him for some time in the future. Might as well observe his chops.

also, make coffee for everyone, as is tradition.

>>31061630
I figured we'd be taking McCain Veles and Keel, leaving Tai and Maria behind. I don't want the ranch watched by only one person.

>>31061669
eh, marie would like to go. Though, keel is good too, if a bit likely to tell the government about our shit before we're ready for business.

>>31061690
We can figure it our later. Maybe we can have the Nitor hang around the ranch or do extra patrols out here and feed them some excuse as to why we're gone. I'd feel better about leaving the place to one pair of hands then.

>>31061669
If we take Marie, that will leave Tai to watch the ranch solo. Maybe we could persuade Keel and his subordinates to avail themselves of our hospitality of they keep their eyes on the place. We would want to be sure to pick up some manner of gift for Tai if he stays behind.

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You head down in an attempt to beat the hands, who've been rising far earlier than you, to the punch when it comes to at least making coffee. You are greeted by the sight of McCain already pouring a cup from the kettle.

"You're up early." he comments, pouring a second cup for you.

"First in a while I know." You say, taking it and heading to where you sat last night. "Still not sure what to do about this business with the rule of four."

McCain shrugs, "Not sure one way or the other. Can't take care of the ranch with just one person, especially with the cattle. Skeleton crew even when your father and yourself were away was two. 'specially if someone gets hurt."

"You seemed more keen on Keel last night."

"I don't like it, not sure if he'll end up identifying me, nor how he'll act, but its a damn sight better than that orc. Don't trust him."

"Marie seemed like she wanted to go."

"Yeah but that'd mean I'd have to stay behind. Doesn't sit right with me. Your decision of course but..." he trails off as your hands make their way in.

You look down at the small bundle of letters and go through them, the surveyors are due in about two days, and you still have the list of prospective buyers for the wild horses if you can train them.

>action?

>>31062157
well, looks like our ranch hands are probably staying behind. Keel and Mccain team sounds good.
though, it seems that the surveyors are getting here before we can do an expedition, which means we have time for other things right now.
Let's talk to tai about those horses, and what he would need to get them trained properly. Today might be the day we go out and track one down.

I already supported bringing Keel along and leaving the hands, now even more so.

>>31062157
Discuss how and when we'll start training the horses. That shit will make bank. If we can start today then all the better.

>>31062157
Sweet new lamia art, by the way.

>>31062251
>>31062231
Going through the letters to find the optimum deals will need a 1d20+1 roll, unless you just want to talk theory at the moment.

>>31062361
sure, let's see some offering prices.

Then check in with tai about it.

Rolled 1 + 1

>>31062361
Can't we do both?

Rolled 17 + 1

>>31062445
>>31062361
ffforgot my roll

Rolled 4 + 1

>>31062459
>>31062361
huh, wonder what that means.

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>1

You decide to go over the possible buyers, and figure you can ignore the ones with the pompous names and... they all have pompous names.

You sigh and begin manually going through the Sirs, Esquires, and other assorted finery, you were certain you saw a Lord in there as well. The contacts info that Serrak gave you only gives a minor blurb about each of them, but from what you can tell, none are particularly appealing. You feel the start of a headache coming on so you decide to put it off for now and talk to Tai as he pulls out another pan and a slab of bacon.

"You said something about knowing horse breaking, right?" You ask as he stokes the fire.

"Yes Miss Sasha, a bit, it was more being able to stay on though. Though my aunt said it was a case of my rare talent of being more obstinate than the horse."

"Well, its a few days until the surveyors get here, so we may as well see about getting a hold of one of our herd. Make a start on it."

"Of course, whenever you are ready."

Over breakfast you let McCain know your intention and he nods, giving Marie a look and both of them heading out for the day. Tai starts saddling up and you find yourself shifting into 'lamia speed posture' naturally now as you keep up with the horse.

>Head to where you last saw them directly
>They need water, follow the river and then head to where you last saw them, you might catch them there.

Either way I'm going to need a 2 1d20 rolls, lower is better.

Rolled 8, 19 = 27

>>31062936
>>They need water, follow the river and then head to where you last saw them, you might catch them there.
we might cut out some search time this way

Rolled 15

>>31062936
>>They need water, follow the river and then head to where you last saw them, you might catch them there.

inb4 I roll a twenty after my one.

I just hope we don't spook the horses any more than tai does.
we will though.

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Rolled 2, 3 = 5

>8

You follow up the river, chatting with Tai along the way. He shows some interest in the hot springs as you pass, mentioning it as a possible spot for a herb garden. He mentions if we have no luck here, stopping by it on the way back to see what is growing naturally, which you nod at, a bit out of your element on that whole matter.

Further up the river, right before it starts into the highlands, you catch sight of the trail, heading off towards where you originally saw the herd. While it is a bit of the long way around, the trail is clearly defined and you make good progress. You find the herd nearly where you left them by about midday.

It is here you see the phoenix empire kids features grow into an honest grin. "You weren't lying. Lets see if we can find something really good."

Give me a 1d20 roll, scouting out the prospects of the horses.

Rolled 7

>>31063477
Oh boy!

Rolled 9

>>31063477
Go, tai, investigate the horses!

Rolled 16

>>31063477
>Maverick Hunter
Geez, all those archive votes. I tried reading it in the archives once, couldn't really get into it. Guess I didn't give it a fair shot.

I'll skim and catch up to the story, see if I can't participate then. Thanks for the tip, Chemlab.

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Rolled 11, 7 = 18

>16

You see Tai having a bit of trouble in scouting them out, but thankfully it seems the horses are either blind to your presence or don't know how to react. You watch them nonchalantly grazing and moving towards you a bit. You keep motionless as you observe what appears to be the leader of the herd, an older looking stallion. You also spot a group of four young males, a bit isolated from the herd but nonetheless looking to be about 3-4 years old if you had to judge by size. On the other side you see yearlings and younger foals with their mothers keeping near the old male.

>Go for the herd leader
>Point out the 4 to Tai and observe them (1d20 roll)

Rolled 14

>>31063910
>Point out the 4 to Tai and observe them (1d20 roll)
I think this is the most rolling we've done in a thread.

Rolled 19

>>31063910
>>Point out the 4 to Tai and observe them (1d20 roll)
leave the leader. Want the herd to stay strong and all.

Rolled 14

>>31063910
> point out the 4 to Tai
Let's let the herd leader be for now.

>>31064006
Nice.

>>31063986
Other than combat?

There'd have been a whole bunch of searching for who or what Veles was had you guys not gotten Ewok'd

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You point out the four stragglers to Tai, who nods and gives them a once over. You go back to looking over the herd, you see what must be a nearly newborn foal playing around and it prances about much to your amusement, it runs up and nearly collides with another horse before scampering back to its mother. You don't notice though as you are too busy looking at the one it bumped into. A filly, and a good one at that, looking slightly younger than the squad of stallions. However judging from the lines and the palomino coat, this one is bound to be a winner. You quickly converse with Tai and point it out. He nods in affirmation and points you to the strawberry roan colt. He wagers it would be the best one out of the four, but its hard to compare with the filly. The horses seem aware of your presence, but not alarmed.

>go for the colt
>go for the filly

>>31064297
>>go for the colt
I don't know much about horses, so I vote for the safe option.

>>31064297
>go for the colt
I think a male would go for more. maybe.

Rolled 10

>>31064297
> Go for the filly
Perhaps we can get us something nice with this one. Going to be rather more difficult.

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Rolled 11, 8 = 19

You signal to the colt but make a mental note about the filly for later. Tai nods, and you both start making your way toward the group of four. Tai being on the back of Traveller, you are able to approach the herd without alarming them too much. You put yourself between the majority of the herd and Tai, masking your presence as best you can. You manage to wave into the edges of the herd proper, the mares scuttling off to the left as you get between them and the 4 on your right. Tai grabs his lasso and begins idly twirling it at his side.

>Give me a d20 roll for how well you manage to lay low.

Rolled 11

>>31064888
I am surprised we are not being trampled for being a snake yet.
let's go lasso a horse. if that's how you do it.

Rolled 19

>>31064888
I just like Tai more and more. Perfect image, I don't care if you think it's dumb.

Rolled 17

>>31064921
A lamia doesn't resemble a snake that much, when you think of it. Relative to us, yes, but likely not to animals unaccustomed to humanoids. Just my thoughts.

>>31064941
I like our ranch hands.
I wonder if marie has any special hobbies.
>>31065015
we ARE way bigger than horses though.

>>31065034
>we ARE way bigger than horses though.
Oh right, I forgot about that. Maybe they're used to Veles being around?

>>31065063
maybe.

we'll see!

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Rolled 2, 20 = 22

>19

You have the presence of mind to slip out of the natural lamia posture and back into your bad one as you get closer to the herd. Nothing like an ancestral predatory stance to make things nervous, with any luck they'll just think if your group as a pair of very unfortunate horses. Tai gets his lasso up and sends it out. It isn't the best through, but its on target and gets it around the colts neck. The Strawberry Roan rears wildly, nearly pulling Tai from his seat as he quickly lashes the end of the saddle horn. You grab the rope and heave against the weight of the animal. Fortunately the herd scatters, the quad, now trio of colts abandoning their comrade to your machinations.

>Try and wear the animal down
>Get Tai to get to it while you hold its attention.

Either way I'll need a d20 roll.

>>31065396
>>Try and wear the animal down
it's our job to wear it down as we're the biggest and best at grabbing, it's tai's job to do... whatever comes after that.

Rolled 7

>>31065396
>>31065460
forgot roll

Rolled 15

>>31065396
>Get Tai to get to it while you hold its attention.
He has a better idea of what he's doing then we do, I think.

Rolled 1

>>31065396
I like Tai always looking like a goofy cowboy. You can post any image you want, but it won't stop me from visualizing >>31064888 !


>Try and wear the animal down

Rolled 1

>>31065396
is there any reason we can't do it together?

Rolled 3

>>31065558
>>31065563
Oh wow.

>>31065573
I think we might be getting kicked

>>31065585
or, now that I think about it, we might be panicking the horses even

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>1

You take the rope and pull hard, pulling the horse down from its hind legs. You go to reposition yourself and get a better grip on the rop as the horse rears again, dragging you forward and down. Bodily you are dragged, unable to find arrest your forward momentum as you land face down in front of the rearing horse, as it comes down on you. You see hear Tai shout.

>roll to avoid getting hit, 1d20+3 Lamia speed.

Rolled 5 + 3

>>31066094
I've rolled two 1s in this thread so far, can I go for three?

Rolled 11 + 3

>>31066094
just make sure it doesn't hit our head.

We can take a hit, even a grievous one, pretty much anywhere else.

>>31066094
Oh hey guys what's....oh god. Slither like you've never slithered before.

Borked the dice. Oops, maybe this will be right

Rolled 19 + 3

>>31066479
put a space.

>>31066512
Ah. Thanks. Looks like I won't need to now though

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>22
>That 20 from a bit ago I didn't get to work in yet.

You manage to roll out from under it, however you wince as the right hoof of the colt comes down a hairsbreadth shy of your shoulder, catching on your cloths and scraping your back. You manage to disengage from the animal and look for the rope, only to see the running form of Tai sprinting towards the horse. He extends an arm catching the horse around the neck and uses his momentum to swing up onto the animal. Looping one hand around the knot of the lasso he hangs on, one hand raised in the air as the horse promptly goes berserk, trying to buck him off. You watch him get flung wildly on the back of the horse. Despite all appearances, he manages to hang on as the colt rocks back and forth. After an eternity you see it exhaust itself, and seeing that it isn't being devoured by the thing on its back, settles down somewhat. Tai looks to you, "If I hop off this guy he's bound to go ape again. It looks like you're going to have to lead Traveller and myself back... you ok."

"Just fine." You grumble, rubbing your scrape and taking traveller's reigns, leading her and your new acquisition back towards your ranch.

>Will pause here, have some meetings tomorrow, but if the thread is live will continue

>>31068089
don't tell anyone you were able to grab onto the horse and hold and I wasn't.
I'll never live it down.

Thanks for running, canid!

>>31068089
Excellent run Chemlab, I'm always happy when you start a thread.

>>31068089
thanks for running canid

>>31068089
>>31066094
I really need to keep remembering my name.

Now for the process of actually taming the thing at the ranch, and hoping we don't get knocked over again.