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Post by Zephias on Jun 2, 2018 2:37:31 GMT
A group of two men and a woman run in, two black dogs at their sides. They seem to not react at the sight of Lana who was doing a fairly convincing job, but the sloppy attempts to hide from everyone else except O. tipped them off.
"Y'all stay very still! Ah found them, boss, an' they look like squires, send up some help ta apprehend 'em" one of the men said. Not a half second later the woods began to rustle just a bit and some birds started flying away.
Seems like something was coming. Something big.
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jun 2, 2018 3:46:27 GMT
That is not a good sign. Maela doesn't claim to be an expert on spiders, but she's pretty sure a spider would have to be even bigger than she's been expecting for it to cause that sort of commotion. Either that or there are a lot of spiders, bandits, or both.
She shakes her head from her inadequate hiding place and sighs. She was never very good at stealth... especially not wearing white in a dim forest. She'd raise her hands, except they're kind of full of Arwain and putting her down would probably be more movement than the bandits would be happy with. "I'm afraid you're right. We are squires. And we would like to speak to your leader, if she'd be so kind as to see us."
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Post by Zephias on Jun 2, 2018 4:08:24 GMT
Maela's answer was answered by a spider the size of an oxen cart careening along the treeline and lowering back into the path. The other bandits seemed surprised but walked back to give the spider some space. Atop the spider's middle abdomen rode a tall, pale woman with red hair that she seemed to have coloured black in certain parts. A large crossbow hung from her back and a small black pokemon was hanging to her right. She wasn't a child but she was quite notably young and attractive, though the lines of pretty gruesome scars could be seen across her body. "Well, aren't we brave? I was sort of hoping the King would send Knights already so we wouldn't need to deal with this whole back-and-forth. I'm the one you're looking for, little lady. What brings you to my woods?" |
Spider Rider __________________________________ |
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jun 2, 2018 6:15:08 GMT
Maela has to force herself not to take an instinctive step back when the spider makes its entrance, just at the sheer size of the beast. When Eoghan said "giant spider" she hadn't fully processed just how big he meant the Pokémon was. It puts the Drapion she's seen to shame. It takes her a moment to shift her gaze to the surprisingly young woman mounted on it. She barely seems that much older than Maela herself... though Maela reminds herself that if a woman that age is in charge of this band, she probably holds the position by sheer ruthlessness. Even with the massive tamed spider on her side, the rest of the bandits have to at least believe that she'll use it. Not a woman to be underestimated. Her and three men, assume more - they were looking for help from somebody and it doesn't look like they expected her to show up in person. At least two of those black dogs, the little one with the leader, and the spider itself of course... Right now the squires and their Pokémon - and Gwyddel - still outnumber the bandits and theirs even if the spider counts for two or three, but if more backup arrives that advantage could dwindle quickly even if the squires are probably better equipped than the bandits. She bows slightly with her arms still full of Chinchou, smiling her small, diplomatic smile. "I believe you have a certain... guests in your camp, madam." "Madam" is Maela being cautious - "miss" carries with it a certain lack of estimation even if it's meant respectfully. The woman clearly has no small amount of pride, to think the Knights would be sent direct from the capital to deal with her, which also makes Maela think that letting her know this is a sidetrack from their quest would not be helpful. "Some girls whose father would very much like to see them again. He asked us to ensure their safety. We were hoping we could come to some agreement on the matter, if your men would permit some of us to come forward so that we could talk more comfortably."She debates the merits of asking to be allowed to put down Arwain. On the one hand, there's the flail at her belt, which is visibly useless when her arms are full of fish... on the other, Arwain makes for a potent weapon herself, especially with Maela's legs to bypass the limitations of her fins. Perhaps she'll just see what the bandit leader will allow in that regard. If nothing else, Maela doesn't actually need her flail to be dangerous, but having her hands free sure helps. Distantly, she hopes that someone might try to sneak away while she has the leader's attention and circle around in search of the hostages. She hasn't yet had the chance to look around and see if any of her companions, or Gwyddel, managed to fade into the woodwork before the bandits had them all covered. Charm (to improve the bandit leader's attitude and keep her attention on Maela): 20
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Post by Zephias on Jun 2, 2018 6:27:07 GMT
"Ah, the baker's family? No can do, I'm afraid, not without a payment. The man himself is incredibly talented at his job and I just hate that it's come to this but it's the business, you see. I can't just let anyone go because you ask politely. That's not going to feed my men, so it's a no" |
Spider Rider __________________________________ |
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jun 2, 2018 15:51:48 GMT
"You seem like a reasonable woman. What sort of payment is it that you're asking? Surely setting the price higher than the market will bear can't be very good for business, either."
Maela isn't going to point out that Eoghan has clearly decided asking the squires for help is more affordable than whatever the bandit is demanding.
"Oh, but where are my manners? My name is Maela Tanarth. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
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Sept 2, 2024 12:17:28 GMT
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 2, 2018 17:02:25 GMT
Morgan's fingers lingered upon the string of his un-nocked bow, ready to pluck a single stroke and give the signal to strike but... Well, this situation wasn't really playing out how he thought it was going to! He eyes drew a slightly dumb-founded look at Maela as she seemed to be trying to reason with these terrible bandits and their horrid, spider striding leader. For now, he puts himself behind the rest of his group and looks about carefully. There was no gurantee that was all of their number. He needed to be careful so as to not get caught flat footed... Rolling Perception to spot any other potential complications. - Perception of 16
Rolling Intuition to get a read on whether these guys are gearing up to fight us. - Intuition of 8
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Post by Zephias on Jun 3, 2018 3:12:02 GMT
Morgan's attempt to look around gets cut short by a crossbow bolt flying past his face and burying itself on the ground behind him! The woman didn't seem to appreciate "Ah-ah! Has no one taught you that not looking at the person you've engaged in conversation is bad manners? And I was being so welcoming, too. Such a rude boy" the woman almost mockingly chastised. She turned her attention back to Maela, but the spider's eyes remained fixed on Morgan.
"Where were we... ah, yes. The baker knew the amount, so the fact that you don't means that you have no intention of paying, then. That puts me in a little bit of a hassle, you see. I'm fairly certain you have other things to deal with, and so do we, so you leave me no choice but to take the family as a proof of might. I'm sure I could recoup some money from them somewhere, if it came to that"
She ran her nails through the scar that ran across her torso, her eyes getting lost for just a second.
"I doubt that outcome is gonna satisfy you, however, and I'm sure you've got another bargain to try. Have I misjudged you, Maela?" |
Spider Rider __________________________________ |
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 4, 2018 0:44:39 GMT
As the crossbow bolt strikes the ground just beside him, Morgan's face becomes a very ugly one. "Do I look like I would talk to you, cretin? Thou must be as brainless as a Bidoof!" He snarls, drawing his bow and plucking it quickly.
"Raise your arms! This parlay is over."
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jun 4, 2018 3:07:15 GMT
Maela's expression doesn't change very much as the woman goes on talking - but someone looking closely at her face might notice the corners of her mouth tighten, and the smile very clearly goes out of her eyes as she eventually decides it's not worth doing a good job of faking it.
"If you were unsatisfied with the wealth of the market, I would submit that you picked your location poorly. Of course, a wealthier hamlet would be larger and have more people willing to fight back, but if you opt for smaller risks I'm afraid there's no escaping smaller rewards. I would ask -"
Aaaand there goes Morgan. But in all honesty Maela was coming to the end of her willingness to pretend they were having a civil conversation. She raises her voice a little, to carry over whatever sound results from Morgan's challenge. "I would ask that you consent to come quietly rather than go through the trouble of picking a losing battle. If you insist on putting up a fight, I'm afraid I can't guarantee you will all come out intact."
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Post by snark on Jun 4, 2018 23:55:29 GMT
"Some of us would welcome that fight," Elys says softly, an unsettling glint in her eye. She has enough tact to hold her tongue while others attempt to diplomacy - her family tutors managed to drum that much into her - but with Morgan speaking up there's no reason to hold back. Honestly, she can't imagine there was ever any chance of finding a middle ground. What compromise could there be with unrepentant bandits? "You disgust me, child-kidnappers. I will not strike to kill, but I will shed no tears if you pass."Intimidation L9DgwLrk4d6 4d6
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Post by Zephias on Jun 5, 2018 6:59:45 GMT
The spider jumped backwards to regroup with the rest of the bandits, the Sneasel dropping to the ground and hissing. "I was going to offer you a simple duel, but if that's how you want it to be then so be it!" the woman said, her eyes narrowing into a glare.
"And don't you ever dare judging me, you naive children. The crown you idolize so much has many skeletons that they don't want you to see. Do not preach at me for doing what I had to do to survive after they tossed me like garbage"
She pulled out her crossbow and readied a bolt. |
Spider Rider __________________________________ |
[Combat start!]
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Post by Seya on Jun 5, 2018 17:59:06 GMT
Lana shakes some of the hair out of her eyes; Maela had been much more civil than she herself could be in this kind of situation, and every aspect of that spider-rider just screamed bad news to Lana. She eyed where Kel was crouched in the bush nearby, giving a quick click of her tongue to suggest they were going to be fighting-- and soon.
The leader's last words before loading the crossbow again caught her off guard, though.
She knew that the kingdom probably wasn't innocent in all of its affairs... and even back home, the kindest and most well-meaning individuals had their vices and problems. Part of her wanted to ask what was meant by it, what exactly the leader was referring to... but the clunk of the bolt being readied instead made Lana swing her shield around and glare at the group of bandits from over the rim of it.
(Inits still 5 and 15 for Lana & Kel, respectively. Is this the same Scene?)
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Post by Zephias on Jun 8, 2018 3:44:55 GMT
The weasel seemed to be content waiting for the squires to approach (Delayed turn until Initiative 13)
The spider-rider didn't waste any time engaging the group, firing a crossbow bolt straight at Elys aiming for the upper shoulder!
Acc vs 3 (Bullseye Crit on 16+) eEcaP_NZ1d20
Normal Phys Damage 2d6+21
It seemed that haste had prevented proper aiming, though, and the one-armed shot proved to have too much recoil. The bolt sailed harmlessly above the shoulder and instead sank into the bark of a tree behind her.
After the shot the spider jumped towards the tree in the middle of the clearing, clinging to its side. 1d20·2d6+21
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Post by amillaiara on Jun 8, 2018 14:16:38 GMT
O. took stock of the situation after the very quick back and forth between the other squires and the bandit riding the spider. He was pretty sure that it was this woman's own attitude that had her kicked out, but she wouldn't appreciate hearing that. And after seeing the large crossbow bolt go sailing by his head, he really did not feel bad for her anymore, that thing could do some real damage. O. taps his spear on the ground three times in a line moving forward, a signal for Bryn to rush forward, and wait a while before showing himself. Bryn moves forward 7m underground and does nothing till his next turn
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 9, 2018 13:51:24 GMT
Fleur, perhaps not yet noticed in the battle, creeps forward and focuses her energies with a Growth spell.
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jun 10, 2018 23:38:26 GMT
Maela would like to retort, but first, Arwain bounces forward out of Maela's arms, her lures rising up as electricity arcs between them before streaking towards the spider. Arwain moves two squares northeast and uses Electro Ball on Ariados. AC 2 vs JZ3AIY2z1d20, Crit 19+ 2d8+38 Special Electric damage. Opponent subtracts both Speed and Special Defense from damage before applying resistance. 1d20·2d8+38
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Post by Zephias on Jun 11, 2018 0:54:02 GMT
The electro ball sailed past the spider and dissipated into the sky.
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Post by Seya on Jun 11, 2018 17:55:23 GMT
Kel's too far off from the fight to really make a move at this point. On Lana's cue, she dashes forward out of the brush, clearing it enough that she's able to get a better look at the fight. She stalls at seeing that massive spider, unsure of how to proceed, and sits and waits for more of the team to catch up.
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jun 11, 2018 18:20:06 GMT
As Maela walks forward, she says, "I would have preferred the duel, really. I don't really like doing more harm than necessary."With her arms free of fish, she could pull her flail out, but for the moment she leaves it be. Instead she raises her head to meet the bandit leader's gaze - and then her eyes narrow. "Talk to me about the moral high ground when you aren't holding a man's children hostage, bandit."As she speaks, she folds her hands, drawing on her training to focus herself. If you can keep your head when your opponent loses theirs... Maela's Shift: 2 squares north, 2 northeast. Maela's Standard: Maela uses Focus Energy! Maela is getting Pumped! (+2 Crit Range) Maela's Swift: Quick Wit! Maela may use a social move or a Manipulate maneuver. Maela uses Taunt on Aderyn! AC 3 vs B5lEAm911d20, Crit 16+ (Demoralize, Push Buttons, Focus Energy) Target becomes Enraged and gains a -3 penalty to Accuracy rolls for 1 full round (Powerful Motivator). On crit, target is Vulnerable for one round (Demoralize) and loses a tick of hit points (Push Buttons). Frequency is not expended on a miss (Push Buttons). 1d20
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