19:23 bookworm is now known as Victor
19:23 Arkan is now known as Greystone
19:23 Skid is now known as Gromit
19:23 Moontide is now known as Ookook
19:24 <Tikvah_GMing>: Oddmund and the other nine elites are at the tavern part of the inn. It is late afternoon.
19:26 <Gromit>: So, we're going to the orphanage and backstabbing the guys who seem wrong?
19:27 <Gromit>: Whoever that ends up being.
19:27 <Victor>: Once one seems wrong yeah
19:27 <Gromit>: Potentially ending up the enemy of everyone.
19:27 <Victor>: If you have a better idea by all means
19:28 <Gromit>: Nope.
19:28 <Victor>: Exactly
19:28 <Victor>: The actual 'right' move is to side with no one and cut out now
19:29 <Gromit>: And spend the next several years potentially ducking bounty hunters over breach of contract.
19:29 <Victor>: Right
19:29 <Greystone>: ... I could potentially help with the bounty hunters issue.
19:29 <Gromit>: What kind of equipment are the elite guards packing right now?
19:30 <Tikvah_GMing>: They all have decent-level armour, but the weapons vary between people.
19:31 <Tikvah_GMing>: 2 have crossbows, 1 has a pistol, 3 have spears, and 3 are carrying no visible weapons.
19:31 <Victor>: You're inside with them, did you plan to chat them up about something or are we just waiting for them to refresh and head over?
19:32 <Gromit>: I don't have a better plan than waiting, right now. Unless we want to send a warning ahead to make it a fair fight.
19:32 <Victor>: Yes I'm going to do that
19:32 <Greystone>: We want to ask Oddmund about his intel: where he got it, why is was faulty/incomplete, whether he knew the kid was a kid, etc.
19:33 <Victor>: Oh wait a minute
19:33 <Victor>: They all went inside?
19:34 <Victor>: Leaving Greystone and I out here?
19:34 <Victor>: Then do it now, yes!
19:34 <Victor>: "You should go let Robin know they're coming."
19:35 <Victor>: "So they aren't startled beyond hope of a peaceful resolution."
19:35 <Greystone>: Moi?
19:35 <Victor>: You know the details of why they're here
19:36 <Victor>: If they ask what happened when you reported back or something
19:37 <Greystone>: Righto. Uh, if Oodmund asks, I went to check on the situation.
19:38 <Greystone>: He'll still be ticked I imagine.
19:39 <Gromit>: Eh, we can make excuses.
19:39 <Gromit>: Let's go.
19:41 <Tikvah_GMing>: You want to go to Robin's?
19:42 <Greystone>: ...Yes. Greystone will go to Robin's.
19:42 <Gromit>: We want greybeard to do our footwork again.
19:42 <Tikvah_GMing>: Ok.
19:42 <Greystone>: I'm the only one with any physical stamina.
19:43 <Greystone>: While I head there, y'all interrogate Oddmund.
19:43 <Greystone>: That is to say, GM them first.
19:44 <Greystone>: I just realized I'm leaving you blokes in charge of a diplomacy task. Heaven help us. Still, it's just a few straightforward questions. What could possibly go wrong?
19:45 <Tikvah_GMing>: Who is going to talk to Oddmund?
19:47 <Gromit>: Oooh. Oooh. Pick me.
19:47 Victor goes inside and quietly tells Gromit that Greystone has gone ahead
19:47 <Tikvah_GMing>: Oddmund and his crew are sitting together at a table, laughing loudly. The other patrons are sitting well away from them, and a few take the opportunity as you enter to quietly slip out the door.
19:49 <Gromit>: Is there space for me to sorta slip in at the table?
19:50 <Tikvah_GMing>: There is, between two of the elites who are not carrying weapons.
19:51 <Gromit>: All right, I slide in there.
19:53 <Ookook>: I attempt to look inconspicuous and exist close enough to Gromit to overhear the conversation.
19:53 <Gromit>: "So how'd this Justin character catch the Count's attention in the first place?"
19:54 <Gromit>: "I mean, besides the monster summoning thing."
19:55 <Tikvah_GMing>: One of them is a short, spry man with dark hair and bushy eyebrow. He shoots you a grin. The other is a tall woman who just glances at you before turning her attention back to Oddmund, who is in the middle of telling a story.
19:55 <Tikvah_GMing>: Are you speaking to Oddmund, or the people next to you?
19:55 <Gromit>: Eyebrows guy. Sure.
19:57 <Tikvah_GMing>: "How did he catch his attention? I dunno. I was on a mission in Firkeep."
19:59 <Gromit>: Is Odddmund telling an interesting story with significant details about his and his compatriot's abilities?
19:59 <Gromit>: and/or moral fibre.
20:03 <Tikvah_GMing>: He's telling a story about a time him and a buddy called "Jerome" broke up a smuggler's nest in the Plains of Elkore. Apparently they were staged in a music shop and transported the goods inside pianos. They were busted when someone tried to play their instruments and complained about the terrible sound.
20:03 <Tikvah_GMing>: So, no.
20:03 <Gromit>: Huh.
20:04 <Gromit>: Okay. I wait for the story to finish, before posing my question to Oddmund.
20:08 <Tikvah_GMing>: Oddmund seems to realise that you're there and considers the question gravely. "The count keeps close tabs on any kismet user in his land that has any sort of dangerous potential. When the complaints about monsters started coming in, he was one of the most likely suspects."
20:09 <Gromit>: "Do you happen to know the connection that made a child the most suspicious?"
20:12 <Tikvah_GMing>: "For one, he was the suspect closest to the villages where the attacks occurred. We've already looked into other suspects, but came up with evidence that Justin is the only feasible choice."
20:13 <Victor>: [He *did* know he was a kid then?
]
20:14 <Gromit>: "We had someone inspect his lab?"
20:16 <Tikvah_GMing>: "I don't know, I was on overseeing the Count's new business venture in Stawford. This is only what I've been told."
20:18 <Gromit>: "Fair enough. How do you feel about this unicorn creature?"
20:19 <Tikvah_GMing>: "It's a problem. But one that we've faced before. That's why we have this team put together."
20:19 <Gromit>: "So you don't doubt that it's actually a unicorn?"
20:20 <Tikvah_GMing>: "I don't know yet. But whatever it is, I'm sure we can deal with it."
20:21 <Gromit>: "I'll bow to your judgement then, when the time comes."
20:22 <Gromit>: "Is the agent who gathered our intel a part of this mission?"
20:23 <Tikvah_GMing>: "No."
20:23 <Gromit>: "Huh. I'd like to meet him someday. Seems like quite the detective."
20:25 <Gromit>: I think I'm done pushing the issue. I'll wait for us to deploy.
20:25 <Tikvah_GMing>: Ok.
20:25 <Victor>: Let's let Greystone talk to Robin so we're set to head over
20:25 <Tikvah_GMing>: Greystone, You ready?
20:28 <Greystone>: I guess.
20:28 <Greystone>: -_-
20:29 <Tikvah_GMing>: When you arrive at the orphanage, no-one is outside. You can hear faint sounds drifting from the windows.
20:30 <Greystone>: What sort of sounds.
20:32 <Tikvah_GMing>: It sounds like it is dinner time.
20:32 <Greystone>: *whew*
20:34 <Greystone>: I chink my sword hilt against the gate a few times and then stand there, looking studious.
20:34 <Victor>: There's a bell
20:35 <Tikvah_GMing>: Your gate chinking doesn't seem to be heard.
20:36 <Greystone>: Well, I give the bell a couple dings then.
20:37 Woody joined #Gowers
20:37 Woody is now known as Alan
20:37 <Alan>: Catch me up?
20:37 <Gromit>: Oddmund apparently already knew Justin was a child, the evidence they have against him is that he was the closest alchemist to the monster attacks, and they don't care if they have to kill a unicorn: they've done it before.
20:38 <Tikvah_GMing>: After a few moments, Robin opens the door and looks out.
20:38 <Tikvah_GMing>: When she sees you she hurries across the path. "You're back."
20:38 <Greystone>: *nods*
20:40 <Tikvah_GMing>: "..."
20:40 <Tikvah_GMing>: "Why are you back?"
20:41 <Greystone>: "To update you, as was agreed."
20:41 <Tikvah_GMing>: "Well..?"
20:42 <Greystone>: You know what I'm tired, and Wikolia isn't here at the moment to necessitate me dancing with my words, so:
20:42 Greystone relays the situation.
20:43 <Gromit>: ...including the bit where we're not sure who we're siding with?
20:44 <Greystone>: "Drindall still wishes to, at any rate, *see* the boy, and has sent men here to assist to that end if necessary."
20:44 <Tikvah_GMing>: Robin looks shaken. "They're coming here to take Justin?"
20:46 <Greystone>: "That is the intent. Please m'lady, if you know of any reason Drindall would wish to see the boy, I wish you would tell me."
20:47 <Ookook>: I don't really want to side with the unicorn murderers unless we have a *very* good reason.
20:47 <Tikvah_GMing>: "I.. I don't know."
20:47 <Tikvah_GMing>: "But I'm NOT letting them take him."
20:49 <Greystone>: "You do not trust Drindall with the boy's wellfare then."
20:49 <Tikvah_GMing>: "I don't trust anyone with the well being of my children. Especially if they come with force.".
20:50 <Greystone>: "Indeed."
20:51 <Victor>: [You're supposed to be telling her they aren't coming with force, they just have force if it becomes necessary]
20:51 <Tikvah_GMing>: "Do you know when they will be coming?"
20:51 <Greystone>: [I thought I made that clear.]
20:51 <Greystone>: [And they are tots going to.]
20:51 <Victor>: [We were going to try to work it out with everyone you said]
20:52 <Greystone>: [I'm trying. They won't say anything to her that I'm not/didn't just.]
20:52 <Gromit>: We have a dozen armed dudes. There is no way you can butter that up to not sound terrifying.
20:53 <Victor>:
20:53 <Victor>: [Or I significantly misunderstood my last conversation with him]
20:53 <Greystone>: [OH. YEAH.]
20:54 <Greystone>: [Thank you for helping me play my character properly, I got 4 hours sleep.]
20:59 <Gromit>: So are you going to say that or...
21:00 <Tikvah_GMing>: "Coming with the option of force is the same thing as forcing us directly. It will happen all the same."
21:03 <Greystone>: There finished typing.
21:03 <Greystone>: Uh, I guess that last remark doesn't change anything.
21:03 <Greystone>: "Would you perhaps be willing to bring Justin to the Count yourself, in order to ascertain what is, as it were, going on?"
21:03 <Greystone>: "I believe you would trust Wikolia to safeguard the other children, and this matter is, for some reason, quite serious."
21:03 <Greystone>: "The additional persons from the Count are, to my honest belief, capable of incapacitating Wikolia and taking the lad by force, and would do so as they are under orders. I believe you taking him yourself would be the best way to avoid unrequired bloodshed, which is most certainly the last thing you or my party desire."
21:05 <Tikvah_GMing>: "No. That would leave my children unprotected. Wikolia isn't human. She can't take care of them like I can. Besides, what would happen to us once we were at the castle? We could just disappear and no-one would know."
21:05 <Tikvah_GMing>: "We are Not going."
21:05 <Tikvah_GMing>: Greystone, roll a diplomacy check.
21:05 <Greystone>: Do I have to before replying?
21:06 <Tikvah_GMing>: Reply first.
21:12 <Greystone>: "As to the children needing a person, we could leave one or two of our party here to provide care. I have no doubt that you have no doubt that Wikolia would keep both eyes on them at all times, and would spear them if they so much as looked at a child incorrectly."
21:13 <Greystone>: "As to disappearing, I would hold the Count to have more honor than that, but I am willing to give you my word as a warrior to see to it upon my life that doesn't happen, should the occasion arise. I also have no doubt in my mind that most or all of my party would rather fight the count then see an innocent child harmed."
21:13 <Tikvah_GMing>: Roll a diplomacy check..
21:14 <Greystone>: !roll d20 +1 effort
21:14 <Dicebot>: Greystone, +1 effort: 7
21:14 <Greystone>: Bugger!
21:14 <Greystone>: Begorrah!
21:14 <Greystone>: Blimey!
21:14 <Greystone>: ...
21:15 <Greystone>: Actually, that's fun. I shall continue until Tikvah posts.
21:15 <Greystone>: Blast it!
21:15 <Greystone>: Balderdash!
21:16 <Greystone>: ...
21:16 <Greystone>: I think I'm out of 'B's.
21:16 <Tikvah_GMing>: "I hardly think a group of mercenaries can look over my children. I also doubt that one man, however skilled he may be, could protect us from Drindall's wrath once we step inside his castle."
21:17 <Greystone>: [Homina homina, homina.]
21:17 <Greystone>: [Of course, that's why I mentioned the others.]
21:17 <Victor>: [I should have gone with you. I have so many retorts.]
21:19 <Greystone>: [Well, is there any rule against OOC aid? Greystone is smarter than I {right now} am, and would surely also have retorts.]
21:20 <Victor>: I'll give you my most recent because you should be able to think it up yourself here
21:22 <Victor>: She doesn't want to leave her children in 'possible' danger, so she thinks it's a better idea to involve them in *certain* danger by antagonizing a professional army into attacking the orphanage?
21:23 <Greystone>: I was indeed going to say that next.
21:25 <Gromit>: Option 3 is run, of course.
21:25 <Victor>: That doesn't sound like what she's saying
21:25 <Victor>: Can she just pack up an orphanage and go?
21:26 <Gromit>: Easier than crushing a small army.
21:26 <Victor>: If that's what she does mean fine, but she seems to me to be saying "Bring em on"
21:27 Greystone needs to make this woman understand the situation in clarity.
21:27 <Greystone>: "Do you believe that Wikolia can resist a troop of specifically anti-unicorn elites?"
21:28 <Tikvah_GMing>: "We don't have any other choice."
21:30 <Greystone>: "You did not answer my question."
21:31 <Greystone>: *Intense but gentle gaze*
21:31 <Tikvah_GMing>: "Are you here to interrogate me? Thank you for warning me, but I have work to do now."
21:32 <Tikvah_GMing>: She turns and strides towards the house.
21:33 <Victor>: Well she deserves whatever happens then
21:33 <Greystone>: [Always the worst possible outcome, the conversation ends.]
21:33 <Victor>: Next time we can watch everyone die
21:34 <Tikvah_GMing>: Everyone gets 1 XP.
21:50 <Gromit>: Or she has a cunning plan, and doesn't intend to share it with the potential enemy.
21:50 <Gromit>: I'd make tracks before you get unicorned.
21:55 <Greystone>: I think Gresystone will call out one last thing.
