THE GILDED THRONE: IC Thread

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Thu Sep 19, 2013 5:24 pm

Reve is shaken out of her musing by the creature's appearance, and stares rather blatantly at its cap and axe. But she listens closely to its words, and when it finishes speaking, looks at the others, then nods to the creature, matching some of its patois. "Yeah, gonna be us. If they're already in a muddle, might as well make it worse. But if we're going to fight instead of spy, then we'd still need information. You gonna tell us what we need to know? Gonna help us chop up a big snake?"

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Thu Sep 19, 2013 6:50 pm

The redcap grins toothily.

"Snake's bad news, but it's also busy. Lives out in the lake, only here sometimes. The shaman is the one what actually runs things. Kill him and anyone else in your way, that'll show the rest of them duckies that maybe they should rethink their place.

He's big, wears a feather headdress. Fanciest house. If you come out with his head and challenge any of their warriors who dare to duel, you'll be seen as the strongest thing around. The duckies should fall into line so fast you'd think they were kobolds. They'll follow the scariest thing around, even if there's something worse a day away.

As for 'Deathless Woe', I'm sure I can die just as easy as any of you bloodbags. My pals wanna keep their skins whole, at least till you get rid of that iron."

The sinister fey lets out a hoarse cackle.

flare22 · Post by **flare22** » Fri Sep 20, 2013 5:28 am

"thanks for the Intel mr uh i never got your name redcap ah well now it looks like its time to become the king of the lizard people and once that's done lets see kind of info we can get from them in short lets shoot first and ask questions later"

yellow readies his musket and loads it

"you guys ready to take on this shamen?"

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Fri Sep 20, 2013 7:51 pm

"Even if we're going in with your guns blazing, a distraction first wouldn't hurt. Be tough to sneak into his house, otherwise. I'm no good with illusion magic. But, the buildings, did they look flammable?" Reve asks.

flare22 · Post by **flare22** » Fri Sep 20, 2013 11:28 pm

Yellow grins at reve

"In my expert opinion those huts looked flamable enough that a flaming arrow would be enough to spart one up nicely whatever fire magic you have would work to I think"

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 1:40 am

{Aaaah. An adventurer's best friend. What won't fire solve?}

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 3:44 pm

"Well, how do we want to do this? A small distraction could get us in without alerting the boss liz or the naga. They might not be ready for our attack if a few huts just happen to catch on fire. On the other hand, a bigger fire would be a bigger distraction. We'd have to find the leader in the chaos, but getting his head, and getting out, would be easier, unless the fire gets completely out of control. We might have to deal with the naga, but we might avoid most of the lizards. So what do you think? A little fire, or a big one?" Reve asks.

flare22 · Post by **flare22** » Mon Sep 23, 2013 4:38 pm

"I say we go with a small fire as a destraction we don't want them to be so busy saving their own lives that they fail to see us best their leader in combat speaking of witch hey redcap how much do you realy know of lizardfolk culture? With they recognize our strength if we gang up on the leader or only if one of us beats him one on one?"

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Mon Sep 23, 2013 5:44 pm

The redcap shugs. "They might respect ya more if it's one-on-one in front of witnesses, but I doubt the boss would give you that chance. He's the one giving the duckies direction, see?"

Whipstitch · Post by **Whipstitch** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 1:37 am

"I like the odds of single combat better than taking on their whole tribe, but that may very well still be a tough nut to crack, especially if this boss lizard is wily. He may very well impose a handicap that seems reasonable to his kind, like fighting in the marsh or without armor."

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 2:22 am

The redcap opens its mouth to say something, pauses, and then shuts it. "Good luck, bloodbags!" He quickly capers off, and Valdym gets the strong impression that the fey has left in order to avoid saying too much.

flare22 · Post by **flare22** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 4:11 pm

Yellow at the redcap as it leaves "see you later tinkerbell"

Then turns back to the party "what is it with ever non human I meet being jerks racists or both I mean realy bloodbags sheesh speaking of racist are we going to go burn down some lizardfolk homes or not"

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Fri Sep 27, 2013 5:16 am

Reve's face contorts with effort as she resists saying that maybe the problem is with humans, not with all the other races. "Sorry, right. Unfortunately, fire magic isn't something I can do. Creating energy is antithetical to my thaumaturgic principles. We could use a flaming arrow, or some kind of fire bullet if you have one--though it'd be loud--or maybe one of you two has some useful trick?" She turns to look at Valdym and Nesha, eyebrow raised.

Whipstitch · Post by **Whipstitch** » Fri Sep 27, 2013 3:43 pm

Valdym shakes his head, "Other witches could, but we specialize in two things: the perverse--that is, twisting fate or minds such that unusual actions or outcomes become more likely than mundane ones--and the speeding of processes that are already in motion, albeit many that are often too insignificant to notice until they've been given a little nudge..."

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Sat Sep 28, 2013 5:57 am

"All right." Reve says. "Then I think fire arrows are our best bet. Quiet, and long range. Fel, what kind of distance can you manage with that big crossbow? Quarter mile?"

Felf shakes her head, "Probably not, unless the wind's just right. But almost. My aim'll be awful at that kind of distance, though."

"Well," Reve says, smiling, "As long as you can still hit the broad side of a barn, or at least the roof, we should be good. Now, let's get a bit of a better look at that village."

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Sat Sep 28, 2013 6:53 am

After packing away the remainder of the camp supplies and creeping through the trees, the party gets close enough to vaguely make out their destination. A substantial swathe of forest has been clear-cut to make room for the small lakeside settlement, and fences along the edge bristle with wooden spikes. There is one gap in the barrier, perhaps 10 feet across, where the village enclosure opens to allow access to the drilling area for the soldiers and what looks like a lumber yard (in use, sawing up logs for some purpose). A few upright stakes topped with decaying humanoid heads are placed to either side of the entrance.

Of course, the fences cut off approximately at the water's edge. The semi-amphibious lizardfolk seem to have maximized the immediate accessibility of the lake, and 3 different docks extend from the shoreline to provide mooring places for boats, including one a little outside the enclosed village.

The layout of the buildings within is somewhat disorganized, but most of the buildings are either doorless single-room huts or sturdy-looking stacked-log boxes only a little larger. To the more architecturally minded members of the party, it looks like the lizardfolk might have started with a plan, but failed stick to it as individuals just built wherever they liked.

The grandest structure visible is a large wooden house that has 2 floors and enough space for multiple rooms on each. A couple of lizardfolk sprawl on the flat roof, taking in the sun. About a third of the building actually extends over the water, held up by wooden beams. There are windows on the second floor (a rarity among the crude wooden structures), but all those the party can presently see are blocked off by plaited-reed curtains.

The two forges are roughly located in the center of the settlement, a few houses blocking them off from both the large house and the "gate" to the outside. These are among the only buildings not made of wood, baked clay bricks taking the flammable material's place. The clang of metal-on-metal is faintly audible from this far out, and more smoke is coming up there than anyplace else.

A lone tree sits within the village, a decent margin of space separating it from any buildings. The bark is dark-colored, and it bears no leaves. Several of the totem poles yellow noted surround the tree, all facing inwards.

There are about 20 lizardfolk visible in the training area and lumber yard, and at least that many bustling around the interior of the settlement. More are out on the lake, fishing or piloting the larger rafts around in slow loops.

flare22 · Post by **flare22** » Sat Sep 28, 2013 4:21 pm

"you guys ready? because i just want to get this over with the waiting before a fight just drives me mad"

yellow offers felf some oil and rags if she needs them for the fire arrow

Whipstitch · Post by **Whipstitch** » Sat Sep 28, 2013 10:15 pm

"Might as well live dangerously."

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Sun Sep 29, 2013 3:24 pm

"Okay, then we won't wait for the cover of darkness. It looks like our best approach is through the water, there," Reve says, pointing. "It gets us past the walls with a minimum of interference from the lizardfolk, hopefully. The ones on the lake might see us, but they won't be between us and the boss's house. They might alert the naga, though. Certainly seems better than the main gate, with all those soldiers drilling, or trying to climb over those spikes. That means we want the fire along the fences, or else near the forges. Fences would draw them out, but a fire near the forges might not even look like an attack at all--although they may have water ready. Might as well try for both, if we can. We'll shoot from here, and then head through the trees towards the water."

Fel readies her crossbow, and ties a few oil-soaked rags around some arrows. Climbing up a tree for a bit of extra elevation, she takes a test shot with a regular arrow, to judge the distance and the wind, and then launches several flaming arrows, with what minimal accuracy she can muster at such an extreme range.

flare22 · Post by **flare22** » Sun Sep 29, 2013 11:27 pm

While felf sets fire to the village yellow quikly tucks all his gunpowder containers into his bag of holding ties the bag closed

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 3:43 pm

The flaming projectiles arc up out of the woods and land amidst the settlement. Two seem to catch, and by the time shouts of alarm go up several houses are blazing with flame.

There seems to be something of a panic, with some lizards rushing out of the village and getting in the way of those hurrying back in from the lumber yard. At this range, it is difficult to make out what precisely is happening in the commotion near the fire. But some lizardfolk are definitely running to the lakeshore with... buckets?

In the drilling area, a shouted command from one warrior brings the rest to order. They spread out, circling around the village, facing outward as they look for the source of the attack.

The handful of lizardfolk on the roof of the large house stir. One passes out bows, and they begin to scan the surrounding area.

flare22 · Post by **flare22** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:21 pm

"guys one of us should break off and distract the soldiers while the rest head for the water and whoever it is needs to be carrying the crossbow"

Whipstitch · Post by **Whipstitch** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:56 am

Valdym says "I'll do it; I can try and fly out if I have to."

(If possible Valdym will take this moment to buff himself and Nesha with Mage Armor)

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:05 am

The party had plenty of time to cast some spells when Felf was firing upon the settlement.

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 5:27 pm

"Okay. Let the fire do most of the distracting, if you can. Maybe start another fire, in the woods." Reve suggests. Felf shimmies down the tree, and hands the crossbow over to Valdym. She adds "Stay safe."

"Now, let's get moving. We'll circle around to the water, and then aim for the big house. Leader should be inside. Keep an eye on it in case he heads out to investigate personally, though." Reve and Felf begin to move quietly through the trees, heading for the lake shore.