Editing Volume Two: The Adask War Wizard (section)

====<big>Adledross: A New Base Camp and Broken Rules</big>====


*'''Michael James Watson'''
After the weeks of measured advances the amber forces break in the hilly lands. Ahead are hundreds of miles of rolling hills, wooded dells, rivers, creeks, and bright green thick grasses. The sun is hot and the air humid.  The troops have manged well. They are supplied with local foods having found numerous melon patches, fruit orchards, and other supplies of potatoes, onions, turnips, pineapples, apples, and stone fruits including avocado and apricots. Water has been plentiful and after finding growths of gourds water containers are plentiful too.  Looking far into the distance, after many hills, is a red bard to the left, and a white stricture in the middle path slightly further in. At the horizon a herd of wild-horses ride over the hills to disappear; No one from the Adledross has contacted either the Amberites or the Reen.  The Reen stayed on pace with the Amberites, cooperating with ground actions as needed. None of the other three groups have been seen.  

*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Since weeks have passed, Command has surely changed several times during the advance through the forest. In his Leadership Role, whether he is in command or just an advisor, Realmer will advise caution in crossing though this area. If the locals are not hostile, he advises that the Army not destroy the lands while crossing them, as much as is possible, and maintain friendly relations with those locals.
However, this could well be a trap and there could be Enemy Forces lying in wait within the valleys of those rolling hills and in those structures.  
In fact, Realmer finds the view a little too idyllic, a little too welcoming. Realmer takes the time to Actively Disbelieve what he is seeing. He also brings up the Pattern, walks it to its center then looks through the Lens at the world in front of him. Is this truly what he is seeing?  
If it turns out he is just being paranoid, then so be it. Either way, he comments, while sitting atop his colorful horse, Graso, "The Wild Horses could be an asset; if we can capture and train enough of them. Even if we cannot train them for riding or combat, they can surely be trained to carry our gear and supplies."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
None of the leadership of the cohort has changed after 3 weeks. the break through occurred on the 22nd day on Adledross
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"We wait here, where we have a view. Send Stealth Scout Teams to sneak down to those buildings and investigate. Bob, maintain Psychic Tracking on each Scout Team Leader and report their findings back to me. If they are inhabited and are established to be not a threat, we negotiate for passage through these lands if needed, the we can move our forces through the area towards those Wild Horses and the great peak beyond. We should expect Enemy Forces on mounts or humanoids of the grasslands and hills, such as Gnolls and Bugbears. Commanders? Sub-Commanders? Wing Commanders? Any thing else we should be considering or doing here?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Dandilar-"The buildings are not far away. An hour or two. We should support the scouts with forces close to hand if needed.
Alex steps up , "Commander, I recommend we send a sizable force of our cavalry experts on dragonback to fly far afield from the structures ahead and attempt to make contact with the horses. We have Kashfans, Theguls, and Diagans that we have all had to hear complain about walking. If we could secure even a hundred horse it would greatly help our advance.
Carston, Regardless of the structures or the horses, now is a good time to set up camp. Along the way we have collected suitable material for housing. Just inside the tree line would be a good place to set up another of your kitchens."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Excellent ideas; all. Dandilar, take a force down the hill to an area more or less central to the buildings as support. Tesa, assign Scout Teams to each building but you will lead none of them; I have another assignment for you and another team."
"Wing Commander Talodak, would you mind having some men and dragons ferry our horse deficient cavalry to those herds we saw? Use the Trump of me I gave you to communicate once you find the herds. I will want to know all you have seen. Alexandir, you are welcome to accompany them, since it was your idea... though I doubt you will find a horse in that herd large enough to bear your weight."
"Carston, take charge of laying out the camp areas for all Cohorts and Wings, if Wing Commander Talodak approves. Once you have the areas marked and cleared let me know and I will get the Kitchens established."
"Commander Traxton, take charge of gathering building materials for shelters and latrines and wood for fires. Commander Kablin, that leaves digging latrines and establishing outer defenses."
"Fort, this is an excellent place for the next in our series of Transport Trump locations. I will Trump back to the last location, the Apple Orchard with the Spring, I will take Tesa and her team with me. I will carve out the Trump for this place and return once done. I will create the Kitchens before I leave. You have my Trump if needed. Everyone, you have your orders and know what to do. If there is nothing else; move out."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Talodak and Carston walk off together to go to where the dragons rest in the sun, sleeping. They start pointing at locations. Kablin and Traxton come up and Realmer notes that Carston is giving the orders to them and tal, who all seem to agree. It isn't long before they separate to their groups.
Alexandir is standing nearby, Smiling, he looks over, "Prince Realmer, Dandilar says that when the cohorts have a cavalry he shall assign me to it. Sine we intend to grab those horses and you referred to our "horse deficient cavalry" can I assume that we now have a cavalry force, at least in name? And having been assigned to the cavalry I shall be allowed a horse?".
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Alex, if we can find a horse, or other mount, suitable to your size and weight, then the answer is yes. And I am not a Prince, Alexandir. Only a Lord. But here, not even that, just a Commander of an Army."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"Oh you said titles beyond here were not important. so here, I greet you as a prince. I was told I could not use powers unusual to others. Well, we have a cavalry now."
He steps off, puts two fingers to his lips and whistles a sound like a steam train. Turning he smiles at Realmer.
"By the teats of the unicorn, I think I have found a horse suitable to my size.....He should be here in an hour or three."
He nods and walks off toward the Dragonriders.


*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer smiles and says, "I am so glad I can make that man happy." It's hard to tell if he really means it, or if he is being sublimely sarcastic.
"Shame I won't be here to see the arrival of the horse that will hold that mountain of a man and the initial responses of the troops. But I will see it soon enough."
Realmer studies the area carefully, from several angles to establish the point of arrival for the Site Trump arrival point.
Once the Kitchen area is determined and cleared, Realmer will Release his Hung Spell on the Sigil of the Spiral; Secure Shelter with a Kitchen in mind like last time, but larger, more firepits and baking ovens, more prep tables and dining tables and benches, less open air with storage cupboards and bins build into the walls and within the rafters of the ceiling. There are also smokers built into the chimneys in the upper rafters areas.
Once the Spell is completed and the structure comes into being, he will quickly inspect it then gather Tesa and her Team. They will Trump back to the Apple Orchard with the Spring and Realmer will carve and ink the Trump into the selected tree for this Site; this should take an hour or so. Then Realmer and Tesa's team will return here via the new Site Trump, just like the previous times Site Trumps were created.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Fort meets you at the kitchen. "Alex called Orcbreaker or else someone nearby has a steam locomotive. I'm curious to see if the Lord's of Adledross allow it here. When our companions came I didn't even consider summoning my Ranyhyn. As much as I've enjoyed our Reen friends I've never been wild about riding dragon back.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer chuckles. "I know what you mean. Though the travel is quick... if that is what is required. Ranyhyn... I know that word. Prince Julian and Sir Gangdis were talking about them while we were in Adagalasck some years back. I don't recall too much about them, or the conversation, was never much into horse flesh. But it did come up while Morganstern and Graso here were off frolicking in the grassy plains outside the North Stair. Perhaps you should attempt to summon it now. After all, we do have a cavalry on the way... couldn't hurt to try."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Fort chuckles.. "Just what I always wanted; to be a cavalry man. I haven't spoken to Graso much, just polite bardic courtesy. But if Fester says she is an Adagalasck Ranyhyn that will tell me a lot. Still, it better then walking or flying. It's a pity that blink and teleport are part of my Attribute.". He whistles.
After a few minutes of camp details a thin tan horse runs over the hills excitedly. Prancing, dancing as it comes to Fort, who hugs its neck. " I know....I know....me too....well, I'm in a horse land now.....what? Oh yes..of course..... "
He leaps to its back landing lightly. " I'll make a wide reconnaissance . Apparently I'm about to be nagged by my nag for giving it immortality then ignoring it. "
They ride off as one.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
The Reen cavalry flight takes off for the horse hills.
Forces move to a central point between the two objectives. They set up observation points and investigate at a distance.
Establishing camp is done effectively including setting aside kitchen space, water storage, and building shelter for stored supplies.
The trip to the Apple orchard finds squatters sitting in the shade eating apples. About forty. They look human, mostly men but a few women and a couple children. grabbed in medieval attire. Swords and daggers mostly. They jump to their feet, pulling bags of apples and back away hurriedly from the Trump point.
A dozen of them take a rough defensive line in front of the others...Swords out. Behind the some ,including a couple women hurriedly string bows.
One in the group starts speaking loudly. Pointing with his sword at the trees. He seems more scared then angry but also looks ready to fight and skilled at it. His language is guttural and unfamiliar .
Tesa warns her group of 6 to spread out, make ready but not to engage unless attacked.
Their group does not advance, but seem ready to fight.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer holds his hands up in the classic 'I mean you no harm' gesture and his face shows the half smile, half frown that people wear when they pass each other on the street and want to show that they are not a threat but are a bit cautious.
Not recognizing the language is strange to Realmer as he knows so many languages and many new languages are similar enough to another for him to pick it up. To find a language is he completely unfamiliar with is a treat, but also a bit of a pain as he has not had need of a Spell for translation in decades... and does not have one memorized or hung.
He takes a few minutes to weave and cast a High Order Spell: Tongues. He then points to all there, including himself and his team then says "To understand and to be understood."
Realmer nods to the man who was shouting then says, "I did not understand your words before. I am sorry we startled you. We do not mean you any harm."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
He looks startled.. The fighters step back.. He starts pleading and the spell doesn't translate well.. he seems to be pleading.. Words like demon and hungry.. please . no...
He puts his blade down, turns and speaks quickly,. they look among each other and two men and one woman put their weapons down and the others back away.. The woman walks forward, pleading.. something like take me for them.... It seems strange the language spell does not work like it should.
Tesa tells the scouts to sheath weapons.
T-"I've heard a lot of languages but their sounds.....strange....
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Yes. To me as well, Tesa. And my Spell is not working as it should. It sounds to me like they think us demons and that we want to eat them. And these are offering themselves to us to save the rest."
Realmer turns to the woman approaching and speaks gently and slowly with a non-threatening tone and facial expression.
"No harm. No eat." He point to her and her people. "No demons." He points to himself and his team. Then he points to the apples and pantomimes plucking one and eating it. He then points to the water and pantomimes scooping water and drinking. Then he points to himself and his group. He smiles and nods his head and backs away a few paces.
"Tesa, have everyone back away then let us be about our business here. I don't think we can communicate with them effectively and I don't think they mean us any harm. But keep watch. I will make my way over there, to that non-apple tree in the brush to carve the Trump. Bob, fly up and get a view of the area. Let Tesa know if there is anything of note. Don't disturb my work unless it's vital."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
They look confused but a bit less scared. the one in back stand, start sheathing weapons. The speaker steps up beside the woman, puts a hand on her shoulder, whispers. She shakes her head and steps back. He steps forward. Speaks slowly, almost conversationally.
Bob flies up and immediately tells you a body of horsemen will be there in moments. Looks like 60 or so riding hard dodging through the trees, leveling short crude wood lances that look locally made. They may be the horseman from Adledross but they look better armed then before. Plate armor for them and horse.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Take cover and concealment! Horsemen coming fast, they might ride through."
Realmer grows claws and quickly climbs into the nearest large tree that will afford concealment well above the heads of the mounted men... an old trick he learned from an Elven Archer Ranger. He knows Tesa and her team know how and where to hide so he does not worry about them. And due to the language barrier, he knows he cannot afford to waste time trying to explain to these people to hide.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
The people scatter as the horseman break into the clearing, they level lances and begin chasing down the people running on foot. Swinging cudgels to knock down ones they can't reach with lance. Two men are pierced on the first charge.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Passing through quickly they turn to charge again, clearly having been tracking the group. The men draw blades and move to fight, the archers climb up to low branches and prepare to fire.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer realizes that the indigenous peoples are highly over matched and that once the armored cavalry is done with the indigenous peoples, they will certainly turn on Realmer and his small crew. Realmer also does not like bullies or evil men, and these indigenous peoples seemed friendly enough, once the shock of Realmer's Team's magical arrival wore off. Realmer knows he must take action now.
As the cavalry charges for their second approach, Realmer releases a High Order Spell hung on his Sigil of Paragon; Electric Arcs of Disruption.
The Spell is designed to incapacitate the victims and possibly render them unconscious. It acts much like a very strong Neural Disrupt Power Word plus a very strong Taser or Stun Gun. The Electric Arcs leap from the caster's fingertips of both hands, the caster may point both hands at a single target or two separate targets. When the Arcs strike the first victim(s), it will affect their nervous system with a strong electric shock, but not damaging, just incapacitating, causing loss of motor function and uncontrollable muscle spasms. The Arc will then split into two Arcs and then jump to the next closest target, affecting that victim the same as the previous, then splitting and jumping again. This process of splitting and jumping will continue until no victim's are within range, or the Arcs reach the spells maximum range. The initial Arcs can be 'fired' from the caster's hands up to 100 ft. After striking the first victim(s), each Arc can travel up to 30 ft. The maximum area of affect of the spell is 300 ft from the caster. The Arcs do not travel in a straight line and can move in any direction, including back towards the caster, but will not target or affect the caster. Due to the electrical nature of this spell, it is highly effective against metal armored targets, especially in large scale close combat. Also, the Arcs will be drawn to targets with metal over targets without metal. The more metal, the more attracted the Arcs will be. This spell only targets living creatures.
This Spell was designed with Amberites in mind, so anyone under Amber Ranked Endurance WILL be fully incapacitated for several hours, anyone of Human Rank Endurance will be rendered unconscious for several hours and incapacitated for half a day or more. Those of Amber Rank Endurance or above will be incapacitated for at least an hour or more, depending upon Endurance Ranking. Side Effects of muscles spasms for a few seconds to a minute or two, can last for up to half as long as the victim was incapacitated or unconscious.
When the first two armored horsemen are in range, Realmer will target them both with the initial Arcs. Being that the men are mounted, the mount is most likely to take one of the two split off Arcs, and the other Arc most likely will travel to the next armored foe... or so Realmer hopes. Once he launches his Spell, he is sure Tesa and Team will know what they need to do.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
The Spell arcs among the first four men and horse and bounces among them as they skewered targets that also take ambient electrical damage. as they fall.
The second and third groups spread left and right away from the electricity.
In the back group a horse and rider stop suddenly. A shimmering red symbol rises before him that absorbs the electricity that reaches it. Fireballs travel down the arcs toward Realmer.
Th archers in the tree start shooting at those scattering and the fighters jump up to try and hamstring the mounts and to pull the lances from their companions.
Tesa and the scouts disappear in the brush and move dispatching fallen riders, trying to stay away from electricity and fire.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
The instant Realmer sees the Red Symbol and the Fireballs, he releases his Bodily Defense Spell hung on the Sigil of the Pattern, which fills the body with magical energy devoted to blocking out external influences; Magic, Trump, Pattern, Logrus, etc.
Realmer shifts to his winged Nosferatu Form, knowing the Spell will protect him, then he takes flight amid the fiery barrage, hopefully avoiding any fiery debris from the fireballs hitting the upper branches of the tree he was in.  
He thinks loudly, 'Bob! Confusion Storm Spell on the back group then barrage of Eye Stalk Powers on the left and right groups... watch out for our scouts.'
*'''Michael James Watson'''
The confusion storm lands on the group breaking their attack. The wizard among them is unaffected. He looks up at Bob and aims a blast of stones on him each flying at great speed in his area peppering him hard at his height.  
He flees screeching something about itching. The wizard screams "AMBERITE!!!!! Stop this NOW or my knight commander will know we have a war with your nation!!!!"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer calls out from the air, "AMBERITES! WITHDRAW! Wizard! Can we parlay? I have no desire to start a war between our Nations."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Horsemen rush to their wounded. Tesa makes herself seen to Realmer from a shadow but remains hidden. The wizard nudges the horse forward.
"We have been chasing this prey for several days. We had not seen your forces. We believed you are ahead now. Why have you come back to fight this prey band? Is there no pray ahead?"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer, still in the air, flies down closer to the ground and Shifts to his Adask Form but keeps the wings. He lands but does not fully fold his wings to his back.
"We are not hunting prey and my reasons for returning here do not involve this band of people. They were friendly enough to us after we arrived, so I thought them not a threat and planned to continue what we were about, then your armored cavalry arrived... I did not recognize your peoples or horses as I barely got a chance to see your Nation's Forces before you left the arrival point. And being that you are now fully armored and horses fully barded, I thought you an Enemy Force passing through, perhaps on the Amberite Army's heels. Seeing your Cavalry attack this Band made me realize my Team had little chance of survival if you were indeed an Enemy Force. I reacted as any Soldier would and tried to take advantage of surprise and the Band at hand to help defeat a threat. My apologies for the confusion. As I said, I have no intention of starting a war with your Nation. I am Commander Relmopator. Again, my apologies. The electricity was mostly non-damaging and the effects will wear off in a while."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
The wizard nods, "You actions are reasonable under the circumstances and I shall convey to my knight commander that we have agreed the indecent was a draw a well as an unintended conflict. As for our equipment, we fought a cavalry force in the first week. 1800 mounted horse. The battle was furious and their tactics depended on wide-bladed falcions, as you see. They tried to charge into us but the ground was not suited for it. We closed, and had to leap to their beasts and bear them to the ground. we slew all 1800 and 200 horse, though we lost 900 of our 1200. Once they resurrected we stripped the dead, armed. We have horse armor for 600 horse and 600 panalopys that we might trade for food since we are not of a class to harvest ourselves. We have been told by that short man who spoke to us as if we were tyros that we must speak with the rivals armies as we fought our way to the eastern sea. So now, despite our differences in rank, I speak to you, Amberite. "
He nods in what he must think is a form of respect.
"If you are not hunting this prey, I assume you will continue your course and allow us to continue. This is not a difficult prey but one must learn to fight grounders eventually."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"We also have 600 horse trade. they are proving to be unsuited to being used as bests of burden. They are back at camp working on the fortifications"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"An unintended conflict ending in a draw. Agreed. As for trade, the Amberites are certainly interested in what you offer; armor, barding and horses, and we have food stuffs to trade. If you travel north through the forest until you reach the grassy hills, you will easily find our camp, and the camp of the Reen, within the edge of the forest. I will have returned by then, I'm sure. Bring what your people wish to trade and you will leave with food for your troops."
"We will not further interrupt your training." Realmer nods to the Wizard in respect and moves away, but not towards Tesa or the tree he is planning to carve the Trump upon. He moves off into the woods a little ways away from the clearing, out of sight of the Horsemen and he waits for Tesa and Team to gather.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
The speaker starts yelling to Realmer as he starts to leave.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Tesa and the other 6 show themselves almost immediately.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Tesa is quiet, looking back toward the clearing.
"Well? "
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"I don't trust them, and I don't like that they are preying on small weak groups... but we have an agreement. The Trump here can wait... we can come back in a day or two, but for now, I'd rather not stay any longer. Everyone gather close; we're going back to Camp. Bob, Trump us all to the Kitchens back at Camp."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Tesa steps back against a tree, turning into its shadow she disappears.
The others looks unsurprised but wait for Realmer to open the trump.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Tesa, we do not want to start a war with them. Behave and be careful. See you back at camp. Bob, take us there now."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Arriving at the camp it seems well on its way though no much time has passed.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer wanders camp quickly, recalling he has wings, due to stares, he Shifts them off, then he gathers the Commanders and Fort. He relays the events of the encounter and the possibility of trade and what was offered. He also let's them know he did not complete the Trump, under the circumstance it seemed risky, but intends to return in a day or two.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Fort hears this, "How long has passed? An hour?"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"At most, yes. What have you in mind, Fort?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"The trump, now." He extends his hand.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer hands over the Dragonskin Trump of the Apple Orchard.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
He opens it, "Going to go find my sister"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
The dragons flying back from the horse hills start landing in the Reen fields.
Tal lands his dragon near the Amber camp and starts walking over. He looks ruffled like after fight.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Tal-"Commander, your cavalry is on its way back. We met a force of Lizardmen stalking the wild beasts. a few thousand. you Alexandir seems to have found a monster of a horse among them and he ended up breaking the Lizardmen mostly himself. My understanding from him is that they will break the horse in on the way back here. The troops didn't have much trouble with the horses as they seemed to want to follow Alex and his massive beast almost fawningly. a bit pathetic really... ah.. you alright there, Realmer?"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Yeah, just had an encounter with the Horsemen back at the Apple Orchard..." Realmer gives Tal the details.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Tal nods, "That sounds like them. I was not encouraged in our encounter with them either. I'm going to go speak with the Reen. There are at least 4 large forces on the hills that I could see, lizard troops. ground forces. possibly a weeks march for you. We can confer later. "
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer barely looks at Tal as he speaks. He chews his lip then nods his head to Tal, even though he has already walked away. The distracted and irritated look on Realmer's face is surely an indicator that he needs time to himself... or should not be bothered, at the very least. Bob knows better though, and hangs close... he know Realmer's mannerisms too well.
Realmer moves about Camp, giving his visual attention to the goings on around him, perhaps even reflexively giving an order or responding to someone using Hand Signs... but his mind is filled with concern, anger and doubt.
Realmer curses himself under his breath several times, his anger rising up at those Horsemen, at Tesa, and mostly at himself... causing him to gnash his teeth and unconsciously partially shift his features to that of his Nosferatu Form.
Why didn't I try to do more for that band of people? Why did I leave Tesa behind? Why didn't I order her to come back? Why didn't I stay and find her myself? Why do I give her so much free rein? I know I must give her some room to operate, being skilled in the professions she is... but have I been giving her too much latitude? Have I been playing favorites?
Bob always hears when Realmer talks to himself in his head. But more than just hearing his Master's thoughts, Bob can also feel his feelings and knows his concerns and fears. Bob knows when to remain silent and when to speak. Bob is a Good Familiar.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
As he fumes for a bit he realizes he has walked beyond the camp into the forest. Looking up he sees a treehouse . Without thinking he climbs up noticing how well hidden it was it just be a miracle he even saw it. Climbing in he sees Percy leaning against the tree. Hundreds of tiny floating images hover in front of him.
To one side as a handy of dried meat with a dagger in it. A stack of cheese beside it and several bottles of brandy.
"Good to see you, sir. Please have a seat. There's smoked perfectly normal beast, a nice hard cheddar, and Napoleon Brandy that I can assure you is authentic since I personally stole it from Napoleon.".
He touches one of the tiny images and it fills the far side of the small fort. It shows a curious battle between lizards and Kzin. " damned cats attacked a superior for down 5 to one. Foolish...I'm going to pop down there. Krazel is a piss cutter and when this year is over he's going to see me in a new the coat. "
He smiles, fills his glass, fills a second and pushes it over. "I watched your encounter with the drtida√€°dans. Let's call them the Drtida. A refugee band of 600 with perhaps 180 warriors. You only found a small group. I feel your moral quandary. The Torchbearers were hunting them hard...they were bound to kill them all but your stalker and Fortunadas are making a merry mess of them. Not high church, militarily, but brutal. We are going to let them finish, rescue the Drtida, bring them back to your camp. Tesa has done nothing disallowed so she's just going to get a small slap. But The Bard well......I suppose he didn't technically break the rules he agreed to. He did not Raise his Aspect or Wield his Attribute, exactly.....see part of his godhood package includes never forgetting anything. So...He knows the summoning call for hundreds of creatures. He summoned 3 Dufiro of war and one of guard. That's a bit outside our scope of these games. And we thought it would be Alex who pissed us off. All he did was summon a horse. A big one, but still...a horse. Please understand, we have to punish him. So when the monster comes for him, feel free to step aside. "
He shifts to watch a different battle.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer nods a thank you to Percy helps himself to the smoked beast and cheese and savors the flavor of both while he listens to Percy talk and as he looks at the floating images. He reaches for the second glass after several bites, takes a small sip and then another, his face lighting up. He looks into the glass, sniffs it like a sommelier, tries a bit more and smiles.
"Finally, a version of 'the grape' that I actually like. This is quite fine, Percy; thank you for sharing it. I have an aversion to wine... and all forms of alcohol based on grapes, so I never bothered to try brandy, knowing what it was made from. But this..." he pauses, trying to find the right word... he tries another sip and says, "Magnifique... if I said it correctly."
"And what of my monster? What form shall it take? Will it be more than having to look the Drtida in the eyes knowing I let some of their people die? Will it be more than having to live with the consequences of my actions, and lack of actions? And I don't just mean the Drtida, I mean how I left Tesa behind. I should have stayed and brought her back with me. I had an argument with the Crown Prince of Amber about this very subject, which is what led me to come here... and I did it again. I am beginning to wonder..." he sighs, "If I made a mistake by coming here, and if those in charge made a mistake by putting me in command. I was only looking to learn the Soldierly Arts to keep from getting my ass handed to me in melee combat and pick up some tactics and a few other handy military skills. But I never considered leadership as one of them."
Realmer shakes his head and clears his mind then says, "And listen to me... sniveling and whining into my brandy because I had responsibility handed to me and I wasn't prepared for it... like everything else in life."
He takes a deep breath and sighs. "I swore to myself I would get through this without giving in and I meant it. I will learn from my mistakes, and pay for them as well. So, what punishment must I bear for my failures?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
He leans back in a poetic pose much like Fort is fond of.
"Probably guilt. And perhaps a bit of angst and nightmare..a hangover maybe. But misplaced at that. Oh, the Drtida may be hard to look in the eye but that will pass, and telling them that they will be reunited with their dead won't convince them. In a way, being brought here to be hunted and slain is a blessing. The function of Adledross picked them randomly out of shadow. They were on their home world being chased by Chaosian monstrosities to be gathered, taken to Chaos and cooked. Now the 600 of them are here merely being hunted. They are slain here and resurrect in the East with a compulsion to go west. When one of them reaches your first camp, they transport back to their home world just in time for dinner. So it's a trade off. When the Drtida first arrived they had 6000....now.....600 spread out across the continent. So it goes"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"As for your woes of leadership, many a surprising man becomes a leader. Most aren't born to it. Most become leaders out of necessity. You may never lead an army. But you might have to someday. To be clear, most soldiers never speak to me. I'm an observer tasked with appreciating the poetry of the warriors. But I've taken an interest in you. The Adledross seem to think you might join the ranks of the observers someday. If not, you are a royal of Amber.."
He picks up some cheese and nibbles....laughs.. "As for the wine......ask Fortunadas what a 'Weirdness' is in the Tosa/York universe is. Tell him I told you you have '-2 having drunk wine' here, if you drink wine you get marginally unlucky. Brandy however, stopped being Wine."
Edited
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"I agree with you completely, Percy; brandy is not wine. Thank you again for your wonderful gift..." he raises the glass and finishes the last bit, savoring the flavor. "Gifts. Thank you for your gifts; your interest in me and your perspective and candor. Without these, I feel I would still be cursing myself in the forest and might continue to do so."
He sets the empty glass down and nibbles a bit of meat before asking, "What form shall Tesa's punishment take? Is it something I will need to dole out? And what form shall Fort's monster take? So I know when to step aside and order the others to do likewise?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
" You are not an instructor here yet. She will bear her punishment in ways I'm sure you will find humorous and she will find annoying. But she is here to learn as well. As for Fort, bear in mind that neither he nor Alexandir are here to learn. Nor can we teach them leadership. Alexandir was a born leader even before magic made him a god. He was a leader as a child before he first picked up a blacksmith's hammer. Fort, he was a dealmaker and negotiator from birth. He is a snikurra master, a Quad Bard, a thrice crowned bard, high priest of Venki, a child not of the blood of a person who needed not to touch the World Stone to be worshiped, and mate of a primal being. Alexandir came here to bond with Benedict by showing him the advantages of having him as a Golden Circle king. Fortunadus of Tosa came here to bond with you. Bear what I have told you in mind. "
Realmer finds himself looking out of the forest towards camp. Fort and Tesa are speaking to a large band of the Drtida as troopers see to their needs.
He realizes he has a half empty bottle of Napoleon's brandy in his hand still.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer walks back into camp, bottle still held loosely in his hand. He moves casually towards the group near Fort and Tesa, but waits at a slight distance. He looks among the faces of the Drtida... he sighs to himself and shakes his head slightly. He waits until Fort and Tesa notice him, then he takes a swig off the bottle and moves towards them slowly with no expression on his face. He stops when he is close enough for them them tell he has been drinking but still outside of easy striking distance.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Tesa a looks at Fort who shrugs, "Commander, I made a decision under combat conditions. Punish me for disobeying your orders but I will not apologize. " she stands at attention. Fort steps a few places away.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"So, 32, you know you disobeyed an order and you know you should be punished for it... good. Tell Drishti she is in command of the stealth scouts until further notice... you may earn it back. Until we break camp your primary responsibility will be the Drtida; the people you saved and brought back with you. When you are not helping them you will be guard duty or kitchen duty and when we leave you will fill in all the latrines."
"33; since you decided to lead a rescue mission alone and without orders, and brought the Drtida back here, your primary responsibility is the same as 32's until we break camp; the Drtida's needs. When you're not helping them, I want you on outer defenses and guard duty... just in case we have problems with the Lizardmen roaming the hills... or if we have made a new enemy of the Treba Cursis Horsemen. And when we leave you will help 32 fill in those latrines... without magic."
Realmer sighs and takes a swig of the bottle. "Now that that's out of the way..." he looks Tesa and Fort in the eyes, "you both did a good thing today; the right thing. I hope both of you were stealthy enough in your actions to not be recognized as being from the Amberite Army... we don't need a war with the Treba Cursis. And if they still show up for trading purposes, I don't want either of you recognizable. Tesa, use those Shape Shifting skills I taught you. Fort... I'm sure you have a way to change your appearance. So... tell me. What happened out there?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Tesa looks to Fort who smiles. She starts thinking on facial sifting. "Am I dismissed?"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Yes, you are dismissed" he says to Tesa.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Fort watches her go, then twists his lip and raises an eyebrow.
"What happened out there? Well, Its a question of what you want to know and what you are willing to know? There are 3 things to see and say. One is what I found Tesa doing when I found her and their response to that. Second is what the horseman were doing when Tesa got there. And third, is what I did to clean the mess up and give the horseman a different foe to be angry at. I suspect my actions were outside the guidelines here but if I was given a chances to make my case I think I didn't break any of the rules I agreed to when I came here. Others might see it differently. "
He looks over as Tesa starts sorting out the Drtida.
"How much has she told you about her past? Not her time in Amber with Gangdis but her time in the city of Sanctuary in the Rankin Empire? And what her protector Conf sent her to learn? I'm guessing she has been vague about both, if not totally silent about becoming a Daughter of Conf. Yes? You should decide how much of that stuff you really want to know. I'll tell you, but it will be damned hard to unknow once you know. I'm of the opinion that Rasak and Adledross were bad choices for her but she is young still, and perhaps she needed to make this bad choice. Who among us has not had careers we regret, eh Necromancer?"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Well... that career was forced upon me, and I wouldn't say I regret it... I made the best of a bad situation. But I certainly know your meaning. We all have to make bad choices in order to learn. And the choice to come here was not entirely her own; if it was I don't think she would have. I know enough about Tesa for now; some she has told me, some I have learned from other sources, some I have learned though experience and observation. You don't need to tell me more unless you feel compelled to do so for some reason."
Realmer takes a sip of the bottle of brandy and continues.
"The less I know about what happened out there concerning you and Tesa, as your Commander, the better; plausible deniability. And if the Treba Cursis are as despicable as I think they are, it's better I don't know about that either; spare me the nightmares and anger... we may still have to trade with them. But if and when that happens, I don't want them IN our camp or even too near it. We need to establish a meeting area outside camp that is to our advantage and to their disadvantage; as part of outer defenses, that falls to you as well."
Another sip. "Alex is returning with the cavalry now and had a run in with some Lizardmen so might be bringing back supplies so some sort. Tal told me that Alex said the horses will be broken in and trained by the time they get back here. Looking forward to seeing the massive steed that can bear that mountain of a man. We should also do some more hunting and smoking of meats while we are here; we will need to replenish our stocks and replenish any we trade away... plus we have more mouths to feed now."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Fort nods, "Well, don't be surprised if the horseman are really angry at the Kzin. Take a mutual tone on that angle with them. the building to the left doesn't look like part of a farm or hamlet. If its empty, its less then an hour ride. That should be far enough from our camp. And it might be a good idea to keep the Drtida here. They are a farming people it seems but from their language its close to chaos. One of the....ah....things that looked like Kzin, recognized the language. Its been devilishly long since I didn't recognize one. Black Zone world. A feeder people. They mostly raise food for themselves before becoming food themselves. Chaos likes their meals feisty. They might serve well maintaining our base for that kind of maintenance as we hop across the continent. Also, there seem to be a lot of them. several thousand I guess, but spread out too."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"They are spread out across the continent, but their numbers have dwindled to under a thousand, according to my source. That same source tells me you and Tesa did break some rules and will be punished accordingly."
"Check with the scouts as to the disposition of those buildings, I had them looking into them when we sent the Reen with our cavalry members to get their mounts. They should be back by now."
"And when you say, 'maintaining our base', are you suggesting a permanent or semi-permanent base where we leave the Drtida to tend it in out absence? Or are you suggesting taking them with us to maintain our camp? Because I can get behind the latter."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"We are leap frogging across the continent. Every man knows how to build and tears down camp. We may be in camp for a couple weeks each as we go along. Wouldn't hurt to have people here tending to day to day things as we soldier on. "
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"I'm concerned about them being attacked here... but they would be attacked anywhere on this world... I guess at least here their position would be defensible and they would have our support as we move in and out of here. And if they are allied with us, perhaps the other armies will be less inclined to bother them. Have them trained in our camp processes and procedures and for communication... perhaps some of our Hand Signs."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Oh! I almost forgot. Percy said 'Tell him I told you you have '-2 having drunk wine'. He also said, 'here if you drink wine you get marginally unlucky'. Though I think that last part was for my benefit. He also suggested that I ask you what a 'Weirdness' is in the Tosa/York universe. So, what is a 'Weirdness'?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"Weirdness?" He really said it that way? I'm getting to like this Percy. Wine, now Brandy, and interesting clues.. Ah... in the Tosa/York multiverse most people have a knack or glitch of some type. they work out to preferences in the end....One person likes longswords, feel comfortable with them. Feels clumsy with maces, can't work a polearm, has good eyesight, smells good to animals. good tracker, respond well to certain types of spells, responds poorly to certain type of spells. has a familiar, ambidextrous, good hearing... high tolerance to spirits, low tolerance to wine, . Fast talker, poker face.. There are millions of these things and culturally they get lumped together as 'One's Weirdness' Percy is telling you your dislike of wine is from having a weirdness for not handling wine well. As a Quad I apparently started with 4 but the forces of nature gave me 7; Ambidextrous, Talk to animals-essentially understands animals well, Throw weapons naturally, a familiar, awkward with two handed weapons, Fast Talker, and Pokerface. Since then I've gone through a place on Tosa where one may take the risk to gain more. Doing so I gained positive ones of Gambler, Quick Actions, a resistance to poisons and alcohols. and comfortableness with bows. I also gained negative aspects of unaffected by blessings, a vulnerability to fighting undead, and a tendency to act as a kleptomaniac on occasion. Hmm what world were you actually born on?"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"To the best of my knowledge, I was born on a world called Montagar... but much what I know about my earliest years have recently turned out to be lies."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"Interesting...I wonder where Montagar is in the scope of things.. If it was in the York Sway it would explain a lot..."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Well... I didn't know how things worked back then, but piecing it together now, I know that after Dworkin took me away from Montagar, the world he took me to was called Oerth in the Gygax System... Gamer Worlds I believe they are called. The trip was quick, even to my recollection of things in those days; a short walk of about 15 minutes that took me down a path that did not exist before and through about a dozen worlds that I could distinguish. Since coming to Amber I have not returned to either place so I am not exactly sure where they lie in the cosmology of things. Not sure if that helps or not."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer takes another sip. "My intuition tells me... that Percy told me to tell you for a reason... and that what he said was meant as much for me as it was for you... Percy certainly knows much... perhaps this matter bears investigation when time permits."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer looks at Fort with a wicked smile and a gleam in his eyes when he asks, "Hey Fort... you wouldn't have happened to have seen a map of the Multiverse at some point in your life, have you?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"Gygax Sway? Never heard it called that but I am familiar with Gamer Worlds. Tosa& York are deep in those lands north of Amber but close enough that it once had a Shade of Amber in it. Percy may well have told us that you were born in a gamer world near Tosa so possibly gained a weirdness though in many cases people never know what they are and just think it part of their preferences. As for cosmology maps, I've sen many of them over the year, and a lot more since coming to Amber. Arlo and I have gone over them. Why?"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Just curious. Sounds like I was born close enough for it to count, regardless of actual location of the world. And wine is not the only Weirdness I have had in my lifetime... many of them during my adventuring career, but many changed over the years... many seemed to disappear after walking the Pattern."
Realmer smiles and looks around at camp getting set up and smells the aromas of cooking foods.
"Well, you have things to do... and so do I. I'll be going back to the Apple Orchard in a couple of days to create the Site Trump for here... the Arrival Point will be over there in that rough patch in the middle of those three large trees, facing north into the camp."
Realmer takes another sip off the bottle, checking the level of liquid after, then walks off towards the kitchens... the smells are making him hungry.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Tesa seems to have the Drtida under control. In fact they seem eager to please her. They seem to take to Homesteading very well and the presence of a thousand Amberites, a thousand Reen and a 1000 dragons gives them a sense of security they have never known in Adledross.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
When she looks his way, he gives Tesa a smile, a 'good job' Hand Sign and raises his bottle to his lips and takes one last swallow... leaving one quarter of the liquid within. He walks into the kitchens and sits on a stone bench within the seating area at a long empty table near the center. He stares into the bottle, gathering Magic as he quickly weaves his own alcohol replenishing spell and finishes it by slowly saying the word 'refill' as he draws his finger up the bottle's side, bringing up the level of liquid as he does and stops near the top of the neck.
He looks around for something to cork the bottle with, then snickers and brings up the Pattern, walks it in his mind, then tweaks probability ever so slightly... reaches into his pocket and finds the bottle's cork... probably left there by Percy. He corks the bottle and watches the activities of camp as he waits for food to finish being cooked. When it is, he will get up and get served in line like everyone else; this is not an eatery with wenches, after all.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
When he tries to mold stuff or tweak shadow he gets a terrible headache as if he was trying to burn something in his brain
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
[forgot about that. hehe]
Realmer chuckles as he recalls how difficult it is to tweak things here. He gets up and finds a bit of wood to carve into a cork, sits back down and whittles/carves himself a cork for his treasured bottle of Napoleon Brandy.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
As Realmer carves on the wood, he realizes there will be quite a bit left over, so he begins carving it into a 'topper'... he snickers again as he begins carving a bust of Percy while focusing on his Trump Artistry... why not, he thinks to himself as he giggles again... fine brandy, thank you Percy... he continues to carve and shape until he feels he has the it almost enough to make contact... then stops to get some food... he's hungry.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Food is served as usual with Tesa showing the Drtida the kitchen duties which they take to well. the men wear their arms while happily chopping wood and doing other jobs. A few hours go by when he wanders and sees Fort leading the latrine crew in some ribald song.
He climbs out of the ditch, smiling " Almost done. Care to christen them? I can smell the kitchens. This will be downwind usually. May I?" He points to the bottle.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Only if your intention is to NOT smash this bottle against that latrine." He chuckles and hands over the bottle. "You've earned it."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"I wouldn't dream of it.. " He pops the top and takes a chug, idly looking at the top. He turn his head to look at the topper.
"Please tell me that's Percy. Is it?"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"It is indeed. Do you recognize his visage?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"This man is watching us and taken a personal interest in you? "
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Well... yes to both. He is an Observer here... and he specifically said he had taken an interest in me... where you going with this?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"Yes I know him, not personally but his works, though they differ some from shadow to shadow. He wrote of the downfall and pride of great men. Percy Shelley... a great poet. His wife wrote horror novels."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Bob chimes in, in a smooth baritone voice, "You should remember those names and their works from your college years on that Earth World... I do. They even made movies from Mrs. Shelley's novels... but I enjoy the written form better."
Realmer looks to Bob, "I was more focused on my specialized training and schooling to pay much attention to the fictions and poetry of that world... plus the Cliff Notes got me through my pre-reqs and on to what I was there for. And you know I rarely paid any attention to television or movies."
He turns to Fort, "So... that explains the Poetry of the Warrior comment he made to me.... but why his personal interest in me... I can only guess, but it is welcomed at this time as his outsider's perspective has been most helpful to me, so I will not question it... much. And I will be thankful for it."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"They have odd observers in this place.. It makes me curious about who the Adledross are. We must be deep in shadow...It has 12 or so nations it allows to send contingents here starting in the west and steals people from shadow to be fodder from the east...That's a strange cosmological effect. It has at least two famous individual from Earth worlds here, probably more. Who knows who it has from elsewhere. Strange....."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Perhaps one day we will learn more about the Adledross...." he leaves it hanging for a moment, looking thoughtful, recalling Percy's words... all of them. "But for now, give me back that bottle..." he reaches over and grabs it and takes a swig. "And after nine years, you of all people should know by now, pre-dawn is the only time I 'talk to the man about the dragon'."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"what ever floats your boat. I'm going to walk the perimeter and check in with the Reen. Then I'm going to take horse east and meet Alex. If you don't mind"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"As long as it involves you stopping by that close building to have a look, then yes. And I will be going with you. I've been wanting to take Graso out and really see what he is capable of... and since Horse is... well, something special, maybe he can give him a good run."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
He nods, "Fair enough. Lets be about it. I feel like a ride, maybe a sleep in the tall grass. And I'm looking forward to seeing Orcbreaker. It annoys Alex how it behaves around me:.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
[ I finally found the comment about Graso being Raynahen... and Graso is male (I thought female)]
(Julian crosses to Trualta with an uncharacteristic grin, "Lord Trualta, its my pleasure to meet you. I'd like you to consider me in your debt. I have not seen Morganstern this ...excited... in a century. That Ranyhyn Graso and he have become boon companions and are wearing out the mares at the North Stair!")
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Graso not Grassa. Hehe
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Si, senor.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer turns to Fort and says, "I'm sure Carston has already laid out an area for picketing in the horses if not an actual stables and Corral. Let's go pick up our mounts, make that perimeter on horseback, visit in the Reen, then head out for that lone building."