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Log: A Visit to Granite Falls

Page history last edited by Ayesha 14 years, 3 months ago

A Visit to Granite Falls

Scene run by Lark, part of the Bandit King plot.

 

Synopsis: Hunting Mist has decided to “take care” of Crimson Hollow. But first he needs to stop the banditry. So what to do?

He starts checking out the attacked kingdoms, seeking allies. Granite Falls first, where he meets the local leaders and a curious Lunar snooper.

 

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "Alright. A couple years ago Crimson Hollow was a city of around 5,000 inhabitants, it was ruled by a major in the pocket of the Guild, because it was a moderately important trade hub for the center of the 100K. Rikant didn't allow the Guild do... the usual Guild depredations, it was a strong kingdom."

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "well, currently Crimson Hollow houses double that, and that not counting thousands of marauding brigands that are raiding over a dozen kingdoms."

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Mmm. Not easy to curtail. That's a full-time job for me. I really need a point to counter-raiding to hope to be effective."

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "What do you mean?"

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "I can save a village or merchant train at a time, create an area where the raiders have a harder time operating. But stopping their depradations fully, that'd take...a lot. I don't think I can do it by myself. With Spies 5, can I predict how and where they're going to raid effectively? Can I then pick off their individual raiding parties until their entire effort collapses on a particular front?"

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "But... you are not alone!"

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "See all those kingdoms under attack? Your natural allies!"

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Ah, there is that. I am going to talk with them, methinks, at some point. If I can tame Crimson Hollow, will they recognize my effort to build a nation?"

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Or talk with them soonest. They'll also have information I may need. I'm no good at War, so I'll leave that to them."

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "that is an interesting question that will depend on your resources and skills. But hey, you are a solar, for anyone that is not pro-immaculate you are a divine-superhero, for those who lean towards the immaculatism you are the devil, but they will still pay attention."

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Heh. Get a list of the nations and their attitudes/profile that are affected by Crimson Hollow's activities."

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "Childs play for someone with your network of spies, gimme a few mins :)"

 

There are hundreds of reports on the bandit activities. They have been attacking almost all the neighbour nations like rabid dogs, they have lost some bands, but in general they are doing an enormous amount of damage. Currently several kingdoms are under attack. They are not bothering the nearby Rikant, though, as now the ruined city is said to be the dwelling of a Deathlord.

They are hitting Black Ravine, a small but kingdom of ranchers and fighters with a traditional intense hatred for the Realm and the Dynasty. The people have a reputation from being tough, and rude.

Also Redsky, a former Realm satrapy that has many links to Greyfalls. Generally immaculate-oriented, recently lost its rulers to some demon-like creature (actually an infernal).

Gangs have assaulted border villages in Saltrian, a large nation and one of the rare democracies in the region. Generally open-minded and proud.

Seven Sands has been ravaged, a confederation of baronies that were still recovering from a plague, they have been forced to pay tribute.

Rumors say Ricosha is going to be hit soon. Ricosha is the land of wine. A small and pleasant place whose army was destroyed by a rogue Dynast (Cathak Mas) trying to nail Talia of Tajome. They now rely in mercenaries for defense, and in Tajome tiger warriors. Ricosha is part of the Confederation Defense League.

There have been some fighting as far as Granite Falls, it is a kingdom of miners. They have a very powerful and famous champion, the Dragon-Blood Number Twelve Melon Hammer, rumored to have taken whole armies by himself in the past.

 

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Alright, Black Ravine is a natural pick for me. At least, I'm sympathetic to their lifestyle. Easiest for me to co-opt. Ricosha can be massaged somewhat."

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Redsky would need to be approached carefully. Saltrain is manageable, I think. Socialize Charms would work the best there. Seven Sands I recall easily enough. I played there briefly, before figuring out that all of its plots have been aborted. :P"

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Granite Falls can be leveraged into getting Redsky on board."

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "Veritas is in Black Ravine (and you would know this, since he is one of the Champions, too)."

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "So, start with Black Ravine, get them to recognize my ability to get something done, and possibly bring Crimson Hollow to heel. If I can manage that task, ask them for some concessions in the future in regards to what Hollow will be in the future, and what I want to do with it."

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Oooh. Arrange a meeting with Veritas, then."

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "What is his position in relation to Black Ravine? Does he hold office? Manage a lot of resources? Run an Army?"

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "Veritas? No, he is a knight from Albiron. He went alone."

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "Anyway. It might be better to pospone Black Ravine until Veritas is around, where do you ride Yoshi first? :)"

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Granite Falls."

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Talk to Melon Hammer."

Like many of the kingdoms of the East, Granite Falls can be classified as a city state. A large city and a few villages and towns which give tribute for protection. Generally not a place that gets many visitors, they don’t have anything interesting here, and the city is no architectonic wonder. They export a lot of stone, including marble and obsidian for palaces and manses. Or did.

Now the roads are dangerous. A large caravan with valuable stone heading Marita was completely destroyed, the expensive Yeddim carrying the stone slaughtered or stolen. A couple outlying villages have been raced by huge gangs of marauders, and the local army, formed by a few couple hundred riders, is aggressively patrolling the region, in large groups. Definitely they will try to intercept Yoshi before he gets to the city gates, although they can hardly match his speed.

         The speed by which Mist approaches the force diminishes rapidly as Yoshi silently informs him of their likely legitimacy as actual guards of this nation-state of Granite Falls. He slows, and then pulls up a polite distace away, raising his hand to parley. He speaks first, since there are some questions that anyone guarding a city would want answered, and he might as well get it out of the way.

         "Mah name is Master of the Hunting Mist, and ah'm a messenger, bearing news of the rogue nation of bandits operatin' out of Crimson Hollow, an' ah'm here to broker a deal with whomever would hear me, for ah bring tidings of those who are interested in dealing with them as a problem and threat to all peaceful nations.", Mist says in a BOOMING voice, enhanced greatly by his Demon-Wracking Shout; all the guard, and likely much of the city, can hear him.

 

A hawk that had been fluttering overhead careens at the booming words. Wobbling around like a strong draft had knocked it over in mid air, the sparrow stabilizes itself and starts to circle around the gathering in broad, looping turns. Alighting on a nearby building or tree, the hawk *eyes* the grouping, as though offended at the raucous noise. Local small god, perhaps?

 

The soldiers racing to stop the big lizard halt at hearing Hunting Mist's announcement. They seem to talk among themselves and decide to wait instead, following Yoshi to the city gates. When Mist arrives, though, there are more soldiers at the gate, including a tall, burly fellow that leans on a huge jade goremaul with a round head.

 

Looking over to the Mighty fellow, Mist tips his hat and says, "Melon Hammer, ah presume? Yer th'fellow who ah should be talkin' to?". Mist's volume is reduced to normal conversation levels.

Yoshi, for his part, is playing the proper and docile beast of conveyance. For now.

 

The curious hawk tilts its head but does nothing else for now, merely observing the scene. Weirdness abounds.

 

"Aye, I am him," replies the big guy. "I heard about you killing those undead monsters threatening Great Forks, welcome to Granite Falls," he offers a ham-sized hand to Hunting Mist. "As for talking to me, well, I don't rule here or anything. You probably want to talk with the city fathers, or the army officers if it is about the bandits."

 

         Mist nods once, puts his large-but-within-normal-sized hand in Melon's and pumps briefly. "Well, y'got that right, then. Ah'm sure, tho, that what you know is useful to them, an' so your opinion should be there. C'mon, an' we'll bend their ear a bit, an' see what they have t'say. Y'neah know, we might just save some lives today."

 

Eventually the hawk must have flown off--it's not there anymore. Instead something like a large-eared kangaroo-mouse is scurrying down the tree and sneaking its way over to the idling dinosaur transport. Crouching low and coming in from behind, the mouse suddenly bounces up onto the stirrup, ascends the leather strap to the saddle, and crawls into one of the saddle bags...preferably one with food in it! Once the slender tail has disappeared into the bag, it doesn't reappear.

 

Melon Hammer and a few other warriors take Hunting Mist to the city barracks, a large, ugly stone building near the gates, where they can talk with several officers and organize a quick meeting with some of the oligarchs that rule the kingdom. Given Hunting Mist is a known solar, they treat him with a measure of respect, obvious fear in some cases.

 

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "So, RSI is sneaking into the meeting?"

-= OOC =- Running Silver Ice says, "Urk! Was expecting them to take Yoshi with them. Whoops."

-= OOC =- Running Silver Ice was trying to. Heh.

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "Yushi could be there, after all I hear he is the brains of the duo :)"

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Heh. Your involvement in this plot, I'm sure, was uncertain. So let's say I got you involved in case you wanted to be, and to let you see what I'm up to. So, I made a personal approach, to give you a perspective on a more 'global' issue."

-= OOC =- Running Silver Ice says, "Ah, well, in that case I can just stride in. Keeping the trail rations though!"

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Well, He has skillz there, true, but I try to make that less well-known to the general public."

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "No, hiding isn't a bad thing either, Rice. You can do either, as it pleases you."

-= OOC =- Running Silver Ice says, "I'll hide then. I'll only appear if needed. Better they think only one Exalt is after them."

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Alright."

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Yoshi puts up AESS."

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "Well, Melon Hammer goremaul is magical, of course, as are his bracers. Some minor artifacts and thaumaturgic stuff among the high ranked officers, but nothing unexpected."

 

         Dismounting smoothly, Mist greets each and every one who meets him with an open smile and a hearty handshake. He makes his way to the barracks, swaggering really, ready to influence the world today. There isn't a hint of discomfort, and he certainly isn't returning any of the fear that is projected onto him. Mortals have a hard enough time of it already, without his actions feeding grist to the mill.

 

The small kangaroo-mouse bounces along in Mist's wake until it scurries into hiding. Mist may not be his mate, but Silver Ice remembers his stand against the Singers, and will not let the Solar come to harm. Peeking out from over the edge of a table, the small mouse swipes a grape from one of the barracks table's plates. Running back down the table leg with his prize, the small mouse holds the grape before it like a melon as it chomps micro-sized bites out of the rapidly diminishing grape.

 

There are several minutes of introductions and pleasantries, a score people with positions of importance in the city wants to hear what Hunting Mist has to say. Wine is brought and some discussion follows about if they should wait this person or another who are not there yet. At the end they decide they don't have to wait, and that they can take notes anyway. "So, er... Lord Master of the Hunting Mist, we would hear you now, sir," this comes from one of the older city officers.

 

         Understanding that he has the floor now, Mist stands, clears his voice and takes his hat off and holds it as he addresses the impromptu gathering. "Ah think ah can safely say that we agree that the bandit force operatin' out of Crimson Hollow is a problem. They're a group of folk who have lost their center an' their way, an' are operatin' on th'most base instincts a mortal has, an' are lashin' out at everyone an' everythin' in a bid to 'survive'. There are those who're willin' t'step up to th'job of makin' Crimson Hollow a decent neighbour again, but there are those who profit from their activities too much who stand in th'way of a good an' just path. I want you t'consider that as I say my next few words.

         "I aim t'replace Crimson Hollows empty moral center with one that will operate again as a good an' proper nation, an' ah seek your approval for mah effort. Ah ask, that if ah accomplish this task, that you treat me an' mine favourably, an' allow fer concessions t'help get those folk back on their feet an' away from their desperate plight of banditry an' unproductivity. At this point, ah just may ask for a favour here'n'there, until th'task is done, but when it is, that is when ah want yer support. In th'meantime, ah will work t'minimize th'damage done by them, an' help you defend your trade an'borders until then. Is this agreeable to you, th'nation of Granite Falls?"

         Mist's posture straightens as he speaks, and his voice fills the barracks as he makes his speech to these, the leaders and collective mind of this nation.

         After talking, Mist puts his hat back on, and sits down.

 

-= OOC =- Hunting Mist says, "Well, RIce, this is simply the first of *many* meetings I could have. A second voice that can get around might be what I need."

-= OOC =- Running Silver Ice salutes!

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "Definitely not what they expected, roll Charisma + Performance +2 stunt dice? :)"

 

By now the mouse is done with the grape and it tosses the lone leftover seed over its shoulder. Sneaking along the wall, it eventually finds another mouse's hole to poke into. Finding it abandoned, the mouse roots around for anything of value, but only finds a lone, long-neglected key of brass. Biting down on the looped end of the small key, the Lunar races back out and carries its treasure to the table where its been hiding.

 

(Judge) Hunting Mist rolls Performance + Performance + Charisma + Charisma + 2: [ -1- -1- 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 8 9 9 <10> <10> ]

        Resulting in 8 successes.

 

The folks were honestly expecting to hear a clever plan to annihilate the bandits, those vile parasites, barely human. So upon hearing Hunting Mist is actually planning to take over Crimson Hollow and turn them into farmers, there is some jaw dropping and disbelief. But... he sounds so sure of himself, so /righteous/, that most of the folks can only nod in total agreement. There are some voices against, too, some officer hates bandits, and a councilwoman lost a son in the first battles. But the consensus is that Hunting Mist plan is a good idea and deserves a shot. "So what should we do?" Is the question.

 

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "enough to hit most MDVs here. They are mortals and the group magnitude is, I think, 1 or 2."

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "not enormously enthusiastic support, though."

 

Mist nods as their concerns are voiced, and recognizes their own path that has had them arrive here. He stands again to address the group once they've fallen quiet to give him the floor once again.

         "Ah intend, first, t'make their actions unprofitable. If banditry is worse than other options, other options, like farmin', will appear more appealing. Ah fully expect you to meet whatever force they send with full predjudice. Ah also expect, that with a bit of help, you'll be able to annihilate their forces. This'll weed out th'ones who're most eager t'fight an'cause a ruckus. What ah can do for you is give yer fightin' forces information on where an' what th'bandits're bringin' t'bear. Y'can choose yer fights after that, if you'll give me a bit of time t'collect said information. A series of losses on this front will make Scorpion look bad, and allow a chance for other forces t'have a voice, one that may be a bit more reasonable. If this happens enought times, an' if th'head is removed at th'right time, an' a better option is presented, th'whole nation may turn over in a jiffy, an' there may be a new future fer y'all t'look forward to."

 

-= OOC =- Blithe Lark Spirit says, "Okay, they are convinced!"

Comments (1)

Master of the Hunting Mist said

at 11:20 pm on Jan 6, 2010

+3xp for Lark

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