The Raven
Administrator
Posts - 1,119
Likes - 230
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Raven on Apr 11, 2018 0:21:55 GMT
Old Man Bael, which indeed was his legal name as far as the local tax collector was concerned, maintained a small farm not two miles east of Longinch's sanctuary, sitting to the right of the river as the bandits approached it. In happier times, it had been a dairy farm, with two score cattle grazing in its fields and resting in the great, green barn beside the house. Now, the earth was scorched from some forgotten skirmish and the only two cows to be seen were sickly creatures, covered in lesions. There was no bull in sight, suggesting the milk supply would dry up completely as soon as the cattle succumbed to whatever ailment plagued them.
The farm sat nearer the river, while the old house itself sat beside the road. In the gathering dusk, it appeared as though someone had already begun to light lamps within the house itself, a plain two story affair of sturdy wood. It was not immediately obvious where Bael or his three sons might currently be.
|
|
Taero of Myr
Peasant
Idiot #5
Posts - 101
Likes - 20
Joined - May 2016
|
Post by Taero of Myr on Apr 11, 2018 8:01:01 GMT
Once the boat was a suitable distance from the shore, Daven jumped from the boat to land on the shallow bank and help maneuver the boat towards the shore and used a rope to tie it to a sturdy looking stump that was in reach. "Shall we start the festitivies?" He inquires to the waiting crew still in the boat, holding out a hand to Barley to help her over to the shore.
|
|
|
Post by Tim of Raventree on Apr 11, 2018 15:45:42 GMT
Tm scrambled out, grabbing his bow, spear and other possessions once he was out.
"I'm ready," he announced. He had perked up since leaving the mill behind, satisfied that they were no longer in immediate danger of being caught, and they had a potential leader in the offing too. And hopefully some sweet gold coming their way as well.
|
|
Barley
High Lord
Posts - 809
Likes - 166
Joined - May 2016
|
Post by Barley on Apr 11, 2018 21:06:00 GMT
“May I suggest a more subtle approach?” Barley asked, taking the hand and getting off the boat.
“why doesn’t Pete start a fire on the labs away from the house, lead at least a couple of them away, abd then a few of us go in to get the loot, three in, and then three back observing and as back up?” She suggested, looking over the bank at the farm, trying to see if she could see much with her keen eyes.
Observation 59
|
|
|
Post by Tim of Raventree on Apr 11, 2018 21:19:53 GMT
"Could give it a go," Tim said. "We got bows too. Could use fire arrows if we wants to create the distraction from further away, or get it started before Pete does 'is thing. Though I dunno if Pete would like that 'alf as much."
He looked at the others. "What's the rest of you think?"
|
|
The Raven
Administrator
Posts - 1,119
Likes - 230
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Raven on Apr 11, 2018 21:53:30 GMT
“May I suggest a more subtle approach?” Barley asked, taking the hand and getting off the boat. “why doesn’t Pete start a fire on the labs away from the house, lead at least a couple of them away, abd then a few of us go in to get the loot, three in, and then three back observing and as back up?” She suggested, looking over the bank at the farm, trying to see if she could see much with her keen eyes. Observation 59 Despite her excellent powers of perception, Barley could see nothing to explain the strange sense of uneasiness she felt. The only noteworthy thing she could notice was that beyond the pair of sickly cows, there did not appear to be any other wildlife on the property. Not even birds.
|
|
Taero of Myr
Peasant
Idiot #5
Posts - 101
Likes - 20
Joined - May 2016
|
Post by Taero of Myr on Apr 11, 2018 22:27:05 GMT
After helping Barley from the boat, Daven turned to look at the fields and the farms. He tries to survey the land while also attempting to find a good perch for him to hide away in with his bow in case the gang needed any distance support from him.
Observation: 25
|
|
The Raven
Administrator
Posts - 1,119
Likes - 230
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Raven on Apr 11, 2018 22:38:46 GMT
After helping Barley from the boat, Daven turned to look at the fields and the farms. He tries to survey the land while also attempting to find a good perch for him to hide away in with his bow in case the gang needed any distance support from him. Observation: 25 Daven likewise notices the lack of birds and nothing particularly extraordinary except a tall willow tree between the farm and their current position. Unfortunately, there is very little grass or shrubbery around it, and he'll have to consider carefully when he ascends or descends his new vantage point.
|
|
|
Post by Tim of Raventree on Apr 12, 2018 18:26:37 GMT
There was definitely something wrong at the farm, though whether it was more than the sickly cattle, Tim couldn't tell. Frowning, he walked around the area, focusing his attention upon the farmhouse itself and surrounding area, though making sure to always stay out of arrow range, just in case.
Observation 25
|
|
The Raven
Administrator
Posts - 1,119
Likes - 230
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Raven on Apr 12, 2018 20:02:54 GMT
There was definitely something wrong at the farm, though whether it was more than the sickly cattle, Tim couldn't tell. Frowning, he walked around the area, focusing his attention upon the farmhouse itself and surrounding area, though making sure to always stay out of arrow range, just in case. Observation 25 (Observation Roll 102: 3 points awarded) Tim can clearly make out a light through the open farm door, along with what appear to be three hounds laying around the entrance. He also spies a lean man standing at the door, looking within and highlighted by the interior light. After a moment, he turns and shuts the door without locking or extinguishing the cause of the illumination. The stranger makes his way back to the house, all three hounds following him. It is difficult to tell from this distance, but they appear to be lean and short haired specimens, typical of Southron farmers. They follow the stranger back to the house, where they lay down again at the back porch while a second, shorter man emerges from the house. Together, the men toss the dogs various scraps of meat while conversing with each other. They play with the dogs a brief moment, rubbing their bellies and scratching their ears, before finally retiring inside. Neither man seems the correct age or physique for Old Man Bael, whose conspicuous belly had attracted such unwanted attention. Still, they are too far away to judge their distinct features beyond height and their plain farmers' clothes. The three hounds remain outside and return to lazing about after a bit of rough housing with each other. Tim can see lights both downstairs and upstairs in the house, and movement on both floors after the two men enter. He can also see a cellar on the side of the house facing the bandits. As Tim stares at the house longer, he notices a horse tied to a hitching post in front of the house near the road. It is dressed as though it might belong to some courtier and not a meager peasant, but the breeding is difficult to discern from this distance. There's no sign of his owner, assuming it doesn't belong to the family itself. Tim is inclined to wonder what might be wrong with the eyes of his companions.
|
|
|
Post by Tim of Raventree on Apr 12, 2018 20:21:43 GMT
Tim walked back over to his companions.
"The house is occupied," he said. "We'll need to deal with the men there. Dogs, too. I saw three dogs an' two men, but neither looked like the ol'' farmer. His sons, mayhaps. Aye, an' I saw a horse, too - could be worth stealin'. So if we wants to create a distraction, we need to make sure the dogs are taken care of too."
He paused for a moment. "Mayhaps one o' us could steal the horse and be seen doin' it, then the men and dogs would go after 'im. And the rest can go sneak into the farm."
|
|
Taero of Myr
Peasant
Idiot #5
Posts - 101
Likes - 20
Joined - May 2016
|
Post by Taero of Myr on Apr 12, 2018 23:09:33 GMT
"Best to not leave anyone alive, leave the bodies to the scavengers that come after death." Daven states calmly. "I can hide in the tree and shoot anyone who comes out to chase the horse." He suggests next.
|
|
|
Post by Tim of Raventree on Apr 13, 2018 6:12:16 GMT
"Aye, sounds good to me," Tim murmured. "But which o' us can ride? I can't so better not be me. I'll lead the group that goes in the house." He looked around the group.
|
|
Barley
High Lord
Posts - 809
Likes - 166
Joined - May 2016
|
Post by Barley on Apr 13, 2018 17:30:41 GMT
“I can, I dunno how happy I am though... and what if they shoot at me? One girl on her own looks mighty suspicious, I’m sure they’re not idiots?”
|
|
|
Post by Tim of Raventree on Apr 13, 2018 18:40:44 GMT
Tim frowned. His head was beginning to ache again from all that thinking. He rubbed his forehead, willing the pain to disappear as he put his mind to the problem ahead.
"Daven will be there to shoot 'em," he said. "An' if you can't get away, weep and tell them the nasty bandits took you prisoner and made you steal the horse. My wench Sybell did that, once. Merchant caught 'er stealin' i's purse. She cried so 'ard, said she were made to do it by a nasty ol' woman what she owed money to. Merchant fell for it an' gave 'er all the silvers in 'is purse anyhow." He grinned. "Guess what 'appened after that? I sneaked up be'ind while Sybell were weepin' and stole a silver-backed mirror right out of 'is saddlebag, an' a vial o' milk o' the poppy too. Bloody soft fool never saw me comin'."
He grinned wider. "So 'ow about it, lass? You in? Got to be better than standin' ere waitin' for t'others to show up."
|
|