Age of Ice and Blood: A Pathfinder System Heroic Fantasy Quest
- Thread starter DragonParadox
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
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- Tags
- pathfinder open voting
Oooh...
Well, I did not considered this seriously, and anyway, we have whole world to explore.
[X] Goldfish
I mean it's not like pissing off this one king will lock off the sunset islands, to keep this in perspective, this isa time when the reach of the king only goes so far as the will of his clan chiefs and their reach only so far as the words of the priests or the willingness of their warriors to fight. There is a reason we have the tern bronze age democracy and that is because there simply aren't at the moment and in societies like this the instruments for centralized rule, if you go down south you might well find them, indeed it seems to Zaia that you will find priest kings who might actually be able to keep you out of their capitals, maybe even stop you from docking in minor ports if you wanted to.
Out here though it is the very weakness of the king that means he feels he has to strike out like this, he sees you as a threat to his prestige and for what it's worth this is a mistake it makes sense for Roland to make, because it has not really dawned on him that in this world a warlord with fifteen trained and well equipped warriors behind him as well as three (!) sorcerers is the kind of person one of the minor kings of the islands might think of as a threat.
It occurs to me that the Anwa nobility may not actually be not aware- or believe- that this isn't a triumvirate of a warrior noble, a merchant and a scholar, and that they- and the king- may instead believe that it's Roland who's in command, with Esha, Tom, Antonio and Zaia as our inner circle of retainers and our house guard as our… well, house guard.
Which is funny to ponder, but probably would be much more intimidating than the truth of it.
Which is funny to ponder, but probably would be much more intimidating than the truth of it.
I am going to need more votes guys if you want me to do another update. five votes just does not seem like enough for this one.
- Location
- United States
[X] Do not make the promise
-[X] "I am a person who does not make a habit of breaking their word once given; which means I am also a person who does not swear if frivolously. I do not currently have any ambitions to claim the throne of Korman or any throne. I am but the captain of a band of warriors seeking the destruction of the Neverborn that plague us all. My word has been good thus far and I have given the Great King nothing but the most leal advice I can manage for the coming conflict; I would hope that to be sufficient here.
I'm taking a page out of Esha's book here. Don't make promises on a whim, especially when you have much more life left to live.
-[X] "I am a person who does not make a habit of breaking their word once given; which means I am also a person who does not swear if frivolously. I do not currently have any ambitions to claim the throne of Korman or any throne. I am but the captain of a band of warriors seeking the destruction of the Neverborn that plague us all. My word has been good thus far and I have given the Great King nothing but the most leal advice I can manage for the coming conflict; I would hope that to be sufficient here.
I'm taking a page out of Esha's book here. Don't make promises on a whim, especially when you have much more life left to live.
Vote closed.
Arc 12 Post 29: Storm Watch
Storm Watch
First Day of Elnu-Hamba (Elnu Descendent), 1349 A. L. (After Landfall)
"Of course I would make such a vow!" you call out, anger hot on the tip of your tongue, though not against Ohun, but his master. A vow is not a thing lightly taken and not at the whim of another, king though he may be. You will not be treated like some armed brigand by an unblooded boy. You round on him and speak boldly and without veil for once: "Do not mistake my counsel for a lack of resolve or hidden ambition, for I do not shy away from the shedding of blood when necessary, as many of you have seen with your own eyes, and my home cannot be found among your islands. Heed my counsel or do not, that is your right as king of your people, but..."
"But... but, that is not a word I would hear when you give counsel, not from you who did not bleed beside by fathers, no send your bones down into the waters beside them!" King Ansefu snaps. "I shall take counsel with my lords as to this matter and though I shall not cast out a man whom the captain of the ship had invited neither to I have to listen to more of your steering as though I am a billygoat in rut that needs handling so as not to smash his head against the posts!"
"If you do not wish my company, than it would hardly be of any use," you reply stiffly as you turn to leave without another glance at any of those present. You trust Antonio to keep you advised as to what will be spoken, but you do not trust yourself in the company of a royal brat one moment longer.
The brisk air upon the deck of the ship is a welcome chance from the stuffy cabin, but you do not miss the uneasy looks the sailors give you. A ship's timbers timbers are not walls of stone and neither you nor the king had been speaking softly.
Perhaps you can get the advice to Ohun later, you sigh, wondering if there is something you might have said or done to no lose the confidence of the king. Turning your head towards the stern of the galley you are surprised to find Moru sitting cross-legged on a stool preciously balanced, eves on the eastern horizon.
"Have you given much advice to kings gracious one?" you ask more bitterly than you had meant to.
"More than I might have wished less than they might have needed in the end," his eyes of flame all the more eerie for their calm. "Why?" On hearing your tale he shakes his head in annoyance, though not you think with any surprise. "Ask a lord new come to manhood to think about the troubles of his children as soon as ask a butterfly than lived a ten-day to worry for the winter."
"How long do those butterflies live?" you ask, lowering your voice a little. It is only when the words are out of your mouth that you realize that that might sound like.
"Perhaps a ten-day more," Moru replies, though he swiftly adds. "It is to the great good fortune of man that we bring forth our young in a somewhat more sensible manner. If this Negu is as cruel as he is said to be, cruel by the measure of folk whose bread is robbery and drink is murder then I think the king will sicken of him before the war is out."
Another time you might have corrected his words, for you had meet many of the Anwa who were honorable and even gentle in manner, but for now you ask: "And if he does not?"
"A man fighting the powers of the Anjo-oru with no ward or blessing is not long for the world... they say this Negu is bold as he is godless, let us then see how his wager pays out."
Alas it seems that you must count upon that promise, ill as it sits with you, for a bird comes with the setting of the sun with an answer from Orinyiya, for the prize he has been promised he will turn his cloak.
"Lord have mercy on the heads of fools," Tom mutters when you take him into his confidence, yet it seems that his prayers are not heard. That night it seems as if all the weather luck of your journey from Orinilu had turned against you, for clouds boil think and black on the horizon, tall as the towers of a dreadful fortress and the wind breathes a breath of black rain. Beneath your feet the Marcalla shifts and groans, preparing herself to meet the storm even as her crew scramble to their own posts. The lords had all returned to their own ships, as lightning rips across the sky with claws of fire all you can do is hope the longships will hold.
What does the Marcella and her crew focus on during the storm?
[] Providing a beacon for the ships of the fleet and rescuing sailors cast overboard
[] Protecting her ship and her crew
OOC: Your rolls did not get any better alas.
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- Location
- Germany
A quick storm, are we sure those Oceanid fey don't hold a grudge against Ansefu?
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
Yeah, fuck Ansefu. He's an idiot and the Anwari are not worth dealing with beyond the absolute minimum. When this endeavor is concluded, I hope we can avoid them entirely. Aina has my sympathy, but there is little else we can do for her at this point.
The Anwari are experienced seafarers accustomed to sailing in bad weather, I say leave them to their own devices and focus on protecting Marcella and her crew, that way we'll be better prepared to deal with whatever comes next, likely an Attack by ocean Fey or some other deadly foe.
[X] Protecting her ship and her crew
My thoughts as well. Even if not Oceanid shenanigans, the timing is highly suspicious.
The Anwari are experienced seafarers accustomed to sailing in bad weather, I say leave them to their own devices and focus on protecting Marcella and her crew, that way we'll be better prepared to deal with whatever comes next, likely an Attack by ocean Fey or some other deadly foe.
[X] Protecting her ship and her crew
Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
This vote really wasn't all that diplomatic, friend. Unfortunately I've had almost zero time to approach this beyond reading recently, so wasn't able to formulate any advice I felt would help. But I'm not at all surprised by the result.
- Location
- United States
@DragonParadox I noticed that Roland said he would take a vow, but he never actually got around to it. Does that mean that the oath wasn't complete? Mostly asking because I foresee having to do a surprise regime change in Korman in the future.
- Location
- United States
I too missed it and didn't give critique, but upon reading it trying to intentionally intimidate the weak king in front of his lords would only really have one result.
You could make the argument that he did not make the vow, but you could also argue that he 'as good as made it', you are kind of in a grey area in that regard that depends on the charity of he person you are talking to. As far as Roland himself is concerned, no, he did not speak the right words in the right order, he did not invoke his honor before God.
- Location
- Texas
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Protecting her ship and her crew
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
It was not really intended to be diplomatic. Diplomacy only seems to work to a certain extent with the Anwari due to their cultural baggage, doubly so when they're lead by an idiot teenager.
Roland meekly making the vow and not responding to the boy's insults would have done us no favors among these people.
EDIT: That said, it wasn't meant as intimidation, either. We are not Ansefu's subject and he needed to be reminded of that, even if it made him angry. He's lucky to have our assistance in this matter, and while we shouldn't expect him to be gracious about it, we also shouldn't act like him allowing us to tag along is a favor to us.
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*glances at notes*
I am sorry guys, there is no way I am writing a major update like this storm is shaping up to be this late. I'll try to get three updates up tomorrow if threre are enough votes. As is I already feel like I pushed you guys too much on the last vote when another vote has just appeared from @Raichu1972. I do not want to take away from the interactive aspect of the quest and degrade its quality at the same time by continuing to write late.
I am sorry guys, there is no way I am writing a major update like this storm is shaping up to be this late. I'll try to get three updates up tomorrow if threre are enough votes. As is I already feel like I pushed you guys too much on the last vote when another vote has just appeared from @Raichu1972. I do not want to take away from the interactive aspect of the quest and degrade its quality at the same time by continuing to write late.
Good night guys, see you tomorrow with hopefully more updates and... well I would say less distractions, but given the cause the best I can do is force myself away from said distraction.
- Location
- United States
[X] Providing a beacon for the ships of the fleet and rescuing sailors cast overboard
Marcella is the largest, sturdiest ship in the fleet and thus the one best able to weather the storm. It would be more useful to the fleet as a whole to have her assisting the others.
Marcella is the largest, sturdiest ship in the fleet and thus the one best able to weather the storm. It would be more useful to the fleet as a whole to have her assisting the others.
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
Upon further thought, I agree that we should help keep the fleet intact, if possible. It would be the Roland thing to do, though I fear we'll be making targets of ourselves in the process.
[X] Providing a beacon for the ships of the fleet and rescuing sailors cast overboard
-[X] A pair of Sunrods will be activated, one positioned fore and another aft on Marcella's structure, in order to serve as a navigation beacon for the fleet, and Inge will use her Light cantrip on one of Marcella's sails for additional illumination.
[X] Providing a beacon for the ships of the fleet and rescuing sailors cast overboard
-[X] A pair of Sunrods will be activated, one positioned fore and another aft on Marcella's structure, in order to serve as a navigation beacon for the fleet, and Inge will use her Light cantrip on one of Marcella's sails for additional illumination.
- Location
- Texas
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Goldfish
- Location
- Germany
[X] Goldfish