Beachtown Constable Glansandi Storeyja

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag nods his appreciation."Yeah, no worries. We all gotta work together an' use everyfink we got, or we're never gonna get off dis beach".

"Right den, I'm off. Gotta go see a man about a log."

[OGRE MAGE]

Constable Glansandi leads the pair into his empty barracks building and bids them to sit around the table with him. He tries in vain to hide the lingering weakness from his recent ordeal, but it is clear he still suffers from his former slimy possession both mentally and physically.

“That was some announcement out there, my friends. Would you care to fill me in on the details a little better, please? And maybe give me the current whereabouts of our Mayor, who was basically under your protection when you left?”

As expected, there is an hint of disappointment in the man’s voice that he wasn’t informed immediately about this news.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen once again bows to the Constable. "Your pardon, sir. We should have brought this to you first. I know better, but acted as an excitable grub." Trying his best to keep to his proper station, he looks to Liam, whom he respects due to his age and his status among the gentry, to answer Glansandi's questions about Daisy. He seems to be ready to answer if directed to, however.

[Bluehorse]

Liam nods to Jaxsen's words. You're right. I was worried about expediency. We were on our way to meet with the dwarves. We made it past the first patrol with no problems due to the Mayor's and the Princess's diplomacy. We moved up the trail they have created off the loggers path until we came to the next patrol. They agreed to escort us the rest of the way. As we traveled, they were speaking in dwarvish, and apparently didn't think some of our party could understand them. It became clear we were going to be captured and used as slaves once we arrived at their mines. A couple of our party took it upon themselves to attack the dwarves to escape. Seeing what was already in action, I didn't hold back and neither did the rest of us.
Last I saw the Princess and Narramore, they had hijacked one of the lizards the dwarves use as mounts and was giving chase to the last surviving dwarf.
Jaxen and I regrouped with the Mayor and we agreed someone needed to warn the town that we might be receiving an attack very soon in retribution for the fight where a number of the dwarves died. I have no idea what success or failure the rest of the party has had. Jaxsen and I came as fast as well could manage to deliver the warning. That was the last order we got from the mayor, with the understanding we would try to either defend this town, or more likely flee for the river and they would try regroup when they made it back. he couldn't bring himself to say the word if.

[OGRE MAGE]

The weak looking elf sits up and scratches the back of his neck.

"I see. Thank you for filling me in on the details. Though I find it a little worrisome that you were trying to rally farmers and peasants to fight against dwarven soldiers, I can now see where you were coming from."

"If you haven't figured it out yet, I simply don't believe there is any way the citizens of this town could stand a chance against the Stonegut army. But if what you tell me is true, and I believe that it is, we will need to carefully get things ready for a quick bugout, just in case."

"I understand that you are already likely exhausted from your trip back here, but I would ask that the two of you return to the trail right now all the same. You don't have to run all the way again, but we will need as many hands on this project as we can afford. I will send men along with you, and some runners to head back here to warn the others if things really do go south."

"Marge and I can organize the quick packing of essentials, in case we do need to run, but I think the more folks we send to slow down these proposed attacks, the longer we will have to get ready here."

"Will the two of you agree to return to fight on the front lines with the Mayor and your other friends if the need arises? Or would you prefer to stay back here and pack with the women and children?"

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen nods. "Either of those jobs is defending our hive, so I would be happy to do either. Given the choice, I believe I would prefer to return to the side of the Mayor, sir. Then, if need be, we can fight a retreat all the way back here, lowering the numbers of enemy that make it to the town." The Monk then looks to Liam, curious to see his choice.

[Bluehorse]

Liam nods. Fair. Fair. I trust you can tend to getting things ready to beat a retreat to the river, Constable. I will do my part to see that we keep everyone safe. I volunteer my Donkey and Cart to help move things. I'll run to tell Joe before we head up the trail so he will know to expect some of your men to come commander them.

[OGRE MAGE]

Glansandi nods in agreement.

"I will feel much better knowing that the two of you are going to stay on top of this. Go find your friends on the trail, if they are still reachable, and have the runners return here as soon as you discover any signs of an imminent dwarven attack. But please make certain that the dwarves are really on their way here before you rile up any more of the townsfolk."

"I appreciate the offer of the ass and cart, and will no doubt be taking you up on that, Master Liam. I will attempt to get the bugout process started as best we can while you are gone, but hopefully we don't really need to leave this place, especially at night."

The elf rises to leave the barracks. "Is there anything else you need to report before you leave? Any questions about our proposed plan?"

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

"I suppose my only question would be, who are our runner/scouts?" Turning to Liam, Jaxsen adds, "Let's not worry about our pace till after we reach the Mayor. Just a brisk walk, perhaps. It seems to me that, if they have already engaged in battle, we cannot affect the outcome, and if they have not, we'll need to arrive with enough energy to fight when we get there."

[Bluehorse]

Liam nods. I agree. I'm already about spent for the day. We will restock on water and I will talk to Joe about Jack and grab Fiona while I'm at it.

Once thing are settled here, Liam will do exactly that. Check with Joe, tell him the constable will be coming for Jack and the Wagon and to start thinking of an effective way to leave with the animals in case of emergency. He will the come back with Fiona and a restocked water supply. This time enough for him and Fiona together.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen also takes a few moments to re-supply water and some dried food.

[OGRE MAGE]

Glansandi introduces Jaxsen to Jombo and another new militia member named Zeke.

"These two will accompany you, along with another fast young lad from town who will act as a runner to come back here and inform us if things go horribly wrong out there."

"The militia members are not going along to start any wars with the dwarves, and will only engage in combat if absolutely necessary. So please try to avoid any unpleasant run-ins with them until we can actually learn if they are going to attack or not."

Once supplies are gathered and information shared, the tired group of five is ready to head back up the trail towards their lost comrades with one last warning from the Constable.

"Watch out for each other and steer clear of trouble if you can. This is only a fact finding mission, you dont have to spill blood or make any more enemies out there. Good luck, and head back this way as soon as you can so we know what to do on this end."

As night falls on Beachtown, the dark trail north awaits.

We can pick this back up here again, since hopefully you will be reunited soon enough. viewtopic.php?p=538020#p538020

[Bluehorse]

Liam

After tending to the animals early that morning with Joe, Liam will report to the Constable's office at his Barracks to see where to find him and get him up to date on the situation, assuming Jumbo and his other man have not already done so.

[OGRE MAGE]

Galanthas Glansandi is standing outside the barracks when Liam arrives, his men still asleep inside.

"Well, I hear you were successful with your late night mission, master Liam. Glad to see you have all returned in one piece, sir."

[Bluehorse]

Liam nods. Me too! We were lucky to get to them when we did near where the junction of the Logger's Trail and the path to the Stonegut Mines is located. Narramore was in bad shape last I saw him, but he is in the house of healing now. Jaxsen took it upon himself to volunteer for a recon mission up the Stonegut trail and agreed to be back here later with some kind of report. It is my understanding that Daisy and her group hid the bodies and I would think that the jungle beast or these bugs will have made swift work of carrying them off. I also have two of the giant lizards tied off behind my place. They would make good beasts of burden with a little coaxing. The stoneguts were abusing them, but leave it to our princess to figure out they can be led about with a promise of food. I have to admit, I was skeptical of her at first, but after all this, I am very impressed. She is more than she seems. So that is the state of things for now.

Liam assesses the Constable briefly. How about you, Master Glansandi? How do you fair? I'd be lying if I said your well being hasn't occupied a good portion of my prayers of late. Are you recovering?

[OGRE MAGE]

The stoic elf listens quietly, nodding his head at Liam's report.

"Good, good. No sign of the dwarves then, just as I imagined?"

"Well, thank you Liam. I must say that I really don't feel entirely myself ever since that creature was inside me, but I do believe I am getting a bit better from that.......uncomfortable experience each day."

[Bluehorse]

Liam

Resigns the elf was right. I hope you understand that the mayor and myself were just acting on being safe rather than sorry. I don't want to cause panic any more than you do, but the thought of those dwarves coming down on this town, thirsty for blood... he shakes his head. I just hope Jaxsen comes back soon with good news.

Hearing how the constable is feeling since his recovery began. I hope you continue to get better. If you need anything, let me know.

[OGRE MAGE]

"I suppose I could ask what you were hoping to accomplish with the stubborn dwarves in the first place, but I think I will wait to have that conversation with our new Mayor."

"I appreciate the thought and the offer, master Liam. I might need to take you up on that some day."

[Bluehorse]

Liam

The old man nods a bit. I have to admire her or anyone else that would just give talk a chance. Some people just want cruelty to beget cruelty, and based on what I have seen from the Stoneguts... Well, I worry that is what they want. There are no superior people who were cruel to the or us. But we're just a whole bunch of new cruel people. A whole bunch of new cruel people, being cruel to some other people, who'll end up being cruel to us. The only way anyone can live in peace is if they're prepared to forgive. And why don't we break the cycle?

Why should we? What is it that you actually want? War. It seems to be everyone's answer since the beginning of everything.

And when this war is over, when -- when you have the homeland free from humans, dwaves, elves, or whoever is before you, what do you think it's going to be like? Do you know? Have you thought about it? Have you given it any consideration? Because you're very close to getting what you want. What's it going to be like? Paint me a picture. Are you going to live in houses? Do you want people to go to work? What'll be holidays? Oh! Will there be music? Do you think people will be allowed to play violins? Who will make the violins? Well? Oh, You don't actually know, do you? Because, just like every other tantruming child in history, us, you, them don't actually know what you want. So, let me ask you a question about this brave new world of yours. When you've killed all the bad guys, and it's all perfect and just and fair when you have finally got it exactly the way you want it, what are you going to do with the people like you? The troublemakers. How are you going to protect your glorious revolution from the next one?

Some will say, We'll win. Oh, will you? Well maybe -- maybe you will win. But nobody wins for long. The wheel just keeps turning. So, come on. Break the cycle.

Please, don't laugh or take offense, Master Constable. I know you are wondering Then why are you still talking? Because I'm trying to get people to see. And I was almost there.

Liam sighs. And we're off! Fingers on bowstrings! Are you feeling lucky? Are you ready to play the game? Who's going to be quickest? Who's going to be the luckiest? No, it's not a game, sweetheart, and I mean that most sincerely. Because it's not a game This is a scale model of war. Every war ever fought right there in front of us all. Because it's always the same. When you fire that first shot, no matter how right you feel, you have no idea who's going to die. You don't know who's children are going to scream and burn. How many hearts will be broken! How many lives shattered! How much blood will spill until everybody does what they're always going to have to do from the very beginning -- sit down and talk!

Seeing a few people stopping to hear his long pent-up rant exploding out, he cannot hold back and keeps talking. Listen to me, listen. I just -- I just want you to think. Do you know what thinking is? It's just a fancy word for changing your mind. And when people won't think, then they will die stupid. Alternatively, you could step away from war and oppression. You could walk right out of that door, and you could stand your revolution down.

Too many people are all the same, just screaming kids, you know that? Look at me, I'm unforgivable. Well here's the unforeseeable, to anyone that has even crossed me or ever will, I forgive you. After all you've done. I forgive you.

And next will be someone saying that I don't understand why this feud or that feud is going on. I don't understand? Are you kidding? Me? Of course, I understand. I mean, do you call this a war, this funny little thing? This is not a war. I fought in a bigger war than you will ever know. I did worse things than you could ever imagine, and when I close my eyes... I hear more screams than anyone could ever be able to count! And do you know what you do with all that pain? Shall I tell you where you put it? You hold it tight... Til it burns your hand. And you say this -- no one else will ever have to live like this. No one else will ever have to feel this pain. Not on my watch.

Because I've been where you have. There was another chance to talk. I was gonna release that bowstring. I was going to wipe out all of my own kind. Man, woman, and child. I was so sure I was right. And what happened?

I walked away. Ever since I just kept trying to keep people from suffering. That is why I was happy... no, giddy to come here. I spent what was left of my meager inheritance and brought it here as livestock and tools. I brought it all in a way I hoped would save people. I still write letters to the mainland hoping that my pleads for further help will pique someone's interests. It might kill me in the end... but I am not going to let innocent people... good people, suffer, if there is anything in my power to stop it.

So I cannot pretend to know what the Mayor or anyone else in our little failed mission had in their minds or hearts as to what they wanted to accomplish, but I hope you now know mine, Master Glansandi.

A little Works Cited for where I borrowed the basis of this from. Great episode. If you never watch another episode of Dr. Who, I highly recommend at least seeing this.
https://www.reddit.com/r/doctorwho/comm ... e_doctors/

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Had to double check to make sure Andron is in town for this speech.

Andronichishche was walking near the town barracks in the early morning, preparing for just one of a series of tasks laid out before him after the Fellowship returned from the small island. He stops when Liam's elevated voice catches the attention of several townfolk who move closer to listen. He joins the small crowd, but keeps his profile low as he'd rather not be interrupted in his planned schedule. He nods along with every punctuated point made by the old nobleman, clearly impressed with what he hears. At the conclusion, before he walks away, he comments quietly to the crowd, "In truth, the wisdom of Rao guides this town. It is very fortunate, indeed!"