Quest #24 "Spying On Bings Pirates"

[OGRE MAGE]

Watching The Watchers
Sunday, the 14th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Hot, Muggy, Buggy

Glansandi looks terrified initially when Dexter brings a human out of the bush with him, before he eventually realizes what is happening. He looks to each member of the group and motions for them to follow him a little further away from the watchers on the branch.

Once they are far enough away to speak openly, the stern looking elf addresses the newcomer. "Good day indeed, sir. A good day to spy on the pirates apparently, at any rate. I have seen you around town before, haven't I? You came here about the same time as I did, if I am not mistaken. About a month or so back? Though I must admit that I haven't seen you in town all that much." The elf looks to Dex and Daisy to judge their reactions before continuing.

"At any rate, I am called Glansandi. Glansandi Storeyja, though you can just call me Glansandi if you wish. Do you have a name, stranger?"

Actions?

Dexter 8/8
Glansandi 10/10
Daisy 9/9
Sophie 6/6

[Urson]

Daisy

Ah'm Sister Daisy Broadfoot, of the Crimson Rood. And this is my badger, Sophie. Ya'll out here lookin' to cause trouble for the pirates? Daisy keeps her voice low, despite the distance to the lookouts.

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

"I'm Dexter."

[Paladin]

Cealwyn Blackthorn

Pale blue eyes shift from one to another as names are offered. "Glansandi Storeyja," he repeats with a nod. "Daisy Broadfoot. Sophie. And Dexter. A pleasure, I'm sure."

His gaze settles on Glansandi and he nods briefly. "I arrived thereabouts. Spent the last few weeks learning the lay of the land. I caught wind of this lot--" he motions back toward the pirates--"and decided they bore watching."
Cealwyn looks back in the direction of the pirates and then to Daisy. "Yes ma'am. If the opportunity arises, I intend to thin their ranks."

He extends a hand to each of the trio in turn, offering a pleasant smile. "Well met. I am Cealwyn Blackthorn, from the Dim Forest. A ranger by trade. And you?"

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

"Well, if my mom and her friends are to be believed, I'm a self-interested Scoundrel who should learn manners and behave himself." He looks up at the Ranger. "Personally, I always thought that was a bit harsh. I think of myself as particularly well-mannered."

[OGRE MAGE]

Watching The Watchers
Sunday, the 14th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Hot, Muggy, Buggy

In his normal welcoming manner, Glansandi looks the human ranger up and down suspiciously before speaking again. "And I am the town constable of Beachtown. Though I was a soldier in the Silverwood before that."

Looking at the reactions of Daisy and Dexter, the stern elf continues. "No offense Cealwyn, but explain to us how we would ever know that you yourself are not part of this pirate band? I had heard they sent member among us to learn our weaknesses. How do we know that you are not one of them?"

Actions?

Dexter 8/8
Glansandi 10/10
Daisy 9/9
Sophie 6/6

[Paladin]

Cealwyn Blackthorn

Laughter dances in his eyes as Cealwyn looks down at Dexter. "A well-mannered scoundrel is the best kind, or so I hear." His smile slowly fades at Glansandi's suspicious tone and he tilts his head to one side, eyes narrowed as he returns the elf's examination.

"Were I a pirate who meant you harm, friend elf, I had every chance to loose my arrows from hiding at a safe distance, then call my comrades yonder--" he jerks his head toward the two watchmen--"to even the odds."

Cealwyn's expression softens slightly and he sighs. But who can blame anyone for being suspicious in this place? Particularly so near a pirates' camp.

"No offense taken. But by the same token, what do I know of you?" He sweeps the small group with a questioning glance. "What signs tell me that you aren't in league with the pirates?"

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

In response to the Ranger's question, Dexter jerks a thumb towards Sophie and asks, "Could you imagine a starving bunch of pirates doing anthing to her other than eat her?"

[Urson]

Daisy
Daisy scowls blackly at that idea. She smiles at Cealwyn. Bless your heart, honey. Ah have to turn your question back at you; If _we_ were the pirates, wouldn't we have taken your weapons and knocked you out by now?

She smiles. Let's fergit all this suspicion and talk about the real bad guys, shall we?

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

Dexter holds his hands out in front of him, palms out. He whispers, "Whoa, whoa, whoa... let's not even talk about taking folks weapons and knocking them out, OK? Recon mission, remember?" He looks up at Cealwyn, "Yeah, this is a recon mission. We are assessing the pirates, not killing them.... yet. Mind you, you don't seem to be interested in starting a fight with them right away, but if you are, just give us a little head start, huh?"

[Paladin]

Cealwyn Blackthorn

Cealwyn grins broadly and shakes with silent laughter. "I'm a country boy, Miss Daisy. I know what that means. And I daresay any pirate would have a hard time eating your friend here." He gives Sophie an appraising look, then shifts his attention to Dexter.

"Aye? I am spying out their numbers, disposition, and location in hopes of picking off any stragglers and perhaps raising a force large enough to drive them into the sea. From what I've seen, we're looking at around twenty men."

He glances from one to the other. "I'd say we're safer together than risking tripping over each other out here. If you care to work together, we can compare notes and have a better chance of getting back alive. If you'd rather keep your own counsel, I understand. Few things are what they seem in this place."

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

Dexter looks to Daisy and Glansandi. "I just arrived on this island yesterday," he says. "To tell the truth, everyone on this island is a stranger to me. Fortunately, I've never met a stranger, so making a new friend who looks like he knows his way around a blade is the best kind to make. I'd bring him in and bring him along, but it's your party, Constable."

[OGRE MAGE]

Watching The Watchers
Sunday, the 14th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Hot, Muggy, Buggy

The elven constable nods his head along with everything being said. "I don't see any real reason to be untrustworthy here. The more good men we have around here the better. We didn't mean to start off on the wrong foot with you, Master Blackthorn. But you must already be well aware that one must be extra cautious when meeting someone new out in the wild thusly. If you would like to join our cause, or us yours, I believe our joining would be mutually beneficial."

"So, 20 men you say? That is more than I had hoped, but less than I feared. I don't think the four of us are in any position to rush in and attack, but I don't think snooping around a bit more would hurt either. Will you lead us back to where you watched them from, since you already have a route established?"

He looks to the others again as well. "Do we want to go and survey all we can before heading back?"

Actions?

Dexter 8/8
Glansandi 10/10
Daisy 9/9
Sophie 6/6

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

"Absolutely," nods Dexter. "I'm all about the recon. Ol' Stan always said to find out as much about the mark as you could ahead of time. And Stan was one smart old man."

[Urson]

Daisy

Of course we're gonna buddy up- and all the information we can get is to the good.
Ah din't hear what those two were sayin'- ya'll mind fillin' us in?

Sophie sniffs the newcomer's feet, then walks away, clearly approving of him.

[Paladin]

Cealwyn Blackthorn

"As you say, good sir." Cealwyn nods at Glansandi and adjusts the straps on his backpack. "If you wish, we can retrace my steps and I'll show you what I've seen. Perhaps one of you has a keener eye or a softer step and can creep close enough to learn more."

"They seem dissatisfied with their leader. But he wields magic and they fear to disobey or leave his command."

[Urson]

Daisy

That's wonderful news, sugar! If they ain't happy, that leaves a crack we can work on to try and bring 'em to our side. Ah just wish Ah knew more about the history between the townsfolk and the pirates- I'd give it a try. Could you tell if it was just them? Or do some of the others feel the same way?

[SirOwen]

Dexter fills in some of the holes, too. "I didn't really hear them speak about the others' opinions, so I can't answer to that. But it looks like they actually lost their main wizard, somebody called 'Snake-Eye' and their second-chair wizard has taken over. Actually said he wasn't as powerful, isn't a sailor, and apparently they are afraid he can change them into something unnatural, whatever that means. They also said something about losing their 'New Camp', but that Bing doesn't know about that yet. They expect him to return."

[OGRE MAGE]

Watching The Watchers
Sunday, the 14th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Hot, Muggy, Buggy

Not exactly fond of being alone in this bug filled jungle anymore, Cealwyn is quick to join up with this new group, also agreeing to lead them back the way he came, to the spot where he was monitoring the pirates earlier. With a nodding constable at their side, the foursome make their way north again as quietly as possible so they don't alarm the tree bound lookouts.

A good slog through the jungle later, the crew finds themselves at the first unburned village along the river trail, or so they think. The ranger leads them as close as he dares, leaving a few feet of jungle between them and the many pirates. When they arrive at the camp, they see that it must be fishing time for the pirates. Several of the men are standing at or near the river with makeshift fishing poles in their hands. They don't appear to be wearing any armor and only a few of them have weapons on their belts. Thatch huts and many large trunked trees are spread about the tiny village clearing. Though they can see action inside the camp, none of the pirates are close enough to hear any conversations.

Actions?

map:

753C61A6-7DAE-4280-92C2-C74385FE0267.jpeg (83.04 KiB) Viewed 839 times

Cealwyn 14/14
Dexter 8/8
Glansandi 10/10
Daisy 9/9
Sophie 6/6

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

Dexter starts counting. He counts men, swords, bows and slings, sets of armor, boats (if any) and packs for carrying stuff on a march. Then he looks for cook fires. He wants to see if there is anything cooking besides fish. He looks to see how well equipped they are, rope, poles, machetes, bedrolls, tents, etc.

"OK, that's a good start," he tells the others quietly. "I'm going to swing around for a look at the stuff the trees and huts are hiding right now." He then checks his camouflage and, if it's OK, moves along the arc of the foliage at the bottom of the map, to get a look at the whole village. He isn't in a hurry and takes his time to be quiet and vigilant. "Ol' Stan," he mutters. "I hope yer lookin' out for me. And Brandobaris, keep my shadow small and my feet light."