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[GreatWyrmGold]

Do snares count? I'd imagine Alice is good at those.

Just let them at it, then set up some more tricks while Gwen eats.

[Mlamlah]

Sounds good, do we want to set up a temporal wall/cheeswire fence?

[GreatWyrmGold]

How would we trapify that? Make a narrow band of slowed time around neck level, hope the elves don't notice it before walking into it enough that they lose their heads? Could work, if long and common enough... and scattered in height, of course.

[Mlamlah]

We could also localize it to a single area, and in the midst of battle jump over it and taunt our opponents from the other side, lobbing fire or something over the wall at them to further draw attention.

[Thecard]

Or just by reinforcing parts we are likely to get attacked from.  Paths, straight routes to the Elves, thick foliage and the like.
At least, putting emphasis on them.

[Grek]

Why does no one want two new consorts? Is there a time limit between conversions I forgot, or do people just not want to spend the time right now to convert two? I can agree with that, but if a night troll, two consorts, and Alice can't figure out how to bind an elf and then transport her to the tower I'll eat my avatar. Also bear in mind that eating a couple of screaming elven women will probably add the equivilant of a few months to Gwen's pregnancy...

Right now, we have the time to convert one consort and even that means maybe being caught with our figurative pants down. Also, the ostensible purpose of this raid was to get Gwen food. So if we end up converting all of our victims instead of letting Gwen eat them, that's really a waste of a trip.

That said, if we are going to convert one of the elves, we should give them the Gift of Inferno's Embrace. Invincibility, Fire Magic and teleportation is too good of an asset to pass up.

[GreatWyrmGold]

Yes, but how do we get the elves to finish severing their own heads with the thing? Just hope that the brief time that the elf is walking through that his neck is slightly misaligned and s/he doesn't notice?

Ninja'd.

Why does no one want two new consorts? Is there a time limit between conversions I forgot, or do people just not want to spend the time right now to convert two? I can agree with that, but if a night troll, two consorts, and Alice can't figure out how to bind an elf and then transport her to the tower I'll eat my avatar. Also bear in mind that eating a couple of screaming elven women will probably add the equivilant of a few months to Gwen's pregnancy...

Right now, we have the time to convert one consort and even that means maybe being caught with our figurative pants down. Also, the ostensible purpose of this raid was to get Gwen food. So if we end up converting all of our victims instead of letting Gwen eat them, that's really a waste of a trip.
That said, if we are going to convert one of the elves, we should give them the Gift of Inferno's Embrace. Invincibility, Fire Magic and teleportation is too good of an asset to pass up.

1. Don't convert both at once, one now and one saved for later.
2. Feeding Gwen too much at once isn't good for combat ability.
3. We've got a few elves who would all make good or great hosts; let's not promise Gwen that we'll give her two in case two are great mates. If there's only one suitable mate, let Gwen eat two...but save one for AFTER the ambush.

[Grek]

I'm sorry if it wasn't clear, but my intention was that Gwen would eat both captives we don't convert (any anyone we capture in the ambush) only once we're done fighting and have gotten everyone back to the tower.

[GreatWyrmGold]

Oh, okay.

About one spouse or two: Leave the options open, decide once we've interrogated them. Sound acceptable?

[Mlamlah]

agreed.

[Weirdsound]

(Dammit. Sorry guys. I started writing 23 posts ago, took a dinner break, come back, finish writing, and you all had a totally different idea of what to do. Ooof.)

Character:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Name: the Male Night Troll "My father says I earn a name when people fear me enough to give me one."

Physical Traits:
Tattooed Arms "Prevents me from getting magic fatigued as easily, and even helps out a bit with casting. Also: Fashionable."
Springy Legs "I wish I could fly, but being able to jump like a flea and kick peoples ribs in is the next best thing."
Camouflaged Body "I can be invisible... at a glance or at a distance."
Hypnotic Gaze "I'm good at disabling a mortal's self preservation instinct... not so good at predicting his actions once I do."

Skills:
Eon Manipulation (+5) "Eon Manipulation is a family tradition. I hope to someday be as good as my father..."
Stealth (+4) "They can't escape what they can't see!"
Dark Manipulation (+2) "The night is my birthright and my greatest ally..."
Communication (+2) "Even for one as hideous as myself, a silver tongue goes a long way!"
Night Creature Empathy (+1) "Because it pays to be friends with other night dwellers."
Fire Manipulation (+1) "Fire is one of the few things capable of scaring mortals as much as I do. It makes sense that I should master it."
Plant Manipulation (+1) "I can use this skill to navigate the forest... among other things."

Inventory:
A cursed bracelet of plant reading [+1 when listening to plants] (Worn, right arm, boosts Plant Empathy in some situations)
2 Bound Elves (Slung over each shoulder)
Steel Buckler (Wielded, left arm)
An Elf-Tooth Charm Necklace of Healing (Worn)
Alchemist's Work Outfit [Shirt, Apron, Pants] (Worn)
-A Soul Catcher Necklace (Worn)
-6 Handfuls of Beach Sand (In pocket)
-3 Full Coin Purses [Unsorted] (In pocket)
-28 Lockpicks (In pocket)
-1 Handheld mirror (In pocket)
-2 Large Rubies (In Pocket)
-2 Platinum Ingots (In Pockets, Straining Garmet)
-1 Human Brain of Phyros [Magically Preserved] (In pocket)
-1 Small Sack of Grey Powder Labeled 'Phoenix Ash' (In Pocket)
-1 Small Sack of Assorted Dragon Bits [Small Bones, Scales, Teeth, Ect] (In Pocket)
-1 Small Sack Labeled 'Warning: Gunpowder' (In Pocket)
-1 Book Titled 'Intro to the Inferno: The Scourge's Guide to Flame Manipulation' (In Pocket)
-1 Book Titled 'The Devil's Cookbook: Alchemy for Those Lacking in Moral Fiber' (In Pocket)
Thick Belt (Worn)
-Scorchedjade, An Artifact Rose Quartz Spear [Unknown Enchantment(s)]
-1 Large Knife (Sheathed, Hanging from Belt)
-1 Saber (Sheathed, Hanging from Belt)
-1 Steel Dagger (Sheathed, Hanging from Belt)
"Shit. Now I need to kill another human for Alchemy components. Wonderful..."

Perks:
Magic Perks
Budding Animal Empath: You will gain the animal empathy skill if you succeed in 1 animal empathy actions, or successfully study it in a book
Improving Communicator: Your Communication skill will increase if you succeed in 1 communication actions, or train extensively under a superior communicator.
Time Displacement Specialist: Take a +1 to any attempt to send something foward in time.
Budding Fire Manipulator: You will gain the fire manipulation skill if you succeed in 2 fire manipulation actions or train with somebody who has it
Budding Lore Keeper of Notcheclaw: You will gain the loreminder [Notcheclaw] skill if you study her scripture or train with an instructor 4 more times.
Budding Priest of Notcheclaw: You will gain the Invocation [Notcheclaw] skill if you study her scripture or train with an instructor 2 more times.
Aspiring Water Manipulator: You will gain the water manipulation skill if you succeed in 6 water manipulation actions, or train extensively with somebody who has it
Aspiring Swordsman: You will gain the Armed Combat [Swords] skill if you succeed in 6 sword combat actions, or train extensively with somebody who has it
Bug Speaker: You do not suffer an untrained skill penalty for using animal empathy on bugs
Bird Speaker: You do not suffer an untrained skill penalty for using animal empathy on birds
Youth Speaker: Take a +1 to any attempt to communicate with a mortal who is under 30 (Or equivilant to being under 30 for non humans)

Reproductive Perks
Mature: You are physically and mentally capable of converting and impregnating mates. To do so you must spend a "Gift" perk. "Gift" perks can be gained by rolling very high, learning new skills, or through other supernatural means. If you create a child it may be born with some traits of it's mother in addition to whatever gift you use to conceive it.
First Gift: Can be spent to convert or impregnate a mate. The night troll created will have your four physical features. Gifts that grant more than two traits are rare, so this may be worth saving for somebody special. Bun in the Oven
Gift of Puppetry: Can be spent to convert or impregnate a mate. The night troll created will be bound to follow your commands for as long as you both live. You will be made aware of any major changes to your puppet's health or location.
Gift of Hideousness: Can be spent to convert or impregnate a mate. The night troll created will appear so unatural and ugly that it will almost always elicit a powerful emotional response (typically fear, disgust, or anger) in any mortal who lays eyes on it.
Gift of the Phoenix: Can be spent to convert or impregnate a mate. The night troll created will have flaming wings and the ability to ONCE rise from the ashes of death if properly cremated.
Gift of Inferno's Embrace: Can be spent to convert or impregnate a mate. The night troll created will be able to make itself as one with any sufficiently large blaize. While merged with a fire a night troll is nearly invincible, has the ability to materialize anywhere near it, and exert some control over the direction and rate of it's spread.
Gift of Withering Touch: Can be spent to convert or impregnate a mate. The night troll created will have the ability to cause mortal beings to age upon physical contact. Humans can be brought from infancy to natural death in about 30 minutes. Dwarves take about three times that much. Elves and Goblins can be aged to physical maturity, but not beyond that point.
Gift of Amnesia: Can be spent to convert or impregnate a mate. The night troll created will have a hypnosis power capable of removing the last few minutes of a mortal's memory.

Gift of the Left Stone: Can be spent to convert a female or impregnate a mate. Instead of producing a son or a consort, this gift creates a fully functional female night troll. The traits gained depends on the female converted or consort impregnated.

Recipes:
Drought of Perception Blotting: Causes the drinker to become invisible to members of a single sentient race unless the drinker tries to get their attention or is pointed out to them.
-1 Brain of the Race you wish to be not noticed by
-1 Fistfull of ash from burned oak
-1 1 Large Mug of digestive juices from a mammal

Other Party Members:
Gwendolyn, the Night Troll Consort (Healthy, Unfamiliar with her own body, Pregnant 1/?? Fear for Baby)
-Loincloth
-Oak Sword (Enchanted)
-Willow Sword (Enchanted)
-Steel Mace
-Steel Mace
Alice, the 16 Year Old Human Woodsman (Healthy)
-Rope Reed Fiber Shirt
-Whale Leather Armor [Helm, Vest, Leggings, Boots, Gloves]
-Steel Combat Knife
-Steel Workman's Ax
-Rubber Wood Bow
-Human Leather Quiver [37 Steel Arrows]
-Coin Purse [33 Dwanmaiden Silver Coin, 3 Foghorn the Vile Aluminum Doubloons]

Let us interview our prisoners, tell them that if they convince us of their worth they may live, if  they resist than use dark manipulation to torture their minds.

Knowing you have at least some time before the Pose arrives you decide to give each of the prisoners a brief interview.

When asked to prove her worth the rouge, named Cherlyn, gets sarcastic. She explains that her mother was the goddess of theft and her father an assassin of kings. Through petty theft and grand schemes she managed to assemble a fortune bigger than any elf to have ever lived, but gave it all away and moved to Everpine to seek out true love. You eventually decide to end her tall tale with a slap across the face and move on to the next captive. 1d20 = 6 + 2(Skill) = 8

Cold Breath, actually named Spiraculum, seems to follow the lead of the thief, and also manages to keep her fear in check and get fresh with you. She explains that her paternal grandfather is a mighty ice dragon who lives far to the south in a land of frost. She explains that because of her linage she lived as royalty in the High Queen's court, but was exiled when her dear old grandfather began to attack Elven Alliance property. Having no real skill to survive outside of a courtly environment she had to flee to neutral Everpine in hopes of finding a man to take care of her. She claims to be as strong as three elves and capable of breathing bursts of Icy Shrapnel. You conclude her crazy story with a slap as well and move on to the guard. 1d20 = 6 + 2(Skill) = 8

Diane, the captured guard's story seems genuine yet unimpressive. She is nothing more than a homemaker with an alcohol problem who got drafted into emergency guard duty once the Night Troll rumors started. She can whoop most elves in a bar room brawl, and is quite skilled at beating her children, but has no proper combat training whatsoever. The other elves shoot her a nasty glare for giving in and being honest with you. You almost feel bad that you are likely going to feed her to Gwendolyn. 1d20 = 8 + 2(Skill) = 10

Reverting to my old style of suggestions, new doesn't work and I like lists

I propose:

1) Stay here, wait for the attack
2) Let Gwen do have fun with prisoners, tell she should eat two, and choose one that she should like to see as a sister-wife, then leave her alone (I don't think that she'll became much more pregnant as a result, so should be combat-fine)
3) Spend that time night talking with Alice, tell her about all our current gifts (not only the ones that we consider giving to her due to minmaxing) , ask her about  her life plans and goals, her views on the childbirth and option how to avoid wraith of her father if we choose (By we  I mean the troll and Alice) to not do any kind of conversion

Unsure of what to do, you tell Gwendolyn to choose one to be your second consort and eat the other two. You then have a quick heart to heart with Alice. You find she has been having some of the same concerns as you.

"Look. I find your chivalry and friendship amazing, but I think you need to turn me. Especially if you intend to take more consorts. I have to sleep with one eye open with Gwendolyn around, and if you just keep getting more consorts one of them will eventually suffer a lapse in judgment and eat me as a snack. Remaining human is good. Remaining alive is better."

You blink. "Are you sure? Thats a big descis..."

Alice starts to sniffle. "Of course I'm not sure... I understand its going to suck. I don't want this to happen... But I don't want to die. And I don't want my good friend to pick a fight with my father on my behalf."

You start to explain your gifts to her, but she cuts you off, explaining that she doesn't want to think about it and that she trusts your judgement in making the decision for her. "If you need time to think about, I could go spend some time in the wilderness. I don't think it would be safe for me to sleep in the tower, but hey, there are no Boogeymen around these parts and I love the great outdoors. I'll check in every few days to see if you have made up your mind... I just wish there was some way I could pay off my debt to you, remain human, and remain safe."

"Thats assuming you live through today." You say with a smile, hoping to difuse the situation. She laughs a bit.

"If I die today I'm taking half the population of Everpine with me."

You and Alice then spend some time joking, laughing, and talking politely in elven while Gwendolyn works the prisoners.

---

Gwendolyn exits the barn dragging the rouge and looking a bit more pregnant. You still figure she is okay to fight. "I ate the worthless housewife first. She was delicious. The story the other elf, Spiraculum, told about being part dragon was all true. I knew her well in my previous life. Sadly she was biding her time and waiting for the Posse to come before springing into action; she could have easily broken out anytime she wanted and caused us hell. I decapitated her abruptly before she could do anything. Pity she was a liability; she was such a nice girl and would have made a great consort. I had to kill her quickly so I couldn't even extract all that much fear..."

The consort shakes the Rouge around by the vines binding her. "This one is a good consolation prize though. Captured by goblins as a kid and raised in a tower. Became a snatcher herself, but rejoined elven society when her home tower fell. She worked as a thief for hire since, and doesn't have any family to complicate things."

Cherlyn, the prisoner, takes the opportunity to spit in your face. For somebody who has just witnessed another elf get eaten alive the Rouge is quite brave.

You decide to ignore the gesture and focus on your impending defense of the ranch. The two most obviously defensible areas are the residential trees and the barn. They both provide cover from arrows and many hiding places.

The trees have the disadvantage of multiple entry points, but you and you allies can all use plant empathy to possibly weaponry the entire structure.

The barn is basically a dug out cave with one entrance and lots of animal stalls and perches to be used as cover. The floor of the barn is covered in flammable straw, which could easily work for or against you.

[GreatWyrmGold]

I vote trees.
No wait, we're being chased by elves. They won't risk a forest fire and probably know the trees better than us. "Hey Amarel! Sure, I'll drop my branches so you can pass..."

Barn. Um. Too late for good tactic thinks.

[Grek]

Hide in the barn, light the tree on fire. If there is time, convert Alice with the Gift of Inferno's Embrace.

[Gamerlord]

No! If we are going to convert Alice we need to at least consult her about the Left stone gift.

[Grek]

Left Stone Gift is not useful for combat. We need a combat-useful gift. Even if we decide Alice deserves to be the first female Night Troll, now is not the time to use the Left Stone.