Turn 3 - Captured!Though the man accosting him is rather rude,
Gronok feels he has very little other choice than to follow him. Who knows, he may even meet other people. Perhaps even prospective converts!
"Wise choice, old man. Come with me."The young man leads him through the forest, and Gronok does his best to look out for anything strange.
[Perception roll: ?]
Though there is little to see in the forest aside from some skittish animals, Gronok does manage to mark out several specific landmarks during his walk - strangely shaped rocks, uniquely gnarled trees and so forth. He sees enough of them, in fact, that he bets he might even be able to find the way back on his own.
Eventually he is led to a campsite. Three people of varying ages, a youth, a middle-aged man and a child of about 12 years are sitting around the fire and conversing about their respective days.
[Camp dweller roll: 1]
As Gronok is led into the campsite, the three people get up and approach him with wide grins. He suddenly feels a dagger poking him in the ribs accompanied by a vicious half-whisper.
"An old man lost in the woods without a single clue. Lucky us, don't you think? Tell me, old man, why were you shouting? Were you trying to find any friends of yours nearby?"* * * * *
Since the pasture holds very little challenge for her anymore,
Shashari opts to leave with her newly-acquired animal and proceed further along the road.
[Traveling roll: 3]
She travels for a few miles before reaching a forested area. She's always heard about how the woods were a dangerous place from her father, full of brigands and other sorts of hazards. Definitely no place for a fine young lady such as herself. However, it seems to be her only lead at the moment. She stops to consider her next move.
* * * * *
The merchant's harsh words are too much to leave unanswered,
Sejena thinks.
"All this could have been avoided, Mr. Medlan, had you seen fit to have a little human decency in your heart for a woman who has been a slave all her life."Medlan's face twists into an expression of pure resentment, almost as though her words had somehow let loose a flood of pent-up emotion.
"You are a fine one to talk about human decency, devil-whore! Decency is offered to those who deserve it, not some harlot grabbed from a filthy pack of slaves! Decency is for good people, not the dregs of society, the filth that infests and twists our way of life! I-"Sejena interrupts his rant before he can come up with something original.
"If your son is home, I would very much like to speak with him before I leave. I have news he needs to hear.""You stay away from my son! He may have made mistakes, but I will not have him be taken by the devil for it! I swear to every god I know of, if you so much as speak to my son, I will choke the very life out of your harlot's throat with my own two hands!"He does look like he means it. There's a particular look in his eyes. Either way, not a whole lot of good is to come from speaking with him further. Sejena elects to just leave quietly, letting the man take out his frustration on the empty air. It doesn't take long until she reaches Medlan's house. After knocking on the door, she comes face to face with a woman who couldn't be more than twenty years old, if that.
"Yes, what is-oh my, you are-I apologize for my manner, is there anything you wish?""Yes, your husband sent me. You are to make me some plain traveler's clothes out of the fabrics provided.""Plain clothes? For you? Well, I suppose I shouldn't interfere with his dealings. He gets so worked up if anyone does that, you know?"She lets Sejena in and examines her from head to toe.
"Hm, you look to be about... yes, that's right... hm. Well, worry not. I will have your clothing ready as soon as possible, honored guest."She takes the fabrics and disappears off into one of the rooms. Well, better take a look around.
[Other people's presence roll: 5]
As she strolls down one of the hallways, she notices Satjap, the ladies' man himself, lying on a bed of cushions and staring up into the ceiling. He is obviously awake and very bored. Perfect.
* * * * *
Shaken to consciousness by the man's voice,
Phiali quickly gets up and heads outside, where he is met by the sight of a whole lot of people.
[Crowd roll: 1]
Most of them look rather hostile. In fact, all of them except the leader look quite ready to stick him on a pike, then slowly roast him over an open flame. Something must have happened while he was asleep. Guess he'll need to make this good, then.
[Charisma roll: 5+
1+
1-
1]
He tells them of his god's character, that it enjoys the sight and presence of water and alcohol, dislikes monogamy and war, is rather vengeful, but possesses a sense of humor nonetheless! He informs them of the god's appreciation of revelry and acceptance of free relationships. As he does so, the people's hatred seems to be slowly replaced with slight bafflement. Even the leader looks confused. When Phiali has completed his description, the leader speaks once more.
"Our gods seem rather similar. It is odd, don't you think? Could they have been the same god all along?"There is intense whispering currently happening in the crowd.
[Perception roll: ?]
He hears the unmistakable sound of knives being sheathed and clubs being lowered. Seems like they're not about to kill him yet. That's good, he thinks.
As per the rules, two days have passed, so TCM was skipped this turn.