Hugo Fowl

Just now, OMFG said:

OOC: Dang autocorrect changed Cliff to Griff, sorry!

 

IC:

Covering the distance to the camp both by ground and by air the crew arrived relatively quickly. 

The camp was not that large, all things considered, surrounded by a palliside walls on all sides.

Stopping at approximately 100 feet away, they are able to get a good eye at the defenses of the camp. It does not appear that there are any perimeter defenses, this can be attributed to the over confidence of the bandit members.

There was a lot of prejudice against Tieflings still and there were times Corvo wished otherwise.

But to fly was a dream he'd never give up.

The world seemed so much more beautiful from above, so much more peaceful. All the worries fell away and there was only the skies and the heights you could attain. But he was on the clock right now.

Corvo would circle-once, twice. Making sure to get a good look at the camp and it's layout, seeking out those who may be in to determine how many were currently inside the walls and how many were off on patrol or the like.

Just now, SSJRuss said:

Farley would sleep inside his shell until waking up with the others.

"Morning everyone." Farley would gather himself for the trek to the bandit camp.

"We should be on our way while it's early."

Corvo nodded and then stretched out his wings. Still as sinister looking as before as he spoke aloud.

"I'll keep an eye out. If I see any danger, I'll signal with red sparks and if unsure, yellow."

He then crouched and then took off into the air, flapping gracefully until he was naught but a dot in the skies.

Just now, OMFG said:

*Oh my sweet baby boy, of course you did the right thing. Would you rather let anyone else be in danger, when you're powerful enough to stop it, you sexy hunk?*

The blade reassured him, to her keeping Corvo safe was her first priority.

"Flattery will get you nowhere." He responded mentally, but feeling a little better.

It wasn't the first life he had taken and all of them who worked in the shadows of the Healing Church were told the worth of life and how precious it was. But if any man or woman judged another worthy of death?

Then it was best they wielded the sword. If they could not,then perhaps they were not so deserving.

He closed his eyes, tried his best to focus on her. As always the image was somewhat blurry. Still little more than thoughts and whispers, a voice in his head. But sometimes if he focused he could sense her. Feel the heat radiate off her, hear a whisper of silk and a sound of bells. She had been his friend since the moment he bonded with her.

She was his partner.

He looked into the skies, noted the time and spoke aloud.

"Pay your respects if you wish. We should establish a campsite before it gets too dark."

This entire escapade had cost them valuable time and soon, it would be dark.

Corvo was disappointed.

Mostly at Clara. For someone so intelligent, the mental gymnastics she went through to justify him being at fault despite all she saw staggered the mind. Should he had let her be shot? Or for any of the others? Did she wonder at the implications of that dagger, the Tabaxi knowing what it did and STILL making her hold it? Or perhaps she simply didn't value the others as much as someone who was ungrateful for them all aiding her, had obvious violent tendencies and threw the provincial tantrum in ambushing them on the road. 

If any of it was true, his mental evaluation of her would drop as he sighed and said a prayer for the departed privately, head bowed and hand on his sword.

Cursed he was called and it wasn't new. Perhaps he was.

But he wasn't alone and he spoke mentally to Jessamine.

"I learned a truth today. For a person to be saved, there must be one in danger. And in saving someone, another must perish. All you can really do is save as many as you can. But...Did I do the right thing?"

He watched the two halves of the Tabaxi get placed in the grave, cleaved in half by his power as he pondered.

Was this how it was and always would be?

Just now, OMFG said:

*GODS IT FEELS GOOD TO KILL! I'm all tingly and covered in fur and blood, make sure to give me a good cleaning later, I've been a filthy girllllll*

Corvo's blade communicated with him telepathically. 

He absently cast prestidigitation on her and tried not to blush.

Just now, Bergy_Berg said:

"Well Corvo, that was interesting. Easy with the sword now bud," this came as gently as Cliff could speak, which meant still a low growl. "I don't see anyone else pointing weapons now besides you. So let's all... oh what's the phrase, I've never said it before. OH! Let's all take it easy."

Cliff is going to take a few moments to survey the surroundings, make sure this shindig didn't arouse any undue attention.

He let out a little blink, shaking his head once as though to clear it before looking at his sword. With an exasperated sigh, he muttered aloud.

"Jessamine." He then sheathed the sword, openly relaxing as he slipped back on his coverings.

On went the glove. The tail flicked back inside under the coat.

The wings retracted back and the mask was pulled up.

And Corvo once more looked merely like an odd humanoid as he spoke.

"Forgive my suspicious nature. I'm always more testy after I draw my partner. Though the question stands."

Just now, OMFG said:

OOC: @Hugo Fowl direct hit, rolled a good strong number, that plus IKA's low health means death for his character. Feel free to describe the blood and gore.

 

IC: 

As Corvo drew his blade, you could almost hear a pleasurable moan coming from the blade.

The blade cleaved through the bowstring and bow.

And through flesh. There was a scrape of metal on bone, a great cleave that left the deluded soul in two as well as the weapon they threatened to kill the others with.

Over the new corpse, Corvo looked like a Grim Reaper with an Infernal bent, eyes glowing bright as his sword drank in the blood on it. His wings, now exposed flapped once, and then retracted. And letting out a deep breath, he sheathed his sword and then frowned, glancing over at Clara.

Just now, The Boob Tube said:

Clara becomes distraught what she sees as Corvo slays Elbine. "W-wh-why would you do that, Corvo? She was surrendering and you struck her down! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?" Tears begin to pour out of her eyes as she becomes sad.

"She would have shot you had anyone made a move to stop her. And I gave her every chance. I've seen her kind before." He pulled down his mask, revealing a handsome face but a bit in the uncanny valley. His canines were a bit sharper than normal, his eyes were inhuman as he flapped the wings out once more.

Beneath the obscuring coat, a tail flicked out-serpentine and scaled. Almost snake like, though there was another word for it as he reached for his glove and pulled it off.

Claws met their eyes, Corvo making sure they knew what he was now. A being with a black heritage, shunned and hated for their part in the past and the War. Monster. Demon.

Tiefling.

"They think themselves unique. So lost in their own darkness, hateful and using it as their excuse to do as they wish. For the most least of reasons, she would have killed anyone of the people here had her way not been gotten. I opted to take it upon myself if she shot. And when she saw I would not back down and came for her, only then did she realize she was not unique nor was she invincible. She didn't surrender because she was reached. She surrendered when it was clear she would die. Too little...Too late."

He pointed his sword to the wizard.

"You said earlier that you wanted to know if you'd be arrested...Were you in league with him that you would ask so?"

Just now, IKA said:

Elbine draws his bow back further.

"If you kill me, my body will let go of the arrow, who ever it hits, the blood will be on your hands not mine." 

The purview of a coward. Corvo ran through a few ideas in his head and then-.

Just now, The Boob Tube said:

"Okay, okay!" Clara exclaims as she tosses the blade to the ground with a light chuck. "D-does this mean I'm under arrest as well, Corvo? I don't want to go back home."

Just now, IKA said:

Elbine moves his bow to now point directly at Clara, still moving side to side.

"Did you... Did you cast a spell on me when we first met?" 

For the first time, Elbine's words come off as unconfident in his actions. The words barley coming out as a mutter.

 

That was it.

This was stupid.

Barely thought out as well. Corvo had enough and he had no more patience for this anymore. Before witnesses, this idiot threatened to kill Innocents and even went out of his way to attempt to force them to follow him.

Corvo couldn't care less.

He drew his sword from the sheath, the same color scheme as the blades he flung and held it up in a fencers salute as he spoke.

"By the Blood, in Healers hands made Death. I judge thee and find you wanting."

He charged. 

And moved to get in the way of the bow shot, the back of his jacket unfolding as great wings spread out and gave him speed. Bat-like,monstrous and almost...

Devilish.

His eyes glowed bright gold and he swung out, seeking to catch all his targets in the same blow! 

Just now, IKA said:

"Before you decide to kill me, which I do not blame you... for some reason... Make Clara drop that dagger or it will kill her."

"You have three seconds to comply." Corvo said, done entirely with anything less than his surrender. Two...

What would he do?

Just now, IKA said:

Elbine removes a dagger much like the one he had given to Clara earlier and tosses it to the floor.

"That is my only other weapon and I only have one arrow in my stings and another in my quiver, Don't make me use them."

"Elbine. In the name of the Healing Church and the Order, you have committed the following crimes. Arrogance. Willfulness. Stupidity. These sins have not only stunted you but also encouraged you to actively ambush those who should have been friends, who would have been friends had you not done all you could to sabotage it. Get on your knees and surrender with your hands behind your head."

Another blade formed by his left shoulder as Corvo spoke darkly.

"Or death will be your only escape."

Just now, OMFG said:

And so, the party departs the Messy Lass' Pub, completely forgetting the awesome pirate that had popped up, but they are now determined to solve the problem in a peaceful way!

"Come visit me when you're back, Mugggy!" Called the bar maid, waving the crew goodbye as they left, her father shaking his head disapprovingly.

There minds set, the group follows after the trail of Elbine who, for whatever reason, departed before them once again. It is going to take extreme cunning, determination, and teamwork to get rid of these bandits... The handicap in numbers might prove to be too great, especially given the lack of the party's experience.

The group now finds themselves in the forest, approximately 2 miles away from the bandits' lair. It is midday, now would be a good time to discuss strategy one last time.

 

ENCOUNTER

"You.... You worms stop right there." A feline voice called out from the shadows of the trees.

"I have tried my best to work with you simpletons, but you are far beneath me... Everyone except my dear Clara."

That voice... It was Elbine! Their party member has had enough abuse and decided to fight back!

"Clara, sweet, sweet Clara my one true friend...I beg of you to drop the dagger I gifted you with earlier. I implore you, please do as I say." Elbine's voice called out from the trees.

"As for the rest of you, I have no intention of killing anyone, provided you do as I say of course. However! If you decide to attack me, I will have no choice but to defend myself, with force!" 

Elbine, it's 100% him by the way, is in the trees in front of the party. He has one arrow nocked in his bow, and is taking careful aim at the party. There is no need to describe good stats, given that the party has access to his statistic sheet. He is still not recovered from his wounds, and appears to be at approximately half health.

There was only an afterthought as Corvo acted first.

His hand on his sword moved, circling around the pommel as power responded and answered.

A shadowy portal appeared over his right shoulder, before of all things what looked like a sword crafted from black metal with red veins flung itself at Elbaine with the intent to skewer him through the chest for maximum success. Tempting as it was to attack the head, he wanted to end this swiftly.

Just now, Bergy_Berg said:

Addressing the group as a whole. "Just to throw a wrinkle in the plan, since I love standing here and talking it out so much. No matter who does the talking, going inside the walls is a bad idea. That's where the bandits have all the advantage. Negotiation needs to take place outside the walls, and if that fails we set fire to the place. One way or another, they come out to us.

"Now, in the spirit of harmoniousness, I do see a compromise. Clara should take the lead, introducing us and asking for a peaceful negotiation. Corvo, you seem to believe you and Farley are best at the actual negotiating process, so perhaps Clara can hand you two the reigns from there.

"Myself and Elbine should stay hidden. They certainly won't want to see him, and I'm not the type they'll want to see either. I know I'm big, but trees are bigger and I'll stay out of sight.

"We have also seen that Muggy here is good with women. While attempting any lustful approach would be foolish, his natural charm may help lower tensions. And with Muggy, Corvo, and Farley all standing with Clara, she'll have all the cover she needs."

It wasn't the solution he'd have gone with, but perhaps a united front might help. He nodded once and spoke.

"This works fine. Now all we need-".

Just now, IKA said:

Elbine leaves the camp and waits just outside.

"I'm usually not so trusting of people, I normally would have killed the dog already - what is going on here. Am I under a spell?" Elbine thinks.

Using the claws Elbine begins to strike at a tree just outside the camps taking out frustrations. 

Just now, IKA said:

Elbine looks towards the camp after having taken a major chunk out of the tree. 

"Screw this I'll wait for them near the bandit camp."

Using the map, Elbine marches towards the bandits, this time only walking. The Anger inside begins to calm,  and without making it very far, Elbine kneels on the road and waits patiently for the rest of the team. 

"I know what I must do..." 

His voice trailed off as he looked around and sighed.

"Everyone, look in every dark corner after. Someone should let Elbaine know."

He certainly didn't think he'd leave on his own....Again. After how well it had gone for him last time.

That would just be dumb.

Just now, Confession FPT said:

“My orders are to sneak-sneak, be alert for danger, and cause a possible distraction with property damage as a last resort, if needed. Understood.”  

"Essentially. But this is not an order. I'm not your party leader...Yet." He acknowledged with a shrug as he added.

"If it helps, consider this a field test in terms of my plans and afterwards if successful, we can all bring that up. That said, what is your vote? Yours and Cliffs?"

Just now, The Boob Tube said:

"O-okay," Clara replies as she takes the dagger back, "we'll go with your idea which makes a lot more sense."

"Could you clarify please? The one which has the negotiators trained in such to do so, or the one that sends you in the path with an identified foe which I and others have explained is a bad idea in everyway possible?" Corvo asked deadpan.

Just now, IKA said:

"So it seems the vote is to send Clara in, I'll only allow it if I'm with her. No exceptions."

"Case in point." He said dryly. Also, how exactly did anyone get from the peaceful idea to send Clara in? Just...No. Corvo consoled himself with the fact there were some here who thought about the implications and he turned to Muggy.

Just now, Confession FPT said:

“On a scale from 1-20, I’m about a 7. I know that sounds low, on that same scale, you’re a 10...wait, so you may be sneakier than me...”

In a more kinder and less put upon tone he spoke.

"That won't matter so much. We need a lookout to alert and possibly, to set something on fire if need be. If negotiations fall through, our first step would be to remove their shelter and supplies. Hopefully it will NOT come to that."

Just now, SSJRuss said:

"Oh my, you can fly? I must say I suspected as much but I didn't want to be rude. Anyway, I do agree with you. We could present ourselves as local faiths or something..."

"Aye. In the name of compassion, I vote we send a passive envoy. If not myself, Corvo or Ms. Clara."

Corvo nodded.

It was a gift that came in handy, such as when you needed to catch up with party members on the road. How he could do it was still up in the air, as Corvo remarked in Muggys observation and Farleys vote.

"I vote for the peaceful solution as well. I and Farley at most. Clara I feel would be better reigning in our Tabaxi companion here and Cliff?" Corvo looked briefly pained as he asked.

"Would you consent to watching over those two? I feel between you and Clara, enough common sense should be in place should anything go wrong. Muggy?"

He looked to him and asked.

"Just how stealthy are you?"

Just now, Bergy_Berg said:

He listens intently to Corvo, nodding along. Adressing Corvo, "Thank you for being a voice of reason."

He nodded back in reply, understanding between two Men of thought and deed summing pretty much all there was to say.

Just now, The Boob Tube said:

"Okay," Clara responds as she take a deep breath. "Yeah, I-I'll sneak in, b-but I might need to have some sort of cover story when they ask questions about me. What should I say to these ladies?"

"You're not sneaking in." Corvo replied as he added. "I will be blunt, Farley and I are the best to enter. Farley's shell will protect him long enough should things go south for the rest of us to come in. And I..." He hesitated before he finally confessed.

"...I can fly. I am also as I said trained in negotiations which is a major boon here."

Corvo, a normally polite soul rolled his eyes and sighed out. Aloud, he finally spoke.

"Cliff. It's not sporting to engage in a battle of wits with someone unarmed. As for this...Plan, I could write entire libraries for just how stupid it is since apparently subtlety is lost here. First of all-irregardless of how you approached them, the end result is that you tried to kill their leader and were sent packing. So your glorious idea is to weaken yourself, walk up to their gates with the squishiest member of our group, and hope they don't recognize you from earlier. And even better! To hope that they don't associate our wizard with you, and HOPE they talk to her and not just pepper you both with arrows where you stand. Add in your obvious and unhidden wish to kill them all and I frankly, would rather entrust a rabid bull in your place in matters of negotiations. By the powers that be, this is beyond wishful thinking and segues into delusion."

He paused for breath and sighed out.

"And that's all I have for the first step of your 'plan'. Cliff is right. It's best you be backup and not be seen by them. You've blown whatever chance you might have with your actions and that's the whole of it."

Just now, IKA said:

"Because he's not a she."

"You got off lucky. Imagine if you'd have been slower?" Corvo pointed out before chuckling.

"Too bad you're not a girl, otherwise they might have treated you more kindly and we'd have come to have seen you having finished everything up."

Just now, OMFG said:

Ah, it seems Clara is so adept with healing, she actually managed to clean, tend to, and wrap Elbine's wound while the rest of the party was occupied discussing how to proceed amongst themselves and the plan of attack.

Unbeknownst to the party, near the back of the inn by the fireplace, a gruffy voice called out.

"Aye, I overhear you mention the group of lady bandits westbound are ye?" The man cackled to himself, ominous and spooky like.

"I've crossed paths with them many times, and always have given them...a hand." With this, he extends his left arm, his hand missing from the wrist, instead replaced by a rusty hook.

Corvo saw the hook and immediately did a little wave of his hand, the rust and filth falling away to make it nice,clean and gleaming as he spoke.

"That looked unhygienic. Yes we are. Who are you and what's your involvement in this?"

Just now, SSJRuss said:

"Natural for you to be so equipped with magic. You were meant to have the books, it seems."

"As for myself, um. Well I guess I wish I had read more. Books sound so interesting but I've traveled my whole life so I hardly make the time. I'm not from anywhere special, my kind live a nomadic lifestyle and we love adventure. I'm sort of a monk, but I prefer not to use labels.

"I have a proposal about tomorrow, however. Might I try going in alone to the ladies' camp? I can't be identified by gender so easily and I don't have any weapons on me. I'm just a traveler and I could talk to them about the consequences of violent actions they take. I've done it before in my travels."

Corvo weighed the pros and cons in his mind, considering before he spoke.

"It's not a bad idea per se. I'd be more inclined for a figure of your armor to be better protected than our far more squishy Magi. As for you my felonious feline, I think we've already made it clear as a majority what we'd like to do. Everything else is details."

OOC: Actually she didn't. Because someone got up to the bar instead of remaining to be healed. All she did was give back the dagger and assist you to the bar. No actual surgery or healing related. Why else do you think I'm trying to get it checked out?

Just now, Confession FPT said:

“The headline of my resume is: ‘Subaquatic Sneaky Boi, Locanthe Lady Killer’. I am quite adept with stealth and not being seen. I also enjoy the diplomatic route over tussles, if these outlaw babe types are willing to speak with us, we should try that out. Ya know, try to be...friendly.” 

With a clear majority for his side of things, Corvo felt a flush of victory. Bar active sabotage now, they had an actual chance to help people as he nodded thanks to Muggy and Cliff.

Just now, SSJRuss said:

Farley was a bit taken aback by the newcomer's arrival. He hadn't expected another member to show up.

Corvo introduced himself and Farley went to shake his hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Farley. And you're not late to anything, you got here when you needed to. That sleep must have been a good one, ha."

"More than you know." He said with another eye-smile. "I'm glad I was able to make it at least."

Just now, The Boob Tube said:

"I-I suppose that would be a good idea, F-Farley." Clara responds, "It would give everyone time to rest up and tackle our current situation first thing in the morning. Sh-Shall I go first, or would someone else like to start?"

He shrugged.

"You know where I'm from. Now that it's mentioned I would like to know more about you Clara." He paused and brushed his fingers on the hilt of his sword as he elaborated patiently.

"Also,I am curious how you and our companion here met." There was another beat as he added to Elbaine.

"You really should get that arm checked out."

Just now, IKA said:

You'll all end up dead if any male wishes to speak with them. I was non violent with them on three occasions only attempting the assassination as I fled their bloodlust. 

Clara is they only one they'd listen to. And As I said before there is no way I'd let any of them lay a finger on her. 

If there is a peaceful solution Clara should be the one to represent it, using me as bait will simply be to gain extra trust. You all will have to re damage me again of course I'm sure you'd enjoy that. 

After we're inside if Clara doesn't get them to walk out with in 30 minutes, set fire to the walls. 

I do have a favor to ask though, is there anyone who can use magic to replicate an item?

 

This way we both get what we want, a peaceful solution and if not a violent one.

 

And yes I was injured, but only because I dropped all of my weapons im hopes of talking first. 

 

Clara... Do you trust me?

He'd have been more inclined to listen were it not for several facts.

One of which was the letter he wrote. The sheer cantankerous attitude he was all but certain extended to his 'talks'. Why, with what he'd seen? He wouldn't be surprised if he hadn't mooned them and prompted it all.* The second reason extended to the way he conducted himself, his wound still untreated and ignored by him. To say nothing of his lack of thanks for saving him and the constant plan to burn them all, etc. Ad nauseum.

Most of which was voiced by Cliff as Corvo nodded.

"Agreed. That said, I bet I could get them to talk. I'll even make it a wager."

*He was half right as it turned out, though he wouldn't know this.

Just now, Bergy_Berg said:

 

"Tried that a bit earlier, not everyone was eager to talk about how they like to fight. Though I don't talk to people well, so maybe you can get everyone to open up.

"I can appreciate those who use a little magic with their weapons, seen it work before. Between you and the wizard we have a fair bit of magic to this group then. I'm excited to see it all in action. Can't say I have much surprising to offer, I'm big and I have an axe. That's about it. It's plain, but effective in a fight."

Corvo nodded.

"Outside of battle I'm trained in negotiating techniques and the rites of my order. I'm fairly decent at athletic things and sneaky enough to watch my step when needed."

Just now, Bergy_Berg said:

"To be fair, one of my best strengths is launching headfirst into walls," Cliff responds with a smirk.

"I shall take that under advisement. This does seem like an able opportunity to share what we can do though." He added with an afterthought.

"I'm a swordsman. I combine my martial skill with arcane might and have a particular...Talent that allows me to travel as swift as the Crow flies."

Just now, Bergy_Berg said:

"Your peaceful solution sounds nice Corvo, though boring. I wouldn't mind testing my axe against whoever carved up poor little Elbine here. But if it completes the job and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy then I don't mind watching you folks talk. Is anyone carrying a copy of the bounty? If they're expecting heads on sticks then the peaceful solution doesn't work.

Also, absolutely against any plan that sends one person off to take care of everything themselves. We can see how that panned out already."

"Oh I think we have fuzzy covered my friend." Corvo remarked with a smile before adding more seriously.

"If negotiations fail, then we will have no choice. But I would extend that chance to them if possible, especially after learning what I did. The majority of them have fled abusive homes, violence wrought against them and thus feel violence is their only recourse. I would show them another way if I could."

In addition to the latter part he added. "Agreed. Also, the majority of all that from fire and so forth...Insofar as I am concerned, I'm just an acolyte. Such powers are beyond me in the bulk required to do all that at once. Our resources are limited so let's think about saving them and playing to our strengths before launching head first into a wall."