RP: Hot Pursuit: False Profits

From HollowWiki

This is a Warrior's Guild RP.


Summary: Lionel assembles the Warrior's Guild with news of a series of caravan attacks in the Nameless Desert. The perpetrators are believed to be a large well-armed group of bandits and the team has been called in to contain the situation. Brand wisely deduces that this may be a trap, which Lionel straightforwardly agrees with. Kreekitaka devises a scheme in which to ensnare their would-be captors in turn, while Khitti -- or 'Red', really -- laments that she isn't being included in the operation.

Frostmaw: Snowless Training Yard

Lionel is flummoxed. “I don’t see why we can’t just fly it all out via wyvern.” Harding, a grizzled trainer here at the academy, waves his hands into the air flamboyantly and plucks his well-honed mustache for added effect. “Because ye cannae just pile bricks upon the poor beasts and expect them to fly the straight and narrow, lad,” he says. “Oi, there is no true way to do this but the old-fashioned way. Brick by brick, cart by cart, carriage by carriage. You there,” Harding points at Esche, who raises a brow at him. “Tell this man the harsh reality of his situation.” Lionel clears his throat and says, “I’m really quite well-aware of my life’s harsh realities as-is.” Harding scoffs and crosses his big arms. “Fine, fine, I get it,“ Lionel relents. “I’ll make arrangements for road-clearing and caravan entourage. The Warrior’s Guild will be moved into its brand new base of operations at Command Point Triple Omega by year’s end.” Esche and Harding both sigh. “Lionel,” Esche protests, “I thought we agreed that Command Point Triple Omega is a terrible name.” Lionel bites his lip and shakes his head vigorously. “No, -you- agreed that. Because you’re wrong. Command Point Triple Omega sounds very, very serious and absolutely credible. CP3O is a worthy name and I’ll not hear further argument. Besides,” he says in a quieter tone, “if you’re right about the coming darkness, we’ll need something snappy to lure folks to the cause.” Lionel walks away from Esche and Harding, both of whom appear to have had quite a bit to say to their dear leader’s latest tomfrakkery, and toward the center of the snowless training yard to await the arrival of several guild members.


Brand || Ah, Frostmaw. Well, Brand can’t exactly say he’s pleased to see it again so soon, but a summons is a summons. Why did he agree to join this guild? Oh, right. His reason is nestled on the wyvern behind him, appropriately bundled for the weather for what might be the first time ever. Frostmaw is cold for a human, you see, and ‘Red’ is very much human now. The violin nestled safely in the wyvern’s saddlebag will disguise her thoroughly from those familiar with the old version of her -- her scent, her looks, all senses papered over and altered with layers upon layers of thorough illusion. But Brand can’t help but think it’s a precarious situation nonetheless, and as he dismounts and helps Red down from the great winged beast, his sight is swiveling around toward those who will be sharing the next few hours with them. The man’s a touch paranoid, despite the strength of the foundation he’s built his house of cards upon. “Red,” he whispers to the woman, “be a dear and stick close to Lionel and I.” And then he walks forth, greets the commander, and burrows a little deeper into his coat.


Khitti :: Red’s definitely bundled up to deal with this horridly cold weather. What crazy person actually lives out here? The snow and ice were pretty enough to look at for a little while during the flyover but the black-haired female was absolutely freezing. “That’s preferable,” she’s says to the Captain, and does indeed stick close, though her reasons for agreeing are much different than his. She’s practically clinging to his arm. He -is- a fire mage, so maybe he’s a bit like a furnace too? Regardless, she’s huddling for warmth in between Brand and Lionel as dark grey eyes peer out from beneath the hood of her coat, a smile and brief wave given to the Hero of Hellfire, the woman otherwise remaining quite silent for now.


Kreekitaka hadn't bothered RSVPing to this meeting. Partially because he'd been busy with other things and partially because he wasn't certain he was going to offer Hildegarde the opportunity to prevent him from showing up. So his appearance here was likely a surprise to anyone as he marched into the area, wrapped in a thick white fur cape. Most of the faces were familiar, the woman was not. Regardless, he kept his attention on Lionel. "Apoyogies for arriving unannounceDAH!," he said, in a casual tone of voice that made it clear that he probably wasn't. "WhaTAH! mission has HHHTHe queen for us?"


Lionel blinks at Kreekitaka’s inquiry and looks around the training yard in search of Queen Hildegarde. He ties this in with a pleasant enough smile to Red, although the very corner of his lips is half a grimace. It’s barely noticeable, of course, but it belies his mixed emotions about the situation. Lionel checks behind a nearby crate for good measure, then shrugs to his uyeer companion. “If the Queen’s got a mission for us today, I missed the memo. This one comes from citizenry down Gualon way.” As he speaks, two lower-ranking members named Atlan and Cleve line up behind the more seasoned guild members and their amnesiac companion. Even Esche and Harding set aside their tasks and come to watch. It’s a good team for a burgeoning quest, and that’s precisely what Lionel’s slated to announce. “You’re a good team for a burgeoning quest,” he says, mindful of his author’s fourth wall as it shatters. “And a quest’s precisely what we’ve got on the agenda. Granted, I’m not sure people tend to call their own missions ‘quests’ with straight faces, but after the earth-shattering ordeals we’ve been through in the past? Yeah. I think we’re calling this a quest.” Lionel clears his throat, prompting Esche to appear beside him. The elf literally teleported himself from crowd’s edge to Lionel’s side, speaking volumes to his distaste for pardoning himself past multiple people at a time. Esche nods before explaining the situation to his allies. “Recently, we were alerted to a string of high-profile caravan robberies through the Nameless Desert. We dispatched a Frostmawian patrol team to learn more; only one returned, wounded, but full of information. The bandits are fifty strong or more, and they’re holed up in a complex cave network three to four leagues from where we fought insectoids beneath the sands. We have reason to believe they have fastened new weaponry and armor from the insectoids’ remains which has given them a decisive edge in their exploits.” Lionel steps in front of Esche and announces what most everyone must surely have expected: “Our job’s stopping them. The scout, who is presently recovering in sickbay, will guide us to the best infiltration point and we’ll smoke them all out and hit them hard where it hurts. I know you’re all well and truly capable of it, or else I wouldn’t be asking.” His eyes linger on Red for too long, then withdraw to the dirt beneath his feet. "Except you." The words are meant as a command, but they come out as weak as a gusty whisper. "You'll sit this one out." The words take on strength now, Lionel having found his resolve despite the bitterness at himself for having to say it. "Get your strength back and ease into things, Red. That's an order."


Brand || “Caravan robberies,” Brand repeats, smirking in response to a joke only he seems to be aware of. “Fifty strong, and they’re takin’ down caravans? So what I’m hearin’ is they’ve got more brawn than brains.” If you’re going to make a living out of thievery, Brand thinks, there are few options more attention grabbing than disrupting trade lines. “Or they’re lookin’ for the attention,” Brand muses. “You aim to hit them now? I’ve a mind to bring a friend or two from the ship, as might be suited to this mission. If there’s the time. Could send word, have ‘em meet us at a rendezvous near the site.” Oh, yeah. Fun fact about the Tranquility: pretty much everyone can hold their weight in a fight, in addition to their usual responsibilities. Red’s been sleeping surrounded by some very dangerous people. Brand -maybe- should’ve told her that earlier? Whoops.


Khitti :: It really all depends on who the crew is dangerous towards, to be honest. Everyone in their own way could be dangerous, whether it’s with weapons or words, and despite the amnesia, Red knew this well enough--she’s not stupid, she just can’t remember things. Like that giant freaking crab-man-thing that’s also attending the meeting. There was definitely a bit of staring after Kreekitaka’s initial approach, but it’s rude to stare, so she doesn’t do it for long. She’s just, you know, never seen a giant crab-man-thing (as far as she knows anyway). Lionel does earn himself a frown when he tells her she can’t go. Even Brand seems to be all for going and cracking some caravan robber skulls so you know what that means? She’s going to be stuck on the Tranquility again! Being confined to the ship isn’t as fun as it sounds, even if there is a rather large galley to bake things in or an equally as large library filled with more books than she knows what to do with is on said ship. Maybe, if she’s lucky, Meri can watch her at her shop and she can get in a bit of art practice. Who knows? Red doesn’t know and that means Red’s going to sigh. Heavily. It’s clear she doesn’t like this part of the plan that pertains her her, ie: her doing absolutely nothing exciting and adventurous or even anything on her own since she re-met Brand and Lionel. Thanks, guys. But, lucky for the two blondes, she actually keeps her mouth shut for now. Maaaaybe she can convince them later.


Kreekitaka has no issue with beating up some caravan raiders in the desert. "I suggesTAH! a fake caravan," he said, rippling his paddles, letting them clack against each other, though the sound was muted by the cape. "If we can yure HHHTHem ouTAH! of HHHTHere DAH!defenses, we can catch HHHTHem far easier. Especiayee if I bring us saurians TAH!oo ryDAH! on." Somehow the crab had moved straight to tactical planning. "We can crew HHHTHE caravan wiHHHTH members of our group an' aoso some of my own warriors--BranDAH!'s shipmaTAH!s aoso. We can easiyee match HHHTHeir force, so a fighTAH! on open TAH!errain is going TAH!oo be vasTAH!yee in our favor."


Lionel eyes Brand briefly after he’s spoken his piece, letting Kreekitaka chart the murky waters of strategy while he considers his fellow Catalian’s observation. “First,” he starts, pointing to Brand. “You’re right, of course. It’s an odd game this gang’s been playing. I’ve always answered dangerous attempts on my life with a greater danger against those who would otherwise kill me, though, so if this is bait we’ll bite down hard with all our fangs on these would-be fishermen.” He pauses. “That metaphor went further than I planned, but the point stands.” Esche raises a hand to interject; Lionel nods and urges him on. “Indeed the point stands quite well, as Kreekitaka has given us just cause to -become- the fishermen. We will answer their bait with ours; a false caravan is a prudent course of action.” Lionel is about to respond when Atlan, one of the junior members, calls out: “My pa is in the mercantile industry! I can get us everything we’ll need.” Lionel snickers quietly and suppresses a smirk. “The Warrior’s Guild has everything it needs, Atlan, but your gumption is appreciated.” He glances over those gathered, ignoring the poor lad’s disappointed little nod, before finalizing arrangements. “Right then. This effectively concludes the meeting. I’ll be in contact with everyone to get through logistics and on to the harrowing part where we all throw ourselves at people with sharp objects and win because we’re really, really damned lucky. And also, because you’re very good at what you do and I’m glad you’re with me. But mostly because we’re lucky.”


Brand || “Because we’re lucky,” Brand agrees, though this time his smirk carries a bitter edge to it. That ‘luck’ has not come freely. Briar paid for it, as did Shanks, as did a number of others in service to the Warrior’s Guild. And now here’s Brand with something to live for once again, and a hope that that luck will keep on being paid for by someone not-him and not-Khitti and not-Lionel, however selfish that hope might be.


Khitti :: All of these plans were being made and Red didn’t know how to even begin to help, if she were even able to or allowed. Just how exactly had her former self done things? Was she just the type to sit around and do paperwork all day while the men went out and dealt with the dirty work? Maybe not, considering she’d gotten herself all mind-wiped by a sea witch--then again, that could’ve been her first official mission and she ‘frakked it up’, as Brand would say. Well, it didn’t matter. The meeting was over and she wanted to go home, Brand. You know, to the place that wasn’t a winter wasteland full of beings that could crush her tiny body in an instant.


Kreekitaka was just as eager to leave as the others, but if he was supplying dinosaurs for this excursion he was going to need some paperwork filled out. But first: "Yuck has noHHHTHing TAH!oo DAH!oo wiHHHTH my vicTAH!ories. In facTAH!, I have been beaTAH!en more TAH!imes by yuck HHHTHan vicTAH!orious. My success comes from my cyaws an' my pyanning an' my frien's. You, perhaps, beyeev yourself 'yucky', buTAH! DAH!oo noTAH! presume such expyanations work for me." That out of the way, he pulled out a pen and paper. "Now, abouTAH! HHHTHe use of my saurians..."