Sala has an idea, "Could not Drindoleth arrange for some animals to guard these men for a period of 10 days or so and then let them loose? Otherwise, I see no option but to execute them."
Gilraen, "There must be a way, we cannot just kill them. Could each be charmed to march to Raj and turn themselves in?"
Reminder, two are priests of Morgoth. Redemption seems near impossible for such.
Ithilneth ponders the choices. "It would have been better to slay them in the heat of battle, but I cannot conscience their execution on our own authority. Well, except those who directly serve the Enemy. I can enchant at least some of them, but I do not know if it can last long enough for them to reach a force capable of holding them."
"Perhaps we can take them with us. We can bind them with rope and song. What will we do once we've captured the stronghold? Surely there will be more captured. This dilemma will return to us."
"You're correct, Ithilneth. It will," Drindoleth agrees with a sigh. "For these ones I could likely have animals guard them for a time and perhaps we could leave a temporary shelter over them so that they aren't exposed to the elements. I find it a more palatable choice than execution, but it's only temporary."
I thoroughly approve of this plan - and I presume Drindoleth can also grow them some food plants before we go. It may not be what they are used to but at least they will not starve. Unfortunately, my songs, though powerful, cannot be relied upon in this case.
Thoroncir says, "I think the better plan, although perhaps not by any great margin, would be to bring them along with us under guard. But of course I will not challenge or gainsay our Elf-captain's decision. If we can spare a horse or two to mind the prisoners, I can speak to them and instruct them in their duties."
Mulligan ponders, "There is a town near the fort we are looking to put out of action. It is quite possible these people have committed crimes against people there. Why not pass them across for trial. If we destroy the fort and break their hold over this area, they may be interested in taking them. I will point out that two of them are priests of he who really should not be named and to leave them here out of arm's length is just asking for trouble. I do not know who powerful they are, but are you really going to leave two of them in a forest, likely to be capable of communicating with the fort and letting them know exactly who and where we are."
After a brief pause, "This means they only have to be dealt with for a couple of days seeing as the town is about 30 miles away and we will not reach it until tomorrow. But that means babysitting six highly dangerous people during that time and hoping they won't cause too much trouble. Not to mention that the High Priest there will be waiting. But I think it's better than leaving them here."
Couple of things:
Is it safe to assume we move camp at last for now?
The identifies take place along with legend lore and questions?
The debate will continue part way into the night?
Gilraen will plan to take Know Alignment in the morning.
Here are the treasures with the items that can be ID'd safely.
From the Crowned Skull guy:
Evil Rod
magic ring +3/+3 prot but symbol of the Iron Crown, for an evil priest of Morgoth will do more.
Hard Leather Boots of travel, allows +2” base speed and +1 AC and changes to fit feet in a fairly good range, large Hobbit to large human in size and give +50% endurance.
Robe of armor spell, a dark magic reserved for the now dead priest, taint of evil but might have some use as a minor material component.
Huge Sword user:
Evil +5 2-Handed that can flame,
Elven Chain +2, very ancient and actually Elven made
Boots of Travel (see above)
Rod user #2:
Evil Rod
Robe of armor spell (see above)
Flail01
Magic Banded +3
+3 Flail that 2bls effect of Hold Person
Flail02
Magic Banded +3
+3 Flail that 2bls effect of Harm spells and cast be casted for use on hit by flail.
Flail03
Magic Banded +3
+3 Flail that stores up to 3 poison spells (Reverse of 4th level Neutralize Poison)
Sh. Bow users:
7 +2 arrows
11 +1 arrows.
MAA’s:
+1 Scimitar, +3 Scimitar, +3 Spear, +2 Spear x2, +1spear x3, +2 Long Sword, Also 12 suits of non-magic Banded.
Treasures: An abundance of gaudy gold jewelry with a heavy preference for rubies. In all a large pouches amount worth maybe 9,000 gold.
732 GPs, 1245 SPs and even many coppers.
Thoroncir finds Mulligan's comments make him even less comfortable with the plan to leave the captives behind, but he will defer to Gil-Gandel's good judgment.
Mulligan adds, "Without Luzi to lead us, I think our best bet is to rest here and hope she recovers overnight. As for the captives, I can probably cook something that will make them sleep happily all night if Drindoleth or Rorimac can find me the right kinds of herbs. If they are staying, it would be wrong not to feed them. If she recovers, perhaps she could ask Windtail and the other Rmir to look after them for a little while."
Drindoleth and Gilraen both carry such medicinal herbs to have patients rest well for the night.
Gilraen is sure Luzi will be fine by the morning.
After Mulligan says Windtail's name, she appears within minutes. "What did you want us for? Why are the evil ones alive?"
Mulligan looks at the captives with an evil smile, while tickling Windtail behind the ears, "I love options..."
Asking Drindoleth to translate, "The tall ones believe that once an enemy has been captured, it is wrong to kill them while defenceless. But we cannot allow them to go anywhere, in case they mention what we are doing. If we were to leave them sleeping here, could you and your tribe watch them for two days while we kill their leaders and destroy their home. If they were to wake up and try to flee, you could do with them as you wish."
"Gil-Gandel, what do you think, would this satisfy your conditions. If the town is willing, they can be turned over afterwards for justice. It will delay us, but it does mean honour is kept."
An extremely equitable solution, and I am thankful.
Drindoleth translates, relieved to have a plan for the captives now.
Deor yawns. Now that everything's taken care of, he'll get back to sleeping.
January 3rd of FA65
So by 3am Luzi is awake and a little stiff but feeling much better. Gilraen is calling upon Estë for the knowledge and strength to cast Know Alignment in place of Slow Poison.
The prisoners are secure and the night has been quiet. At one point Drindoleth’s owl chased off what he said was a bat acting oddly. He regrets not catching it, bats can be good eating.
By 4am Gilraen has determined that Gonung the scout is Neutral. Grag, the rude MAA is Neutral Evil, Frenig & Tio the shamans are Lawful Evil as are 2 of the MAAs (Atrun and Devi). The last MAA, Hirx is Chaotic Good but the good is weak, like his soul has many sins weighing on it but he does not mean to do evil. Luzi Mati is Neutral Good for the record.
Windtail has gathered up some of her Rmir clan to look after these prisoners. Gil-Gandel believes Hirx might be particularly easy to charm into being a guard though.
Luzi thinks the party should be made invisible if possible and move at first light. No matter what we need to move soon. It might need us to change plans and hit the swamp stronghold first as they seem to be aware of us. But this might not matter much.
Invisible is not a problem for Mulligan and Rorimac, if there is any dirty work that needs doing, best to leave it to them, as they won't lose any invisibility from it.
Mulligan will also make more of the soporific for the prisoners as food for the next couple of days. It should keep them docile and under control at least.
To sing, then, within the plain hearing of Hirx but without seeming to address him by name, and to the strains of the harp that urge a man to make redress for wrongs unwillingly done:
How shall the Valar weigh the deeds of Men
Who turn sometimes, in spite of all good will,
Aside from good to do such deeds of ill
As, spoken once, should not be told again?
Happy the man who has done no such act;
Who sleeps with easy conscience through the night;
Who ever walked upon the paths of right -
But 'tis not always so, for certain fact.
Some shall there be who gain a second chance
To do some good thing yet to right the wrong
To earn redemption, as they ever long,
And on the road from ill to good advance.
To him who feels uneasy conscience ache
Such chance as this 'twere well he'd swiftly take.
And then say quietly, while apparently intent on seeing to the fletchings of my arrows, "We have more prisoners than we can well take with us, and it would be expeditious to put them quickly to the rope's end or the sword's point. But it would be a good deed for a man to watch over them and see they did naught to our harm for a few days..."
Ceol is gladdened to learn that Gonung and Hirx are not of evil heart. "My hope is that there will be more such as them, not truly evil, but forced into foul actions by these worshippers of the Dark One. By redeeming them, and showing them the Light, we might help them begin to build a tradition of good here."
He is ready to move out. He agrees that the swamp stronghold may be more important to take first, though we may need to figure out how best to bring the mounts through the swamp (or, find a safe place to picket them until we finish in the swamp).
The Sea-knight says to Gilraen, "Thank you, my lady, for determining the affinity of these men for good or evil. If Gonung and Hirx could mind the prisoners, with the help of some of our smarter horses (also under instructions) like Baygir, picketed here, that might suffice to keep the more evil among them from doing further harm." Thoroncir is eager to move on.
"Luzi, how close are we to each of the two camps and how long would it take to get to each from here?" asks Rorimac. "If those in the swamp know we are coming, it may be better to hit them first before they can warn any of the other outposts."
Hirx speaks up, “I could guard and care for the men and keep an eye on the horses if you like. I would not betray your trust. Though I must warn you that the shamans are evil, through and through. They have done many foul deeds and I hear even darker ones then I have seen. ” He is speaking the truth and clearly the bardic charm has affected him.
Luzi says, “Our mission was to destroy the cults of Morgoth and Sauron, I will take on the authority of my own Kingdom, that of Raj in this case and acts as executioner even if needed. Let us question the prisoners a bit more and then I will give judgment. If my judgment is death, will any willingly be the executioner? I ask much, but I need to ask.”
She continues in Southron, “The shamans shall be put on trial but the rest of you will be held as prisoners and brought back to either Raj or a local village for judgment. Any cooperation will be affirmed for you in your own trials. I do not foresee death in any of your futures if you cooperate.”
To the party in general and in Westron, “So shall we go for the swamp, leaving the mounts here? Go for the swamp bringing the horses closer? Continue to my original goal of the old stone keep looking over a small town on the main road? I agree with those that feel we should make for the swamp strongholds but I think we should take the mounts as close as possible.”
In questioning the prisoner more the following information comes out: Frenig & Tio have practiced and lead human sacrifice, animal sacrifice, speaking to the dead, the raping of captives and in one case the raping and then slow torture of 3 lost youths allowing the foul swamp lizards to feast on them while they were still alive. They and the order of shamans and dark priests are evil and have committed enough evil to stain their souls forever. It is rumored that in their inner ceremonies they even practice ritual cannibalism and that they perform frightful dark experiments to make horrible monsters to guard their strongholds. Grag comes close to their evil, though he fully believes rape and pillage is a rightful reward for winning a battle. But then this would be common among many soldiers and not just evil ones. Atrun is found to be frightfully evil though. He takes delight in working for the cult and is a true believer, and simply lacks the wit to be more than a servant.
Mulligan answers Luzi. "If needs be, so be it. I've cut more than purses in my time."
"The horses are good and well-travelled, so we can get a lot closer to the swamp. It should not be a problem and they will behave as required.", says Rorimac, eager to be away from this.
"I, too, will volunteer to be executioner if the law determines that is their fates. Be assured that their death will come swiftly and with considerably more mercy than they no doubt showed those they murdered and tortured."
"If needs be, I too will act as an executioner, on my authority as a captain of Sea-knights," says Thoroncir slowly, "although I hope it will not be necessary, as there is no proper court here."
Luzi, "I thank those that have offered. As to no proper court, I suppose our justice is swifter and less formal here. I have heard enough to pass judgment on both of the foul shamans and I am only debating what to do with Grag. He has committed no shortage of crimes and is as evil in thought as the shamans but his capacity for evil and crime is lower. I will execute him myself as this is the only decision I am unsure of. Let us take each of them in turn back a goodly distance away and be done with this act. We'll start with Frenig."
Those willing; go with Luzi and she instructs that he be knocked unconscious and then has his throat slit. Bitur and his Axe seem to be the best suited to this job. Luzi then sends for Tio and Grag in turn. She cuts Grags throat and lets him bleed out.
Gilraen seems horrified by the execution but does not raise much protest. In the end she asks Thoroncir to escort her to the 3 bodies so she can say some words over their bodies and she requests the dead be buried at least.
I will assume many will pitch in to help with the burials and we'll move on.
Hirx will look after the remaining prisoners. I will assume Drindoleth used a plant growth to supply food for a few weeks.
Gonung will help lead the party to the trails through the marsh. He will need a ride and Gilraen will loan him Scout, her spare horse. It takes less than a day's riding before the party reaches the point where they need to leave the horses and continue on foot.
What preparations are made for the horses?
What is done with the captured items listed above? The identification would be completed tonight.
How is Gonung equipped?
Are there any last minute things before entering the marsh itself?
Tentative marching order:
Luzi
Gonung
Rorimac
Gil-Gandel
Bitur
Thoroncir
Gilraen
Deor
Drindoleth
Mulligan
Gwaelur
Ithilneth
Sala
Ceol
Rorimac will look for a sheltered area or grove the horses can be hidden in, if needs be asking for a Plant Growth to cover over some of it.
Of the captured items, unless we know what they do and can be used without effect, the suggestion is to leave them with the horses and out of sight. Although it would be better if the Evil Rods could have been disposed of.
For Gonung, allow him his armour, bow, a set of arrows and a dagger. If he is going to be helping us, it is better to at least have him armed. His actions may bear heavily on him, so let's give him a chance to redeem himself.
Before entering the swamp, Mulligan tells Freyja to stay with the horses and mind them. Hopefully they can stay in touch and if anything happens, Mulligan will know about it. Her disposition seems to be swinging between revulsion and hatred at the moment. At who is up for debate.
I agree about Gonung. He should be equipped if he is going to travel with us, though I can not say that I fully trust him yet. I would prefer he travel closely to someone who is able to keep a close eye on him until his trust has been earned.
Agreed that we should let Gonung keep his equipment for now (and that someone with sharp eyes, perhaps one of the hobbits or elves, should keep a particular eye on him).
As far as the treasure, the evil rods and sword should be destroyed. Other than that, there's an awful lot of heavy equipment (armor and weapons), which is of value, but will slow us down. Ceol will suggest leaving it with the horses for now.
Does the area where we'll be leaving the horses have sufficient grazing plants for them? If not, can Drindoleth use plant growth there, as well?
Any ideas how to dispose of the evil items?
Freyja agrees to stay but looks disappointed.
There should be enough grazing in this location for the horses.
We can take the evil items back to town and see what we can do there. There may be ways to break the enchantments, and failing all else, we can throw them into the sea.
The evil robes of armor spell Deor will claim, hoping to use them as future components.
The magic boots will come in handy for the slower members of the party.
Thoroncir will see to the burial of the dead, and stands respectfully by as Gilraen says a prayer of Este over the graves.
He will instruct Baygir, his warhorse, and all of the other horses in their language as to our wish that they remain safely here, and let Freyja the wildcat help guard them. If they must leave and follow us, they should be able to follow our trail well enough to find us. Would Baygir or another horse be the alpha of this particular "herd"?
Thoroncir agrees as to the arming of Gonung, and the disposition of the loot and weaponry.
In other circumstances a powerful Ring of Protection would be quite a lure, but a symbol such as the Iron Crown is quite the extenuating circumstance and I will not take such an item. While I find the elf-made chain captivating and I am pleased to see it in our hands rather than our enemies', I do not use armour although I would be delighted to return it to the Elves. Deor's advice has been good to date concerning the treatment of tainted items and I am willing that we should do as he says.
Taking no joy in the execution of our captives, I acknowledge that there are times when unpleasant deeds must be done, and may the One have mercy on their souls.
Baygir will admit that Leofwin, the Paladin’s War Horse of Ceol, one of the Mearas of Rohan is the alpha. Both Kali & Curan though are exceptional and very smart horses. The four together can well keep the rest of the horses safe but only Curan could safely pass through the swamp. The rest would be likely to falter if the entered.
Mulligan promises to make it up to Freyja at the stone fort, but she needs to keep an eye on the horses in case anything finds them.
Both Mulligan and Rorimac pass on the magic items, "they are best left out of the way until we are sure they are safe."
Are we ready to head out?
The party rides out with arrangements made as well as possible. The ride to were the horses will be left goes without problem. The horses are made secure and everything is readied that night.
January 4th of FA65: Gonung carefully leads the party through the largely trackless marsh. At about 10 am Dulindar alerts Ithilneth that there are invisible creatures flying low overhead seeking the party. The party is still about 3 hours from the marsh fort.
How many creatures, and how big? Could they be magically revealed, and then our archers knock them from the sky?
2 creatures and there might be ways to reveal them.
"If you can point out roughly where they are, I can show them up," smiles Mulligan, but anyone invisible needs to stay out of the way or they get shown up as well. Deor, got a spare magic missile spell to break a glass bauble."
Rorimac carefully puts on his infravision visor to see if they are giving off any heat, while trying to avoid looking at the sun.
They are flying and thus it will be tough.
Rorimac does see the infrared telltale of a small flying creature. He can shoot with only a -4 to hit.
Rorimac to the rest of the group, "I can see them flitting around up there, but I can't tell what they are and they are not going to be that easy to mark. Can I borrow a couple of the best arrows we have to see if I can hit them?"
Ithilneth offers her +3 arrows to him.
"I'm holding Detect Invisibility today-- just tell me when and where."
Is there good nearby cover under which we can conceal the party in the meantime, just in case we can't knock these spies from the sky?
There is cover but the creatures are flying effectively below the canopy.
Mulligan asks Deor, "Doesn't that just mean you can see the creatures? Now, if you could reverse their invisibility, that would be useful?"
Rorimac thanks Ithilneth for the arrows. "Hopefully, they will bring luck", he says as he takes aim at the creatures above.
"It does. I'll check and see what these things look like."
Deor can locate the invisible creatures. There are 2 in all within range. Rorimac carefully lines up his shots, hoping to get the first cleanly and be able to target and hit the second before it flies off.
The first arrow flies true, the invisible creatures falls to the ground dying. The second arrow is also true and sends the creature crashing into a tree. Deor can easily locate both for pick up.