Raven smiles an almost paternal smile. "Ah, Rylas, I said nothing of being overly careful. Overestimating your enemy can close to you many opennings, as you fear they have no weakness, no flaw. To overestimate one's enemies is to deam them immortal, when they are clearly not. Besides, its bad for moral. Covering every option is all well and good, but being unpredictable, that is the sign of a great tactision.... "
OOC: Raven's next words are based on a true story from chinese history. The moral of this story is too great to pass up.
IC: Raven grins as he prepares a tale to show his point. "Once, long ago, there was a great tactision, who found an army of 50,000 heading to his city. He had but 3000 men in this city at the time, and no way to defend. Ordering his men to pick up brooms and sweep the streets, he took out his priest garb, donned it, and sat in the open, playing his flute. When the enemy general saw this, he told his men to retreat. He 'knew' that this man would not be playing his flute like that if it wasn't part of some master plan, and he left. If he had not overestimated the enemy, he would have won. So, you see the point, yes? "
Rubbing his chin, Raven indicates for one of his men to bring the prisoner up. "Yes, he might have some useful information. "
QUEST: Voyage for a Gem, chapter 2 [Samheen 4th]
Moderator: Mods
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Guest
Rylas hesitated, then offered his final thought on the matter. "Even if we were not meant to capture this ship, we are not an army of 50,000 against a town. We are two ships and one crew against a floating fortress and a fleet of who knows how many ships." He leaned back and sighed through his nose, feeling it pointless to have said any more, though one final thought he wished he could say came to him, providing him with a smirk at least. And our leader is not a great tactician, but a simple pirate captain.
Rylas waited in silence for the prisoner, hoping that he could provide more information about their opposition, and trying to ignore the fact that it could all be an attempt at misleading them.
Rylas waited in silence for the prisoner, hoping that he could provide more information about their opposition, and trying to ignore the fact that it could all be an attempt at misleading them.
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BardicPup
Raven chuckles. "I know, but the moral of the story remains, none the less. Did you see the hidden moral? Knowing your enemy is a double-edged sword. Both leaders knew the other well, but one snatched victory against all odds, while the other used this knowledge for defeat. "
The prisoner arrives with excelent timing and stands near the table, his guard near at hand. Raven glances at him, then to Rylas. "Which will we use this information for, victory, or defeat? "
The prisoner arrives with excelent timing and stands near the table, his guard near at hand. Raven glances at him, then to Rylas. "Which will we use this information for, victory, or defeat? "
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Guenhwyfar
- Retired staff
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Guen listened to the conversation between the two men in silence, eyes narrowed. The brash "against all odds" did not seem entirely practical to her, nor did the fable of the tactician do much to persuade her. But, then, she was still rather sore at Raven for humiliating her in public. She nodded at Rylas' suggestion that they interrogate the prisoner.
At Raven's question as to whether they would use the information for victory or defeat, she arched an eyebrow. "Well, that depends on you, now, doesn't it, <i>Captain</i>?" Her tone was light but acid, and the slight smile on her face did a little, although not much, to soften her words.
She took her eyes off Raven a nd looke to the prisoner to hear what he had to say and how the interrogation would proceed.
At Raven's question as to whether they would use the information for victory or defeat, she arched an eyebrow. "Well, that depends on you, now, doesn't it, <i>Captain</i>?" Her tone was light but acid, and the slight smile on her face did a little, although not much, to soften her words.
She took her eyes off Raven a nd looke to the prisoner to hear what he had to say and how the interrogation would proceed.
Last edited by Guenhwyfar on Fri Jun 13, 2003 5:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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BardicPup
Raven glanced over at Guen and chuckled, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Yes, I suppose it does. Even if you should fail in whatever task becomes yours, the fault is still mine, for not seeing the weaknesses, or lack of loyalty. But enough about tactics before we even have any of our own. "
Darkheart's eyes drift slowly from Guen to focus on the captive, and the grin creaping across his face speaks wonders of how the captain had got such a name as Raven Darkheart. Dispite his many years at sea, facing ships of skull and crossbone, and the banners of the local powers, he could not help but take a half step back. "Tell us of this pirate queen and her sea-born fortress. "
With a gulp, the man began, clearly having more fear of the present then the future. The story was long, with much being of little concern for their presant needs. Several things stood out, however, to all presant. One of them spoke of both opertunity and trap, for in five days nearly half of the queens forces were to go out and attack a merchant fleet, with full escort, being sent as relief to the orcish wars. That would be the easiest time to break in, but also when they would be most expected.
Darkheart's eyes drift slowly from Guen to focus on the captive, and the grin creaping across his face speaks wonders of how the captain had got such a name as Raven Darkheart. Dispite his many years at sea, facing ships of skull and crossbone, and the banners of the local powers, he could not help but take a half step back. "Tell us of this pirate queen and her sea-born fortress. "
With a gulp, the man began, clearly having more fear of the present then the future. The story was long, with much being of little concern for their presant needs. Several things stood out, however, to all presant. One of them spoke of both opertunity and trap, for in five days nearly half of the queens forces were to go out and attack a merchant fleet, with full escort, being sent as relief to the orcish wars. That would be the easiest time to break in, but also when they would be most expected.
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Tygress
- Retired Game Designer
- Posts: 1208
- Joined: Fri Oct 04, 2002 2:37 am
- Location: Striped Shadow in the Dark
- Contact:
OOC: Ok guys, to the best of my knowlede, Rylas and guen are the only semi-active players still in this thread (If not, speak up now! 
)
Both are ready to move on, understandably.. Pup did a WONDERFUL job covering for me and took it in a fantastic direction my numb brain never thought of
But people got the whole RL thing happening, and it's been a while, so it's pretty understandable why you want to move on
So, barring any protests, Im going to write up one BIG whizbanging finale to this poor thing, and then hand out some pretty skills Please PM me with your comments, consent, concerns or ideas
) Both are ready to move on, understandably.. Pup did a WONDERFUL job covering for me and took it in a fantastic direction my numb brain never thought of
But people got the whole RL thing happening, and it's been a while, so it's pretty understandable why you want to move on So, barring any protests, Im going to write up one BIG whizbanging finale to this poor thing, and then hand out some pretty skills
Please PM me with your comments, consent, concerns or ideas [url=http://tygress.livejournal.com/]Tygress[/url]||[color=green][i]Tygress Who?![/i][/color]
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tanoshimi
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Tygress
- Retired Game Designer
- Posts: 1208
- Joined: Fri Oct 04, 2002 2:37 am
- Location: Striped Shadow in the Dark
- Contact:
OOC: *chuckles* Well, for the most part, consider yourselves released and free to adventure on. Assume you all arrived safely in the Citadel, and Than snuck you in the city safely, putting you up in rooms at the Burpin Dragon. He also rewards you handsomely for your part in the rescue of the Gem.
And I will reward you all handsomely for your dedication and extreme patience through the guantlet of this plot
I will PM you all when I've skilled and wrapped the thread up.
And I will reward you all handsomely for your dedication and extreme patience through the guantlet of this plot
I will PM you all when I've skilled and wrapped the thread up.
[url=http://tygress.livejournal.com/]Tygress[/url]||[color=green][i]Tygress Who?![/i][/color]
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BardicPup
Raven decided to wait for this chance in five days. This gave everyone a chance to prepare, with training, or, in some cases, new items. Rylas managed to sneak into Darkheart's cabin and pick the lock, and there was the jeweled dagger. Will was most pleased, and redoubled his efforts to train Rylas.
The others often sparred, practicing with thier weapon or choice, while others seemed to prefer to spar with words. Tayknot and Senna sparred with both words and blade, the latter being for training, and the former becoming some sort of game.
Deanus seemed to become more withdrawn, avoiding all human contact when possible, and going about his duties mechanically. The words of the sea dog played in his head often, as did the voice of his former 'friends' and mentors.
The time passed, and they neared where the fortress floated. Raven decided to weigh anchor in the shelter of a nearby island, and take the trireme in, so as to not draw attention. The plan seemed to work wonders. It wasn't until they had reached the ship again, prize in the arms of the Thran, that they knew something was amiss. There was too many shaddows on the dock, and there seemed to be more ships.
The Pirate Queen's voice echoed out from nowhere as her minions stepped forward. "Nicely done, Raven Darkheart. Most impressive, my dear Thran. How unfortunate that this was but a trap, and the exit is closed. "
Crazed laughter fills the air. "But alass, I seem to have caught some strays in my trap as well.... Come willingly, Thran, and I will let them go, even your infamous Darkheart. "
The Thran had not tasted defeat often, but he knew he tasted it today. He gazed into the eyes of his friend as he surrendered himself to this self proclaimed Queen. He knew Raven would return, some day. He wondered if his friend would be returning to rescue a corpse, or if a twist of fate would make them enemies...... Best not to think of such things....
The voyage to the citadel passed in silence. Raven withdrew to his cabin, and was not seen until it was time to go ashore. When he did appear, his eyes seemed darker, colder, and there was a hardness in them that had once been softened by something, but that something was gone.
OOC: Ok, I'll skill the thread over the next couple days. Hope you all enjoyed it. Like Tygs said, you all made it safely, are in the citadel, and have a room at the dragon. I'll put your rewards in with the skills.
The others often sparred, practicing with thier weapon or choice, while others seemed to prefer to spar with words. Tayknot and Senna sparred with both words and blade, the latter being for training, and the former becoming some sort of game.
Deanus seemed to become more withdrawn, avoiding all human contact when possible, and going about his duties mechanically. The words of the sea dog played in his head often, as did the voice of his former 'friends' and mentors.
The time passed, and they neared where the fortress floated. Raven decided to weigh anchor in the shelter of a nearby island, and take the trireme in, so as to not draw attention. The plan seemed to work wonders. It wasn't until they had reached the ship again, prize in the arms of the Thran, that they knew something was amiss. There was too many shaddows on the dock, and there seemed to be more ships.
The Pirate Queen's voice echoed out from nowhere as her minions stepped forward. "Nicely done, Raven Darkheart. Most impressive, my dear Thran. How unfortunate that this was but a trap, and the exit is closed. "
Crazed laughter fills the air. "But alass, I seem to have caught some strays in my trap as well.... Come willingly, Thran, and I will let them go, even your infamous Darkheart. "
The Thran had not tasted defeat often, but he knew he tasted it today. He gazed into the eyes of his friend as he surrendered himself to this self proclaimed Queen. He knew Raven would return, some day. He wondered if his friend would be returning to rescue a corpse, or if a twist of fate would make them enemies...... Best not to think of such things....
The voyage to the citadel passed in silence. Raven withdrew to his cabin, and was not seen until it was time to go ashore. When he did appear, his eyes seemed darker, colder, and there was a hardness in them that had once been softened by something, but that something was gone.
OOC: Ok, I'll skill the thread over the next couple days. Hope you all enjoyed it. Like Tygs said, you all made it safely, are in the citadel, and have a room at the dragon. I'll put your rewards in with the skills.