>>34323768
"Well as of right now trade, growth, and learning. If the only road to another land is running through my property then that creates many opportunities."

>>34323950
Sounds good, I support this.

>>34323768
Tell them about the centaurs? Well, we don't know them too well yet. They've got rowdy wandering tribes that are a good time to hang out with, but might lose you your wallet. And they've got paranoid townsfolk who's forts are so secure they don't even let travelers in.

So, something for everybody I suppose.

>>34323950
I support this, but would add that we have unique sources regarding their culture. Don't want the motherfucker muscling in on our turf. Or Veles's.

"Well, we don't know them too well yet. They've got rowdy wandering tribes that are a good time to hang out with, but might lose you your wallet. And they've got paranoid townsfolk who's forts are so secure they don't even let travelers in... something for everyone I suppose." You see Keel trying not to laugh as the third officer exhales loudly. The Colonel remains impassive. "As for our intentions? Well, as of right now trade, growth, and learning. If the only road to another land is running through my property then that creates many opportunities."

"Who all have you informed of this?" The colonel continues.

"Just an investor right now. I hope to hear back from him shortly." You say, "Plus I've got something of an exclusive access to their culture."

He's quiet for a while, as if thinking something over. "The nitor will want to be kept in the loop on this. I've half a mind to station a detachment."

Keel objects, "Sir, we're already stretched thin enough as it is. Even now we've got naught but 3 free patrols at any given time."

That seems to put the matter at rest. However, the colonel produces a paper from his back pocket. "My apologies Miss Masterson, its all procedure you know. I received a letter written anonymously and had to check it out."

Taking the paper, you read it. It would appear to be an open letter to the Nitor stating the possibility of that the notorious outlaw 'Two Hands' McCain was being harbored on the ranch.

>Reaction?
>Give me a 1d20 roll

>>34324806dice 1d20
Well aint that somethin'.
You know, we got attacked by a guy claiming that name. Have you guys caught him yet?

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>34324872
fucked up my dice

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>34324806
The man we shot at? He'd have to be an idiot to hide on my property.

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>34324806
Two-hands WAS here a while back. Caused us a fair amount of trouble, trying to kill us.

WTF captcha gave me a picture of cupcakes. dafuq

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>14

You don't quite recognize the handwriting, but it seems familiar. And by familiar, the sort that makes you angry because you know that whoever the jerk is you've dealt with them before, but you just can't quite remember who it was. Regardless, you've done this song and dance before.

"Well aint that somethin'. You know, we got attacked by a guy claiming that name. Have you guys caught him yet?"

"Well, no..." the Colonel starts, "Trail led back to a bolt hole in Riverport, and sources there suggest him and his crew stowed away back to the mainland."

"Well, I don't know who wrote this, but probably someone with an axe to grind. Overly concerned and uninformed citizen, perhaps, or a rabble rouser."

He frowns, "I had figured as much, but I was still obligated to ask."

The third officer speaks here, the low rumble bouncing off the walls of your house. "I knew Lionel through a mutual friend. I'd doubt that he'd be the sort to teach his kid to take on bastards like that. Besides, the worker crew here looks awfully light."

Sensing an opening to divert attention, you seize it. "Well yes, between my foreman and Tai we've got our hands full, and Marie is busy with our guest Tatiana trying to break the language barrier."

"Oh?" You close your eyes as the rumble starts again. "You've got a guest of one of the people beyond the mountains? Would it be all right to have them answer a few questions we have?"

>?

>>34325411
Fine, you folk can have a conversation. I might have to sit by and help translate, though, as I doubt you speak just-discovered languages.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>34325411
I'll ask her but she doesn't speak our language. However I can translate

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"I'll ask her but she doesn't speak our language. However I can translate"

It takes a bit of translation, but you Tatiana acquiesces. You follow the Centauress into the bunkhouse, and gesture to the wooden card table. The three officers sit down and begin asking questions.

It wasn't a deluge of question or an interrogation, but by the end it may as well have been one. A lot of the questions the men asked you probably could have answered yourself given what Veles told you about the Casimiran, but you have to admit, its far more credible coming straight from the horse-man's mouth. You mentally chide yourself for that one, and chalk it up to exhaustion. The lack of sleep certainly is a factor, and the officers keep you there for nearly two and a half hours before Keel suggests that the leave. It takes a bit, but between him and the other officer, they manage to pry the old colonel from the room. Despite the man's adherence to procedure, his eagerness in questionss makes you suspect that he might have been better suited in the Schola rather than the Arma branch of the Nitor. Either that or the Nitor really makes a point of having educated commanders.

With assurances that they will be back, the officers leave with their troops, and you watch the retreating figures heading back toward South Fork. McCain appears from whatever place he made himself scarce and walks up next to you, leaning on the porch column as early evening approaches.

>action?

>>34327001
Thank goodness there's lookalikes running around causing havoc for you, eh? Much more credible than an anonymous tip.

>>34327001
Hopefully we don't have any more unfortunate rumors spread. Think we had ought to purchase a loss of god to cart over next trip?

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"Thank goodness there's lookalikes running around causing havoc for you, eh? Much more credible than an anonymous tip."

You see his shoulders twitch in silent mirth, he responds seriously though. "I dunno, Miss, I hope its unfounded, because that means someone knows. They won't stop there."

"Think we should go and get more supplies? Get trade going before the road gets made and flooded with merchants?"

He turns and looks to you, "Probably wouldn't be the best idea, I dunno how much money you've got squirrelled away, but we've still got to finish dealing with the cattle."

"Point, we could let it go for a while, build up a larger herd of steers. Or we could cash in and get more from Riverport during the next big drive, heck we could even drive them into centaur lands if we can sell them on it."

"Prolly not the best move just yet I'd think. Centaurs that is. Its not like they could give us isens for it, would have to find a buyer for what we traded for. Its definitely risky."

You're interrupted by Tai announcing dinner is ready. Its more of the same fare as yesterday, but with Tai that's not really a complaint. Talk is muted, with most of it occurring between you, Marie, and Tatiana as they try and cross the language barrier. Feeling the crash coming, you finish up and bid everyone else goodnight before sliding up to your room and into bed.

>Give me a 1d4 roll.

Rolled 3 (1d4)

>>34328262
Dice ahoy

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Rolled 4 (1d4)

>>34328262
Hey, I found a male lamia that doesn't look like Fabio!

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>4

You're out before you even hit the pillow, and the blissful embrace of dreamless sleep takes hold. For a while at least. You wake up in the middle of the night and bury your head under your pillow in frustration.

You find yourself in the ruins again. The scarlet maple a fair distance from you. You see a group of the youths, each still with their blued metal amulets helping to a person move several crates out of an old building. There is a frantic air, as if there is a finite amount of time to complete their task. You see Marie help one of her fellows through the fencing, using a leather jacket to lift up razor wire, before crawling through herself. Just as she gets through, she puts the now torn jacket back on, and they scuttle off into the night towards the maple. You see a crew standing outside the building they left, and one of them lighting a fuse. Silence for several seconds, then an explosion, and the derelict building caves in on itself.

You're woken from this by the heat of the sun on your face. Dragging yourself out of bed, you head downstairs to find that the hands have already finished eating, and have gone about their business. You do note, however, that someone thoughtfully left you a plate and a cup of coffee on the stove, still warm. Cursing yourself, you dig in, only to be distracted by the sound of a carriage. Looking outside you can see an expensive one pulling in. Heading to the doorway, you watch as Serrak steps down out of the posh interior.

>?

>>34329610
Ah jeez. Rush to get yourself all dressed and such, then crawl out to meet 'im.
We'll have to show him the way to the pass. Hope he brought an overnight bag.

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Your first reaction would make Veles proud, ducking low you propel yourself up the stairs with all the haste panic lends. Getting out your better clothes, you dress hastily and thankfully are at least presentable when you hear the knock on the door. Opening it, you see just see Serrak by himself on the porch artifice prosthetic stopped mid knock.

"I came as soon as I received your missive" The orc says lowering his arm. "I take it this is what you meant by something big?"

"Pretty much yeah, I was asked not to reveal it to anyone else before we checked it out." You say as you slither aside and beckon the man in.

"I take it those people were the Nitor?"

"How'd you guess?"

"My temporary office is outside the Nitor base of operations for this continent. The garrison commander and two others were seen riding out this way with full compliment, it is not hard to figure out."

"Ah, right."

"So you have a way through?"

"Technically, Veles has a way through."

"And what is your plan now?" He says, less critically and more... thoughtfully, you think his got a few ideas of his own.

>Response?


>Pausing here for now due to storm. Will try and be on early tomorrow to pick the thread up where we left off. Thanks for reading.

>>34330640
Ah, well, I plan on taking full advantage of being on the path to a lucrative neighboring nation. Services for travelers will make money here. If we were feeling particularly harsh, we could even put up a toll road.

>>34330640
See you tomorrow, Chemlab.

>>34330640
I plan to develop the land to provide amenities for tourists and merchants.

>>34330640
"I plan on trying to make a little working capital before folks realize the market, then use that capital to offer services to those who want to trade with the Centaur. Perhaps setting up a turnpike on my land."