- it is not a contract
- you do not have a tape recorder & dictaphone, transcribing spoken word to script
- it was spoken out of earshot in another language
- That was also long before Carmen siezed on her idea of sending the refuges to Arans and grabbing a band of almogavars
Mark, I was pointing out what I thought I-the-player knew OOC. My character has zero clue about what's going on. Don't get huffy, please. 
Not huffy, just smarmy 
I was about to say I am just trying to process things and move them along, and figured I would get your refugess out of your hair for you. I also thing there should be a few more refuges. Enough so that the covenant can put a few to work and make an asset that you bring to the table.
And I suppose you guys can set the scene as you see fit. Carmen will return soon, and the other drakes will catch up soon therafter. I was hoping you guys would have some more discussion and I could drop some more clues from your inquiries and lore rolls 
For example, thus far Gardiatius has correctly concluded it is likely some kind of spirit being. Vibria recognized the description as that of Don Gulio, a fairy tale character. Carmen just now while talking to Vulcanus and Arachne remembered the actual nursery rhyme. She will repeat it when she gets back.
But there is also the issue of coming up with a plan. Planning and preparation are everything. The fiercest foe can be taken down by the meekest of men if a solid proper plan is used, and the mightiest of heroes are easilly undone by the weakest of villians if they are unprepared.
(Much as Vocis loves to strategize, he just doesn't have the Magic Lore to justify knowing anything about this thing. I was figuring the Flambeaux would lead the way on this one, with Vocis supporting.)
Vulcanus doesn't know Spanish so the nursery rhyme meant nothing to him. He is completely unequipped to handle a spirit foe, and will be largely useless in fighting the ghoul... But he doesn't know that.
I have no problem with saying a half-dozen or a dozen others joined us on our trek for safety's sake. Might even develop one or two of them -- I have an idea. The only stipulation I'd like to make is that Gardaitis' Dependents flaw describe no more than the five he originally got out of Vareilles. They're the ones he feels most strongly responsible for.
EDIT: as far as strategizing, be glad to, if someone brings the topic up. Vocis told him "I can't tell you more", so Gardaitis is certainly not going to start that conversation up. Plus, he's still trying to figure out why the magi are after this beast, exactly.
The rhyme is a variation of the Solomon Grundy poem.
Mister Gulio Ghules,
Born on Monday,
Baptized on Tuesday
Engaged on Wednesday
Got Sick on Thursday
Got worse on Friday
Dies on Saturday
Buried on Sunday.
That ends the era
of the ghoul Gulio
It was somewhat altered so that the Spanish translation rhymes. The actual Solomon Grundy poem is colonial era English or older. Achronisms. So Carmen can quickly translate to Latin, you translate to German in your head. Make a successful lore roll and perhaps you might know of a similar tale from German folklore.
What would Doctor Doom do?
Gather intelligence. Take charge. Ruthlessly employ results to serve as an advantage.
:mrgreen:
You left out the last step - lose to inferior intellects.
Esteban was just trying to follow Carmen's instructions, so he'll head out with the refugees if that's the right thing to do to move the story along. Though he would prefer to let the almogavars handle it, and talk strategy with the magi once the pesky refugees are gone.
That seems to be the will of the majority, so be it
Carmen dawdles at the covenant and thus the almogavars arrive before she returns. Three will escort the refuges and nine will hang out with the magi. Captain Alexandro is amongst them, as is sergeant Armando (almogaten & adalis), But the rest are all new recruits.
Once the refugees are on their way to safety, Esteban briefs Alexandro and his men (presumably in Catalan). "Carmen probably told you the basics, but just to recap: we are joining forces with this drake and his brothers to hunt down and slay a fearsome monster. It's a giant cannibal undead ogre that's immune to fire. It will be a challenge, but we have nine almogavars now! Kingdoms have been toppled by lesser forces." (pause for applause) "We magi are going to come up with a plan. You men, keep a lookout and see if you can pick up its trail. It went that way."
Esteban turns to the magi and beckons them to gather round. "Sodales, I suggest we learn more about this Brute before we try to face in battle. Perhaps we can find its lair. Until our Pontifex returns, who is the most senior among us? If I know anything of battle, we will need a clear leader in order to secure victory."
Gardaitis watches Esteban rally the troops for a moment, and then turns away, his face like stone. Esteban is doing an excellent job, no question. He is saying all the right things to fire up the men, and saying them very well. Gardaitis can't help but wonder, though -- how many of the nine almogavars will still be standing when this day is done?
Wilfred Owen's "Dulce Et Decorum Est" won't be written for another 700 years, if ever. But if Gardaitis knew it, he'd wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment.
"You won't find a lair." Gardaitis pulls himself to his feet, using his axe as a crutch for a moment, and walks over to join the other magi. "Probably won't find tracks, either. I'm fairly certain it's a spirit of some sort. Can assume a material form, but doesn't have to stay embodied."
((OOC question: can Gardaitis tell if Maurice speaks Latin? He was talking with Guillaume earlier, but I don't know what language the conversation took place in. ))
Carlos greats Estaban with a hearty clasp of hands and a pat on the back.
Yes, she was giddy as a schoolgirl claiming that she was on the trail of Gulio Ghules from the nursery rhymes. Then she admitted that she didn't actually see it, she is guessing based on the description. And Vibria was the one who suggested Don Gulio. Also based on description. I would ask who amongst you has actually seen the creature? And what sort of cannibal? The fairy tale character, Gulio Ghules, is a Ghoul. He lives in a house of corpses with a corpse bride and they all eat bits of dead people. Yet, for some reason, these are the heroes of the tale. Don Gulio is the sworn enemy of the boogyman and protects children from monsters. Yet he often scares away those he tries to save, so he is ever lonely save for his ghoul wife.
That's just what I can remember of the Ghules stories. I need to see it for myself to believe it. I mean, I do believe in monsters and ogres and dragons. I grew up in a family of wizards after all. I just want visual confirmation that a faerie tale monster is running around the woods just a few miles from my home. And if it is indeed that specific story book character, then I am sure there is not anything for we the innocent to worry about.
Or it could be an undead ogre, a revenant giant. My sister never actually saw the creature. Either way, she said she wants to investigate and I am hear to organize defense and security.
And set up a proper camp! What is that, a burning circle? No cirlce of stones to mark the firepit? No safety barrier? No supply of firewood stacked up? I see it is fueled by magic. Vibria, do you plan to stand here forever while the rest of us explore? The campfire needs to run on independant fue, regardless if a wizard is here or not. You three (calls to a few of his men). Set up a perimiter. I want you to set up a lookout post or path along the fron, where we are open and exposed and facing the cliff. You, I want you to explore the woods to our backside. Use that ball of twine, set up tripwire alarms. Then you, walk a big circle around us and spot out terrain logistics and strategic weak spots & strong points.
You four, I want two of you on patrol and two on guard duty.
Two more left.
I want you two on recon. But wait for my order. One of the magi may want to also go exploring, and I will need you to protect them. I am sure that each of us, experienced soldiers, will retain life and comfort at the end of the day. But these magi, I am not so sure.
Maurice has the Gift of Tongues
Makes it easy 
"I saw it. Don't know the fairy tales from this area, but your description sounds consistent with what I witnessed." Gardaitis shakes his head. "It ignored me and my companions completely. Didn't act hostile even when challenged. Took three ogres apart in the space of three breaths, and then just wandered away." He opens his mouth to ask the question that's on his mind -- namely, why are you people hunting this thing, anyway? -- and then closes it again. Vocis's line about there being things he cannot divulge is not a sufficient answer. It is, in fact, not an answer at all. But it'll hold him.
For now.
Now there's a man who knows his job.
Gardaitis doesn't even feel bad about hearing his work disparaged. He did the best he could with what he had to work with, and it was never intended as a permanent camp anyway. Just a place to hang out for a few hours.
Vibria shakes her head. [color=red]"Probably not me."
[color=red]"The fire will burn until sunrise," Vibria says. [color=red]"I could just as easily make one that would burn until the next (full/new) moon.
"But I will happily bring El Guolio down when the time comes."
Dangit, I had completely forgotten about Penetration 
Alexandro nods affirmitivly. You two (calls over the two guys reserved for recon). I want one of you to put a circle of stones around this fire. The other, collect firewood to feed it natural fuel. Chop-Chop!
Well, it's probably been a while
...Sorry, I can never resist Penetration jokes.
(Before I get too involved in recon plans, has Celeste been able to follow the Brute?)