X5: To the Temple of Death - IC - Page 4

Rhun · 6th July 2009, 05:00 PM

Aram follows after Girgal, jusin case the druid needs some back-up.

kinem · 7th July 2009, 01:52 AM

With Ripclaw's natural speed and the aid of the haste spell, Girgal is easily able to catch up with the fleeing men. Aram is just seconds behind.

The fleeing men shout to each other, trying to decide what to do. There seems to be no clear leader. "We'll die as martyrs for the master!" "Do you really believe that crap?" "We fight for Hule!" "To defend our homes against these infidels!" "For Lutton!" "For Magden!" "But what chance have we? They laughed off Grans' best!" "Dogpile them!" "But ... the monster! And see how fast it runs!" "Let's see if they're men or monsters, then!"

Clatter. Clatter. Clatter.

The men stop and begin to throw down their swords.

A torchbearing man steps forward, tossing his sword onto the stone ground.

"We surrender" he explains. "We are warriors ... but we are not trained in slaying monsters like you ride, nor can we fight witches who breath ice like dragons. Take us prisoner, or show the doubters among us your evil and slay us, so that our faith in the Master be renewed."

The ten other men stop and await their fate, their swords discarded on the ground.

Walking Dad · 7th July 2009, 11:06 AM

Girgal, AC 23 (T15, FF20), HP 44/66, F +11,R+8,W+14
Ripclaw HP 52/57

Giragal and Ripclaw circle the unarmed warriors. Then the halfling says to Aram: "Speak you to them. You are better with words."

ooc

Rhun · 7th July 2009, 04:21 PM

Aram frowns. While he was educated and well spoken, diplomacy had never really been his strong point. Still, he'd give it a try. "We are not monsters, and do not slay unarmed men." The dervish lowers his scimitars, but does not sheath them. "You claim we are the evil ones, but it is The Master who invades and conquers the lands beyond the mountains, who wages a war of aggression with those that want nothing but peace, and who tortures the innocent and good. How can you defend such a man, without seeing the truth of his evil?"

kinem · 7th July 2009, 08:03 PM

The men consider Aram's question, and some of them step forward to answer.

"The war is to convert the infidels to the worship of the true gods."

"For years there was strife between orcs and men. The Master has united both races, and turned the agression of the orcs away from our homes in Hule. He is the great uniter. He will unite the rest of the world the same way."

"Hule is ruled by holy men. Darokin is a 'republic'. Those people got rid of their rightful king and put themselves above all. They think they are wiser than the gods. What they are doing is angering the gods and the Master is carrying out the gods' will in punishing them."

"Personally, I don't agree with the war. That's why I volunteered to serve in the fake dragon - I never expected to see action this far from the front lines."

"The men of Darokin associate with elves. Do you know how elves live for hundreds of years? They drink the blood of human babies! I don't care what anyone says - I know because they stole the son of my cousin's friend. His only son!" A somewhat older man, his fists clench with righteous anger.

renau1g · 13th July 2009, 07:53 PM

Father Fuller will finish up his investigations of the dead wizard, gathering anything that looks particularly valuable or radiates magic (thanks to his detect magic) before hustling to catch up to the others.

As he reaches them, the older abbot hears the last comments and begins another belly laugh "Oh-ho-ho-ho, you tell some funy story's in the desert. Elves drinking blood... maybe them drow types, you know the black ones undergound." Father Fuller replies.

OOC

Rhun · 14th July 2009, 06:11 AM

"Some of us do not wish to be lorded over by the master," says Aram quietly. "It is obvious that your minds are twisted, and that your close minded opinions have led you to the master's service." He looks at Girgal and Fuller questioningly, wondering if they have anything to add.

kinem · 15th July 2009, 06:14 PM

When Father Fuller examined the body of the fallen mage, he found
- a blue potion
- 2 wands
- 3 diamonds
- a spellbook
- a high quality dagger

Keira joins the rest of the party.

"What will become of us now? We have surrendered, which the Master forbids. If you want to continue through the Pass, we won't persue you. We'll head out the other way" one of the men offers, and the others nod in agreement.

renau1g · 15th July 2009, 08:05 PM

Father FUller attempts to discern the truthfullness of their comments

OOC

"Well they seem ok by me. They didn't try and fight us either, so maybe we let them go yes?" the abbot suggests

kinem · 15th July 2009, 08:12 PM

Father Fuller does not see any signs of deception from the men.

Rhun · 15th July 2009, 09:05 PM

"Go," says Aram, pointing back the way they came with a single scimitar. "If we cross blades again, I shall not be as merciful."

renau1g · 16th July 2009, 01:46 AM

After they are gone, Father Fuller turns to the others and reveals the items from the wizard. "Ho,ho now we just need a way to figure out what they do" the abbot says, looking to Keira hopefully.

Rhun · 16th July 2009, 09:23 PM

"Seems we have quite a few items that we need to figure out what they do," says Aram with a smile.

Jemal · 17th July 2009, 03:14 PM

Keira's eyes were uncharacteristically angry as she silently watched the men leave. She manages to shake off her silence though, as the items are shown to her. "Magical Identification has never been my strongest suite, I'm more into the lore and histories of them, but I'll see what I can do. Any objections to waiting here in the cave for a few moments?"

Her eyes begin to glow as she examines the items, and the sorceress continues speaking, lowering her voice "And meanwhile someone with a bit of stealth can head after them to make sure they've actually left? No offense, Father, but there's something about them I don't trust. Might have something to do with the 'following a homicidal despot' or perhaps the blatant racism.."

ooc

Rhun · 17th July 2009, 03:47 PM

Aram nods and moves to follow the men, just to make sure they really are leaving.

Move Silent +12, Hide +12

Walking Dad · 17th July 2009, 04:35 PM

Girgal, AC 23 (T15, FF20), HP 52/66, F +11,R+8,W+14
Ripclaw HP 52/57

Girgal nods silently and follows them on Ripclaw like a ghost.

ooc

kinem · 17th July 2009, 11:03 PM

Jemal

The men head back to the damaged fake dragon. They begin opening crates against the cavern walls and gathering supplies. A few of them notice that they are being followed and tell the rest, but they don't do anything about it.

Two of the men argue angrily; the man who spoke against elves calling the one who opposed the war a traitor. It seems for a moment as if they are about to come to blows, but the other men hold them apart.

There are some swords and a few crossbows among the supplies, which the men take, while the rest of the men break off parts from the dragon or the crates to form makeshift clubs. After gathering what they can, the men head out into the valley and trek away from the caves.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Back inside, the tunnel stretches ahead in a long, winding path. There are numerous side tunnels that lead nowhere.

As the party heads deeper inside, the tunnel goes onward for miles, and it becomes hard to breathe.

There are some major forks in the tunnels, and it becomes clear that the party must make a choice: Left or Right path?