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RESPEN'S GAMBIT
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<blockquote data-quote="Tellerian Hawke" data-source="post: 7307222" data-attributes="member: 6790669"><p><strong>Respen says,</strong><span style="color: blue"> “If I may, Master Laramon, I’d like to explain something to Nel first. I have suspicions myself as to what has transpired here, and I want her to know that it was not of my doing, and that the role that I did play in all of it was under magical compulsion.”</span></p><p></p><p>Laramon nods, and allows Respen to explain things to Nel. What follows is very poignant, heartfelt, and comprehensive. Respen leaves nothing out, opting for complete honesty.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><strong>Respen turns to Nel and asks her to sit. He holds her hands.</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><strong></strong></span><span style="color: #000000"></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"></span><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: blue">“Listen to me Nel. I am going to be direct. I promised to be truthful to you. I met you less than a week ago. Your sister compelled that I fulfill an obligation that she perceives that she has to you, to find you a suitable companion, and more specifically, a suitable father to a child or children that she perceives that you need and want. I could not resist the directive. She is powerful. “</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><strong>He stands and walks two steps, and turns to her, continuing,</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: blue">“Ky is the method of your conditioning. If you haven’t noticed how pleasant her songs are? How intoxicating they are? She is also compelled; compelled to encourage you to be more compliant toward mating, coupling, and motherhood, among other things. I think it also accentuates the jealousy that you come by naturally. Don’t blame Ky. She is not a willing participant either.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><strong>He pauses, and continues,</strong> <span style="color: blue">“You’ll notice that I have not coupled with you since yesterday. Part of the oath I made to your sister through The Orb extends to you. I shall do you no harm. It also releases me from Clare’s compulsion. Therefore, I will not engage with you, no matter how pleasurable it is, as long as it is even mildly coerced.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: blue"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: blue">“On to your sister, Dame Clare. I am her apprentice.”</span> <strong>He looks at Laramon, resolved.</strong><span style="color: blue"> “The Orb of Errinder secures it. Before you offer indignation or protest, allow me to interrupt you, as to save you the expenditure of unnecessary words. It’s done. And it cannot, to my knowledge, be undone.”</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"></span></p><p><strong>Respen describes the oath as intended and the practical reality.</strong><span style="color: blue"> “It straddles the gap between curse and blessing.</span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue">“Nel, your sister has a larger plan, and though I am not privy to it, I suspect it involves something not unlike what occurred among the orcs. I believe her to be the physical manifestation of Ellistraee, an alternative to Lolth’s rage and depravity. She is supremely flawed, but in that flaw lies enduring protection and stability for the Drow. I won’t justify her means, but I can assure you, she cares more for your life, your success, and your happiness, than she does about your opinion of her.</span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue">“This is a lot to contemplate. And there is more to her nature as well, besides why and how she has manipulated you. She didn’t have to condition you. She could have compelled you. And she likely would have, if she believed it furthered your safety and family legacy. </span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue">“Nel, do you recall our conversation about her being a vampire? That’s not some legend, or bedtime children’s tale. It is the truth. She is powerful. And she will protect you, whether you like it or not.</span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue">“And that leads me to this: I will uphold my oath. Dame Clare demands a high degree of loyalty from me. However, in this regard, I see conflict in parts of the oath.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #000000">Laramon snorts sarcastically, but says nothing.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: blue">“So I think truth wins out. What you do with it is your choice. I will serve her, you, and your family. She has potential, and until I am powerful enough to force her compliance, I will remain her Right Hand, nudging her toward the better choice, through good counsel rather than compulsion.</span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue">“Laramon, I apologize. I didn’t come willingly to this present set of circumstances. It was a series of unfortunate events, combined with more than a few decisions borne of reckless curiosity. However, I am here, and I intend to serve out my purpose. I don’t like it, but I’ll live with it.</span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue">“Master Wizard, my humble apologies for bringing this to you. However, I can’t undo her conditioning. And in any case, I am unsure that I should be the one to do it.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #454545"><span style="color: #000000"><strong>Respen pulls his hood over his head for dramatic effect, bowing, and giving Laramon the floor.</strong></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #454545"></span></span></p><p><strong>Nel is quiet for a moment, before saying,</strong><span style="color: purple"> “Wow, that’s a lot to take in. Before I give you an answer, however, I’d like to be restored to my full faculties. I hope you understand, my dear.” </span></p><p></p><p>Respen nods in understanding and agreement.</p><p></p><p>It is at this point that Laramon walks over to the corner of his study, and picks up a staff, which is covered in Elven runes, and crowned with the crescent moon symbol of Corellon Larethian. Laramon holds the staff reverently, and begins to chant in Elven. It is only a single sentence, in the ancient form of Elven reserved for sacred ceremonies, but Laramon repeats it 3 times.</p><p></p><p><strong>Laramon chants,</strong><span style="color: red"> “Eltani impressum rosa belakari. Eltani impressum rosa belakari. Eltani impressum rosa belakari.”</span></p><p></p><p>The runes on the staff begin to glow, and a surge of green, pulsing energy flows down the length of the staff, as Laramon touches Nelvandra’s forehead with the tip of the staff! There is a green flash, as the energy engulfs Nelvandra’s entire body for the space of an instant.</p><p></p><p>[gm]</p><p>Laramon uses 1 charge from his <strong><em>Staff of Life</em></strong>.</p><p>[/gm]</p><p></p><p>[gm]</p><p>Nelvandra has been <strong><em>Healed</em></strong>.</p><p>[/gm]</p><p></p><p>Nelvandra blinks a few times, seemingly in confusion, as she begins to sort through her thoughts. A look of epiphany crosses her countenance, followed by a gasp of astonishment!</p><p></p><p>[gm]</p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 15px">TO BE CONTINUED!</span></strong></p><p>[/gm]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Tellerian Hawke, post: 7307222, member: 6790669"] [B]Respen says,[/B][COLOR=blue] “If I may, Master Laramon, I’d like to explain something to Nel first. I have suspicions myself as to what has transpired here, and I want her to know that it was not of my doing, and that the role that I did play in all of it was under magical compulsion.”[/COLOR] Laramon nods, and allows Respen to explain things to Nel. What follows is very poignant, heartfelt, and comprehensive. Respen leaves nothing out, opting for complete honesty. [COLOR=#000000][B]Respen turns to Nel and asks her to sit. He holds her hands. [/B][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000] [/COLOR][COLOR=#000000][COLOR=blue]“Listen to me Nel. I am going to be direct. I promised to be truthful to you. I met you less than a week ago. Your sister compelled that I fulfill an obligation that she perceives that she has to you, to find you a suitable companion, and more specifically, a suitable father to a child or children that she perceives that you need and want. I could not resist the directive. She is powerful. “[/COLOR][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000] [/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][B]He stands and walks two steps, and turns to her, continuing,[/B][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000] [/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][COLOR=blue]“Ky is the method of your conditioning. If you haven’t noticed how pleasant her songs are? How intoxicating they are? She is also compelled; compelled to encourage you to be more compliant toward mating, coupling, and motherhood, among other things. I think it also accentuates the jealousy that you come by naturally. Don’t blame Ky. She is not a willing participant either.[/COLOR] [B]He pauses, and continues,[/B] [COLOR=blue]“You’ll notice that I have not coupled with you since yesterday. Part of the oath I made to your sister through The Orb extends to you. I shall do you no harm. It also releases me from Clare’s compulsion. Therefore, I will not engage with you, no matter how pleasurable it is, as long as it is even mildly coerced. “On to your sister, Dame Clare. I am her apprentice.”[/COLOR] [B]He looks at Laramon, resolved.[/B][COLOR=blue] “The Orb of Errinder secures it. Before you offer indignation or protest, allow me to interrupt you, as to save you the expenditure of unnecessary words. It’s done. And it cannot, to my knowledge, be undone.”[/COLOR][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000] [/COLOR] [B]Respen describes the oath as intended and the practical reality.[/B][COLOR=blue] “It straddles the gap between curse and blessing. “Nel, your sister has a larger plan, and though I am not privy to it, I suspect it involves something not unlike what occurred among the orcs. I believe her to be the physical manifestation of Ellistraee, an alternative to Lolth’s rage and depravity. She is supremely flawed, but in that flaw lies enduring protection and stability for the Drow. I won’t justify her means, but I can assure you, she cares more for your life, your success, and your happiness, than she does about your opinion of her. “This is a lot to contemplate. And there is more to her nature as well, besides why and how she has manipulated you. She didn’t have to condition you. She could have compelled you. And she likely would have, if she believed it furthered your safety and family legacy. “Nel, do you recall our conversation about her being a vampire? That’s not some legend, or bedtime children’s tale. It is the truth. She is powerful. And she will protect you, whether you like it or not. “And that leads me to this: I will uphold my oath. Dame Clare demands a high degree of loyalty from me. However, in this regard, I see conflict in parts of the oath.”[/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000]Laramon snorts sarcastically, but says nothing.[/COLOR] [COLOR=blue]“So I think truth wins out. What you do with it is your choice. I will serve her, you, and your family. She has potential, and until I am powerful enough to force her compliance, I will remain her Right Hand, nudging her toward the better choice, through good counsel rather than compulsion. “Laramon, I apologize. I didn’t come willingly to this present set of circumstances. It was a series of unfortunate events, combined with more than a few decisions borne of reckless curiosity. However, I am here, and I intend to serve out my purpose. I don’t like it, but I’ll live with it. “Master Wizard, my humble apologies for bringing this to you. However, I can’t undo her conditioning. And in any case, I am unsure that I should be the one to do it.”[/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][COLOR=#454545][COLOR=#000000][B]Respen pulls his hood over his head for dramatic effect, bowing, and giving Laramon the floor.[/B][/COLOR] [/COLOR][/COLOR] [B]Nel is quiet for a moment, before saying,[/B][COLOR=purple] “Wow, that’s a lot to take in. Before I give you an answer, however, I’d like to be restored to my full faculties. I hope you understand, my dear.” [/COLOR] Respen nods in understanding and agreement. It is at this point that Laramon walks over to the corner of his study, and picks up a staff, which is covered in Elven runes, and crowned with the crescent moon symbol of Corellon Larethian. Laramon holds the staff reverently, and begins to chant in Elven. It is only a single sentence, in the ancient form of Elven reserved for sacred ceremonies, but Laramon repeats it 3 times. [B]Laramon chants,[/B][COLOR=red] “Eltani impressum rosa belakari. Eltani impressum rosa belakari. Eltani impressum rosa belakari.”[/COLOR] The runes on the staff begin to glow, and a surge of green, pulsing energy flows down the length of the staff, as Laramon touches Nelvandra’s forehead with the tip of the staff! There is a green flash, as the energy engulfs Nelvandra’s entire body for the space of an instant. [gm] Laramon uses 1 charge from his [B][I]Staff of Life[/I][/B]. [/gm] [gm] Nelvandra has been [B][I]Healed[/I][/B]. [/gm] Nelvandra blinks a few times, seemingly in confusion, as she begins to sort through her thoughts. A look of epiphany crosses her countenance, followed by a gasp of astonishment! [gm] [B][SIZE=4]TO BE CONTINUED![/SIZE][/B] [/gm] [/QUOTE]
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