Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Aphonion Tales: The Archducal Council -- Unedited notes; later posts are edited transcripts (posts MWF, update 3/1/23)
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="CPaladin" data-source="post: 8293072" data-attributes="member: 7030144"><p>[Session 48, continued]</p><p>Kit realizes that the page in the Grand Duchess’s entourage has a box like the one she was just given.</p><p></p><p>“You can put anything in them as long as it isn't anything dangerous - if you try, then the box explodes.” The Grand Duchess explains.</p><p></p><p><<Lady Castilia has been altered - her body has been internally strengthened. I think her life has been lengthened>> Aunt Cecilia communicates to Kit via a mind link.</p><p>Kit: Is it to make up for some injury</p><p>Aunt Cecilia: I think someone doesn't want her to die</p><p>Kit: Can you tell who did it?</p><p>Aunt Cecilia: Nobody here</p><p>Kit: What kind of power would it take to do that?</p><p>Aunt Cecilia: Wish.</p><p>Kit: Useful</p><p>Aunt C: Yes, but odd</p><p>Kit: Maybe she's not secure about her heir, and wants to make sure she'll live for a long time?</p><p></p><p>At the coronation, it proceeds apace with appropriate pomp and circumstance.</p><p></p><p>Following the applause, the announcement of the engagement takes place, and the announcement of the conversion as well.</p><p></p><p>The Archbishop, who is very good at this, gives a talk and converts a few but not many people (natural 3, total of 18). Alistair then gets up and speaks as protector of the Light, getting a 45 on his Diplomacy. He presumably does a little better. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Suddenly, the White Witch's head whips around, with bangles and feathers in her hair clattering, and she asks Kit: And when will <em>you</em> become pregnant?</p><p>Kit [totally stunned]: Um. In time?</p><p>White Witch: You <em>will</em> have a child. I have seen it. A boy.</p><p>Kit: Well, I'll have a child eventually. Not soon...</p><p>WW: You will. I have seen it. He's destined for holiness. I see paladinhood in his future.</p><p>Kit: HAHAHAHA. Um. sorry.</p><p>WW: Oh, don't worry. If I could laugh, I would join you.</p><p>Kit [momentarily worried]: You can't laugh?</p><p>WW: The Color Pool gives many gifts, but it takes away as well. I can build a kingdom on a glacier, but I must give up certain things.</p><p>Kit: Oh. I'm sorry.</p><p>WW: My people are permitted to laugh, but not in my presence. If I could laugh, though, I would do it if I were you, hearing this news. Yes, your son will be a paladin. I see him with his father's features, but your eyes. And your heart. He will be brave, and that will serve him well, with his destiny.</p><p>Kit: He has a destiny?</p><p>WW: This enemy that we all fight. It will not be defeated permanently, not now. The one who will finally defeat it, far beneath the earth, is your son.</p><p>Kit [quiet and stunned]: Will I be around to see it?</p><p>WW: You will no longer be young, but you will see it. Your son will never rule, you know.</p><p>Kit: I know. He never would anyway. Not <em>my</em> son. But to have a destiny like that, to defeat an enemy like that? [glowing grin] That's better than any kingdom.</p><p>WW: And he will love his mother and father, and know that they love him, and that is all that any child can hope. And he will defeat this enemy. I have learned a great deal about the enemy just being in your presence.</p><p>Kit: What do you mean?</p><p>WW: White allows certain things - transport. But not only the transport of persons or goods - the transport of essences, of hopes. Being around people who have been in the presence of the enemy has given me more insight into what it is. It is just as frightful as the Grand Duchess said. It <em>must</em> be defeated.</p><p></p><p>And then she stops, and jingles her head back, and the other two go on with drinking tea and chatting as if nothing ever happened.</p><p></p><p>“Wait… you said being around people who have been in the presence of the enemy. Who did you mean by that?” Kit asks the White Witch.</p><p></p><p>“Why, you, of course.”</p><p></p><p>“I didn’t think I had been.”</p><p></p><p>“Really?”</p><p></p><p>“If I had, I didn’t know it.”</p><p></p><p>“I can assure you, my dear, the residue is like a dripping ichor.”</p><p></p><p>“I’ve had mental contact with a place and with some people who have had contact with the enemy.”</p><p></p><p>“Physical contact? Do you travel by spirit often?”</p><p></p><p>“No.”</p><p></p><p>“Can you tell when this happened?”</p><p></p><p><<Aunt Cecilia says, not with any surety, she can’t, but she’s loathe to admit that.>></p><p></p><p>Perhaps about 4 months ago, north of here. I see a small town. And a place of pain to its people. You were present. As was its essence. It tried to invade you, but you rejected it.</p><p></p><p>Did it attack anyone else?</p><p></p><p>Your rejection was wholesale. It could not affect anyone else. If its vessel has moved on…</p><p></p><p>This essence… how do I get it off me?</p><p></p><p>It is like a spiritual slime...</p><p></p><p>How do I get it off me?</p><p></p><p>A redactor would be best, I think.</p><p></p><p>I’ve had redaction since then and they didn’t notice it.</p><p></p><p>Why would they? Unless they knew to look for it. I wonder. I would think you might be able to use that contact. It might allow you to predict the enemy. Not in depth, but yes.</p><p></p><p>If I used it that way, would it taint me?</p><p></p><p>If you did, yes. But someone highly disciplined…</p><p></p><p>Like the grandmaster farsensor?</p><p></p><p>A member of either of the great elven races should be safe.</p><p></p><p>Could it be transferred from me to him?</p><p></p><p>For that, you would need a grandmaster level redactor.</p><p></p><p>She wanders off and begins examining the walls carefully.</p><p></p><p>The Grand Duchess says, please forgive our companion’s fascination with the walls.</p><p></p><p>Is it an interest of hers?</p><p></p><p>There is very little usable stone in her domain. Any tricks she could learn…</p><p></p><p>We could set up a meeting with an architect?</p><p></p><p>If you would please her greatly, try to find an architect or engineer who would be willing to live in that hell for a while.</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Most of the people of the former South Kingdoms have nominally converted—it’s all political lip-service, but good enough for Alistair.</p><p></p><p>The general opinion is that this is a superb marriage—a brilliant coup, given the fact that the Southern Kingdoms have little to offer. Dame Brionna feeds back positive stories about Alistair.</p><p></p><p>Dame Brionna gives Kaitlyn a pair of intelligent, good, loyal guard/hunting dogs.</p><p></p><p>The Canberry delegation teleports back to the palace and joins Kit and the Grand Duchess.</p><p></p><p>The Grand Duchess offers some official niceties to “her counterpart in the Light.”</p><p></p><p>I do not know what the protocol is in courts other than my own, but in my own the procedure would be to deliver the gifts to those of lower rank and only then to the most exalted.</p><p></p><p>To Dame Brionna, a gift suggested by my former betrothed, now the First Mouth of Paranswarm.</p><p></p><p>It is a Periapt of Faithfulness</p><p></p><p>For your future lady wife, I have prepared a set of horses of the highest breeding for herself and her immediate court. </p><p></p><p>And after considerable thought, I have determined that the most acceptable gift I could offer the Archduke was an item that many years ago fell into the hands of my late husband’s great-great-grand-sire. A Banner of the Sun Resplendent. [Can be used once every 3 rounds to turn undead as a 15th level cleric; Can cast Daylight 4/day; Morale bonus of +2 to hit to any follower of the light who can see it while unfurled.]</p><p>[End session 48]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="CPaladin, post: 8293072, member: 7030144"] [Session 48, continued] Kit realizes that the page in the Grand Duchess’s entourage has a box like the one she was just given. “You can put anything in them as long as it isn't anything dangerous - if you try, then the box explodes.” The Grand Duchess explains. <<Lady Castilia has been altered - her body has been internally strengthened. I think her life has been lengthened>> Aunt Cecilia communicates to Kit via a mind link. Kit: Is it to make up for some injury Aunt Cecilia: I think someone doesn't want her to die Kit: Can you tell who did it? Aunt Cecilia: Nobody here Kit: What kind of power would it take to do that? Aunt Cecilia: Wish. Kit: Useful Aunt C: Yes, but odd Kit: Maybe she's not secure about her heir, and wants to make sure she'll live for a long time? At the coronation, it proceeds apace with appropriate pomp and circumstance. Following the applause, the announcement of the engagement takes place, and the announcement of the conversion as well. The Archbishop, who is very good at this, gives a talk and converts a few but not many people (natural 3, total of 18). Alistair then gets up and speaks as protector of the Light, getting a 45 on his Diplomacy. He presumably does a little better. :) * * * Suddenly, the White Witch's head whips around, with bangles and feathers in her hair clattering, and she asks Kit: And when will [I]you[/I] become pregnant? Kit [totally stunned]: Um. In time? White Witch: You [I]will[/I] have a child. I have seen it. A boy. Kit: Well, I'll have a child eventually. Not soon... WW: You will. I have seen it. He's destined for holiness. I see paladinhood in his future. Kit: HAHAHAHA. Um. sorry. WW: Oh, don't worry. If I could laugh, I would join you. Kit [momentarily worried]: You can't laugh? WW: The Color Pool gives many gifts, but it takes away as well. I can build a kingdom on a glacier, but I must give up certain things. Kit: Oh. I'm sorry. WW: My people are permitted to laugh, but not in my presence. If I could laugh, though, I would do it if I were you, hearing this news. Yes, your son will be a paladin. I see him with his father's features, but your eyes. And your heart. He will be brave, and that will serve him well, with his destiny. Kit: He has a destiny? WW: This enemy that we all fight. It will not be defeated permanently, not now. The one who will finally defeat it, far beneath the earth, is your son. Kit [quiet and stunned]: Will I be around to see it? WW: You will no longer be young, but you will see it. Your son will never rule, you know. Kit: I know. He never would anyway. Not [I]my[/I] son. But to have a destiny like that, to defeat an enemy like that? [glowing grin] That's better than any kingdom. WW: And he will love his mother and father, and know that they love him, and that is all that any child can hope. And he will defeat this enemy. I have learned a great deal about the enemy just being in your presence. Kit: What do you mean? WW: White allows certain things - transport. But not only the transport of persons or goods - the transport of essences, of hopes. Being around people who have been in the presence of the enemy has given me more insight into what it is. It is just as frightful as the Grand Duchess said. It [I]must[/I] be defeated. And then she stops, and jingles her head back, and the other two go on with drinking tea and chatting as if nothing ever happened. “Wait… you said being around people who have been in the presence of the enemy. Who did you mean by that?” Kit asks the White Witch. “Why, you, of course.” “I didn’t think I had been.” “Really?” “If I had, I didn’t know it.” “I can assure you, my dear, the residue is like a dripping ichor.” “I’ve had mental contact with a place and with some people who have had contact with the enemy.” “Physical contact? Do you travel by spirit often?” “No.” “Can you tell when this happened?” <<Aunt Cecilia says, not with any surety, she can’t, but she’s loathe to admit that.>> Perhaps about 4 months ago, north of here. I see a small town. And a place of pain to its people. You were present. As was its essence. It tried to invade you, but you rejected it. Did it attack anyone else? Your rejection was wholesale. It could not affect anyone else. If its vessel has moved on… This essence… how do I get it off me? It is like a spiritual slime... How do I get it off me? A redactor would be best, I think. I’ve had redaction since then and they didn’t notice it. Why would they? Unless they knew to look for it. I wonder. I would think you might be able to use that contact. It might allow you to predict the enemy. Not in depth, but yes. If I used it that way, would it taint me? If you did, yes. But someone highly disciplined… Like the grandmaster farsensor? A member of either of the great elven races should be safe. Could it be transferred from me to him? For that, you would need a grandmaster level redactor. She wanders off and begins examining the walls carefully. The Grand Duchess says, please forgive our companion’s fascination with the walls. Is it an interest of hers? There is very little usable stone in her domain. Any tricks she could learn… We could set up a meeting with an architect? If you would please her greatly, try to find an architect or engineer who would be willing to live in that hell for a while. * * * Most of the people of the former South Kingdoms have nominally converted—it’s all political lip-service, but good enough for Alistair. The general opinion is that this is a superb marriage—a brilliant coup, given the fact that the Southern Kingdoms have little to offer. Dame Brionna feeds back positive stories about Alistair. Dame Brionna gives Kaitlyn a pair of intelligent, good, loyal guard/hunting dogs. The Canberry delegation teleports back to the palace and joins Kit and the Grand Duchess. The Grand Duchess offers some official niceties to “her counterpart in the Light.” I do not know what the protocol is in courts other than my own, but in my own the procedure would be to deliver the gifts to those of lower rank and only then to the most exalted. To Dame Brionna, a gift suggested by my former betrothed, now the First Mouth of Paranswarm. It is a Periapt of Faithfulness For your future lady wife, I have prepared a set of horses of the highest breeding for herself and her immediate court. And after considerable thought, I have determined that the most acceptable gift I could offer the Archduke was an item that many years ago fell into the hands of my late husband’s great-great-grand-sire. A Banner of the Sun Resplendent. [Can be used once every 3 rounds to turn undead as a 15th level cleric; Can cast Daylight 4/day; Morale bonus of +2 to hit to any follower of the light who can see it while unfurled.] [End session 48] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Aphonion Tales: The Archducal Council -- Unedited notes; later posts are edited transcripts (posts MWF, update 3/1/23)
Top