(Casual D&D III) The Man in Black

[Guilt Puppy]

Hiritus: "Bullet? No, I used a rock." He swells and sways with simultaneous pride and disgust. "It made a mean crackin' sound."

Oliver: "My name's Tatlock," he says, not quite getting the gyst of your greeting. "But folks mostly call me Tat, 'cause it's easier."

He looks you over briefly, apparently trying to make his mind up about something.

"You're new with 'em, ain't you? Did you get the callin' too?"

 

[Sparky]

Oliver snorts at the boy as he talks. At Tat's question Oliver peers with bushy-browed suspicion, "Tat," he pronounces, harumphing. "In a manner of speaking, you could say I'm new.

He eases himself into a chair and leans back with a grunt and a sigh, "But new doesn't describe me very well, eh?"

Scratching his jaw with a gnarly hand, salamander tattoo rippling, he thinks back on Kester's words and grumbles,"Not sure what you mean by 'callin'. If you mean to seek out this lot, no, no calling there. Just plain bad luck." He calls for a drink from the bartender.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Nurthk can't help a chuckle and his stoney visage breaks.

"Bad luck, eh? That's one way of putting it," he says, "I just made a choice to come along, not much more to it than that."

 

[DrZombie]

Raven walks over to the bar, and as Olliver makes to pay he leans over to the bartender. "Make that two, on me." he says as he slides some silver over the counter.
He looks at the gnarled figure of the rogue.Leaning a little closer he says : "And, old-timer, what do you make of all this then? I'm glad you're around, or I'd be thinking I was becoming paranoid. When we get out of town, I suggest we keep seperate watches, the two of us. Maybe with nurthk as well. Three watches should get us enough sleep. I don't trust this Kester feller one bit. Stay close to Fendric when we travel. I'll scout ahead. And when we get into trouble, wich we will, well... I'll keep my eye on your back, so I hope you'll cover mine. And we'll both watch this Kester figure, or whatever his name is."

 

[Guilt Puppy]

(Autopilot) Aerda makes his way to the bar; Oliver and Raven both easily overhear his order, "water silvered with raspberry" once again... Another key, and a soft, silent walk to the door.

Kester is waiting, with a soft, serious grin on his face.

"Well, friends, what's the news? Are you carrying poison, or the antidote?"

Meanwhile, Tatlock seems to be toying with the idea of following you in, stutter-stepping, looking hard for approval or disapproval, from Fendric Nurthk or anyone...

 

[dpdx]

The relevance or humor of Kester's question is, of course, completely lost on Fendric.

"As Straight as the Holy Light, neither. But we have information, and also someone you might recognize..."

Fendric steps aside to usher Tatlock into the room.

"Is this the boy you saw who had rejected the ring? It certainly sounds like it, to hear his story. Master Tatlock, would you be so kind as to repeat your story to this man?"

Fendric shows the boy to one of the chairs, which Fendric stands behind. When Tatlock is finished, Fendric asks him politely to wait outside, and Hiritus makes sure he complies.

"You should also be aware of this: the letter we delivered to Aesop was written by none other than Thedoric himself, presumably before his fall. It contained no compulsion magicks, and was not evil."

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Tatlock recites his story, almost word-for-word, before being lead out by Hiritus; Kester waits for you to finish, then responds.

"Presumably before his fall?" he asks, curiously. "Forgive me if that strikes me as a strange presumption... When last we spoke, you said you were under the impression that these letters were warnings of Thedoric's approach... Is that not the case, after all? Because if it is their purpose, I find it hard to understand how he should write letters warning of plans that he would not have yet formulated?"

He thinks about it for a moment. "I suppose he may have anticipated it, somehow... If Thedoric knew my counterpart was planning his fall, and believed he could not prevent it, I mean. It's a rare man who, knowing he cannot save himself, will choose to save others from himself... But from what I understand of Thedoric, it seems possible."

He tilts his head, then sighs. "Though where Exantrius or the ring come into the picture... And the boy..."

He shakes his head, after another momentary pause.

"Excuse me for thinking aloud. I just find it rather interesting that, after eschewing the ring, this boy chose still to carry out its instruction... Does it leave a lingering compulsion? Or did he choose to continue, on his own?" He shrugs. "Is there a difference?"

Finally, he leans forward, blue eyes narrowing. "And you... Some of you wore the ring. How much, I wonder, does it influence you still?"

 

[DrZombie]

Raven raises a eyebrow at Fendric leading Tat into the room. When Hiritus leads him outside again, Raven approaches the Paladin.
"Hiritus. Looks like Fendric has taken you under his wings. Good. He's a good man, but at times a little, well. I don't know. He appears to be too trusting, at times. I don't know if he only appears that way, and I can't see what he really thinks. I know he's a brave man, and he isn't stupid. He holds himself more then well in a fight. But still, watch his back. This Kester-figure. I don't trust him half as much as Fendric and Aerda seem to do."

 

[Festy_Dog]

Nurthk looks to Kester, "As far as I know Thedoric and Exantrius were friends, thus if Thedoric may have requested Exantrius distribute the letters in the event of his fall, who more convincing than a hero to warn of impending danger?"

As for people still under the influence of the ring... well, Aerda was the last one with it I think. Fendric said something about him disappearing with it anyway, back when he showed up. I should keep an eye on him, never trusted elves anyway.

Nurthk glances in Aerda's direction for a moment, curious how he'd react to the talk of lingering influences.

 

[dpdx]

When Hiritus leads him outside again, Raven approaches the Paladin.

"Hiritus. Looks like Fendric has taken you under his wings. Good. He's a good man, but at times a little, well. I don't know. He appears to be too trusting, at times. I don't know if he only appears that way, and I can't see what he really thinks. I know he's a brave man, and he isn't stupid. He holds himself more then well in a fight. But still, watch his back. This Kester-figure. I don't trust him half as much as Fendric and Aerda seem to do."

"Oh, don't worry, Raven, I plan to. Believe me, I joined him as much for his benefit as for mine. I can help him, and he can help me. That's what it's all about, isn't it?

You've probably noticed, just like me, that Fendric overthinks things, sometimes. We know he's also given some questionable people the benefit of the doubt, but you know what else? We're not dead yet, and I haven't had to atone for anything we've done, either. Considering he promised me when I joined the Fellowship of the White Dove that it would be difficult, minimum, and perhaps even a constant battle, I'm almost ready to demand my money back! I mean, where's the evil to smite, you know?"

Hiritus, eyebrows raised and smiling, glances into Raven's face to make sure the ranger is 'still with him,' continues:

"Anyway, thanks for saying something, Raven. I will keep an eye out, and I promise my god every day that if I have to give my life to prevent it, Fendric will never come to any harm, from outside the group, or inside. That includes Kester, the kid, or anyone."