Cold Truths (part 1: The Missing Duke)

[Gray Shade]

Tyler's eyes narrow as his mind wanders, imagining the Duke sitting in this very chair, calmly reading his prized collection of books. (admittedly, it COULD be the case that the books belong to someone else, but that's not the point) Any man who collected and read all these books (as someone obviously did in such a well-used reading chair) must have been quite the humanist. A man of understanding. Probably a writer and philosopher himself. Not to impinge his warrior's skill, but, a man of reason nonetheless. One who now is rubbed on the windows of a chapel in the feces of his killers. Of the killers of all his men, and all the women and children who existed at this outpost.

He swoons, dizzy at recalling thoughts of considering these vile beasts "honorable" or "noble." "Varg was a nobleman" Had he really had this thought? How could he have thought such a thing? This Varg and all his people were monsters not just in appearance, and Tyler cursed himself as realization of this washed over him. It may be necessary to urge the prince to make alliance with these beings, but once the Ice Giants have been defeated, all the decent races would have to turn their swords on these creatures. He put a hand to his forehead, overwhelmed briefly by the villains sprouting up around him, and the death and war. Could the races of this world never find peace?

But more than his amazement at the villainy of the world, he is dizzy from embarrassment for considering a creature's manner and station and (he blushes) grasp of common as rightfully outweighing its bloodlust, violence, and sickening desecration of human life on the scales of virtue.

Tyler then kneels and vomits next to the chair. Disgusted at his placating attitude and eagerness to impress this evil, he swears not to be so weak again.

He stands, wiping spittle from his lips, a new man. He turns to Swipe, and says in a serious tone, ”You have the book? Then let us make our leave with it. It will be the cork of good news floating in a sea of ill.”

 

[Mimic]

Aleran leans on the door frame that leads into the small room, with his hand streched out. "If you think that is the book then lets see it, we wouldn't want you to accidently wipe your rear end with it."

Out of the corner of his eye, he notices Tyler getting sick by the chair, out of the group he was the last that Aleran figured would be effected by what had happened here, perhaps it was time to rethink his usefulness, with a small shrug he turns his full attention to Gerard.

"I am of course kidding friend Gerard but as you have stated books hold no interest to you, but they do for me and I for one would like to see what is in the book that the king would risk our lives for." He says with the a smile, one that has gotten him out of many a corner.

 

[D20Dazza]

Gerard giggles as he watches Tyler empty his stomach before turning to Aleran "Here you go my friend, read away" he says as he hands over the book.

 

[Lazlow]

"Now that we have the book, and are hopefully out of earshot of the... Other inhabitants of this house, perhaps we should discuss the rest of the task with which we have been charged?" Swipe whispers. "Varg has all but admitted to killing the Duke. Lenric's orders were to bring him either the Duke, or the Duke's killers."

He gives everyone a serious look, wondering what their replies may be.

 

[D20Dazza]

Gerard

"I'm all for taking the arrogant ba$tard in" Gerard says, still annoyed that the monstrous brute choose to ignore his questions "Maybe we can take his scrying device as well so we can more easily convince Lenric of the seriousness of the impending situation?'

 

[Gray Shade]

Tyler is a bit torn by the new discussion in the room. The talk of bringing in Varg interests him, but considering the larger picture (the potential alliance), he's not sure it's prudent. He's also not sure it's prudent to die today (he's not afraid of dying, but he IS afraid of dying needlessly). He tries to count to himself how many guards he's seen (including the ones in robes) and where he remembers them being posted.

Finally he decides that if he's at all unsure, Gerard and Swipe would have seen any he missed. "How many guards did you count?" he asks the group. "If we attack, we will need to do so as smartly as possible, as they will have us outstrengthed in a simple charge."

* * *

OOC: MPS, how many guards does Tyler remember seeing and where were they?

 

[Lazlow]

"If they do outnumber us, we'd have to use surprise to our advantage. A hit-and-run attack may be the best option - if we think we can pull this off."

=========

OOC: Good question. mps, can we pool our characters' collective memories and get an idea of how many creatures are left?

 

[mps42]

Tyler is a bit torn by the new discussion in the room. The talk of bringing in Varg interests him, but considering the larger picture (the potential alliance), he's not sure it's prudent. He's also not sure it's prudent to die today (he's not afraid of dying, but he IS afraid of dying needlessly). He tries to count to himself how many guards he's seen (including the ones in robes) and where he remembers them being posted.

Finally he decides that if he's at all unsure, Gerard and Swipe would have seen any he missed. "How many guards did you count?" he asks the group. "If we attack, we will need to do so as smartly as possible, as they will have us outstrengthed in a simple charge."

* * *

OOC: MPS, how many guards does Tyler remember seeing and where were they?

OOC: So far, the group has seen a total of 12 "soldiers" and their leader, Varg. Of those 12 that you have seen only 4 are still living. The other 8 have been dealt with. 4 in the courtyard, 4 in the mess and 4 with Varg...

 

[Mimic]

Aleran glances from person to person with a dumbfounded look on his face, were these people actually concidering attacking these creatures?

"Excuse me but am I the only one here that hasn't suddenly lost his senses? Just remember that these creatures not only stomed this keep but killed everyone here and we have no idea how powerful this Varg really is. I say that we get out of here and report back to the king, we can not be faulted for not acomplishing an impossible task." Aleran pauses for a moment and quickly collects himself before continuing.

"Besides, if we fall in this attempt who will report back to the king?"

 

[Gray Shade]

"Besides, if we fall in this attempt who will report back to the king?"

"Yes, this is definitely worth considering, to fail to even get information back would be a total loss." Tyler rubs his chin in thought. "I remember a dozen total, and Varg on top of that. 8, though, we have already dispatched. I wouldn't worry about the other 4 if we take them by surprise. As Aleran points out, though, we have no idea of how powerful Varg is. Although, we may be able to find out. I could get a rough idea of whether or not he is defeatable, but I would need to be close to him, perhaps . . . under him." Tyler concentrates then, walking around the temple (under Varg's throne chamber), looking up, detecting evil, trying to find Varg and the others of his kind. If he hits on any, he will stop and continue to concentrate until he gets an idea of their power (Faint, Moderate, Strong, or Overwhelming, as per Detect Evil), then move on, trying to locate all 5.