TheYeti1775
Adventurer
P.S. It's Wednesday where's my update......
In the Valus - The Heroes of Marchford (Chapter 14 Continues - 12/24/08)
- Thread starter Funeris
- Start date
Funeris
First Post
Chapter 13: Family, Responsibility, and Voyage
Yes...the crash occured awhile after you downloaded the thread, Yeti. Those posts by the readers are forever lost.
It's Wednesday...so I brought an update. Sorry its late. It is...you know...nearly 3,000 words though. So, deal!
I mentioned awhile back that I might try different things with the style (this being a piece of fiction that will never be published).
SO, what I've done is this:
So, Destan's posts are preceded by: [D]
Magnus' posts are preceded by: [Ma]
Fitz's posts are preceded by: [F]
Motega's posts are preceded by: [Mo]
Tobias' posts are preceded by: [T]
Anything I have purely for this update will be preceded by: [SH]
OoC text is in Italics.
This should give you readers a better feel of:
I hope you enjoy (and that its not too jarring)!! (I hope none of the players mind that I did it this way...)
-------------------------------------------------------------
[SH]
Magnus’ body hit the floor hard. His head exploded with pain.
“By the Gods,” he swore as he rolled onto his stomach. He turned his head, his stomach violently flipped. He pushed up off the floor, just enough to prevent the vomit from splattering his robes. He smelled—his vomit smelled heavy with whiskey and light on food.
A loud rap sounded in the room, against the door, and then echoed through the mage’s head. The veins in his temples thumped to a tribal rhythm. His stomach lurched again.
No fluid this time, just air and a hoarse sound. The door swung open. Magnus averted his eyes. Tobias was glowing! No, he realized, just light reflecting from that damned armor.
“Are you ready yet?”
“Not…so…loud.” The mage pushed into a sitting position and massaged his temples. The vertigo that clenched his stomach was passing. All he needed was quiet.
“Are you ready yet, mage? Have we not delayed long enough? Justice awaits the Baronet. One night of revelry and joy for a friend lost and found again does not preclude the Righteous from their duties.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll meet you downstairs,” the mage murmured.
“As you wish.” Tobias gave a curt nod and plodded heavily down the hallway.
Magnus’ veins thumped. Rub. Thump. Rub. Thump. He rolled over and dry-heaved onto the wooden floor again.
[D]
The day following the Battle of Minetown had dawned unseasonably cold. Winds whipped into the village off of Raider's Bay, and the few folk within the town pull cloaks down from pegs as a check against the chill.
If not for the strong salt breeze, however, the smell of blood, sh*t, and ash might be eye-watering. Smoke from a handful of burned buildings rose only a few feet into the air before being tossed and pulled about into a thin haze.
Cargyle had stoked up a large fire in Abraham's Inn and quickly proved to be a decent cook. As the morning fades toward noon, the Heroes gathered within the common room to eat a bread-bowl of stew and share drinks and stories with the survivors.
Suddenly, an ear-grating sound echoed from the east. Magnus darted to the door and peered out. He paused before turning to face the room. "The castle...the gate has been raised. Horsemen, coming this way."
Tobias pushes his cloak to one side and stood. "How many?"
"Two."
Fitz rubbed his forehead wearily and stood, while Motega glided toward a nearby window to study the approaching horsemen. "A woman and...a guard, probably. She's wearing some expensive duds; he's in chain mail."
Byk, one of the patriots, looked through the open doorway. "That'd be Lady Erica, the Baronet's missus. And that man beside her...ahh, that's the Lieutenant. I forget his name."
"Jym," Cargyle answers from between mouthfuls of his stew. "Not a bad guy, played cards with him a bit."
Byk shrugs and looked at the Heroes. "You done a heap o' good for this town, and put yer lives on the line to do it. Don't blow it here, sirs, if ye want me opinion. A noble's a noble is a noble - and you ain't one of 'em. Keep your swords sheathed and your manners sharp, says I. But ye won't be hearing no more from Byk, and I gotcha yer back regardless."
The four Heroes filter out into the cool day.
The Lady Erica pulls to a stop, her escort following suit a few paces in front of her, his eyes hard and his hand on the hilt of his sword as he studies the group. "This be Lady Erica of Minetown, wife of the Baronet, ruler of this place. I am Lieutenant Jym of Prince's Spears battalion, assigned to Minetown last fall. We would know what transpired here, and of your part in it."
[Ma]
Magnus bowed after the Lieutenant's introduction, "My name is Magnus Burn of Victorsburg, and let me introduce you to Lord Tobias Abel of Andorric's Step's, the honorable Harvest Priest Fitz of the Weedsea and Motega of the Rorn. Shall we sit at the inn or discuss this in your abode, my lady."
[T]
Detect Evil as those bitches ride up (and oh how I'm praying they're really, really evil).
[D]
[Tobias - they're not evil]
The guard shared a glance with the woman before turning to face the group once more. He studied Magnus, seems suitably unimpressed, and then looks toward Motega. He frowns, and lets his gaze go to Fitz. "You are welcome here, Cerian."
The Lieutenant then looked toward Tobias. "Lord Tobias Abel, is it? Sir, your friend here...what was it? Magnus Burn...claims you are a Lord. Do you claim nobility of blood, or was the boy using the term incorrectly?"
The woman continued to watch impassively, her face partially hidden by the hood of her ermine-fur cloak.
[Ma]
Magnus will be fuming, as he is tired of being called boy all the time. As more power passes through his fingers than most men witness in their lifetime.
Magnus bristled at the boy comment, holding his anger in check. "Lieutenant, I never use my words incorrectly," as Magnus moves to stand in front of him.
(Please remember Magnus is bigger than the others 6'2" 215" just a youthful face.)
[T]
Tobias gripped the mage’s shoulder and moved beside him. "He did not use the term incorrectly. Compared to most men, I am a LORD. I appear especially noble, when I am compared to cowardly nobles who lock their own people outside of the gates. In turn, those people are forced to flee or are tortured and slaughtered.
"Among men, I am a LORD, both merciful or wrathful and just as the occasion demands."
Tobias bowed low, eyeing the woman harshly. He grinned and once standing erect added, "Of course, I mean no disrespect, my Lady. You probably had your reasons for allowing the Cula Vac worshippers to slaughter your constituents.”
[D]
The Lieutenant, whatever else he may be, does not seem to be a coward. Tobias’ words have clearly hit a nerve. His jaw tightened, just like the grip on his sword; the Heroes have the feeling he was about ready to throw down, and the odds be damned.
But cooler heads prevailed...
The woman spurred her horse forward. "Rest easy, Lieutenant." She eyed each all in turn. "I am the Lady Erica of Minetown. My man means no disrespect; as I am sure you understand, nobility is a rare and honored station within the Kingdom. I, who was born the common daughter of a Gordian chieftain, know this as well as anyone."
She sighed, obviously somewhat uncertain of how to proceed. "So you are a Lord amongst men, and this I will not argue. But you are not a Lord, it appears, within Rhelm - that is, you do not hold a peerage, or lands, or titles. My lieutenant does not slight your capability or your honor; he merely questioned to see if one of the neighboring fiefdoms had responded to our earlier requests for assistance. It appears, alas, that they did not."
Erica threw back her hood, showing the proud face and high cheekbones of a Gordian. "My husband the Baronet is deathly ill. He was fine for a time, but our village priest refused to tend to him after the Culites arrived. We have no love for the Black Brothers, I assure you, and we thank you for their riddance. But I fear we must remain cautious, and so we shall await word from the King or - barring that - a nobleman holding a higher rank than does my husband."
She waved a gloved hand at the town. "Hopefully our people will return to begin to repair what has been lost, though not all can be fixed with spades and hammer. Until such time, we welcome you within Minetown and wish you well. It appears that your hurts have been tended, and you do not lack for food or supplies. Should you have need of us, send word to the gate.”
Erica smiled softly. "If you permit us, good sirs, we beg leave of you. Come, Lieutenent, let us return with these happy tidings; perhaps they will cheer the Baronet."
The two of them moved to depart...
[T]
Tobias' features smoothed over as his average intellect grinds in his head.
"Lady, wait. We are not representatives of the fiefdoms you requested aide from. However, I do have a few questions that need answered."
"First, why were the gates barred? You obviously,” the paladin pointed toward the Lieutenant, "have competent men that could've helped the situation. And, again, no offense to your husband, but the lives of many outweigh the life of one. Even if that one is a noble. If the gates were down because you feared the priest, whom we already dispatched, that was a most cowardly act.
“I need to understand why. What exactly happened here?
“And while we're here, my Cerian friend would be more than willing to offer his help in the aide of your husband."
Tobias turned to glare at Fitz, "Won't you priest?"
[F]
Tobias - you just put Fitz between a rock and a hard place - Fitz as you must know by now, has no care for nobles - not that he has any hatred - but he feels that title should be more than just a name, it should be followed up by deeds of action - the responsibility of a noble is to lead the common man - so the noble in Marchford would be a positive example to Fitz, however this noble is worthless - however, there is always the slim possibilities that the Minetown priest poisoned this man's abilities - most other priests may have no issues, however - if this noble turns out indeed to be a coward, Fitz will not lay a hand)…
Fitz cleared his throat. “Me lady, as my friend mentions, I am but a vassal for our beloved Mother Ceria. I am afraid that she does not have much time for cowards or those who have abandoned their loyalty to whom they served. We will walk with you to where your husband lay and while so doing we will hear fully the story of your husband and the events that led to the abandonment of thy people.
“As for healing him, I will leave judgment in Ceria's capable hands.”
[Ma]
Magnus, knowing his friends and how sometimes their zeal gets the better of their judgment, shifts himself as he talks letting the wands at his belt show. (Intimidate +1 - laughable I know but its there.)
"Good lady what my friend hear is trying to say is, that we have been fighting the Culites for some time. We have learned to be suspicious of all. Please accept my apologies. Perhaps you would be happy to know I have been sending missives to the King on our activities. We have been investigating and engaging in his name, since the beginning of the season.
“My friend the ‘Harvest Priest’ is in his holiest time of the month. If you can allow us a few questions to yourself and the Baronet, we can settle this rather quickly without unnecessary feelings hurt. I would ask one request, and that would be for my friend to cast a Zone of Truth upon all of us to speak freely in. Then perhaps my friend can find it in Ceria's graces to help the Baronet.”
[D]
Nothing on the Sense Motive, Motega, or the Wild Empathy check. Lemme know if I fail to address something here.
Lady Erica listened politely before answering the questions.
"I'm afraid we will not be needing your assistance within the walls, good sirs, as we remain uncertain as to your allegiance. My husband is not well, but neither shall he die within the hek. We shall await matters, if you will be so kind.
"And my husband would be the one to discuss why our gates were closed, for he gave that order during one of his lucid moments, and I am not privy to his thoughts and the information he receives.
"Again, Master Burn, you mention that you have been working in the King's Name. This is an impressive position, and one that commands respect. But I must ask - and please forgive me if this is seen as rude - do you truly work under His Name, and thus carry a Royal Writ? Or do you merely suggest your interests are the King's, just as you claimed your companion was a Lord, without truly being one?"
[Ma]
Magnus grimaced at the obvious disrespect Lady Erica carried. Still, he spoke again, “Lady, we work in the King's name through Sir Eddam, no doubt you have heard of the Siege at Marchford and the reclaiming of her. He has commissioned us to scout out the real intents of this Culite plot.
“You may contact him covertly if you like on your own to verify our identities; Lady Erigal in Dun Moor is aware of us as well. Though she would not be able to confirm or deny our mission through Sir Eddam.
“One of the things that have soured us on 'nobles' in our mission was actions of those Nobles within Dun Beric. Needless to say, they did not want to hear of the plots against the kingdom, almost as if they wouldn't mind it happening. It has raised our suspicions to say the least.
“In our travels, we were warned of the Cula Vak presence in town. At first we wanted to enter covertly, which we did posing as one of them. Upon witnessing their atrocities here, we knew we could not wait for the King or your husband to act. If we had waited longer your walls would have been next, if they haven't been infiltrated from below already.
“I believe you know my words to be true milady, and as I said to the Lieutenant that remains true. I never mistakenly use my words, as words are powerful if used properly. I'm sure the Lieutenant can attest to what he saw from my words during the battle. Don't think I didn't see the heads upon the battlements, watching what befell, even as I took the scouts out in the tree over there. And not one arrow fell upon the Orc and his three war dogs that rushed past this manor.
"We had even sent a message to your walls before the battle that remained unanswered until now."
"I look forward to your continued presence milady. We were about to sit for a meal if you would like to join us. If you need any supplies feel free to send some men down and we can help forage for them while we await word from the King or his emissary."
Magnus turned toward the inn, when suddenly a thought passed through his mind. "Excuse me milady, one more question if I may.
“Have you ever seen this fungus before?" Magnus removed one of the mushrooms cultivated from the quarry. "It seems the Culites were gathering them."
[Mo]
Motega snorted and turned to leave, giving Magnus a dark look as if to shut the hell up about Sir Eddam. "I am going to find our horses. We did what we could here. It’s time to move on."
Destan: I do want to go find the horses, but I also want to scout around outside the town. Possibly find the caves where the refugees were hiding out and specifically look for tracks that may have belonged to the smaller folk--halflings. +15 on survival.
[Ma]
Guess that's what I get for being up late typing that up. O Well what's done is done.
[D]
Motega finds the horses, but no other tracks - other than the old Vakken elves that you guys found with a horse-full of heads. The townsfolk that ran seem to have done a decent job of hiding, and they have not yet returned.
[SH]
The Lady Erica and the Lieutenant Jym turn back to the castle. Their horses trot away slowly, as if waiting for the Heroes to stop the departure again. Once within the walls, the heavy gates slam with a clank of finality.
Yes...the crash occured awhile after you downloaded the thread, Yeti. Those posts by the readers are forever lost.
It's Wednesday...so I brought an update. Sorry its late. It is...you know...nearly 3,000 words though. So, deal!
I mentioned awhile back that I might try different things with the style (this being a piece of fiction that will never be published).
SO, what I've done is this:
- I have compiled our emails for this next portion.
- I've read through, spaced and edited--changing tense, etc. for the update.
- I changed all of our names with our character names...so that you know who is speaking if there is no text that clarifies.
So, Destan's posts are preceded by: [D]
Magnus' posts are preceded by: [Ma]
Fitz's posts are preceded by: [F]
Motega's posts are preceded by: [Mo]
Tobias' posts are preceded by: [T]
Anything I have purely for this update will be preceded by: [SH]
OoC text is in Italics.
This should give you readers a better feel of:
1. The characters, I admit...I'm a little biased in my translations
2. The players.
3. The difference between the fictionalized SH and OUR games.
I hope you enjoy (and that its not too jarring)!! (I hope none of the players mind that I did it this way...)
-------------------------------------------------------------
[SH]
Magnus’ body hit the floor hard. His head exploded with pain.
“By the Gods,” he swore as he rolled onto his stomach. He turned his head, his stomach violently flipped. He pushed up off the floor, just enough to prevent the vomit from splattering his robes. He smelled—his vomit smelled heavy with whiskey and light on food.
A loud rap sounded in the room, against the door, and then echoed through the mage’s head. The veins in his temples thumped to a tribal rhythm. His stomach lurched again.
No fluid this time, just air and a hoarse sound. The door swung open. Magnus averted his eyes. Tobias was glowing! No, he realized, just light reflecting from that damned armor.
“Are you ready yet?”
“Not…so…loud.” The mage pushed into a sitting position and massaged his temples. The vertigo that clenched his stomach was passing. All he needed was quiet.
“Are you ready yet, mage? Have we not delayed long enough? Justice awaits the Baronet. One night of revelry and joy for a friend lost and found again does not preclude the Righteous from their duties.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll meet you downstairs,” the mage murmured.
“As you wish.” Tobias gave a curt nod and plodded heavily down the hallway.
Magnus’ veins thumped. Rub. Thump. Rub. Thump. He rolled over and dry-heaved onto the wooden floor again.
* * *
[D]
The day following the Battle of Minetown had dawned unseasonably cold. Winds whipped into the village off of Raider's Bay, and the few folk within the town pull cloaks down from pegs as a check against the chill.
If not for the strong salt breeze, however, the smell of blood, sh*t, and ash might be eye-watering. Smoke from a handful of burned buildings rose only a few feet into the air before being tossed and pulled about into a thin haze.
Cargyle had stoked up a large fire in Abraham's Inn and quickly proved to be a decent cook. As the morning fades toward noon, the Heroes gathered within the common room to eat a bread-bowl of stew and share drinks and stories with the survivors.
Suddenly, an ear-grating sound echoed from the east. Magnus darted to the door and peered out. He paused before turning to face the room. "The castle...the gate has been raised. Horsemen, coming this way."
Tobias pushes his cloak to one side and stood. "How many?"
"Two."
Fitz rubbed his forehead wearily and stood, while Motega glided toward a nearby window to study the approaching horsemen. "A woman and...a guard, probably. She's wearing some expensive duds; he's in chain mail."
Byk, one of the patriots, looked through the open doorway. "That'd be Lady Erica, the Baronet's missus. And that man beside her...ahh, that's the Lieutenant. I forget his name."
"Jym," Cargyle answers from between mouthfuls of his stew. "Not a bad guy, played cards with him a bit."
Byk shrugs and looked at the Heroes. "You done a heap o' good for this town, and put yer lives on the line to do it. Don't blow it here, sirs, if ye want me opinion. A noble's a noble is a noble - and you ain't one of 'em. Keep your swords sheathed and your manners sharp, says I. But ye won't be hearing no more from Byk, and I gotcha yer back regardless."
The four Heroes filter out into the cool day.
The Lady Erica pulls to a stop, her escort following suit a few paces in front of her, his eyes hard and his hand on the hilt of his sword as he studies the group. "This be Lady Erica of Minetown, wife of the Baronet, ruler of this place. I am Lieutenant Jym of Prince's Spears battalion, assigned to Minetown last fall. We would know what transpired here, and of your part in it."
[Ma]
Magnus bowed after the Lieutenant's introduction, "My name is Magnus Burn of Victorsburg, and let me introduce you to Lord Tobias Abel of Andorric's Step's, the honorable Harvest Priest Fitz of the Weedsea and Motega of the Rorn. Shall we sit at the inn or discuss this in your abode, my lady."
[T]
Detect Evil as those bitches ride up (and oh how I'm praying they're really, really evil).
[D]
[Tobias - they're not evil]
The guard shared a glance with the woman before turning to face the group once more. He studied Magnus, seems suitably unimpressed, and then looks toward Motega. He frowns, and lets his gaze go to Fitz. "You are welcome here, Cerian."
The Lieutenant then looked toward Tobias. "Lord Tobias Abel, is it? Sir, your friend here...what was it? Magnus Burn...claims you are a Lord. Do you claim nobility of blood, or was the boy using the term incorrectly?"
The woman continued to watch impassively, her face partially hidden by the hood of her ermine-fur cloak.
[Ma]
Magnus will be fuming, as he is tired of being called boy all the time. As more power passes through his fingers than most men witness in their lifetime.
Magnus bristled at the boy comment, holding his anger in check. "Lieutenant, I never use my words incorrectly," as Magnus moves to stand in front of him.
(Please remember Magnus is bigger than the others 6'2" 215" just a youthful face.)
[T]
Tobias gripped the mage’s shoulder and moved beside him. "He did not use the term incorrectly. Compared to most men, I am a LORD. I appear especially noble, when I am compared to cowardly nobles who lock their own people outside of the gates. In turn, those people are forced to flee or are tortured and slaughtered.
"Among men, I am a LORD, both merciful or wrathful and just as the occasion demands."
Tobias bowed low, eyeing the woman harshly. He grinned and once standing erect added, "Of course, I mean no disrespect, my Lady. You probably had your reasons for allowing the Cula Vac worshippers to slaughter your constituents.”
[D]
The Lieutenant, whatever else he may be, does not seem to be a coward. Tobias’ words have clearly hit a nerve. His jaw tightened, just like the grip on his sword; the Heroes have the feeling he was about ready to throw down, and the odds be damned.
But cooler heads prevailed...
The woman spurred her horse forward. "Rest easy, Lieutenant." She eyed each all in turn. "I am the Lady Erica of Minetown. My man means no disrespect; as I am sure you understand, nobility is a rare and honored station within the Kingdom. I, who was born the common daughter of a Gordian chieftain, know this as well as anyone."
She sighed, obviously somewhat uncertain of how to proceed. "So you are a Lord amongst men, and this I will not argue. But you are not a Lord, it appears, within Rhelm - that is, you do not hold a peerage, or lands, or titles. My lieutenant does not slight your capability or your honor; he merely questioned to see if one of the neighboring fiefdoms had responded to our earlier requests for assistance. It appears, alas, that they did not."
Erica threw back her hood, showing the proud face and high cheekbones of a Gordian. "My husband the Baronet is deathly ill. He was fine for a time, but our village priest refused to tend to him after the Culites arrived. We have no love for the Black Brothers, I assure you, and we thank you for their riddance. But I fear we must remain cautious, and so we shall await word from the King or - barring that - a nobleman holding a higher rank than does my husband."
She waved a gloved hand at the town. "Hopefully our people will return to begin to repair what has been lost, though not all can be fixed with spades and hammer. Until such time, we welcome you within Minetown and wish you well. It appears that your hurts have been tended, and you do not lack for food or supplies. Should you have need of us, send word to the gate.”
Erica smiled softly. "If you permit us, good sirs, we beg leave of you. Come, Lieutenent, let us return with these happy tidings; perhaps they will cheer the Baronet."
The two of them moved to depart...
[T]
Tobias' features smoothed over as his average intellect grinds in his head.
"Lady, wait. We are not representatives of the fiefdoms you requested aide from. However, I do have a few questions that need answered."
"First, why were the gates barred? You obviously,” the paladin pointed toward the Lieutenant, "have competent men that could've helped the situation. And, again, no offense to your husband, but the lives of many outweigh the life of one. Even if that one is a noble. If the gates were down because you feared the priest, whom we already dispatched, that was a most cowardly act.
“I need to understand why. What exactly happened here?
“And while we're here, my Cerian friend would be more than willing to offer his help in the aide of your husband."
Tobias turned to glare at Fitz, "Won't you priest?"
[F]
Tobias - you just put Fitz between a rock and a hard place - Fitz as you must know by now, has no care for nobles - not that he has any hatred - but he feels that title should be more than just a name, it should be followed up by deeds of action - the responsibility of a noble is to lead the common man - so the noble in Marchford would be a positive example to Fitz, however this noble is worthless - however, there is always the slim possibilities that the Minetown priest poisoned this man's abilities - most other priests may have no issues, however - if this noble turns out indeed to be a coward, Fitz will not lay a hand)…
Fitz cleared his throat. “Me lady, as my friend mentions, I am but a vassal for our beloved Mother Ceria. I am afraid that she does not have much time for cowards or those who have abandoned their loyalty to whom they served. We will walk with you to where your husband lay and while so doing we will hear fully the story of your husband and the events that led to the abandonment of thy people.
“As for healing him, I will leave judgment in Ceria's capable hands.”
[Ma]
Magnus, knowing his friends and how sometimes their zeal gets the better of their judgment, shifts himself as he talks letting the wands at his belt show. (Intimidate +1 - laughable I know but its there.)
"Good lady what my friend hear is trying to say is, that we have been fighting the Culites for some time. We have learned to be suspicious of all. Please accept my apologies. Perhaps you would be happy to know I have been sending missives to the King on our activities. We have been investigating and engaging in his name, since the beginning of the season.
“My friend the ‘Harvest Priest’ is in his holiest time of the month. If you can allow us a few questions to yourself and the Baronet, we can settle this rather quickly without unnecessary feelings hurt. I would ask one request, and that would be for my friend to cast a Zone of Truth upon all of us to speak freely in. Then perhaps my friend can find it in Ceria's graces to help the Baronet.”
[D]
Nothing on the Sense Motive, Motega, or the Wild Empathy check. Lemme know if I fail to address something here.
Lady Erica listened politely before answering the questions.
"I'm afraid we will not be needing your assistance within the walls, good sirs, as we remain uncertain as to your allegiance. My husband is not well, but neither shall he die within the hek. We shall await matters, if you will be so kind.
"And my husband would be the one to discuss why our gates were closed, for he gave that order during one of his lucid moments, and I am not privy to his thoughts and the information he receives.
"Again, Master Burn, you mention that you have been working in the King's Name. This is an impressive position, and one that commands respect. But I must ask - and please forgive me if this is seen as rude - do you truly work under His Name, and thus carry a Royal Writ? Or do you merely suggest your interests are the King's, just as you claimed your companion was a Lord, without truly being one?"
[Ma]
Magnus grimaced at the obvious disrespect Lady Erica carried. Still, he spoke again, “Lady, we work in the King's name through Sir Eddam, no doubt you have heard of the Siege at Marchford and the reclaiming of her. He has commissioned us to scout out the real intents of this Culite plot.
“You may contact him covertly if you like on your own to verify our identities; Lady Erigal in Dun Moor is aware of us as well. Though she would not be able to confirm or deny our mission through Sir Eddam.
“One of the things that have soured us on 'nobles' in our mission was actions of those Nobles within Dun Beric. Needless to say, they did not want to hear of the plots against the kingdom, almost as if they wouldn't mind it happening. It has raised our suspicions to say the least.
“In our travels, we were warned of the Cula Vak presence in town. At first we wanted to enter covertly, which we did posing as one of them. Upon witnessing their atrocities here, we knew we could not wait for the King or your husband to act. If we had waited longer your walls would have been next, if they haven't been infiltrated from below already.
“I believe you know my words to be true milady, and as I said to the Lieutenant that remains true. I never mistakenly use my words, as words are powerful if used properly. I'm sure the Lieutenant can attest to what he saw from my words during the battle. Don't think I didn't see the heads upon the battlements, watching what befell, even as I took the scouts out in the tree over there. And not one arrow fell upon the Orc and his three war dogs that rushed past this manor.
"We had even sent a message to your walls before the battle that remained unanswered until now."
"I look forward to your continued presence milady. We were about to sit for a meal if you would like to join us. If you need any supplies feel free to send some men down and we can help forage for them while we await word from the King or his emissary."
Magnus turned toward the inn, when suddenly a thought passed through his mind. "Excuse me milady, one more question if I may.
“Have you ever seen this fungus before?" Magnus removed one of the mushrooms cultivated from the quarry. "It seems the Culites were gathering them."
[Mo]
Motega snorted and turned to leave, giving Magnus a dark look as if to shut the hell up about Sir Eddam. "I am going to find our horses. We did what we could here. It’s time to move on."
Destan: I do want to go find the horses, but I also want to scout around outside the town. Possibly find the caves where the refugees were hiding out and specifically look for tracks that may have belonged to the smaller folk--halflings. +15 on survival.
[Ma]
Guess that's what I get for being up late typing that up. O Well what's done is done.
[D]
Motega finds the horses, but no other tracks - other than the old Vakken elves that you guys found with a horse-full of heads. The townsfolk that ran seem to have done a decent job of hiding, and they have not yet returned.
[SH]
The Lady Erica and the Lieutenant Jym turn back to the castle. Their horses trot away slowly, as if waiting for the Heroes to stop the departure again. Once within the walls, the heavy gates slam with a clank of finality.
Bryon_Soulweaver
First Post
Stupid nobles, hope Mangus blasts them (and I woundn't doubt if he could).
HalfOrc HalfBiscuit
Adventurer
Bryon_Soulweaver said:
Absolutely. Come the revolution, comrades ...
TheYeti1775
Adventurer
A man after my own heart - lolBryon_Soulweaver said:
Actually I could at the time, not knowing what awaited us in town the standard battle prep spell list was in full effect by this morning. Now that I think more on events of that time, and reread some of emails. Destan saying we had missed many clues, I believe this was one of the times. Magnus really *f*d up my dice rolling for himself.
I might have to add Soulweaver's quote to my sig, it's just too awesome.
Yeti
TheYeti1775
Adventurer
It was more of a case of trying to seem important for that one, but it is a different clue that Destan gave us I was referring too.Funeris said:
Yeti
And that's not what I meant by clue, either.
TheYeti1775
Adventurer
Yes hindsight is 20/20 at least a year and a half later.
You better have an update ready for me tomorrow, cause I'll warn you now, my computer is in download mode so I cant do any other work and I'm all alone in the office tomorrow to bug you.
Yeti
You better have an update ready for me tomorrow, cause I'll warn you now, my computer is in download mode so I cant do any other work and I'm all alone in the office tomorrow to bug you.
Yeti
Bryon_Soulweaver
First Post
Thanks Yeti!
