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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Edena_of_Neith" data-source="post: 162626" data-attributes="member: 2020">The DM considers all the posts above, carefully, reading every word.  Then he considers the matter.  Unfortunately, folks, the Third Touch is heavily influencing everyone towards anger and violence.  This is the domino effect - anger and violence strength the Mists, which strengthen anger and violence.  This does not mean the Mists will win, but ... in this case ... it does mean that Mr. Draco and Serpenteye HAVE won.  The humanoids of the Humanoid State were very unhappy with the overthrow of their elected government and the establishment of a military dictatorship, yes.  Had a peaceful resolution been attempted - some would argue that such a thing was impossible, but nevertheless - it is possible the military that pulled the coup would have surrendered peacefully (it does happen - indeed, it just happened IRL in a country in the western hemisphere.)  However, now the Humanoid Alliance is under a conventional assault.  The humanoids are taken by surprise, then they are angered.  The anger rapidly spreads:  the United Commonwealth is INVADING their country.  I stress the Their.  They have come to think of these lands as theirs, regardless of who the rulership is (formerly, any reasonable government - now, any humanoid government.)  Now, THEIR lands are under attack, their racial people are being killed by other races, their bases are being overrun.  The poisoned words of Mr. Draco and Serpenteye make a big difference, causing the anger to flare up much higher, gasoline poured on the fire causing it to explode.  All the accusations against Forrester, and the anger over his mistreatment (as they see it), and all the unfounded lying rumors (many believed) all add into the situation.  Part of the Torilian Border Guard - the humanoid part - revolts, allowing the Union of the Worlds to send forces to the aid of the Humanoid Alliance.  The moment that happens, all bets are off.  This is a direct interference in Realmspace, and in Realmspace affairs, by a Power from Greyspace.  From the point of view of the United Commonwealth, this is an act of war - unless Reprisal specifically declares it otherwise.  As soldiers and mages of the Union of the Worlds come to their aid, the rebel generals fight back against the invaders from the United Commonwealth.  To their aid come nearly ALL the common soldiers of the Humanoid Alliance, who have decided to support the rebels (for the reason, see above.)  The civilian population of the Humanoid State, which HAD denounced the coup, now enthusiastically supports it.  As a result, the marines find themselves walking into heavy resistance from the Humanoid State, backed by help from the foreigners from the Union of the Worlds on Oerth.  The conventional assault of the United Commonwealth is driven back to their beachheads, and forced offshore.  The rebels use no weapons of mass destruction or 11th level magic ... yet.  The rebellion I am considering successful.  I am giving control of the Humanoid Alliance to Mr. Draco and Serpenteye.  You gain 40,000 PL, which the United Commonwealth of Toril immediately loses.  ((I will alter the Lists immediately.))  You may state Attacks and Defenses for the Humanoid Alliance, starting immediately.  Remember to e-mail me privately concerning the target, who is being defended, and the strength of the attack (1 through 4 ... it takes more than one day to launch anything greater than a 4.)  The REST of the United Commonwealth of Toril quiets down.  Martial law and the highly trained, and highly loyal, army of the United Commonwealth quickly brings the peace back into riot-torn cities.  Order is restored.  Of course, the economy grinds to a halt.  Businesses close.  Trade ceases.  Spelljammers halt where they are.  Starships halt where they are.    That is the problem with Martial Law - it quells the trouble, but it has it's own price.  - - -  TO MELKOR  The Red Robe figure regards Melkor, and laughs - and it is not a good laugh.  The figure speaks:  So, we are fools?  We gave you the chance, Melkor.  We gave you the chance to be the ruler over ALL these pathetic beings.  We gave you the chance to rule a Domain the size of four Crystal Spheres.  We had our price, yes.  We always have our price.  You know that.  Everyone knows that.  We believe our price was not as high as the price you will pay at the hands of your enemies, without any hope of reward.  You have chosen, Melkor.  You have chosen.  The Mirror is denied to you (and, the Mirror disappears, right then and there.)  You shall be returned, unharmed, to your former self.  Your Shade and Red Army we shall not touch, for you have prohibited it.  The red robed figure then looks at Melkor, with a GRIM, TERRIBLE look of anticipation and malevolence.  It speaks in a gloating, yet angry, tone:  We will watch in glee as your Shade are exterminated.  We will watch in glee as your Red Army is exterminated.  We will watch in glee as they take you, Melkor.  And if they throw you into Ravenloft, AS THEY CAN DO WITH A SIMPLE TELEPORT SPELL, then WE WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU, MELKOR.  And, we will remember that we were called fools.  We will remember that our offer was spurned.  We will remember all your actions and words.  You will not receive a Domain.  You will not receive gifts.  You will not receive a cracked copper from us.  You will be in the Domain of ANOTHER Darklord, and that Darklord will be supreme in his Domain.  We will watch him hunt you down, Melkor.  We will watch him take you, Melkor.  We will watch him break you, Melkor, as a dry piece of rotten wood is broken.  We will relish every scream out of your mouth.  We will watch as you are made into an undead, Melkor.  Then, we will enjoy your eternal ((and they mean it, folks)) servitude to the Darklord.  A servitude never to be broken, not by ANY Power or being, for the rest of all eternity.  Thus, you will learn wisdom.  Unfortunately for you, wisdom will come too late.  And with that, the figure disappears, and Melkor is hurled back upward.  The experience is akin to being shot out of a cannon - Melkor rockets back out of the musty dungeon, back through the Plane of Shadow, back through the Abyss, back through the Astral, all in a few seconds.  Then he passes through deep darkness, and light glimmers ahead.  The light grows, objects appear, blurred and unrecognizable.  Then the light grows even stronger, the blurring stops, and Melkor realizes he is back.  Still sitting in the chair.  Only a few minutes have passed, and his servitors state that for those few minutes Melkor appeared - to them - to be in a trance.  Melkor is unharmed.  For now.</blockquote>

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