"This is a distraction we cannot afford," Relgar scoffs. He's not self-aware enough to understand it, but the assassination attempt has rattled him deeply, and he finds it impossible to care as much about the deaths of random strangers (who, by taking work as a guard, knew they were exposing themselves to dangers that most sensible people avoid) as he does about the continued depradation of Phelix, simply because the latter has attacked him personally. It's not a heroic moral position, but he's not a hero, just a fairly ordinary man who wants to live in a city not gripped by absolute chaos. Let predators lurk in the wild places of the world; just keep them away from innocent members of the public who are simply trying to earn a living.
OOC:
Relgar is not me; I find his philosophy here to be contemptible, but I do agree with him in one respect - I'd rather finish up the main plot arc that we've been working on, not get sidetracked with some bug hunt.
Tuck is disappointed that Mutt takes them to Sylemis, although he always enjoys the dragonkin's presence.
"Sorry my friend," the little kobold says apologetically. "Mutt took us here because I thought he sensed trouble, but we really need to check on some of our allies first to make sure they are alright."
He looks around, suddenly suspicious, nods to Huverel and the two guards, then asks, "Nobody came for you, did they? Ruffians or the like?"
Breva watches the others discuss matters. He stands at parade rest his hands clasped behind his back feeling he is too new to make a decsion on their course of action.
Akos turns to Relgar "Why not? I mean, why can't we afford it? We're here, we can help and we just spent an afternoon trying to find out what the beast is. I'm still not sure what the exact passphrase is and if there is more than one or anything else really. We can afford to help these people and we'll be safer that way too. Otherwise we risk going after that sorcerer and returning wounded or low on resources and being attacked by a monster unknown. On the other hand, we can have secured position to fall back to."
"Given new information, we might find something either if the beast was released here by him or if The Elite gets something from the guild or by casting legend lore. In all cases, spending some time now makes us safer in the long run."
OOC:
I think I wrote all the sentences for opening the portal, Akos is not certain which one is it. But there are several close contenders. Maybe those dissapearing guardsman didn't actually vanish, they spoke about the sorcerer and opened the gate by using his name...or called him to them.
"This is a distraction we cannot afford," Relgar scoffs. He's not self-aware enough to understand it, but the assassination attempt has rattled him deeply, and he finds it impossible to care as much about the deaths of random strangers (who, by taking work as a guard, knew they were exposing themselves to dangers that most sensible people avoid) as he does about the continued depradation of Phelix, simply because the latter has attacked him personally. It's not a heroic moral position, but he's not a hero, just a fairly ordinary man who wants to live in a city not gripped by absolute chaos. Let predators lurk in the wild places of the world; just keep them away from innocent members of the public who are simply trying to earn a living.
Commander Thalmann gives Relgar a look that is cold and unforgiving. She looks ready to draw her blade and gut the draft-wizard. "Distraction! Why you..."
"Calm down!" Sylemis hisses. "You don't have any authority over this fellowssship. And you will not draw blood in my presssence. Is that clear?"
The tower commander gazes at her feet. She still fumes but holds her tongue and releases the hilt on her longsword.
Akos turns to Relgar "Why not? I mean, why can't we afford it? We're here, we can help and we just spent an afternoon trying to find out what the beast is. I'm still not sure what the exact passphrase is and if there is more than one or anything else really. We can afford to help these people and we'll be safer that way too. Otherwise we risk going after that sorcerer and returning wounded or low on resources and being attacked by a monster unknown. On the other hand, we can have secured position to fall back to."
"Given new information, we might find something either if the beast was released here by him or if The Elite gets something from the guild or by casting legend lore. In all cases, spending some time now makes us safer in the long run."
"If you feel you must wait before confronting the creature, I will put out word to the other tenders to be vigilant when they are near the edge of the Eastern Gardens," Sylemis says serenely. His moment of anger has washed from his features.
"I will try to get the Lord Commander to assign more experienced Elites to the towers," Detch adds. "More patrols on the walls and less on the ground until the beast is dealt with. We need to keep our eyes and ears open, well, more open."
Tuck is disappointed that Mutt takes them to Sylemis, although he always enjoys the dragonkin's presence.
"Sorry my friend," the little kobold says apologetically. "Mutt took us here because I thought he sensed trouble, but we really need to check on some of our allies first to make sure they are alright."
"No need to apologize. He probably heard some of my deepest tones, which are usually too low for humanoids to hear. I hope your allies are safe from all this trouble."
JustinCase said:
He looks around, suddenly suspicious, nods to Huverel and the two guards, then asks, "Nobody came for you, did they? Ruffians or the like?"
Sylemis shakes his head. "No. I have not been accosted by any enemies of mine or yours today. The crowds of visitors were a bit overwhelming at times but it has been so long since they have seen me."
"Are we at risk?" Huverel asks.
"I doubt the renegade cares little for a dying dragori druid," Sylemis shakes his head again.
"I wouldn't put it past this bastard to come after you in order to hurt Tuck, personally," Arcanus Detch suggests. "If he knows of your friendship." He turns to Relgar and Akos. "We cannot force you to march into the Eastern Gardens and deal with the beast, but I hope you will do so if it becomes a worry for all. For now, it seems to only be going after intruders near the borders of the foliage." He pauses. "And we don't know if the two missing..."
"Three."
"Yes, sorry," the arcanus nods to the other commander. "Three missing guards were attacked by the creature. It could be as the Loremaster says. They could have been taken through the portal against their wills or could be in league with the Renegade."
"That, I highly doubt," Commander Thalmann says. " Titan Razeart is a good man."
"Maybe, but I've seen plenty of good men corrupted by evil," Detch adds.
"You should not speculate," Sylemis insists. He pats Mutt on the head and then puts his hand on Tuck's shoulder. "I will keep an eye out for these ruffians, but I will not keep you any longer. I grow tired and will need to rest soon, I think. Go to check on your allies and stay safe." He taps his walking stick on the grass and two tenders move to help him, if he should need it. Huverel walks a few feet behind his mentor, as the druid an his escort head away towards the sanctuary.
"I should get back to my post," Commander Thalmann says. She sighs and looks at Relgar. "I apologize for my anger. I am just worried about Titan." Then she walks away without another word.
"Aye, I too need to check in with the tower before heading home," Arcanus Detch says. "Do not let your guard down, young ones. I have this sense that the mad sorcerer is out for blood. If he is targeting your allies, you must warn them. I will watch out for trouble and tell my guards to be wary." The old arcanist heads towards the Eastern Gardens.
Breva watches the others discuss matters. He stands at parade rest his hands clasped behind his back feeling he is too new to make a decision on their course of action.
Breva has this odd sensation any time Arcanus Detch speaks. He does not sense any evil from the man, but there is an aura to him. His words give Breva the chills. It is a sense of awe but is also unsettling.
Seemingly outvoted, Relgar relents. "Fine; whatever we're going to do, let's just do it. The longer it takes us to confront Elday Annithclay, the more prepared for us he will be. Take it from one who knows, an arcanist loves nothing better than to convince his enemies to sleep on it before confronting him."
Tim, who has been silent thusfar, speaks up: "I see no reason why we can't spare the time to go look for the guards now. If they were felled by a creature, it might still be nearby, and we have a chance to catch it. If they were taken against their will, then every minute we delay looking for them is a minute within which they could be tortured or executed. It is wrong to wait."
OOC:
Sorry I haven't responded lately, I've had a lot of RL stuff going on.
Turning things around for non-native speakers...ouch!
