Last Stand of the Dorinthians (Chapter 4- The Second Invasion)

[Bloodweaver1]

Caramip Ashearth

“Their judgments need no reason but are also subject to ‘entertaining’ negotiation. Try to use the chaos that drives them to our advantage.” Whispers Caramip in low tones to the rest of the group. With a smirk she withdraws from her sack a bamboo Syter looking pipe. Putting the pipes up to her face she effortless begins to play a fitting tune for their current predicament.

OOC: I am imagining something similar to traditional Asian culture music. Something that one might here during epic Asian battles.

 

[Fenris]

Visions of Dorinthia flash by Dartis' eyes. Closing them briefly he addresses the Queen once more.

"Nay, I reject your cause and your punishment. I think it may be more interesting to see what Land's Death does when it reaches your secluded glade." replies Dartis with cold eyes.

"Still, without charge or authority by you, I will still seek to silence the beast. It was I who set it free and I who will seek to restore it to slumber. I do this not for you, but from the desire to protect my people, despite your threat to them. So I will seek this artifact. But as to your so-called punishment, I reject it utterly. This is not the time for punishments in any case. If I perish in my task, that shall be punishment enough I deem. The chaos caused by Land's Death has occured before, and will occur again. It is a part of the seenily random forces of nature. When and where it appears is as chance as a tornado or flood. So I reject your punishment as too severe. Should you even have such ability to enforce such a punishment, then so prove it. I can accept not living to see Dorinthia rise again, so long as it does. If you can assure me of such Queen, then I can accept not seeing it again. But this discussion is better suited for another time, I have a beast to trap before my greatest desire changes."

 

[GlassEye]

With Caramip's quiet reassurance and Dartis' cool confidence, Silas stands up and pulls himself together. He steps over to Dartis' side and quietly says, "I stand with you, my Lord."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

The queen seemed to smile at Silas and Caramip as they seemed unsure of what to do next, but her eyes narrow at Dartis' declaration and challenge. "There is always a punishment for every poor decision we make, young lord, and it is not so easy to escape such repercussions. Still, you are correct in that we need to act now and find a solution before Land's Death becomes a threat to our homes here in the south." So saying, she raises a hand and the air begins to shimmer behind you. "Step through the portal behind you and go to the land of the gnomes. There, inside their ancient meeting hall, is a great statue of their founder. Unknown to those gnomes, behind the statue is the crypt of their founder's own ancestors and the sealed crystal tomb of Illian the Betrayer, who they and the Avariel buried long ago. Inside the tomb you will find the ability to move the very earth itself, a secret long forgotten and that can be used to seal Land's Death in his slumber when he enters his home to sleep and becomes Lord of the Mountain once more. Know that your punishment is still in the coming, but do this and it will only be one of you that has to suffer. Try to escape this judgement and avoid stopping Land's Death and we will act against you all." After speaking her decision, the queen smiles and sits back into her chair.

 

[Fenris]

Dartis glares back at the queen. "Threats do not become your fair visage your majesty. I shall go to recover this artifact, of that have no doubt. And I shall never evade punishment for a wrong I have done, so long as it is fair and just. The Rider shall be my final judge as to my punishment and he alone shall weigh my actions and my soul. For now I have another task I must do to ensure the safety of my people. Once you have returned my weapons I shall gladly go." says Dartis with a stiff and formal bow to Queen Illinia.

OOC: Once given his weapons, Dartis give a look to Silas, Caramip and the others and will enter the portal, preferably with Swift. If not he will charge the fey with his care, and demand assurances of his good treatment.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

The Fey take you from the presence of the Fey Queen and through a wall of shimmering air. Once you pass through you again feel a strange sensation float over you and you find yourselves once more by the area of forest that you first encountered the small creatures and dropped your weapons. Your weapons are on the ground where you have left them and the small, winged fey seem to have left you unhindered.

 

[GlassEye]

Silas sighs. "No, they couldn't just send us there directly. That would be too easy..." He picks up his staff and dagger. "I may not like it, but...sooner started, sooner done, as my father says."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

You begin your journey south to the gnomish lands, but your trip does not begin well. Late in the night, on Conn's watch, the party is woken by Nikolos' yells. As he was laying asleep, a winged fey creature nicked his side with a blade that was likely poisoned for the priest began to feel a wave of paralysis flow through his body. He was able to fight off the effects long enough to beat off two of the creatures who had approached his face with blades drawn. The tiny creatures fled as they realized that their secret intentions had been discovered, and whatever fate they had in store for the priest was avoided. It would seem that Nikolos was the one chosen by the Fey Queen to be punished.

 

[Fenris]

Dartis awakens to the cries. "Damn fey, can't leave these things until after we have stopped the beast that will destroy us all" he mumbles rolling his eyes.

Dartis awakens Caramip and Silas "I have no skill with healing or the fey. Can you see to Nikolos. I will stand guard with Conn the rest of the night"

Clasping Silas on the shoulder, he says "Thank you my friend for coming with me again on another foolish errand. I know I have kept you from your family for a long time. Every moment that sees a reunion, seems to turn into another separation. For that I am sorry. But I appreciate that those who follow me do so from loyalty and not just obligation."

OOC: Rats, I was hoping it would be Barok

 

[Nephtys]

Dartis awakens to the cries. "Damn fey, can't leave these things until after we have stopped the beast that will destroy us all" he mumbles rolling his eyes.

OOC: Rats, I was hoping it would be Barok

Barok snorts "A good demonstration of our new mistress' trustworthiness. What's to stop her from doing the same to all of us once we've fetched the artifact for her? Why should we run her errands at all, when she treats us like this? I say we get some cold iron weapons, get the artifact for ourselves and bury that insane witch in the ground along with the Lord of the Mountain. Damn, she reminds me of that other fairy queen, Genderwine or whatever his name was..."