Last Stand of the Dorinthians (Final Chapter)

[Deuce Traveler]

The emperor answers, "Your point about the plague spreading fast is valid, and there is a theory that three different places in the region were hit within one week and a half. The capital, this city called Tallione, was one place along with another large Imperial city south of here and also the old capital of Dorinthia. All reported signs of the plague before other locations had. As for a Dorinthian coming to save the Empire... well, it isn't saved yet and more than just this Empire is in danger. This is a time for all of humanity to come together. We can slay one another for land later."

To Caramip his answer is a bit more pointed. "Deserve this? Your innocents may have been slaughtered due to some corrupt beaurocrat trying to seek plunder, but other of your kind had been spared and even became citizens of this Empire. This disease knows no such ideals as greed or compassion. All but the wicked of humanity will be laid to waste by it, and you wish to make comparisons to one village?"

 

[Fenris]

The emperor answers, "Your point about the plague spreading fast is valid, and there is a theory that three different places in the region were hit within one week and a half. The capital, this city called Tallione, was one place along with another large Imperial city south of here and also the old capital of Dorinthia. All reported signs of the plague before other locations had. As for a Dorinthian coming to save the Empire... well, it isn't saved yet and more than just this Empire is in danger. This is a time for all of humanity to come together. We can slay one another for land later."

To Caramip his answer is a bit more pointed. "Deserve this? Your innocents may have been slaughtered due to some corrupt beaurocrat trying to seek plunder, but other of your kind had been spared and even became citizens of this Empire. This disease knows no such ideals as greed or compassion. All but the wicked of humanity will be laid to waste by it, and you wish to make comparisons to one village?"

"It is easy to be magnanimous when you are then one who has ordered the slaughter, not suffered it." replies Dartis with eyes flashing.

"But still we have not come to bicker or accuse, though the injustice of the Tallione still lies heavily upon us, we came. We could have stood aside, but still we came to do what we can. As for saviing the Empire or Humanity, however you chose to color it, yes I believe I can save it. I have saved and destroyed so much of late that I cannot doubt my role. I have an idea of who we can speak with regading the plague. I will wait for the report of your preists, but I think I have a starting point or two. Now I saw that the gnome, Collasti was turning. Are all the other races, dwarf, gnome, halfling and elf affected by this plague? Knowing this can help make allies if we need."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

OOC: Collasti is a human that was using magic to appear as a gnome. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Fenris]

OOC: Collasti is a human that was using magic to appear as a gnome. Sorry for the confusion.

OOC: Ah that changes things, but my question still stands in regards to non-humans contracting the disease.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"You are right. This is not a time for bickering, and our gnomish citizens have been very helpful in providing aid during this time. As for the disease infecting others, we have seen no evidence of the disease infecting other races, although there are rumors that the orc tribes in the mountainous regions have been decimated by a similar disease. Other rumors say a strange beast has also caused some chaos in their land, but who can believe such stories?"

 

[Fenris]

"You are right. This is not a time for bickering, and our gnomish citizens have been very helpful in providing aid during this time. As for the disease infecting others, we have seen no evidence of the disease infecting other races, although there are rumors that the orc tribes in the mountainous regions have been decimated by a similar disease. Other rumors say a strange beast has also caused some chaos in their land, but who can believe such stories?"

Dartis starts laughing, and can't stop for a bit drawing the ire of the emperor.
"A great beast, why yes, who could believe such a story indeed. I myself would not believe it either. That is if I hadn't seen the beast with my own eyes."
says Dartis with sudden seriousness.

"It will be harder to find allies if they are not affected by it. Though I can think of a few who will try. Cara, do you think your new patron might be able to help us, that is if you can find him."

 

[Bloodweaver1]

Caramip Ashhearth

She was content in letting the topic drop for now and does her best to try to focus on the situation at hand. However, with Dartis’s sudden mention of that wretched creature and then labeling it as her patron was simply more than she could bear. “It is NOT my PATRON!” She growls between tightly clinched teeth. Her eyes burn red as she glares back towards Dartis, “IT deserves nothing but to be cursed for all of time and to burn in the nine levels of the abyss. If it wasn’t for the absolute need of its assistance I would spend every waking moment of the rest of my life in finding away to prevent his release.” She says every word like it was a vile poison. It is quite clear that this is the angriest the happy go lucky Gnome has even been.

“I owe that thing enough already. I refuse to ask for its help once again. Besides, it seemed to care little of humans. Only demi-humans and Gnomish Kin.”

 

[Fenris]

Dartis shakes his head at his own stupidity. He gets down on his knees to be able to look Caramip in the eyes. "I am sorry Cara. I forget the trauma you went through, as much as they rest of us went through, you went through worse, both of the history you learned and the physical suffering. Forgive me, I meant no harm, and truly used the term patron as a euphemism because of present company. But I believe that you are right. It wouldn't give a tinker's cuss about the Children of the Locusi. It probably thinks we're getting what we deserve. And maybe we are. But I am sorry I upset you."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"The two of you sound as if you have many more mysteries in which to enlighten me, but my questions may have to wait. It looks like the priests are finally here."

Eight priests of Plativus enter, plus the Magistrate who joins them. They form a circle in the center of the room made from tall and expensively decorated candles, which are lit once the priests are able to move an equal distance around one another and outside of the circle. The smell of incense touches your nose as the candles catch. "We are about to attempt a divine ceremony in which our patron god will allow access to the wisdom of the deceased. This ceremony is not guarenteed to work, and it has done poorly in the past, for it requires that we at least know some of the answers to the riddle that torments us. Hopefully, with the recent clues we have discovered we will be able to summon a spirit with more knowledge than the last confused souls we have brought to us. Once the spirit is here, anyone present may ask it questions, though we will only have minutes so please keep the questions relevant." The Magistrate leads his fellow priests in a chant, and slowly the ghostly form of a robed gnome comes into view amidst the haze of burning candle smoke.

"Friend of yours," the Emperor asks Caramip nonchalantly as he studies the apparition.

The ghostly gnome speaks sadly, sobbing as he covers his face with his hands, "It has started as I have foreseen, hasn't it? The greatest of sins has begun!"

Dartis
[sblock]
You recognize the ghost. It is a saner looking Astraughlay Kondeeistreigh.
[/sblock]

 

[Fenris]

"Friend of yours," the Emperor asks Caramip nonchalantly as he studies the apparition.

The ghostly gnome speaks sadly, sobbing as he covers his face with his hands, "It has started as I have foreseen, hasn't it? The greatest of sins has begun!"

Dartis swears in Dorinthian.

"No, mine." replies Dartis to the emperor "In a manner of speaking that is. I was the one who slew him."

Dartis stares hard at the appartition for a heartbeat. It seems he was cursed to have the past come alive for him again and again, now the apparitions were from his own past, his own actions.

"Astraughlay Kondeeistreigh, not all you forsaw was correct. We defeated you, that was unseen. Surely a great sin is upon us, but not as you forsaw. Not all races are affected. How is it that you know of the plague of Festios, changed from a plague brought by elves? What did you see in that black sphere?"