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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2817735" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Eight, “Escapees and Elections”, August 5th, 1018 6:30 P.M. Back on Silver Moon Island, in the town just south of the tavern, we turn our attention to Tubur, the only half-orc crewmember of the ship Silver Moon. Due to his having infravision he normally works the "night shift", so was sleeping when the town battle broke. He woke to the sounds of battle, armored up, and went to investigate. He soon saw that the remainder of the ship’s crew had fallen victim to either Sleep spells or superior firepower, with the town filled with Hobgoblins, Bugbears, and unfamiliar humans. Bugbears were carrying the unconscious bodies of the three ship’s carpenters and the navigator Smiddle to the northern part of the town, in the direction of the tavern. As Tubur was deciding his next move, he was then confronted by an enemy female mage, apparently high level, who mistook him for one of her allies. She asked why he wasn't with the rest of his team "At the Church". Tubur answers "They thought you might need help." "Well, you can just tell Etronne that we're doing just fine by ourselves," is her curt response, and she walks away. . Tubur decides not to press his luck, and exits while he still can. The commander of the night shift, the Silver Moon’s 3rd Mate, Lloyd, was also sleeping when the battle broke out. While going to investigate he was immediately confronted by a very large bugbear wielding a battleaxe. This left Lloyd at a distinct disadvantage, as all of his weapons were distance weapons, except for a shortsword. Deflecting the first two axe blows with his now dented-shield, Lloyd drew his sword. The next axe blow came close to shattering the shield, and the two jabs into the monster with the sword proved to be ineffective. Suddenly, the quasi-Rastafarian cleric Razou walked out of the woods (running late for the meeting with the clerical supply salesmen) and began to casually speak incoherently to both of them. This confused the Bugbear, who was unsure of which one to attack. Just then Tubur also came onto the scene. Lloyd and Tubur worked together and attacked, soon killing the enemy Bugbear. Razou then looked to Lloyd and Tubur, and asked, “Why you kill Bruce?” (thinking the dead bugbear is their bugbear crewmember). They quickly told him that they hadn’t, and those enemy monsters that had captured the crew had overrun the town. Lloyd took charge of the situation, leading the three away from the town. Razou was still confused about the situation, understanding that enemies had attacked, but still trying to figure out why that made them feel the need to kill Bruce. The trio of crewmembers soon run into Fiona and Luekia. After a brief information dump by both groups, the five decide to the northeast in the direction of Luekia’s cave. Meanwhile, Freyland has successfully evaded the many groups of hobgoblins in the woods, and makes his way back to his home. Shortly after his arrival, Jerry and Blip arrive with their human magic-user prisoner. They stash the unconscious prisoner inside, and spend the next half hour concealing the windows and door to the hillside cave home. They also work to hide their tracks. After settling inside the now concealed home, Freyland declares "They'll never find us now." He no sooner utters these words, when the door is pulled open from the outside. “It’s us" Luekia yells in, barely in time to avoid getting hit from multiple missiles from the three gnomes.” They join the others inside. Another information dump follows, with Razou again asking why Lloyd and Tubur killed Bruce. Tubur tries to explain that it was a different bugbear, but this information seems to confuse Razou even more. Finally Lloyd tells him “Look, it was the evil Anti-Bruce, from the negative plane of reality.” This Razou seems to understand. One player continues to play the NPC Tubur with pronoun trouble, the character always referencing himself as "me" rather than "I". Another player comments that “I feel like I’m adventuring with the Cookie Monster.” This causes the first player to break out into a chorus of “B is for Broadsword, that’s good enough for me.” The group speculates about what has transpired. They conclude that the “big guns” may not be coming to there rescue, as they may have been simultaneously attacked. They start to plan what to do next. Freyland starts to speculate wildly, to which Tubur comments “Me think you have big imagination.” Jerry “You can’t use simple pronouns, but you can say the word imagination?” Tubur’s next suggestion is that they “All go to mainland and establish government in exile.” Jerry reminds everyone about the prisoner, and they discuss how he should be questioned. Fiona suggests that they play “good cop, bad cop”. Tubur adds “How about bad cop, badder cop.” Freyland suggests “How about bad cop, homicidal maniac cop.” They discover that the prisoner is still unconscious, and decide against wasting a cure spell to wake him. Razou uses up his remaining cures on the party’s wounded. Luekia says “I’m going to take Razou upstairs so he can get to bed.” “Going to tire him out?” Tubur comments, receiving a very dirty look in response. The party sets up watches, allowing the spellcasters (Blip, Fiona, and Razou) to get a full nights sleep. At 9:00 P.M., back in the Kaloon Lordholding, the assembled leaders of the nine Lordholdings meet to cast the third ballot for King. It begins as the other two ballots had gone, with both Jawlt and Aldorn voting for Kindor. The tension rises in the room as the East Lordholding changes their vote from the previous ballots, this time casting theirs for King Matthan. Zalpar, Cantage and Kaloon then cast votes for King Matthan as well. Jennifer reluctantly casts hers for Kindor, as does Eldamar, leaving Kralt to break the four-to-four tie. The Kralt Lordholder rises and makes a lengthy speech. “You people amaze me,” he begins. “The role of the King, as outlined in the treaty signed over a century ago, is to resolve disputes between the two Lordholdings. Has it occurred to anyone here that the underlying cause of all current disputes are because this man (pointing to Matthan) and this man (pointing to Kindor) do not get along with each other. This clash of personalities nearly brought the continent to war six-years ago. One cannot solely blame these men, as each was continuing the work of his immediate predecessor, Toronas and Kohlorahdooh respectively. In fact, all major disagreements on this continent between Lordholdings for the past forty years have the direct result of these two men and the two men who preceded them. So what do you do? Rather than electing somebody who could actually work with both of these men to resolve matters peacefully, you instead decided to elect one of these two as King for the next decade-and-a-half, knowing fully well that the result will be completely unacceptable to the other one. I came here today to propose choosing someone other than these two. I would have suggested either Lord Aldorn or myself. Me, you do not really know, so it is unlikely that I would have had your support. Lord Aldorn has previously served two successful terms as King, and even in his deteriorating health condition he would have been a better choice than either Matthan or Kindor. Imagine my surprise today, during the initial identification or Lordholders, when a new and decisive leader emerges. That Lady Jennifer was able to legally wrangle the leadership of her land from the King is commendable. I made a spontaneous decision then to choose her as the best alternative. During the intermission between the previous and current ballot I have had an opportunity to make further inquiries about her, and do you know what I have discovered? She is on good speaking terms with both Matthan and Kindor, and commands the respect of both men! Her Lordholding borders the lands ruled by both of these leaders, and she has been able to successfully resolve disputes along those borders through negotiation. Even though she is married to Matthan, her decisions are independent from his, the happenings today are proof to that fact. That she has just now cast her ballot towards Kindor demonstrates her willingness to work with him. Does all of this not show that she is amply qualified to assume the role? I once again cast my vote for Jennifer, which will again cause a tie, with no clear winner. Rather than postponing to a later date, where backroom deals and power plays can be negotiated, as obviously happened with East during the intermission, I would request that another vote be cast here and now. I implore you to support the best qualified Lordholder to lead this land.” Since a forth ballot has now been officially requested, a brief discussion follows. Lady Pamela and Matthan try to prevent this, but are overruled by the majority of the Lordholdings. A brief recess in called, during which there are heated discussions between the representatives of both the East and Zalpar Lordholdings. The assembly is called back to order. The forth ballot brings a clear majority for Jennifer, as Jawlt, Aldorn and East now change their votes to support Jennifer, which Thenossia, Eldamar, and Kralt concur with. Zalpar, Cantage, and Kaloon cast once again for Matthan. The proceedings are closed. The spectators all start to leave, except for Immy who turns invisible and attempts to approach the leaders, only to discover how just how thorough the security arrangements are, as he is stopped and redirected towards the door. Lady Pamela, Lady Darlene, Lady Annette and the Bishop storm out of the room together, followed shortly thereafter by Beverly of the Zalpar Mage’s Guild. The Silver Moon group returns to the Inn. Ki-Geloryn arrives, informing the party that the ships which brought Jennifer, Kindor, and Aldorn to the city will all be leaving a dawn, as they do not trust Pamela and her cronies, and will stay in this city no longer than necessary. He adds that Queen Jennifer would welcome a visit by both Serita and her associates on her ship, as she has a request to make of them. At 11:00 P.M. the group of Serita, Narg, Lannon, Mojo, Timothy, Kruk and Adrianna all head towards the ship Thenossia’s Pride, anchored in the harbor. They are rowed out to the ship, and join Lady Jennifer in a large and rather ornate dining room on board. With Jennifer are three of her six key bodyguards. Serita asks where Prince Matthew is, and is told that it is far past his bedtime, and that he is sleeping in his cabin, guarded by her other three trusted bodyguards. She inquires as to the identity of Kruk and Adrianna. A bodyguard uses a magic item to Detect Lies, as they explain they are originally from another world, and have no involvement with the current politics of this world. Jennifer tells them that she was also originally from a different world, having traveled to this land twelve years earlier (at the end of Module 4 “The Caves of Thibaultia”). She offers the finest of food and beverages to the party. “You had a request of us,” Serita states. “Yes,” answers Jennifer. “Lady Pamela has convinced Matthan that our son Matthew needs more of a formal education, and would like him educated at the school of her choosing.” To this, Narg and Mojo both add their own negative opinions. “How about the school of our choosing?" comments Serita. "That's what I was thinking" is Jennifer's answer. Jennifer states that she will send one of her bodyguard's, polymorphed into the form of her son, off to Pamela's school. She will then bring her son to live with his Godmother Serita, and be educated at the school on Silver Moon Island, at some point prior to her assuming the leadership of the continent. She says that she is impressed by the education that the Silver Moon is providing their next generation. She also adds that the prophesy once said to the Silver Moon by Ilma, the warrior maiden of Ukko, that "The next King of Phlooredah will come from among your party," is foreshadowing enough for her to want the Prince educated there. Jennifer does require those present to promise to not belittle or insult Matthan when Matthew is present, as she wishes her boy to grow up to respect his father, even if the boy's teachers do not. Narg and Mojo very reluctantly agree to this. Lannon asks "The kid isn't afraid of a lot of strange animals, is he?" "From what I've heard of the island, I sure hope not "answers Adrianna. "Of course, the strangest ones are members of the party," comments Lannon. "About the only thing we don't have on the island are drow elves and missionaries," answers Mojo (a rather ironic statement, given some of the enemies now on the Island). Kruk asks Jennifer how she came to be associated with the Silver Moon. "We started out actually as enemies, in fact he (pointing to Mojo) once killed me." Serita interjects "Hey, we all have off days." "Well, I hope that he continues to be such an inspirational fighter," Jennifer says, "and the rest of you as well, I'll need that." "What do you mean?" asks Narg. She answers "Have you forgotten, the continent-wide supported King's army was disbanded six years ago (The main purpose of Module 50 "Go Tell the Army They're Fired."). The continent ruler is now responsible for maintaining an army to use in resolving any disputes between the Lordholdings. Kindor and Matthan both have armies, I don't, so I'll give you three guesses who I'll be calling on during the next fifteen years whenever I need some extra muscle." The group lets out a collective “Oh boy” in response to this news. The group continue to socialize with Jennifer for another hour, before heading back to the Regal Carriage Inn.</blockquote>

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