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<blockquote data-quote="James McMurray" data-source="post: 177363" data-attributes="member: 743"><p><strong>Meet with the Sultan and the battle nears</strong></p><p></p><p>Well, this week's emails have seen quite a bit. Tomorrow the entry to the arena goes out, then Sunday is the big brawl!</p><p></p><p>---</p><p></p><p>Tactics discussed, and finalized as much as they can be before going into an unknown situation, the group settles in for the night. Although everyone tries to get as much sleep as they can, it is rough. William and Kargur worry for their friends and families, while everyone else finds themselves going over and over the next day in their minds, trying to find the one idea that will ensure victory. </p><p></p><p>Oddly enough, Gundarag manages a nearly uninterrupted night of sleep. Apparently there is truth to the old saying that ignorance is bliss. The only marring of his otherwise perfect sleep is when he mumbles, "'tacia, dun go der." His eyes crack open and meet with Amastacia's, staring into his face while she can't sleep. A happy smile creeps across his face and he dozes back off almost immediately.</p><p></p><p>The next morning, Arthur leads the weary party through crowded Lopollian streets to the Arena entrance. At about the midway point on their journey Billy, Galrond, and Amastacia all detect the telltale feeling of scrying. “She knows we are coming,” says Galrond, his voice booming out of his massive giant’s frame.</p><p></p><p>The group continues, and after an hour they enter into the arena and the Hall of Heroes. "This is where the people who caught the coins are shown." Arthur says. The large corridor is flanked with literally hundreds of alcoves, each one holding a life-sized statue of a warrior or wizard in various clothing. Amazonian goddesses stare across the hall at seemingly bookish wizards. A hundred or so feet in Arthur points to a larger statue than the rest. "There's the guy who caught them even though he wasn't a slave." he says with adulation in his voice. As the group looks up, Kargur lets out a small gasp. The 15 foot tall statue is a spitting image of his father! Up until now he never even knew that the man had traveled, much less had been a gladiator.</p><p></p><p>With very little time allotted to them, the group moves onward and the vast hallway takes them through the common area and up to a massive set of oak doors framed by two hairless eunuch guards who watch stoically as the party approaches. When the group identifies themselves, the eunuch on the left slams his massive club into the door three times in steady succession. The sound of gears grinding fills the air as the doors slowly pull open, revealing a sumptuous torch lit corridor leading off. The floor is covered in a thick red carpet, and the walls are painted with many fantastic murals, almost reminiscent of the Tomb of Acererak. The subject matter is much more mundane however, depicting hundreds of famous arena battles as opposed to the alien landscapes and inhuman figures that were drawn in the Tomb.</p><p></p><p>The group, seeing no other way to go, heads down the hallway. Every so often they pass a branching corridor or side passage, but it every case a large, well-muscled eunuch waves them silently onward. Finally, after what seems like a quarter of a mile of walking the group begins to walk past another corridor when the eunuch before it steps aside and waves them in. Up two flights of stairs and the party comes out in a large foyer, replete with crystal chandeliers, large stuffed creatures, the most mundane of which is a 20 foot tall bear, and whose only exit are two solid gold doors at the far end of the hallway.</p><p></p><p>As the adventurers watch, the two doors slide silently open. Behind them is an even more wealthily furnished room. At the far end sit what can only be Achmed Alzar Sharet Mosafta, the Sultan of Za-dran. Flanking him on either side are 3 more silent, muscled eunuchs. At his feet, and slightly to the left, sits Nuala in a large oak chair. The chair looks like it has been brought here, as it does not match the remainder of the furniture. No other seats are available anywhere in the room, and the party is forced to stand as the Sultan waves his hand, causing the massive doors behind them to swing silently shut again.</p><p></p><p>"You have been requested to appear in my arena today, is this true?" Before anyone can answer the apparently rhetorical question, the Sultan continues. "Of course it is. Now then, we are here to discuss the terms for this duel. The battle will take place in the noontime slot. Both groups will enter the arena separately. When they are done playing to the crowd the signal will be given and the Gong of Battle will be rung. At that point, a battle to the death will commence." The Sultan again waves his hands, seemingly in dismissal, and the doors behind the heroes begin to open yet again.</p><p></p><p>Kargur lowers his eyes and bows towards the Sultan in a most diplomatic way and speaks. "And the terms of the duel, your highness? It is nice to know when and where, but are there any terms as to how it shall, or perhaps more importantly," Kargur glances over at Nuala, "how it shan't, be fought?"</p><p></p><p>The Sultan looks down at Kargur and says with a sneer in his voice, "The rules will be as they always are in the arena. Outside help once the battle has commenced is punishable by death. What other conditions would you like? Should I have her tie her hands behind her back? Or perhaps you would like that for yourself? As it stands, your group will have her quite outnumbered, what other shackles would you like placed upon her."</p><p></p><p>Nuala speaks up at this point, "Great One, these people will be dead in less than five hours, perhaps it would suit your magnanimous self to hear their requests. Of course, in your great wisdom, you have already stated the situation in the most compact and descriptive of terms possible. Perhaps these lesser beings require more time before fully understanding the logic of the situation." The Sultan nods to Nuala, who continues, "So, what other terms would you like to try for? I have an excellent idea, why don't we, instead of having two groups fight this battle, make it more fair for me. I propose that your side enter the arena one at a time and face me in single combat. If the current champion from your side falls, one of you may step forward and replace them. If I fall (chuckle) then your side will be determined the victor. Is this acceptable? If not, please tell us what else you need or go prepare yourselves. The Sultanate is a busy place, and our small concerns detract from His more important affairs."</p><p></p><p>Still humbled in front of the Sultan, Kargur replies, "I most truly apologize to both the Sultan and His position. I had merely wished to verify that indeed the standard rules of the Arena would be in place, for she whom sits here is not known for always following the rules of order. That Nuala has taken it upon her self to place innocents such as Your Magnificence in a position in the middle of our, eh, feud, pains me. As does the taking of outside prisoners of our friends and family. But we wish to not trouble Sultanate any further with such minor issues as compared to the affairs of state which I know must be pressing." Again with a bow, he finishes, "By your leave."</p><p></p><p>The Sultan waves his hand again and the massive golden doors begin their slow crawl back to a closed position. He then looks Kargur squarely in the eyes. “What do you mean by these accusations? The illustrious Nuala has found herself assaulted by you and your friends in not one, but two separate homes. Do you deny that you broke into her home in Lorge Hall, and once you had been caught in the trap there, you took it upon yourselves to attempt to slay Mistress Nuala? Do you further deny that, after having failed to kill her in her home in the Ffenargh, minions were sent to drive her out of her position of power and deep into the swamps South? Finally, do you deny that you yet again assaulted her in her home in the Black Academy, where she both studied and taught? I find it amazing that you would now seek to fall upon the ‘rules of order’ when faced with a chance to end you feud with her.”</p><p></p><p>While he is speaking, Kargur takes a moment to attempt to assess the man’s moral stature, but is unable. Although the source is indiscernible, there is definitely something stopping magical abilities from being used in the area. Kargur is not surprised though, as it is quite common for aristocracy to protect their inner chambers from the magics of their rivals.</p><p></p><p>Mosafta Continues, “You apologize for having me brought into this. There is no need. It is a husband’s duty to protect his bride. As for your friends and family, Nuala has expressed her deepest regrets that she was forced to these straits, but I would ask you one final question: how many of her friends at the Black Academy did you take prisoner, as opposed to the number of her friends you slaughtered on your many raids? Hmmm?”</p><p></p><p>Teflon stands silent and attentive. His thoughts however, seethe with righteous anger. He would like nothing better then to say, "yeah, we killed the evil minions of the bitch queen there. Her attempt to take over a city and turn everyone there into undead was <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />ed up too, by HHH. In fact her evil has been crushed at every attempt we had. Second, I don't remember taking hostages and prisoners. Doesn't sound like me. The innocent are innocent, and the evil are dead or dying." But he stands there quietly letting the negotiators speak. </p><p>William bows deeply, and in a calm voice speaks in Kettish, which he learned in their previous travels to this area. "Yes, I do deny all of that. What my party did was in the name of goodness. Your wife may have left out a few details like her Vampire servants, inhuman experiments, the Devourer and being in league with the devils and demons of other realms. The destruction of two towns. But I did not come here to correct her lies. I came here to get my brother back. Once I know he is safe, I will fight at noon. I will meet her in the arena with her undead henchmen." </p><p>Kargur is taken aback at the news of the wedding and the bombast from the Sultan. Making a quick look around, he sees what appear to be similar thoughts in the eyes and posture of all of his fellow team, including Teflon Billy. </p><p>Holding his Shield tightly to his front, he responds, "I spoke of innocents, not merely friends and family. We are followers of the teaching of the Arch Paladin Himself, Heironious. As such, we fight to avenge those whose lives are destroyed in the corruption of evil. That our paths and that of that of this... woman... have crossed many times is not due to the fact that we have always purposefully sought her out to destroy who she is. It is due to the fact that where she goes, death and worse afflict many people, entire villages and towns. It is to their aid we come to assist, only to find that she is once more connected to the beginnings and continuation of much suffering over entire areas of land. It is like a plague, not that we start, but which we must follow to try to clean up so that the suffering may stop. </p><p>"It is true that there have only been people taken out of the vile academy alive, prisoners themselves each and everyone, used as food and fun for those with whom Nuala associates. Crimes beyond what any civilized state could ever abide by. I pray that today her destructive ways may be finally stopped before her influence is cast upon this Great City like a dark cloud, consuming and twisting and devouring all in its wake. I am here for that sole purpose, even more than for the release of my long time friend and protector of those I hold dear far away, Garth. </p><p>"Do we deny that we have battled Nuala and her associates? Battled even unto death? No. Will we battle today, both her and the undead abominations she will command to be beside her? Yes. And we shall dispatch her and her vile lackeys, not with a cheer of happiness for what we must do, but with a nod of sorrow for the lives that once were and are no more. Even after her death today, we shall still continue the fight of Right, going where we are called to go to assist the innocents that have been assaulted by the vile aspects of evil. And I pray, may that fight no longer have to be fought here, in this supreme city." </p><p>With but the briefest nod of respect, he concludes, "Prepare for a day of sorrow on the morrow, my Sultan. For by the setting of the sun this day, you will either have lost your bride, or if we fail and you do marry this woman, a worse fate by far, begun the journey of losing your soul. So again I most truly apologize. Not for what we have or must do, but for what Nuala has and does, and that she has attempted to include you into it."</p><p>"Pretty words dear 'Soldiers of Right', but though some of them may even be true, it is plain to see that neither side in this battle has been completely in the light. Were you such friends of life and liberty as you claim, perhaps you would have waited before slaughtering helpless students at the University of Magic. Perhaps you would not have begun this 'feud' with your breaking and entering into her dwelling in Lorge. Perhaps you would have taken prisoners as you claim you did, rather than killing all whom you came across in those halls of learning. And perhaps countless deaths would have been avoided.</p><p>"However, these points are moot. You and she will face off in the arena today, and the blood of the loser will determine who is right and who is wrong here. Indeed, were it not for the fact that she has asked that I stay my hand and let her have you, I would arrest you now for speaking in that vein towards My future bride. But as I said, these words matter not, it is actions which will prove themselves this day. The past is what was, and things occur as things occur. May they occur in the light." With that shocking last statement, reflecting Mosafta's connection to the Knights of the Middle Circle, he waves his hand again and the doors swing silently open once more. Mosafta and his eunuchs stand to leave, and it is quite plain for all to see that the meeting has been completed.</p><p>William speaks up, “What about my brother, Jacob?”</p><p>The Sultan replies as he walks out, “You have my word that they are alive. They will be released after the battle.”</p><p>Kargur nods again at the Sultan. "By the light of Heironious, my liege", then turns to lead the way out of the room, with a confidence in his stride that seems to be full of not just pride, but of an almost relaxed purpose. To those that look closely enough, a small smile seems to slip itself in under his mustache.</p><p>Teflon Billy shrugs and walks out of the room with the rest, addressing the group but in no way trying to keep his words unheard, "I wonder how close she is to becoming a Lich? Oh well, won't matter after today anyway"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="James McMurray, post: 177363, member: 743"] [b]Meet with the Sultan and the battle nears[/b] Well, this week's emails have seen quite a bit. Tomorrow the entry to the arena goes out, then Sunday is the big brawl! --- Tactics discussed, and finalized as much as they can be before going into an unknown situation, the group settles in for the night. Although everyone tries to get as much sleep as they can, it is rough. William and Kargur worry for their friends and families, while everyone else finds themselves going over and over the next day in their minds, trying to find the one idea that will ensure victory. Oddly enough, Gundarag manages a nearly uninterrupted night of sleep. Apparently there is truth to the old saying that ignorance is bliss. The only marring of his otherwise perfect sleep is when he mumbles, "'tacia, dun go der." His eyes crack open and meet with Amastacia's, staring into his face while she can't sleep. A happy smile creeps across his face and he dozes back off almost immediately. The next morning, Arthur leads the weary party through crowded Lopollian streets to the Arena entrance. At about the midway point on their journey Billy, Galrond, and Amastacia all detect the telltale feeling of scrying. “She knows we are coming,” says Galrond, his voice booming out of his massive giant’s frame. The group continues, and after an hour they enter into the arena and the Hall of Heroes. "This is where the people who caught the coins are shown." Arthur says. The large corridor is flanked with literally hundreds of alcoves, each one holding a life-sized statue of a warrior or wizard in various clothing. Amazonian goddesses stare across the hall at seemingly bookish wizards. A hundred or so feet in Arthur points to a larger statue than the rest. "There's the guy who caught them even though he wasn't a slave." he says with adulation in his voice. As the group looks up, Kargur lets out a small gasp. The 15 foot tall statue is a spitting image of his father! Up until now he never even knew that the man had traveled, much less had been a gladiator. With very little time allotted to them, the group moves onward and the vast hallway takes them through the common area and up to a massive set of oak doors framed by two hairless eunuch guards who watch stoically as the party approaches. When the group identifies themselves, the eunuch on the left slams his massive club into the door three times in steady succession. The sound of gears grinding fills the air as the doors slowly pull open, revealing a sumptuous torch lit corridor leading off. The floor is covered in a thick red carpet, and the walls are painted with many fantastic murals, almost reminiscent of the Tomb of Acererak. The subject matter is much more mundane however, depicting hundreds of famous arena battles as opposed to the alien landscapes and inhuman figures that were drawn in the Tomb. The group, seeing no other way to go, heads down the hallway. Every so often they pass a branching corridor or side passage, but it every case a large, well-muscled eunuch waves them silently onward. Finally, after what seems like a quarter of a mile of walking the group begins to walk past another corridor when the eunuch before it steps aside and waves them in. Up two flights of stairs and the party comes out in a large foyer, replete with crystal chandeliers, large stuffed creatures, the most mundane of which is a 20 foot tall bear, and whose only exit are two solid gold doors at the far end of the hallway. As the adventurers watch, the two doors slide silently open. Behind them is an even more wealthily furnished room. At the far end sit what can only be Achmed Alzar Sharet Mosafta, the Sultan of Za-dran. Flanking him on either side are 3 more silent, muscled eunuchs. At his feet, and slightly to the left, sits Nuala in a large oak chair. The chair looks like it has been brought here, as it does not match the remainder of the furniture. No other seats are available anywhere in the room, and the party is forced to stand as the Sultan waves his hand, causing the massive doors behind them to swing silently shut again. "You have been requested to appear in my arena today, is this true?" Before anyone can answer the apparently rhetorical question, the Sultan continues. "Of course it is. Now then, we are here to discuss the terms for this duel. The battle will take place in the noontime slot. Both groups will enter the arena separately. When they are done playing to the crowd the signal will be given and the Gong of Battle will be rung. At that point, a battle to the death will commence." The Sultan again waves his hands, seemingly in dismissal, and the doors behind the heroes begin to open yet again. Kargur lowers his eyes and bows towards the Sultan in a most diplomatic way and speaks. "And the terms of the duel, your highness? It is nice to know when and where, but are there any terms as to how it shall, or perhaps more importantly," Kargur glances over at Nuala, "how it shan't, be fought?" The Sultan looks down at Kargur and says with a sneer in his voice, "The rules will be as they always are in the arena. Outside help once the battle has commenced is punishable by death. What other conditions would you like? Should I have her tie her hands behind her back? Or perhaps you would like that for yourself? As it stands, your group will have her quite outnumbered, what other shackles would you like placed upon her." Nuala speaks up at this point, "Great One, these people will be dead in less than five hours, perhaps it would suit your magnanimous self to hear their requests. Of course, in your great wisdom, you have already stated the situation in the most compact and descriptive of terms possible. Perhaps these lesser beings require more time before fully understanding the logic of the situation." The Sultan nods to Nuala, who continues, "So, what other terms would you like to try for? I have an excellent idea, why don't we, instead of having two groups fight this battle, make it more fair for me. I propose that your side enter the arena one at a time and face me in single combat. If the current champion from your side falls, one of you may step forward and replace them. If I fall (chuckle) then your side will be determined the victor. Is this acceptable? If not, please tell us what else you need or go prepare yourselves. The Sultanate is a busy place, and our small concerns detract from His more important affairs." Still humbled in front of the Sultan, Kargur replies, "I most truly apologize to both the Sultan and His position. I had merely wished to verify that indeed the standard rules of the Arena would be in place, for she whom sits here is not known for always following the rules of order. That Nuala has taken it upon her self to place innocents such as Your Magnificence in a position in the middle of our, eh, feud, pains me. As does the taking of outside prisoners of our friends and family. But we wish to not trouble Sultanate any further with such minor issues as compared to the affairs of state which I know must be pressing." Again with a bow, he finishes, "By your leave." The Sultan waves his hand again and the massive golden doors begin their slow crawl back to a closed position. He then looks Kargur squarely in the eyes. “What do you mean by these accusations? The illustrious Nuala has found herself assaulted by you and your friends in not one, but two separate homes. Do you deny that you broke into her home in Lorge Hall, and once you had been caught in the trap there, you took it upon yourselves to attempt to slay Mistress Nuala? Do you further deny that, after having failed to kill her in her home in the Ffenargh, minions were sent to drive her out of her position of power and deep into the swamps South? Finally, do you deny that you yet again assaulted her in her home in the Black Academy, where she both studied and taught? I find it amazing that you would now seek to fall upon the ‘rules of order’ when faced with a chance to end you feud with her.” While he is speaking, Kargur takes a moment to attempt to assess the man’s moral stature, but is unable. Although the source is indiscernible, there is definitely something stopping magical abilities from being used in the area. Kargur is not surprised though, as it is quite common for aristocracy to protect their inner chambers from the magics of their rivals. Mosafta Continues, “You apologize for having me brought into this. There is no need. It is a husband’s duty to protect his bride. As for your friends and family, Nuala has expressed her deepest regrets that she was forced to these straits, but I would ask you one final question: how many of her friends at the Black Academy did you take prisoner, as opposed to the number of her friends you slaughtered on your many raids? Hmmm?” Teflon stands silent and attentive. His thoughts however, seethe with righteous anger. He would like nothing better then to say, "yeah, we killed the evil minions of the bitch queen there. Her attempt to take over a city and turn everyone there into undead was :):):):)ed up too, by HHH. In fact her evil has been crushed at every attempt we had. Second, I don't remember taking hostages and prisoners. Doesn't sound like me. The innocent are innocent, and the evil are dead or dying." But he stands there quietly letting the negotiators speak. William bows deeply, and in a calm voice speaks in Kettish, which he learned in their previous travels to this area. "Yes, I do deny all of that. What my party did was in the name of goodness. Your wife may have left out a few details like her Vampire servants, inhuman experiments, the Devourer and being in league with the devils and demons of other realms. The destruction of two towns. But I did not come here to correct her lies. I came here to get my brother back. Once I know he is safe, I will fight at noon. I will meet her in the arena with her undead henchmen." Kargur is taken aback at the news of the wedding and the bombast from the Sultan. Making a quick look around, he sees what appear to be similar thoughts in the eyes and posture of all of his fellow team, including Teflon Billy. Holding his Shield tightly to his front, he responds, "I spoke of innocents, not merely friends and family. We are followers of the teaching of the Arch Paladin Himself, Heironious. As such, we fight to avenge those whose lives are destroyed in the corruption of evil. That our paths and that of that of this... woman... have crossed many times is not due to the fact that we have always purposefully sought her out to destroy who she is. It is due to the fact that where she goes, death and worse afflict many people, entire villages and towns. It is to their aid we come to assist, only to find that she is once more connected to the beginnings and continuation of much suffering over entire areas of land. It is like a plague, not that we start, but which we must follow to try to clean up so that the suffering may stop. "It is true that there have only been people taken out of the vile academy alive, prisoners themselves each and everyone, used as food and fun for those with whom Nuala associates. Crimes beyond what any civilized state could ever abide by. I pray that today her destructive ways may be finally stopped before her influence is cast upon this Great City like a dark cloud, consuming and twisting and devouring all in its wake. I am here for that sole purpose, even more than for the release of my long time friend and protector of those I hold dear far away, Garth. "Do we deny that we have battled Nuala and her associates? Battled even unto death? No. Will we battle today, both her and the undead abominations she will command to be beside her? Yes. And we shall dispatch her and her vile lackeys, not with a cheer of happiness for what we must do, but with a nod of sorrow for the lives that once were and are no more. Even after her death today, we shall still continue the fight of Right, going where we are called to go to assist the innocents that have been assaulted by the vile aspects of evil. And I pray, may that fight no longer have to be fought here, in this supreme city." With but the briefest nod of respect, he concludes, "Prepare for a day of sorrow on the morrow, my Sultan. For by the setting of the sun this day, you will either have lost your bride, or if we fail and you do marry this woman, a worse fate by far, begun the journey of losing your soul. So again I most truly apologize. Not for what we have or must do, but for what Nuala has and does, and that she has attempted to include you into it." "Pretty words dear 'Soldiers of Right', but though some of them may even be true, it is plain to see that neither side in this battle has been completely in the light. Were you such friends of life and liberty as you claim, perhaps you would have waited before slaughtering helpless students at the University of Magic. Perhaps you would not have begun this 'feud' with your breaking and entering into her dwelling in Lorge. Perhaps you would have taken prisoners as you claim you did, rather than killing all whom you came across in those halls of learning. And perhaps countless deaths would have been avoided. "However, these points are moot. You and she will face off in the arena today, and the blood of the loser will determine who is right and who is wrong here. Indeed, were it not for the fact that she has asked that I stay my hand and let her have you, I would arrest you now for speaking in that vein towards My future bride. But as I said, these words matter not, it is actions which will prove themselves this day. The past is what was, and things occur as things occur. May they occur in the light." With that shocking last statement, reflecting Mosafta's connection to the Knights of the Middle Circle, he waves his hand again and the doors swing silently open once more. Mosafta and his eunuchs stand to leave, and it is quite plain for all to see that the meeting has been completed. William speaks up, “What about my brother, Jacob?” The Sultan replies as he walks out, “You have my word that they are alive. They will be released after the battle.” Kargur nods again at the Sultan. "By the light of Heironious, my liege", then turns to lead the way out of the room, with a confidence in his stride that seems to be full of not just pride, but of an almost relaxed purpose. To those that look closely enough, a small smile seems to slip itself in under his mustache. Teflon Billy shrugs and walks out of the room with the rest, addressing the group but in no way trying to keep his words unheard, "I wonder how close she is to becoming a Lich? Oh well, won't matter after today anyway" [/QUOTE]
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