stonegod's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Ch. I [IC]

[stonegod]

The night air has turned brisk, and even the wall of torches cannot push back the ever present mist. Ashlyn looks up from Jarrith---apparently they had some words---and nods at the group, then goes back to watching the barricades.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Jarrith stalks out of the inn, mumbling to himself all kinds of things that might shock or bother people if they were heard. He does not seem to notice Ashyln over by the wall, arching an eyebrow, but saying nothing.

After the Stalker has paced enough to come down a moment, Ashlyn speaks into the night.

"These are trying times, Flamist, but you fight the right fight. The undead cannot be suffered to exist. Period. What know you of the Lightbringers? We have few followers of the Flame amongst us, but they do make stalwart companions. If you do continue the fight against the damned, you may wish to consider joining. Consider it while you cool your head."

Jarrith stops his pacing as the words the paladin have spoken finally make an impression. His eyes are piercing, and for a second you'd almost think he was ready to pick another fight... but instead he takes another one of those ten breaths to keep himself calm before speaking.

"I know nothing of these Lightbringers you speak of, Lady Ashlyn. Although from the sounds of the name, your group probably has much in common with my own... the Order Of Illumination. Do you know of us? Unlike your group, we are entirely made up of devout templars of the Flame, and we fight all manner of evil... not just of the undead variety. Some may find our methodology a bit too... stringent..."

He throws a frown back towards the inn... his words making complete sense to someone who has seen both sides of the last few minutes... "...but we feel we do not have time to debate different shades of grey. Evil is among us... and the more time we spend trying to catagorize people as 'bad', or 'only slightly bad', or 'good but occasionally bad', or 'really, really good except when they've been drinking and then they become really bad'... or any other stupid attempt to rationalize the darkness in men's hearts... the more time that darkness has to gain hold. And we in the Order would rather shine a bright light on that darkness and then root that darkness out quickly and straight away."

He chuckles to himself. "Some people have a problem with that attitude. But then again... usually it's the people who have some of that darkness within themselves and don't like what they see when they look at themselves in the mirror because of it."

And before the rest of the party comes back out from within the inn, Jarrith takes a few steps to Ashlyn and shows a genuine interest. "So what it is about these Lightbringers that you count yourself amongst their number? What are the similarities or difference between our two organizations?"

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

Anuine, Maraat's white rat companion, had listened to part of that conversation with trepedation. She got along with Janis' snake mostly by keeping out of his way, but still squeaked a complaint to Maraat when Janis left.

"Fear not little one, you are no one's dinner," he murmured to her. He looked at the room of Barovians again, struck by how they had curiously taken strength from despair, and had gotten a bit of spine from Janis' harsh words, more so than Khensu's stirring speech. There was nothing more he could add, at least nothing that they hadn't heard before. It sounded like their minds had already been made up for them by seeing all of their loved ones turn into walking dead before their eyes.

Abruptly Maraat turned and followed the others outside, his eyes trying to seek out the wizard to speak with her.

"Janis! Please, may I have words with you?" he asks. "You have found a curious way to warm the hearts of these folks. Never have I seen chastisement turned to such good use. It says much of their mentality here, that they would react thus. Though I confess I know not if this is due to their culture or their current troubles."

 

[stonegod]

And before the rest of the party comes back out from within the inn, Jarrith takes a few steps to Ashlyn and shows a genuine interest. "So what it is about these Lightbringers that you count yourself amongst their number? What are the similarities or difference between our two organizations?"

Ashlyn looks up at the mists a moment composing her response. "My comrades of the Flame tell me something similar---that you fight the evil within as much as the evil without. Ours is a narrower focus. Do not get me wrong... we are a concerned with worldly matters as well. But we train to fight those that should not walk. 'Suffer no false life.'"

"We are a brotherhood of sorts. Some are part time members, some work only for us. I am one of the latter as were my comrades." She pauses a moment, then presses on. "But keep in mind we do not do this for selfish or foolish reasons. Many of my Cyran brethren pressed for us to train them in our tactics, but only to fight their War. The lifeless are a stain on Khovaire, but the fight against them must be pure---not tainted by national or personal ambitions. In that way, there are some similarities between your Order and mine."

She pauses a moment to look about, her vigil every important. "You seek evil, and much evil can be laid at the feet of those who create such abominations---or those that are. The Flamists of our guild see their membership as an augmentation, not an abandonment, of their path."

"As for me, this is my calling. I fight for the Sovereigns, and oppose the treachery of the Six, the Keeper's blight most of all. I cannot explain it more than that."

 

[GwydapLlew]

"Janis! Please, may I have words with you?" he asks. "You have found a curious way to warm the hearts of these folks. Never have I seen chastisement turned to such good use. It says much of their mentality here, that they would react thus. Though I confess I know not if this is due to their culture or their current troubles."

"Marot speaks truly. If they respond to your tactics better than mine, then you should perhaps be the one to deal with the villagers." There is no injured pride in his voice, only simple fact. "They are uncomfortable around one such as me."

 

[DEFCON 1]

"Aye... the 'false life' has been difficult to reconcile. Walking alongside our fallen comrade Selase was never easy. Her belief in the sanctity of the body and it's supposed divinity sometimes put us at odds. Her claims that the soul can still remain true even if the shell has passed on is something that we debated endlessly. And it was the same for several elves from Aerenal whom I've spoken to over the years... that their Undying Council was something to be gazed upon, rather than shunned."

He shakes his head at the thought of living on in mind, while dying of body. "I have never believed it. I have seen too many good people transformed to evil to believe that it's possible to keep yourself whole. Even little Selase was not able to retain her divinitym, despite her claims to the otherwise."

Jarrith nods the Ashlyn in appreciation of what she's doing. "Khorvaire is lucky to have a woman such as you... willing to fight for it's well-being. And I will be happy to fight alongside you as you and your Lightbringers try and bring light to this darkened place." He then gives her one of his customary jovial smirks. "Now if you'd only see the wisdom of the Silver Flame, you'd be perfect."

It's at this point that Sir Khensu, Daellin, Janis, and Marot come back outside into the encampment area, and Jarrith immediately turns to them and stiffens up... fully expecting to either have to continue the argument, or get lightly chewed out. He is not looking forward to either one.

 

[James Heard]

Abruptly Maraat turned and followed the others outside, his eyes trying to seek out the wizard to speak with her.

"Janis! Please, may I have words with you?" he asks. "You have found a curious way to warm the hearts of these folks. Never have I seen chastisement turned to such good use. It says much of their mentality here, that they would react thus. Though I confess I know not if this is due to their culture or their current troubles."

"There is no explaining what warms some people's hearts or what brings light to other's eyes," Janis says coolly. " Perhaps it is the echoes of Cyre that call to them, for I sought no endearment or sympathy. Let us hear what the Servants wish to discuss with us.

She listened, silently, to Khensu's reply, her face inscrutable until the small group came closer to the two virtuous warriors that lurked in the shadows ahead of them in conference.

"If you two are finished courting each other, then perhaps Khensu would like to take some time to tell us why he wanted to talk to us out here in the fog.

 

[stonegod]

"If you two are finished courting each other, then perhaps Khensu would like to take some time to tell us why he wanted to talk to us out here in the fog.

Ashlyn returns Janis' look, her face just as cool. "Your companion has a sharp tongue. One must be careful it does not cut both ways."

 

[drothgery]

"I don't know about Khensu, but what I wanted to know if you had any theories on how a town could be so out of touch that they know Karrn's name, but do not know Karrnath as province of Galifar or a nation in its own right." Daellin said.

 

[GwydapLlew]

"If you two are finished courting each other, then perhaps Khensu would like to take some time to tell us why he wanted to talk to us out here in the fog.

"I don't know about Khensu, but what I wanted to know if you had any theories on how a town could be so out of touch that they know Karrn's name, but do not know Karrnath as province of Galifar or a nation in its own right." Daellin said.

"Precisely. There is something strange in the air of this land. We are on the edges of Karnnathi land, and yet they seem to consider our legends as distantly-heard current events."

Sir Khensu claps Jarrith on the shoulder, and offers him a canine-filled smile. "Your appearance of drawing out Janis was well-played. If any of these villagers act on behalf of the evil tainting this land, they will think Janis is the weak link and come to her with whispers of treachery."

He looks to them all, but answers Janis' question directly. "I do not think it wise to plan our actions in earshot of these villagers. Ashlyn, your companions traveled to the church and made no secret of it, and they have not been heard from since. It harms none us not at all to state our intentions aloud, and then secretly act differently."

"There are only five of us remaining. What do you wish to do? Return to the caravan and alert them to the dangers? Cleanse this land of the evil that blights it? If the latter, do we seek out this Madame Eva or see what has become of Ashlyn's allies at the church?"