The Blade of Phoee (Updated 12/08/08)

[Nephtys]

Hi Funeris, great story. I really enjoy the dark and gritty mood of the game, it lends a lot of depth and credibility to the story. There is one thing I don't quite understand though.

Ara'Kull's followers seem a bit too destructive, and Toc himself is apparently a very negligent ruler. It doesn't seem sensible for him to allow his kingdom to be divided into racial fiefdoms, constantly fighting amongst each-others while his inquisitors are slaughtering those who should be his most loyal followers (human noncombatants). It's just wasteful, and poor management. It would be an understandable compromise with older (institutional and racial) traditions during the first unstabile years of his reign, before he would have been able to fully take control. But after 600 years and with a God on his side its amazing that he would still rely on short-term solutions that inevitably weakens his rule in the long term by destroying the people's loyalty to him, as well as turning the country into an improductive wastelend incapable of paying much in taxes and dues.
Even if his goal was to gather as many souls as possible for some Evil Ritual of Ultimate Power it would be a lot more efficient to manage the operation, as well as the management of the kingdom as a whole, in a more professional and consistent manner that ensured stability, prosperity and a healthy long-term growth of the population. After all, the higher the population is the more souls will eventually be harvested. And if you have had 600 years to prepare surely you can afford to be patient enough to sow before you reap.

Regardless, I've enjoyed the story a lot and am looking forward to another update.

 

[Funeris]

Thanks and welcome Nephtys!

Hmmm...I've been pondering how to respond to this...without giving away too much (the Yeti is always listening). But I think I can explain some of it...with the promise that all will eventually be revealed.

You're right that it seems wasteful and just poor management. But its important to realize that the King, Toq Arma Dunn, is mad. And not in an angry way so much as a losing-his-mind-crazy-and-very-possibly-dissassociative-kind-of-way. Plus, for a "medieval" world, he has quite a bit of land to rule...roughly 9 million square miles of territory. So, for his purposes...it is easier to divide the land into territories (most of which are human dominated) and three of which are governed by Trolls, Goblins and Orcs respectively.

The individual territories owe allegiance, fealty, taxes and whatnot to the King. But he lets them govern their own lands as long as his laws are followed and enforced. He does meet with the individual Barons once, sometimes twice, a year. But for the most part he lets them be and as a result they squabble over the constantly shifting boundaries of their territories. This also keeps the individual barons from banding together against the King. Well, that and a lot of Fear. Because they all feel the Inquisitor's presence within their lands...constantly monitoring.

Now...why slaughter about 1200 (noncombatant) subjects? The Town of Green Hills is/was a small village. It wasn't located on any major roads...they were lucky to see two handfuls of travelers in a year. The closest neighboring city/town was Nordus Post. It is approximately 75 miles to the north and isn't a city so much as a barracks. Nordus Post is positioned on the main road and houses (or at least did house) the Inquisitors. Nearly no one, barring the PCs or any other children that had grown up and moved away, will miss the village. Kinda sad, really.

There is a use for nearly 1200 corpses, believe me. And I'm not saying for certain that everyone died. I haven't really bothered to decide that aspect yet...and if they realized their wells within the keep were poisoned, they could've resorted to drinking from the nearby streams and lake or emptying the tavern...assuming the Inquisitors left (which I'm not going to say). The King does have uses for them...alive or dead...as you will eventually see.

I like to sit down in between sessions and shift perspectives to each of the barons and King in turn. I decide what they've got going, what they're plotting, how they're going about it and whether or not it is something the PCs will notice during the next session. If not, then...well...they might catch a glimpse of it eventually. I do a lot of long term planning...and hopefully, not all of it will go to waste.

So, when you notice something that just seems crazy....chalk it up to madness. And later on, maybe you'll see the method forming within the madness.

Thanks again for reading. I appreciated the comments and hopefully the dodgy clarification was of some use. And I began working on an update last night...I'll probably work on it tonight too and hopefully have it posted later today.

~Fune

 

[Nephtys]

Thanks for your reply. I'll chalk it up to madness . No, but seriously, it does make sense. Mad people do mad things and mad Gods create mad worlds. And the story is all the better for it.

Cassoc will need to do a lot more persecuting before the world can be put under a more sensible government.

 

[Funeris]

Cassoc will need to do a lot more persecuting before the world can be put under a more sensible government.

Don't worry...we're getting there. ::sigh::

~Fune

 

[Funeris]

Chapter 4: From Here to There Concluded

“What important matter draws two elves from their forest homes and into the lands of the Enemy?” Cassock smiled as he shifted the topic of conversation; small talk and dancing around the issue was quickly growing stale to him. Mialee batted her eyelashes and smiled but kept her lips sealed. “Surely, something has happened,” he added while drawing a sip from the warm coffee Mialee had been kind enough to share.

“Maybe something has happened,” she agreed enigmatically. “But that doesn’t mean it concerns you, good priest. I’m certain you can’t be all that interested in our affairs, and if you were I’d have to question your motives and allegiances.” The elven noble’s grin held a finality that the Priest of Cael was quick to ignore. His lips parted to interject but her voice prevented the verbal coup de gras. “And did you hear the thunder last night? I could’ve sworn it sounded like a massive beast roaring. And the horrible weather—”

“It was just the weather,” he annoyingly broke in.

“But aside from this wonderful shelter we are so kindly sharing with you, perhaps we could be of some service to whatever quest brings you so far south. If nothing else, we may hold a bit of useful information.” Cassock returned an enigmatic grin as he added, “especially with the Inquisitors so nearby.” Cassock slouched back to appraise the elf’s reactions: her left eye twitched uncomfortably as she looked away. He knew the thought of the enforcing arm of the church within a day or two’s march had to be unsettling to any group outside of Ara’kull’s “good” graces.

Mialee quickly ran over her options. With the unseasonable weather, both elves would likely be trapped with this band for at least another day. If they did hold any useful information, well, it may be worth the risk. Especially, she thought, if the whole story and need were trimmed to just a few vague details. “Very well, if you won’t let the subject drop I guess I’ll tell you. We are searching for a priest.”

“What luck,” Cassock laughed heartily. “I am a priest.”

“And I’m sure your intentions are wholesome but you are not the priest we are searching for. We look for a priest of the Mother.”

“Of the mother?” Cassock’s laugh vanished as he remembered the unsavory circumstances surrounding Spinum’s joining of the party. “You mean a druid?” The priest noted the mage skulking closer as the words danced from his mouth.

“Yes, if I must be so blunt. There is a druid that resides within this wood. We have been sent for his advice.” Mialee quieted as the mage slid into a seated position next to her. His beady eyes trained upon her and for a moment she felt utterly naked. She glanced away, coughing to cover the uncomfortable silence. “His name is Orange Leaf and I would imagine he would be hard to miss. He’s a half—”

“Troll,” Spinum finished.

“Ah!” Mialee shrieked. “Maybe you will be of some service after all! Do you know where he is?”

“Yes.” Cassock spoke softly.

“You are allied with that monster?” The mage questioned; his tone shrouded by anger. All of his injuries throbbed to the forefront of his memory as if they had never healed.

“He is no monster.” Mialee stuttered. “He is a good priest and he might be able to aide my people.”

“No he won’t,” the priest muttered again.

“What would you know of it?!” the elf barked.

“Well, my lady, I know dead men rarely have aide to offer to the living.” Cassock sighed.

Mialee’s eyes opened in shock. “But—but you said you knew where—”

“I know where his corpse is, yes. But I doubt it would be much use to you even if we could find it again buried under the snow and rain. We passed the body along the way,” Cassock thought about adding that it was where they had picked Spinum up. But, that seemed unnecessary. If trust was what was being built, a little detail like that could topple the foundation.

“But—” she stammered, “how? Why? Who?”

“That, I do not know,” Cassock released quickly to circumvent Spinum’s own answers. “We found his body within a ring of death in this forest. The ring had to be at least sixty feet in diameter. Nothing was living within its perimeter.” Spinum opened his mouth but Cassock forcefully repeated, “Nothing.” The mage closed his mouth.

“And…did it…did it looked like there had been a fire?” Mialee asked and knew she should have held her mouth closed. Cassock’s eyebrows raised as he nodded in affirmation.

“How would two elves from so far north know such a detail?” Cassock’s eyes narrowed knowing the solution before it was spoken.

Sighing, Mialee softly whispered, “Because two of our young priests burst into flames—seemingly spontaneously. That is why we have come so far south; to question a few of the druids outside our settlement.”

“You speak too much and too openly!” Zayda accused. The ranger had slid quietly through the opening, drawing none of the speakers from their discussion. Her hood was down, her porcelain face tinged with red and eyes ablaze. “And to speak so openly with the enemy! They cannot be trusted! They are the rapists and murderers of our blood. Deceit flows through their veins. IT is their legacy.”

“Zayda, you are overreacting…”

“No I am not, your highness.” She bowed in mock respect, the anger still in her face and eyes. “We will say no more to you.” Snatching Mialee by the shoulder, the ranger dragged her across the foundation to an empty corner.

From across the structure, Spinum and Cassock could barely make out the hoarse whispers—the sound of Zayda admonishing Mialee. “Well mage, I’ll tell you one good thing that has come of this.” Cassock smiled genuinely, sipping a bit of the warm brew.

“And what’s that?”

“Now I can trust you.” The priest laughed a short triumphant laugh causing Spinum to frown slightly. “So, would you like to hear of the True Path of Righteousness, the Path of Cael?”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning dawned late, the sun creeping above the eastern mountains slowly as if afraid to show its warming face to the white blight of snow, water and ice. A stiff breeze was blowing southward into the foundation. Quietly, the flickering embers died; their warming energies released into the cold fury of the wind.

The party had gathered in the doorway, preparing their gear and listening while the two elves bickered yet again. They had fought all night long in their sharp murmurs; just quiet enough to allow the others the rest they needed.

“Enough of this,” Mialee commanded. Raising her voice, “This is my expedition. I decide where and when we go. You are only here to protect me. And I need no protection from our new companions.” Zayda’s lip quivered with resentment before bending into a condescending smirk. “Cassock of Cael,” Mialee shouted, turning and realizing that the party had not yet exited. “We will be heading north as well. I think it would be beneficial that we travel together. What say you?”

Bowing his head reverently he spoke, “I think that would be a marvelous idea, my lady.”

“Excellent. We know of a gracious family in the north that would be more than happy to restock your party for its travels.” Mialee grinned; Zayda stamped her foot in frustration.

“Which family?”

“Have you never heard of the Ladies Llywellyn or their magnificent manor?” The elf’s eyebrow rose with delight at the possibility to educate the priest.

“It does sound vaguely familiar.” Cassock pulled out his father’s map searching for the location of the manor. “But it…is not on my map.”

“It would not be,” Mialee answered. “It is probably the greatest shame of the King. Never in the history of the manor, nearly one thousand years, has the keep fallen. Not to the King, not to the Black Magus before him.”

As the party journeyed north, Mialee kept their spirits high with her stories of failed attempt after failed attempt of seizure of the grand manor of Llewyllyn. Zayda dragged behind the main group, still unhappy and untrusting. Cautiously she watched for enemies…enemies behind every tree and shrub and snowdrift…

 

[Funeris]

Well, I've decided to skip a bit of the campaign (namely the journey northward). I'll pick it up again when they're nearing the perimeter of Llewyllyn Manor's walls...

The reason I'm skipping it is because nothing of REAL import occurs. They had five battles along their trek...all undead (don't worry Nephtys...it wasn't 1200 undead from the Town of Green Hills ...hehe). The battles were "random"...and the only important dynamic change within the characters was Zayda began to trust the party.

But the fuhschnizzle hizzits the fan at the manor...so it seems like a better place to pick up the story arc...and not drag through 5 unimportant skirmishes.

Before I return to the main SH though, I may hit some other background info per Brellin's request...I've still got a bit to tell about Rhynos and a few other things...so...

eh...we'll see.

Hope you enjoyed.

~Fune

 

[TheYeti1775]

Thanks for your reply. I'll chalk it up to madness . No, but seriously, it does make sense. Mad people do mad things and mad Gods create mad worlds. And the story is all the better for it.

Cassoc will need to do a lot more persecuting before the world can be put under a more sensible government.

I like how you think.

And yes Funeris I'm always watching. Even when I'm hungover from a Marine Corps Birthday bash 5 days long. I'm just now catching up on my emails and what not.

As far as Cassock persecuting, just wait and see how dangerous he becomes. Inquistors have nothing on him.

Yeti

 

[Anti-Sean]

Nice - Hellooooo Zadya...now *that's* how an elf should be! Completely xenophobic and more apt to fill a stinking human full of arrows than to deign to speak with one. Too bad about Orange Leaf, though...

It looks like we updated about the same time last night - I guess that means I need to start writing a lot more if I want to see some of that sweet, sweet persecuting of Cassock's that you're teasing us with sooner than later!

 

[Funeris]

lol. I was watching while you updated last night Anti-Sean

And hey, if you wanna write a bit more, I'd consider it an incentive to pump out some more. Especially since it seems some of the SHs I've been frequenting have been quieting...must be because of the approaching holidays.

And yeah...we're getting to the "persecution"...of course, I like to call it cold-blooded murder...but eh....that's just semantics.

~Fune

 

[TheYeti1775]

lol. I was watching while you updated last night Anti-Sean

And hey, if you wanna write a bit more, I'd consider it an incentive to pump out some more. Especially since it seems some of the SHs I've been frequenting have been quieting...must be because of the approaching holidays.

And yeah...we're getting to the "persecution"...of course, I like to call it cold-blooded murder...but eh....that's just semantics.

~Fune

You call it murder.
I call it a just sentencing and the carrying out of such sentencing.

And you can quote me on that one.
Yeti