The Four Lands - The Great North Part 2

[Rath Lorien]

Anniston watches Vadrik leave, a slight look of concern on his face. Then he turns back to Vorian. "You have proven yourself to be a stalwart and worthy ally. I believe your story and trust that the Light guides your path. We are not in a court here, so I do not pass judgement, I merely choose to accept you at your word. Under the circumstances it would be unchivalrous to do otherwise. We, all of us, are in need of whatever friends and allies we can acquire for ourselves in this adventure and if there was any doubt before, then allow me to dispel them in my part by welcoming you into this company and offering my hand in friendship. If I have done anything to offend you earlier then I appologize." Anniston offers his hand to Vorian.

Anniston then addresses Arrwuh. "I am not familiar with your kind. But I have no reason to doubt your allegence to the Light. I welcome you as an equal, both in my regard for you as well as my expectations of you. I hope I will have an opportunity to learn more about you and your kind in the days to come. For my part you are welcome in this company." Anniston offers his hand to Arrwuh.

 

[Scotley]

Bertrand

Bertrand considers the story and then moves to check on his men and horses having nothing to add for now.

 

[Neurotic]

Vorian Tolgar

That is very noble of you, Anniston. However, I am prepared for battery of spell tests if any one of you has doubts. There will be no ill will as we have important task ahead and doubt is something we cannot afford. I will put my life in line for friends, comrades in arms and Four Lands. I can prove that Light still provides it's lesser miracles for my prayers.

I would not have it any other way, paladin of Light! You may be an example for your kind. You are order and good personified. BUT! You may choose to turn from righteousness and accept the consequences. You may even turn to the dark side. I cannot. I have no choice. This is who I am as well as what I am. And doubt of MY allegiance and loyalty will not be tolerated!

Easy, Arrwuh, we are among friends. I know I frustrate you sometimes, but these are noble people, accepting of our differences. When was the last time you could speak openly in front of so many? You might even get along with Vadric once you know each other.

Vorian smiles at his friend and then turns to include all present.
I apologize for Arrwuh's outburst. You understand, he is frustrated by almost constant acting he is forced to endure. And it's not easy for being of Good to be questioned constantly, although he is patient about it.

OOC: Arrwuh is neutral good and might find Vadric better companion the LN knight

 

[Rath Lorien]

"Lady Vera and the fey Silverwood said they would meet us at our destination. It is well they chose that path as I would not wish this manner of hard travel upon anyone."

"In the meantime, however, this gives us a chance to discuss our circumstances without them. They have not petitioned to join our party and if they did I would be cautious to accept. It is beyond me to discern the depths of their motivations. Like DeSion, I believe that both Lady Vera and the fey wish to keep the book out of the hands of the Drakkar and that is fair enough reason to accept their help, but beyond that I cannot say."

"Vorian you say you have spent time with the elves and perhaps even find yourself thankful for their aid, but I believe that the elves live and treat with us humans behind many layers of motivation. The actions percipitated by this motivation might be perceived by us from time to time to be benign, but we must not imagine that we begin to understand them. I am not trying to lecture you, but rather I speak about our current contact with Silverwood."

"Jaroth, perhaps you can give us some insight as to the motivations of the Druids as you were trained in that tradition. Also, please tell us how you have faired on this journey with the book. Has it been difficult for you? In time has the burden become more difficult, or have you become more accustomed to it? Have you discovered any new features of the book or its affects upon you during this journey? Have protection spells been of any use to bear it more lightly?"

"We must be united in our effort to protect the book from falling into the wrong hands. We must be ever vigilant. But we must also acknowledge that the nature of the book is one that can, and I believe will, corrupt a well-meaning heart. We must stand together against the dark, but we must also prepare to defend one another against corruption."

"At this time we are in the darkness regarding what we should do. I think I can speak for both Vadrik and myself when I say that we wish we could return the book to the south into the hands of the Church. I know that DeSion would argue strongly against that course of action, and perhaps some of you here would argue against that action as well. It is not clear yet what action is best. I know there are risks of taking this evil artifact into the heart of the blessed Church. I fear what curse we would bring upon the people there. But I do not think we can stand indefinately against the Drakkar in the north here where there power is strong. That is why I wanted to travel with these clansmen because we need to determine if they can be enlisted in the fight against the Drakkar."

"I would appreciate any other thoughts any of you might have on this matter."

 

[Scotley]

Bertrand

"You raise several interesting points. I suspect DiSion has been more greatly effected by the book and would be loath to relinquish it to the church or to anyone.

I do not think we should return the book to the church either, but for different reasons. Do you think they will welcome us and thank us? They will see us as tainted by the evil of the book and by our association with wizards, druids and elves. Make no mistake, our return to lands where the church holds sway will almost certainly lead to confinement if not death.

Let us continue on our current path and see where it leads for now. We should be relatively safe from the Drakar within this camp.

As for Silverwood, church doctrine holds that it is better to drown than accept a rope from an elf. We are making a deal with the devil, indeed the courts of hell, to associate with the lady, DeSion, Silverwood and perhaps even these tribesmen. At least in the eyes of the church."

 

[Rhun]

Vadric Elareon

Alone, and as secluded as he can make himself within the tribesmen's camp, Vadric thrusts Warsong into the hard ground and kneels, wrapping his hands about the ebony sword's hilt. Facing the rising sun, the knight and priest begins to pray to The Light, asking for guidance and faith in these uncertain times.




I actually describe Vadric as having curly hair, but I thought this pic captured his current feelings quite well.

 

[Rath Lorien]

"I hear what you are saying, Bertrand. I agree that the Church will handle this case with great seriousness and great care. In order to help ensure that we ourselves are not corrupted by the book and to minimize the risk to society we will be scrutinized and possibly confined until the correct disposition is reached. The Church will take our actions here seriously just as we should take our actions seriously. In this case we hold a great deal of responsibility in our hands and we will rightly be judged on how we handle that responsibility."

"We would do well to consider carefully the doctrines and disciplines of the Church for they will guide us in the darkness. Unfortunately we are not in a position to consult with the Magesterium and so we must make our decisions the best way we can. I have prayerfully considered the decisions we are making. I am not infallible and so I may be making a mistake, but I believe we have been acting in the best interests of the Light, the peoples of the world, and of the Church."

"By returning the book to the Church we will put the book and ourselves under the jurisdiction of the Church. I do not see this as a negative, but a positive. It is exactly why I want to return to the Church with the book. I am aware that taking the book into Church lands will bring evil into those lands. But to not bring the book to the Church is to deprive ourselves of the wisdom and strength of the Church. To willfully deprive ourselves of this wisdom and strength without sufficient reason would surely be inappropriate. Though we are faithful and righteous men, the Church is guided by the Light to a greater degree than we and whereas we can choose wrongly, the Light will not allow the Church to fail."

 

[J. Alexander]

OCC: Waiting on a d20 roll from Jaroth before i move it along...

 

[Canaan]

Jaroth

"Neither Lay Vera, nor myself, are druids, the way the Church understands druids. We possess the gift of the Light. Our Order is sworn to protect the races of the Four Lands. To do so, the Order believes in the unification of all of the races. We use our powers for that purpose. That is why, I suppose, Lady Vera has befriended Silverwood. He has obviously shown himself not to be a bad creature. If he had done so, I doubt very much that Lady Vera would have befriended him, let alone bring him on this sensitive mission.

Notwithstanding that fact, we are apolitical. As such, the Order has chosen not to interfere with your wishes for where the book will ultimately go, unless, of course, it should fall into the hands of the Drakkar. My Order does not wish to cause an inter-border conflict or put itself in a position to defy the church. It merely seeks to preempt a war that will surely come if the Drakkar get the power that is within this book.

I have not yet had a chance to study its protections and wards. I shall begin that process immediately. If any of you, Vadric or Anniston, would like to assist me in that effort, please feel free to do so."

unmodified d20 roll = 6 http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1661436/

 

[J. Alexander]

Journey

For Jaroth
[sblock]Listening to the story you become distracted by a discordant harmony that just seems to be audible. As you try to isolate it you find yourself listening intently to the music. to late you realize that your senses and shields are being slowly lowered and you feel a dark presence trying to insert itself into your thoughts...Will save at dc 26 is you would please.[/sblock]

As Jaroth ends his comment you observe his face go white and sweat begin to bead is brow. Before you can think of anything see his head slump onto his chest and his breathing become heavily labored.