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The Psionicle, Part V

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"I'll do what I can Tristam." Jansson replies to the dwarf.

"Nice to meet you Tori'shel. If you'll follow me..."

Jansson strides out of the shop and heads towards the Ace of Diamonds at a brisk walk.
 

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Jansson
Tori'shel follows close behind, easily keeping pace with you.

You enter the now somewhat-familiar doorway of the Ace, and see that Osius, Desimus, and Syld are seated at a table inside.

"Are those your companions?" Tori'shel asks politely.

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Osius, Syld, Desimus
Jansson enters the inn, accompanied by a young human girl who couldn't be more than fifteen years old.

"Are those your companions?" She asks Jansson in a polite voice, indicating your table.
 

"Indeed they are." Jansson responds to Tori'shel.

"Right lads, this is a representative of Ambassador Tristam. It sounds like the Coldlands are in a spot of trouble, and Tristam has asked for our help. Tori'shel can tell you the rest better than me."

Jansson offers Tori'shel a seat and then takes one himself as he tries to get the attention of the serving staff.
 

Desimus turns to the innkeeper.
"I would like one of your birds, some bread if you have any, and a large mug of your ale. I would also like a room for the night."

Desimus pays whatever the innkeeper asks.

"Tori'shel can I get you something to eat or drink before you tell us about the trouble?"

edit:spelling
 
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Jansson, Osius, Desimus, Syld
Tori'shel takes the seat Jansson offers her. "No, I don't need anything, thanks." She says hastily at Desimus' offer.

The innkeep bellows from somewhere in the back. "Bird, mug of ale, and room... that'll be two gold and a silver, friend!"

Tori'shel turns to the group. "We don't have much time, so I'll explain in haste. The Coldlands Territory has reason to believe that Ashk, the large empire south of the wall, is planning on invading it's lands. Tristam has asked you and your friends to help us in getting allies in the war that might come. I don't know if there is any sort of pay, or any reward for that matter. But if Ashk comes over the wall and conquers our technology... add that to their already impressive magical arsenal, and they may be unstoppable. While the forces may not mix, they can use magic and technology seperately, thus possibly going after Kahasal - the main holdout for psionics - from two sides. This country might be able to hold one force off, possibly even both for a time, but it won't last. Eventually, Ashk would control all three forces, and because the Psionicle isn't complete yet - yes, I do know what that crystal your friend has is - your force will die, and those who practice the art of psionics with it."

Tori'shel then pauses, and looks around. "However, there's more than that, that Tristam would never have told you, and that I could get in serious trouble for saying. If you help the Coldlands, then there is a possibility that we will win the war with Ashk - if that's the case, then we get the magic that Ashk holds. Of course, with two of three forces conquered, that means that the third - psionics - would be easy pickings."

"But don't tell anyone I told you about that. I'm not even sure if that rumor is true. However, loyalty to one's force is generally stronger than any other. If that holds true for the leaders of the Coldlands, then they will go for the chance that they have to become supreme over the other two forces - even when their force is possibly one that will be destroyed."

"That's all I can tell you. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more assistance. But I can say this - go with what helps psionics. I may be a student of technology, but that doesn't mean that I will ruthlessly kill others merely to prove my force's power. If you help to save psionics, then your force may be able to fend off the other two."

Tori'shel sits back in her chair.

"And that's all I can tell you."
 

Sahgrim, tired, will carry his things from his donkey and find a suitable stable, if possible, and will head back to the inn.

Assuming he gets the same offer as the rest, he will reply, "It seems I'm a bit more weary this night, so if you would simply show me to a room I'd be grateful."

(I will use some of my share of the treasure we got at the caves to pay for the room, and rest up to regain my PP and leveling benefits)
 

Sahgrim
You find those at the gates of the city willing enough to stable your horses for free, considering what you did for the city.

As you enter the Ace, you get the same offer everyone else did.

"Yes, we have room," The innkeep says. "That'll be five silver."

As you give him the appropriate coinage, he tosses you a key.

"First on the right." The innkeep mutters, heading back to his various duties.
 

Desimus places the fee for room and board on the table.

"So, by my understanding by helping the Coldlands we might give them an opportunity to gain more power by defeating Ashk and possibly destroy Kahasal, further upsetting the balance of everything?"

Sarcastically, "Hmmm....you have got to love politics."

"Tori'shel, I am a practitioner of the arcane arts, but I have had many friends and coworkers that are psionically inclined. I believe as you do in that the forces and those who use them should be able to coexist."

To the group: "I think we might be stuck between a golem and a hard place. If we choose to take the council's offer we might contribute to troubles for Kahasal by way of Ashk gaining control of the Coldlands. On the other hand, if we help the Coldlands we might cause trouble for Kahasal by allowing the Coldlands to gain dominion over magic."

Desimus pauses for a second to think.

"My vote is to help the Coldlands. I think by helping them we might gain some influence with their government and through that we might be able to convince them to find a balance between the forces. If we don't help, Ashk will win and we know that they would come for Kahasal next."
 
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"I'm with Desimus on this. I think we should aid the Coldlands, although what Tori'shel has said has given me pause for thought. I wish the Council had told us more about the situation with the yuan-ti. It's hard to make an informed choice from so little information."

"What would Tristam want us to do?" he asks Tori'shel. "How does he wish us to go about gaining allies to help the Coldlands?"
 

Osius

Osius pays for a room and an additional 5 silver for water, only. "I'm fasting, this is for your trouble, as I'm certain water isn't that common a request; if you've no clear water, or it's too much trouble, some milk will do," he tells the innkeeper.

He listens raptly to Tori'shel.

"The Coldlands sounds intriguing as I've never been there, but we should also consider the Council's request here for aid. I can see great trouble if we take either path. Perhaps our best answer is to go south on behalf of the Great Council, representing them in the negotiations with the yuan-ti. In this way we might be able to gain more political support with the Council and can also help convince them to assist Tristam's people in the Coldlands."

Osius then returns to sipping his beverage.
 

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