Warriors Of The Coast

[DEFCON 1]

"I'd like to see the reports that caused you to launch this expedition, and speak to any eyewitnesses you have. The Archivists' order has expertise in these matters. Do you have those here? If not, who should I speak to?"

One of the Elder's eyebrows raises in a bit of surprise... as he's not used to having his commands questioned in such a way. However, he holds his tongue and instead looks over at the other templar again and snaps his fingers. "List!" The templar immediately shoves the list of templars called to this crusade back into his hands, and Nevillom begins reading the paper again.

The other templars around the situation either act surprised that Khalia spoke in such a way, shake their heads and grin since they expect her to get reamed out by Elder Nevillom, or nervously try to back away from the situation. Khalia meanwhile is surprised by the apparent lack of spine shown by these men. Perhaps they've been beaten down like dogs one too many times?

Elder Nevillom looks back up from the papers and back at her. She sees him run a critical eye over her, sizing her up perhaps? Did the papers give a bio of who she was? Is he trying to figure out what he has here in the young woman? When he speaks to her again, a bit of the edge is taken off of his voice. While not speaking to her as an equal by any stretch, he at least is not attempting to browbeat her (which seems to be his manner in dealing with virtually everybody).

"Eyewitness accounts have been recorded in the files. A thorough investigation of each reported case has already been completed, and testimony and conclusions have been written. You may of course read through the files as you need, Lady ir'Indari... although another interrogation of the eyewitnesses at this point in time is unnecessary. Most reports were several months ago and I do not believe their testimony and memory will have gotten stronger over this time. In any case, most of them have probably spread to the four winds by now."

Needless to say, the Elder's tonal shift towards her has very interesting consequences to the other Flamists in their circle. Some now look at her with a bit more respect, some are a bit annoyed that she didn't get a tongue-lashing for impertenance. She ignores them all.

"Tell me, Lady ir'Indari... where IS Mother Tharavar? You both came here together, I presume?"

"She claims her age would prevent her from being an asset to this mission. I assured her that given the apparent scale of operations you were planning, it would hardly be necessary -- or even useful -- for everyone involved to be skilled front-line combatants; when scores of Templars are involved, the Flame requires administrators every bit as much as it requires paladins.

"Though of course, as an Archivist, I am a tactical advisor and spellcaster. Who will be leading the knights in my company? I will also want to speak with her, especially if she has not worked with one of my order before -- we are not a large order, after all."

"So she did not arrive with you? She has not come? Huh. I think a little visit to Kylin Tharavar might be in order then after all this is done. Note that for me, Gerrold." One of the templars scribbles the note down in a book. "As far as who is leading things... there are four men and women of skill in charge. Sister Cerril Maise will lead our scout team up river, and Brothers Donovan, Ellston, and Anvil will each lead a team of fifteen in the main force overland. I had intended for Mother Tharavar to assume a place within my command squad, but as she has deigned to stay home, you will be an ample replacement, Lady."

The templar named Gerrold opens his mouth begins to say something, but closes it quickly when Nevillom holds up a hand to shush him. "Do whatever research you feel you need to today... the documents will be opened for you. Isn't that right, Gerrold?" The templar pauses for a second before nodding in defeat. "First thing tomorrow, I will be looking directly to you for your knowledge and tactical accumen in dealing with these beasts. Is that clear?"

 

[stonegod]

Ari makes his way over the Skarg. "So, find what you were looking for?"

 

[drothgery]

"Eyewitness accounts have been recorded in the files. A thorough investigation of each reported case has already been completed, and testimony and conclusions have been written. You may of course read through the files as you need, Lady ir'Indari... although another interrogation of the eyewitnesses at this point in time is unnecessary. Most reports were several months ago and I do not believe their testimony and memory will have gotten stronger over this time. In any case, most of them have probably spread to the four winds by now."

"Thank you. I will review the reports immediately." She said.
"Do you have a room here that I can use, or would you rather send them to my inn?"

The templar named Gerrold opens his mouth begins to say something, but closes it quickly when Nevillom holds up a hand to shush him. "Do whatever research you feel you need to today... the documents will be opened for you. Isn't that right, Gerrold?" The templar pauses for a second before nodding in defeat. "First thing tomorrow, I will be looking directly to you for your knowledge and tactical accumen in dealing with these beasts. Is that clear?"

"To do any less would be to fall short in the charge given to me by Father and the Church." She finished.

 

[DEFCON 1]

*SQWAWK! SQWAWK!*

The fog slowly begins to lift from his head, and Jango Silversun's eyes open ever so slightly. He feels and hears the flapping of bird's wings over his face, and when his pupils focus, he sees Griot sitting on his lap. He breathes heavy. And thinks about the pain...

My god... the pain. The pain had been terrible. And now...

The pain... it's...

It's...

Gone?

As Jango full regains consciousness, he realizes the burning pain that had been his aberrent dragonmark has disappeared completely. Thank the gods. He takes a deep breath and reaches behind him to rub the back of his right shoulder... right where his dragonmark is. He pulls his shirt down off his shoulder to see what the damage is...

...but something is amiss.

Where? Where is it? His dragonmark! It's gone! He can't see it! Jango quickly rumages through his knapsack in hopes that he brought a small mirror, and thankfully he finds one at the bottom of the sack. He quickly brings it up and holds it over his shoulder so he can look...

...and it's true. The dragonmark is gone.

The shock of the situation makes Jango drop the mirror, and he sits down hard on the ground. His eyes are irrevocably drawn to the crevasse, and he cannot help but think... did the voice do this? Did the voice take his mark away? Was that even possible? How could something like that happen? And how did he feel about it now? Did his demands of the voice make it angry? Did his refusal to do what it wanted him to do both now and earlier make it give up on him? Steal from him? What is going on?!?

Jango sits... and thinks about what has now occured.

When suddenly...

"I am an ally. Jango. I have always been an ally, and will always be an ally. I have rewarded you. For being you. For coming here. For speaking with me. You will have no more problems with your mark."

Jango immediately thinks about the fact that the mark is gone... when suddenly the voice makes things clear.

"I have not removed your mark, Jango. Your mark can never be fully removed. Instead... you have been given a gift. A gift from Khyber. You have his ward. His protection. The Ward of Khyber. You can hide your mark now whenever you please. From those who would do you harm. One thought by you, and your mark will disappear from the naked eye. But you will still have it. And it will still be of use. Khyber protects those who are loyal to him. And I have fought for you. And won you his protection."

The thought of this takes hold of Jango, when he begins to feel his shoulder get warm once again. He quickly glances at his shoulder and watches in amazement as the bare skin begins to glow blue... and his mark then reappears... same as it ever was.

"Come down. Speak to me. You have much still to learn, and I much still to teach. Consider this gift a payment for friendship already rendered. And much more is to come."

"I wait for you, Jango."

And with that, the voice goes silent. Amd the blackness of the crevasse sits at Jango's feet.

**********

(OOC: Jango receives the 'Ward Of Khyber' feat from the Dragonmarked sourcebook. It makes your aberrant dragonmark invisible for 1 hour/level; and you gain SR against spell-like abilities of true dragonmarks.)

 

[Velmont]

As the voice become silent, Jango stare at the darkness. In his mind, all have become confused again. The voice have been acting wierdly. One moment it seems attractive, friednly, a moment, it seems dangerous and threatning. But one thing s confirmed, that voice know something about the mark, it isn't just a bluff. And it just told he had reward him for being himself? Does he really have been himself lately, he couldn't answer that question.

Jango's curiosity have taken over him again, and he need to goes down here. "I'm alright Griot. It has been painful but I am alright now. I just need to find a way down there. I'll go in there. I need to know." Jango starts to think again and curse himself to have forgotten a rope. Having little choice, Jango decide to climb down. He concentarte and the small brooch at his neck, holding his cloak starts to light with a pale blue light. With that, he will have a good light to light the way without having anything to hold. He then concentrate again, but that time, to give him more speed. With that, he will be able to climb faster if not more easily.

Slowly, he starst to climb down, watching carefully for secure places, taking his time.

OOC: With a speed of 60, I can hope to be down there in two rolls. now, I just need not to fail them... once down there, Jango will light his lantern and head toward the temple.

 

[Brogarn]

Ari makes his way over the Skarg. "So, find what you were looking for?"

Skarg quickly glances at Ari, shrugs and says Yes and then no and then maybe yes again. I need a drink. Thirsty? With that he heads to the bar expecting Ari to follow, but not really concerned if he doesn't.

OOC@DEFCON1: After thinking over the weekend, I'm still going to have Skarg head to the encampment after a night of luxury. He's not the type to wallow around in self misery with thoughts of suicide. He needs a point to his life and maybe the Daggerspell Guardians can give him one. If not, it's still a start on a path towards something... whatever that may be.

 

[stonegod]

Skarg quickly glances at Ari, shrugs and says Yes and then no and then maybe yes again. I need a drink. Thirsty? With that he heads to the bar expecting Ari to follow, but not really concerned if he doesn't.

Ari keeps time the the half-orc, amuses by his constant attempts at humor. He fill him in on the details of his day, and the odd job that he's found, and his distrust of its truth. "But its a job. Probably end up scaring a few things more than killing anything. Probably could sign up yourself if this thing of yours didn't work out. Though we leave in two days."

 

[Brogarn]

Ari keeps time the the half-orc, amuses by his constant attempts at humor. He fill him in on the details of his day, and the odd job that he's found, and his distrust of its truth. "But its a job. Probably end up scaring a few things more than killing anything. Probably could sign up yourself if this thing of yours didn't work out. Though we leave in two days."

Skarg scratches his cheek and says Running around the forest "cleansing" so called "foul demons" with a bunch of zealots? You sure know how to offer up a good time. He winks and says I think I'll pass. Besides, I got questions about things I really don't have answers for and it's making me itchy.

Skarg will buy a round or two for him and Ari then head upstairs for a good night's rest before he gets drunk and it gets too late. In the morning he'll look into travelling to the encampment by way of caravan or whatever since riding horses is not his thing. He'll also pick up whatever supplies he'll think he needs. He won't be buying any armor or weapons as of yet.

 

[stonegod]

Ari patted the halfork on the back and let him to his night. The monster hunter planed on just relaxing until the dirty work started.

 

[DEFCON 1]

"Thank you. I will review the reports immediately. Do you have a room here that I can use, or would you rather send them to my inn?"

Elder Nevillom motions inside the temple proper. "There are several rooms inside in which you may use. Gerrold, please set Lady ir'Indari up with what she requires."

Once again, the templar is about to say something, but decides better of it. "This way..." he mumbles, and he leads Khalia into the temple and to one of the study rooms. He leaves her in there for several minutes while he acquires the reports she needs, then drops them off and departs without saying another word. Khalia sees the papers are all in a disorganized mess, but is unable to determine whether they were like that when Gerrold got them, or if he mixed them all up in a silent protest of the favorable treatment she has thus far received.

Khalia sits down at the table and spends the next several hours that you have available reviewing all the testimony and witness accounts of the situation, discovering info on lycanthropes, tactics in defense, and any other necessary knowledge.

**********

OOC: To make this interesting, drothgery... I'm going to make this research a complex skill check with a twist, so that you'll be able to take an active hand on deciding how you want to research things. Your decisions on how to spend your time will influence the rolls I'll make, and how you do will determine the information you receive (plus give you extra Action Points to spend on the mission proper).

You have just enough time available researching to be able to make 5 checks: Decipher Script, and Knowledge Arcana, Dungeoneering, History, and Religion. Because of your time crunch, only one can you Take 20 on... the others you will have to roll for.

I will announce which check you will be rolling for next, but rather than assign you a TN to hit, you will assign yourself a TN that you are trying to reach. These will be in levels of five, so you can try to go for a TN 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 etc. When you decide on the TN you are going for (which symbolizes the amount of intensity you are putting in to certain sections of the research), I will secretly roll for success. If you fail, I will let you know that you acquired no new knowledge. If you succeed, you will receive 1 point for every raise of 5 you made to your TN. (So a TN of 5 is worth 1 point, TN 10 worth 2, TN 20 worth 4 etc.)

The more total points you earn over the five rolls, the more information you will be given and the more Action Points you will receive to use during the mission. Of course... there are certain point benchmarks I have in my head that you have to reach to gain more info and APs, but I won't tell you what those are (whether you need to earn 4, 8, 10, 15 points etc.) So you have to decide how greedy you want to be when selecting your TNs to maximize the number of points you could earn versus the odds you fail the roll.

As a last fun little twist, please note that one of the skill checks is secretly worth double the points on a successful check, and one of them is worth TRIPLE the points on a successful check. Thus, your one use of a Take 20 could benefit greatly if you decide to use it on the correct skill check (because you can guarantee the highest TN you can select based on the automatic roll of 20 plus the applicable skill modifier), and be assured that the points earned would be doubled or tripled automatically. Of course, I won't tell you which two of the five checks are worth higher points, although I will say that they have been chosen based on what makes the most logical sense (at least to me) for this particular mission's most useful information. You'll need to decide for yourself which of the five you think might be worth double or triple the points, and then assign TNs or your Take 20 appropriately to maximize your potential point output.

Any questions about how we are doing this, please ask them over in the OOC thread. Otherwise... your first skill check will be:

Knowledge: Dungeoneering (your current skill mod is +10)

Please select the TN you wish to go for.