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Welcome to the Halmae (updated 2/27/07)
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<blockquote data-quote="spyscribe" data-source="post: 1824432" data-attributes="member: 5808"><p><strong>Part the Sixty Fourth</strong></p><p><em>In which: Lord Agasha is afraid, and Anvil gets his Justice on.</em></p><p></p><p>The party breaks camp the next morning and continues along the trail. Benedic examines the goblin tracks and confirms that—together or not—the goblins and the bear are certainly heading in the same direction. </p><p></p><p>At about midday, there is a sound of horses approaching at a steady walk. Anvil—who is riding at the head of the column next to Lord Agasha—notices the older man suddenly stiffen in his saddle, and then mutter under his breath, “I was afraid of this.”</p><p></p><p>Anvil turns to face him. “Tell me more, so that I too might be afraid.”</p><p></p><p><em>(Direct quote, I swear. We all lost it.)</em></p><p></p><p>Lord Agasha does a brief double-take, but then merely nods to the road ahead of them. “Look, and see for yourself.”</p><p></p><p>Anvil does, and sees that just around a bend in the trail seven men are approaching on horseback. The one in the lead wears full plate mail and has a long, thin mustache. The other six behind him appear to be servants or bodyguards of some type.</p><p></p><p>The seven draw up, and then stop in the middle of the trail, forcing the party to halt in front of them.</p><p></p><p>“Lord Agasha,” the mustached man says coldly.</p><p></p><p>Lord Agasha’s response barely avoids being a sneer. “Lord Fau Meen.”</p><p></p><p>“I have warned you about poaching on my lands.” Lord Fau Meen’s guards subtly shift in their saddles, ready for action.</p><p></p><p>Lord Agasha does not even flinch. “If you took proper stewardship of your lands, your peasants would not have to appeal to <em>me</em> for aid when they are attacked by wild bears.”</p><p></p><p>Lord Fau Meen’s eyes narrow to mean slits, and the temperature between the two men seems to drop by at least ten degrees. Behind them both, Lord Fau Meen’s men, and the party members wait, nervously.</p><p></p><p>Reyu leans over to Anvil, whispering, “What is… poaching?”</p><p></p><p>“I will elaborate on the concept at a later time,” the Justicar replies.</p><p></p><p>“I demand compensation for the theft which you and these… companions of yours… continue to perpetrate against me through this flagrant act of trespassing!”</p><p></p><p>“I would not have to trespass if you performed your duties in the first place!”</p><p></p><p>Before the argument can escalate any further, Anvil clears his throat. “My honored Lords, perhaps I can be of assistance.” As he speaks, Anvil readjusts his cloak, so that his holy symbol—identifying him as a Justicar—lies prominently in the center of his breastplate.</p><p></p><p>### </p><p></p><p>Twenty mintues later, Reyu has acquired a through technical definition of poaching (although the concept of owning animals that freely roam the land is still a mystery to her), and Anvil has worked out an agreement in which Lord Fau Meen agrees to grant Lord Agasha and the party permission to hunt the bear on his lands in return for 100 gold pieces and first cut of the bear meat—although Lord Agasha retains all claims on the pelt and the remainder of the carcass.</p><p></p><p>The party asks Lord Fau Meen if there are many goblin attacks on his lands.</p><p></p><p>“No,” he replies, “it’s unusual for them to come down from the hills, but they’ve been getting bolder this year.”</p><p></p><p>“Why?” asks Reyu.</p><p></p><p>“What do you mean, ‘why?’ They’re goblins, who knows why they do anything?”</p><p></p><p>Reyu cannot help but think that behind Lord Fau Meen’s bluster, he seems vaguely guilty about something.</p><p></p><p>“Have your people been moving into their territories, perhaps?” she suggests. “Many creatures will act to defend their homes.”</p><p></p><p>Lord Fau Meen snorts. “They have no territories. My lands cover the foothills into the Ketkath, and we need those areas for farming.”</p><p></p><p>“Areas in which the goblins are accustomed to making their homes?” Reyu asks.</p><p></p><p>Lord Fau Meen wheels his horse around in exasperation. “I have no time for these… impudent questions. Lord Agasha, if you have come to hunt a bear on my lands, I suggest you get to it.”</p><p></p><p>And with that, he and his men ride off the way they came.</p><p></p><p>Anvil leans down to Reyu. “Do you think he is hiding something?”</p><p></p><p>Reyu shakes her head. “He purports to own the creatures that freely wander the land which is given to the care of us all. His entire world-view is… foreign to me.”</p><p></p><p>“I could explain if you wish.”</p><p></p><p>“No, that will not be necessary.”</p><p></p><p>And with that, the party rides on. </p><p></p><p>###</p><p></p><p>For her part, Eva does not really care about internal Sovereign politics. However, she does keep her eyes sharp for their quarry. It’s not that she wants to find the bear. Truth be told, she would happily let the bear go its own way, along with the biting insects, the poison ivy, and all the other wonderful “accoutrements” of outdoor living. But if they are going after a bear, she wants to see it before it sees her. Despite Reyu’s insistence that the bear will mostly likely be reasonable if they can just talk to it, she is taking no chances. <em>A reasonable bear. Just what we need.</em> </p><p></p><p>Plus, as a Fortune Rider, Eva cannot help but think that the fact that today is the last day of Fall, the day before Kettenek Rising, when Sedellus wanes from her position of power does <strong>not</strong> bode particularly well. Then again, given her goddess’s particular sense of humor, it might not be the worst thing either.</p><p></p><p>But, all that being said, the sharp-eyed Eva is not the only member of the party who is more than a bit surprised when the party emerges into a clearing to find the <strong>giant</strong> bear they have been tracking sitting there, as if waiting for them. </p><p></p><p>Reyu, who has prepared <em>speak with animals</em> for just this moment, quickly casts and addresses the bear.</p><p></p><p><em>Greetings.</em></p><p></p><p>The bear blinks at her, obviously nonplussed to be addressed.</p><p></p><p><em>Why have you come hunting the humans?</em> she asks.</p><p></p><p>Reyu can see the muscles in the bear’s forelegs tightening, as though it is an act of will to stay seated in the clearing. After a moment, his deep, growly voice grinds out, <em>I am sorry… Forced… I cannot—</em></p><p></p><p><em>Cannot what?</em> Reyu asks.</p><p></p><p>But the bear can hold back no longer. With a last, helpless look to Reyu it lunges forward, slashing right for Lord Agasha.</p><p></p><p>Then, a considerable chunk of hell breaks loose.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="spyscribe, post: 1824432, member: 5808"] [b]Part the Sixty Fourth[/b] [i]In which: Lord Agasha is afraid, and Anvil gets his Justice on.[/i] The party breaks camp the next morning and continues along the trail. Benedic examines the goblin tracks and confirms that—together or not—the goblins and the bear are certainly heading in the same direction. At about midday, there is a sound of horses approaching at a steady walk. Anvil—who is riding at the head of the column next to Lord Agasha—notices the older man suddenly stiffen in his saddle, and then mutter under his breath, “I was afraid of this.” Anvil turns to face him. “Tell me more, so that I too might be afraid.” [i](Direct quote, I swear. We all lost it.)[/i] Lord Agasha does a brief double-take, but then merely nods to the road ahead of them. “Look, and see for yourself.” Anvil does, and sees that just around a bend in the trail seven men are approaching on horseback. The one in the lead wears full plate mail and has a long, thin mustache. The other six behind him appear to be servants or bodyguards of some type. The seven draw up, and then stop in the middle of the trail, forcing the party to halt in front of them. “Lord Agasha,” the mustached man says coldly. Lord Agasha’s response barely avoids being a sneer. “Lord Fau Meen.” “I have warned you about poaching on my lands.” Lord Fau Meen’s guards subtly shift in their saddles, ready for action. Lord Agasha does not even flinch. “If you took proper stewardship of your lands, your peasants would not have to appeal to [i]me[/i] for aid when they are attacked by wild bears.” Lord Fau Meen’s eyes narrow to mean slits, and the temperature between the two men seems to drop by at least ten degrees. Behind them both, Lord Fau Meen’s men, and the party members wait, nervously. Reyu leans over to Anvil, whispering, “What is… poaching?” “I will elaborate on the concept at a later time,” the Justicar replies. “I demand compensation for the theft which you and these… companions of yours… continue to perpetrate against me through this flagrant act of trespassing!” “I would not have to trespass if you performed your duties in the first place!” Before the argument can escalate any further, Anvil clears his throat. “My honored Lords, perhaps I can be of assistance.” As he speaks, Anvil readjusts his cloak, so that his holy symbol—identifying him as a Justicar—lies prominently in the center of his breastplate. ### Twenty mintues later, Reyu has acquired a through technical definition of poaching (although the concept of owning animals that freely roam the land is still a mystery to her), and Anvil has worked out an agreement in which Lord Fau Meen agrees to grant Lord Agasha and the party permission to hunt the bear on his lands in return for 100 gold pieces and first cut of the bear meat—although Lord Agasha retains all claims on the pelt and the remainder of the carcass. The party asks Lord Fau Meen if there are many goblin attacks on his lands. “No,” he replies, “it’s unusual for them to come down from the hills, but they’ve been getting bolder this year.” “Why?” asks Reyu. “What do you mean, ‘why?’ They’re goblins, who knows why they do anything?” Reyu cannot help but think that behind Lord Fau Meen’s bluster, he seems vaguely guilty about something. “Have your people been moving into their territories, perhaps?” she suggests. “Many creatures will act to defend their homes.” Lord Fau Meen snorts. “They have no territories. My lands cover the foothills into the Ketkath, and we need those areas for farming.” “Areas in which the goblins are accustomed to making their homes?” Reyu asks. Lord Fau Meen wheels his horse around in exasperation. “I have no time for these… impudent questions. Lord Agasha, if you have come to hunt a bear on my lands, I suggest you get to it.” And with that, he and his men ride off the way they came. Anvil leans down to Reyu. “Do you think he is hiding something?” Reyu shakes her head. “He purports to own the creatures that freely wander the land which is given to the care of us all. His entire world-view is… foreign to me.” “I could explain if you wish.” “No, that will not be necessary.” And with that, the party rides on. ### For her part, Eva does not really care about internal Sovereign politics. However, she does keep her eyes sharp for their quarry. It’s not that she wants to find the bear. Truth be told, she would happily let the bear go its own way, along with the biting insects, the poison ivy, and all the other wonderful “accoutrements” of outdoor living. But if they are going after a bear, she wants to see it before it sees her. Despite Reyu’s insistence that the bear will mostly likely be reasonable if they can just talk to it, she is taking no chances. [I]A reasonable bear. Just what we need.[/I] Plus, as a Fortune Rider, Eva cannot help but think that the fact that today is the last day of Fall, the day before Kettenek Rising, when Sedellus wanes from her position of power does [b]not[/b] bode particularly well. Then again, given her goddess’s particular sense of humor, it might not be the worst thing either. But, all that being said, the sharp-eyed Eva is not the only member of the party who is more than a bit surprised when the party emerges into a clearing to find the [b]giant[/b] bear they have been tracking sitting there, as if waiting for them. Reyu, who has prepared [I]speak with animals[/I] for just this moment, quickly casts and addresses the bear. [I]Greetings.[/I] The bear blinks at her, obviously nonplussed to be addressed. [I]Why have you come hunting the humans?[/I] she asks. Reyu can see the muscles in the bear’s forelegs tightening, as though it is an act of will to stay seated in the clearing. After a moment, his deep, growly voice grinds out, [I]I am sorry… Forced… I cannot—[/I] [I]Cannot what?[/I] Reyu asks. But the bear can hold back no longer. With a last, helpless look to Reyu it lunges forward, slashing right for Lord Agasha. Then, a considerable chunk of hell breaks loose. [/QUOTE]
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