Talathel can't quite see Darvin yet, because he hasn't quite found his way so we shall just axe that for now...
Nym, along the way you also see the charred bodies of Scriptus and Codex - they were burned beyond recognition, but their wedding rings shone identified them to you.
Talathel and Beranhond stared out at the wreckage as if unsure of what to do.
"Excuse me, new friends of mine, but perhaps I could inquire as to where we might obtain some food or fresh water? Last night was trying for all of us and I think we could use breakfast." The strange fellow in black said.
Beranhond shook his mind as if clearing a mist.
"Yes, of course." Beranhond rummaged around and found a empty trough and filled it with ten gallons of freshly made clean water.
The man in black raised his eyes. "I see that your groups reputation is well deserved." However, he said no more as everyone started to spread out their meager food.
Beranhond turned towards Talathel wanting to ask him a question, but noticed a familiar shape on a horse.
"Nym!" He said standing, "glad to see you survived the awful night. Any sign of Darvin?"
Darvin picked up Thjodolf's corpse and started walking toward the pile. With a sad heave he through him on and sang a short sea chanty in his memory.
"Dear friend of yours?" Khursid asked in a polite understanding tone. Darvin simply nodded. They made their way out of camp, passing many people. Some were carrying corpses, wounded, and their friends, while there were some who were simply looking for whatever remnants of their lives they could salvage. After a walk that seemed to take an eternity Darvin noticed a grouping of humanoids in a small opening in the midst of the destruction.
We have come to one of those situations where everyone is standing around. This is something we have historically struggled with. I will fill in when need to make it less awkward, but essentially you have several things you could do:
1. Try to make some sense of the situation.
2. Quiz this strange man in black - if this sounds really boring I can have Beranhond do this in one big post that you get the information without having to do an RP.
2. Decide the next step based on any information you learn.
3. Decide where you want to go to get what needs to be done.
4. Something completely different than anything I just mentioned ... such as:
A. Flee and not worry about the encroaching evil.
B. Pool your money and spend it all on liquor.
C. Try to take over the Orcish camp and turn them into slaves.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
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Nym hops down from Nesme and greets Beranhond. "No, I haven't seen him." A knot formed in her stomach as she began to fear Darvin was among the dead. "Scriptus, Codex, and Greg are dead..." she said, trying not to think about this too deeply. Nym noticed the man in black and stiffened when she recognized the clothing style as that of Thay. "Who is this?" Nym asked coldly looking at the man.
ReplyDeleteI vote for quizzing the man in black. Why does he hate Jacob so much? I think more information is needed before we make a decision.
ReplyDelete"Scriptus and Codex?" Beranhond said, his voice tight. "May they rest in peace."
ReplyDeleteHe turned and gestured toward the man.
"A poorly disguised wizard of Thay." Beranhond held up his hands. "I know their reptuation, but he has been quite nice and he owes me a blood debt, and he will honor that." Beranhond said glaring.
The man nodded "of course! Of course!"
Beranhond turned back to Nym "He says he has information about what happened, and what that creature was that attacked the camp."
Talathel looks back at the man in black.
ReplyDeletePerception:
Roll(1d20)+8:
20,+8
Total:28
(Looking for any signs of battle on the man, or any identifying marks.)
"What is your name? You know of us, but with you, I am not familiar."
He is wearing a dark, rich, and obviously expensive garb. Set in the middle is a circular emblem of red orbs circling a star. There are some scars on his arms, and a few light tattoos around his neck.
ReplyDelete"My name is Zalkar, and I am indeed a Red Wizard of Thay. But please, don't judge me completely according to what you have heard of the place! Every land has its paragons and tyrants and I do hope you will give me the chance to explain why it is that my brethren and I came here."
"Well then explain quickly before I rid the world of a rat of Thay," growled Nym as she pulled out a daggar.
ReplyDeleteTalathel's eyes opened wide. "Nym! Let the man speak! What are you doing? Enough blood has been shed here, there is no need for the threat of more!"
ReplyDelete"Nym!" Beranhond said alarmed at her quick change in tone. "Put the dagger away - there is great evil in this world and we should avoid trying to become like it." He sighed. "This man has done us no wrong and could have harmed us if he wishes. He shall tell us what we ask and I shall know if he lies."
ReplyDelete< cast: zone of truth >
ReplyDeleteBeranhond also smiled at Talathel.
"Well spoken!" he said before turning back to Zalkar and giving him an appreciative look.
Nym did not put the dagger away but waited for the man to answer as her friends requested.
ReplyDelete"You were going to explain why men from Thay are here..." Talathel tried to be as calm as possible, but Ny's demeanor had rattled him.
ReplyDelete"Well, you are familiar with the new god that is arising in the west?" He said.
ReplyDeleteBeranhond nodded. "Yes, the one that has overtaken Lathander."
"Indeed, well, they pretty much rule the entire sword coast. The land is barren, most of it blackened and vile. The druids have managed to hold out... but the Paladins of Torm have fled. It frightened the Paladins of Torm enough to reach out and form an alliance with us."
Beranhond sputtered.
"The Paladins of Torm?"
"Yes, Grand-Warden Ceilith is now in charge of the Paladin forces working with us at Thay."
Off to a side Aelysin started to chuckle. Beranhond turned to glare at her.
Darvin found the group and walked into the fray. He said nothing and watched everything unfold.
ReplyDeleteSeeing not comment from anyone else the man continues.
ReplyDelete"However, that is not the only problem - blights have hit much of the crops of the world and there are whole regions that are starting to be worried about famine come harvest time. A plague broke out in the north and many regions are complaining about unrest. It is a dark time indeed." He paused for a moment sipping from a cup of water.
"We were sent out to seek help find help from those people who have not encountered as much damage as others. We were on our way to Calimshan, but one of my, now deceased, companions detected the workings of a dark God. We decided to follow up and that fearing that whatever force is rising in the west might be making its way down south."
"Why should we trust you, wizard of Thay?" asked Nym. Her eyes were hard and glinted with barely contained violence.
ReplyDelete"He cannot like right now, so we know that he is telling the truth." Beranhond said not feeling all that comfortable with Nym at the moment. "Of course, the information his bosses told him could be wrong, but he is telling us what he knows."
ReplyDeleteEveryone within twenty feet of Beranhond is aware of the fact that they cannot lie - they can refuse to answer questions and such, but they have to tell the truth. You can do a will save to avoid the effect if you want to lie; however, this man did not resist the spell.
"Nym, do keep your guard up, as there are evil forces at work. But, please try to be rational. This man means us no harm. Sheath your dagger and let us continue the good work of Killink."
ReplyDeleteZalkar nervously swallowed. "I have no reason to lie - the world is damaged enough without my adding to it. The Tormish paladins are worried that the entire western coast of Faerun will be under their power and we are unsure how long the druids can last." He swallowed. "However, our more immediate concern is to figure how if the force at work here, and last night, is part of the Lathanderian movement, or whether it is some other evil at work."
ReplyDelete"That sounds quite the opposite of what a Red Wizard would say," said Nym, narrowing her eyes. "The world is damaged enough? Isn't that all you vermin want for the world? ...Although to support the murderous druids sounds much like your kind."
ReplyDeleteBeranhond turned and looked at Nym quite confused about her behavior.
ReplyDelete"Nym... he cannot lie, so that is certainly what he believes. However, I am almost more concerned about what you keep saying rather than what he is saying. Are you OK?"
Zalkar looked slightly bemused by the situation.
ReplyDelete"As I said earlier, there are saints and sinners among every people. The elves are supposed to be enlightened and peaceful; however you yourself are bound up with malice and hatred for a person you have never met. Please try to judge me for Zalkar. I certainly am not perfect, but I am not necessarily representative of all the wrongs committed by the Red Wizards."
Nym doesn't take her eyes of the Red Wizard, but cuts her left sleeve near the shoulder exposing the brand given to her by Thay years ago. "No, I am not OK cleric," responded Nym to Beranhond. "I spent more than a year in Thay and could wish nothing more than for that experienced to be blotted from my memory. The fact that he stayed with his order despite their evil speaks more to me than his serpent tongue does now."
ReplyDeleteBeranhond's eyes narrowed. "We all have demons and shit in our lives Sorceress, but that doesn't mean we should let those demons haunt and possess us." He paused, grating his teeth. "But please, let him at least finish his narrative before threatening him."
ReplyDeleteTalathel had never seen this side of Nym before and he had a feeling that the situation could turn ugly rather quick.
ReplyDelete"Nym, how about we go see if we can aid some of the survivors? Beranhond can question this Wizard of Thay more. You're hatred of Thay is understandable, but as we try and learn more about what's happening, this tension will not help matters.
Darvin would you like to join?"
Darvin had been silent up to this point. He had been listening to Zalkar talk and as Nym became more and more heated he decided now was as good a time as any to ask a question. He turned to the wizard. "So, what you're saying is that there is a dark God that has been unleashed upon the land, has already destroyed the Sword Coast, killed off my best friend, is moving inland and no one knows how to stop it?" Zalkar looked at Darvin and simply said, "Yes." Darvin had been completely and utterly traumatized by Thjodolf's death. Zalkar's news was only making him feel more helpless.
ReplyDeleteWithout saying a word and with all eyes on him, Nym and Beranhond, had stopped their argument long enough to listen to their friend, he pulled out his pistol and put the barrel against his temple. There was a collective gasp among his friends. And then he pulled the trigger...
*click*...
Lying in the mud under Khursid had soaked the powder rendering it useless. "Oh, fuck it all!" Darvin said as he threw the gun down into the mud. He turned around and went to look for a place to think. Guybrush picked up the gun and hurried after him.
Everyone stared in stunned silence. Beranhond's look of anger fading as he saw Darvin storm off.
ReplyDeleteZalkar looked equally sad.
"Will he be OK?" The wizard asked.
"I hope so, perhaps one of us should go and talk to him?" Beranhond said looking at Talathel and Nym.
Nym was shocked by Darvin's suicide attempt. She turned to the wizard and said, "This isn't finished, vermin" and spat at him. She pushed roughly past Beranhond and ran after Darvin.
ReplyDeleteNym found him sitting among some wreckage looking entirely defeated. Nym sat down next to him. "Thjodolf is dead then," she said, rather than asked. She sat quietly waiting for Darvin to say or do something.
As Nym sat down, Guybrush handed Darvin the pistol and he put back into its holster. Without looking at Nym he answered her question, "Yes. I found him badly burned." There was something about Nym being so close to Darvin that got his emotions started again. Since he had found Thjodolf he had felt so numb. Now, he just felt sad. He put his head in his hands and started to sob.
ReplyDeleteNym wrapped her arms around Darvin and held him while he cried.
ReplyDeleteTalathel was not sure what to do. He felt that Darvin and Nym had gotten close enough over the course of their travels that she wouldbe able to console him. He felt that his presence near Darvin now would be of little use.
ReplyDeleteHe was not sure what to make of this Wizard of Thay. But, having nothing else to do he tried to learn more.
His eyes were cast downward, he could not look at the man. The wizard, for all Talathel knew, did not have any ulterior motives. But, Nym's outburst and threats of violence and Darvin's suicide attempt made him weary. He was suspicious of the wizard. he was not familiar with Thay, he had no bearing.
"You said you detected the work of a dark god? Which god? What do sort of forces do you think we may be dealing with?"
A pause before he continued...
"And how do we know make sure of that before we proceed?"
Could Nym or Darvin (whichever one posts next), please create a new post for your conversation.
ReplyDelete"We thought it might be whatever God is rising in the west; however, when I am certain that whatever dark God is at work here is separate from the dark God in the sword coast." He took a breath. "As for how to make sure of it... I cannot lie right now, so what I am saying is truthful of what I know - but, the creature that we encountered is evidence enough for me."
Beranhond nodded.
Beranhond nodded. "I could do some magic detection if it rears its head again, but what we dealt with was certainly dark magic."
ReplyDelete"I think the bigger question will be what we do next. I am inclined to have this man take us back toward Thay. If it is indeed true that Torm is willing to work with Thay than the world is facing dark times indeed."
ReplyDelete"I think the dark times are already upon us. I also fear that my mission here is at a loss. I do not think the orcs will be much assistance. However, perhaps I could convince your group to return to Thay with me so that I could report? You are worthy allies I am sure the High Mage and Grand-Warden Ceilith could give you more information."
ReplyDeleteTalathel turns to Barenhond. "If we decide to do this, it may be wise to split up. Nym has shown her distrust of Thay and do not think she would take kindly to us going with them."
ReplyDelete"Yes... I suspect that would be like dropping her into a nest of vipers. Does she seem odd to you today?"
ReplyDelete"Very odd. I have only known Nym a short time, but she seems to be quick to anger and violence today. It does not seem normal. Perhaps some time with Darvin will calm her.
ReplyDeleteIt may be best for those two to go back to the Lady Nareth and take a few days to regain their their strength, physically and mentally. Beranhond, you and I may accompany Zalkar back to Thay and find more allies?"
"It reminds me of a time on the ship... I had been asking her about Thay and she responded quite violently." He leaned closer and whispered to Talathel. "Let's not spread this too much, but I think that strange things afoot with her... remember that situation where there was evil on the ship?" Beranhond leaned back.
ReplyDelete"But, I think you are onto a good idea. Darvin is in no shape to handle a place like Thay, so perhaps it is best for us to go ourselves." Aelysin and Lailsan raised their eyebrows in unison.
"Or... perhaps for the four of us to accompany Zalkar."
Zalkar brightened "We have some other forms of transport... so it shouldn't take nearly as long to get to Thay as it would if we walked. Do you and your friends have some way to communicate? Should we set off right away, or would you like to see your friends first?"
ReplyDeleteYes, Kilink has the speaking stones that we always forget about.
For humor...
ReplyDeleteBeranhond suddenly felt quite queezy. Zalkar looked at him confused.
"What is wrong?"
Beranhond looked at him and Talathel. "I feel as if a thousand voices cried out all at once, and were suddenly silenced by a gross display of PDA."
In reality...
"I am not sure how long they will be unavailable." He said thinking of how depressed Darvin had been. "I also worry that Nym might follow along and I think she needs some time to recuperate. Did you see the wounds she had on her arm? It looked as if she had been cut up last night."
As Beranhond spoke, a somewhat tall woman with dark brown hair and dark traveler's garb approached. She walked with a confident stride, with strong, certain steps and an efficiency of movement that suggested experience with long days of travel. She wore a dark navy/purple cloak, with a morningstar on her left hip and a backpack on her back. The bracers she wore were of an interesting design, seeming to be made of dark ivory links that were somehow worked to make them look like chainmail.
ReplyDeleteFinding a hole in the circle of conversation, the woman turned to Beranhond and said, in a lower female voice, "Hello, sir. I believe you are the one they call Beranhond. Is that correct?"
Beranhond turned and narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling slightly cautious.
ReplyDelete"Yes... that is me, what can I do for you?"
"And you are Talathel?" the woman asked.
ReplyDeleteAt his nod, she continued, "The orcs tell me you are going after a dark god that has recently arisen in the west. If that's the case, our missions parallel each other. If your party is amenable, I would wish to travel with you. Many hands make light work, as they say, and I believe we could be useful to each other."
"Oh..." Beranhond said. "We are actually about to head to Thay with our new companion here, but if two of our companions, a half-elf ranger and a half-elf sorceress are planning on returning to the west. You are welcome to travel with them if you can find them - I suspect they are beyond the camp." Beranhond said, somewhat pleased to have someone willing to join Nym and Darvin.
ReplyDelete"I believe I saw them walk away a moment ago." Violet said. "They are Darvin and Nym? Your group is being talked about throughout the camp. There are those that blame you for the attack last night. I would keep an alert eye out, if I were you. Good luck." With that, the woman gave a slight bow to both Beranhond and Talathel and went in search of Darvin and Nym.
ReplyDeleteBeranhond turned back to Zalkar.
ReplyDelete"Let's just gather our gear and head out Zalkar."
The five of them loaded up the supplies they had managed to salvage into backpacks.
"We have a short walk, a quick jump, and then a long walk." Zalkar said as they started to move away from camp.
"Oh, joy." Beranhond said suspecting he knew what Zalkar had in mind.
As Zalkar led them out of camp they passed a steady stream of refugees, travelers, and well wishers. Most of them ignored them; however a few glared their direction.
After a half our of walking they stepped into a flat clearing among the grass.
"OK, are well all set?"
Everyone nodded.
"Right then, hold onto your butts."
He raised his staff and the world lurched.