More news, Acer's story, ceremony question
Subject: More news
OOC: Can I assume that since we've now had time to rest, that Ragnar also had time to pray for spells for the day, and has cast restoration on Salix and Ran? Also, storm of vengeance is also on the cleric list, though of course far beyond Ragnar, but could I assume he has a basic idea of what it does? And am I correct in assuming that if they summon earthquakes to knock down all the buildings, that anyone who is then caught outside will almost certainly die?
IC: Ragnar's shock at what he has heard outweighs even his concern for their primary mission. "Stormfather, surely you cannot mean to effect this slaughter! I know that the followers of Obad-hai do not see death in the same way that we do, but surely even you cannot mean to kill so many! I understand your concern, clearly Faldor must mean to do the same to the town that he did to the tribes, but let us then kill Faldor and his acolytes, and spare the town. Surely without his power driving this madness, the town will return to its normal state."
From: Kevin
Subject: More news
I will be out of the office most of the morning doing inspections. I will try to write up something this afternoon.
From: Bryan
Subject: More news
As Surin listens to Jimmy speaking of the horrors he has witnessed and the rescue of Sephira he feels the warm glow of pride in the conduct of the Mockers of the town. He is sure that the irony - the members of the thieves guild becoming the most upright citizens of the town is not lost on the gathering. It's like he's always said - a bit of honest thievery does not make a man evil.
While Surin has no idea what is involved in creating an avatar, it seems obvious from the way that Acer is speaking that it involves Acer leaving at the very least human form, if not this life. While the thief is all for getting rid of Faldor, contemplating the end of the person form whom they've all risked their lives is bittersweet.
OOC: If I missed something character-wise, you'll have to pardon me. I've not had a chance to back-read prior Jimmy/Surin/Upright Man meetings.
From: Mark
Subject: Acer's story
The party members sit on the ground with Acer in front of them. Salix is in the front, concern showing on his face. Ragnar is unable to wait "Stormfather, surely you cannot mean to affect this slaughter! I know that the followers of Obad-Hai do not see death in the same way that we do, but surely even you cannot mean to kill so many! I understand your concern, clearly Faldor must mean to do the same to the town that he did to the tribes, but let us then kill Faldor and his acolytes, and spare the town. Surely without his power driving this madness, the town will return to its normal state."
The old man shakes his head. "I understand how you would feel that way. But that is not the druid way. When a tree has gone rotten, the whole tree must be cut down. When a field has the blight, the whole field is burned. Bodentown is infected. The infection must be excised. I know this. I have felt it to my core. A new town may be rebuilt on top of the ash of the old, but this town must be removed."
Kal speaks up "StormFather, I am no priest, but I know something of the practices of the elves. I recall, dimly, the mention of avatars. It was mentioned in a hushed tone. What does this require of you? Of us?" Salix speaks up as well "Yes, Acer. How can I help?" Acer looks at Kal, his eyes sharp. "An avatar is an earthly incarnation of a god. The exact details vary from god to god, but all have similar limits. They are to be called only in times of greatest need. And the avatars require a body. The Council is going to summon the avatar of Obad-Hai and I will be the physical body. There is one drawback. The body is burnt out by the power of the avatar."
"The gem you seek is in the heart of the WorldTree. Before the ceremony I will tell Flint the location of the gem. He will need to guide you there. Only the head of the Council may take outsiders there, so he will be the one to take you."
Salix speaks up "Master, I wish that you would not do this? With you gone what is to become of me? What should I do?" Acer's face grows soft with compassion for Salix's pain. "Do not worry about me, my son. I have lived a long, useful life and I will end it being of use to our god. What more can a druid ask? However, your future is more complicated. The earth and stone has spoken to me, in my captivity. I have seen some of your future. Someday you will lead the Council. A great conflict is coming. This is just one skirmish in the coming war. One which we are likely to win thanks to you and your efforts and the efforts of your friends."
"Just as the last time, the Paladin's will be in the forefront of the fee peoples fight against this evil. When this ordeal is over today, go to Flint. I have told him that you are ready for Brotherhood. Continue on with your companions. Help them in their quest to gather the rest of the gems. They will need your strength and guidance. Represent the creatures of the woods and nature. Come back in victory and lead the Druids."
OODM: Role playing time.
From: Porter
Subject: Acer's story
OOC: Is it just me, or did Salix just become the protagonist of our story? :)
Does that make Mund the comic relief?
From: Mark
Subject: Acer's story
No but he is a main character. You are all main characters, if you stay with the game long enough. Harp and Ragnar have their own reasons for staying with the party to the end. Hell, Harp may end up as the leader of the Silver Swords.
I am working on ways to make Surin, Mund, Ally and Kal central as well. Kal is sort of taken care of but I would like him to eventually do it because he wants to, not because he was ordered to. This adventure may have made that jump.
I would also like to get to a point where Mund and Ally will do it because they want to. Mund is doing it for friendship right now but I hope that that will change.
From: Josh
Subject: Acer's story
Kal speaks up in defense of Ragnar's statement.
"We must be given time to warn the innocent of the town. Although this is not the druid's way, it is our way." Kal motions toward Ragnar and Harp. "The town is not a tree and it's people are are not leaves. The town is not a field and it's people are not crops. The town is a town and it's people are people. To kill them is natures way, but nature does not discriminate between good and evil. If that's what you wish to do, then leave Faldor alive!"
Kal has built himself up into the rhetorical anger that the rest of the part recognizes from their time in the testing grounds. Everyone is surprised to hear him speak this way, but only the Stormfather seems to be really shocked.
"If on the other hand you wish to ally with us and the side of good, you must act with goodness. Otherwise you taint our own mission. I for one am unable to help you destroy this town unless the people there are given fair warning."
Kal goes silent. The stormfathers face is stolid but Kal realizes the boldness of what he said. "I mean no disrespect father. But I cannot go along with this plan as it stands. I have said this before and I believe it: We cannot surrender the moral high ground in this battle or it will be lost regardless of the outcome."
From: Mark
Subject: Acer's story
"I understand your passion. They have been given warning. The Mocker's have been spreading the word since first light. Flint set that in motion, guessing that this action would come to pass. Faldor is the one who has locked the town down, not us. He has done this so that no "raw materials' would be allowed to escape. The people of the town are dead one way or another. Our way, the clean purging fire, is better than what Faldor has planned."
"You do not have to help. You have already done all that was asked and more. The druids will take this action and it will be on them."
From: Josh
Subject: Acer's story
OOC: Does Kal know how the town is locked down? Is it simply by guards? What time is it now? How long is the trip into town?
From: Mark
Subject: Acer's story
I think I said it was locked down when Jimmy told his story. The town guard had closed the gates and was patrolling the outside on horse back. On foot the trip to town would be half a day at least from here.
From: Josh
Subject: Acer's story
I forget where we stowed our horses away, was it with the druids or back with the silver swords?
Kal has every intention of going into town if he believes it can save even one person.
From: Jason
Subject: Acer's story
"If Faldor has locked the town down, then let us return and overcome the guards. The people are *not* dead either way, because if we succeed Faldor will be dead, and his plans with him."
From: Porter
Subject: Acer's story
Mund looks at Kal dumbfounded. He would have never guessed that from a a racist, genocidal elf like Kal.
"I can understand killin' them to keep Faldor from sacrificing them, but what are you doin' to try to save them first? I agree with the elf -- we can't let 'em die with trying to save 'em."
Mund points a finger at the Stormfather. "I didn't warn my fellow tribesmen about the danger so that we could get you back safely. I did nothing and let them die. I can't let that happen again if there's any chance of saving the townsfolk."
From: Karl
Subject: Acer's story
Lead the council? Lead the druids? How could he do that? He could barely lead the rag-tag group that Quarion had assembled for Angelwing. In fact, he had been looking forward to the end of this quest almost since it began. He knew he was only in charge because obtaining this gem would involve the druids and he was the only druid in the group. Surely when this was over, Ran, or maybe Harp or Ragnar would be in charge of the group for the next gem. Salix just wanted to go back to being one of the team. Well, really, he just wanted to go back to being one of the *Druids*. His heart longed for a lengthy stretch alone in some remote part of the Great North Woods, with just flora and fauna to attend to.
"I'm no leader," is all he says to the Stormfather. "Ask anyone here."
"My heart wants to follow. I would follow you in this last journey were it possible," Salix continues, fighting to keep composure, his voice just starting to crack. "But failing that, I will follow Mountainfather Flint as head of the council, as you so instruct."
From: Kevin
Subject: Acer's story
OOC: Congratulations, gentlemen, I think you have completely screwed up my brother's plans for a simple resolution to this story. I want to see him work his way out of this.
From: Kevin
Subject: Acer's story
Harp listens to Acer's story, but his mind is not really on it. His thoughts are focusing on the young 1/2 orc girl he had just seen again, beyond any hopes that he ever would do so again. Thanga!! She had made it out with Jimmy. But he had said that she worked for the Mockers, as a "hostess". Had he just been a job for her??? Work?? He had thought they had connected, but it had been for such a short time frame. He had to talk to her.... but not now. There was still much going on, and he had to keep abreast of it.
Harp hears Acer's plan of summoning the avatar of Obad-Hai. He had heard of such things before, but thought them stories. But, to use that power to destroy the whole town, good and bad alike?? Could he allow that?? Was that right?? Why, if Thanga had not snuck out with Jimmy, she would have been caught in there like all the rest, and she was not evil.
"Stormfather, is there no way to destroy the town without killling everyone in the town? Couldn't you blast open the gates, and then start blowing things up from the Mayors house outward? That way, some of the populace could overrun the guards and escape to whatever awaits them outside of town".
From: Karl
Subject: Acer's story
Only the protagonist of *his* story. ;-)
Actually, I read it as an answer to concerns Salix asked. The current gem quest is only one leg of the overall story. After this, Salix is just one of the guys.
From: Mark
Subject: Acer's story
Yeah maybe I was not clear.
Salix was not told to lead the party but to journey with them. Acer is making Flint the head of the Council. He is also predicting that Salix will one day lead the Council. Assuming he lives. :)
From: Mark
Subject: Acer's story
Acer looks confused. He turns to Salix "You know your friends better than I do? Do you want to attempt this? You and they have barely rested? It is hours on foot to the town and I am sure Faldor is already on his way there. The work of the council must not be delayed, or the taint may spread."
From: Mark
Subject: Acer's story
"The town is just wood and bricks and stone. It is not evil. It is the people in it who are evil. From your time there, how much good did you see? Even the best of them tolerated unspeakable evil because they gained from it. You Mund" Acer says, turning to the barbarian "would you want to live there? Would you trust those you met? Even you, from the wild reaches of the Northlands have more honor than most people in that town. Do not be mislead thinking that the evil was in Boddentown becuase of Faldor. Faldor picked the town becuase it was evil. Slavery and oppression were it currency long before Faldor showed up. He just gave it a new direction."
From: Porter
Subject: Acer's story
Mund hadn't understood that Faldor was already on his way to harvest Bodentown. If only they had more time!
Acer had a good point -- there's no way that Mund would choose to live in Bodentown, but he still doesn't like how willing the druids are to pass judgment on others.
Mund tries not to think of how much the old man's other comments are probably responsible for Mund's decreased enthusiasm. He doesn't want to think that he may be afraid, that he may be a coward.
From: Randy
Subject: Acer's story
Ran finds himself shocked at Kal's words. When had this change come over him? It wasn't so long ago that he had been willing to kill without considering a possible unknown good. From the evidence they had, there was less good in Boddentown than there had been in any random encounter with an orc.
"I agree that it is not right to destroy when there may be some innocents, even if I doubt the presence of much of the sort in this foul town. I don't know how much we can do in our current state though. The Mockers have spread the word and I doubt we can do much more to help those who may desire it. I will follow your lead Salix, you do not give yourself enough credit for your skills in that role."
OOC: Mark, did you ever answer whether Ragnar had been able to restore Ran and Salix? If not, how long from now until that is possible?
From: Mark
Subject: Acer's story
He thinks he can but he would need to pray for an hour to regain his spells for the day.
None of the divine casters have spent time praying. You all got a few hours sleep. Not enough for the arcane casters to get their spells back and not enough to get any healing.
From: Jason
Subject: Acer's story
"For every person that tolerated slavery or oppression for personal gain, there is someone else who was enslaved or oppressed, and these are the ones who will have no chance to leave even if they wish. Not everyone in the town chose evil, and not all those who chose evil deserve death."
From: Mark
Subject: Acer's story
"Don't patronize me with that. We druids have had to deal with Bodentown for decades. You civilized people run off those you don't want and they end up here. There may be a few innocents but they are few and far between. Even the Upright Man did not do what he did for the good of all. He was just upset that Faldor changed the rules on him. He wanted the old way back."
Acer draws himself up "No, I think the decision will stand. I do not ask your permission, for I do not need it. I do not ask for your blessing, for I do not expect it. I do not ask for your understanding, for you do not understand the situation as I do. I do not take any joy in this but the rot of Bodentown must be cleansed. The druids thank you for your help. I thank you for your help. You are welcome in the lands of the druids but we will deal with this problem as we see fit. If you need, take solice in this. I am sentencing myself to essentially the same end as those in Bodentown."
From: Jason
Subject: Acer's story
Ragnar nods his head sadly, saying "I never expected you to ask our permission, and I certainly do not find pleasure in the sacrifice you are about to make. If you'll excuse me, I am late in my devotions and keenly feel the need to commune with my patron deity."
(Assuming no problems with this,) Ragnar will look for a secluded place he can meditate and pray.
From: Mark
Subject: Ceremony question
Who wants to be at the Council Circle Ceremony when they summon the Avatar and combine to destroy Bodentown and the Mayor's Estate?
A show of hands please?
From: Josh
Subject: Ceremony question
What does "being at the ceremony" mean? If it's supportive of the action in any substansive way Kal won't be there. Otherwise I'm not sure yet.
From: Mark
Subject: Ceremony question
It is where the council will join together to "cast" mega spells.
In case you have not noticed, I have used an adaptation of circle magic. For divine casters in particular, a group of them can get together and combine their power to cast spells they normall could not and/or cast spells they can at a much higher power/range. It is not normally done as I have added drawbacks based on power level of the spell etc.
For example, no druid present could have cast the regeneration spell used on Acer. Togther they could but it wiped a bunch of them out for a long time.
The same thing will happen here, but since they have to do three things it will likely be worse.
From: Mark
Subject: Ceremony question
Oh it does not require participation from most any one as you are not druids. Salix may join in, but there may be consequences.
It is mainly observational.
From: Josh
Subject: Ceremony question
Kal will go along to watch. He's always been interested in the arcane and the divine.
From: Kevin
Subject: Ceremony question
Harp will go if given the chance. He would also like to get a time to see Thanga if possible.
From: Karl
Subject: Ceremony question
Salix definitely wants to be part of all things druid. He'd feel slighted being left out at this point seeing as he and his party did what no one else in the community would.
From: Mark
Subject: Ceremony question
Salix should be getting the impression that they think he has done enough and that they hesitate to ask for more. The other druids have been treating him with a certain level of awe, even the Brothers and Sisters, who are considered a "level" above wealward.
Although it is expected that Salix will be promoted to Brother because of this service.
From: Karl
Subject: Ceremony question
Salix doesn't have any experience with this. If he is asked, he will join in. If he is told he is not ready to take part, he will understand. He wants to be present. He does not have to actually participate and wouldn't feel left out.
And personally, he has no reservations about what the council has decided.
From: Porter
Subject: Ceremony question
Mund and Allistair want to see it happen.