Subject: A disagreement

"As a matter of fact, Great Stallion, you did. I did not mention it before because it made no difference to the outcome of the race."

Salix is using all his skill at diplomacy.
From: Mark

Subject: A disagreement

L'ton's reaction is immediate and loud "He lies Stallion. He is trying to steal the test from you. You should punish him for this insolence. You should let me punish him for his insolence." L'ton starts to puff up his chest and prance around.

The Stallion turn to Flint "Human druid Flint, how do you propose we settle this disagreement?"

Flint thinks for a moment and then replies "Within my party is a cleric of Heironious. You know of Heironious? We could ask him to judge." L'ton's response is vocal ""I will not be judged by one of the two legged." The Stallion whips around and slaps L'ton sharply across the face. "You will be judged by who I say, for I am Stallion in this valley, not you." L'ton looks at the Stallion, his eyes wide in shame and he bows his head. The Stallion turns back to the party "Cleric of Heironious, come forward." Ragnar comes forward and stands before the bulk of the Stallion. Craning his neck he replies "How may I serve the Stallion of the Herd of the Tree?" "Do you have any blessings that would allow the truth to be known?"
From: Jason

Subject: A disagreement

Ragnar replies, "I do, Stallion. I may ask the aid of Heironeous to create a small area in which no one may knowingly speak a lie. If you wish, I can do so immediately," he concludes, a hint of question in his voice.
From: Porter

Subject: A disagreement

*waits impatiently*
From: Mark

Subject: A disagreement

You are as bad as Scott in 2350.
From: Mark

Subject: Ragnar's reply

The Stallion turns to Salix "Are you willing to do this?" Salix nods yes.The Stallion turns to L'ton "Are you willing to do this?" L'ton's faceblanches at this question. "Well, hm, I...." The Stallion's voice booms out over the clearing "Either you are telling the truth and are willing tosubmit to this or you are not. Which is it?" L'ton shuffles his hooves andducks his body for a few seconds before screaming "Not" and like an arrow he takes off for the forest fringe.

"Let him go" says the Stallion. "Flint, you win the third test. Now is thetime for the fourth test, the Test of Compassion. What shall be the fate ofL'ton for bearing false witness against you?" Flint thinks for a few seconds and then turns "May I talk to my friends first?" The Stallion nods.

Flint motions for the others to circle around "Well, what do you think?"

OODM: Flint is asking everyones opinion.
From: Kevin

Subject: Ragnar's reply

Harp shrugs his shoulders.

"The games being played here are beyond me. I'm not qualified to give advice on this."
From: Porter

Subject: Ragnar's reply

Mund casts his voice so that the centaurs cannot hear. "What would the consequences have been if Salix had been caught bein' a low-down dirty deceiver?"
From: Mark

Subject: Ragnar's reply

Flint whispers back "I'm not really sure. At the least I would have lost the Test and we would not have been able to get the gem you seek. They probably would have herded us back to the waterfall and told us to leave. They probably would not have attacked us, unless we struck first, but they would not have let us hunt or gather or such. Not that that bothers me."
From: Kevin

Subject: Ragnars' reply

OOC: Maybe we can have him join the group. I bet he and Kal would get along famously.

It would add an interest flavor to have a monstrous humanoid as a PC.
From: Porter

Subject: Ragnar's reply

If we're gonna let [i]elves[/i] in, why not?
From: Derek

Subject: Ragnar's reply

Allistair is thinking about potential consequences. "Since this last test is the test of compassion, I would assume you are supposed to show compassion on L'ton. L'ton is proud as the rest of the centaurs are, but not very smart. Being caught in his obvious lie has caused him great shame, and he'll lose face here in the centaur community whether you forgive him or not. If you don't forgive him, he may even be exiled. If you do forgive him he will be able to still live in the community, but he will not forgive you for shaming him. I would then suggest sleeping with one eye open until we're out of this valley."
From: Porter

Subject: Ragnar's reply

"Of course he'll be shamed if you "forgive" him out of the goodness of your bleedin' heart, 'cuz that's like saying that you're right and he's wrong, that you're his judge and he's the judged, that you're his lord and he's your servant."
From: Josh

Subject: Ragnar's reply

"He lied. He should be asked to speak for his actions. Without a good explaination he should be appropriately punished. If his ruse worked we would have not gotten the Gem and that would be a serious victory for our enemy. His pride almost cost us that."
From: Jason

Subject: Ragnar's reply

"I believe the Stallion is far wiser than he first appeared. The herd seems to be well led... I would say whatever penalty they have among their people for such actions should suffice."
From: Mark

Subject: Ragnar's reply

I am sorry this is taking longer than expected. Actually, this was not planned. It is something that just came to me a week or two ago. You know how some writers say that the characters drive them to write things they had not planned. Well this is one of those situations. Until a week or so ago, I did not have any centaurs guarding the Tree.

Such is life. I hope that this is not boring anyone.
From: Derek

Subject: Ragnar's reply

Allistair thinks for a moment and then agrees. "I think you may be right, Mund. He probably has feelings of inadequacy and inferiority, most likely because he cannot stand up to the alpha male. He masks this with an overinflated pride which he is probably not even aware of himself. Simple forgiving him would hurt his pride even more, and may in fact actually be the less compassionate choice. He doesn't want condescending magnanimity. He wants to feel superior, or at least equal. Requiring a difficult price to be paid, or perhaps challenging him to trial by combat, may be the more compassionate choice in his case."