Fireside Chatting, Healing
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
Mission spreads his palms wide. "I don't know what she has become. I can tell you she was a well respected and powerful Sister on the Path of Blood and Stone."
He rubs his chest. "She hasn't lost her touch, apparently."
So, here must his shame be revealed. The Path is not soft, nor is it straight. "Anileth. . . her true name is Penance. She was my tutor on the Path, and forty years my senior. She was not an easy person to work with. I doubt very much she wanted to be saddled with a nine year old apprentice at that time in her life.
"Her bitterness grew as I did. She used magery," his eyes flick briefly toward Sa'id and Farron, "to change form. To Anileth. She betrayed the covenants of the Path to gain the power to shapeshift. As Anileth, she came to me. I. . . lusted after her."
"The Path of Blood and Stone forbids such things. I betrayed my devotion for my. . .love to Anileth. Penance reported my betrayal to my father, and I was to be cast out of the Path."
He shudders. Pathless. Sand-taken. And at the time he had not cared. "But Blood and Stone are wise. Penance's deception was revealed, as was the fact that she carried my child. Penance did not trust the Path; she escaped before it could grant judgement. I was judged unworthy, but redeemable-- and tasked with finding my child."
He cracks his neck now, his eyes weary, defensive. "And so here we are."
From: Karl
Subject: Fireside chatting
Farron listens to the various conversations as the evening progresses. During Mission's story, he looks unblinkingly at the monk while he speak of his deception and disgrace. So it is likely that Mission caught his stare as the monk was making yet another disparaging comment about his chosen profession. Farron certainly caught the glance which showed that he and Sa'id were clearly included in the monk's contempt. The story at another time, or perhaps from another person, would normally stir up strong emotion from Farron, but the feelings of frustration and anger that he feels now muffle any real sympathy or genuine concern.
In fact, he's pretty sick and tired of the general lack of respect. He and Sa'id have pulled their weight tonight and are the least of the group to blame for fiasco borne largely of Cadfael poking into a hornets nest and Garyth kicking it open. So he doesn't even try not to be over-heard when he says to Sa'id, "So if we take a lesson from their followers, we see that 'the path' teaches bitterness and contempt for would-be allies, and that Pelor teaches self-righteousness and the hubris to sit in self-appointed judgement. *This* is why I am content to walk largely unaligned."
(OOC - Ty, I'm sure we thought to bring a first-aid kit, right? If not, Farron will do the following with whatever he can find on hand.) "I have some bit of training in healing arts," he continues, still speaking as if only to Sa'id but not careing who else hears. (4 skill levels in Heal) "And the time for healing is now, not when we're in the middle of another attack. I'd hate to see you die for the sake of a Sunday School lesson." He gathers bandages, or tries to make them out of whatever is on hand -- a bedsheet, if necessary (sorry Gully), and proceeds to give what assistance he can first to Sa'id, then to Gully who got some first-aid from Garyth earlier (Ty, are these ministrations stackable?), then finally to himself, wrapping his own bloodied forearms with bandages. Once finished, he says quietly, "Does anyone else require anything I can offer?" If not, he returns to his corner to confer on tomorrows spells with Sa'id.
(Ty - Can we get a HP status on the group as it stands after these ministrations?)
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Fireside chatting
Mission has no idea why Farron would choose to berate Cadfael and Pelor, but his ears burn at Farron's words against the Path.
He answers slowly, his voice measured and even. Practiced. "I don't love magery, Farron. But I defended you from the giant spider. And I defended, as best I could, Sa'id from the skeletons and the halfling shaman. Is this contempt and bitterness? If so, I wish all the world were afflicted with it."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Fireside chatting
"We're all appreciative of your talents, Mission. But before you ask one of us to bow before you and praise your name, you might note that if it weren't for the rest of us *you'd* be dead right now, as well. Yet we can offer our skills and assistance without maligning your chosen profession at every opportunity.
"It's too bad that you have had to deal with evil people. Too bad that she used a power you couldn't match or defend against to harm you. But if she punched me in the chest and I lived to think about it, should I then hate all monks, and judge *you* by her actions?
"You've lived too long inside your dark and angry heart, my friend. Maybe it's time to come up for a breath of fresh air. You may yet find you have a friend or two."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Fireside chatting
Mission is bewildered. When had he said anything against Farron or Sa'id? It was true that Sa'id had noticed his aversion to magery, but he had done NOTHING to warrant this kind of . . . abuse.
"There is darkness in every heart, and anger as well," he replies plainly. He does not point out that of the two of them, Farron is the one spitting insults. "And yet my promise stands for every one of you-- I will defend you all."
As long as you don't get in the way of my redemption. He does not say this either, and it suprises him that he even thinks it. But it is true. The oath made on the Mossground would let him do none else. He would not betray the Path again.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Fireside chatting
(ooc-Hmmm. Maybe I'm playing against unspoken thoughts. If so, big-time oops. But I could have sworn some of those comments were expressed. Maybe it was just from OOC joking. So, if indeed there is no logical reason for Farron to know this contempt for mages, please please please everyone just ignore the outburst as directed at Mission, though you can keep the comments directed at Cadfael, though with less venom. And Farron will offer first-aid to Mission along with the others)
(Boy, and Mike thought *he* made an RPG goof.)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Fireside chatting
Rennik had spoken wearily to Cadfael's back, even as he walked away, knowing the words fell on deaf ears. He knew rage, lived it every day, and could see that Cadfael's was directed as much at something else as the group. Possibly himself, possibly his past, but the rage was born elsewhere and only took new root tonight. There was some purity in anger, some measure of healing, and it burned just as fiercely as Pelor's gifts.
He let Cadfael stew in his anger and spite. His thoughts were justified, if not well thought out. Just as Rennik thought it a fantasy that aid could have reached his battle with Horan, Sa'id thought it just as much of a fantasy to stay in the lodge. He had not thought of the weavings of wizards, and the damage they could inflict on the building. It was one of the many reasons he mistrusted mages, their standing at a distance and raining unnatural destruction from afar.
He stood as the fire began to rage and dragged his axe behind him to sit a ways from the fire, off to the side from Cadfael. Sitting with legs crossed, he placed his axe before him, hands crossed on his lap, and stared into the chaos of the fire. He wondered if Horan's poison slowly wore at his soul as the flames did at the burning wood.
His mind turned to Mielikki, to the forces of nature and the wood, to the energy released by the now dead tree once again into the air. He focused his mind on the uneasiness in his stomach as the poison of the belladonna gnawed at him, picturing the plant's oils burning Horan's curse from him.
Listening to discussion absently and mostly without intervention, he finally turns to Farron, his face pale from the poison in his system.
"Friend Farron, I thank you for your aid today against my foeman. It was unexpected and unasked for, but it kept Horan offbalance for the better part of a second. It seems that was enough."
"But your words should be directed at me, not Friend Mission. As much as you aided me, it taints the victory. I admit I do not trust your magics. I do not trust any magics. They are unnatural. They twist nature's energies to man's unworthy will. Crushed powders, scribbled words, gems stolen from the wilds... all used to corrupt the normal flow of the world.
"We are not meant to control nature, but to live in it, with it. I have no hatred of you, but I cannot say the same for your art. My people teach that it is a perversion, stolen power from the gods and nature, used without reverence for either."
He casts a sidelong glance at Cadfael's back and continues.
"Clerics and Druids have respect for the gods and nature. They ask for aid and guidance from greater forces, and through their humility are granted aid. Druids are to be respected for their connection and understanding of nature, and their ability to commune with this greater power. Clerics are to be respected for their connection to the gods, the true greater powers who govern nature and the energies of the world. Not only do they ask the gods for aid and guidance, but they receive answers. If for nothing else, this is worthy of reverence."
"Mages have no such respect for the source of their power. They steal from nature the componenets for their weavings, destroying bits of the world and raping them of their power. They weave words and movements to wrench their own effects from the energies of the world, and trust to paper and mind over worship and spirit."
"Those are the teachings of my people. Halfings who choose your path are cast out to find their own way in the world, or to die alone in the wilds they have forsaken under the eyes of the gods they have offended."
Rennik looks from Farron to Sa'id and back again.
"It is the way of humans to force the world to their will. Long have we mistrusted them for this, and long have we stayed in the forests. I mean not to speak ill of either of you, and I have found some kinship with you both. But don't ask me to respect your works, for I cannot.
"You spoke of the destruction of this lodge by such magics. Such a thought did not enter my head, for I do not meddle in those affairs. Yet, it gives me more reason to mistrust your craft. And more reason to mistrust those who study it."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Fireside chatting
OOC:
Just so's you know, that italicized stuff was Sa'id's internal monologue. He didn't say anything aloud.
There seems to be a bit of a mix-up with regard to who said what versus who thought what, so when I send out my next reply (probably in ten or fifteen minutes) I'll act as though nobody has said anything that was based purely on something that was in an internal monologue. So I'll pretend Farron wasn't quite so hard on Mission (though that wouldn't really have affected Sa'id's response anyway), and that Rennik didn't mention how dumb Sa'id thinks it was to stay in the lodge. Everything else I'll respond to -- not that Sa'id has a much to say to anyone right now.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Fireside chatting
"Shuk'ran," Sa'id says softly to Farron as the other wizard binds his wounds. "I appreciate your help."
He listens intently to Mission, absorbing every single word, integrating it into the logical progression of his thoughts, nodding absently as some of his internal conjectures are confirmed. The child is Mission's by love and seed, not through some sort of direct witchcraft. This is important. Anileth means to sacrifice the child to her new god. This is important. What troubles him is the connection between Anileth, Horan, Elise and the "black pillar." Anileth and Elise could be one and the same, but I still lack information, Sa'id thinks. However, he brushes his frustration aside as Rennik begins to speak. Again, he listens, though he is more than a little weary with the others' distrust of his chosen vocation. Finally, his frustration overcomes his fatigue, and he speaks, using curt, clipped language. His accent is pronounced.
"Even a garden is attempt to 'control' nature. Construction of the crudest hut uses materials 'stolen' from nature. Life impacts nature. Wizardry is a craft, like carpentry or seamanship, and a wizard 'steals' far less from nature than a mason who builds an aqueduct or a house. Your mistrust is misplaced. The archer who shoots arrows and the wizard who conjures fire are not so different." He pauses. "Fickle gods bestow gifts as they see fit. Some receive them and others... do not. Wizardry, at least, is fair." Sa'id looks like he wants to continue, but instead he touches his forehead with one hand, drawing a circle in the sign of Pelor, and falls silent. His face darkens, and he seems to retreat into himself.
From: Ty
Subject: Fireside chatting
Through all of this, Gully sits wide eyed, listening to the conversation and occasional disputes. He will continue to refill the glass of any who wish it, and drinks quite a lot on his own. The room becomes very hot, as the fire rages and all seven of you, and eight wolves, are crammed into the single large room.
"Forgive me if I speak out of turn, good sirs," Gully is clearly somewhat in awe of the group now. "But it seems to me that without any one of you, we would have all fallen this day. I was a soldier once. I tracked for the Blood Falcon Regiment out of Nesalin, under Captain Descanto. Sometimes we had wizards and such with us, and though I never understood their ways, I was always glad for the help. If there is to be fire raining from the sky, I want it raining on the other man, so to speak."
"And those wizards I traveled with were not the equal of these two men. Not one of them would have lifted a finger to save a lowborn trader like myself. Nor would they have dirtied their hands bandaging the wounded." He turns to Sa'id, "Nor would they have hidden a purse full of money as recompense for damages they didn't even cause."
"I guess I'm saying, by my view, these two are good men. Either would be welcomed in my house at any time. As would the rest of you. If times are black enough that pregnant zombies summon the skeleton hordes to attack innkeeps, then they are black enough without fighting over the best way to kill those bone walkers, be it axe, magic, or god's grace. Enough that they are killed at all."
He sits back and drains off his glass, appearing surprised at himself for speaking up like that.
From: Ty
Subject: Fireside Healing
As Farron works to bandage up the wounds on his own arms, Gully moves to one of the many boxes in the room, and removes a small kit with various healing items in it. He says to Farron, "I have some skill with healing as well. Perhaps we can work together to patch up your friends, eh?" He then takes the bandages from Farron's hands, and uses them and some poultices to bandage up the wizard's gouged forearms.
He then aids Farron in bandaging up everyone else's wounds, including putting together a sling for Sa'id's arm, so that his shoulder is kept immobile.
[Heal rolls 11 12, 16, 15, 17 +2 kit +2 for helper +level 4 skill = 19, 20, 24, 23, 25; Farron is a spectacular healer. Each party will received double the normal healing for this nights rest.
| Current | After a nights rest | |
| Farron | 25/20 | 25 |
| Garyth | 43/32 | 42 |
| Mission | 32/18 | 28 |
| Rennik | 47/28 | 38 |
| Sa'id | 20/8 | 18 |
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Fireside Healing
(OOC: D'oh. My bad. I think part of the reason is because many of the emails are 95% thought and only 5% speech. It's as if we have a 3rd person omniscient narrator who can see into all minds, rather than limited one who only shows certain snippets.
While I think it's cool that people are putting so much into the inner strife of their characters, maybe some of it is better left unsaid? I'm gonna try to limit my own internal monologues from now on. I'll attempt to convey Rennik's body language, facial expressions, even unspoken thoughts when they are obvious and being directed at someone.
This is one of the dangers of online RPing... in person, no one speaks out their internal monologues... they describe their actions and speech. While email offers better depth of description and possibility of thinking through your actions, it seems to lead us to describing for the group quite a bit that they'd never perceive directly.
I'll try to read more closely, and write a little more carefully from now on.)
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Fireside Healing
Or, clearly mark internal monologue with italics. That helps too.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Fireside Healing
OOC:
I've actually been working to increase my internal monologue quotient, because I find Mission's internal monologue works very well. I can cut back again if it's a problem.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Fireside Healing
OOC:
Mine were marked with italics, and the Cowster still misinterpreted it, so maybe some sort of character, like
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Fireside Healing
Rennik expresses mild surprise at Gully's words, his brow furrowing as he thinks back on his words.
"I did not mean to be insulting to either of you, Friends Sa'id and Farron. It is true that without you, this day may have been our last. Magics are not without their uses, though they are still distasteful. I was glad today to have you both at my side, and I will try to see some purity in your ways. It will be a hard road, but one I will try to walk."
With that, he turns back to gaze into the fire and falls silent.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Fireside Healing
Yes, but as I told Matt, he is a goober, and the normal rules don't apply for him. He rides to the game threads on the special bus. :)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Fireside Healing
:-D
Can everyone see these italics?
...people using web interfaces -- (cough) DAN (cough) -- might not be able to.
:-P
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Fireside Healing
Mea culpa. I didn't respond to the email immediately after I read it, and didn't remember that it really only had two lines of actual spoken dialogue. As I told Ty, I'll need to retrain my reading a bit... while I ride home on the short yellow bus.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Fireside Healing
Generally, when Mission says something out loud, I enclose it in quotes: "Like so."
:)
I understand the confusion, but I really enjoy doing the internal dialogue. . .
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Fireside Healing
Heh heh.
You mean to say that Mission is schizophrenic?
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Fireside Healing
I just need to be more careful. I read emails, then do something else, then respond. I remember the content, but not that only maybe ten words of it were between quotation marks. Part of me wants to not read any of it, while the other part wants to read it all.
That first part is the purist gamer who doesn't want to know anything that Rennik doesn't hear or see, the second part is the writer who just thinks is really cool. :)
I'll just have to be more meticulous when I'm writing my responses, going back to check on things to make sure they were spoken out loud.