New Year
Subject: New Year
Happy new year, everyone!
Let's go pummel Tom!
New Turn On Monday
Subject: Re: New Year
Happy New Year!!
Let's get this thing a'rollin'!!
From: Raja
Subject: Re: New Year
My internet access will be spotty for at least the first little while next week, but I'll still be able to check at least once per day.
See, my computer at school kind of stopped booting. :(
From: Ty
Subject: Re: New Year
New turn by Monday afternoon.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: New Year
Great to hear that there'll be a new turn by Monday afternoon but I don't think I'm going to be there to get it. I'm still between computers since blowing my old motherboard and I don't know when the new one is coming in (certainly not until I order it. Shut up Raja). Anyway, I have to suffer through 2 1/2 days of ridiculous WHMIS etc. training first thing next week so I probably won't be online until I'm back in the office Wednesday afternoon.
I'll try to get to a public library at some point during the first half of the week so I'll likely get one reply out. Don't think my absence means you can get lazy, Ty. ;)
More Chat
Subject: Re: New Year
That's okay, I'll take over for him: "Cadfael screams a primal rage and starts gnawing on Garyth's leg"... um, no, probably wouldn't work out.
Happy New Year, everybody. It'll be nice to have this regular again.
Matt
Monday Comes And Goes
Subject: Re: New Year
Cadfael screams a primal rage and starts gnawing on Garyth's leg.
Oh. Is the game not up and running yet? Ah well. Disregard that last bit.
Delay of Game
Subject: Re: New Year
:mutter, mumble, moan:
You okay, Ty?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: New Year
Sorry guys, we had a storm here. I have been at home for the last two days (all my game stuff is on my work computer). It may be a few more days.
A Little Confused Banter
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; what, it wasn't a big enough mess alrea dy?
OOC: I need to change some of my character's actions. . .
Instead of attacking the thieves, Sa'id will slaughter the defenseless Garth, thus proving himself to be a despicable madman bent on chaotic destruction.
OOC musing: Hmm. Something's wrong about that. . . I am playing Sa'id right? The monk-hating feral halfling fighter? I don't remember. . .
:p
The Triumphant Return, The Gingerbread Men, Bedding Down for the Night
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; what, it wasn't a big enough mess alrea dy?
Who are you and why do you keep sending me this stuff ???
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; what, it wasn't a big enough mess alrea dy?
Oh, right. I remember now. Nevermind.
From: Ty
Subject: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
There is a brief moment of stunned silence as the two slippery thieves hurtle out the tower doorway. Garyth is the first move, and shouts "Dammit" as he follows them out the door. Mission is not more than a step behind, with Cadfael bringing up a distant third.
Once outside the tower, Garyth and Mission see the two thieves running like the wind to the surrounding forest. They are in the trees in seconds, and in the darkness they vanish like ghosts. Garyth and Mission stop to listen for sounds of running, but all they hear is the metal clanking of Cadfael rushing up behind them.
Mission turns around and places a finger on his lips. Cadfael stops immediately, and all three remain silent as they listen for sounds of running in the woods. It is totally silent. Cadfael says, "I never heard the one that ambushed me. These men know how to move quietly."
[respond with moves based on this round. You saw where the thieves went into the woods, but they disappeared as soon as they hit the trees. You can hear nothing at this point. Those inside can take moves as well, if they wish.]
PS
I hate my life in December and January in this business. I really do.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
Farron, not particularly wanting to go traipsing off into the dark, snake-infested jungle, will start gathering magic items, including (and especially) the mage's spellbook and the pouch of pearls and put them into his own pack. "If we're going to spend the night here, perhaps someone will want to cast an alarm spell or something? Those guys might be back," he says to whoever is listening.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
Garyth runs right up to the place where the thieves disappeared into the brush. He pauses for a moment, his brow furrowed, then he wades in and starts searching for them.
[OOC: As I said before, if he finds either of them he will grapple and attempt to pin.]
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
OOC: Ty, did Mission find any weapons or any sundry items when he searched the thieves earlier?
Mission feels his heart sink as the men disappear into the woods.
"Garyth!" he calls. "Come back. We're in no shape to go tearing into these woods after them."
Mission will head back into the tower.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
Mission had already taken the thieves short swords after the fight. When he searched them again, he didn't find anything else. Of course, now that he thinks about it, that does seem a little odd...
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
Why would the thieves have only weapons? Where were their supplies, provisions. . .?
Mission feels a tightening dread in his stomach.
OOC: Does Mission see any supplies in the tower? Anything to indicate that these men were out on a journey, and not, as Mission suspects, scouts for the Black Pillar?
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
Garyth freezes as he hears Mission's words. What is he doing? Only a complete fool would tramp about in a dark forest looking for a pair of escape artists armed with who knows what. The woods all of a sudden seem to press in about him, and he is keenly aware of every sound in the night. Cautiously, he backs toward the clearing, then turns and walks quickly to the tower.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
Well, the thieves did leave their packs and bedrolls in the tower. But, it is odd that they would only have the short swords as weapons. Most thieves will have a backup weapon or two, and those were not found.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
Were they wearing any armor?
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
OOC: Okay, I know that Ty is trying to give me some type of clue here, but I'm oblivious. Any ideas?
Mission represses the urge to kick Garth's still-prone body. Sand take them, theives and idiots. And wizards. Farron is busily, greedily stuffing his pack with the magery taken off the dead wizard. Mission turns away from the sight, disgusted.
Finlan. Cale had given him a name. Cale and Spurt and Garth and dead Finlan. Were they the names of Anileth's kind? Worshippers of her dark god?
Mission turns to Cadfael, "If those two come back, it won't be alone. I wouldn't be suprised at all to see Leggy Dame in their company-- and I'd prefer to meet her at my hale and hearty best. Best foot forward, and all that. Will you ask Pelor for a bit more aid for me?"
From: Tom
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
> Finlan. Cale had given him a name.
Just to clarify, Cale never DID give Finlan a name. :) As far as I know, the name "Finlan" only started being used because it was listed in the initiative order.
Tom
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
This is true. No one ever said the name Finlan.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
Grr. I'll be more careful of my RP'ing next go round. Sorry.
I'm a bit rusty. . .
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
OOC: See what happens? Strike while the iron's hot, Rennik always says. Or when it's heating up. Or when you first see it. Or when you catch word that there might be an iron in the near vicinity. Or when you hear a word beginning with the letter "i"...
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
OOC -- I hadn't really thought of this before, but with the loss of my computer I don't have things like my spell list or, well, my character sheet. I'm sure I have a backup somewhere but I haven't finished unpacking since moving to T.O. I'm casting what spells I remember having, Ty, if I've done gone and made a mistake let me know.
Cadfael watches coldly as the men vanish into the trees and heads back within the tower before Mission has time to call Garyth back.
He stiffly goes over Garth, making sure he is still stable and has not taken a turn for the worse during the past conversation. Satisfied that all is well with him he gathers the remains of the rope that once held him and proceeds to do his best to tightly bind Garth's wrists and ankles (Untrained).
He offers Mission his best attempt at a smile and says, somewhat awkwardly, "Yes, Mission. I had thought to do it sooner but I suppose things came up, didn't they? I'd warn you that this may hurt, but I suppose you're well aware of that, aren't you? (casts cure serious wounds at the expense of prayer) And Mission, I have not forgotten my promise to you, in the morning I will pray and ask for Pelor's guidance with respect to your dreams. I'm sure an answer will come to me soon."
Cadfael's eyes drift toward the tower's door and once again he seems to be looking at nothing but stands idly scratching one hand while lost in thought. He quickly returns to the present as Garyth crosses his vision and enters the tower. Setting his shoulders he goes to meet him in the doorway.
"Garyth, you're still holding your side." Without waiting for an answer he lays his palm on Garyth's wound and casts another cure serious wounds (at the expense of magic circle against evil). Considering the conversation closed Cadfael walks toward the center of the group.
"Cast whatever spell you have for the night, Farron. But get some rest as soon as you can, it will be morning before you know it. I don't know how much danger we can expect from two naked men in the dark, although, perhaps it isn't them that we should fear so much as it is their friends. Mission, when you went through their gear did you notice something small such as a pin; something that they could have used to introduce a poison without drawing much blood? If not they must still be carrying them."
"No matter, I doubt they'll be back soon. Garyth, take the first watch. I doubt you'd sleep now if you could, what with just happened. Take some time to sort it out now, but be finished with it by morning. We won't have the luxury of fighting over what happened then, when Garth wakes up. We can't have him playing us against each other in the same manner Cale just did. Mission, you take the second watch and wake me in time for the third. I'll wake Farron and Sa'id before the sun rises and they can watch the entrance while I'm in prayer. We'll wake the two of you when I'm done to give a few more moments rest. We'll all need every minute of sleep we can get; there may be more long nights to come. Once we're all awake I'll cast my spell of truth and talk to Garth. Hopefully then we'll figure this mess out once and for all."
If nobody has anything to say otherwise, Cadfael will begin stripping off his armour, each piece clanging to the stone floor and echoing through the night.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
Mission nods, grateful for Cadfael's assistance. "They didn't have anything but their short swords. I didn't even find the poison they used on you, Cadfael. Odd that such men had nothing but their swords on them, don't you think? Not even a dagger."
He sucks in a breath, and winces. "Sand take them. Or Rennick, if he's still hanging about. I'm not particular, at this point."
After Cadfael heals him, Mission will spend some time sorting carefully through the remaining packs, bedrolls, and the interior of the tower. He'll bed down until his watch.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
Hearing the commotion outside, Sa'id halts his incantation of Light. Other than moving aside to allow Mission back into the tower, he takes no action and no words pass his lips. Sa'id's anger ebbs, and he draws in a deep breath before sighing. He feels somehow empty, as though his soul has lost its mooring in his body and is drifting away.
Wordlessly he moves to one side of the tower and beds down for the night.
[OOC: I too am currently computerless. However, I should hopefully have purchased a brand spankin' new computer by the end of next week. Then I'll extract the hard drive from my defunct machine and pop it in the new one, at which time I'll have all of my data back. At least, that's the theory.]
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
Garyth accepts the first watch without a word. He takes up a position near the door and waits, reflecting on the encounter.
Finishing Up The Night, The Morning After
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
Good to know Farron isn't the only psychic in the group. ;-)
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
Incidentally, "Strike while the iron's hot" does not refer to "an iron" but to iron ore in general.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Cleaning up the mess; the gingerbread men
"I don't have anything to cast on the tower. I thought maybe someone else might be able to cast Alarm or something. If not the watchman on duty will just have to be particularly alert, I guess," Farron replies to Cadfael.
Farron will attempt to retrieve the dart that missed and then go to bed.
From: Ty
Subject: Alone in the dark
[Cadfael heals Mission for 14, heals Garyth for 17]
The warmth of Pelor is uncomfortable, but there is no denying its efficacy. Mission feels almost as good as he did prior to being hacked up here in the tower. Garyth, on the other hand, continues to look pale and grip his wounded side, even after the healing prayer takes affect. Cadfael pulls open his armor, and looks with concern at the still open and weeping wound. "This concerns me, Garyth." The priest says. "It is not a normal wound. There is fell magic at work here. I do have prayers to counter such, but will need to wait for morning before I can use them." [A lesser restoration spell would counter the Constitution damage Garyth has taken]
After the healing, Mission begins rooting through the packs and bedrolls the thieves left behind. The packs contain several days worth of food and other provisions, two 20 foot lengths of rope, two good quality sets of tools and lockpicks, and 6 potions (4 clear, 2 muddy brown in color). There is nothing else of note. Most notably absent though, is the poison used on Cadfael, and the tiny weapon used to administer it to his neck. It is probable that Cale still has these on his person, and was able to hide them somehow.
Farron finishes taking all of the enemy mage's belongings, and stuffs them into his pack. If anyone gives him a dour look for his mercenary pragmatism, he pretends not to see it.
When all is quiet, Garyth moves to the doorway to keep watch, one hand on his weapon, the other on his leaking side. The rest of the group settles in to sleep, though with the two thieves, and the Gods know what else, lurking in the dark outside the tower it is difficult to find peace.
When everyone is awake the following morning, and no one has had their throat cut, it comes as a bit of a pleasant surprise.
[I need new spell lists from Cadfael, Sa'id, and Farron. Also, gimme the actions for the morning, and the plan for the day.]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Addendum:
Garth too is awake, and sits quietly with his hands tied. The last man on watch stands behind him, keeping an eye on him. Sometime during the night, Garth's wounds turned into a mass of scabs and bruises, and he is nearly unrecognizable in the morning light. His bruised face makes his expression unreadable, but his eyes are dark with hatred, and the muscles in his neck stand out like cords.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
OOC: Garth, I'll bet, has a high enough constitution to regenerate.
And HP? I count that Mission is at 21, now, correct? What about levelling? How close are we after wiping the floor with these four yahoos?
Mission will wait for Cadfael to cast his spells on Garth.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
This brings up an interesting dilemma for me. I need to figure out how I am going to calculate XP, if any. You won the fight, surely, but did you do the right thing according to your stated personal beliefs? Tricky to sort out...
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Garyth awakens slowly, blinking at the sunlight piercing his eyes. He starts to get up and winces, clutching at the wound in his side. Slowly, he rises to a sitting position and looks around.
The harsh light of the morning has done little to improve the scene. No, it has put their actions into stark relief. The ground is stained with the blood of these strangers. Garyth glances toward the back of the tower. Yes, the mage's broken body still lay unceremoniously atop the rubble.
Garyth closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, savoring the pain in his side as he does so. It is right that he should have this pain. A small penance for his crimes. A little reminder. It is not enough--no, this trifle never could be--but what would? Will anything ever remove this stain from his soul? No. Nothing can change the fact of his guilt.
For a moment, his own unworthiness is almost more than he can bear. He almost leaps to his feet, almost runs out into the woods toward what end he may find. But he doesn't. He is not here for himself, and surely if he has any hope for salvation, it lies in the protection of his home, his people.
Grimly, Garyth begins to check his gear. He touches up the edges of his blades, does what he can to repair the rents in his armor.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Mission will give the potions he gathered last night to Sa'id. He offers the mage a cautious grin. "I don't want to swallow one of these and wind up being turned into. . . something awful. Can you. . . tell what these potions are?"
He points with his chin toward Farron. "This muddy stuff looks a lot like what Farron pulled off the mage. What do you think?"
Questions for the Captive, Identifying, A Dark Promise
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Farron awakens from an uncomfortable sleep and takes a look around the tower, remembering last night's fiasco. He can hardly believe they weren't attacked in the night and quickly checks his pack to make sure everything is still there, especially the pouch of pearls. He did notice some of the dark looks he got the night before as he was rummaging through the mage's belongings, but what did they expect him to do? Leave powerful magical items for their enemies to reclaim? If the battle had gone the other way, Farron's own spellbook and pouch of magical items wouldn't be rotting alongside his corpse. And it's not like the mage would be needing them anytime soon.
With that thought, he looks towards the fallen mage, and suppresses a shiver. Its disturbing to see the twisted body still lying there on the rubble. It's not like he hasn't seen dead enemies before, but after a battle at sea he didn't have to stare at corpses the next morning -- plenty of extra hands around to toss the dead ones overboard, then 'out of sight, out of mind', as it were.
He's grateful that Mission's inquiry of Sa'id breaks him out of these morbid thoughts, and he moves over towards them, interested to see if he can tell what kind of potions the monk has found.
From: Ty
Subject: There's got to be a morning after...
A lot of stuff can happen now for the group at the tower. Lot's of chances for RP and for questioning and searching and the like.
So, I will respond to direct DM questions, but I am going to stay out of the mix until everyone checks in with a "I am ready to leave the tower now."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Mission stops himself from leaning away from Farron as he approaches-- but he can't stop the memory of the greed on Farron's face as he plundered the dead mage. So he says nothing as the man approaches, merely stands his ground and keeps his emotions to himself.
If only he could be apathetic. Mission catches sight of Garyth, and knows that he's not the only one with misgivings this morning. The soldier looks grim-- and sick. Boot leather to gold, Garth's pike was poisoned.
Garth was as good a reason as any to move away from the mages. Mission wraps his bandana around his hand, and seizes the big man's pike. Holding it in the hand protected by his bandana, Mission approaches Garth.
"My name is Mission," he says evenly. "And this is a weapon with a good heft to it. What kind of magery has been placed on it?"
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Garth twists up his battered face at the monks approach, and spits to one side.
"Untie me, and give it back to me, and I'll gladly demonstrate the uses of that weapon." It's hard to tell, but it looks like he might be grinning.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Sa'id finishes studying and closes his spellbook as Mission approaches. "I don't want to swallow one of these and wind up being turned into. . . something awful. Can you. . . tell what these potions are?"
"Sadly, I have no skill in divination," Sa'id replies. "Farron may, however. Also, I believe the string of pearls he took from the fallen mage may be of use for those purposes."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
"I'm shocked, really, I am," Mission says, returning Garth's grin. "You're not even going to offer introductions before threatening me? No name to call my killer? No, 'I am Garth, worshipper of the Storm and Darkness!' No? Nothing? Just, 'Give me my weapon, and I'll kill you?"
Mission snorts. "In a moment, I am going to go gather that dead mage up. I am going to take him outside, and burn his body to ashes, as is proper to do for the dead. And I will tend the fire until all that is left of him is ash, and that ash, I will scatter from the top of this tower so that his spirit will not be provoked into lingering around its resting place.
"If you have any alternatives for the disposal of this mage's body, I'm sure we can arrange something."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
At Mission's mention of burning the mage. Garth's face goes dark.
"You taunt me? You murder my closest friend, and the only man I have ever trusted, then taunt me with his burning? He was right about you. I told him you were nothing, not worth our worry. But as usual, he saw through to the truth.
"Do what you will with the body. You are leaving me no chance to restore life to my friend, but that does not surprise me."
His face goes flat as stone. "But know this. If you do not kill me, here and now, I am going to track down and kill every one of you for what you have done here. I take an oath on the blood you have spilled here, to exact revenge in full measure. Mon Kada strike me down if I do not."
His last words send a chill down Mission's spine. The rest of the party looks up, faces white. Cadfael makes a warding sign with his fingers and begins rapidly praying.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Sa'id, who has been poring over the fallen mage's body in preparation for the casting of Gentle Repose, looks up in surprise at Mission's words, but says nothing as Garth speaks his oath. He sighs as Garth finishes speaking, and deep weariness is clearly visible in his eyes and manner.
Fools, the lot of them, he thinks. When he does speak, his tone is icy.
"I roused myself before sunrise to study a spell of preservation for your friend, and you repay me by swearing my death. Very well. I will cast the spell nonetheless. It will keep his corpse from rotting for five days." Sa'id's gaze passes to Mission. "Did you not hear make this very offer to Cale last night?" He looks like he wants to continue, but instead simply shakes his head and turns to his spellcasting [Gentle Repose on the dead mage].
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Farron suppresses a blush at Sa'id's words. For a number of reason, he had never had the opportunity to learn "Identify" as a spell. Since identifying magical items was a primary money maker for the magical college, the mages there would not teach it without first obtaining an oath from the pupil regarding its use that Farron wasn't willing to make. But then he remembers the fallen mage's scroll case. Farron replies, "I'll see what I can do, but it will take some time."
Then, returning to his pack, he removes his spellbook and one of the Identify scrolls from the scroll case taken from the wizard last night. He hunches over the scroll, casts "Read Magic" and pulls velvet bag from a pocket in his robes. From the bag he retrieves a clear crystal prism, which catches a ray of light streaming into the tower and returns a bright rainbow on one wall. Looking through the prism, he reads the Identify scroll and copies it into his spellbook. Once finished, he leans back, looking satisfied with himself. Even if, somehow, he isn't able to keep the spoils from the night before at least he has gained one thing that won't be taken back.
This done, Farron goes back to Sa'id and gets one of the potions. He takes one of the muddy brown potions and reading an Identify scroll examines it closely. [ooc- now Ty can tell me what it is ;-)]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
The Identify scroll will show the muddy potions to be vials of alchemists fire.
Alchemist's Fire: You can throw a flask of alchemist's fire as a splash weapon. Treat this attack as a ranged touch attack with a range increment of 10 feet.
A direct hit deals 1d6 points of fire damage. Every creature within 5 feet of the point where the flask hits takes 1 point of fire damage from the splash. On the round following a direct hit, the target takes an additional 1d6 points of damage. If desired, the target can use a full-round action to attempt to extinguish the flames before taking this additional damage. Extinguishing the flames requires a DC 15 Reflex save. Rolling on the ground provides the target a +2 bonus on the save. Leaping into a lake or magically extinguishing the flames automatically smothers the fire.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
[OOC - OK, I'll bite. Clearly if Farron is white-faced, he must get the reference. What is it?]
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Cadfael comes slowly out of prayer as the morning sun rises higher in the sky, its light beginning to peek out from over the tops of the jungle's trees. Mute, he gathers his belongings and resolutely puts on his still-stained armour, it is a strange thing to see Pelor's sun so soiled and once again Cadfael feels the urge to clean it, to bring out its glory. Quickly though, he buries the feeling. What must be done must be done.
As softly as he can he makes his way to Garyth and lays a hand on the seated man's shoulder, answering his questioning look with the beginnings of a spell (lesser restoration). He smiles as gentle warmth floods through him into Garyth. It is not the searing heat of healing but a more loving kind, Cadfael always imagined it was what being held by The Father must feel like. It fills the body with a feeling of contentment, leaving no room for exhaustion or the pain of old wounds. Maybe, along with cleaning Garyth's wounds, this feeling will allow him to come to terms with the wounds Cadfael cannot heal.
However, rather than being grateful for the experience bitterness replaces the comfort as the glow subsides and Pelor's presence vanishes leaving him cold and feeling strangely alone. With a tinge of anger in his eyes he turns away from Garyth resolving to finish healing last night's wound before leaving the tower. Just, not now?
He is dimly aware of the conversation that is going on between Mission and Garth but pays it no heed until Garth utters the name Mon Kada. Unconsciously he begins a prayer against evil and wards himself that Kada's gaze may never fall on him. Just hearing the name makes him feel lost, desperate and angered. Such is Mon Kada's power.
"You fool! No man's memory is worth the oath you just took."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Farron will use a third scroll to ID one of the bottles of clear potion.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
The clear potions are all Cure Serious Wounds potions.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Farron will return the potions to Mission. If he refuses them, Farron will add them to his pack along with the other stuff.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
"Mon Kada?" Mission forces his grin to stay on his lips, despite the chill that ripples through his muscles as he speaks. "Mon Kada? Garth, my people have a saying: fear not the dark god that waits in Hell, but the wolf that crouches before you."
"I made a promise last night to spare the lives of all who surrendered. You did not. You have taken an oath of murder and vengeance against us. By the Path of Stone and Blood, I should kill you now and send you on to Mon Kada, or whatever god will have you. The Law of Blood demands it, and my heart is Stone for the task.
"But if you wish your friend's life, and your own, I would free you. Tell us truly why you are in this jungle, and what you are doing in this tower."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Garyth feels a chill at the big man's promise for revenge. Despite the fact that he deserves what comes to him, the thought of facing the huge halbardier again is frightening. He stands slowly and faces the warrior.
"For what we have done to your friend you may be right to pour your hate on us, but we did not seek this fight. We are, as far as we know, the only chance to save our people from a plague of demon beasts. We could not allow you to hinder us in our task. So you may make your oaths, but know that if you should succeed, you will be condemning innocent people to suffer."
OOC: I'm a little confused, whose bitterness interrupted Cadfael's spell, Garyth's or his own?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
The spell worked.
Cadfael felt bitter afterward. Your Con is repaired.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Garth looks at Garyth. "I care nothing for your quest, nor the 'innocent' you protect. And now you may add one more to the demon's you count as enemy."
To Mission he says, "My friend told you our business here. I have nothing to add."
To the group as a whole he says, "You will gain nothing by keeping me here. Either kill me, or release me. I will say nothing more to you."
Deciding Garth's Fate
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
"Cadfael, you said last night you could make him speak and speak truthfully. If so, why don't you do so now?" Farron says. "Barring that, I vote 'kill him'. He has vowed to do the same to us."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
At Farron's first suggestion, Garyth frowns. The thought of forcing the warrior to speak leaves a bad taste in his mouth, even if they do need to know. But when Farron votes to kill their captive, he can't stop himself from speaking.
"It's one thing to kill in defense or in righteous combat, but to do this now, while he is helpless, would be murder."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Mission is startled at Farron's words because they match his own feelings so well. It is for this reason that he holds his tongue when Garyth speaks of murder rather than a just and lawful execution.
Has he strayed so far from the Path that his feelings match this mage's?
Mission lowers the halberd to Garth's throat. "We have need of Pelor's wisdom, apparently, Cadfael."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
"Murder?! To kill that which has vowed to destroy you?" Farron gives Garyth a look that clearly says he can't believe what he's hearing. "This man makes vows to a dark god. You heard it yourself. To heal him and set him free to work more evil is to serve that evil yourself. I'd rather have his blood on my hands than his future evil . . . let alone his knife in my back."
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
"The boon that Pelor grants me makes no word but truth be spoken, but it cannot force a man to speak. You have set your feet down a black road, Garth. Will you answer our questions still? If you tell us truthfully why you were here I will heal you and release you. By the time you have given your companion back his life we will have completed our mission. The two of you would then be free to hunt us down or seek some way to release you from your fool's oath. It matters not to me; Pelor's grace shall protect me from the Blood God should you choose to ransom your soul to him in exchange for the opportunity to strike at me. But Pelor will smile on you should you be truthful now; it would be the first step on your path to redemption. So, Garth, will you, under Pelor's all-knowing gaze, tell us why you were here?"
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
[OOC: Nothing to add, I'm still busy casting Gentle Repose.]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
[I am assuming Cadfael cast the circle of truth spell]
Garth bites his lip at these words. It is clear that he is uncomfortable even opening his mouth within the circle of the spell's effect. Finally, he seems to make a decision. "I am here to protect my friend and mentor, the man you killed. His business is his own, and since you killed him, I see no need to speak in his behalf. But I do have an obligation to help him if I can, seeing as how I failed him so badly."
He watches as Sa'id finishes casting the Gentle Repose spell on his friend. "If indeed this spell you have cast will protect his body from harm, then I will promise you this: Let me leave with him. If I can have him returned to life, then I will let him decide what to do next. Perhaps you will be out of our reach by that time. It is the best chance you have, and you know that I speak true."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Garyth motions the party to come in closer.
He speaks softly, to avoid Garth overhearing. "I think we should let him go." He swallows, then continues. "No, we must do so. It doesn't matter what he has said or done, we cannot kill him. We are not the arbiters of right and wrong. We are not gods; we are not even magistrates. To execute him without a trial is murder and it is wrong and I..." Garyth trails off, his eyes darting from face to face. This is it. Time and again he has shown his inability to lead, and maybe that is not his place. But he is an officer of the Guard; his life is sworn to uphold the law. His duty is clear. Garyth sets his jaw and says in what he hopes is a level voice, "I will not allow it."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Mission grunts softly. "The Law of Blood. . ." he swallows, and glances at Farron. "Sand take us all. I don't have a stomach for any more blood today. I'll trust the Path to turn where it will.
"We already keep watch for Elise, the Murrakat, and Anileth-- adding Garth and the rest of them to our list of enemies won't make much of a difference.
"We should let him go."
If only to get back on Promise's path more quickly.