Let My Garyth Go, The Sunmaster
Subject: Re: a check in
Farron will wait for the Sunmaster's response. (With bated breath, I might add.)
From: Ty
Subject: When Garyth was in Kor Garesh land...
Rennik and Melani move off to take the lead position, Rennik pausing only long enough to stuff his food pouch with jerky and dry tack.
Garyth turns back to his men. "Has anyone seen the elf?"
Vincy is just starting to shrug, when pensive runs up. "The elf is right here."
[I need the RP between Garyth and Pensive on recent events.]
From: Scott
Subject: Re: When Garyth was in Kor Garesh land...
Overlook's evacuation is just getting underway when Pensive trots up to Garyth. "The elf is right here, Garyth."
The soldier looks at him-- Pensive does not imagine that there's very much happiness in that glance, but he barrels into his news all the same. "I was ambushed by a pair of men who seemed to know that Mission had rescued the Kaishin. They also believed that the child and the father were still with you.
"Our enemy is not as farseeing as I had feared. He is powerful, yes, but he lacks knowledge! He trusts in the work of his underlings to bring him scraps of information! Don't you see, Garyth? He is vulnerable after all! There is hope!
"The melee before the Shadow arrived, the men's ambush-- you see? The enemy flails about-- powerful, true, terrifying, yes-- but blind! He knows only what is told him, just like any other flesh and blood!"
Pensive is almost beside himself with excitement. He grips Garyth's arm with a wide boyish grin, and gives a wild, high whoop that startles a horse nearby. And then he pulls his hand away quickly, and gives it a shake-- the hand that the murderer had cut. Seeing the blood on his palm reminds him of the farmer, and Pensive sobers.
"There was a man that they used to. . . lure me into the ambush. He was a farmer I believe, and he said that his family was at Garrett's farm. Where is that?"
From: Ty
Subject: The Sunmaster
Fellus had seemed a bit surprised to see the young wizards again so soon, but when Sa'id has finished speaking, he just nods solemnly. "I fear that there are some fundamental differences we must discuss. You see, while wizards may keep detailed lore concerning the processes they use to accomplish their ends, we priests tend to be far more concerned with the whys. What power we wield is granted to us as grace through our god."
"If there is record of such a binding in our texts, it will be spiritual in nature. What the creature was, the dire need of the worshippers, the greatness of God in granting them reprieve. That sort of thing. Not, 'here is how you make a prison.'"
Fellus sits quietly in thought for a moment. "I know of no prayers to petition for such a prison directly. However, there are prayers of great power that ask for the direct intervention of the gods. Such petitions are only heard when coming from the mightiest clerics, and one never knows what the intervention will entail. But, if the need of these halfling worshippers of Pelor was dire, and they joined their voices to him in great petition, I can see how the demon might have been trapped by Pelor's hand."
Fellus stands up, slowly. "I must think on this more, my friends. If indeed this is the path that must be taken, it will mean I will have to make the trip to this temple. There is no other on the isle who can take my place. I'm afraid you have laid a heavy weight on me, through no fault of your own."
He clasps hands with the two wizards, his grip still firm for such an old man. "Come see me in the morning. I spend this night in prayer."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster
"Thank you, Sunmaster," Farron replies. "I'm sorry we have placed this burden on you, but we knew no other option and surely this evil must be stopped. You must be very careful as Kor Garesh has hands in this city. Remember Cadfael. Is there some way we can help you? Do you have sufficient guards to watch out for you while you consider what must be done? I am at your service if you have need of us."
At some point, when they are alone, Farron will say to Sa'id, "He will need assistance, a guide at least, to get him to the temple. I don't want to go back to that jungle, but I will if we must. Are you with me?"
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster
Fellus replies, "I believe I am well protected here in the temple. But thank you for your concern. If the reach of this demon is long enough to touch me here, in the heart of Pelor's realm, then I fear there is nothing we can do to stop him.
"But just in case, I will have two of our more doughty clerics join me for prayer, and have them bring their hammers with them." He smiles as he sees the wizards off. "Come see me in the morning."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: When Garyth was in Kor Garesh land...
Pensive's news is good, but it's hard to get as excited as he is over this more academic piece of information--as useful as it may eventually turn out to be--when there's the much more immediate concern of moving a thousand unorganized people across open terrain just ahead of a slavering undead horde. Still, the elf's good mood is infectious, and Garyth finds himself nodding and smiling.
The smile fades, though, when Pensive tells about the farmer's murder. Garyth knew Dannil Garret; he was a good man. It would have taken more than a simple threat to make him betray a neighbor like this; his family must be in real danger. Conflicting emotions show on Garyth's face. He should go, do what he can to save the family. Dannil would have done the same if it had been Garyth's family in trouble. But Garyth's responsibility was to ensure that as many people as possible made it to the forest, and he could not abandon that responsibility.
Amid these opposing feelings of obligation, a thought occurs to Garyth. These murderers were spies for the dark one. If they were taken out, perhaps one more source of intelligence would be taken from the demon. It might even give the people of Overlook a better chance of surviving.
"The Garret farm is about a half-mile southwest of town. It's close enough that we may be able to go there and still rejoin the group before they've even gotten down the road very far. Come on," he says, gesturing for Pensive to follow. "We need to find Captain Bragga."
OOC: Garyth will go find Bragga and tell him about the possibility of plugging that intel hole as well as saving the family. If Rennik, Melani, or Osred are around and interested, he'd want them to come with for the discussion with Bragga. If he gets consent he'll want to make sure that all of his party are mounted before setting out.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: When Garyth was in Kor Garesh land...
Would Melani and Rennik want to go?
From: Mark
Subject: Re: When Garyth was in Kor Garesh land...
Hearing about a family in need, Melani is willing to help. She will not be all that usefull with the large group of people. The first part of the journey has been scouted out already, and if it came to heavy fighting, she is not all that usefull, as she found out against the Brute.
OOC: Of course she wants to go. :)
Mark
From: Scott
Subject: Re: When Garyth was in Kor Garesh land...
Pensive says to Garyth quietly, "You cannot come with us, Garyth. You know it-- these people are yours to lead to safety. Of all those that would lead them, you are the most capable in war. We cannot chance your death. It would be better to not go at all than to risk losing your leadership. And the halfling woman cannot come either. She will be needed at the forest, to bargain for passage with her tribe. And neither the cleric-- he must remain with the greater portion of these men and women to shield them from the undead."
He extends his hand, palm open, fingers pointing toward Garyth, and then flips it over. It is an oddly sad gesture, but the elf-boy's mouth is bent in a little smile. "If a few of your men are willing to chance it, I would gladly ride with them to Garrett's farm. And perhaps the halfling warrior," a flicker of doubt passes through Pensive's eyes for a moment, but he continues, "and that should be enough."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: When Garyth was in Kor Garesh land...
The elf is right. Garyth knows it. There's too much at stake here to leave. He lets out a long breath, then nods. "If Captain Bragga will allow it, I'll send some of my men with you. And if Rennik is willing to go, you'd be wise to heed his word. He's as capable a warrior and scout as I've ever known."
OOC: If Bragga says it's OK, Garyth will send Vincy, Kenneth, and, keeping Munch with the main group.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster
> At some point, when they are alone, Farron will say to Sa'id, "He will
> need assistance, a guide at least, to get him to the temple. I don't want to go back to that jungle, but I will if we must. Are you with me?"
"Go with you? I'll burn the damn jungle down myself, if it comes to that," Sa'id replies with a sudden grin.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: When Garyth was in Kor Garesh land...
"I will go on this mercy mission, Friend Garyth. For you to divert your men at this time, this man must have been important to you. We will do what we can to save his family."
Rennik grips Garyth's forearm firmly. "May Mielikki's grace be with you as she accepts your people into her bosom. We will be fast and efficient and catch up before you know we are gone."