Planning for Meeting the Kalama, Proof of Life
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
"Sa'id speaks the truth, Sunmaster. There was at least one traitor who was a member of the White Hart, and at least one other who murdered our friend. Discretion is our only hope of getting out of the city alive, I fear."
And once out. . . then what? Farron thinks to himself. He shudders at the thought of returning to the jungle. How can they possibly get beyond the forest land without Rennik? He was the only tribal halfling Farron actually knew. Well, not quite the *only* one. . .
"Sa'id, in order to get back to the mountain, our biggest obstacles are the undead army and the jungle itself. As for the first of these, it might be to our advantage to keep our numbers low. If we are but a small party perhaps we will not be noticed, or considered a threat. If the army intends to lay siege to this city, they aren't likely to care about three fleeing mages and their friends." He looks apologetically at the Sunmaster. "Forgive me, but I think in leaving the city it might be wise if you disguise yourself. Kor Garesh doesn't seem to think we mages are much of a threat, but he might feel differently about the chief priest of Pelor."
"Which brings us to the next obstacle. How to get into the jungle. I don't think we can do it without Rennik, or at least someone with his knowledge of the jungle. The only place I think we might find someone like that is back with the Kalama tribe. Yes, I know it is a little out of our way to get back to their territory, but unless any of you have contacts with a closer tribe of halflings, the Kalama are the only ones who might have a guide that can get us into the jungle without being . . . well, eaten, among other possibilities."
"What do you think?"
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
OOC:
>>and at least one other who murdered our friend.
How do you know that a member of the White Harts killed Cadfael? I must have missed a bit of information somewhere. . .
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
A traitor in the proverbial camp, not necessarily specifically a member of the White Hart.
Trouble is, we know that at least some of the Devourer's minions have the power of teleportation (Anileth). It makes actually -investigating- the murder pretty much impossible, at least in the conventional sense.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
Also, you know that the witch can fly around-- maybe she flew in and carved up Cadfael.
:musing:
Why was the knife left at the scene? That at least means that it is not holding the souls of the victim within it. But it also may mean that Garesh gets immediate use of the victim's soul.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
What Farron meant, and he will clarify if the Sunmaster indicates he misunderstood, is that there was one known traiter from among the White Hart, and one other *traitor* (or perhaps "infiltrator") who killed Cadfael.
The point is to indicate that the White Hart aren't completely above suspicion, and even if they aren't involved beyond the one traitor in their midst, there is still *someone* else inside the city walls (presumably still inside) who is working for Kor Garesh.
Clear as mud?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
Actually, Anileth did not teleport. She used one of the other Lich powers, one with a relatively short range. She was a lich, you know.
Elise WAS teleported, but did not do it under her own steam.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
Fellus listens gravely to both Sa'id and Farron. When Farron is finished, he smiles. "I hear two desires in your words, my friend. You are absolutely right, it would be foolhardy to go into the jungle without a guide. The men who've lived on this island have mostly shunned the forest and jungle of the interior. It is the wild Halflings who are at home there.
"But in your words I also see another desire. You wish to get outside these walls and see if your friends survived the battle. I understand completely. I can't imagine you'd want to go back to that temple without the companions that got you there safely the first time."
He leans forward to grip Farron by the hand. "If I could find out if your friends are alive, and send them a message, would that help? What would you want me to tell them?"
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
Um. . . we didn't destroy Anileth's phylactery.
We're doomed.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
Promise was her Phylactery. :)
Don't worry, she's toast.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
Whoa. That's twisted.
I love it!
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
The possibility unleashed by the Sunmaster's words is more than Farron can bear. He tries to respond but the words choke him. He looks toward the Sunmaster, but all is blurred by the tears welling in his eyes. "How . . .c-could they be alive. . ." he stammers. "The demon r-routed the whole army."
Giving voice to his worst fear releases the anguish and worry that is all that has kept him going for the last several hours. He falls to his knees before the Sunmaster, head bowed, ashamed at his lack of self control, afraid to hope for any good news at all.
"If they are alive, " He begins, "I would have them meet us on the way, though I don't know where."
He turns his head toward Sa'id but does not open his eyes, his hand still in the hand of the Sunmaster. "I only know three places I think I could find again. The Inn where we found Anileth, the ruined tower, or the Kalama camp. I'm not sure I could find the Kalama camp, but I think I could find their territory but it's very likely that they would find us if we made it that far. Which would we tell them. . . if . . . if any of them are still alive?"
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
Sa'id remains quiet and standing while Farron is speaking, though he turns to look at his colleague. "I wish not to see that tower again," Sa'id says quietly. "Either the inn or the camp." He pauses, looking back at Fellus. "I... my command of your language is very good," he says, "but I lack the words to describe the depth of my appreciation for your generosity."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
The Sunmaster pulls Farron back to his feet. "Let us find the answer to that, first. Would you like to remain here while I make inquiry?" Fellus' warm smile lets them know that they are welcome, and both wizards nod. Fellus gestures for them to sit, then says to Colin, "Please, fetch me my bowl and the incense in the red paper."
A few moments later, the two wizards find themselves sitting across the table from Fellus. Dominic and Colin sit at either side. In the center of the table is a golden bowl, shaped to look like a stylized sun. A small pillar of incense sits in the middle.
Fellus begins to pray in a low and heartfelt voice. Sa'id, a recent student of Cadfael's, feels the deep connection of this man to his God. When he prays, you can almost feel the gaze of some vast and powerful being fall on you.
As Fellus continues his prayer, Dominic reaches out with a small burning stick and lights the incense. A pleasant smell fills the air.
The Sunmaster ceases praying, and asks, "Are the companions of Farron and Sa'id still alive?"
There is a shiver in the air, a rumble so deep that it can only be felt and not heard. Farron shivers at the idea that the voice of a god is being heard in this room.
The Sunmaster asks a second time, "If I send a message to the one called Garyth, will it be received?" There is a second shiver in the air.
Fellus stops questioning, and says a prayer of thanksgiving.
Dominic covers the golden bowl with a round lid, and the incense goes out. The Sunmaster sits back in his chair with a smile on his face. "Your friends are alive. All of them. I can send a message to Garyth. It must be brief, but he will receive what we send. It will not be a two way link, unfortunately, but it is a start."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
[this happens prior to the divination turn]
Fellus seems surprised by Sa'id's words. He places one hand on the wizards head and says, "You are a child of Pelor, shining with the reflection of his grace. You do not yet see it, but I do. Cadfael passed something precious to you, and I would honor his wishes for you now that he is gone. There is nothing I would not do to aid you, within Pelor's will, Sa'id."
From: Ty
Subject: wizards
[in case you are wondering, I need reactions to the sunmaster and what message you want sent.]
From: Mark
Subject: Re: wizards
How about:
Wishing you were here. Having a great time.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: wizards and the other guys
Oh, and are you guys doing melani's plan and sending her ahead tomorrow to make contact with the Kalama?
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
(OOC - Ty, is the Inn anywhere on the way to Kalama Territory? I'm of course trying to help get the group together, but Farron knows that the inn is on the way they took into the jungle, and he knows that Kalama territory is a little out of the way from the most direct route (right?). So I think he'd be more inclined to have them meet at the Inn. In short, can you tell me what Farron knows (and remembers) about the routes they took in and out and how they relate to one another?)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: wizards and the other guys
"If we can count on the halflings to shelter the people of Overlook for even a few days, perhaps we can send riders on to the towns on the eastern coast. If it is safe, we can move on then."
Garyth listens to Pensive's suggestion, thinking on it a moment. He shakes his head grimly. "The demon has already sacked Overlook and routed the greatest army on the island. Another town would provide scant protection, and it would only be a matter of time--a short time--before the undead army arrived and chased us out again.
"The only way to save these people is to get them off the island, but the only port large enough to have any hope of moving so many is in Nesalin and even if the enemy weren't in the way, with the lighthouse burned traffic into and out of the harbor will be slowed or stopped." He pauses, rubbing his temples. "Unless there is some way of stopping the demon, we can only delay. I think we'd have as good a chance of that in the forest, with guides and hunters who know the land, as anywhere else."
He turns to Melani and Rennik. They had been speaking in the Halfling tongue and though he couldn't understand the words, surely they must have been speaking of the Kalama. "What do you think, Reth'tenn? How will your people greet us?"
OOC: At this point, Garyth is still unaware of Melani's plan to go in ahead of the group. Also, Ty, let me know if that bit about ports was wrong--I thought I remembered you saying Nesalin was the major port on Huss, but if I messed it up then I guess we'll have to leave that part out.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: wizards and the other guys
No, that information is accurate. The coastal villages have a few small fishing boats, but the only deep water port is in Nesalin Bay.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
Farron listens to the Sunmaster's words of comfort to Sa'id, feeling a nagging pang of . . . what? jealousy? Even in the midst of newfound hope for his friends, and indeed even for himself and the whole of the island he manages to feel left out. What a child I am, he thinks. Stupid and selfish to the end. Sure he's never believed, really, that any god had any kind of personal interest in people, normal ones at least. And he'd always suspected that most of the priests and acolytes that claimed allegiance to their particular god would be surprised at how little their patron knew or cared about them if the truth were known. So why did he care if the Sunmaster declared Pelor's love for Sa'id? Why did it matter if he didn't believe it himself? Oh, sure, he believed there was a being that men called Pelor. In fact he was as sure of it as he was of Kor Garesh, and *his* existence was pretty undeniable at this point. He just wasn't sure that god-bothering was all it pretended to be, and that maybe the world would be better off if the gods just left it alone all together. But somewhere deep inside a part of him longed to belong to something Great. Or more precisely, he longed to be recognized by something Greater than himself. He shook off the thoughts, realizing that the Sunmaster was still waiting for an answer. . .
"If our friends are alive, we would have them know we are very glad of that. We would tell them our plans to leave the city and the means by which we will do this, and we would have them meet us at Gully's Outpost as this is the only precise place I know we can all get to. We will wait there for them or search for some further message from them when we arrive, if they have gotten there first and are unable to wait."
He looks in Sa'id's direction, ashamed to meet his eyes. "Does that sound about right?"
From: Matt
Subject: Re: wizards and the other guys
Rennik nods at Melani's suggestion to run ahead and make their intentions known to her people, but frowns at the mention of using them as bait.
He knew they would lose some, and very likely many, in the push through the wilderness, but he hadn't thought about the long-term provisioning of so large a group. There were just so many! Humans have a racial inclination to overpopulate, he decides.
In Halfling:
"I do not know what we must do with these humans, but I know they cannot stay in the forest and jungle forever. This is a temporary place of hope until we can find some way of combating the demon, or at worst fleeing the island. Be sure to mention how our guards, with their armor, could aid in their own fight against the dark god's forces. An alliance would be most adviseable."
Rennik then turns to respond to Garyth.
"the Reth'tenn and I feel it would be best if she ran ahead into the kalama hunting grounds to announce or presence and inttions."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: wizards and the other guys
Garyth nods. "That's a good idea," he says. Turning to Melani, he says, "Reth'tenn, thank you for doing this. Without you and your people, all of these people," he sweeps an arm across the camp, "all of my neighbors, my friends, my family, we would all be food for the demon." He looks away, a gleam of moisture blinked away from his eyes almost before anyone notices. He stares out over the exhausted refugees. They're pushing themselves to the limit, driven by fear of the following horde. Fear, yes, but hope too. The hope of sanctuary. Ironic that they now look for that sanctuary from the halflings that so many of them had ignored or feared as savages such a short time before. But maybe this is an opportunity. Maybe this meeting, born of necessity, will give his people and the halfling tribes the chance to see each other as they truly are, just people, and come together in peace.
Of course, none of that can happen unless the demon is stopped. But while there's life, there's hope. He turns back to Melani. "Your tribe is life to us, now. I don't have the words to express my... our gratitude for their aid." He pauses, trying to think of something to say. "Anything you can say to explain our situation and intentions to your chief will be good," he finishes lamely.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
> "What do you think?"
Well, *I* think that that's a brilliantly organic way of reuniting the party. Or trying to do so anyway. We'll see what Ty throws at us.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: wizards
:D Now that was funny.