Cadfael's Words, Detect Evil?
Subject: Re: The hole; A covering darkness
Mission shakes off the cloud in his head and will attempt to use Stoneclutch again, but will try to deal subdual damage if possible.
OOC: A ONE?!! How anticlimatic. Dice have no sense of theater. . .
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The hole; A covering darkness
LOL!
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The hole; A covering darkness
(OOC - It seems that this request is moot at this point since following emails make it seem like Sa'id was able to cast the "Detect Evil" after all (true?). I'm confused.)
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The hole; A covering darkness
Sa'id cast "Detect Magic" and is looking at my hand, he said he'd sit down and memorize "Detect Evil" afterwards if he has to. So no evil detection is happening.
I'll try to get my next turn out over lunch but it probably won't happen until the end of the work day again. I need to get a computer at home...
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The hole; A covering darkness
OOC - Right, misread again. But it's still moot because Farron can't cast "Detect Evil". Also, I don't know how Sa'id could either since according to the link I've been using, it's a clerical spell. /OOC
Farron hears Sa'id calling him just after Mission bolts over to the pinned Cadfael and apparently smashes his head into the stones, but he can't hear what he wants through the other noises and echoes. He rushes to join the group on the pile of rocks and upon seeing that Cadfael was able to dodge the blow is unsure if he is relieved or disappointed.
How can I think that, he asks himself in the next moment. Clearly Cadfael is not himself. How can I wish him injury when he has healed us all many times over?
More than ever, Farron wished to be out of this evil hole in this cursed jungle. The longer he has been on this journey, the more he has felt the worst parts of himself fighting for dominance. He had been increasingly sullen and suspicious. Quick to anger at perceived slights. Where was his better nature? He was usually the one to raise spirits when things got tough. He was the one who smoothed tensions. But these men didn't know him from before this trip. And what had he shown them? I quick temper and sullen face. And his greed at the tower and glee at "winning" such booty - he was acting no better than the pirates he'd fought at sea. And now he feels disappointment that Cadfael's face isn't inches closer to the back of his skull? He looks at Sa'id, mumbling a spell with fire in his eyes, his bruised face looming over the prone priest, then at Mission, apparently intent on killing him. He looks back at Rennik who has drawn his bow and is pointing it from one of them to the other. This is madness, he thinks. We don't need to be attacked. We're killing each other. He falls to his knees, shaking with frustration and fear and screams "ENOUGH!" loudly and long, then hunches forward, his face in his hands as he tries to suppress the shaking.
(OOC - If Sa'id does, in fact, have reason to believe Farron could cast Detect Evil, he can repeat the request now. Otherwise, Farron will ignore it, not having understood what he asked in the first place.)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The hole; A covering darkness
OOC:
Wow, you're right. Detect Evil is a cantrip (0th-level) CLERIC ONLY spell.
Detect Magic will have to do, then.
Actually, Ty, could I use my fate point to detect some evil? (I'm not sure if I want to yet, but I'm curious as to whether you'd let me. :)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The hole; A covering darkness
...and I REALLY meant first-level spell.
Gah.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Cadfael is reveling so deeply in anger that he does not notice Garyth's approach until the man crashes into him. Once on the ground he offers Garyth almost no resistance but laughs bitterly at his question.
"It has never mattered what I do, Garyth. When the third day comes I will do what I must. But what will you do? Will you try and lead? All you have lead us to are doubts and discord. When the time comes, Brother, your heart will lead you back to indecision and you will do nothing. You ARE nothing. Not even the Gods care if you live or die. You are simply taking up space."
"I do as the Gods demand and the Gods say nothing of you."
Garyth feels Cadfael tense beneath him and a sudden hatred flares up in the priest's eyes. It seems to him that a telltale heat is building in the cleric's hands when Mission's fist comes crashing down beside Cadfael's head causing the anger in his eyes to boil.
"You." The fury in Cadfael's voice is so thick he almost gags. "The product of your lust, your arrogance and your shattered oaths has broken a dark god's prison. And who bears the burden of your folly, Mission? I do. Though I have never known you you have taken from me all I have ever had. I suffer for the devil you created." Cadfael begins to struggle against Garyth's grip, trying to use brute strength to pry the fighter off him, though he does not break eye contact with Mission. "Your son may be your salvation and he may restore your oaths but *I* am his salvation, not you. Never you. The only gift you ever gave him was Anilith and now he needs you less than I do."
At this point, I am assuming Mission punches Cadfael in the face. He'll do his best to avoid it but he's more concerned with breaking out of Garyth's pin however he can. If Garyth presents a finger that can be broken or an eye that can be gouged out Cadfael will quite happily do it.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
OOOOO!
Bring it, son!
:)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Cadfael's words strike home; they are all the more painful because they are true. When they left Overlook, just a few days before, Garyth thought himself a leader. But despite all of his efforts--or maybe because of them?--the group has split even further. In the depths of his soul, he knows his own unworth and he despairs. Nothing will ever be right again. A terrible evil is about to be loosed upon the world, two of companions seem stricken mad, and there is nothing he can do about it.
Somehow, though, his body knows better. His grip tightens, struggling to control the priest. And when he speaks, his voice is calm.
"I don't know what madness grips you, Brother, but you must control yourself. I will not let you bring this mission to ruin."
OOC: Sorry for the lateness. I've been swamped today at work.
Mission Grapples, Get the Glove!
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
OOC: Can I change Mission's actions? I would like to do the following, rather than punching Cadfael in his well deserving snout.
Sand-taken. Pathless. But Mission does not strike Cadfael again.
He shakes with the control it takes not to lash out at him. The Path is not straight, nor is it soft.
"You struck us with darkness, Cadfael. I believe I saw a vision of Promise in that darkness. He was trapped in a cold, terrifying place, and he despaired. Not becuase he was trapped, but because he was about to be born. Born into-- an evil red light. And I was not there to save him.
"I will not despair. I am not afraid of you, your god, or the shadows you spit at us. The Path is not straight, nor is it soft. Hard as Stone, hot as Blood, it runs from me to my child. I find redemption in this Path-- and perhaps you will as well."
Mission moves to help Garyth hold Cadfael down. "Where is my son, Cadfael? What can we do to find him?"
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Farron will pull himself together and move over toward Sa'id.
"Are you OK?" he asks. "What have you seen?"
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
OODM: I am going to let you guys keep playing this scene as long as you want. Since Mission isn't punching anyone, feel free to ignore the initiative order.
DM: Sa'id does see a hint of magic coming from Cadfael's left hand. With his ragged glove, it is difficult to tell what it might be: the glove, the hand, or something else.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Sa'id is still furious. "Get that glove off him, if you can! I need to examine it!"
His thoughts fly about in a barely-controlled frenzy. At first, he barely registers Farron's words to him:
"Are you OK? What have you seen?"
Slowly, the other wizard's presence sinks in. Without turning, Sa'id speaks, his tone clipped and fast. "Some evil - Kor Garesh, possibly - is tainting Cadfael. Through that glove, I think, but I can't get a good look. If only we could cast Detect Evil, we would know for sure. The others have to listen to me. In three days, Promise will be born and Kor Garesh will gain in power. If we can save Promise, we might be able to stall the god's rise long enough to escape and warn..." he pauses. "Well, warn the rest of Huss."
Sa'id again peers at Cadfael, but can't clearly what causes the faint glow of magic around Cadfael's hand. Now, finally, he turns to look at Farron. "How much protective magic you have?" he asks, his accent pronounced for the first time in some days. "If they can't get the glove from him, I may try an area or target Dispel. Foolish, I know. But I cast pro' evil first, of course."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Is someone going to take cadfael's glove?
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
OOC: Weird, I didn't get that email from Raja.
It had looked like things were going from bad to worse, as Mission struck out at Cadfael. Garyth had no hope of controlling them both. Fortunately, the monk seemed to have gotten a hold of himself again, and Garyth is glad; Cadfael was becoming more and more difficult to hold.
At Sa'id's cry, Garyth shifts his grip and reaches for Cadfael's glove.
OOC: Attempt to disarm.
Breaking the Pin?
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Cadfael already tried to break out of Mission's pin, did he not do that? Or did he talk so much he didn't get the chance to break out last round? Because whether or not I'm pinned is going to make a bit of a difference as to what I do.
OOC -- My new computer came in the mail yesterday! Now all I need is an internet connection at home, which will probably happen at the end of next week and I can start posting more than one turn a day again!
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Um. . .
I think you meant you tried to break Garyth's pin--Mission is trying this round to help Garyth pin you.
Interregnum 1
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Whose line is it, anyway?
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Is this the one where we have to respond in the form of a question??
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Do you want to play at questions?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
I won't be sending a new turn till after the end of the month, probably. I have two clients going live march first. Busy busy.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
No problem. I'll probably be away for awhile, too. I'm apparently newly responsible for destroying all semblance of civilization and democracy in America. I'll be gone at least a week.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Novice.
I've been destroying civilization for YEARS.
Get in line.
Interregnum 2
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Can you be more specific?
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
More specific about what?
Me destryoing civilization?
No, absolutely not. That would be telling.
Interregnum 3
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
My last meeting about this whole FDA drug approval shebang will be over at lunch today... were we waiting for Ty to post something or should I just write up some more ranting assuming Mission and Garyth have me pinned and Sa'id just hollered about my glove? I have the top of the initiative so I suppose my angry ranting happens before any glove-snatching can occur.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Which is just a round-about way of me saying "I'm back. Game on! (Wayne's World, Wayne's World, party on, excellent."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
I think we're waiting on Ty who won't be responding until next week due to work. So I guess we're on hiatus.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Point, Scott. 15 - Love. :p
Interregnum 4
Subject: Re: The hole; strife
Mission gives Cadfael a wet willie.
KIDDING! Seriously.
:)
PING
Subject: PING
PING www.sakeriver.com/game/SlashTheDM
Now Back to Your Regularly Scheduled In-Party Strife
Subject: Re: PING
Turn going out today. Finally.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: PING
:)
From: Dan
Subject: Re: PING
I can't believe that nobody replied to say "pong"
From: Scott
Subject: Re: PING
I can't believe no one replied with
Request timed out
Request timed out
Request timed out
Request timed out
:)
From: Dan
Subject: Re: PING
:D
*bows to Scott's keen sense of comedy*
From: Raja
Subject: Re: PING
I thought about that. But since that's improper ping syntax... ;)
From: Scott
Subject: Re: PING
Stupid wizard.
Get back in the kitchen.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: PING
if(Scott.isfunny() != TRUE) { kill(Scott); }
Oh-oh... Looks like you don't have long to live now ;)
From: Ty
Subject: The Hole; more strife
[Note: because of the complex nature of what is happening, I have shifted actions in time to where they made sense, and made a few arbitrary decisions for narrative purposes, but all of the following events that required dice rolls did in fact get dice rolls. I am not including those dice rolls, because it chopped the narrative up too much.]
With the party swarming over him, and Garyth pinning him to the ground, Cadfael struggles and curses, trying to escape. From a few feet away, Sa'id looks the priest over, his eyes shinning with magic. He points at the cleric's left hand and yells, "Get that glove off him, if you can! I need to examine it!" While he speaks, Cadfael hurls Garyth off him with a massive effort, and tries to scramble away. He doesn't get far. Mission leaps expertly on his back, and with several swift movements, ties the struggling priest into something very much resembling a pretzel. The arm lock in which Mission holds him looks complex, uncomfortable, and absolutely unbreakable. In a few seconds, Cadfael stops moving and slumps his shoulders with a defeated look.
Farron, who was standing close by during all of this, moves in and deftly removes the priest's ruined leather glove. He starts to hand it to Sa'id, but Sa'id only glances at it and shakes his head. "It isn't the glove," he says. All eyes are drawn back to Cadfael's left hand, and the glimmering ring he wears there. Sa'id, still looking with his enhanced vision, sucks in his breath. "The ring is magic. It's the ring."
[Mission is still pinning Cadfael, and the priest probably recognizes that he has little or no chance of breaking the expert pin the monk is able to put on him.]
[Please, everyone check in. Dan, I really need to know what Cadfael will do now. Feel free to send me a private email on that.]
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Sa'id suddenly feels his frustration dissipate. "That was clever, priest," he says quietly. "Very clever. The glove was a good idea -- if it was even your own." He moves closer to Cadfael, squinting to keep his eyes on the intensely glowing ring. "Don't let him cast anything," he says to the others. "Gag him if you have to. I need to think how to get the ring without anyone being killed..."
There is a pause, then Sa'id reaches out and takes the glove from Farron. Gingerly, he puts it on his own hand. "I'm not sure I want to risk a Dispel," he says. "But maybe I can lessen the effects somewhat..." [Pro' evil on myself].
OOC: Sa'id will then reach for the ring and try to remove it from Cadfael's hand.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Rennik watches with interest, but does nothing other than focus the attentions of his bow on Cadfael alone. Let the mages deal with magery.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Garyth picks himself up from where Cadfael managed to throw him. He grimaces ruefully; the priest is stronger than he looks. Mission seems to have a handle on him, though, for now. Garyth stands by, ready to pounce on Cadfael if he escapes again.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Once more the rage vanishes as quickly as it surges forth and takes all of Cadfael with it and he slumps like a broken man against Mission. The weight of his body pulling against Mission's hold must cause the man tremendous pain but Cadfael seems glad to let himself be supported in someone else's arms.
He kneels with his head hung low, eyes closed to the movements around him, trying to shut out the world. He gives Farron no struggle as he peels the torn glove from his left hand to exposing the thin silver band, if anything his head sags lower against his chest.
"' I need to get the ring without anyone getting killed'" Cadfael's hand snaps shut so violently there is an audible slapping, though by this point none of the party seems surprised. While Sa'id is casting his spell Cadfael speaks in a hollow voice, addressing the dark waters that swirl around his knees.
"Mission. If Sa'id touches the ring Promise will be bathed in the Blood of the Light. It would end now and there would be a blessing in that... But Promise will not like the cold."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Promise's name on the priest's lips-- Mission doesn't like the sound of it. But he likes even less the sound of Cadfael's threat. Or prediction, or prophecy, or whatever.
Mission cries out to Sa'id, "Sa'id! Cadfael says that if I let you touch this ring, my son dies. Please stay back! Cadfael, explain yourself."
And then under his breath, Mission whispers, "Don't you betray my trust, Cadfael. I swear-- just don't. No oaths, no silly, vain promises-- do not betray my trust, priest."
Mission will not release Cadfael.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Sa'id looks at Cadfael. "Interesting. And in a perverse sense... not necessarily untrue." He looks at Farron. "Farron, do you have any means of casting an Identify spell on that ring?"
To Identify Or Not To Identify, What Good Are Gods Anyway?
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
OOC: Ty, how deep is the water Mission and Cadfael are standing in? Where are the party members located in the tunnel? I have this image of Cadfael and Misison being near the rockpile, but I'm not sure. . .
"Or we could just ask him," Mission grunts at the mages. "Like this: Cadfael, what is that ring you wear, and what does it have to do with my son?"
He could break Cadfael's arms now. The madness of the last few days whorls about in Mission's mind. He could snap the priest's arms like branches. Priest of Sand and Shadow. . . hiding what he knew about Promise. Concealing the truth. Him and his sand taken god, Pelor, keeping Promise away from him. Away from the Path.
Blood be stone. Mission calms himself with a few deep breaths. He would not let his feet stray from the Path.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Farron gives the glove over to Sa'id and watches with some tension for what might happen.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
At Sa'id's request, Farron will retrieve the remaining (?) identify scroll from his pack and (assuming Cadfael doesn't make a confession making "identify" unnecessary) he will cast "Identify" on the ring.
(OOC - I'm pretty sure Farron has at least one scroll left. Also he could just cast "identify" without using the scroll, but he'd need 15 minutes to do it and I'm assuming the group is rather too impatient for that at this point).
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
"I don't trust him to know what it is, Mission. Nor do I trust him to tell us the truth if he does. I DO, however, trust Farron's magic." He pauses. "I understand your desire to hear it from him, but there is no reason these two things can't happen at once." Sa'id's focus shifts to Cadfael. "If, instead of speaking the words of common language, you cast a spell of any kind, you will feel flames born of MY wrath, and not that of your god -- if Mission doesn't beat me to it." His tone doesn't change, and the words are spoken matter-of-factly, out of simple necessity.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
"Cadfael, did you order that code red??"
"What do you want from me?"
"I want the truth!"
"You want the truth?? You cant HANDLE the truth!"
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
At Sa'id's new words, Farron will continue locating the scroll to cast "Identify" on Cadfael's ring. Unless someone stops him, that is what he will be doing until it is done.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Cadfael laughs ruefully, "More than one God works through this ring, Sa'id. They hold as much love for you as you do for them and they do not fear your pitiful fire."
"Cast Sa'id's spell for him if you must, Farron, but Gods do not like mortals prying into their affairs and it will be your eyes that suffer, not mine nor Sa'id's."
He tries to speak Sa'id's name as a curse each time he utters it but he seems to deflate as he speaks and by the end he is mumbling to the water once more.
"I am tired, Mission. I am worn and I am weary and there is still so much to do. The Gods have taken everything of mine, why should time be any different? This ring is the key to Promise and has bound our fates as one. You need look no further than the man you hold to see how your son suffers. Set our feet on a path, Mission. Light cannot harm a stone and naught but blood can change blood. Release me and save your son or take this ring and doom him, I cannot make that choice."
Cadfael suddenly tries to surge to his feet, and raises his head to cry out to the darkness.
"Do you hear me? I will not choose, Pelor! I deny you! I would renounce you if it would release me from your hand. You would strip me of your presence and still keep me bound to you? Give me your justice! Let these men choose, it should not have fallen to me. Let them suffer, let them writhe in loss, let them burn. That is my choice, let them bear the burden of their love. It is not my child, it is not my homeland to protect and it is not my people that chose damnation. I do not care what befalls any of them."
Tears suddenly burst from his eyes and he falls heavily back into Mission, "Why am I taunted with choices and haunted with sights of Hell? Why force these visions upon me? Though they torment me less than the holiness I have lost. I would release the ring to you if I could, Mission, I would send you on your way with my blessings and never think of you again. But if you try and take it I will kill you and relish in the act, though I would not guide the blade. Now hurry up and choose for me, at least Pelor never kept me waiting."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Sa'id moves still closer to Cadfael, and Mission can see clearly the pity in the wizard's eyes. "What have the gods done to you?" he murmurs.. "They have taken what was whole and good and left a dessicated shell of a man."
"At least now you understand the gods as I do; why men should seek to be rid of their meddling influence. They play their games and mortals hurt and die. And for what? For the betterment of one god against another?" Sa'id sighs. "Would that they did not exist; the world would be the better for it."
"I could touch your ring and not die. You know this. Kor Garesh cannot influence my mind through the ring as long as I am protected by the magics I have wrought; such are the laws of the universe, by which even your precious gods are bound. You know too that if I could I would read the identification scoll myself. Hate me if you must, if it will make you feel whole again, but what the gods do for you I do for myself. If the craft of wizards shows anything, it is that mortals do not need the gods." He pauses. "...except to deal with the meddlings of other gods. For this purpose - and this purpose ALONE - I will tolerate your Pelor, more so than even you."
He turns to Farron. "I am still curious as to the exact nature of the ring, but it may not be safe to cast spells unprotected. Divine magics are immune to even temporary dispelling; unless you have a spell of protection, it may be unwise to cast Identify. I trust your judgment in either case. What do you think of the ring? Can we safely leave it on him until Promise is recovered?"
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Cadfael meets Sa'id's look blankly, he is clearly waiting for Mission's response. Although, when Sa'id mentions his protection from Kor Garesh amusement splashes across Cadfael's face and he looks at Sa'id as if he is missing something obvious. Slowly his face slumps and his head sinks back down to his chest and he quietly waits for Mission to act.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
The Path is not straight, nor is it soft. And what it calls him to release or bind for Promise's sake, he will do. Can he trust Cadfael and his Pathless god? Flesh be stone, he has little choice that he can see.
"I'm going to let Cadfael go," he says. "Slowly."
And he does. But he keeps two fingers pressed against the pulse in Cadfael's throat. Just in case.
"Don't move. Just talk to us. Explain." He grins. "Use small words so that I can catch your meaning. Where is my boy?"
If Cadfael moves, Mission will use Stonetap to stun him.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
OOC: I would just like to commend Dan and Scott on their excellent RP since we resumed. I'm really enjoying reading the messages, guys. :)
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Karl, is Farron still identifying after Sa'id's warning?