Ferrinus has connected.
Vermain has connected.
cbass has connected.
brennon has connected.
fritz has connected.
|
Alex:
|
yeah
|
|
Imre:
|
ya
|
Riidi has connected.
|
brennon:
|
i need like, five minutes tops
|
|
|
Alex:
|
|
17:
Mass Charm : Standard, Area
burst 1 within 10 squares, Target: Each enemy in the
burst
|
|
|
|
(1) Drrukh
|
—
|
Rolled 34
|
—
|
0 damage. CRIT: 0 damage.
|
|
Effect: You slide each target up to 5 squares.
Each target then makes a melee basic attack against a
creature of your choice as a free action.
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
Durrkh.
|
|
Istahar:
|
nice crit
|
|
|
Alex:
|
|
17:
Mass Charm : Standard, Area
burst 1 within 10 squares, Target: Each enemy in the
burst
|
|
Effect: You slide each target up to 5 squares.
Each target then makes a melee basic attack against a
creature of your choice as a free action.
|
|
|
|
Alex:
|
i can't decide whether to leave it
doing phantom attack rolls so it spits out a list of targets or to
make it not do that and just use the field/my word
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
you should do whichever option makes
you more powerful
|
|
|
Alex:
|
|
17:
Mass Charm : Standard, Area
burst 1 within 10 squares, Target: Each enemy in the
burst
|
|
|
|
(1) Drrukh
|
—
|
Rolled 28
|
—
|
0 damage.
|
|
Effect: You slide each target up to 5 squares.
Each target then makes a melee basic attack against a
creature of your choice as a free action.
|
|
|
|
Alex:
|
well, i now have thunderwave.
harkening after ole malich
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
i replaced radiant armor
|
|
|
Alex:
|
also my mentor and personal idol,
pikachu
|
|
Thyrn:
|
i'm here
|
|
|
Alex:
|
(also known as pierrot)
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
now watch as happyelf creates a
monster that deals like 100 damage on a normal hit
|
tom has connected.
|
|
Alex:
|
i have another goofy power i could
take at some point for that, Mirror Sphere
|
|
|
Alex:
|
i'm leaving what i've got for now
though
|
|
|
Alex:
|
i am
|
|
|
Imre:
|
are we doing a combat today?
|
|
elfDM:
|
not all of you, no. . heh, heh
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Fufufu
|
|
|
Alex:
|
alex stumbles into a gladiatorial
arena, net in one hand and trident in another. thyrn, who pushed
him in, is whispering loudly now out of the door to Go Get 'Em
|
The weather changes quickly in this part of the world
While the mountains and canyons hold back the rain and heat to a
point, the huge deltas beyond, and the ocean gales beyond them, conspire
to force heat and humidity into the alpine regions of Serkanarr in a
chaotic clash of the elements.
Far below, the giant rivers that surround the Great Cataract roar
with the snowmelt and sediment pulled from these high locales.
Avalanches and slides are commonplace in all but the most stable of
regions.
Storms roll up against the mountains, thunder and lightning acring
across the blue ice of the glacier that begins nowhere, and ends in
seasonal collapses into the chasms below.
Snowstorms, rain storms, heat waves, cold snaps, you name it,
Taroryc has seen it.
The old timers know that it's all down to one thing. The wind. The
wind goes one way, it's hotter. The other, it's colder. Push it south,
it wet. IT turns north, it dry.
When the wind changes, the whole world changes with it.
|
Drrukh:
|
"I did not expect this. How did they
even contact him?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I had thought he was in the dwarven
lands..."
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"It's easy enough to speak to the
wind. They have storm sorcerers amongst them, and for all his
dishonors, there are few more respected than Huran. . or few as
close to Thyrn."
|
|
Grysc:
|
"e was. . but that was. . some time
ago."
|
|
|
Imre:
|
"He must have left for these lands
mere days after we went beneath the earth."
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"He can travel fast. With the wind at
his back? Assuming there wasn't some portal, or something
involved?"
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Getting to Serrknar from Academy
lands isn't so hard, nowadays. But what's he going to do?"
|
|
|
Grysc:
|
"Hmm. . we left when that emergency
occured- our mission was the send word. He could have left soon
after us."
|
|
Yrasa Hearthslayer:
|
"He will say the same thing the human
did! That the mighty Thryn is Slipping."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Either way, this concerns me greatly.
Surely Hurarn can recognize the nature of this."
|
|
Giorgi Sundaren:
|
"That's all they shall need. Cast
some, how you say, seeds of doubt? I don't know the gnoll words
for this."
|
|
Albrecht Dhaine:
|
Hurarn is a creature of great honor.
He will not lie."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"The thing is, Thyrn would have to
slip far indeed to even wind up within shouting distance of
Hurarn. The lack of perspective all this is founded on is absurd."
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
"Thyrn is fine, though. Is he losing
control faster than, say, the inexorable march of time is killing
his body? No, he is not."
|
|
Bodgan Grad:
|
"That's not the point. This is about
doubt. And. . I mean, it's the abyss. Some of Alex's own students
aruge that any step back. . is the beginning of the end."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I feel fine, and Pierrot is right. I
feel more likely to die of old age than of losing my mind." 'Dying
of old age' is somewhat of a joke in casual Gnoll conversation,
but Thyrn tries to sound as serious as possible.
|
|
|
Giorgi Sundaren:
|
"They are playing on ignorance. See
what happens if you try to be rational with them." He snorts. "The
Gnolls and their pragmatism. They are reactionaries, we have seen
this many time in our own march to Better Thinking. There is only
one way to deal with them. The Bull, the Master of Storms, knows
of what I speak. They were at Kol."
|
|
|
Drrukh:
|
"A battle with such a large tribe
would be a disaster. And may well give them what they want!"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"There will be no fighting, that is
not a solution at this time."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"It would be better to lose their
support than engage in a civil war at this time- not that those
are the only options we have."
|
|
|
Bodgan Grad:
|
"This is about sewing doubts. You
don't have to be going mad to give these people pause. All Hurarn
has to admit is that this raises doubts. This is about giving the
locals the excuse that they want. Discredit the Sera. .. the
Khyrr. . by striking at their champion."
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
Pierrot nods, though. It would be
pretty straightforward to just, like, challenge them to a duel.
Maybe not pragmatic, though.
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Hurarn IS a pragmatist. I doubt he's
coming all the way over here just to stir the pot further. He's
surely got something sensible to say."
|
|
|
Bodgan Grad:
|
"He'll be very sensible."
|
Imre whispers: whre's "kol"
|
|
Albrecht Dhaine:
|
"But he won't conceal the truth. And
you have slipped."
|
You whisper to fritz: The
fortress in stormpoint that you and will helped edward firebomb from
eagle back, and then some armored eladrin turned up and pierrot and
devar did, too
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Then what do we say? What do we try
to get him to admit to?"
|
You whisper to fritz: it was
part of the second coup where edward purged resistant elements. Clearly
this stormpointer is a hardliner, which makes sense for somebody in a
position of authorirty out here. edward would not trust a less. .
stalwart representitive
Imre whispers: gotcha
|
|
Alex:
|
"The truth is that Thyrn
remains a paragon in the War and that Hurarn doesn't want
Serrkanar embroiled in some nonsense schism any more than we do.
If he doesn't think he can advance our position by coming here, I
don't know him as well as I thought I did."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"I mean, what, is he going to give a
single sad nod and then jump off over the horizon again? He can
stand with us regardless."
|
|
|
Albrecht Dhaine:
|
"Honor is not a convenience. He would
no doubt give his life in your defence, but to break his word? He
will not do that."
|
|
|
Grysc:
|
"Hurarn is. . stubborn like that. . but
we would not have been able to work with the Dwarves. .. .had it
been otherwise."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Then we find a way to make what he
says work for us, yes? The Humans are very adept at that in the
east."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"No, but having confirmed what
everyone already knows, he can exhort the Taroryc to get their god
damn act together. I mean, honestly."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"He is one of them, they would give
his word far more weight than mine."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I imagine I am not the most admired
person in this part of Serrkanar currently."
|
|
|
Giorgi Sundaren:
|
"I don't know if you've noticed, Hyra,
in fact i'm sure you have- but this kind of mischief has caused no
end of disaster and dismay for our kind. It is not an easy path to
tread, and if you play this game, you either end up as a half mad
baelmari Duke. . or you accept the Logic of Steel."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Anyway, when's he due?"
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"Nor is hurarn, Thyrn. Sorcerers still
struggle for acceptance. And he was disgraced!"
|
|
|
Bodgan Grad:
|
"He is your ally. That is why he is
such a good weapon. That evne he, would have doubts about you?"
|
|
|
Drrukh:
|
"He's probably already here. Or soon
to arrive. We shall head into the undercommons, and prepare the
way. Join us once you are ready."
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
"If Hurarn has 'doubts' about Thyrn
I'll set him straight pretty quickly."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Alex looks to Thyrn and the others.
"All right, so, seriously, does protocol just allow you to
challenge each of these people to a duel or anything?"
|
You whisper to brennon: A duel
one on one might be an option, but it depends on how things pan out. .
and wether the challenge is made.
You whisper to brennon: and by
whom
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Maybe.. a ban against fighting to the
death was enacted before I was born, but.." Thyrn rubs the back of
his neck.
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Well, it is like the man begging on
the street near the palace in Baelamar, yes? You said it was
disallowed in that location but still done, for it was effective
regardless."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"You could fight to submission, then?"
It's not a very helpful suggestion, admittedly.
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Or, I don't know, some sort of
ultimate test of mettle or self control. Obviously basic logic
isn't working here, we need to make such a big splash that rumors
sound cheap and petty."
|
|
|
Imre:
|
"What is to happen anyway, Thryn, in
these matters?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"There is a certain tradition to it as
well. It may not be appropriate for anyone here, least of all
myself."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"I mean... is there some equivalent?
If there's a champion warrior who's suddenly rumored to have lost
their edge, or something."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Nothing, most likely. They can not
arrest me or strip me of my rank without substantial incident of
some kind to justify it. It will further their agenda of weakening
the Khyrr and Therhonen's authority, however."
|
|
elfDM:
|
The garrison sera will hear the matter
out, and make a ruling. You've met him, and it's obvious he can't
afford to shut this down. So likely, he'll allow Hurarn to
testify, and then it's down to wether anyone Challenges the
testmony, which can be a matter of argument, or become more
intense.
|
|
elfDM:
|
Indeed, the outcome even if your foes
win may be. . . . ambiguous. But with a war for survival
approaching, in the time between now and then, that could develop
into a full blown sectarian conflict
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
"You could just get it together before
Hurarn gets here."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I just hope nothing arises to give
them cause to do anything beyond making a spectacle of myself,
yes?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"What do you mean?"
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Oh, yeah. Can you,
just... meditate, or something?"
|
|
elfDM:
|
You mean, descend into the blood, and
wage war on the ruler of ruin once more? yeah, sure, you could do
that.
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn tilts his head. "I.. do not
know."
|
|
elfDM:
|
you could, also, try and hide your
blood from hurarn. it would be harder than folling dhaine would
have been, and the two are likely to compare notes at some point
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I can certainly try to focus, but we
are so far from the Abyss now.. I do not think I could do what I
did in the city of brass."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"I mean, I remember how it's done.
Technically, technically, we could dive and, you know, the
whole bit. Kind of silly given we've just gotten back here,
but."
|
|
elfDM:
|
you'd likely need as much help as you
could muster, which means. . . a team of Five.
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"This does not seem like the best time
to attempt to finish Yeenoghu once and for all."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
is there time for us to talk to hurarn
before he makes his formal judgment?
|
|
elfDM:
|
you can talk to him before hand, yes
|
|
elfDM:
|
that may not help and again. . he is a
Gnoll of Honor
|
|
|
Alex:
|
i mean, i doubt we cn get him to lie
on our behalf, but we can see what he thinks about taroryc
politicsand if he'll help us manage this regardless
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
thyrn wouldn't ask him to lie, of
course, but rather consider the many ways in which to express his
judgment considering serrkanar as it is known could depend in part
on this,
|
|
elfDM:
|
do you guys wanna ponder more, or head
into the city?
|
|
|
Alex:
|
what else can we do there besides see
hurarn. my answer's probably yes regardless
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
i'm going to follow everyone's lead
here
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
might be best just to see how things
shake down
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Let's head in. We should probably
talk to Hurarn before doing anything hasty."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Agreed. I know he will hear me out
here."
|
By the time the Gnolls reached Taroryc, they had abandoned any
plans for building shining cities and new utopias. They came for Ore,
and for a place to get out of the weather.
Over generations, a city has been built into the canyons and caves
of the vallayes. Into it, under it, occasionally above it. Most of the
business of Taroryc is done below ground, even if it's only a few feet
of soil and stone keeping things warm.
The largest caverns were considered a wonder, before tales came to
them of the Dwarvern Halls, which streched for fathoms, and shone like
gems.
There is much Taroryc has lost in it's meetings with the world.
Even though in truth, it is much as it has been for centuries, and
resists the change that comes to it.
|
|
Alex:
|
ooh neat
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Wow coll cave;
|
|
elfDM:
|
The undercommons are alive with gnolls
trading, talking, and watching the politics of the hour. The
climate is warm, almost too warm for the outsiders- despite their
fur, despite years of accelerated adaptation to the cold, the
gnolls still prefer a warmer climate.
|
|
|
Alex:
|
stagra baneclaw spotted.
|
|
elfDM:
|
The walls are sandstone, the ground
earthern. Higher platforms ring the cavern floor, the only means
of access the well-gouged climbing paths up the porous rock.
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Not quite Therhonen, I know, but our
people are proud of our homes wherever they may be. Please keep
that in mind."
|
|
elfDM:
|
Trade, freight, and more passes
through here. Most of all, from east to west- to the east is one
of the underground rivers that roll beneath the ever thawing
glaciers, traveling as far as the tributories of the rivers that
pass through therhonen.
|
|
elfDM:
|
And the the west, a far newer
development. A dwarvernmade rail line that links this cave, to the
others beyond.
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"Anything is preferable to
the darkness of before, I can assure you."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"I like it. It's cool." Alex, of
course, remains suffused in a field of finely tooled,
climate-controlled comfort and cares little for the roughness of
the floors or the seepage of cold in through cracks in the walls.
|
|
elfDM:
|
Fires and lanterns light the cave to
varying degrees, the smoke rising to drift along the roof in a
waze that makes it look almost like a clouded sky.
|
|
elfDM:
|
feel free to wander wherever you wish,
and investigate things as ye see fit, of course
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
"How many gnolls live here, roughly,
Thyrn?"
|
|
elfDM:
|
approximatly $Tarorycpopulation gnolls
dwelll here
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
damn man, i never know what's an
appropriate population. how big is baelamar
|
|
elfDM:
|
how woudl i know, i never pinned
anything down for sure, and now that we're in sight of the
endgame, well,
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
how about like, say, 20,000
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
gnolls breed quickly,
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
well like, i dunno man! are there huge
underground msuhroom fields? wheres all the food come from. who
cooks for the gnolls
|
|
|
Alex:
|
there's one, single bathroom in
taroryc, and it's riiiiiiight......... here.
|
|
elfDM:
|
the newer lands are n't that big but i
think this place woud bulk around 12,000, with a fair bit more in
transitory population (but not as much as therhonen on either
count)
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
20,000 is probably a bit light, most
all the gnolls live in the large city areas. the countrysides are
not hugely populated except for some tribes and military
outposts.. then again IDK
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
therhonen itself is huge though
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Anyway, Alex gives the place a
once-over and then drifts off as he recognizes the jagged-edged,
alternatingly-capitalized scrollwork of a nimbus he's seen before.
|
|
elfDM:
|
the main thing about Taroryc is that
the Gnaskran tribes actually maintain their own holdings due to
the climate. They live in semi permanent forts of ice and
permafrost in the colder regions, and then migrate down when the
big thaws occurs, following the floods. Unlike other gnoll cities,
this is't the only settlement in the area, which is also why the
tribes are a bit more formidable
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"Master Clayton!" Stagra is all toothy
grins and eldritch gestures, as usual.
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Stagra! How's it been?" Alex's
returning gesture involves one hand drawn down his breastbone with
fingers crooked in various directions meaningless to the
uninitiated. Secretly, they're mostly also meaningless to the
initiated.
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"In Taroryc itself or the surrounding
area? Well, the answer does not change much in either instance-
since the last counting it was a measure over two full armies in
strength. Two Ten Thousand and Three Thousands together." A bit of
Gnoll itstelf pokes through the Thyrn's common- it's the first
time he's has to speak of a number this large. "I understand this
may not be large to you."
|
|
elfDM:
|
As for feeding, the locals basically
hunt for most of their food, and trade for a little with the
lowlanders. The clash of climates make for a surprizingly large
amount of megafauna, because these lands aren't actually alpine a
lot of the time- big booms in the poulation of prey animals allow
for hunting, and of course result in clashes with other predators
in the region, and the meat is preserved upmountain above the thaw
line year-round
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
"Large enough for a thriving cultural
scene. Who's the best musician in Taroryc?"
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"It's been going great! We're allowed
to show off a lot more now. I even have an apprentice. . .
assuming she didn't die in that quest I sent them on to Balkoroth."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"What's there to quest for in
Balkoroth? We locked that place down."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Pierrot, I am a soldier. Taroryc has
never felt hugely at ease with officers from Therhonen, and I have
not bee here much. The locals would most likely know about that
more than I."
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"Locked it down, yeah, but didn't
clean it out! The place is a rat's nest in old lore and forgotten
places. We're working on a theory about those big stone boats. We
think there may have been another-"
|
|
|
Yrasa Hearthslayer:
|
"This is hardly the time. We must see
to the matters at hand!"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"If you want troop counts, logistical
details, fighting styles, I know all of that. I know the best damn
place to get spices in Therhonen as well, but here.. I do not
know. I have to watch my step as it is."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Woah, hold on, none of you three look
like Hurarn from where I'm standing. What about the boats?"
|
|
|
Imre:
|
"What boats are these?"
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"Well, we hear rumors, and some of the
Armorers think that the Sera triad may be hiding something. But
there are also rumors of other keys, for the boats? Hidden in
Balkoroth. Hidden by some potentate, who may have had a matching
set. . ."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
Istahar is mostly taking in the
hustle-and-bustle. This is a completely new - and exceedingly
bizarre - place that she's walked into. "Those may still be of
importance. Still, we should settle this matter quickly. You
mentioned earlier the threat of invasion. I doubt they shall keep
themselves sated in waiting for you."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"That does make me think, however..
perhaps I have been too aloof to the Sergan and Taroryc." Thyrn
shakes his head. "That is a thought for later."
|
|
elfDM:
|
imre can go chat wiht alex if he likes
|
|
elfDM:
|
but if u don't move, i can't tell who
is where
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Alex looks over. "The docks of
Balkoroth are these huge protrusions of indestructible stone.
Turns out they're hollow."
|
|
|
Imre:
|
"Not everything that is hollow is a
boat, nor are all boats hollow."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
i forget, were we straight unable to
get into any of them? i know we explored the one ishelem came out
of, i guess the others were impregnable?
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
whoops wrong token
|
|
elfDM:
|
imre probably would have hard about
this from serge, and indeed, alex. Balkoroth, the goblin city, has
three mighty black stone docks. Only they're not docks, they're
ancient Flind warships, one of which when opened, revealed a
rather notable prisoner- ishelem
|
|
elfDM:
|
the otehrs were unbreachable, or
rather, brekaing them would have blown up a fair chunk of the
city, and whatever was inside
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Yeah, but these things also had prows
if you traced their connection to the actual shoreline, and
something like a cargo hold... there would be another,
wouldn't there? I remember that one diagram."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I can not quite give you a proper
welcome this time, but still-" Thyrn nods his head, walking
towards one of the fires. "Keep an eye out for Hurarn. I should
speak with the Sera here before anything goes too far."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
they were warded against just plain
teleporting in or phasing through i assume
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"And think of something smart to say,
I could use the help."
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
yellow horse had the amulet to open
the one, right?
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"Exactly! We just have to find it. .
we figure it may be a leader. . or a scout! So anyway I sent my
apprentice off with a bunch of plucky friends, I think they
mentioned something about some human baron Bear-Ruff?"
|
|
elfDM:
|
yeah exactly riidi. hence the keys
stagra is on about
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Alex doesn't look like he can place
the name. "Well, definitely send word if you actually find the
keys. By my count there aren't any of the four brothers left that
should go popping up out of those things, but who knows what else
is in there."
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"Who knows indeed! Their last missive
was that this human set them a quest, an in return, promised to
help them with their quest! Seems somewhat inefficient, but i'm
not one to judge."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn warms his hands over the fire
for a moment before giving a short salute to Drrukh. "Is
the Sera busy?"
|
|
|
Drrukh:
|
"Thyrn, there you are. Hurarn is
arriving now. That's his ship!"
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"It's an ancient custom. What do you
make of this mess we're in right now?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"What? Oh-" Thyrn gives a long, one
armed wave towards the arrive shiping. "Hurarn!"
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
Pierrot strides around a massive mound
and sees the mighty gnoll leap from the deck of a small barge.
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"Heh, it's clever! They give us
credibility, and then use it as a weapon against us! We should
probably just blast them all."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
The Fallen One keeps her distance from
most of the proceedings. She's barely fit in back in Heaven; here,
it's even worse. Everyone has a lot more fur, for one.
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Right? This kind of nonsense wouldn't
last one day at the Pentacle, and yet..."
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
The towering gnoll strides over to the
Hyra, an iron staff balanced across his shoulders. "Thyrn."
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
"Hurarn," nods Pierrot.
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn manages a smile- it's not really
the best time, but. "I have not seen you in awhile now, Hurarn.
How goes things?"
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"Master of storms." He bows, to the
point where his eyes are almost level with the Eladrin's.
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"Things went well in the dwarflands.
We trained a brigade of dwarvern clerics to see to the Wyrmtounge.
They struggle well, and manoy of them have returned to some
semblance of life."
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
He glances back at the barge, and then
returns his gaze to Thyrn. "I have been charting the coastline.
Stuligir spoke to me on th wind a few weeks ago, expressing his. .
.concern. Is it true?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I was more referring to how you have
been doing, Hurarn. I know your endeavours would succeed-" The
flattery sounds remarkably hollow the moment Hurarn asks. "Well,
I... Listen:"
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"I am listening. And I am not yet
Looking. Out of courtesy. For now."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I do not feel less in control- I feel
more in tune with myself than ever. The Paladin seemed to think
that the Abyss was flowing stronger through my veins, and I have
no doubt you will find the same."
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
Eyes narrow. Ears twitch. "What
happened?"
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Alex looks away from Stagra a moment.
"Ooh, man, there he is. I'll talk to you in a bit-" and Alex
crosses the hall, stepping up near Thyrn and Pierrot.
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn leans in close, lowering his
voice. "There is more at stake than that here. This is a push to
discredit myself and Therhonen by extension- the Taroryc have
grown angry at the dwarven and human goods flooding our lands, and
a lack of attention from the central authority."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Just.. I will tell you, for the sake
of trust. But you must keep that in mind, whatever you choose to
say."
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
Stagra smiles at the Shedu. "So. .has
yarlip asked you for an introduction to the Big Waterfall, yet?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"After we thwarted the Titans, we were
cast into the elemental chaos riding on the heels of a demonic
prince. We defeated him and made our way to the city of brass,
where they requested that we aid them with the demonic hordes at
their gates."
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"Not yet, nor did I know he wished
one."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"The others sowed chaos amongst the
troops of the fallen lord of fire- the specifics of which I am not
quite sure, but it was very successful. I focused my efforts on..
Yeenoghu's forces, those of the Flesh as we have discovered."
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
He listens, quietly.
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"I was trying to be. . .well, I mean
the tales spoke of you as a creature of flesh and blood. .. not a
spirit. Your kind have long beeen hostile to us."
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"Go on."
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"Which one of us do you speak of,
Yarlip?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I... do not know how I made my way
there, I sat in a dark room in the city of brass for.. hours it
seemed, before the Abyss lurched into place. I had to convince
them I belonged there, had to show them I was correct in saying
they should not seek to consume or absorb the servants of the lord
of fire."
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
wait
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
did hurarn mean the wyrmtongue or the
runetongue
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"I.. . .there's only one of you!"
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"Indeed."
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"Is there? Look again. He's clearly
haunted! Or . . . something."
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
He is quiet for a long moment more.
His voice is low when he speaks, almost inaudbly so. "I choose a
path of honor and integrty, and as a result, I have no choice but
to speak the truth. I can smell politics better than most gnolls,
lessons learned hard from my mentor. You know the last time I
worked treachery and mischief, and how much it almost cost us
both. But we cannot hide from this, and in truth. . ."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I did what I had to, Hurarn. You know
I would never place anything above my service to our people."
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"I do not know if what you did was
wise. The Abyss . . .cannot be reasoned with. I follow your path,
because you vowed that you were it's enemy. That you sought means
to fight it, not. . channel it. Surely you see the folly in that?
Did you not instruct young Alex Clayton to that effect? Both of
you?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I.. how do I say this.." Thyrn pauses
for a moment. "I seized something down there. I put my
jaws on it and strangled the last bit of resistance out of it.
There was no reasoning to it- things may not be as they appear."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"This was a fight."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Thyrn did fight it. If
the flesh horde hadn't been turned in on itself like that, it'd be
carving a path through the Foundry even now."
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"Anyway. Yarlip here has been tryng to
find the spirits for years. He evne chased around that rain sprit
your friends traveled with. But onyl one gnoll has ever been
allowed to speak to them- well two of you count hurarn, and he
does more of a passive aggressive, 'please, friend elenental tell
your spirit friend this' kind of thing-"
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"I simply seek to learn. I know that
the blood of the demons keeps the spirit kind from our gaze. But
perhaps a bridge can be built?"
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"Would you truly know the reason why,
Yarlip?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Please, Hurarn. I know this may be
below how I am supposed to behave, but be careful how you speak
your.. what is the word.. Testimony, right?"
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"And could you not, conjure a demon,
Wizard? Control it? Make it battle another of it's kind? Why not
do this, as well?"
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"Well. . I assumed. . it was the
blood. . are you saying there is more to it?"
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"Never assume anything about
outlanders, everygnoll knows that!"
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"I ask if you dare to look."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"I don't do it generally
because of the risks and environmental damage, Hurarn. The abyssal
no-man's-land at the heart of the Foundry is another story. Should
I condemn innocents to die for the sake of my beautiful soul?"
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"I have danced on the tops of
mountains. Ridden behemoths, and dueled with goblin-gods. I dare
to see what would be shown to me."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"This is beside the point either way -
whatever you think about the truth, the truth remains what
you have to say. The question is, once you've delivered
your proclamation - then what?"
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"And yet, Thyrn and Pierrot counseled
you, with good cause, to cease such machinations. Where is the
line?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I do not think this is a productive
argument you two."
|
Bully Calodoccer whispers: im
typing a hting
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"I cannot mince words on such matters.
I shall of course speak of context, but in truth. . .I do not know
if this is anything but a loss for you. Wars beyond our worlds?
Cities made of fire? I cannot see that. I can only see what stands
before me. And. . . " His mighty shoulders droop. "I am
dissapointed, Thyrn. I'm sorry, but it's true."
|
You whisper to fritz: np, take
your time, we won't move on ot other things until you're ready/done with
this bit for now. also yu could totally visit the cataract while you're
here
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn feels like a stone was just
dropped through his chest. "Hurarn.. at least think of our cities,
the wars that come here. Speak as you wish about me, but do not
help them tie it to Therhonen and the Khyrr."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"I did cease them," Alex
says, nodding slightly and spreading his arms. "Our work in the
gates of the City of Brass was a collaborative effort whose risk
we all agreed were worth the cost - and I, at least, took
utmost care. But, like I said, once you deliver the news - then
what? Can you help us hold Serrkanar together? You know that
Thyrn's still a champion against the Blood. Wounds heal."
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"When we war with the Abyss, there is
more than one way to lose, Thyrn."
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"And I must be honest about that, as
well."
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"Please excuse me. I must speak to the
Sera before the public hearing."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn nods. "Go then, speak to him."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"But do not ignore my words, Hurarn."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Bloody hell."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"You know why Hurarn's not on your
level? Too clean. He hasn't really waded into the thick of
it like you did."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn rubs his hands down his face,
sighing. "How did it come to be this way? This is not the
Serrkanar I wished to come back to."
|
You whisper to Riidi: doesn't
the master of storms have anything to say about any of dis
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"He accepted my strength, but I still
do not know if he truly accepted my reason."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
She walks up next to them, shaking her
head. "You are too different. I know the feeling well."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"I'm not sure if we can get out of
this without doing something drastic..."
|
Bully Calodoccer whispers:
stagra is female right?
|
|
Istahar:
|
"You do not believe they can be swayed
by word alone?"
|
Pierrot whispers: im not 100%
on exactly what hurarn's grappling with here. like, there's more than
one way to lose ......... which would be relevant if thyrn were losing,
instead of making tradeoffs?
|
|
Alex:
|
"Hurarn's probably farther from the
average gnoll than Thyrn is, except in qualitative terms. He's a
devotee of the storm - I guess the plan's to wash the blood clean,
or shock the taint out, or something."
|
java.lang.NullPointerException error executing expression status =
input( "txtMessage | msg | Message", "player | " + playerList + " |
Choose | RADIO | VALUE=STRING" ).
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Let me be very clear, whatever
happens I do not want anything drastic from you. The moment
something goes wrong and it involves the "outlanders" I let "tag
along" with me, there could be more than Taroryc to worry about."
|
You whisper to fritz: stagra is
male, yrasa is female
|
|
Alex:
|
"Not to them. I mean...
correcting the problem directly. Diving down. Dunno if there's
time, of course, and it's not like it hasn't been more dangerous
each time."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Then again, I do not know what could
happen. We will see."
|
|
elfDM:
|
To clarify, huran has accepted thyrn's
path of inner conflict with the blood. he uses the storm to gird
him in this conflict. the point of contention is that thyrn didn't
just defeat the blood last time he fought it- he turned it to his
own ends
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Had we known in advance, perhaps. We
do not have the time now, and I doubt they would allow me to leave
before this is through."
|
You whisper to Riidi: Huran is
esetially a harliner, BUT he's making the same argument you, thyrn, and
dorvan did to alex. You can't mess around with the abyss, and think you
can control it. if you do, it's just playing you. that's his position on
thyrn's use of the blood.
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"You are smarter than I, Alex. If you
think of something to say during this, I will let you speak for
me."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"I've got plenty to say. But this is
about people giving each other significant looks and tapping the
sides of their noses - snouts - conspiratorially, isn't it, not
actual reason."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"I will lend whatever aid I can,
though I know not how your people shall receive me. I'm not much a
rhetorician when it comes to the mortal world."
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
"Doesn't that feel a bit self-serving,
Alex? Hurarn would realize that the only way to defeat the Abyss
is to use it against itself, if only he were gritty and determined
and pragmatic like us?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I fear it may be that, even in the
way you say it. Many here have already decided, but for those who
have not.. we need to provide doubt."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Yes, damn it! What were we supposed
to do, tell them sorry and fly off?"
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
what was the name of thyrn's mentor
who just cut out the abyss asnd withered away and died peacefully
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Ryarsc.
|
|
|
Alex:
|
ryarsc i think yeah
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
"Well, then this isn't really about
Hurarn, is it? It's the entire gnoll society. Every single way
that Thyrn's people have to battle the blood, on some level
they're basically all lies, if we take Hurarn at his word."
|
You whisper to fritz: we can
wait on this if you wanna giver it it's own scene or a more quiet moment
Bully Calodoccer whispers:
almost done
|
|
Pierrot:
|
"Iron discipline and the power of the
storm - who cares? The corruption still burns within you, powering
your muscles, letting yo udraw breath. There's only one gnoll I
know of who took it to its logical conclusion."
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"Then so be it. Stagra, stand ready.
Yarlip, with me." The shedu shimmers and vanishes. Yarlip
and Stagra stand in confusion before the former's eyes roll back
as he stumbles into the latter.
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
In the spirit realm, the shedu, a
thousand feet high and more, lifts Yarlip gently between his
teeth. The gnoll can see the dome of the sky nearly close enough
to touch, and the glow of the city far beneath them, and further
on outward settlements, and off in the furthest distance the roar
of the great Cataract can be heard.
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
A motion without moving, and now they
are next to the Stormpointers, Yarlip held before the mortal
humans to see, to know the nature of their auras.
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
Another motion, and here is Stagra
before them. Yarlip, so bold moments ago, begins to feel fear and
horror as she sees the true face of the demon taint on his soul.
Imre once described Thyrn's soul as a kettle of boiling tar in
which the remnants of "flind" sometimes bubbled to the surface,
but truly that was a sweetening of the bitter truth.
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
Another motion, and Imre and Brother
Bull stand on either side of Yarlip. Before her is a gnoll, a
faceless gnoll without mark or feature. None speak, but she knows
it is her own soul she faces, and she will never again wonder why
the spirits shun them so.
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
A timeless moment, and then all is as
it was. Not even a single heartbeat has passed here in the city
beneath the snows. Stagra steadies Yarlip by the elbow, and only
the two gnolls and the shedu hear the three booming echoes ringing
out over the hills.
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"What the-. .. how did he make him
pass out? Without setting him on fire?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"If I could have the choice I would
just tell them precisely where to shove their doubts. Tell them to
push them so far they could taste them." Thyrn growls angrily. "I
hate this more than you could believe. Why don't they just
listen to me!?"
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"That. . .that is terrible. . "
|
Bully Calodoccer whispers:
yarlip==lady stagra==gent tho you said?
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I am aware of that, Pierrot. We are
all balanced on the edge of a blade, as it were."
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"Is it. . out of pity then? That you
turn away from us? Or is there simply . . nothing to see?"
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Yeah, it's-" Alex pauses to glance
off to the side for a few moments, eyeing the small bunch of gnoll
sorcerers. He looks back again. "-it's arbitrary, isn't it? That
kind of total denial of any advantage. I mean... he'll say there's
a difference between, I don't know, struggling to use it and
setting it free, that sort of thing."
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"Not pity, no."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"We can solve it when we can solve it,
for now we should control it to our advantage. He says it is
impossible but look at me."
|
You whisper to fritz: yrasa is
female, the thid gnoll. don't owrry about it, we can retcon it or
whateve,r it works fine. pretty dire, tho!
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I am.. Yes, I can not be humble about
it, I am the thing of stories now. I could shatter metal with my
hands if I put myself to it now, is that not enough proof?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"That I can do so and stand here and
accept their insults with a straight face and salute back when
they tell me to go eat dirt?"
|
Bully Calodoccer whispers: oh
whoops i misread yeah
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
Teeth grit. "This can't be all there
is to us. Y-you must be blind, to not see us, how we strive-"
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"We are what we are, Galetripper."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"Perhaps they are simply afraid that
they cannot measure up to what you have accomplished."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"What do you do, though.
You sock one in the face and it just gets worse."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"Perhaps you may try inspiring the
rest? Do not chastise them - uplift them, instead."
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"You have seen as I do, Yarlip."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"You must quell the fear that drives
their hearts against you."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn sighs again, shaking his head.
"I do not know. At least in a real ambush I could fight back."
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"But there is a gnoll that I have seen
that you have not."
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
Their eyes fall to their feet. They
are shivering. But after a moment, they rally. "Then think on
this, winged bull."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Fear me? I do not think that is what
drives them."
|
|
elfDM:
|
oh sorry, you go on
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
im gonna drop mention of rysarc here
unless i shouldnt
|
|
elfDM:
|
no that sounds good
|
You whisper to fritz: reallly
gooodd
|
|
Istahar:
|
"You are an aberration, if what little
stock I have taken of your people is true. You can corral that
which has been their nemesis their entire lives, and turn it to
your strength. You represent a possibility, but it is one that
carries with it an inherent mien of corruption."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Alex taps his chin. "Istahar might be
right. There are two ways to look at this, and the second is that
Thyrn's walking proof that things aren't as bad as they
seem - that you aren't trapped in a maze of dangers that pressures
you always towards totalinaction."
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"I have seen Rysarc, of whom Thyrn may
speak later. I have seen what happens to the soul of one rescued."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"I mean... you did the right thing.
Even if we'd known this was coming we'd have saved the City of
Brass."
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"And what is the fate of such
creatures?"
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"Weakness and death!"
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"No. . what did you see of this one,
spirit?"
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"You say 'this can't be all', Yarlip,
and I hear 'I did not look carefully enough.' "
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"You must convince them that they can
do similarly. Their blood is not their fated master. Do that, and
I feel that this mess can be put behind us."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Did I? If it produces this, I do not
know."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"All great changes are preceded by
suspicion."
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"Yarlip, I saw a flind."
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
". . . . "
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"So that is what I must do."
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"He saw a dead flind. Thryn's path is
the true one."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"For what it is worth, I am proof
enough that origin can be overcome, but I cannot be such a paragon
of that idea to these people. Only you can."
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"I saw what I saw. He's right. Thank
you, winged bull."
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
" 'Must'? That is a strong word
Yarlip."
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
"This is the path I choose. And you've
shown me where the other paths lead."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"We will see how it turns out. I may
be more capable of surprise than they think."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"So, just to make a note here, if we
make a powerful argument that evoking and directing the power of
the blood is occasionally a wise and admirable thing to do we'd be
putting a lot of impressionable people in danger."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Yes."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"I mean, if any example was deserving
of some sort of parental advisory-"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I believe it is possible, but I do
not believe it is exactly safe. I do not wish to say them, for it
sounds this 'Hypo critical', but there are few who could do what I
do."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"Do you not do the same when you march
to war as your children watch?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"I do not have any family."
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"Then so be it. Your path is chosen, and
know that you are awaited at its end."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"They will see only the glory of a
gleaming sword, and not the blood that follows. Yet your society
has survived, has it not?"
|
|
|
Yarlip Galetrapper:
|
The gnoll nods, haltingly. "Then I
shall see you at the Great Cataract. In the fullness of time."
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"Thanks, magic bull! We just lost our
best galeflinger to a mystic quest. Brilliant." Stagra stomps off
in a petulant huff.
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"Perhaps you cannot deny the darkness
within you, but you may choose how you live with it. That is what
you must suggest - that something other than raw fear is possible."
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"Oh, I did not say that it was I
who awaited you, Yarlip, nor that your feet may stop at the
Cataract."
|
|
|
Yrasa Hearthslayer:
|
The other gnolls seem far more. .
ambiguous in their reactions."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"I meant that in the general sense.
But - yeah, that's how I'd approach it, of course. You're an elite
figure in the war, the things you do while forging ahead aren't
necessarily to be taken as general examples. It works the same way
with me at the Academy."
|
You whisper to fritz: yeah, you
dind't say that. but i guess we'll see, won't we? :)
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Hmm, perhaps. Think of a good way to
summarize it that does not sound like "Do as I say, not as I do",
and you may be onto something Alex."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Anyway, if you don't think you can
clench your fists and calm your blood down right here and now, I
suppose it's off to see what we can say."
|
|
Taroryc Bodyguard 3:
|
"The Sera shall speak!" This formal
proclamation sounded so reasonable in Therhonen, but here it rings
with an imperious quality.
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"No one'll ever be able to do as you
do until you try it first and master it. If you didn't take risks
you wouldn't be here at all."
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
i mean, out ofcharacter, this
definitely seems like an insanely weak argument to me, riidi ww
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
but it's not like pierrot didn't
literally two days ago agree that this was the thing thyrn should
do
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn clenches his fists for a moment.
You never know. "I do not think so.. our time appears to have run
its course."
|
|
Volth:
|
"Chieftan Guradorn has sposored the
sorceror, Stuligir Frostbite, to present this challenge to me.
They speak of the Hyra, Thyrn of Therhonen. I shall hear their
challenge."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn adjusts one of his bracers,
trying to appear as relaxed as possible.
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"This Hyra is not fit to lead our
people. My tribe has long waged war on the blood. Hunting the
wendigo and the fallen, keeping the ancient ways which we
inherited from Syrca Demonslayer and his get, as his true sons.
Only now, in this new age, have the Sera. . and the Khyrr. ..seen
the wisdom of our ways. . and only now do Sorcerors and Demon
slayers gain the respect they deserve."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Alex stands straight and formal,
watching the speaker carefully. He's tuned his wards to let in the
ambient light and so allow the wizard to actually look like part
of the room.
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
There's one demon slayer here not
getting the respect he deserves.
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
He continues his oratory, speaking
gnoll with a rumbling local dialect. "It is our judgement, and
that of Stuligir, that, as is the case with all our great
warriors. . the time has some, regrettably, for Thyrn to leave
this world. Indeed, we praise him- for he is a Slayer of Demons!
He has warred long on the Blood! But it is a war that in time,
costs each warrior their sanity and, should we not see to them
properly. . their soul."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
He holds out his hands. "We all know
this. The mightier the warrior, the stronger the blood in their
veins. And Thyrn. . may be the mightiest Gnoll warrior in history."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
He pauses, for a long time. As gnolls
nearby, and watching from upper balconies mull over his words.
"Hear now from our sorcerer."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
What!? "Hold on- Leave this world!?
What kind of trial is this, Sera? Do you have authorization for
this?"
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Leave this world...? Alex frowns
slightly. That's more dire wording than he'd seen coming.
|
|
Stuligir Frostbite:
|
This one's voice is rough, almost
rasping from long years of ice, storm, and sorcery. He does not
speak as well as his sponsor, but he knows how to spin a tale. "We
do not speak our of arrogance."
|
|
|
Stuligir Frostbite:
|
"But our ways are wise. Wehn the time
comes, a warrior must surrender to the tribe-"
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"Hold!"
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
She mumbles very quietly to Alex. "I
don't suppose you've been considering escape plans?"
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"I was not informed of this claim! You
seek to. . forcibly reture this Hyra?"
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"Or worse?"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"We simply speak the truth as we see
it! It is up to you. . mighty Sera. . to determine our path. . "
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Alex whispers back: "They're the ones
who should be considering escape plans."
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"then by all means. . continue to give your
views."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"I believe your ally mentioned nothing
'drastic' should happen."
|
|
|
Stuligir Frostbite:
|
"In our tribe. . and many others! The
warriors who have reached this point, are given a great
celebration! It is a wiser, and far more decent end, than the
taboos and hidden superstitions of the lowlanders!"
|
|
|
Stuligir Frostbite:
|
"We do not ignore their pain. . .or
hide from it! Stubbornly denying their suffering. . or doing away
with them. . .in secret! Like the Myrla. . .like the Sergan!"
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"'Should' is the operative word,
there. But - no, they wouldn't dare."
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
"Wouldn't they?"
|
|
|
Stuligir Frostbite:
|
"Now that the Khyrr has seen the
wisdom of our ways. . .then heed them! This warrior is slipping.
It is his time. We would not claim him as one of our own, and send
him on the long march but. . . . clearly his time is at an end."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Hyra Thyrn. Would you see a tragic
end to your greatness? Would you see your young human friends. .
forced to put you down, when you main fails, suddenly? You know
the pain of such things."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn narrows his eyes. "I will die of
old age before I fall."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"You know what it's like, don't you?
Surely? I see it in your eyes. A sadness I often see in the Myrla
and Sergan. A friend lost. . .a mentor. . a. . commander?"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Everyone thinks that,
Thyrn!"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Everyone says they shall be the one
to die in bed!"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"And we are all wrong"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Both, in different ways. You only
hunt, Guradorn- you have no perspective. No idea what there is out
there."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"So easy it is to call yourself wrong
when it suits your purposes, isn't it?"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Out there? You didn't come back free
of the blood, Hyra. You came back stronger. That is a
familiar tale. And we all know how it ends."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Stronger, but more in control than
ever. How do you explain that, Guradorn?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"You can't, it doesn't work for what
you want here."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Thus far, you have been correct. You
have held the line. Songs will be sung of that! Your battle has
been brave, and true."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"But now? The battle comes to an end.
We can see it. Even your own, most respected and loyal allies, can
see it!"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"you are slipping Hyra.
And you know it."
|
At this, a change comes over the room. Gnolls shift in place, and
grown to one another. Thyrn's story is well known. His legend grows. But
could it be true? Could be truly be. .. .
|
|
Alex:
|
"That's certainly not
true."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"You're as mortal as any of of Thyrn.
And you know the end that comes for our people."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"I do not expect you to accept my
words for this. Or that of our Sorcerers! Rather, I ask Thyrn's
triest disciple. One who has done more than any gnoll, to further
his cause, and make the argument for a mystic war against the
blood."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Better than you do. I can see already
you've never really looked inside yourself to see what was there,
Guradorn. No, yours is the hunt. The blindness, the safety of
ignorance."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
I do not begrudge you your defiance,
Thryn. It has always been the case, that our strength, our
stubborness, that keeps us going- in time becomes our greatest
foe. For in time, the blood clais even that."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Hurarn Thunderfall. What say you?"
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"Speak, Sorceror."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Yes, come Hurarn. Tell them what they
want to hear."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"They don't want to hear it! But they
must!"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Oh but you do, Guradorn. You thirst
for blood more than any demon."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Alex has got his arms folded in front
of his body now rather than behind it. It's the moment that he
lets them hang loose to flex his fingers that you want to watch
out for, of course. The wizards stares daggers across the chamber.
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"Thyrn is the mightiest of our people.
He is a mountain of iron, compared to the rest of us."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"We don't dispute that. Is he
slipping?"
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"He shall likely outlive all of us, if
not taking by violence- he may live out a mortal span, without
falling to the blood?"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. Is he slipping?"
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"He has slain demon lords, and demon
princes! He stands on the front lines of our war! He has crossed
blades with the ruler of ruin itself, and triumphed in the war for
his own soul!"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Is. . he sli-"
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"I thought you better than this,
Guradorn! Where is the man who once risked ruin, to teach me
lessons of honor?"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Hes standing Right. Here."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn falls back into a loose stance,
but he doesn't dare even twitch towards his blades, not here.
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
Smaller by only a hair, the Chieftain
is a formdable sight in the spiked armor of a demon slayer. "Is.
He losing ground."
|
|
|
Hurarn Thunderfell:
|
"His control is less than it was when
I last met him."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Alex looks back and forth with each
growled sentence.
|
The cavern rumbles with a chorus of gasps, snarls, and oaths. they
crawl across the textures surface, sandstone walls, earthen floor, smoke
stained roof, like stormclouds.
|
|
Volth:
|
"There will be no rituals of execution
here!"
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"I know well your ceremonies. And they
have not been accepted-"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"You let us die for you. You let our
sorcerers quest and cast. But you won't accept the most vital, and
compassionate of our traditions-"
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"You speak of compassion to a Sera?!
I am war leader!"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn folds his arms. He doesn't
appear swayed at all. "This is not your decision to make,
Guradorn. It is not anyone's here."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"You do not just stage a trial for a
Hyra by surprise."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"And what a war. with no room for
wisdom, or humility, or mercy even for your greatest champion, we
have all see where this path leads! Who shall slay him, when the
time comes?"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"When he turns as we will all turn,
should we not accept our fate?"
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"We are the master of our own fate,
Chieftain!"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"And we see where that leads.
Arrogance, and folly. Even in the face of the great truth of our
existance."
|
|
|
Volth:
|
Volth is clearly out maneuvered. He's
warleader alright, but not much of a politician.
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
The chieftain argues well, but also
with undeniable passion. If you didn't know better, you'd swear he
believed every word he saw saying.
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Does Alex know better?
|
|
|
Drrukh:
|
"You are welcome to speak, on Thyrn's
behalf.
|
|
elfDM:
|
Everyone can roll a skill! beware
however, the more banes you rack up, the more your wierdness and
outsider nes will count against you. after all, this whole debate
isn't really about itself. it's about credibility. . and doubt.
Banes=doubt, but you arne't going to get very far without figing
things out, or evne making arguments of your own
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
alright
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
first, can i use this:
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
|
Effect: Until the end of your next turn, each
target gains a bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate
equal to +8 (Wis modifier).
|
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
agh sorry ignore that last part
|
|
elfDM:
|
Radiant Gnollargument Win. you
winone argument with gnols
|
|
|
Alex:
|
oh, that'll come in handy
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
okay, then i roll this
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
so that's a 49 total
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Word of Peace You
call your foe a-
|
|
elfDM:
|
i just realized. . vermain doens't now
out skill system
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
oh. teh
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
ahhhhhhhh yes
|
|
elfDM:
|
ok so like. there are Stakes when you
roll skills
|
|
elfDM:
|
you can alter them, stop that riidi,
it's not like the systme is a running joke or something-
|
|
elfDM:
|
basically yo can change the stakes of
your skill rolls, to get say, more successes.. but also more risk
of a downside!!
|
|
elfDM:
|
the downside are called Banes,
|
|
elfDM:
|
some fo them are big, campaigin banes,
others, like the ones in this scene, ralate ot more immediate stuff
|
|
elfDM:
|
butt since you rolled you ass off, we
can just assume you had normal stakes, and got 3 succeses
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
yay
|
|
elfDM:
|
ok, flaouivr that! and remember,
you're a strange angle creature, but a lot of gnolls probably just
see you as Yet Another Magical Foreigner
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
thyrn got a campaign bane and it led
to this
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
alright does everyone else now roll a
Thing or should i flavor or w/e
|
|
|
Alex:
|
when happyelf says "successes" he
means we just compare the skill row to the easy/normal/hard dcs
for our level, each one you pass is a success for long-term
challenge tracking purposes
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
ah okay
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
sorry i had a touch of lag there
|
|
elfDM:
|
lvl 24 DCs 27/32/37
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
|
|
|
Effect: Gain +« WisBonus
= 9 » to your next skill check
this turn.
|
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
skill bonus guy
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
s
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
« 1d20+26+9
= 20 + 26 + 9 = 55 »
insight. what's the deal here. normal stakes.
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
dang that was a waste
|
|
elfDM:
|
yeah i mean, nodon't be afraid of a
few lil banes, these banes aren't campaigin banes after all
|
|
elfDM:
|
feel free to flavour your rolls once
you rollem
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
i'll raise the stakes once and roll
intimidate
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
would you like to reroll that, riidi
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
i have an item power
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
i would like to, i believe.
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
|
Effect: You can use this power when you or an ally
within 5 squares of you rolls a poor Diplomacy or Intimidate
check. You or the ally rerolls the check and uses the new
result.
|
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
tehhh
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
sorry i still have a bunch of old code
stuff
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
b oom, that's more like it
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
hooray
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
You have spent a magic item daily power use.
Current uses:
2
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
hmm
|
|
elfDM:
|
im gonna say. . thyrn can't roll!
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Ah
|
|
elfDM:
|
so let's see alex's roll
|
|
elfDM:
|
and the youall can flavour, and ill
tell you what you learn
|
|
elfDM:
|
as well as making general progress
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Great truths of existence are malleable.
What you propose now is, in the Serrkanar that exists, a wise and
compassionate thing that your ancestors would have balked at as
ridiculous. For most gnolls, great strength and prowess coupled
with slipping self-control might well be read as a call for
execution, but Thyrn isn't like most gnolls. You can't
harken back to tradition when something's never been done before."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
The Fallen One concentrates, and for a
brief moment, there is a distant sound, like the fluttering of
wings. She - and the others - gain a nobility in their bearing
that wasn't there moments before.
|
|
|
Alex:
|
that's with the +8 bonus
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn folds his arms, looking the
crowd over. He's been a witness before, stood in front of a
disciplinary tribunal, but this.. he's never been the suspect in a
trial like this.
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
Pierrot's not a literally towering
presence, but Hurarn's respectability has rubbed off on him and
the crackling power that surrounds him lets him loom above his
weight class. "This is an outrage. As with all gnolls, Thyrn must
keep a close eye on his condition and have friends and comrades
who are there to help him and to do what he cannot. That is what
he has. Do not question us."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"Turn on Thyrn now and you'll be doing
this forever, biting back the pain of cutting your greatest
off in their primes because you know the alternative is worse. But
the whole bloody cycle can be brought to a close, can be
transcended all together - if you stand with Thyrn rather than
against him."
|
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
The shedu stands back. There's
obviously more going on. What's Guradorn's angle? What's his goal?
Is this mere gnoll politics, or worse?
|
|
elfDM:
|
Istahar note a certain strange
discordance in the influence of her. . influence. Normally, a
supernal assertion of this kind passes peacefully, but here,
amidst these demon blooded things, it is cast into stark relief.
Still, it seems to have the desired effect, although she's not
sure how well it would work coninually over time.
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"I can only but agree with the rest of
my allies." The word allies has an odd taste to it,
and she hesitates for only a brief second. "For an age longer than
this city has stood, I fought against all that was terrible and
chaotic in the world, and were a true demon to stand before me, I
would smite it where it stood. But there are none here of
that - only a brave and noble man."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"Do not let your fear of your own
blood drive you to ruin. Do not let your fear of him drive
you to forego the true strength that rests within your mind and
hearts."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
"What he has accomplished - his subjugation
of his darkness - is what all of you can also achieve."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
She then rests her tongue, hands
clasped behind her back.
|
|
elfDM:
|
Brother Imre has already been working
his spirit powers this hour, and showing one gnoll a part of
themselves. He finds his new perspective does seem to clarify
things, and it's clear immediatly, that the Chieftain, and his
Shaman, are in fact if anything, admirably resisting the toll of
the abyss- if not on the scale of Hurarn or indeed, Thyrn. That
rules out the most obvious of mischief. But beyond that. He senses
little in the way of guile in these two creatures, Guradorn, and
Stuligir. They speak with passion, of their tradiitons. Still. .
something isn't right. Something important, very important, is
missing from Imre's inderstanding of their tribal customs. These
are not creatures who reach out to the sprit world. their
sorcerers are not shamans. And that means that what may appear to
be harmony, could be anything but.
|
You whisper to fritz: Also,
with that 20, Imre is all the more sure about his view of gnolls.
Indeed, once he returns to his allies in the champions, he may have to
speka to them, since the dragonslayers seem more and more complacent
about the threat of the abyss, and the eventual fate of the gnolls who
embrace it.
|
elfDM:
|
Pierrot's challenge makes a lot of
sense to a lot of gnolls. Not only those loyal to the Khyrr and
Sera, but just in general, these are not creatures who disrepect
power- particularly the power of the storm. Most importantly, he's
managed to elevate his demand above the level of politics, and
other vagrancies that might spread cynicism, or cause a backlash
like the one Bogda feared.
|
|
elfDM:
|
Alex's logic strikes well at the heart
of the paradox here- are these new ways, or not? Why is one take
on new ways, better than another? A lot of wise and learned snouts
are nodding at that.
|
|
elfDM:
|
Istahar's words challenge the gnolls
to Be Brave and Tough. There's no beating that line, with a gnoll
audience.
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"Well spoken. Unles there are further
challenges."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"I will challenge by blade."
|
The room shakes with the latest twist.
|
|
Alex:
|
Alex chokes out a single laugh. "What?"
|
|
|
Bodgan Grad:
|
On the other side of it, Bogdan
pratically falls over in shock. He mouths something obscene to his
colleague in the dialect of lower stormpoint.
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"I will challenge the Hyra by blade!"
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"How is that pertinent?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"What..?"
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"But he'll just- I mean, wait, would
that be the end of it?"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Let it be a test of skill and
restraint. Let us climb the Tower together. I would argue that his
blood will light in him, a fury that will rob him of his balance,
and restraint!""
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"You cna't be serious. this makes no
sense! You do not deny his might!"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"I do not. And yet, by law, a
challenge is a challenge."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"You want me to make a martyr of you
or something, Guradorn? You're not proving anything by this."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"I would not fight to the death Hyra.
Merely to the first fall." From a fifty foot tall spire, that
stretches nearly to the ceiling of the hall.
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Let us duel on the narrow path. For
that is where we stand. That is the path you find yourself falling
from."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"A fall like that can be fatal if one
isn't careful, Guradorn. What do you expect to come of this?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"If you win, what does that prove? If
I win, the same question remains."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Alex is whispering, now. "He's
completely crazy. I have to make people duel me, you know."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"I will not surrender to this. We must
lead our people in wisdom! Including the wisdom of knowing when to
let go of life!"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"If I win it shall be for one of two
reasons. Either of which prove my point!"
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
So is Istahar. "He's desperate to
cling to his folly. It is a pitiful sight."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Either, your control is slipping.
Enough that the narrow path is not broad enough for you to do
battle upon."
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"Or?"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
He smiles. "Or Scyra's Blades have
found a demon."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"And if I win?"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
He slams his gauntlets together, then
swings his arms out to his sides. Ancient mecanisms hiss within
his armor, and four massive blades spring from within! (see
handout)
|
|
|
Alex:
|
hell yeah
|
|
|
Stagra Baneclaw:
|
"The Lost blades of Scyra!"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn manages a small laugh. "Do you
know what swords I wield, Guradorn?"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"This is Fury. This is Wrath. This is
Mercy. And this is Peace. What is the name of your blade, Thyrn?
I'm sure it has much in common with mine."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn draws the plain, indigo hued
steel blade at his side. "This is Trust, last work of the Flind.
It is a promise made long ago."
|
You whisper to Ferrinus: A
quick calculation suggests that his blades likely post-date Ynarra,
which thyrn wields. But not by a whole lot. They were lilely repurposed
to fit within the bracers and armor, maybe by early demonslayers in the
post flind era.
|
|
Pierrot:
|
thios is extremely shonen.
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
it is
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"The other I have no name for.
Standard issue sword for a Hyra- lent to a human from ages past to
fight a battle he has no chance of winning. It is all the remains
of him now."
|
You whisper to Ferrinus: by
post-date, i mean they'renot as good. . but they do seem more
aggressivly atuned to the bloos of the gnolls, somehow. as if built to
seek it out, and empty it frm it's vessles
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Sera?"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
He brings the second blade out- the
steel is off-white and almost looks cracked. It looks serene,
delicate.. but also caustic.
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Alex scratches at his chin. "Hmm.
Thyrn wins - by a bit, anyway. Those are post-flind blades, just
barely. 'course, that means we're looking at all the technical
expertise of the flinds bent to the sole purpose of spilling the
blood of the newly-abyssal gnolls."
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"If you lose. This matter is closed,
chieftain. You cannot make some mewling argument of being beaten
by a demon"
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"They last tasted the flesh of a true
demon, Guradorn. The Prince of Fire, Ishelem."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"I shall make no such argument. If I
fall, the matter is closed, and my tribe shall accept that! If I
stand. .. I want the Triad to hear our case. That is all."
|
|
|
Volth:
|
". . .That is fair. I am watching you,
Guldorn."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
A slick, deep throated cackle. "You
can try old man. . but I doubt you'll be able to kepe track of
either of us.
|
|
elfDM:
|
ok, just gotta count out the line
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
There's no way Guradorn would make a
challenge like this if he didn't have something planned.. Thyrn
tests the weight on his blades carefully.
|
You whisper to fritz: imre
isn't so sure this is a trap. he's pretty sure guladorn actually
beleives in what he's doing, and sees this as his last chance to save
thyrn from himself, and set the gnolls on a better path.
|
|
Thyrn:
|
He leans over and whispers to Alex as
he passes. "Be ready, something about this does not fit."
|
|
elfDM:
|
btw, how long does everyone have
|
|
elfDM:
|
can't seem to load aoe's
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
w/e
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
the usual forever. tomorrow is a
holiday
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
its long weekend
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Alex nods, but whispers back "Get that
guy."
|
Bully Calodoccer whispers:
hmm.. anyway if imre interferes there'll be diplomatic incidents anyway
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
i can go late-ish tonight
|
|
|
Alex:
|
i SHOULD go to bed in two hours or so
but i'm flexible
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
bed time is immaterial to us,
ferrinus. We are adults now.
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
i too need to be in bed in about 2
hours
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Inmaterial
|
You whisper to fritz: yeah
there's no real clear option here for action. . but otoh, he's also sure
that they are missing something
|
|
Alex:
|
once i ascend to the realms supernal,
i'll abolish bedtimes AND cavities
|
|
elfDM:
|
i can't mak out the path but it's like
23 long iirc
|
Bully Calodoccer whispers: i
(fritz) am prob. not gonna be able to figure it out
|
|
Thyrn:
|
23 all the way to the top seems about
right
|
You whisper to fritz: it's
kidna hard to without more info. basically imagine it in terms of
ecology. these gnoll tribes have their traditions, but they don't have
the spits to help them seek a genune balance with the world. so unliek
your people, their rituals may have unintended consequences. . .imre
caused problame by slipping, , but thse gnolls could be doing something
wrong. . and not evne know it. .
|
|
Bully Calodoccer:
|
looks like a devil w/ a scythe for
thee for thee for theeeeee up there imo
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
brennon HAS to cap the point on
badlands or else his team won't win
|
|
elfDM:
|
it's the gnoll standard and a red
flag, put on top of ome toehr things. modifying existing maps ftw
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
pride rock
|
|
elfDM:
|
do you remember the rules for dueling
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Sort of, give me the rundown again
though just in case
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
it's like, you predict a move and roll
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
and there's a bonus
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
if you guess the correct Counter
|
|
elfDM:
|
RULES OF THE DUEL: The duel will be an
extended skill contest with a rock/paper/scissors feature.
VICTORY: The duel is fought up and down the slope of a spire.
Whoever pushes their opponent off the end of the path, wins.
|
|
elfDM:
|
Whoever wins the roll-off pushes their
opponent back 1 square, or 2 squares if they beat them by a margin
of 5 and more, and so on to a max push of 3.
|
|
elfDM:
|
ROLLING: Each turn, the duelists
secretly choose a type of skill to roll- known amongs gnoll
warriors as Chase, Stalk, and Challenge
|
|
elfDM:
|
Chase: Strength, and Dex. Stalk: Int,
and Wis. Challenge: Cha, and Con.
|
|
elfDM:
|
You choose a skill to roll in secret,
and gain a +5 bonus if you have the advantage against your
opponent's skill: Challenge beats Stalk, Stalk beats Chase, and
Chase beats Challenge
|
|
elfDM:
|
as is usually the case, your opponent
has a special trait:
|
|
|
Alex:
|
rule of duel
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
The Demon Slaying chieftain has
battled many mad gnolls in his time, and his blades are built for
this purpose. He is a cunning and experienced foe. Whenever he
uses Stalk skills, he can roll twice, and use either result!
|
|
elfDM:
|
ok,who wants to hear the secret calls?
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
>:I
|
|
|
Alex:
|
brennon nominates... himself
|
|
elfDM:
|
hey idiots. somebody volunteer
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
what would hearing the Secret Calls
entail
|
|
elfDM:
|
we each whisper the skilset we're
going to use to you, and then when you get both of them, you post
them
|
|
elfDM:
|
but you can't tell anyone until you
get both of them!
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
alright, post them in public?
|
|
elfDM:
|
yes, ocne you have both, post them at
the same time
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
yes
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
i'd assume so but just checking!
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
they each pm you and then you copy
them here
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
aight
|
|
elfDM:
|
it's so easy, even the sergan could do
it
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
i am prepared
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
The demon hunter rests on the balls of
his feet, his heavy armor giving him little trouble even on this
narrow path.
|
|
|
Alex:
|
ultimate trial of vermain
|
The cavern comes alive with calls and shouts, as the gnolls cheer
as they would for any battle!
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"I hope for your sake I can take your
down, Thyrn. I know you are to honorable to wish that end on
yourself. . .or your allies!"
|
|
|
Volth:
|
The Sera holds high his hand. .
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn's feet barely even disturb the
dust as he settles into a light stance. "I'm going to end your
schemes here and now, Guradorn. We'll stand together whether you
like it or not after this."
|
|
|
Volth:
|
And hurls it down! "Begin!"
|
You whisper to Vermain: Chase!
|
elfDM:
|
do the skill call up front, i already
did,heh
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
wow
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Challenge, my friend
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
Guradorn: Chase!
|
|
elfDM:
|
in future, whisper them, otherwise
vermian will get confusuled
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
yeah
|
|
elfDM:
|
chase beats challenge! rollem!
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
« 1d20+31
= 5 + 31 = 36 »
Intimidate!
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Fk
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
do i still get that +8 from vermain's
thing,
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
Athletics!! « 1d20+28+5
= 7 + 28 + 5 = 40 »
|
|
elfDM:
|
let's say. . loser flavours first?
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Guradorn's fought more Gnolls than
Thyrn ever has, and the Hyra is aware of this. He opens with an
offensive flourish, trying to tease out some of the hunter's
strategy.
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
The Cheiftain responds with a direct
charge, his front leading blades sesthing with cold as if drawn to
Thyrn's Demonic blood!
|
|
elfDM:
|
next round! whispering!
|
You whisper to Vermain: stalk!
|
|
Istahar:
|
Istahar watches the battle from afar,
arms crossed. There's something odd about a duel, really.
It seems unnecessary.
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
Thyrn: Challenge! Guradorn:
Stalk!
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
« 1d20+31+5
= 14 + 31 + 5 = 50 »
Intimidate!
|
|
elfDM:
|
History! « 1d20+26
= 16 + 26 = 42 » « 1d20+26
= 19 + 26 = 45 »
|
|
elfDM:
|
that's a margin of 5, push 2
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
Guladorn follows up with a barrage of
strikes from his front and rear blades, a practiced, time honored
approach to drive back a lighter armored foe, and yet-
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
The Skyrunners move like the wind, but
crash like the wave. Just as Guradorn steps into the ground he was
given, Thyrn slams back into him with a rolling, dual bladed
strike. "Tell me, do any of the ones you hunt still use weapons
like I do?"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
A hiss of pain and shifting metal
plates is the only response
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
whispering!
|
You whisper to Vermain:
Challenge!
|
|
Istahar:
|
Thyrn: Challenge! Guradorn:
Challenge!
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
tie! rolling!
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
bluff « 1d20+28
= 9 + 28 = 37 »
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
« 1d20+31
= 6 + 31 = 37 »
Intimidate! Classic Thyrn
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
hsss that won't do!
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
damn
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
woahhh!
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
wish my rolls were better...!!
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
The two gnolls are a frenzy of blades,
one snarling, the other silent as they wage a battle of wills with
no victor!
|
You whisper to Vermain: stalk!
|
|
Istahar:
|
Thyrn: Chase! Guradorn:
Stalk!
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
yeahhh History « 1d20+26+5
= 8 + 26 + 5 = 39 »
« 1d20+26+5
= 16 + 26 + 5 = 47 »
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
« 1d20+26+5
= 18 + 26 + 5 = 49 »
« 1d20+26+5
= 1 + 26 + 5 = 32 »
Acrobatics!
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
oh yeah, no five for me
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
so 44
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
yeah!!
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
Tarokhyr's advance seems implacable.
On such a narrow path, there's no way around the storm of blades,
or the wall of armor. And no way through- not in this moment.
|
|
elfDM:
|
falvour then whisper!
|
You whisper to Vermain: Stalk!
|
|
Istahar:
|
Thyrn: Chase! Guradorn:
Stalk!
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
The heavily armoured goblins never
fought on ground like this, always in the open. Thyrn finds it
hard to angle at Guradorn, instead he simply gives ground once
again.
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
« 1d20+26
= 18 + 26 = 44 » « 1d20+26
= 15 + 26 = 41 »
Athletics
|
|
elfDM:
|
History « 1d20+26+5
= 12 + 26 + 5 = 43 »
« 1d20+26+5
= 10 + 26 + 5 = 41 »
|
Gnolls cheer and cackle at the match. In this terrain, the two
seem caught in an impasse!
|
|
Drrukh:
|
"Sera. . if this goes on too long. . ."
|
|
|
Alex:
|
i recall a historical instance in
which thyrn's technique was used,
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"I would prefer not to step in. .
besides. . .bonds are made in battle. . ."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"We all win if I win, Guradorn. Just
take the fall."
|
|
elfDM:
|
He's drawing on his experence
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Such words are beneath you."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
whispering!
|
You whisper to Vermain:
challenge!
|
|
Istahar:
|
Thyrn: Stalk! Guradorn:
Challenge!
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
« 1d20+23+5
= 7 + 23 + 5 = 35 »
Perception
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
argh i need more 10+ rolls ffs
|
|
elfDM:
|
challeng ebeats stalk
|
|
elfDM:
|
bluff « 1d20+28+5
= 13 + 28 + 5 = 46 »
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
ah
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
well
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
please dont fall, thyrn
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
there's already a fallen one here
*laugh track*
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
his numbers are larger, but i will do
what i can
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
Thyrn locks blades with the Cheiftain
in an intricate parry- only for his opponent to smirk, and retract
his blades back into his gauntlets. Stepping inside Thyrn's guard,
he slams a guntlet into the Hyra's head, sending them both
crashing back!
|
|
elfDM:
|
actually if you don't have +5 on that
it's anoter square!
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn shakes off the blow quickly. "We
both know you're not doing this for the greater good, Guradorn."
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Are you sure about that, Thyrn?"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
whisper!
|
You whisper to Vermain: stalk!
|
|
Istahar:
|
Thyrn: Chase! Guradorn:
Stalk!
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
"Who else can stand up for what I do,
fight for the things I do?"
|
|
elfDM:
|
stalk beats chasseee
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
this rng provided list is not working
as intended
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
« 1d20+26
= 18 + 26 = 44 » « 1d20+26
= 16 + 26 = 42 »
Acrobatics
|
|
elfDM:
|
History « 1d20+26+5
= 20 + 26 + 5 = 51 »
« 1d20+26+5
= 1 + 26 + 5 = 32 »
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"wherever our people go, we must go
together! Why else should we stand as one??"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"We are on the narrow path, Thyrn! You
have forgotten how treacherous that trek truly is! Here- let me
remind you. . "
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn continues to cede ground,
stepping out of the way of the hunter's blades. The heavy armour
leaves precious little for his strikes to threaten..
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
"Don't hold back, Thyrn. By my honor,
we shall not call you a monster for striking me down!"
|
You whisper to Vermain: Chase!
|
|
Istahar:
|
Thyrn: Challenge! Guradorn:
Chase!
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
« 1d20+31
= 18 + 31 = 49 »
Intimidate
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
Athletics!! « 1d20+28+5
= 6 + 28 + 5 = 39 »
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
Guladorn resses his advantage, and
then-
|
|
|
Drrukh:
|
"Hyra! If oine of them dies-"
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"Quiet! I am enjoying the bout. As are
those watching."
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn ducks low, getting inside
Guradorn's guard. His blades scream through the air like the dying.
|
You whisper to Vermain: chase!
|
|
Istahar:
|
Thyrn: Challenge! Guradorn:
Chase!
|
|
elfDM:
|
Athletics!! « 1d20+28+5
= 4 + 28 + 5 = 37 »
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Die!
|
You whisper to Vermain: s. ..
s-stalk!!
|
|
Thyrn:
|
not literally, of course, but,
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
Too late.
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
He literally dies.
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
Thyrn: Challenge! Guradorn:
Stalk!
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Trust slices a hair's breadth away
from Guradorn's eyes. The bottom flap of cloth falls loosely from
the top.
|
|
elfDM:
|
History « 1d20+26
= 3 + 26 = 29 » « 1d20+26
= 1 + 26 = 27 »
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
« 1d20+31+5
= 3 + 31 + 5 = 39 »
Intimidate
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
damn, a 3...
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
throw game guy
|
You whisper to Vermain: Stalk.
|
|
Istahar:
|
thyrn blows a cloud of weed smoke in
his face
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn's offense is relentless, he's
like an avalanche of steel- the only winning move is to get out of
the way.
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
Thyrn: Chase! Guradorn:
Stalk!
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
Sparks fly like a foutain as the demon
slaying chieftain is forced back, and back-
|
|
elfDM:
|
History « 1d20+26+5
= 3 + 26 + 5 = 34 »
« 1d20+26+5
= 15 + 26 + 5 = 46 »
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
« 1d20+26
= 19 + 26 = 45 » « 1d20+26
= 15 + 26 = 41 »
Athletics
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
damn, almost
|
|
elfDM:
|
whisper and then something'll happen-
|
You whisper to Vermain: chase!!
|
|
Istahar:
|
Thyrn: Chase! Guradorn:
Chase!
|
|
elfDM:
|
Athletics!! « 1d20+28
= 14 + 28 = 42 »
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
« 1d20+26
= 1 + 26 = 27 » « 1d20+26
= 6 + 26 = 32 »
Acrobatics
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
fk
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
Fail.
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
The four blades seethe with the power
of the chill winds of the mountains, as the demon hunter drags
back some of his hard lost progress against Thyrn. He builds into
a new tempo, gaining inertia, and then-
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"What? Huh. HOLD!"
|
|
|
Guradorn Tarokhyr:
|
The two figures clash once more, and
then drag themselves apart with a slading of steel.
|
|
Blood-Splattered Bodyguard:
|
"Sera. The Wendigo! They have come!
They strike at the city!"
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
"Drawn to us again, do you think?"
|
|
|
Alex:
|
Alex spins. "How many?"
|
|
|
Volth:
|
"Hmm. You see? This, here, is the
madness of the abyss. Suicidal folly. I would ask our guests to be
on call in case our defenders find thry are troubled- they are
treacherous beasts by all accounts- but we should be able to
disperse whatever rabble remains, after your slaughter of them on
the glacier."
|
|
|
Blood-Splattered Bodyguard:
|
"This is no rabble sir. There are.. I
do not understand how it is possible sir but-"
|
|
|
Blood-Splattered Bodyguard:
|
"There are hundereds of them. .
perhaps more! And army!"
|
|
|
Blood-Splattered Bodyguard:
|
"They're invading the city!"
|
TO BE CONTINUED!!
|
elfDM:
|
thanks for playing y'all
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Thyrn lowers his blades to his side,
but his breathing remains slow.. steady. "Looks like the real
threat is still out there. Pity we were so.. distracted."
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
chears happyelf
|
|
elfDM:
|
NEXT WEEK: THE RIDDLE OF THE BEAST
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
The beast is least.
|
|
|
Istahar:
|
next week: gross monster battles
|
|
|
Alex:
|
wendigo SORT OF aren't gross
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
were they gonna try to put thyrn in
that cage
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
they're epic and win
|
|
|
Pierrot:
|
thyrn taken away in a cangue to await
executioin .... but what's this? his followers are attacking the
caravan! guard it, warden, while protecting your base from wendigo
assault!
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
Nice
|
|
|
Alex:
|
next game someone remind me that
wendigo get bonus attacks if you light them on fire
|
|
|
Alex:
|
because hoo boy
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
alex waits until thyrn is surrounded
|
|
|
Thyrn:
|
This is for making me watch that shit,
fucker
|
|
|
Alex:
|
"listen, if i'd crit all eight of them
they'd all have died and you'd be safe, it was an acceptable risk"
|
Ferrinus is disconnected.
Riidi is disconnected.