Hannik |
Hannik listens to the argument and while troubled about the situation does not intervene. Finally after Kira is pulling Sol off she kneels down beside the bound gnome, "How do you survive down here? Where do you find water or food?"
Kira Valerious |
"I'd like to see your mental state after living your whole life down here. Dangerous? Well, that's to be seen. So far she's reacted to armed intruders to her home as I'm sure we all would." Kira attempts to continue to be the voice of reason quietly.
Mulluq'Tar Sheptat |
"Run away? To where? This is her home, from the looks of things. We found ourselves down here against our will, but she chose to live here. Despite sensing the spark of evil tainting her soul, I have to believe that there is hope that it can be repaired. We must treat with her as if we have invaded her home uninvited, and killed her companion, regardless of even their evil. I remind you, her first action was to hide, but we were determined to seek her out."
Jod Eastwind |
"You're right, Mulluq, we assumed that her invisibility meant she was going to attack, but Rhok didn't attack her - she attacked him. I got what I deserved, maybe, but she's not innocent here."
He shrugs, "If she wants to shakes hands and part ways, never to see us again, I'm fine with untying her and leaving her down here." He looks at the gnome and adds, "But whatever else happens, the next time I have to draw my blade on you, ma'am, I'm gonna use it to take your head off, not slap you with the blade. No hard feelings, just so we have an understanding."
Mulluq'Tar Sheptat |
Mulluq nods to Kira's question, but adds, "Not that this knowledge should change our actions. We have defeated this enemy in combat, but only disabled her. We are now saddled with the responsibility of treating even our enemy with mercy, especially if it were asked for."
He scowls and turns to Jod, "She attacked him, but this is all irrelevant. She is now our prisoner. She can neither be released, nor murdered in cold blood. We do not make a gentleman's agreement with them that we act as ships in the night. For we don't know what hazard she may pose to anyone else. We are not making treatises. She is our prisoner, and albeit touched with a dark heart, must be treated humanely so that we do not become as the wickedness we oppose."
Jod Eastwind |
Jod scowls right back. "It is not irrelevant and don't start judging me. She most certainly can be released if we feel it's the right thing. And if I have to draw my weapon because of her actions, I am not going to ask for your permission to defend myself, my cousin, or my allies while you quote your holy scriptures. Are we clear?"
Hannik |
"Calm down. Look, she came down here from the surface. Maybe she knows the way back. She's been surviving down here so she knows where to find water and something to pass for food. We have neither. So she might not be a good person-" Hannik shrugs, "She voluntarily removed herself from society. I highly doubt she was down here plotting to return to the city for revenge or something. We stumbled into her little nest here. She doesn't pose any danger to the people of Kenabres. There aren't any people down here."
"Mulluq- I've known you for about five minutes butI get that you seem to be holding yourself to an inhuman standard. Fine. You can't put that on everyone else. Where does it stop? You want to take her back to Kenabres and put her in prison for the rest of her life? She only goes free if she has some kind of religious conversion to follow your path? What? Tell me how you resolve this situation other than death or life in prison?"
Mulluq'Tar Sheptat |
Mulluq looks ashamed for his words when Jod rebukes him, and sighs as Hannik addresses him, "I try to hold myself to more than an inhuman standard, but inhuman is all I will ever be, and cannot even dream of a day when the stain on my very soul no longer exists."
He changes his stance to one of a more staunch position, "I do not expect anyone to try and reach for my unfulfillable dream. I also cannot stand idly by why there is evil abound, regardless of whether the evil they bear is being actively pursued or not. I do not demand they become a faithful Iomedean, as it is a hard road to walk. I expect the enemies of good to either repent or face persecution. If the laws of Kenabres demand either death or imprisonment as the state of persecution, that is the decision of the Justiciars to make. I intend to deliver this prisoner to those that would make such a choice. I personally would rather those that do not have the permannet blot of wickedness to at least strive to change their ways. The advancement of good in the world it better reached by more people being good, than by simply killing off any that may be redeemable."
"Regardless, we know next to nothing about this woman, and she should be given chance to speak on her behalf." Turning to the gnome, he begins. "What is your name? How long have you been down here? Which crusaders are you hiding from, and why? Is it solely due to your appearance, or did you commit some crime? I too am judged by my appearance, and as such I go to great lengths to prove to those I meet that regardless of my blackened soul I will do all I can to wash away the filth of it. Would you be willing and able to lead us to the surface, or to where we may find fresh food and water? Your willingness to cooperate would go to great lengths in others finding faith in you for more than your visage."
Sol Calondor |
Mulluq looks ashamed for his words when Jod rebukes him, and sighs as Hannik addresses him, "I try to hold myself to more than an inhuman standard, .... If the laws of Kenabres demand either death or imprisonment as the state of persecution, that is the decision of the Justiciars to make. I intend to deliver this prisoner to those that would make such a choice. ...."
...
There's likely precious few Justiciars left in Kenabres, and they won't be issuing any judgements soon.
But as Mullaq continues his discourse, Sol shifts uncomfortably. He can't help but feel a little -- inadequate compared to the tiefling's resolve. He waits for the gnome's reply.
Jod Eastwind |
"Calm down. Look, she came down here from the surface. Maybe she knows the way back. She's been surviving down here so she knows where to find water and something to pass for food. We have neither. So she might not be a good person-" Hannik shrugs, "She voluntarily removed herself from society. I highly doubt she was down here plotting to return to the city for revenge or something. We stumbled into her little nest here. She doesn't pose any danger to the people of Kenabres. There aren't any people down here."
"Mulluq- I've known you for about five minutes butI get that you seem to be holding yourself to an inhuman standard. Fine. You can't put that on everyone else. Where does it stop? You want to take her back to Kenabres and put her in prison for the rest of her life? She only goes free if she has some kind of religious conversion to follow your path? What? Tell me how you resolve this situation other than death or life in prison?"
The storm doesn't last long. Faced with Hannik's logic, Jod takes a deep breath and exhales. He motions vaguely to the rest of the group, "Whatever you think. I don't know anything about how good a person she is, but she defended herself. The fight's over, we're all alive, and we have better things to do than herd a prisoner through these tunnels. I'm find with letting her go."
Kira Valerious |
Kira watches the others with one eye, as she keeps a lookout with the others. Interested in what view they take. She nods slightly along with Mulluq subconsciously. She's also waiting for the gnome to speak.
Mulluq'Tar Sheptat |
Mulluq nods in acceptance, "That is fine, you do not have to talk to us. You are, however, coming with me. For your health and safety, I only ask that you direct us away from any hazards."
Kira Valerious |
"I think you may want to do what my horned friend asks, it beats the alternative."
Sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 How far are we away from convincing her?
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18
Mulluq'Tar Sheptat |
"Why are you so insistent on staying? What is it you are afraid of? I swear that you are under my protections as my prisoner until such a time that you can stand trial. Barring any crimes that we are presently aware of beyond attacking us, things have the potential to turn out well for you. Though, I admit that I feel compelled to testify that I did detect the whiff of evil poisoning your soul. If you were to take steps to atone for whatever evils you may have propogated, it could go a long way towards your innocence."
Diplomacy assist Kira 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
"This is my home! I live here with my dollies! I don't want to go up there, I came down here to get away from crusaders like you! I'm safe down here. Up there they burn you. I don't want to be burned!"
"Frankly, I have some sympathy with her position," says Aravashnial drily, "Any inquisitor worth his - or her - salt would certainly look askance at a caster like her, consorting with trolls and living in the catacombs. People were burnt for less."
Mulluq'Tar Sheptat |
Mulluq looks aghast at Aravashnial's sharing of information, "Why would they do that to someone if they have done no wrong?" Turning back to the gnome, he explains "Your 'dollies' attacked us without provocation. I even warned them that we respond with force if they acted against us. For our own sake, we were lucky that we had enough strength of force to repel them. What about someone that doesn't? What about an innocent traveler, meaning no ill will, that is not able to protect themselves from your 'dollies'? How can you assure us that no one else will come to any harm? I cannot take you simply at your word, as I know there is darkness within you, and in good conscience I cannot allow that darkness to grow. I have been above, I have faced these inquisitors, and yet I have not been burned. I just had to prove to them that I had no ill intentions."
He sighs, then looks at the gnome with evident distress and sympathy on his face."I am asking that you work with us, out of courtesy. If you continue to refuse, I fear that my actions will turn to a more forceful nature. I honestly do not want to resort to such behavior, but I will take you prisoner, if you do not come along of your own volition."
Diplomacy 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Sol Calondor |
Sol watches the exchange. Got to fish or cut bait.
The gnome carries the following (with Spellcraft DCs to identify using Detect Magic):
- a potion (DC 18)
- two scrolls (both DC 18) Cat's Grace
- another scroll (DC 20)
- bracers (DC 22)
- a flask of acid (only lunatics and Rhok carry round flasks of acid!)
- a tanglefoot bag
- a small light crossbow
- a small masterwork spear
- a collection of dolls' heads
- some jerky, comprising six days' rations
- 28gp
In the troll nests you find
- a chipped marble statuette of a humanoid throwing a spear
- various denominations of currency totaling 160gp
Mulluq'Tar Sheptat |
Mulluq shakes his head, "I cannot allow that. You may have your coin and other personal effects, but you may not be allowed access to any of your weapons or magic. You are both a prisoner and ward. As such, you must remain a noncombatant until your innocence has been verified."
Jod Eastwind |
Jod is trying to keep a watch, but he's interested in the conversation, too. "Sol, weren't she carrying some dolls, too? There can't be any harm in letting her keep those, right?"
Sol Calondor |
"If Lady Hannik detected no magic in them, it should be safe enough."
Sol retrieves the doll heads and brings them back to the gnome. "I'm Sol." He doesn't want to get a surprise shock. He stretches his arm far out from his body to hand each doll head one by one, to the gnome.
"What is your name?"
Sol Calondor |
"Wirra. Mulluq's not pretty, but he's a straight arrow. As long as you play fair with us he won't let any harm come to you."
Sol hands her her jerky too. "We didn't come here hunting you. We are lost. All we really want to know is how do we get back to the surface?"
Jod Eastwind |
Looking over his shoulder, Jod awkwardly offers, "Hey, ah, Wirra. I'm sorry for slapping you so hard with my blade. You've got a pretty potent shock, you know? As long as you are under Mulluq's protection, you are under mine, too."
Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6 Heh, not my thing
Mulluq'Tar Sheptat |
Mulluq merely nods in agreement with Sol's evaluation of his appearance. "Wirra, I am pleased to meet you, although I apologize for the conditions under which we were introduced. I am Mulluq'Tar Sheptat, faithful follower of Iomedae the Inheritor, and undeserved of her grace. As I have taken charge of you as my ward, you may travel close to me, or you may stay further back with the others I have sworn my life to defend. I lead the way forward, so that I may stand as a barrier between any threats and my allies, so it may be safer for you to travel with Lord Gwerm, Master Aravashnial and Lady Anevia if you so wish it." Once the gnome's decision is made, Mulluq resumes his place at the fore of the group, shield up before him and sword in hand, pausing periodically to try and suss out any signs of evil.
Hannik |
Hannik more or less scowls as Mulluq persists with his plan and the other seem content to go along with it. Once they march on, she pulls Aravashniel along to walk in pace with Jod and Rhok. After walkign in silence for some time she speaks low in Hallit.
Hallit:
Rhok Redmoon |
"Any false moves, though, and I'll send her to her afterlife myself. That electical shock trick was nasty."
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
The next passage slopes upwards at a steep angle. It is more of a climb than a walk, and tricky for Anevia with her crutch. It takes about an hour for the group - now expanded to ten people - to clamber up the narrow tunnel. But eventually they reach the threshold of another larger chamber in the underwarrens of Kenabres.
Perception checks, DC 15:
Kira Valerious |
Kira watches the others talking a language she doesn't know for some hint of their intent. She still doesn't totally trust her new friends.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Well, I've blown my good dice rolls for the day in the other threads I see....
Mulluq'Tar Sheptat |
Perception 1d20 ⇒ 2
Mulluq focuses purely on the path ahead, and his frequent checks for signs of evil. As such, he is sadly unaware of much else.