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 Recent Posts
In my real life campaign I have also have a paladin of the Silver Flame (no one ever seems to want to be a paladin of Dol Arrah, for some reason - or even heard of her, actually) though he is a changeling. Well, the Silver Flame has that whole Inquisition / Crusade type feel going for it, the young girl high priest, high ranking priests of evil alignment in a LG religion, henious acts in the name of good, etc. Dol Arrah seems a little more vanilla...
Lightbringer pauses a moment longer, trying to get a measure of the woman and her motives, but he has always found it difficult to read humans. He suspects that while Karile may value their services, they would be seen as somewhat expendable - which was probably an unstated additional reason that the House looked outside for adventurers. Still, the paladin had convinced himself that there was a worthy cause wrapped up in this mission. "I am interested," he states gravely, realising that it is true. He is interested. He craves action, adventure. He turns to look at his new companions, particularly the elf and the halfling.
Lightbringer settles back in his chair, in some mental discomfort, and reaches out with the perception granted to him by the Flame, attempting to sense the presence (or absence) of evil. The talk of subterfuge and dubious acts has troubled him somewhat. He is only a few years old, but not quite so naïve as to not understand something of how the Houses work. Still, is it something he wants to be involved in? Yesterday this seemed like a heroic rescue, standing up to criminals, the beginnings of a quest. Now… he was not so sure. House politics, secret projects… Still, the Flame knew he had been in that bar for a reason. Perhaps this was it. And it seemed there was still a rescue to undertake, and violent criminals to be defeated. Not to mention that Lightbringer felt some sense of lingering obligation to House Cannith. Certainly it was the Silver Flame that gave him drive and purpose, but it was Cannith that had actually created him, given life to his parts. This was not a debt he could easily ignore, even though he knew on a rational level that it was not his debt to repay. Lightbringer raises his head, looking squarely at Karile. “Please allow me to be blunt for a moment ma’am. I presume that your interest in Norn is as much to see that whatever information he possesses does not fall into rival hands, as much as it is concern for a missing House member? Without knowing more of the project he was working on, I have little concern for safeguarding information – however, protecting this man from the attentions of Daask seem a worthy goal, and I would be interested in hearing more on that basis. Are you aware of how – or why - Daask may have become involved in this? “Also, what of the inquisitive you were supposed to meet, Heris. Are you aware of what has become of him?” Based on the words of the Daask agent to Karile last night, it is Lightbringer’s assumption that the inquisitive has been kidnapped or killed by the gang, but he wonders if House Cannith has given a second thought to the fate of their hireling now that his usefulness appears to be passed … not to mention that Heris, if he does remain alive and free, may be a good starting point in any investigation.
Thanks for the insight Trose. I haven't actually played a v3.* paladin before ... let alone one in Eberron ... let alone a warforged paladin in Eberron... Well I'm not going to do myself the disservice of missing out on the rest of the game by taking the hardnosed moral highground. Just want some advice in finding a way to justify / roleplay things so that everyone else can beleive it in context of the world and situation.
Hmmm, House intrigue and subtrefuge ... not to try to act the stick in the arse paladin, and certainly not wanting to buy out of this caper ... but Im not sure it sounds like the moral highground a paladin is used to keeping. What's your take Aubrey? Can a paladin justify taking on a job perhaps a little below level if it seems to oppose the ambitions of an obviously evil lot (ie, Daask?). Would a warforged perhaps feel some sort of lingering debt to House Cannith which may justify a slightly less than virtous deal to take place? Another question, on alignment in Eberron. My understanding has always been that the alignment rules can be played a little fast and loose in Eberron - it's more a tendency than an absolute. IS this your take? And how does that mesh with paladins, LG, code of conduct all that? Personally, my take on paladins has always been small "l" lawful Good as opposed to Lawful Stupid... One last question, a paladin's Detect Good ability - assuming I have the required time, is it obvious that it's being used?
Lightbringer turns to look at the elf, wondering why he has refused repairs when he is obviously still injured. “You fight well friend,” starts Lightbringer, still not knowing the elf’s name. “But you should know who you have made enemies with. I am not an expert on Daask, but I can tell you a little. They are a gang of criminals who have been gaining strong influence here in Dura recently – they are extremely violent and vindictive. Many of their members are ex-pats from Droaam, such as the gnolls we fought – goblinoids are also common amongst their ranks. It is said that they also boast a few tougher creatures, such as trolls, harpies and even medusae amongst their ranks.” His eyes flash silver. “Unfortunately, such opposition tends to cause the local Watch to turn something of a blind eye to their operations.” He looks around. “Now, I suggest that any who are willing seek rest here till morning. I will stand guard – I do not need sleep. Then, we meet Trose and Janosz at the Cannith Tower in the morning.”
"Thankyou Brother," says Lightbringer, hanging his head somewhat. "I had no intention of bringing danger to the shrine, but I believe that these are good people, who were willing to help a stranger against evil intention and violence, with no gaurantee of personal gain. We will be gone by morning." He acknowledges Trose's comment with a nod of his head, then lingers whilst the healer does her work - and will of course subtly encourage the two to pay her should they seem reluctant... Once everyone seems settled, he will gather the rest of his possesions and weapons from his closet, and stand watch within the main hall throughout the night.
"Brother," begins Lightbringer, when the holy man returns, "I ask forgiveness for bringing these strangers here so late in the 'eve. My search for those goblins," (brother Erfan tries hard not to raise his eyebrows at another one of the warforged obsessions) "led to a conflict with some Daask mercenaries, and this man was sorely injured. I wanted to ask your advice on where to seek the attention of a healer - one not associated with House Jorasco, where Daask could enquire of us." He waits hopefully for the priest's response.
Turning off one of The Bazaar’s main bridges, Lightbringer reaches one of the district’s main elevator banks, where a few late night shoppers huddle out of the rain, waiting for their ride home. Lightbringer turns to face the group. “I intend for us to travel down to Lower Dura, in the hopes of finding a non House Jorasco healer for our friend here,” he gestures to Ezrael. “The Cannith woman is right, if Daask is looking for us they will likely try to do it through House Jorasco. “I know little of where to find such places, but there is a tavern district below us I believe, where perhaps we can enquire as to the where-abouts of such places. “Once that is taken care of, I can perhaps persuade Brother Erfan at the Shrine of the Silver Flame in Rattlestone to put some of you up for the night if it is too late and dangerous to return to your lodgings. “I believe it might be best to visit Cannith Tower under the light of day. Does that sound like a decent plan?”
As they walk quickly away from the tavern, Lightbringer announces, “It seems that the woman we aided was Karile d’Cannith. The address she gave us is Cannith Towers in Middle Central.” So, House Cannith. That helped explain why and how the woman had repaired him. But what was a named scion of the House of Making doing in a goblin bar in Middle Dura? On the other hand – looking around – what were a ‘forged, a Valenar mercenary, a halfling healer and three apparent “House” humans doing in a goblin bar in Dura? Perhaps it wasn’t so unusual after all… Seeing Frogshanks supporting the injured Ezrael, Lightbringer also offers his arm to the injured man, aware that it may not be accepted. Some humans – particularly war veterans – had issues with Warforged.
Lightbringer stares in astonishment as the subtle power coursing from the woman’s hand knits the inorganic edges of his wound back together. A magewright? Or possibly something more powerful. He had almost resigned himself to having to find an armour-smith to manually hammer him back together. Absently taking the beer mat that the woman pressed on him, it occurred to Lightbringer how easily she had taken back control of the situation … perhaps his Captain had been right, a warforged would never make good officer material…
“Unfortunately the woman may be correct about the Watch,” Lightbringer states as the group begins to move. “There are good patrols, but it saddens me to say that so many of them seem to be in the pockets of the criminals. I am afraid I don’t know any healers – I have little need for House Jorasco – can you hold out sir?” He asks, looking at Ezrael, “Or do any of the rest of you know any healers in this part of town? “In the meantime, perhaps we should find the nearest elevator, and head downwards. The Watch are scarce lower than this, and although it takes us potentially into Daask territory, I doubt they will be looking for us there. Besides, there are places Daask does not have much sway. And I think we’ll stand out any higher up the towers.” Lightbringer recalls the note in his hand, and brings it up to read, at a point where he is under a bridge or overhang, out of the rain. Lightbringer then starts leading the group through the driving rain, towards a likely location of an elevator, where they can head to Lower Dura or the Cogs.
Lightbringer nods a silent thanks, warrior to warrior, to Trose after the last gnoll is felled, then turns to survey the room. It would seem that his fellow samaritans are a tough bunch – the rest of the gnolls have been dealt with – although it appeared that the ringleader had escaped – and the woman had been healed. Perhaps the halfling was House Jorasco? The warforged shakes his head slowly as the blood covered elf returns to the main room, announcing that the human had escaped. That man was evil. To stab the woman so casually … of course, he had seen worse during the war, but he still found it difficult to comprehend such pointless evil – and dishonour. “Yes, we should get the wounded to a House Jorasco enclave. But hold a moment ma’am,” he addresses the woman, holding up a large hand. “Sadly, I think you have more to fear from Daask reprisals rather than from the Watch in this corner of the city.” He raises his voice slightly. “The rest of you too. I am heartened to see so many come to the aid of a stranger, but we are likely marked by Daask now. Ma’am, if you have a safe place to go to, I will accompany you there. But you too should seek a house of healing on the way, to have that wound examined.” He nods at Nox, trying to convey that no disrespect for the halfling’s healing skills are intended. “I – we – can protect you much more effectively if we know what we are dealing with here. Why Daask want you. We can start with names, whilst we walk.” He raises his voice again as the open door allows the noise of the storm in. “I am called Lightbringer.”
Lightbringer ducks quickly, and swings his heavy blade quickly, below the snarling gnoll’s guard, biting right through the meagre armour at the creature’s belly. However, at the last moment the Daask ganger attempts to leap backwards to avoid the killer blow, and the paladin’s blade does not bite as deeply as it might have. Blood sprays, spattering Lightbringer and the gaping bouncer. The force of the blow spins the heavy warforged around a quarter turn, and he can not immediately see if his blow felled the hyena faced creature. He attempts to bring his armoured shoulder to bear, should the creature still stand and be capable of returning his strike.
Lightbringer risks a quick glance downwards as he feels the gnolls axe skid of his main plating and find a gap to the less protected portions underneath. He supposes if he was flesh and blood that would have hurt - as it is, the damage seemed relatively minor, and his ability to act - and fight - is unimpaired. His eyes flash silver, and he stares at his remaining opponent, as he searches for an opening. "You shouldn't have done that friend," he states calmly.
Since Fatespinner cut down the gnoll who challenged me, I didnt get to use my line! "Actually, it's adamantine friend" ...
So, just as the action is about to break out, I may not be able to post for a day or two... Aubrey, if needs be to keep things swinging, feel free to NPC lightbringer. He does not intend to attack unless / until hostilities break out. Once they do, he will grip his sword in one hand (unused) and use his slam attack with the other until he is damaged, unless the girl's life seems in imminent danger. His target will be the nearest un-engaged gnoll (preferably one holding the lady). Or ... if things wait till I can post, all the better!
Lightbringer’s intention is to rescue the woman, by word or by force, not to get bogged down in a needless fight with Daask soldiers. However, it seems at this point that fighting the abductors may be the way to achieve that. He is heartened by the fact that several other of the tavern’s patrons seem willing (even eager!) to stand up to Daask as well. His faith in the common people of Sharn is rapidly being bolstered. Although he considers that the gangsters may use the woman as a hostage if hostilities break out, he thinks (hopes!) that they will not – if they had intended to kill her, there are easier ways and places to do so than here. They clearly want her alive, and no doubt their boss will be none too pleased if she winds up dead. That is his hope at any rate… Presumably, as the gnolls head towards him, Lightbringer cannot see that the human male has a knife to the woman’s back – at any rate he cannot easily reach the man without passing the gnolls first.
“Daask.” States Lightbringer, as he sees the gnolls swagger into the room. “This is bad.” Not as bad as the Cult of the Dragon Below, but in Dura … almost as bad. Standing suddenly, his greatsword to hand, Lightbringer throws back his cloak, the silver flame symbol etched into the chest of his armor plating clearly visible to anyone looking in his direction. “Halt!” He commands in a loud voice, as the gnolls begin to drag the human woman from her seat. “Unhand her, and leave unharmed. Or stay, and face the light of the Flame!” Lightbringer moves to position himself between the Daask gangers and the doorway (assuming he can do so in time). He holds his weapon ready, but not yet in attack position.
EDIT:
Lightbringer had just about given up on the idea that the goblins he was seeking would show themselves tonight, given the number of unusual patrons in attendance – assuming they didn’t notice the six and a half foot tall warforged lurking at the back of the room. But he stayed nevertheless. Persistence, patience, hope. At one point, his massive hand creeps towards the worn hilt of his great sword, as he notices the somewhat predatory looking elf with the wickedly curved two bladed sword approach the table of a well dressed woman who looks almost as out of place here as Lightbringer does. However, the exchange between is brief, and Lightbringer relaxes as the elf returns to his drink.
The tall, dark bodied warforged ducks it’s head low under the lintel and looks carefully around the dark interior of the Spear of Dhakaan. It nods briefly at the bugbear bouncer by the door, who waves back nonchalantly. By now the bugbear – and many of the tavern’s other regulars – have become used to the ‘forged's habits over the past week and a half. As usual, it strides purposefully towards the ale-stained bar and carefully orders a drink – a drink that it will nurse, untouched, for the rest of the evening, paying with a few copper pennies pulled from a hidden pocket under it’s stained and patched cloak. It then looks slowly around the room, it’s silver eyes catching the torchlight briefly, ignoring the hostile snarl of a hobgoblin tough, before heading over to a table at a dingy dark corner of the room, and settles in to wait, it’s over-long sword resting on against the bench beside it. It waits resignedly – the goblins it seeks are almost certainly not going to be here – once again. And if they were, would it recognise them? A half seen face in a flash of torchlight on a nearby bridge, the light catching a sinister looking iron symbol hanging from a chain around the creature’s scrawny neck. A near kidnap victim who had no idea why he had been targeted… And even if they were here, would they be recognised? The warforged suspects not. But it comes nevertheless, night after night. The Watch is not interested, and justice should be served. Besides … it has nothing better to do, no-one who really wants it’s help…
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