"Good morning, and I am Supreme Leader Matthew Wolfe. Our trip was quite quick. I had the pleasure to be in Camelot several times in my life. Teleportation can be so handy. Now before we continue with the pleasantries, I have an... unfortunate gift." He raises his gauntleted hand and the darkness flees the last figure among his men revealing the Regent. "I hear he has been tarnishing the name of vampire and we take that very seriously. I only ask that he be returned functional once you have punished him."
King Joseph steps forward, hand on Esalavar, looking down at the being who ruined Avalon with his schemes. The master of Camelot looks back at Supreme Leader Wolfe. "Avalon humbly accept this prize with our thanks and admiration, Supreme Leader Wolfe."
The paladin king back down at The Regent and asks, "Define 'functional'."
He snickers knowing what might be going through your mind. He offers with a cool confidence, "It is hard to ressurect the undead so don't kill him, again. I would hate to have to use a wish upon him, only to destroy him again. Yes destroy might be a better word than kill. Torture, maim, get information out of him anyway you wish, though he is under a geas to tell the blatant truth. We plan on making him literally pay for all the sins he has committed."
The Regent looks at Joe and begs, "Please kill me!"
Seeing that you won't likely grant that blessing to him he states, "Most of the money I laundered is under Sir Lancelot's name and holdings. Jonas Viegrougth is the merchant that I didn't turn who has the rest. Anything else is South outside of _____ in the bandit camp or below it in the cave network. There should be amounts of 40,000 gp with each of them."
King Joseph looks down at the former Regent and asks Arelius, "Find some dark hole to place him in. I'm sure there is somewhere in the castle with strong enough wards to keep him imprisoned. Once there, make sure to get all information on the missing wealth, including names of anyone who helped in his robbery and escape; freeman or noble."
King Joseph takes a step back and bows to Wolfe. "You have assisted my kingdom out of a financial crisis, Supreme Leader Wolfe. You have my deepest thanks. Come. I'm sure you would like to rest after your long journey. Care for some breakfast?"
"You are welcome. No actually it was just one spell and a quick jaunt in our vehicles. Breakfast sounds good, I am peckish. My werewolves burn through their meals quickly." He states simply and pointing out facts. He waves his hand and the six subordinates rise with the butler following behind them.
She stood to the side of the room for the whole exchange. She looks very pale.
As King Joseph was leading away the Khorvian delegates, the paladin noticed his beloved looked pale. "One moment, please." The holy warrior walked over to Ryada and Jellena, and asked the bard, "Lady Ryada, are you alright?"
She can barely speak and then spits out the words, "... it's... it's my... brother..."
She nods affirmative to Jellena's words and passes out.
King Joseph apologizes to the Khorvian delegation as he and the Night Hawks lead the group to the dining hall. On the way, the young monarch asks the delegation in passing, "Out of curiosity, does the name, Ryada Silver leaf, mean anything to our guests?"
The male vampire looks up, "Yes, that would be my half sister. Why do you ask?"
The vampires sit and casually talk avoiding the food though partaking of the wine and alcohol. As the three huge men dig into the feast with gusto. Lord Wolfe casually takes small bites of different dishes.
Lord Wolfe asks Joe, "So tell me of your story!"
"Lord Wolfe, I know this is extremely out of nowhere, but might I ask you and your party please continue to the dining hall without me, for a few minutes. I need to speak to Varian alone, about some family matters?"
Once both paladin and vampire are alone in the hall, King Joseph asks, "It must have been some time since you saw your sister, Ryada. She recognized you, of course. Your death haunted her for years. It occasionally became a barrier between others. She was the woman I comforted before leaving the greeting hall. You may have to deal with the fact that Ryada might not be ready to accept or meet you." The godling sighed, hands on his hips. "If your father agrees to the marriage, you will be my brother-in-law."
Later, in the dining hall, King Joseph considers Lord Wolfe's answer. "I came to Arcanium after I died on my home world to be transported to this world at the bequest of a goddess. I was offered a wish to ease my adjustment in this new strange world. Knowing I would choose the path of a paladin, I asked for a holy avenger. Little did I know the goddess gave me on of the most powerful swords of legend, Escalavar. It was completely random chance that I was made aware Avalon, and Camelot, were both on Arcanium, and that it's throne set empty. After a whirlwind of rituals and oaths, I became King of Avalon, and other link in the chain of it's story."
The Khorvian delegation leaves the group and enters the dining hall...
Varian seems a bit annoyed, he lets slip a few words without disregard, "It has been at least a decade. That is fine. That was my past."
At the mention of his father he smiles but it is muted quickly. His voice takes on a hypocritical joy or false joy, "Oh! father will be happy with you, though I am not her brother anymore."
His mood shifts again to adoration, "My duty is to act in the stead of my mistress as acting Coven Elder. Do you have any words that help me in this matter?"
---
Lord Wolfe does a small laugh and smiles, the rest of his face is clouded in darkness behind his mask. Then he merrily states, "Oh how quaint. Yes us Chosen do have such wonderful lives here on Arcanium."
You also feel his suppression magic wobble for a minute and get the sense that he is very powerful.
His mood shifts again to adoration, "My duty is to act in the stead of my mistress as acting Coven Elder. Do you have any words that help me in this matter?"
Joe is slightly relaxed to find Varian holds no fraternal bonds for Ryada. ,"Perhaps if you explained the role of coven elder to me? I assume in this instance 'coven' is a vampiric term, and not a wiccan term."
Lord Wolfe does a small laugh and smiles, the rest of his face is clouded in darkness behind his mask. Then he merrily states, "Oh how quaint. Yes us Chosen do have such wonderful lives here on Arcanium."
** spoiler omitted **
Ah Here it comes. "Fellow Chosen? Splendid! To whom are you sworn to?"
Varian calmy relays the information to Joe, "Vampires are made by a master vampire. Which we call a family. Families will sometimes be forced to live with each other which we call a Coven. It is similar to a witch's Coven but it has its differences as well. I am not familiar with the term Wiccan. The role of Coven Elder is typically one of the masters, they rotate of who is awake and who is sleeping. The older a vampire is the more hibernation they need or the more blood they need to drink."
---
Lord Wolfe relays with a calm demeanor, "I am the sole heir of Darkness. It is part of the reason for my ease of controlling vampires and lycanthropes."
"I'm afraid I am not the right person to ask, Varian." King Joseph confides. "Any message you wish to convey to your sister?"
The young monarch begins to bit into his Avalon Toast as he addresses The Demon King. "Myself, and all members of The Night Hawks are Chosen of The Goddess of Life and Death. I once saw a movie with another 'sole-heir' to Darkness. Called Legend. Tim Curry was amazing in it."
Varian solemnly and simply says, "No."
===
"Interesting and it is good you all have survived. Yes Legend was a good movie. Though his Darkness was more the sinister evil. I try to keep myself as neutral as possible."
---
As the week passes not many other delegations arrive. Though many of the nobles come and make their presence known. Quite a few of the out of towners request rooms in the castle. The next week many other delegations arrive from the rest of the countries of Arcanium.
Returning a small smile of pleased non-aggression, King Joseph asks, "Lord Wolfe, I appreciate your good humor on the matter. Another question begs for my attention. How do you plan on sustaining the vampiric members of your entourage during your stay? I can not allow my citizens to be harvested or 'milked' for their precious blood. None of your delegation have done wrong by myself, but I must defend my people by whatever means necessary."
After the breakfast, King Joseph excuses himself, 'to deal with a personal matter', giving Varian a passing glance as he leaves.
The paladin King goes to find Lady Ryada. Once found, King Joseph does his best to comfort the elven bard. Joe confirms his beloved's fears of Varian's identity, and relays the conversation with Ryada's vampiric brother.
"It looks like Varian and Wolfe are here for the coronation. So far, both have behaved themselves. I'm hesitant to send delegates away, but if Varian's presence is too much, I will."
During the busy first week, King Joseph makes inquiries about Delman and Merlynn's return, the knowledge gleamed from the Regent, it's use on getting Camelot's missing funds back, the progress on the prisoner work release on the sewer clearance and maintenance, and the construction of the orphanages.
Returning a small smile of pleased non-aggression, King Joseph asks, "Lord Wolfe, I appreciate your good humor on the matter. Another question begs for my attention. How do you plan on sustaining the vampiric members of your entourage during your stay? I can not allow my citizens to be harvested or 'milked' for their precious blood. None of your delegation have done wrong by myself, but I must defend my people by whatever means necessary."
[Dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 17
His answer is simple and a hint of what should have been obvious is in his voice, "They will feed upon me. No harm will come to you, your people, or your country by my subordinates. Though my country is built upon blood and the backs of the strong, I hope our countries can have good relations."
|
She is still with Ryada. Comforting and using a cool damp cloth to comfort her physically on her face and neck.
After Joe asks she takes a moment to pray. Then she relays, "One of Khorvian's first kings was the first Dark Soul. Many Dark Souls have come from Khorvian. The Overlord is rumored to be an exiled royal of the Khorvian family. The church has always been hostile towards Khorvian for their production of undead. Though in the last 20 years all reports of undeath leaving Khorvian have stopped.
As you can tell our history has been one of contention. With the country being far North beyond the Jagged Mountains and a wasteland of a desert between them and any other civilization, most crusades got stopped before they even got to the country."
With a grim look she nods saying, "I can try though the Mistress does not call to my will. I ask and take what she gives." She seperates herself and goes to sit in a meditative stance. Praying she closes her eyes. Then they flash open with a blue glow then it quickly dissipates. "His soul is... not in a good place... to put it simply he is in the place for traitors."
"Thank you Joe. I feel better. It was just such a shock to see him... and then as an undead." She states weakly.
With all the words relayed she states, "I am glad he has been able to find a new home... apparently there is nothing I could have done. We thought he had died, either way there is nothing for is to do... Jellena would you be able to check on his soul?"
---
She gasps at the realization but does not seem weaker for it. A determination can be seen on her face.
"Though my country is built upon blood and the backs of the strong, I hope our countries can have good relations."
King Joseph returns the smile over his glass of apple juice. "That is my hope as well. In the future, I shall endeavor to keep my religious beliefs and my foreign policy separate, in such instances."
Despite the busyness of the week, King Joseph and Lady Ryada were able to schedule an early morning ride together. The elven bard picked a lithesome steed for which she rode to meet the young king and his crow/angel companion on his shoulder, without a mount.
”Morning, dear. Hello, Brandon. Um, where is your steed?”
”Good morning, beautiful. I was just waiting for you. I originally wanted to share this moment with the entire team, but current events make that near impossible, so I thought we can can share this together, and welcome the newest member of Team Paladin”, Joe coughs and begins again. ”I mean Team Paladin and Bard.”
'Good save”, Ryada slides off her horse and walks over to kiss Joe a morning greeting.
”Okay, please take my hand”, The paladin king offered his outstretched hand to Lady Ryada, who took it. ”I was thinking about this moment for a long time”, The holy warrior admits. "I could get a kind-of standard charger, but I'm also one of The Goddess's chosen. The Goddess gave me Brandon for helping convert Delman. I wonder if I'll get some type of spirit steed. With the Goddess's feeling on undeath, I doubt I'll get a undead steed, but it might not be out of the realm of possibility. We are also tied to The Seelie Court.” Joe squeezed the elf's hand for emphasis. ”Maybe my Divine Steed will have some fey features, or be half- or fully fey? I don't know. But my right thumb and forefinger have been buzzing ever since I leveled, and it's long past time to meet my new trusted companion in battle.”
”So. Here goes.” Both lovers pull closer to each other as King Joseph extends his thumb and forefinger to the heavens and proclaims. ”DIVINE STEED! I CALL YOU FORTH!” An audible finger snap can be heard in the wake of Joe's command to appear.
Joe's fingers stop their buzzing as both paladin, bard, and angelic companion were knocked off their feet, at what looks like a desert sunrise erupted 30 feet from the royal couple. A great steady wind with smells of dry savanna breezes, and sun-baked earth tickle the nostril. Joe's thoughts draw back to the opening scene of Disney's The Lion King. From out of that half-circle portal to somewhere else a large shape manifests out of that sunrise. As it gets closer, it begins to take the shape of a quadruped, with a heavy body, slowly walking toward the bewildered couple. Slowly it begins to take shape. The quadruped must have crossed the portal's event horizon, because the sweet-smelling sunrise before them vanished in a brighter flash of light, temporarily blinding the couple. At this distance, both Joe and Ryada could hear activity in the castle. The portal's manifestation must have been even been heard inside Camelot.
Ryada gasped quietly at recognition of the beast, her superior elven eyes recovering much faster than a human. ”I think I know what this is. I've read about them.” Joe blinked hard to see the fuzzy looming beast stand over him. It has a big gray face with ending in a muzzle..with a large upending white horn protruding from it's snout with a smaller horn set behind it.
”A rhino!” Joe said in recognition. ”The Goddess gave me a rhinoceros as my Divine Steed!”
The rhino seemed to be startled by Joe's voice, as if she recognized it. The megfauna moved slightly closer and tilted her head to the side, trying to uses it lessen eyesight better. Joe stared up at the creature to see one emerald eye staring back at him.
”Oh! My Goddess!.. Gertrude?!”
Joe could see the rhino's eye widen in recognition and began to trumpet in joy! Gertrude stepped forward, nearly crushing Joe as she flopped down on his legs like a cat and rub her massive hide and face against the prone king. Joe 'oofed' as some of his air was knocked out of him as Gertrude landed, yet the young king began to cry tears of happiness and elation, hugging the beast whenever he safely could.
”Oh! My God! My Goddess! Amazing! AMAZING! So generous! So great is The Goddess! Thank you, My Goddess! THANK YOU!” Joe sang to the heavens in gratitude.
Ryada quickly got up and away from the two old friends cavort and wrestle in the dust outside the stables, less she be flatted as well.
”Joe! JOE! What's going on? You know[ this creature?”
Almost in unison, Brandon transforms into his true winged helm form, and flew in a protective circle around Joe. ”Get Back, Creature!” Brandon's voice barked hollowly from the helm's center.
The paladin tore his attention away from the enthusiastic rhinoceros, to address both his protectors.
”Ryada! Yes! My God! I know her! Okay, Gertrude. Get up. Come on. I want you to meet some folk!”
Still braying with happiness, Gertrude, Joe's Divine Steed, stood up off the ground as the young king did as well.
”My love!” Joe panted trying to slow his breath. ”Before I came to Arcanium. I studied various metaphysical disciplines. Mediation; personal and guided, spirit communication and reading, etc. And one of them was shamanism. I read several books on the matter to find out what my shamanistic 'spirit animal' was. Well, I didn't find out personally. My roommate at the time, Mike, had a vivid dream that I stood on the back of a rhinoceros, sitting proud like a warrior, holding some kind of a celestial torch or something. I took that to mean my spirit animal was a rhinoceros.”
Joe stopped to gulp some air then continued, Gertrude nuzzling his hand as he spoke. ”So, spirit animals are spirit guides to help you through various points in your life of spiritual study and mediation. I found and met Gertrude while in deep mediation and became fast friends. Now spirit animals can come and go throughout your life. You often never have the same animal guide twice. But Gertrude became my 'spirit totem', a spiritual focus, like a zodiac or fortune reading. Gods, I hope I'm making sense. Gertrude continued to stick by me, as I sent her spiritual offerings of energy almost every time I mediated.”
Joe looked down at his new Divine Steed and smiled. ”But she's never been corporeal before! Look at you!” The young monarch with the boyish grin padded the rhinoceros on her forehead.
Just then, Arelius arrived at the Camelot stables with 8 castle guards. ”My Lord? Are you okay? Are you hurt? What is this creature?”
At the sound of these unfamiliar, aggressive sounds, Gertrude rounded on the guards and bayed a loud warning.
”Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Everybody calm down! Arelius. Gentlemen. I just summoned by Divine Steed for the first time. I had no idea it would be so..dramatic. I'm so sorry.” King Joseph explained.
Still keeping his eye on the rhinoceros in his presence, Arelius nodded and raised his hands to signal at ease, despite the still vexed mount.
”No. My Lord. We've had many instances of divine steed summoning in Avalon's past, but none of them opened a port to The Beastlands!
The Beastlands? Are you sure?” King Joseph question.
”Positive, my liege. Camelot has many arcane defenses, one of them being able to find and identify any interdimensional incursion near the castle. In Avalon's history, not all of Camelot's enemies came from Arcanium. Will..you be needing anything else?” Arelius asked unsuredly.
”How quickly can we get a saddle on Gertrude?” King Joseph smiled, patting the rhinoceros on the shoulders.
”I don't know, sir. Our stablemaster has the expertise in dealing with many unusual mounts.” Arelius snapped his finger as a modestly dressed man in simple leathers behind the guards looking on amazed.
”Please come forward, sir”, King Joseph asked.
The man came forward slowly as not to spook the protective rhinoceros, using some amazing Handle Animal checks to both approach and gently study the unusual animal,
After a cursory inspection, the humble stablemaster turned to his king and bowed. ”Your majesty. I have a saddle made for a gorgon that could fit”, the stablemaster began, pointing to the rhino's flanks, ”but chaffing would happened quickly behind the animal's legs and hips. I'm sorry, my Lord, but I can't recommend you ride your divine steed now. After a proper measuring, can we begin to make a fell-fitted saddle that will distribute your weight evenly and reduce possible chaffing, despite her tough hide.”
Slightly-dejected, King Joseph nodded in compliance. ”That would be fine. Is there another horse I can use, so our riding date can continue?”
The stableman quickly nodded, first at the king, then Arelius. ”In about 10 minutes time, my Lord.”
”Excellent, thank you.” King Joseph said as the stablemaster quickly ran back to the main stables. Turning back to Arelius and the guards, Joe added. ”Due to recent events, I think our riding appointment may go a bit longer than expected. I will do my best to return myself and Lady Ryada before our lessons in a couple hours."
Still looking a little concerned, Arelius, along with the guards, walked back toward the castle, leaving Joe, Ryada, Brandon, and Gertrude alone for a few minutes.
”Ryada, please extend your hand. Rhinoceros have bad eyesight but great noses. Please let Gertrude smell you.”
Ryada, with both fascination and some apprehension on her face, drew closer to the rhinoceros, and hand out, while Gertrude sniffed the elven woman's hands, lightly tickling it with it's whiskers.
With a little laugh, Ryada asked, ”Why Gertrude?”
”The name?” Joe asked. ”I don't know. Gertrude was a name she chose when we met.”
After a few moments, the stablemaster came back with a tall, well-behaved horse for King Joseph to ride. Joe on his steed, Ryada on hers, with Brandon flying overheard, followed by Gertrude; all four friends rode though Camelot's countryside.
”I know I still need your father's permission, but I wanted to give you this away from the castle and all that noise. Ryada, you are an amazing woman. Gifted with inner beauty to dwarf your considerable outer beauty. I may be King, but I'm nothing with out you. Would you please wear this ring as my promise to stand by you, as you have stood by for me. Hopefully one day before the Gods as my wife?”
Artemis is able to find a suitable workshop, though it is not a full fledged alchemist lab.
---
Niversal each day you bring in some hares, a deer, or something in that range. At least one elk each week during the hunting event.
---
The days passed and more representatives arrived until the day of the coronation. The day started off warm and with only a few clouds in the sky the sun shone bright. Though clouds quickly rolled in. As breakfast was being prepared for most of Camelot, the clouds turned black, thunder could be heard, and lightning seen. Peels of bells and alarms were being raised.
An attendant quickly charged into the room and rushed to King Joe. He was nervous with the message on his lips and quietly whispered to Joe and Arelius, "The Overlord is at the drawbridge, he has asked for admittance to your coronation. Only two rune giants accompany him."
King Joseph looks as alarmed as everyone else in the dining hall as the messenger rushes to deliver his missive. The soon-to-be official King of Avalon sighs and whispers to Arelius, "Should have expected this. If all the guards at the drawbridge don't have crossbows aimed at the 'new arrivals', have them do so now."
Joe stands and addresses the concerned onlookers. "I beg pardon. A matter of diplomatic import has just arrived. Please enjoy your breakfast. I would like The Night Hawks to accompany me please, to the battlements."
King Joseph, along with the Night Hawks stand at the castle battlements, looking down at the Overload and his gigantic guards.
The holy warrior shouts down from the battlement, "AM I TO BELIEVE THAT THE WORDS WRITTEN IN THE SKY SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, SAYING 'THE OVERLORD I COMING', THAT THIS UNINVITED ARRIVAL AT MY CORONATION WAS THE MEANING?!!"
He pulls out a scroll and with his other stretched hand he waves at it. The scroll then flies up to King Joe, stopping right in front of his face.
You see an official welcome to your coronation. It is titled to the ruler of Naibian, one of the few civilized realms near the Red Wastes. Then in a deathly whisper you hear, "I was interested and amused at the summons from my assumed nemesis."
King Joseph reached out and snatched the invitation from the wind. "SHAME. I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING NAIBIAN'S KING THIS EXPLAINS HIS ABSENCE."
Joe quickly motioned to Arelius or another attendant to his side. "Please see if Lord Wolfe is available to meet me on the battlements, won't you?"
Turning back to address The Overlord, King Joseph tears the invitation in front of him. "YOUR OPINION OF MY PERSON MUST BE EXCEEDINGLY LOW TO THINK THIS WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO WORK?"
The whispering continued, "Apparently you didn't know that Nabian's reign had transfered to me. May your coronation be uneventful!" He then turns to leave slowly to see if you would say anything else.
There were guards posted all over the battlements ready to release a volley at King Joe's command.
At Joe's request another messenger was sent for Lord Wolfe.
King Joseph holds up his hand to stave off the arrow volley, and waves off the messenger to Lord Wolfe.
"No need. I'll tell Lord Wolfe myself. Men, keep your arrows at the ready until Overlord becomes a speck on the horizon."
Whew! That was close. Didn't want him to mar the proceedings.
|
Prior to the coronation Niversal will hunt for something special with Ed to bring to the table as a gift
Bronllafyn Short-Broad, the sword of Osla Big-Knife, from Culhwch and Olwen (ca. 11th-12th century). When the sheathed sword is placed in a narrow spot in a river, it forms a bridge sufficient to carry all of Arthur’s armies.
The shoes of Sgilti Lightfoot, from Culhwch and Olwen. Sgilti Lightfoot is a messenger of Arthur, and a man so light no reed or blade of grass ever bends under his weight. When traveling through a forest, he runs along the tops of trees. He needs no roads because grass and heather are as firm under his feet as paving stones. Wearing Sgilti’s shoes makes you as light as he is.
Retho’s pelt, from Historia Regum Britanniae (ca. 1136). Retho was a giant who lived on Mt. Arvaius (location unknown, but it might be Mt. Snowdon in Wales). He had a pelt woven from the beards of all the kings who fought him and died. When Arthur confronted Retho, the giant gave the king a chance to back down: if Arthur would shave his beard and hand it over, Retho would let him live – and would put the high king’s whiskers in a point of pride above all the others in the pelt. Instead, Arthur slew Retho and claimed the giant’s pelt and beard as trophies. Retho’s pelt provides great backstory for a shaggy but potent magic cloak.
The Red Armor of the Red Knight and Sir Perceval from Perceval (ca. 1180). This armor belonged to the insolent Red Knight of Quinqueroy, who stole the goblet of his mortal foe of King Arthur and claimed the King's lands. The Red Knight was then surprised by Perceval the Welshman, who slew him with a javelin and took the armor. Perceval is an interesting character: a young man so ignorant and naive as to be incapable of morality, except for faithfully (and sometimes inappropriately) following the advice of his mother and his mentor. Indeed, he is so naive he does not know his own name, merely guessing that it might be ‘Perceval’. In his ignorance, he reflexively solves his problems with violence. Despite having only one afternoon of formal training with the lance and none with the sword, he bests every opponent, thanks, perhaps, to the Red Armor.
Trabuchet’s sword, from Perceval: a steel sword with a hilt of Arabian gold and a scabbard decorated with Venetian golden embroidery. Its blade is stamped with the maker’s mark of Trabuchet, a great smith, who made only three swords this fine. It will break only when exposed to a single perilous situation, known only to the smith.
The Lance of the Black Knight, from Perlesvaus (ca. 1210). The Black Knight in this story is a devil in human flesh. Alas, he bears little resemblance to the John Cleese character in Monty Python And The Quest For The Holy Grail. The Black Knight carries a lance that burns from the tip to the wielder’s hand. Though the flames are dangerous, the lance only deals extra fire damage on its first successful strike. Once it tastes the blood of its foe, the flames are extinguished. Much worse, the wounds the lance inflicts can only be healed by wrapping them in a bandage soaked in the blood of the lance’s wielder. And – as if fire damage on the first hit and being tricky to heal from weren’t enough – the lance has one final property. Normally, when a lance strikes its target, it either bounces off, shatters, or drives right through the target’s body. A lance that shatters still strikes a terrible blow: it’s delivering the force of a galloping horse and armored rider, and it shatters only because the stout wooden pole is under so much strain it breaks apart. The Lance of the Black Knight doesn’t shatter. It delivers every pound of force without shivering.
The Shield of the Dragon Knight, from Perlesvaus. In the middle of the shield is a dragon’s head that breaths sulfurous fire. When Perlesvaus faces the Dragon Knight, the dragon head burns up the poor hero’s lance right up to his fist! But when Perlesvaus strikes a mighty blow against the shield, he splits it right up to the head, and some of the dragon’s fire gets on Perlesvaus’ sword and it flames from that point forward.
Artemis just watches Overlord walk off silently, scratching the back of his head before turning towards Joe when the Overlord is seen no more, "You know, while your response was justified... did you really need to shout it from up here? We easily heard his whispers..."
Pausing a bit to allow Joe to respond, or let the silence continue to permeate for a bit, Artemis would pipe back up, "Want me to come as quote and quote, backup, for when you tell Lord Wolfe about this or do you think you can handle it?"
"True, Artemis. But there was no guarantee he could hear mine." Joe shrugged at the half-fiend.
Listening to Lord Artemis's offer for assistance, King Joseph nods. "Yes. I get the feeling your appearance will put Wolfe at ease."
The Night Hawks return to the dining room which is a buzz with talk.
-----
Later that day, everyone prepares for the coronation. They all dress in their best attire. Many take hours to perfect their looks. As the high priestess of Death is preforming the rites the time was pushed back to midnight rather than noon. Extra lights and lanterns were prepared.
As most of Joe's guests stand in reverence, as his subjects kneel. Jellena stands before the throne with Arelius nearby with the crown upon a pillow. Merlynn stands to the right of the throne. All of the other Night Hawks walk behind Joe.
|
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Niversal and Ed arrive for the coronation with some elk for the festivities and get cleaned up and dressed anxious to do some research on the artifacts to see if there are any rumors about locations. Any spare time will go to seeing about that and then Niversal attends to his duties at the coronation itself.
Onlookers could see King Joseph beckon Merlynn closer to talk. If you had a good enough Perception roll, this is what you might have heard.
"Wonderful to see you, Merlynn! So glad you could make it! Is your presence here an indicator that our mutual adversary has been removed from the equation?"
She quietly whispers, "No, merely taking a break from the research to enjoy this blessed moment." She puts on a good display and not showing any displeasure.
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"Thank you for showing. What's Camelot without Merlynn?" King Joseph grins up at the wizard.
-----
With the Crown of Avalon is placed on his head, the coronation ends to thunderous applause. Joseph Waskalis, former late night hotel auditor, later paladin of The Goddess, now King of Avalon stands from the throne to address those who witnessed his ascension to the highest stratosphere of society.
"To all citizens of Avalon, I thank you for your faith in me, and I shall do all I can, to make sure it is not a faith misplaced. To all those esteemed guests from lands near and very far, thank you for sharing this very special day with me. Thus begins a new chapter in the Avalon's history. Yet, Avalon is still healing from the machinations of it's previous administration.
I and Avalon have a lot of work ahead of us. I wish to safeguard Avalon's prosperity as best as I can from threats not yet risen, but ever looming on the horizon. In particular, the threat of famine and blight on Avalon's farming communities. And as Arthur before me, I, along with The Night Hawks, are on a holy quest; that may take me away from Camelot for extended periods. But there has been some positive signs of change. The long overdue maintenance over Avalon's sewage system is nearing completion. And the most vulnerable of us, Avalon's numerous orphans, now sleep in warm beds under roofs that will keep out the elements.
Avalon is a mythic land. And I'm pleased that the halls of this great castle will ring with songs and performances throughout the night and into morning from all points in this wonderful country. And I have been made aware, that there are many private celebrations all over Avalon, and I say this. I am with you all in Spirit.
Last, but not least, I wish to thank the Gods for this evening. My own divine patron, The Mistress, and all other gods of Good and Neutrality. I hope to bring Arcanium closer to your divine homes, with Avalon leading the way. Now is the time for us all, King and Serf, Nobleman and Tradesman, Elf and Dwarf, Living and Dead, to work together to usher in that vaulted age of peace, for ourselves and for our children and their descendants.”
King Joseph then draw his mighty sword, Escalavar, over his head.
”For Arcanium! For Avalon! For Camelot! For All of Us!”
Artemis would just get ready, using most of his time to polish and clean his weapon before quickly donning the same suit that he wore at the ball. Humming a bit, Artemis would stand to the right of Joe as the Night Hawks walked down the aisle.
Listening silently, Artemis would nod, quickly clapping and hoping to aid the impact of the speed as he claps, "Lets hear it for King Joseph!"
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Niversal casts ghost sound and pulls out the lute and sings with backup!
Here he is born to be king! Ruler of Camelot!
Here we belong, fighting to survive
In a world with the darkest powers
Hail Joe King of Camelot!
Joe's the man that will go far
Fly the moon and reach for the stars
With his sword and head held high
He will pass the test of time, yeah!
With his proclamation made the crowd goes wild with applause.
Once the room settles the line of receiving begins and all of your guests bring forth their gifts. Most of the gifts are mundane chests of wealth. Coins, gems, precious cloth, perfumes, and other precious materials to honor the new king. The last in line of invited guests was the first to arrive, Lord Wolfe.
Lord Wolfe walks forward as two of his tall men carry an ornate chest between them. Lord Wolfe taps his amulet and with his true power revealed most stagger to the floor. Some begin to cry and others flee. Before King Joeseph he bows slightly and taps his amulet again suppressing his raw power once more. Then he makes a statement offering, "King Joeseph, I offer my services within your kingdom. As I have done in many before you. You likely know the story of the Pied Piper. I offer to remove a vermin of your choice from your fine city free of charge."
He appears to be offering the deal as he says.