Round 4, Init 18
Kaylayne pauses, listening for more oncoming demons.
"It would be good to lure more of the demons this way. To kill a few more will make our case stronger with the council...and may lend aid to the defenders below. Each that we will is an abomination that will no longer plague this forest."
Kaylayne takes total defense.
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Allarnon hangs back as there is little room for him, though Tarkir is able to find a small nook to cramp himself into and bites at the demon.
AC Bear: (AC 29) [+5 Armor; +1 Dex; +4 Natural; +3 Deflection; +1 Dodge; +4 Enhance Barkskin (Active); -2 Rage (+1 additional Dodge when raging); +1 dodge haste(active)]
AC Human: (AC 25) [+5 Armor; +2 Dex; +3 Deflection; +1 Dodge; +4 Enhance Barkskin (active); -2 Rage (+1 additional Dodge when raging)]
HP: 149/149; +2 Temp HP; -DR/5 Adamantine (0 remaining not active)
Buffs: Barkskin; Airwalk Rage 14/17)
Tarkir
AC: (AC 32) [+4 Armor; +3 Dex; +9 Natural; +4 Enhance Barkskin (active); +2 Deflection PfE (Not active); +3 Magic Vestment; +1 dodge haste; +1 Dodge]
HP: 72/72 (+20 HP- Animal Growth-Not active)
Buffs: Greater Magic Fang (active); Barkskin; Spiderclimb
Ederin delays, waiting with his bow arm drawn until the party is either safely back the way they came, or a Vrock appears for him to shoot.
"Well? Are we stayin' or goin'? Don't plan on sittin' here all day if you wanted my opinion."
Allarnon, there are no living targets remaining. The party seems to be deciding to stay?
OK then... I'll have an additional round later this morning.
You have one additional round of nothing happening. Feel free to post, but I'll assume you're all waiting.
Kaylayne pauses, listening for more oncoming demons.
"It would be good to lure more of the demons this way. To kill a few more will make our case stronger with the council...and may lend aid to the defenders below. Each that we will is an abomination that will no longer plague this forest."
Dimitrio disagreed, "We were asked to come up here and get rid of the bird-demons. And we did. I don't think our case is made stronger if we kill a couple of more. Nothing may change their opinion of us unless we kill Treerazer himself."
He shook his head, "I vote to head back down but I won't leave you all here if we decide to stay."
Lief has no intention of returning to the roof, as he spends his time healing on the stairs, waiting for the others to gather themselves and do the same.
Kaylayne slowly giving up hopes that more demons would come up, follows Lief down the stairs, presumably to go meet with the old plant elf.
"Yeah, c'mon," Kaylayne grunts.
Ederin waits just long enough for everyone to retreat behind him, keeping his bow ready in case of attack, once the rest of the party has committed to the retreat he follows behind.
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As the party retreats, Allarnon sees vrock flying in, flickering with mirror images, and as Ederin closes the passage door, he sees several babau demons, dripping with their acidic slime, and finally a hezrou demon, whose very noxious vapor and foul fluids weeping from its body give you the urge to gag.
You hear them screaming for blood, saddened that they missed the opportunity...
Lief holds still, maybe even leans away a little, as Allarnon provides his own kind of healing salve. He even awkwardly pats Allarnon on the side of his head, in appreciation. He continues bringing his health around, with continued touches of the wand.
Lief is fully restored, before seeking another audience with Arlindil. "Alright, sir. We have seen to your labor. From what was seen in our departure, you have 4 dead vrock for evidence, though I would caution going there immediately, for the slew of new demons seeking to join the battle. What say you, now? Are we worthy of an audience, a gathering of your council, or are you going to ask us to do something else?"
Kaylayne watches Arlindil, hoping that he will honor is word. In her mind, she wishes they had killed a few more of the vrocks and demons above before retreating.
"Yes, there are things we must do."
The party returns to Arlindil’s chambers where he greets you once again, though as distant as before. Though the sounds of scratching are audible for the mass of demons above still searching for fresh blood, he seems satisfied by your claims.
”I watched - you are formidable indeed. Perhaps you can be of assistance, and perhaps not. Never the less, I will attend your meeting as I promised." he wraps his cloak around himself, "When is it to be?”
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Allarnon looks incredulously to Lief as the elf asks when. "As soon as possible....."
He cringes as even more demons pour into the room the just cleared. Scratches and bangs are heard above and he jerks with each one.
Why is he so happy about us killing the Vrocks when there is worse up there now........
Glad at least this elf considered them worthy, Dimitrio nodded, "we'll meet whenever you are all ready. Time's a wasting if you know what I mean."
Lief deflects Allarnon's look, towards Kaylayne. "I think Kaylayne has a couple of things she'd like to finish, before we convene?" Lief looks towards the Bear, and nods, resigning himself to a brief wait to see exactly what the woman seeks to accomplish.
"I do?" Kaylayne seems confused by Lief's interpretation of her words and seeks to clarify. "I meant, we as a group, have things to do."
She looks around at the party.
"When do we want to call council? Or do we want to go meet with old grumpy above first?"
"We I don't have anythin' that needs doin'." Ederin shrugs. "Now that Arlindil is ready we got three of 'em. Hopefully that's enough, cause I ain't too keen on anymore o' these tests o' our strength. I say we get this goin' as soon as possible."
"Arlindil, we'd like to convene now. Please do so at your soonest convenience. Once Malindil and Perelir have joined you, we should send for Hialin."
Lief doesn't like being less prepared, before facing Hialin, but he assumes the others are not too weakened from the vrock fight to be fully effective in what is likely to be a fight with Hialin. He only hopes the elves are ready to face the truth.
"I'll be there in an hour." he says, adding nothing - ever the talker.
He stands, waiting for you to depart, before making whatever preparations he feels may be important for this first meeting since... well, a while.
Lief nods, as another puzzle piece falls into place. When they're alone, the young man looks to Kaylayne with the expression that conveys the need to detect scrying, before he opens discussion before the grander gathering.
"I'm not sure what will come of the Council's convening, but I do know that Hialin burns with white-hot rage, and is our nemesis." Lief looks directly at Ederin, expecting dispute. "As he has the ability to disintegrate, we need to be ready for a magical attack from him, much like we did Elledariah, and her scream. Where do you all stand? If Hialin lashes out at Perelir, Malindil, and/or Arlindil, are we going to intervene? If Hialin convinces any of them to join him in destroying us, are you ready to fight any of them? This is a highly volatile situation we will face shortly. I would know which of you will fight, and which will hesitate."
Dimitrio nods, "I am certainly ready to defend myself and any of you."
He then adds, "However, I'm not sure how I would react if these stubborn elves start attacking each other. Maybe they will kill Hialin and make our job convincing the others easier."
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"I am ready to defend the elves against Hialin, but only if he provokes first. Harsh words don't bring about someones death, just because we don't agree with them." Allarnon growls as his fur bristles with the though of having to kill another elf.
The drow are out there and they have us fighting among ourselves....
"So, you've forgiven the Winter Council in its attempt on our lives, then? True, they only used words, simply ordering our deaths. That, Allarnon. That was the 'first provocation'. You keep forgetting. We're here, because we've already been provoked."
Kaylayne snorts, having more forgiveness for the provocations after seeing the sorry state of the council.
"I admit, after first hearing that it was the council who tried to kill us, I was angry as any of us. But after seeing the state of thing here...we should see it for what it truly was: a cry for help. We should do what we can to help those here, but I'll not harm those who are already suffering. They deserve our pity, not retribution. If we must kill Hailin to save the rest, let's do that, but I'll have no joy in it," Kaylayne opines.
Lief waits out Kaylayne's holier-than-thou blather, nodding. "Let's fetch Malindil and Perelir, and allow Ina to inform Hialin when the others have gathered. A little less than an hour, and we'll have some form of resolution here in Thorn's End."
Lief waits out Kaylayne's holier-than-thou blather, nodding. "Let's fetch Malindil and Perelir, and allow Ina to inform Hialin when the others have gathered. A little less than an hour, and we'll have some form of resolution here in Thorn's End."
Dimitrio nodded, not wanting to go and get the angry wizard.
"Let's not forget Arlindil. Let's get the three elves in a room and have Ina summon or 'invite' the wizard. If he comes, great. If not, then hopefully a decision can be made without him."
The party notifies Malindil and Perelir, and sends poor Ina in to face the wizard alone. She returns, shaky, and announces he'll be there. "He wasn't happy the others are meeting, and he's said he'd be damned if he'd let them meet without him. He, uh, cursed you too. I'm sorry." she looks embarrassed.
You have a little time before the meeting. It will occur on the fourth floor of the main building (room D20 - I've already placed you there, but we're not there yet...).
Please let me know how you prepare for the meeting in the minutes leading up to it.
Kaylayne looks at the party.
"Let's try to not have this turn into a bloodbath. Let's try to save as many of these pitiful creatures in this demon-infested hellhole as we can. It's clear that they are dying, the leadership is weak, and their sanities barely hang on...there is no need for us to add to their troubles," Kaylayne reminds when they are alone.
"They all don't need to come to ruin, especially not when there are some worth saving...and while we are surrounded by demon hordes. If this place falls, our own lives might be at risk." Kaylayne looks at Lief, as if he might not be one to consider the consequences of murder.
"Let us prepare...but none of us should fight all of them when we can resolve it peacefully or flee instead. It isn't worth it. I will prepare some magics, but, I hope to use none of them."
"Right. We fight if we need to, but don't plan on instigatin' anythin' if you can help it." He throws a side eye at Lief but otherwise doesn't offer anything else.
Ederin considers bolstering his defenses as well, but reconsiders. "In Riddleport, if a meeting started with everyone's weapons out, well, it puts people on edge yeah. Maybe some o' us shouldn't look prepared for a fight, in case they take it wrong."
He waits for the rest to be prepared then heads to the meeting when it's time.
Lief looks back and forth between Kaylayne and Ederin, still unsure of their commitment, of their resolve. "I am trying to respect your positions, but you make it difficult. If you sought to save elves here, you would not agree to bring Hialin into their midst, you would put down the rabid dog where he stood. You don't understand his nature, then. I keep telling you that his is capital Hate. If you need to see it devastate to finally understand it, then you are the turtle in Dimitrio's story, and will only 'see' when the stinger is planted in your neck."
"Their minds may be addled, but they are far from dying here. Despondent, sure. Paranoid, absolutely. I came here thinking we'd need to end all four of them, but you may be right that only one of them needs to die."
"This will not be resolved peacefully. Do not be caught off-guard. Give none of them the benefit of the doubt. Kaylayne can always bring back the dead, if needs be."
As the hour approaches, the whole complex seems on edge. The guards seem to be everywhere, and on alert. Even the demons are howling more it seems, though surely that must just be coincidence - unless they smell the fear...
Also, I misspoke earlier, you are not notifying Hialin until the others have gathered. Ina remains with you, after leaving you to your privacy of course, ready to undertake that task, though she's uneasy.
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"So, you've forgiven the Winter Council in its attempt on our lives, then? True, they only used words, simply ordering our deaths. That, Allarnon. That was the 'first provocation'. You keep forgetting. We're here, because we've already been provoked."
"Of course I haven't forgiven them, but we can't blame the whole pack for one person's actions. And we don't even know who orders them to do it yet." Allarnon looks to Lief
As they wait Allarnon paces uneasily as the demons grow more vocal and violent outside the walls. Between that and not knowing what to expect in this meeting Allarnon's nerves are on edge as Tarkir snores quietly in the corner of the room. The smaller bears brown chest rises and falls rhythmically with each breath as the bear has not a worry in the world.
"I am trying to respect your positions, but you make it difficult. If you sought to save elves here, you would not agree to bring Hialin into their midst, you would put down the rabid dog where he stood. You don't understand his nature, then."
Kaylayne listens and nods, but realizes the boy doesn't see the big picture.
"You're missing the big picture, Lief. Or part of it. It's not whether we agree that Hialin should die or not, but whether we should be executioners or whether we should act without at least trying to get buy in from the other elves," Kaylayne explains.
"We are stronger when and if we can rally elves to our side. Showing them Hialin's internal desecration will be much stronger than striking him down in secret."
Kaylayne is ready for what happens.
"I'm missing nothing, Kaylayne, but you are at least ready to admit that Hialin is the corruption, and you'll be ready to do what is necessary. There is no room for pity here, for any of the four. As for Ina and the guard, I'll agree that they are in an unfortunate position, but even they bear the responsibility for bearing witness to their leaders' corruption, and standing idly by."
Lief makes his preparations, then stands ready, as well.
Stoneskin, Cat's Grace, Death Ward
This spacious chamber on the fourth floor of the main building is the very picture of austerity. Candles burn throughout the room, illuminating tapestries depicting elven life in beautiful detail. A long, wide table stretches twenty feet through the center of the room, surrounded by exquisitely carved, high-backed chairs, and set with several silver ewers and silver-filigreed goblets.
To the southwest across from you as you enter, six tall paintings depicting full-size renditions of elves hang on the wall - a beautiful woman in a gown of stars with long red hair, a dark haired man in a long fur cloak with green facial tattoos, a pale skinned man with black hair wearing dark clothes and a spiked glove, a statuesque beauty in golden armor wielding a spear and a sword, a tall man with silver hair and long green robes holding a bejeweled staff, and a narrow eyed woman dressed in gold and green armor missing the top half of her left ear. This last portrait has been slashed multiple times with a blade.
The portraits on the wall are of the most recent six Winter Councilors. Plaques on the portraits’ bases read, from right to left, Perelir, Arlindil, Hialin, Malindil, Auramesties, and Allevrah. The cut one is Allevrah.
To the east (to your right as you enter), the wall is bare save for what appears to be an iron spike with a pentagram carved into its head - the spike has been driven into the wall, and shimmers with a pale golden radiance. Immediately next to the spike, and clearly guarding it, is an elegantly armored and quite beautiful half-elf standing alert, her eyes radiating divine light and her noble greatsword crackling with power.
Surprisingly, Hialin is already in the chamber, his gaunt form nearly invisible in his large padded chair. He scowls as you enter, his eyes seething with hatred. The other councilors enter shortly behind you. First Perelir joins you, followed not long after by Arlindil and Malindil together. They enter with a solemnity you don’t expect, and a tinge of fear…
They take their seats and wait, looking to you to start the conversation. After a beat Perelir gestures to the sentinel, and the guard leaves the room, closing the door behind her. You are alone with the winter council - she and Ina stand guard outside the chamber.
Before leaving for the convening, Lief turns to Kaylayne. "I'll stand down, and leave the initial engagement to you. Perhaps you'll be better received, with your sympathetic overtones."
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Lief steps into the room, taking in the Forlorn Four. He moves out of the way, allowing Kaylayne center mass. He hones in on Hialin, reasonably sure nothing has changed in the elf.
Dimitrio knew this was no time for stories or dancing.
He thought that Lief would speak for them but had somewhat mixed feeling when he ceded that privilege to Layne.
The bard waited for Layne to speak and for the scorpion to sting...
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Ederin follows quietly behind the rest of his friends, wondering what exactly they'll accomplish here. Seeing Hialin, he's mildly surprised, and once again creeped out by the elf, but he keeps an eye on him, wondering if he can see what Lief does.
While he waits for Kaylayne to start talking, he shuffles awkwardly and starts stroking the stubble on his jaw to pass the time. He moves closer to Kaylayne, uncomfortable leaving her in the open by herself, just in case Lief really is right.
"Thanks for agreein' to see us an' talk this out." He says, trying to break the ice and give Kay a couple more seconds to collect her thoughts.
Assuming she wants to even talk, kinda just thrust this on her. He thinks to himself.
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Kaylayne sighs, trying to gather her thoughts in addressing the Council. She deeply regrets Lief's inability to understand empathy or the larger strategy, but appreciates his self-awareness that he's not the best spokesperson given his often-murderous thinking.
She resigns herself to do the best she can, as if these elves were going to listen to the words of a human barkeep, and leaves it to Desna, or Caiden, or whatever god might be watching to decide to help her or not.
What she really wants is to go outside and examine that strange spike that requires a personal guard, but pushes those thoughts from her head for the moment as she tries to come up with an approach for the Council.
Kaylayne clears her throat and addresses the Council.
"Once again, I appreciate your willingness to convene to discuss the threat not only to the elven nation, but also to the Council as well. We were drawn here after an attack was ordered upon us," Kaylayne begins. "The attack originated by someone on this Council." But thankfully it was inept and as dispirited as this motley group.
Kaylayne pauses, watching the Other Kaylayne walk and dance amongst the Council, unseen. She gives a moment to let her words sink in.
"Why would the Council want us dead? Oh...because we uncovered truths. Truths most of you know to be true. The truths that hang on the walls above us," Kaylayne points to the ripped picture of Allevrah. "That is what we uncovered. That truth. That Allevrah, the Drow, had begun to influence and corrupt this council. And that truth, marked us for death. As if our deaths would fix the problems here. Or the threat to the Elven homeland. The same Elven homeland that you all are sworn to protect."
Kaylayne's eyes follow the Other Kaylayne again, but she pulls them away to meet each of the other members in the eye.
"Now, we are on the hunt to stop Allevrah...and we require the Council's help. We know that she, and her drow community, strive to use a terrible weapon upon the Elven nation. This weapon, of which we've seen the effects firsthand, is terrible and will result in ruin. Absolute ruin."
Kaylayne pauses.
"First, we need to find and end the corruption on this Council. Then we shall discuss how best to find an end Allevrah's threat. I ask each of you to agree to support us wholeheartedly. Not for us, but for the elves...for we are nothing compared to what will be lost should we fail."
Kaylayne looks as if she wants to say more...but realizes she has said enough and stands ready for reply. Her eyes again dart to the Other Kaylayne, as if hoping for a positive review of her efforts, but she knows that is futile.
”You’re marked for death because you oppose this council, and you ask us to trust you?! Hah! I say we kill them now, and be rid of their problem once and for all. Then we, who are superior, can determine what needs doing.” Hialin all but shouts, supposing his words will be better understood if they are loud.
Almost immediately, Perelir quips, ”I’m not surprised you’d take that view Hialin, you’re all death.”
To which Hialin retorts, ”And you’re all soft! You’re afraid to do what needs to be done to end the drow threat once and for all! We must destroy them,” he looks at the party, ”…and their agents.” he sneers.
Arlindil answers, ”Face it Hialin, the Winter Council is dead. We should admit it and abandon the Tanglebriar.” He looks sorrowful, and perhaps even surprised he spoke his thoughts aloud.
”It is as I thought! I am alone in researching a method to solve the current problem, and that I alone am honoring Auramesties’s memory. You lot disgust me.” Hialin spits as phlegm flies from his mouth spattering on the table.
Malindil seems about to speak when Arlindil is attacked by Hialin and her voice, shrill in it’s intensity, shouts, ”You know nothing wizard! A solid swift blow to the demons at our gates, and their nalfeshnee leader, is all that’s needed to put things right again.”
Perelir tries to suggest that the armies of Kyonin might be brought to bear in the Tanglebriar but she is not heard as the others - especially Hialin and Arlindil shout at each other.
She tries again a moment or two later as the others take breath, this time voicing the idea that the Winter Council consult with the Queen and the rest of the elven government - come out of the shadows.
That silences the room as the other three look to her incredulously. ”No!” shouts Hialin, and for once, the others join him against Perelir. But when Hialin suggests Perelir be exiled from the Council, the others back off and Hialin is alone once more.
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Allarnon looks to the others as he begins to get frustrated and lost in the politics of the elves. He needs to get time for one of the more well spoken to be able to speak.
Climbing onto the table Allarnon let's out a deafening roar. Spit flies in all directions as his hot breath covers the expanse of the room.
He glares at the four incompetent and bickering elves and berates the lot of them.
"You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Instead of working together for a common cause you bicker like rabid wolverines..... Lief fix this horse shit."
Dimitrio just watches on and shakes his head. His pulse racing, his hands clench and unclench waiting for the coming violence.
Lief almost laughs, as none of Kaylayne's introductory words are welcomed by the council. Any one of them could have began the gathering. Hialin would interrupt, for his position above everyone else. He is beyond reasoning with.
Lief shakes his head, as Allarnon tries to break the bickering to create a clearing in the fog of war in the chamber. He leans over to whisper. "A fool's errand at this point, but let's try, at least..."
"When did Allevrah become Drow? How did Allevrah become Drow? If anyone is agent to the Drow, it is her. It was one of you."
Kaylayne waits to see reaction to Lief, then she will try her own questions.
The elves grow quiet at Allarnon’s outburst, but they don’t look with understanding, but rather with annoyance at being interrupted in their various points. They each take a breath, ready to plunge back into the ‘discussion’ when Lief speaks, and they grow quiet again - none seemingly willing to answer Lief’s question.
While the others argue, Kaylayne strolls over to the spike. She casts Detect Magic and begins to examine it.
Spellcraft
When Kaylayne approaches the spike, the elves grow agitated, as if they weren't already. Perelir cautions, "Be careful with that." but Hialin leaps to his feet and crosses quickly between you and the spike faster than you'd have thought the old man could.
"This is not your concern. Keep back of it." he growls menacingly. He glances at the others, "We should not have met here, with them." he swears.
"She means no offense, Hialin. You had every chance to consider where to meet. We're flexible. If you'd like to move the discussion elsewhere, you'll have no objections from us."