"Very well, I shall explain my riddles, with riddles that you can understand, if you be the ones we seek." Vandomir took a deep breath before continuing, "our acquaintance is a lady, who fears for her eighth cousin and his flooded knights. Their goals and those of Saint Senex were much the same, saving souls from drowning, albeit drowning in chains rather than in the sea."
The old man's face break his tired demeanor with a smile, “Him of whom you speak of has cast his breath upon the Stone many times, long a friend to our shrine. We honor those who honor the watery dead.”
He paused, now enjoying the game, "But we honor him with secrecy. This secrecy is not to be bought by mere baubles but revealed to those who are truly in need."
Vandomir reaches his hand into his pocket, "there are few in Kintargo who know secrecy as well as we. We would make common cause with the eighth cousin, if he will accept us. Even so, we take steps now to save some of his flooded Knights from our common foe. I offer our identity to you, as proof of our bonafides." As he finishes speaking, he pulls forth his silver raven figurine, wrapped in his silver bandana and hands it to the man
Vandomir reaches his hand into his pocket, "there are few in Kintargo who know secrecy as well as we. We would make common cause with the eighth cousin, if he will accept us. Even so, we take steps now to save some of his flooded Knights from our common foe. I offer our identity to you, as proof of our bonafides." As he finishes speaking, he pulls forth his silver raven figurine, wrapped in his silver bandana and hands it to the man
He shook his head, "No, it matters little to the Saint who is in charge of the town. The most important thing is that his shepherds and flock are well tended. You'll need to show me why you seek this particular shepherd or you'll never find him."
He sighed, "How can you prove you bear him no ill will?"
Tillia recalled the item they were given to prove they could be trusted and said, "The lady gave us something to show that we could be trusted V, I suggest we produce it now."
Rowan stepped forward. "As Senex ventured to return belongings to the families of drowned sailors, we have something to return to the shepherd.". She held out Setrona's signet ring to Brother Jenbai. "We were tasked to return it to show we mean no harm."
Turn 119 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Brother Jenbai smiled a tired smile as he inspected the ring, “Aye, the eight cousin has been granted asylum in the chambers below, but that if you wish to speak to him, you must pass the altar door and meet the challenges below, to prove to Saint Senex you are worthy to speak to a friend of the shrine.”
Eirik had relaxed considerably as the friendly banter progressed. Vandomir wielded words as weapons better than he had expected – a good thing the noble hadn’t considered law as a career or Eirik would have had a rough time defending his clients against the man’s family in court.
”If that is your wish, we shall honor it,” he said simply, accepting the challenge, even eager to see what form it might take. The monk tried raking his mind about what he knew of Saint Senex, but drew a blank – he had been more interested in philosophy than religion as a youth, since he had chosen not to pursue a clerical path. Venerated by seafarers, generally thought as a protector, a benevolent force. That was about the extent of his knowledge, but gods could be fickle, and a force associated with the merciless ocean perhaps more so than most. Although the Saint was seen as someone offering protection from the hazards of the open waters...
“Those who would visit the drowned departed must bring to these lips the gift of lung’s bounty, lest my guardian stand before your approach.”
Eirik took in the temple’s first chamber, nodding in approval. This was pretty much what he would have expected, though judging from the above-ground section, he hadn’t thought the subterranean parts would be very extensive. But the style certainly fit, and they had been told the shrine had once house a much greater host of servants...
”As far as riddles go, this seems fitting enough,” Eirik murmured and stepped closer to the statue, peering at its lips to see if there might be a gap between them. ”I know little enough of healing, but even I have heard of the breath of life to save a drowning man. Shall I?”
Hearing no objections, Eirik breathed in deeply, carefully pressed his lips over the lips of the sailor so as not to disturb or topple the whole statue, and breathed out, as he imagined one might to revive a drowned man, forcing air into his lungs.
Action 2:
Rowan focused on her footing on the way down the ladder to make sure she didn't fall. She had her doubts about the rusty rungs but knew she had to proceed.
When she stepped off the ladder and got a good look at the room, she was impressed. Someone had gone through a lot of trouble to honor the spirit of Saint Senex. "This shrine is definitely bigger on the inside," Rowan commented as she studied the statue. Someone had gone to a lot of effort to carve driftwood but the warpriest was unable to determine if there was anything special about it. She assumed that it may be Saint Senex holding the sailor but couldn't say for sure.
Eirik moved forward towards the statue and Rowan shrugged. "That seems like a logical conclusion."
Yes and no. Two exits/entrances: west is the one you came down and is NOT barred and east, which is barred.
Questions?
Game on!
One more post and I'll recap tonight...
I'll get something up soon as I get home, get off work in an hour so it'll be about 2 hours when I can be sure I have a post up.
Action 1
When the group prepared to head down the ladder Tillia looked down at the murky mist below and, while it seemed familiar somehow, she couldn't tell what, exactly, it was. Keeping in mind that they were heading into an unknown place she was careful as she made her way down the ladder to not slip, after all it would be a shame to ruin her clothes when she landed.
Action 2
She looked around the room they found themselves in and found the resemblance to a ship uncanny. The place was superbly crafted, the detail exacting, the statue in particular was interesting. Despite her general disinterest in religion Tillia recognized the statue after having read up on it and said, "The statue is made in the semblance of Saint Senex herself, it's incredibly detailed. As for the riddle, well, I think you're right Eirik."
Caleb looked wryly at Eirik. "Not often Callistria watches on as Abadar makes out. Remember to blow while you're there."
Caleb looked wryly at Eirik. "Not often Callistria watches on as Abadar makes out. Remember to blow while you're there."
Eirik gave the mystic a level look, though there was a sparkle in his eye. "As a sometime follower of the Lord of Tax Collectors, perhaps I should be asking you to pay for the privledge, hmm?"
Caleb smiled mischievously back "You're asking me to pay for this? That's my patron's remit, not yours."
I intend to recap today...
Caleb smiled mischievously back "You're asking me to pay for this? That's my patron's remit, not yours."
"Wealth is Abadar's domain, and he knows well the paths that lead to it, but I concede the point."
Turn 120 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Action 1
The area behind the gate was disturbing, the bodies of those long dead were macabre decorations and made her incredibly nervous. At the man's words Tillia gave the Lichtor a nervous smile and said, "We didn't come to arrest you, we came to recruit you. We represent the Silver Ravens and have opperatives attempting to rescue your men from being doghoused. We've been fighting back against Barzilai Thrune and his illegal rule of Kintarga and had hoped you and your order would be willing to aid us in the fight fornfreedom from our oppressors." She gestured to Rowan, "Your cousin suggested we try to help you and ask for your aid, to prove this she sent an item to show you."
Action 1
Vandomir listened politely to the priestess' words before adding, "and while you are certainly offered a position within our organization, we would certainly understand if it was your preference to continue to lead the Knights of the Torrent and fight alongside us, as equals, and allies."
Octavio had heard of the Ravens so he relaxed some, "“You are certainly hopeful idealists, but in my experience, passionate revolutionaries lack discipline. Like my cousin, you have good hearts, but it takes more than heart to stand up for what’s right."
He considered his position, "If I’m to throw in with the Silver Ravens, I need two things. First, I need to know that my surviving armigers are safe. Second, I need to know that the Silver Ravens are more than thugs who seek to fight in the streets—I need to know you can exercise subtlety and work at least partially within the bounds of the law to solve problems when such an option exists.”
Vandomir was pleased at the gruff knight's response, "well, we are already taking steps to free those of your brothers who are held captive in the city. Should you wish to make contact with your brethren that are abroad, we would be happy to aid you in doing so. As for your second point," Vandomir smiled, "I trust that you will not mind when we need to work partially outside the bounds of the law to solve problems when legal options do not exist?"
Vandomir added, "we do keep a barrister on staff, however, to help us keep things as legal as possible." Vandomir gestured towards Eirik.
Vandomir was pleased at the gruff knight's response, "well, we are already taking steps to free those of your brothers who are held captive in the city. Should you wish to make contact with your brethren that are abroad, we would be happy to aid you in doing so."
His voice dripped concern for his brethren, "My men. I heard a couple of them are being held at the Holding House. You say you have a plan to get them out?"
"As for your second point," Vandomir smiled, "I trust that you will not mind when we need to work partially outside the bounds of the law to solve problems when legal options do not exist?"
He conceded the point, "Yes... to some extent. I need to know that you are not just the next lunatics that are in charge of Kintargo. I need to know that you respect the law enough to try and work within its structure. I must be convinced that I won't be aiding mere thugs."
"Your cousin suggested we try to help you and ask for your aid, to prove this she sent an item to show you."
Rowan nodded and retrieved the signet ring. "She gave us this to show you our serious intent."
He conceded the point, "Yes... to some extent. I need to know that you are not just the next lunatics that are in charge of Kintargo. I need to know that you respect the law enough to try and work within its structure. I must be convinced that I won't be aiding mere thugs."
Rowan shook her head, "I can assure you that we are not thugs. We fight for the citizens of Kintargo to be freed from oppression. I serve Milani in this task and always seek wisdom from her. We do not fight for the sake of fighting."
When they finally came to an arrangement, Rowan asked, "Out of curiosity, we did Thrune come after you and your order now?"
tag Octavio
Tillia considered Octavio's concern and saw it had merit, she could easily see how he might not trust that rebels had the cities best interests at heart. She said in reply, "We have no desire to take the city from Thrune for ourselves to rule. Once we drive Brassy from the city we'll turn the governorship over to elections once again if our lawful governor can't be found. As for how can we convince you, well, that I'm not sure of the answer to that. Is there something that you have in mind to prove ourselves to you?"
"Well, thugs, no. We're certainly capable of subtlety. As for working within the law - this rebellion is no new thing for me. I have fought THRUNE as best I can since I first learned how. The Law, as it stands, is nothing more than a weapon THRUNE uses to stamp down on the People." Caleb waves a hand to indicate his companions "They, however, disagree. My more unlawful suggestions have been voted down again and again. We even went to war with a gang of criminals for no good reason in the midst of all the chaos in Kintargo. If you're looking for law abiding citizens pushed beyond measure we are, on average, exactly what you are looking for." Caleb's face betrayed his thought - 'Nice to think we might get some advantage from that particular mess'.
"As for your men, they'll be rescued whether you join or not. The Law says they should die, but rescuing them is the right thing to do."
"Frankly we're in two minds as to whether let you join. The Hellknights are so wedded to THRUNE I..." Caleb cuts off the crass comment he had been about to throw in "WE aren't sure this isn't a trick. The men being tortured could be volunteers. How do we know this isn't a trick? If we let you in, how do we know you won't simply crawl back to THRUNE and sell us out in exchange for forgiveness on the side of the Law?"
"Don't think I didn't notice you using one of the oldest cons in the book - make your mark work to get your trust and they won't make you work to get theirs."
Vandomir added, "we do keep a barrister on staff, however, to help us keep things as legal as possible." Vandomir gestured towards Eirik.
Eirik gave a tiny bow at the mention of his career. ’So far, so good,’ he thought, as the Hellknight general was proving a rather sensible fellow.
He conceded the point, "Yes... to some extent. I need to know that you are not just the next lunatics that are in charge of Kintargo. I need to know that you respect the law enough to try and work within its structure. I must be convinced that I won't be aiding mere thugs."
”Laws can become shackles, but their absence only invites chaos, the rule of the strong and cruel,” Eirik murmured, meeting the man’s eyes. ”I follow the teachings of Abadar in this. As long as the law is just, it is to be followed. But the way the Paracount twists the spirit of the law while forcing its letter to serve his purposes... there is order in tyranny, but little freedom. And speaking of law, your support would offer our cause a touch of legitimacy. Any government created by violence only sows the seeds of its own downfall. But you and your order represent a respected force in these parts. An official party, one seen as the defenders of the law and justice, even if you haven’t taken active role in politics. If you were to give the rebellion your support…”
Not that all the Hellknight orders were known as the heralds of all that was just and good, Eirik thought, but the man was surely aware of that. And at least his particular order was less the iron boot of law as some.
Octavio turned to face each of the speakers and was impressed, "OK then, I think your heart is in the right place and there's no one out there that wants to free Kintargo more than I do."
He confided, "As to why we were targeted now. We were investigating rumors that Lord-Mayor Bainilus didn’t actually flee the city for Arcadia as the government claims. I believe she’s been imprisoned—or worse—by Barzillai Thrune."
He scoffed, "It didn’t help that I took offense, quite publicly, at our new lord-mayor’s recruitment of the Order of the Rack as additional guards. The man spins webs like a spider, though I can’t decipher his design yet. Whatever his reason, I’ve come to believe it bodes ill for all of Kintargo.”
He looked down for a moment and then back to them, his face seemed determined, "OK, a conditional yes to joining your efforts but you have to get my armigers out first. I understand that three of them are captured and are being held in the Holding House. If you can set them free, without using force, you can count me as among your strongest supporters and active participant. Do you think you can do that?"
Vandomir considered the knight's pre-condition, "errrr, without using force you say? I am not quite sure we can promise that at this juncture. We have assigned one of our teams to free your men. The leader of that team is a very subtle man, and he was given instructions that permitted him to take risks in order to get your people out. If he runs into armed resistance during the breakout, force may very well be used to preserve his team and to rescue yours knights. Such is the truth of the situation."
Vandomir considered the knight's pre-condition, "errrr, without using force you say? I am not quite sure we can promise that at this juncture. We have assigned one of our teams to free your men. The leader of that team is a very subtle man, and he was given instructions that permitted him to take risks in order to get your people out. If he runs into armed resistance during the breakout, force may very well be used to preserve his team and to rescue yours knights. Such is the truth of the situation."
"No, you must call this off. It's a trap!"
He added, "I have good intel that my men are to be imprisoned in the Holding House. If any have been taken out, they will surely be returned soon. Barzillia is expecting the use of force from me so you have that to your advantage. Subtlety and secrecy are your best weapons, which is something I'm not really good at."
Tillia's surprise was evident as she said, "Give me second." She pulled a piece of paper and began to scribble a note which she read out loud as she wrote it. "Under no circumstances should force be used, O's men are being used to bait him into using force to break them out. If you have no other options then hold off for now and we'll make a new plan." She looked around, "Is that satisfactory?"
She took the note and rolled it tight before holding it up to Salina and then spoke in Draconic once again, "Salina, take this to Forvian and give it to him immediately, if not him then Rexus, he can get the message where it needs to go." The little bird nodded in acknowledgement and Tillia took her to a place she could get out of the shrine from, the bird grasped the note in her talons and took off for the city. "Stay safe my friend."
Ooh, interesting and totally unexpected turn of events.
Should I wipe out Forvian and his team....
I had no idea you guys were going to send Forvian. That was your decision and you must own up to it. :)
Ah, interactive story-telling at its best.
I intend to recap tonight.
Can I assume that you will accept Octavio's 'challenge' and try to get his armigers out trying to use 'subtlety and secrecy'?
That is correct. You sent Forvian's team to attempt the rescue but Forvian said he was going to 'check things out' (or something like that) and did not guarantee action this very night.
Ah, k, the explosion I thought was an allusion to him having made a distraction before going in after them. That's what confused me, still the note effectively is saying to hold off until we get back, at least that's the intention.
The 'distraction' was just when your boat was going under the bridge. It could have been meant as a distraction for you to pass safely under the bridge or as a distraction for them to go after the armiger.
We'll just have to wait and see... :)