“I understand how some of you feel,” Ameiko says quietly. ”But I’d like to point a few things out.”
...
”I’m not going to try to kill every villain in this land. I can’t, if nothing else. But if a rapist and murderer happens to get in my way, and says, ‘Of course I did it, and I’ll do it again, and no one will stop me, and what of it?’ ... Then I think they deserve an answer to that from the people of my country.”
Mel who had been trying to think of something to add, to explain her own thoughts, smiles.
++++
XX/XX
././.
XX.XX
X...X
X.O.X
X...X
/.../
X.O.X
X...X
/.../
X...X
XXXXX
. = 5’ Square
X = Wall
/ = Door
O = Firepit
+ = Exterior landing
++++
XX/XX
././.
XX.XX
X...X
X.ORX
XLATX
/YM./
X.OHX
XKEEX
/JEE/
X.W.X
XXXXX
. = 5’ Square
X = Wall
/ = Door
O = Firepit
+ = Exterior landing
W = Blood-feather raven (40’ up)
T = Jakko the Tengu (prone, tied)
J = Bear-headed humanoid
EEEE = Bat swarm
L = Liothonae
H = Hrunndalf
Y = Myriana
K = Kalimac (on Attatoq)
A = Alaric
M = Melinda
R = Rhost
“I understand how some of you feel,” Ameiko says quietly. ”But I’d like to point a few things out.”
”Thralls, the ones that weren’t born into it, get taken on raids. Most often raids on Varisia, the nearest neighbor to the south. Most often little towns that aren’t well defended. I know it would be just as bad anywhere, but if you’ve traveled around Varisia some, you know that what they do ... is real.”
”They’ll kill the older members of the families in those town, and take the younger ones as slaves. The younger the better. A lot of the time the burn down the town as they leave.”
”All of those men admitted to going on raids like that. Two men were raping a woman as we walked through the door. All of the ones we questioned admitted to doing that, too.”
”That may be legal here, for those men. But the places where they’re actually doing the killing and looting, and taking those slaves and rape victims? Not so much. Not legal, not accepted, not moral, and not wanted. And you can’t tell me those men didn’t know that. No matter how they were raised, you can’t tell me they don’t know that. From the screams.”
”I’m not going to try to kill every villain in this land. I can’t, if nothing else. But if a rapist and murderer happens to get in my way, and says, ‘Of course I did it, and I’ll do it again, and no one will stop me, and what of it?’ ... Then I think they deserve an answer to that from the people of my country.”
Myri nods, obviously in agreement with most of what has been mentioned, "So...if the nation condones it, does that make the nation evil?"
He smiles sadly: "Melinda, sleeping apart isn't an option." Taking out the sleeping bag she bought, he continues: "We're there for each other when we need it most. Which is right now. Now are you going to come here or do I have to carry you?"
"Bought ef weh go weth 'e skum anology, areh weh goen tah kell 'alf the populashun of thes kountrey? Kause ah dunna ken we got thot kainda taime. An thou ye probabley dunna wont ta 'ear et, 'e slaves thot weave komme akross, they 'ave ah pretteh goode laife kompared to otter places 'ey koulde be. At leaste 'ere they kann earn 'eir freedum."
Hrunndalf listens to the discussion, leaving it to the wiser members of the group to sort things out. At Lio's comment, though, he nods and adds: "Can a good man keep thralls? Yes. I have known such men. Their thralls live better lives than most poor free people do. Can a good man commit rape? No. There is no excuse. The suffering is impossible not to witness. These men deserved to die."
Myri nods, obviously in agreement with most of what has been mentioned, "So...if the nation condones it, does that make the nation evil?"
“It’s hard for me to think of a place where such things are rewarded rather than punished in any other way,” Ameiko responds.
“And if in Minkai,“ Shalelu says to Ameiko, ”They say to you, ‘Yes, make these decisions, decide who lives and who dies, not just in a single house, but truly for an entire country, root out the evil here.’”
Ameiko opens her mouth. Closes it.
”Either you have the right to decide men’s fates,” Shalelu continues, ”Or you do not. The only difference is scale. Know what you are choosing.”
With Kimo felled, Kalimac has Attatoq join him in bringing down the bear-headed foe. "A bear! A bear! I'll never dance, With a hairy bear!" he sings, jumping around a bit in the narrative of the song. As one, halfling and wolf attack the horrid beast.
Ride check (Fight with a combat-trained mount):
Sword:
Damage:
Bite:
Damage:
Trip (if Bite is successful):
Lio carefully removes the necklace and belly-chain, putting them back. "May I?" She asks you for the earrings.
She hands the earrings to you.
Sword Crit Confirmation:
Extra Crit Damage:
Þrumublað, two-handed, Power Attack, Bull's Strength, +1 Bless:
To hit: (crit )
Damage: (crit )
. . . plus electric.
Possible AoOs (up to 2 per round, even flat-footed):
Þrumublað, two-handed, Power Attack, Bull's Strength, +1 Bless:
To hit: (crit )
Damage: (crit )
. . . plus electric.
Þrumublað, two-handed, Power Attack, Bull's Strength, +1 Bless:
To hit: (crit )
Damage: (crit )
. . . plus electric.
For a brief moment before she goes over to him, 'I should make you carry me' flashes across her face. "Not an option," a low purr she whispers in his ear. Then slightly more serious, "But tell me that we will manage to free them before... And that whatever has happened to them all, we will be able to fix it. Tell me that."
Wodes
Produce flame to hit
Damage
Jorgan
To hit
Damage
Jakko
Helgarval
Rhost:
To Hit:
Damage:
possible fumble:
"I can think of more pleasant things to see than combat, but I am so very glad to be able to see it."
if needed concentration
to hit1: +1 pt.blank incl, +1 bless, +1 rage, -2 Rapid Shot incl, -2 Deadly Aim, Precise Shot, Seeking, FE not included
to hit2: +1 pt.blank incl, +1 bless, +1 rage, -2 Rapid Shot incl, -2 Deadly Aim, Precise Shot, Seeking, FE not included
dam1: +1 bow incl, +1 pt.blank incl, +2 rage, +4 Deadly Aim, FE not included
dam2: +1 bow incl, +1 pt.blank incl, +2 rage, +4 Deadly Aim, FE not included
Myri is apparently startled at the sudden appearance of a deep, decidedly male voice in her head as well as the extra energy suddenly coursing through her body (as her shots suddenly go wide?)
She hands the earrings to you.
Lio smiles, almost blushing, then she goes to the sales clerk, and purchases the earrings.
“It’s hard for me to think of a place where such things are rewarded rather than punished in any other way,” Ameiko responds.
“And if in Minkai,“ Shalelu says to Ameiko, ”They say to you, ‘Yes, make these decisions, decide who lives and who dies, not just in a single house, but truly for an entire country, root out the evil here.’”
Ameiko opens her mouth. Closes it.
”Either you have the right to decide men’s fates,” Shalelu continues, ”Or you do not. The only difference is scale. Know what you are choosing.”
"No doubt there is probably some path to walk between total tyranny, benign or not, and allowing evil to have free reign in abusing the innocent. It's finding where in that spectrum you are willing to make a stand that each of us needs to choose. Turning it into an all or nothing proposition does not help for those of us trying to find the path." Mel comments, tone dry. "And Ameiko's country is Varisia, not Minkai."
He nods. "We'll do everything we can. I can promise you that."
“It’s hard for me to think of a place where such things are rewarded rather than punished in any other way,” Ameiko responds.
“And if in Minkai,“ Shalelu says to Ameiko, ”They say to you, ‘Yes, make these decisions, decide who lives and who dies, not just in a single house, but truly for an entire country, root out the evil here.’”
Ameiko opens her mouth. Closes it.
”Either you have the right to decide men’s fates,” Shalelu continues, ”Or you do not. The only difference is scale. Know what you are choosing.”
Myriana still seems to be musing mostly to herself, looking at her feet, but still loud enough to be overheard by the others if they so choose, "...and if a nation is evil. Should it actively be fought against? ...and if it should be actively fought against, would it be worthwhile to have the resources of a nation to do it? ...and if this were possible, is it fair to the people of that nation to ask them to use their resources in such a way? ...perhaps if only volunteers were used? ...but how would they be compensated?" She glances up momentarily at Ameiko and Shalelu, then down at her feet again, apparently still mulling things over.
Knowing full well this might be her last shot at the Druid before she herself goes down, she takes a shot.
To Hit:
Damage:
"No doubt there is probably some path to walk between total tyranny, benign or not, and allowing evil to have free reign in abusing the innocent. It's finding where in that spectrum you are willing to make a stand that each of us needs to choose. Turning it into an all or nothing proposition does not help for those of us trying to find the path." Mel comments, tone dry. "And Ameiko's country is Varisia, not Minkai."
"Indeed," replies Shalelu. "But I am less sure than some here that appointing to myself the authority to have slit whatever throats I deem need slitting is the middle path. And Varisia is my country too."
She nods, not relieved by his words, but taking what comfort she can from them.
Winter blanket goes on the ground beneath the double sleeping bag, before she slips off her shoes, gets squeaky clean and slips into the bag. There is movement, then a slim bare arm pokes out of the furs, beckoning to Alaric. Quietly, so as not to disturb anyone else, "The sleeping bag is too heavy for me to use magic to warm, help me the traditional way?"
"Indeed," replies Shalelu. "But I am less sure than some here that appointing to myself the authority to have slit whatever throats I deem need slitting is the middle path. And Varisia is my country too."
Shalelu's words show Lio just how much of a better person Shae is. Lio didn't really have qualms about the killing itself, she just didn't like that it was Jorun doing it. "Ets naught 'e meddle path. No unne 'ere should 'ave 'e idea thot et es. Baught thot dunna mean weh kann avoid kellen, an et dunna mean thot summa people dunnot need ta beh put doun." She says quietly.
Jakko looks rather helpless.
Alaric steps up next to Melinda, clutches his broken link and channels. Exempting, of course, Wodes, the bear man and Jakko.
With Kimo felled, Kalimac has Attatoq join him in bringing down the bear-headed foe. "A bear! A bear! I'll never dance, With a hairy bear!" he sings, jumping around a bit in the narrative of the song. As one, halfling and wolf attack the horrid beast, both of them bloodying the foe.
She looks angrily at the Druid. "Tá do léiriú ar an dlí mícheart. Agus rinne tú dearmad an-marfach."
Knowing full well this might be her last shot at the Druid before she herself goes down, she takes a shot. The arrow misses the raven by a hair.
The bat swarm engulfs the bearman once again.
Myri is apparently startled at something only she can hear, as well as the extra energy suddenly coursing through her body, as her shots suddenly go wide.
The bearman, still bleeding from multiple bat bites, again steps out of the swarm and swings another axeblow into Kalimac.
He overreaches with his bite as Attatoq draws back, however, and appears to strain his back. The bearman curses at the pain.
Wodes the raven surveys the situation, and tosses a ball of flame at ... Jakko, who perishes in fire. The fire in the raven's claw goes out.
”Agus cad dhearmad a bhí go?” he asks, unable to resist the opening.
Melinda touches Myri again.
Hrunndalf attempts to take out the monstrous bear-man before he can do more damage, but fails spectacularly. Probably because he's struggling to suppress a bout of laughter from Kalimac's uncannily accurate singing. His grip on his weapon slips and he loses his balance.
Helgarval waits for an opportunity to strike.
Rhost, the back of the room finally cleared, strides over to the bearman and smashes him in the head with his Earth Breaker. The foe falls to the earth, his corpse slowly assuming the form of a human.
Hrunndalf down -5 from con loss
Rhost -14
Kalimac -18
Liothonae -10
Wodes -31
"I know ya maybe feel like yer mouth is a home fer feet these days, but ya gotta figger she's got some fergiveness of that to her, all things considered."
This brings a grin to Hrunndalf's face. "Thank the gods for that."
"So if maybe it's time to say, hey, I find ya attractive, or what have ya, try it. See where the conversation leads."
Hrunndalf winces slightly as he imagines one possible reaction to that, but nods. Forgiveness, he thinks. Then he smiles and says, "Thanks, Koya. That's just what I needed to hear."
As he leaves the wagon, he wishes Koya another blessedly uneventful day.
++++
XX/XX
././.
XX.XX
X...X
X.O.X
X...X
/.../
X.O.X
X...X
/.../
X...X
XXXXX
. = 5’ Square
X = Wall
/ = Door
O = Firepit
+ = Exterior landing
++++
XX/XX
././.
XX.XX
X...X
X.O.X
XL..X
/YMA/
X.OHX
XKR.X
/EE./
XEW.X
XXXXX
. = 5’ Square
X = Wall
/ = Door
O = Firepit
+ = Exterior landing
W = Blood-feather raven (40’ up, above the bat swarm)
EEEE = Bat swarm
L = Liothonae
H = Hrunndalf
Y = Myriana
K = Kalimac (on Attatoq)
A = Alaric
M = Melinda
R = Rhost
Lio smiles, almost blushing, then she goes to the sales clerk, and purchases the earrings.
Shalelu watches you buy them, and seems to be feeling some combination of pleased and ... shy.
Javelin, Bull's Strength, +1 Bless, -5 fumble penalty:
To hit: (crit )
Damage: (crit )
Possible AoOs (up to 2 per round, even flat-footed):
Þrumublað, two-handed, Bull's Strength, +1 Bless, -5 fumble :
To hit: (crit )
Damage: (crit )
. . . plus electric.
Þrumublað, two-handed, Bull's Strength, +1 Bless, -5 fumble :
To hit: (crit )
Damage: (crit )
. . . plus electric.
Alaric quickly gets out of his armor, then climbs into the bag fully clothed. You know, to check the state of the other occupant.
"Sorry," Myri mutters to the voice, "guess I just wasn't ready for you. No, excuses." She focuses on bringing the bird down.
to hit1: +1 bless, +1 rage, -2 Rapid Shot incl, -2 Deadly Aim, Precise Shot, Seeking, FE:human(+4) not incl, +1 pt.blank not incl
to hit2: +1 bless, +1 rage, -2 Rapid Shot incl, -2 Deadly Aim, Precise Shot, Seeking, FE:human(+4) not incl, +1 pt.blank not incl
dam1: +1 bow incl, +2 rage, +4 Deadly Aim, FE:human(+4) not incl
dam2: +1 bow incl, +2 rage, +4 Deadly Aim, FE:human(+4) not incl
Myri takes one of the wands raises an eyebrow at Hrunndalf, then hands it to Lio if he has no objection.
Myri takes one of the wands raises an eyebrow at Hrunndalf, then hands it to Lio if he has no objection.
Hrunndalf does not object. It doesn't matter who carries the wands for out-of-combat healing, and as far as emergencies are concerned, he almost never exhausts his daily reserve of spells.
Kalimac turns his attention to the one remaining foe. With Wodes the raven aloft, Kalimac drops his sword and brings out his bow. He fires an arrow at the blood feather raven.
Ride check (Fight with a combat-trained mount):
Short Bow:
Damage:
Emerald eyes watch Alaric's progress in shedding his armor from the folds of fur, tracing the movement of his hands. When he does slide into the make shift bed, he finds Mel dressed only in underwear, a line of frogs embrodiered along the waistband. A smile, whisper, "If I left the clothes out, they would be really cold in the morning." A pause, "But I also wanted to feel you holding me..."
Touch of Rage on Myri
Concentration if needed
Alaric quickly, if clumsily, snakes out of the bulk of his clothing and folds Mel up in comforting arms.
Curled up against the healer, leeching the warmth of his body. "I must be a bad person. The fact that I'm happily using you as a pillow While everyone is being carted off to be tortured proves I'm not a good person." Her voice sleepy. More quietly, "Thank you for not getting taken away. And I promise, we'll get back the rest of our family tomorrow."
Hrunndalf listens to the discussion, leaving it to the wiser members of the group to sort things out. At Lio's comment, though, he nods and adds: "Can a good man keep thralls? Yes. I have known such men. Their thralls live better lives than most poor free people do. Can a good man commit rape? No. There is no excuse. The suffering is impossible not to witness. These men deserved to die."
She rambles a bit continuing on without stopping, "Is it not true that "might makes right" is the law for most of the world, other than the tiny bits where the "good" gods have promoted values that their followers have somehow formed some sort of rules of order that those around them choose to follow? Can it be that evil has degrees? Maybe; stealing is bad, rape-the stealing of someone's sense of security, sense of self, in some cultures a girls worth to her future husband, etc, and murder-the stealing of an individuals life, the stealing of that person from his loved ones...and for most people, a permanent event. Is not murder much worse? Should they all be met with the same punishment?"
"I think my head is starting to hurt."
Myri slips down to a sitting position on the floor, her hands rubbing her temples. She appears...mildly stressed. "Maybe I need to take things a little slower. I'm sorry, I'm always confusing myself."
Shalelu watches you buy them, and seems to be feeling some combination of pleased and ... shy.
Once the earrings are safely wrapped, paid for, and within Lio's keeping, she comes back to you. Taking you by the hand. In elven, she says, "Can we duck out for a few minutes, do you think the Ameiko and Myri would mind? I... I would like, if we could, spend, a moment, uhm, alone." It seems your shyness is catching, because Lio has never acted quite so nervous around you before.
Myri takes one of the wands raises an eyebrow at Hrunndalf, then hands it to Lio if he has no objection.
Lio takes the wand from Myri, wondering if there was some kind of special wand holder she should be investing in, to make it easier to access. Perhaps a set of straps the secure it to the outside of her leg, like a holster. She tries to smile at Myri, as a small token of thanks for the trust to carry the wand, but she finds it's terribly difficult to be positive under the circumstances.
Wodes: fly, obscuring mist
Rhost: Antagonize
"I think," says Shalelu, "That they will understand." Still holding your hand, she exits the shop with you.
Lio walks with you to a near by out of the way spot, which offers some privacy. She gets very nervous, but tries to keep the nerves out of her voice and posture.
"Shalelu... I." She starts, blushes, tries again, "I have never given anyone jewelry as a present before. I... it, seems, a very, intimate a thing to give. I, I know we have been, intimate." She blushes furiously, promptly forgets what she was going to say. "Please, I have, I would like, if you would wear them, if you want to..." She adds the last part quickly. Nerves drumming in time with her heart beat. She lets go of your hand, and offers you the little wrapped package.
To Hit:
Damage
Her shot goes wide, but she starts laughing. This druid didn't deserve a duel. Her eyes shine with contempt for him.
Druidic: You are not dueling with me.
"I also haven't ever ... This is my first ... From, from a girlfriend, I mean."
She takes the package.
"I will wear them. Thank you."
"I also haven't ever ... This is my first ... From, from a girlfriend, I mean."
She takes the package.
"I will wear them. Thank you."
"A... a girlfriend?" Lio asks, almost breathless. She is both incredibly pleased, and terrified. Maybe you misspoke. Maybe you will take back what you just said. Yet it sounded so wonderful coming from your lips. She was Your girlfriend. She turns the thought over in her mind. Loving the way it sounded, the way the words rolled off your tongue.
"This should be good for a laugh," Alaric mutters, shooting a bolt at the raven. To his great surprise, it actually clips the bird, doing a full hit point of damage.
Kalimac turns his attention to the one remaining foe. With Wodes the raven aloft, Kalimac drops his sword and brings out his bow. He fires an arrow at the blood feather raven, but the arrow misses.
The bat swarm engulfs the raven, and the flying mammals start drinking the blood out of the avian.
"Nach bhfuil tú dé liom." Lio almost whispers, though the Blood Raven should be able to hear her, as she faces him.
The shot she fires goes wide, but she starts laughing. This druid didn't deserve a duel. Her eyes shine with contempt for him.
"Sorry," Myri mutters to the voice, "guess I just wasn't ready for you. No, excuses." She focuses on bringing the bird down.
And with two swift, deadly shots, she does. The raven crashes to the ground.