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Wait. Keffle studies the doors for several seconds. The count is aware of what is going on here. He led us to this place. Turning to his erinyes companios, he nods and they move towsrd the bloodstained doors. He looks to the count. We have come to aid and restore your city count. You wouldn't guide your rescuers to an ambush, would you?
Ladies? Escort the derelict count behind me. To the drow woman, he says, Where is the seat of power here? The city's nobles will conduct their business there. Can you find them?
Practiced in the skill of aggresive debate, Keffle holds his hand out dismissively.Leadership is required here. Celebrating in a brothel and leaving such an enemy to a single advisor makes you unworthy. Imprisoning your people while you frolick uselessly marks you as corrupt. You are no longer in charge here. We will summon this advisor and the town will determine whether he is fit for your station. Now, stand and come, or these ladies will drag you through the rubble before all.
It's a game...so however the boss wants to adjudicate time is fine. Nut it's a roleplaying game and so characters should act in character. Other people see dramatic moments in games differently. If this game were a movie, would anyone want to see heroes standing in the brothel waiting their turn? Thogg has forsaken planning to run through doors as barbarians will. He role plays well and it'd be inappropriate for me to be upset if he charged in when I wanted to dialogue. No one wants to step on anyone's toes, but no one should have to act ooc to do it. Of course, that's an opinion and I don't expect anyone else to have to agree with it. EDIT: I also think it's fair that if someone chooses their own strategy apart from everyone else they work their plan but expect interruptions. In this case, Hali arrives seperately, appears disinterested in everyone else, and jumps on a plan without involving us. I can't imagine Keffle cluing in to someone he doesn't know offering to dance for the bad guy we came to collect, when we could just collect him. And I'm not sure what the five days thing is about. Posting was sporadic on everyone's part last week. My biggest gap was four days, and I only posted one day after you. If Thogg ran through the door and separated every part of the count from evry other part of him, Keffle would be pissed, but Steve would pee himself laughing. If Hali feels her toes were stepped on, that conflict is good. We, who are all new to each other, will learn how to work together.
Hearing the briefly whispered prayer from his new friend, Keffle feels divine wind at his back. He speaks with authority. We have come to help repair your city and to make war on the dragon. We noticed undead servitors holding your people hostage while you bed whores in the midst of tragedy. We are prepared to take you to the nobles of this city and offer our assistance in exchange for your abdication. Then you may whore all you like free of the responsibilities you have already abandoned. Keffle nods his head without taking his eyes off the slovenly count. The air thickens with his disapproval. The two erinyes moves around the bed and against the wall, hands on their fiendish lonswords. Their long braids, one black, one yellow and one a fiery red, twitch with anticipation. Keffle speaks again. We are all going to see these nobles together. My companion here will mercifully see you raised from death if you insult us by resisting.
We do follow, but while the guards are gone to inform him, Kefflr summons three erinyes as backup. They are taller than the human women, but clad in revealing garb. Their folded wings are not much of a disguise, but they seem a fitting entourage inside the brothel. Shall we?
Adreris is not fond of lies and wasted time. Though he does understand subtlety, the notion of a leader choosing to indulge whores over managing crisis tries his patience. The city smolders outside. People need shelter and hope. The count can come see us now, or we will go see him now, and we cannot be stopped. Tell he we afford him the grace of coming to us fully clothed.
The mysterious wizard cocks his head and says in a low voice, The stone is not the dragon's hoard unless it is so by possession. Legends say it houses righteous spirits in an impossible paradise. No such creature should be allowed to have, it, nor should any single mortal claim ownership of it. Keffle thinks of a safe place for it, somewhere far removed from prying eyes. Stewardship of it, however, to see that its inhabitants are unharmed, by a reasonable group of people, is appropriate.
Keffle ignores the creature stuck in the magical pit, but does address one of the newer companions. Perhaps the light of the gods can exact more information from him before he is destroyed forever. If not, we have a despot to usurp.
Spoiler:
Adreris nods with satisfaction as one combatant slips into the extradimensional space. He then sets his eyes on Kaz's adversary. He barks out several strange words and gestures violently, then he repeats the words and motions more deliberately. A dozen tiny monsters wearing barbed armor pop into place around the wizard, their vestigial wings holding them aloft for a split second before they dive towards the undead dwarf with incredible accuracy.
The human wizard hears the tone of the scythe-wielding guards and loses his patience. Since when is any town willingly marshallef by the undead? We will keep order until rightful rulers tell us otherwise.
it was a percentage in 2nd ed. some people just can't admit they're playing a better game. :b
I think we should interview them first. Any information helps at yhis point.
Eyes closed, Keffle sends his magical sensors under doors and through cracks. We are pleased to meet with you Lotus Larina. Clearly darkness trembles at the thought of your presence. Our aim here is to release those held unjustly and replace the mayor here with someone willing to defy this dragon. Would you care to join us?
Keffle nods to the priest in welcome. This seems well in hand. I will check on reinforcements.
Seeing the presence of undead, Keffle's demeanor changes dramatically. It seems almost as if the air around him thickens and heats up. He moves into the room with narrowed eyes and, barking a few foreign phrases, stretches out his hand to point at the pale dwarf near the western wall.
Searching his repertoire for disabling magic, Keffle retorts, None in this building will serve as a worthy challenge. Best to remember that we are here to help, and that the men we find here have families. We will overcome them without doubt, but the real enemy is the dragon and its attendant conspiracy.
Keffle takes a step towards the door after Thogg speaks. He turns his head to call to the guard over his shoulder. We've come to rescue your town. Best if you tell the guard that our intervention is a good thing.
Keffle steps forward at the opportunity, looking sidelong at Thogg to announce his intentions. He hails the young soldier. Young sir, I greet you from the far corners of the world. We, here he gestures to those with him, are each invitees to the planned wedding for today. Our arrivals were too late to prevent the calamity you've endured, but we would speak with your leadership and offer to set things right. Where will we find them?
The human allows his furrowed brow to relax. His eyes light up a bit as he considers Thogg. A demon will be a demon, he thinks to himself before speaking. Very well, he says. If we are to take action tonight regardless, please allow me to speak to the authority that first engages us. If he will not hear us, Thogg becomes the distraction and we free those unjustly imprisoned. If any challenge us, we will claim the captives as our price for helping with the dragon. If nothing else, the conflict will bring us face to face with the rulers of the city earlier rather than later. The wizard stands and straightens his leather coat. He looks up at Tik Tik expectantly.
Keffle does not stand, but his voice takes on a challenging tone. There are good people in those cells, Thogg. Someone might get hurt that does not deserve to be. There are soldiers that know nothing of this count's unworthiness. Is there sport in killing men who cannot contend with you? Save your ire for the dragon. Unless you feel the need to practice your mettle.
The human wizard does not move from his seated position. Thogg, is it? We should not attack the defenders of this town unprovoked. It might be that we few here are enough to trouble this dragon and the leadership will release their prisoners at our request. Keffle's voice lowers, but his eyes remain fixed on the barbarian. We are guests. We should offer our help before we force it on them.
Keffle nods to the occasional survivor across the room, accepting their silence graciously. His brow furrows in a quiet promise. I will deal with this unfit ruler so you can defend yourselves. He looks up at the small creature from his seated position. Could this be whom we are waiting for, my new friends? Shall we now present ourselves to count and counsel?
Keffle entertains the story of how this count came to power, and considers the state of the city. He lights an alabaster pipe and puffs thin plumes of blue-white smoke. I will not say too much about this, exeptthat the state of affairs is unacceptible. If legitimate authority rules, I will not question their right. When one abuses the sudden onset of power and his people suffer for it, new power must be raised. If the dragon is in control of your count, he is not fit to rule, is he? The wizard takes note of those looking his way, waiting until the noise of the bustling tavern obfuscates his next comment. We ought challenge this man's rule and barter our resources for his abdication. Will any of you join me?
Keffle nods at the dwarf in understanding. It is a most unusual dragon, and one from Beyond at that. Deadly for the region it's summoned to, and difficult to negotiate with. Of course, the trouble then lies with this count. He is either a pawn of the dragon, or a villain who uses it to reforge this land as he wills. Gross incompetence seems unlikely. I propose we offer to help the town, but at a cost of new leadership. If he cares about this place, he will accept the price of our assistance. If he clings to power, the manner in which he does so will be telling. Spoiler:
Keffle bristles at the dwarf's advice. Surely this count would appreciate that a simple jump through space hardly qualifies as leaving the city. We are simply borrowing an inn since there is no space here. And we need space. To head quarter. For supplies. Rebuilding the town will require stone and lumber. He pauses for a moment, searching for probabilities and contingencies. . Tell me more about these attacks. We must offer our assistance to this beleaguered count.
The well-dressed human nods a greeting toward Kazimier. I apologize if you are among those I was to meet in Saresberg. There was a life-or-death matter that required my attention. Fortunately, several vrock demons have now danced their last. He strides over and sits at the table, relieving a server of two mugs of ale in passing. I am eager to know what passes here. I will cirect considerable resources to seeing that the people are kept safe and that justice is done. Also, these accommodations are unsuitable. I will not consider it a crimw if I bed on a matress of feathers in a neighboring town, so long as I am here if the city needs me. Who is of like mind?
The two winged women exchange glances before the wizard responds. My guests are only here to guard their interest in another matter. They will be on their way about... The women offer hard stares at the dwarves and the big barbarian. As The wizard speaks they begin to simply fade from view. As they disappear, their heads and bodies move, clearly reacting to something at another location. ...now. I am Adreris Keffle, friend of the bride. And I am here to help.
The human wizard is no stranger to the looks he receives as he and his temporary copanions enter the tavern. He nods to the room and ventures to a less crowded table. I need refreshment and a room. And an audience with the count, if anyone intends to see him tomorrow. I must know if the wedding is to continue.
Keffle tours the damaged town and proceeds to the tavern.
Leffle strides confidently to the tavern quarter. He looks about, observing smoking walls and collapsed homes. Grimacing at the lack of promise, he nods to the erinyes. The rescues appear to be complete. Let's see who remains withon, shall we? The devils' wings ruffle as they fall in behind him.
Actually...I was eaiting on everyone else..or for the guards to order me around a bit more.
Keffle muses at the straightforward answer. Very well, if you are the legitimate authority over this town, please let me know how I can help. Strife breeds lawlessness and we cannot have that, can we ladies? As the wizard looks behind him, the two winged warriors cease their flirtatious postures and straighten. The notion of enforcing the law and dispatching looters and dissemblers appears to command their attention instinctually. Their human leader looks back to the guardian. Good morrow, if it is possible. It is certain to be a long night, and I must present my resources to the bride's family.
Keffle lowers his head slightly. I am willing to comply with the laws of the reigning authority so long as they do not bring me to harm. Please tell me, by what authority do you guard this gate and forbid me to leave?
Keffle speaks imperiously. I am Adreris Keffle, friend of the bride. My escorts serve me faithfully. They will harm no one, but are quite useful if there are wounded trapped among the fires or you need support from the air. He looks past the woman for several seconds, at the burning fires and quiet streets. If you do not require assistance, the ladies will escort me safely to your best tavern and go back where they came from.
The air fractures several paces outside the city's perimeter, breaking open like cracked glass and shattering noiselessly on the ground. The human figure looks around, taking in the unexpected site of burning buildings and crumbled walls. What scene have I arrived at? The wizard thinks to himself. If the trouble is ongoing, I will need someone that can brave the fires. The human places his leather-shod feet at shoulder's width and turns his torso to the side. Dipping his fingers into a full leather bag, he produces a handful of colored salt. His form circles as his torso inwinds and then stretched to the other side, as salt falls heavily to the ground, drawn in a flawless arc. With a single step, he crosses his feet and pivots, allowing the motion of his arm to conitnue uninterrupted until he has dropped a perfect circle of multicolored sand. Whispering a few unintelligible words, he then hops out of the circle in one motion. When he lands, he faces it and says boldly to the air before him, Philatel, Annekeshorn, I call you. There is a wailing sound, as if two men were falling to their deaths. A foul smell breaks from the circle into the air outside the city. As the cries grow louder, two beings form within the circle. They coalesce into beautiful forms - tall, muscular women with longswords and greatbows and wings of pristine black feathers. Though one initially narrows her eyes at the wizard, within a second they are both flanking him and cooing cooperatively. We are here to serve you, mighty Keffle. It seems unlike you to demand the destruction of a mortal town. Would you have us rescue survivors and deny the daemons their fodder? Their voices are clear in the wizard's mind, but impossible to hear without. Adreris Keffle does not hesitate. Erinyes are among the most naturally intelligent of those he commands. It would not do to mix stories. In truth, ladies of Hell, the daemons have not been here. Something else is afoot and I cannot risk injury while I find someone to question. Your services today are only required to keep me in the dreadful game your master plays. Watch over me and do no evil in the sight of the mortals. This is the price for learning the names and designs of the yugoloths Xomerkoth seeks. The second, shorter woman has never narrowed her eyes. She either likes Keffle, or (more likely) is too polished a fiend to betray her annoyance when she is summoned. She purrs as she walks with the human and her counterpart. Her words roll through Keffle's mind like expensive incense. Fear not, my love. When you are safe perhaps you will see fit to enjoy our other talents. When you allow us to show our appreciation, you will find the pleasure worth ten times the price. A long braid of fiery red hair twitches like a panther's tail behind her. In Keffle's mind, the voice is low and husky. He bristles at her temptation. Perhaps so, he says aloud. But where would I find the other nine souls? As the three of them approach the gate guards, the 'women' fall in behind their human summoner. Spoiler:
Please ignore this second note, I must remember the names Raznathil and Droberit.
I am almost prepared. Final skills, one feat, and a desperate search for conjuror-friendly magic items. After this, I will begin compiling profiles for my most common friends. Listen to nothing they tell you - their lives are an eternity of deceit, and my power over them is based in no small part on deceiving them into my own ends. |
