Search Posts
Davnet nods to Junia at their parting. "Best of luck, J. And to you, Grishan. I will include a favorable mention of your enthusiasm in my report to the Venture-Captain." As he turns, he frowns, and turns back. "... but I feel I should caution you against this blue-clad stranger. His insides do not seem to match the purity of his blue-coated exterior. Be wary with your trust." To the group, Davnet raises both arms high over his head, fists clenched, in his odd-but-characteristic salute. "It was an honor to work with you all. I hope the Open Road brings us together again. I apologize for my... directness, when our opinions differed on the proper means of progress. You have all helped me understand this place, and its people, a little more."
Davnet is impressed with the admissions this stranger has made, in front of other Pathfinders. And yet, he seems to think that because his family is named in the notes, that he should get them. "With respect, I do not think that anyone should have possession of such information. As you say, what is in the past should be left there. Any scraps of paper found here should be destroyed, so that no one can use them for personal gain."
Davnet stands silently and watches the exchange, given that his earlier statements were ignored by the blue-coated stranger. At the man's anger, he steps forward and raises his hands in a calming gesture. "Please, do not anger yourself. This is a complicated situation, apparently, but growing angry will do nothing to clarify it."
Davnet doesn't recognize the medal-bearing stranger, but doesn't like him on first blush. Recognizing the similarity to J's uniform, he hopes there is no danger. After the man's soliloquy, Davnet interjects. "Greetings, Unnamed One! I am Davnet Dragos. It is perhaps easier to answer questions about your brother if we knew who you were. I have also heard that one should never be embarrassed by family, unless of course one is so insecure in their own worth as to require coat-tails as a mount." All of this is delivered dead-pan; Davnet is just reacting to what has been said, thinking out loud.
Davnet shakes his head sadly. "I wonder what killed them... some sort of trap?" He casts detect magic to identify the items, and scans the area while he is at it. Turning to his rocky friend, Davnet awkwardly punches him in the shoulder, in emulation of something he once saw. "Sadrock, you are not alone... we are with you."
Davnet pulls himself out of the rubble slowly. "Ugh... that was not fun." He draws a slender bone wand and uses it on the remaining wounded: J first, then Lilybeth, Leia, and (after being reminded) Lilybeth's familiar. Each heals 10 hp over the course of a minute.
detect evil:
Each person healed takes on an evil aura as their wounds close. After the group is healed, Davnet uses the wand on himself as well. "J, I believe one of us must accompany you... please choose someone who can keep you in sight." If she refuses, Davnet will follow her, apologizing profusely but unwilling to break the promise made to her mother.
Perhaps we should have bought a [i]raise dead scroll instead of haunt siphons...[/i] "So, J., you purpose to trigger every haunted effect and hope to survive the effects, so that you can "experience" them? Fine... for now. At some point, our promise to your mother will override your wishes, though. " Sadrock could almost certainly carry her...
Davnet observes the interchange thoughtfully. So much drama with human nobility... why they form bonds and make promises they cannot keep is beyond me. "J., is all well? The hope seemed to be that discovering this information would help ease Grishan's mind, but the opposite seems to have occurred. Perhaps we should reconsider heading into dangerous places with his uncertain reaction?" Davnet awaits an answer, while trying to recognize any of the information on the notes which might make Grishan so upset.
Davnet nods to the Ghoran. "If you seek an accepting friend in the Pathfinder Society, I suggest you visit Kaleel's Curiosities, in the Coins District. The proprietor, Aram, and his son Majeare will be happy to provide a friendly introduction to the Society." Davnet bows to the ghoran and follows the group outside.
"Fresh water? Like this waterskin full I carry? No need to leave for that. Perhaps discussing these things openly would have prevented the situation." Davnet removes his waterskin and opens it, letting a small amount dribble out. "Maste Gardener, my colleague tells me you may wish some fresh water. I would be happy to share mine with you, if you desire it." Davnet will approach and hand the water to the ghoran, if it accepts it.
"The same is said about Fetchlings. There sure is a lot of common ground between it and your race. " Davnet regards Lilybeth with a cold stare. "Am I correct in understanding you liken me to an unnatural plant, animated by the fell necromantic energies released when hundreds of children drowned?"
"So, let us hear your plan, then, human. How will you resolve the contradictions of this situation? Who will you disappoint, J and Grishan, who it is our DUTY to aid, or a plant creature you just met..." As the creature casts a spell, Davnet stops talking suddenly. "Excellent!" he calls after the rapidly-departing Lilybeth."Your leafy new friend has made it more difficult for us to fulfill our promise to J." Davnet turns to the plant thing. "Master Gardener, we mean you no harm, and only wish to explore your... beautiful?... domain to aid our friends. Please do not act rashly, as we do not wish to cause you pain."
"You're an expert on what's evil then?" "No, but I am an expert in collating facts, and here they are." Davnet raises his voice unintentionally as he states his case, ticking off the points on his fingers. "One: We are here to help J. Two: J has asked us to help Grishan. Three: Grishan has stated that his solace is to be found near a red lion - almost certainly that red lion over there." He indicates the statue behind the ghoran. "Four: the ghoran apparently will not allow us to accomplish this willingly. So, do we waste even more time shopping for presents for the local flora, on the off-chance that it will appease the creature? And perhaps still be stuck here still searching when the darkness comes and brings a pack of ghouls? Or, do we deal with the situation as it is presented?" Realizing he is losing his calm, he abruptly changes tone. "Sorry, I do not always understand the motivations or feelings of creatures from this plane. I do not think that appeasement will get us very far with this creature, given that it seems to think we are people who we are not." At Sadrock's words, Davnet nods. "Leaving a creature like this unbound is dangerous to the people of Absalom. Appeasing it to get what we want - which is far from certain anyway - and leaving it to harass others later is *certainly* not the 'greater good'."
"We need to get past the Gardener, do we not? The "red lion" is here, and it seems unwilling to negotiate. What do you propose, Lilybeth? Do we foresake Grishan's task simply because we come across an obstacle?" Davnet shakes his head and whispers into the message. "These plants were animated and corrupted by the evil energies of the lost souls here. They have no right to exist in the first place. In fact, there may be other souls of the children of the school entrapped within it, unable to find rest."
"NO! CELERY BAD!" "Let's get out of here!" "We do not wish to fight you but we will defend ourselves." "We don't wish you or your plants any harm (...)" Such restraint... always looking for the silver lining, these ones. But I think Sadrock has the right of it... this plant has gone bad. It must leave, or we must. Davnet addresses his comrades: "We were warned that the plants here have been corrupted by the evil energies of this place - I do not think that reason will get us far." Turning to the plant man, he speaks in dull accents. "While I am not from Quantium, and I wish you no harm, we purpose to enter this place. If you object, you do so at your peril. Please remove yourself from our path and all will be well." Davnet's hand tightens on his longspear, as he mentally rehearses the ritual required to call down a shadow from the air.
To J: "Sometimes, adventure requires menial labor first. We have no quarrel with this guardian, and no reason to destroy him. If we treat him well, he may provide us with information. In either case, violence may be averted." As we return, Davnet asks Egmund quietly: "Are there other evils near? Need we fear a trap?" To the Majordomo: "What will you do with the blood? Will the animal survive?" He hands the crow over directly to the plant-thing, not following instructions.
Upon hearing that the mandragora was evil, Davnet appears confused. "But it was so polite!" Now why would it want blood? "What is an appropriate animal sacrifice for a plant creature?" he muses out loud. "Perhaps a canine or equine?" Davnet will purchase a small animal of some kind, following suggestions by the others if they make them.
"Majordomo... Pip?" Davnet has never seen a talking plant before. Perhaps he is some sort of "not monster" like Sadrock, but a creature of wood instead of earth? There are those who believe that there are not four elements, but five, with wood being the fifth... Davnet watches the creature carefully with great interest.
"I remember tales of Beldrin's arboretum... a magical dome to grow plants. The earthquake damaged it, and twisted the magic... now it grows evil and sentient plant life. Even the ghouls avoid this place." Davnet examines the scene before him carefully. "We must be cautious. Perhaps I should send in... a friend... to determine if it is safe?"
Now this complicates matters... there is a dead person present, which changes all human customs. But the dead person has not stopped moving or speaking... I have no idea how to behave. Davnet raises both arms above his head in salute when Grishan introduces himself. "Greetings, Grishan. I am glad you are a friend of J's, and not ... otherwise." "Thank you for trusting us with this information, Juni... J. I will keep your secret close."
|
