Edward Caromarc's page

I still have hopes this is because of the move... but I admit the fact we haven't heard anything is a very. very bad sign.

It was a great game :(

Me too.

Once they're wolf-less, Edward asks quietly
"Do you think you can take him, Droht?"

"Mircalla!" Edward calls out.

Sure, but what we said was we'd give him the woods. We were basically turning over our "kingdom".

Vacia is in the Shudderwood, as I recall what Ivan said. We can't give away his land. Not only is it bad, under a feudal agreement even the Count or King has no power to do so - except possibly as confiscation for treason. Such confiscation is a worse punishment than execution.

"No, I am afraid we cannot simply hand over the woods as soverign territory - the Droht is of Vacia, and even Ravensholme is on the border. This need not be complex, however. We seek to bring back the feudal system that served Ustalav so well. Let us start as we mean to go on."
"I suggest Merro be given the woods, yes, as Baron. Those territories still held are then subject to vassalage to him or the Count. We agree to help Baron Merro defend his woods from both the Worldwound and others in Ustalav, and in turn he agrees to outfit and provide forces to us to help us do so."
"We will need a map to recognise the boundaries, of course."
"If Baron Merro wishes to grant free passage, he may. He may not attack his Count's men on official duty, but also he has rights to hold and own his lands."
He shrugs "Typically such a title would be passed on through inheritance, but the Baron can pass it on as he chooses."
He looks intently at Merro "Most importantly, those who do not know the Baron out in Ustalav suddenly have an easy way to understand his power. He could walk into the throne room itself and announce himself as Baron and all would understand his power. He could kill a poacher on his land and it would be a legal execution. Outsiders could come to the Baron for permission to cut wood in return for a tax to the Baron, and it would stand up in any court in the land."

Edward is unable to hold himself back, and interjects.
"Reclaim the Shudderwood. Yes. To the north lies the Worldwound. A gate to the Abyss itself. Mendev barely holds it back, but slowly it's evil seeps south into the Shudderwood. I have heard stories of the northern reaches..."
"It is coming. It will drive the spiders before it. It will throw demon-tainted monster after demon-tainted monster at you. Every time you kill one the taint will seep into the ground, birthing plagues and nightmares. Eventually your children will be born warped, and you will be conquered."
"It needs to be stopped. Far enough away that your children are safe."
???: 1d20 ⇒ 15+8 if bluff, +5 if diplomacy, +2 if intimidate

Wow, that is terrible. Timing extra sucks given how much work there is at the start of a campaign. Mind if I ask which housing market your sick on? Canberra is not too bad at the moment, but I guess you don't want to move to Oz...

If Ky takes too long, Edward is going to start talking (he threatened) ;)

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
What is he speaking in, please?

Edward - quite reasonably disliking the idea of staying with just his apprentice - follows the Droht. "All in, then." he comments.

Ky, I take your point.
I'm not a fan of splitting the party, though, and we seem to be doing it a fair bit.

Edward looks at the Droht as the doctor leaves, eyebrow elegantly raised in question.

"The Droht and I have hereditary ties to the area. You may use our titles if you wish to go alone. I am happy to accompany you, however."

So, it's been a while. Let me check I understand the plan.
We've been dropped off elsewhere. We now go through the old gate to the beach, where Ky will diplomacise the werewolves.
If it goes bad, we fight while the boat provides ranged cover.
That right?
If anyone wants to cast a buff, seems like now is the time.

Allons-y!

"Well, sir, if you can speak Varisian and have experience in such negotiations, I am more than happy to allow you to take my place."

"Indeed. Ky? Ivan? Henric?"

"The same pitch Thassilon used so well. Join or Die. Offer them rights and privileges. Blame or enemies for their woes. Calm on the ancient pacts the Droht referred to in our first meeting. Carefully suggest that we are strong. Mostly point out to them that half this forrest already lies in the worldwound, and that we will need all hands on deck to stop the spread. What may I not offer? "

Edward is just as fast to leap off, his normal lethargy and lassitude vanished under anticipation. "Sic infit" he murmurs as he disembarks.

"Do we? Or do we simply need to encourage them to target the... our enemies." Edward looks around at the last minute.

"I have means of transport myself, of course, but nothing suitable for others. If you feel the gate is the most apropos, then so be it."

"That's an excellent point. Still - if we start this fight now, we'll be fighting the forest for the next thousand years. It is as much to their benefit as ours if we can restore order to the land. We simply need to convince them of it."

Three black birds flutter onto the roof of the wheelhouse, and a few moments later Mircalla jumps down, Edward following with a little more dignity and a little less speed. he waves away all but the principals - and Mircalla - and speaks.
"Wolves and humans. Perhaps five of each, though probably more. I'd suspect more. They seem to be part of a larger group, and speak Varisian with an atrocious accent. They seem to be in shacks by the waterfront. Ascanor itself has seen bad days - fire, rather than time."
pulling out his notebook and charcoal he starts to sketch the ruin. There is a large, 300ft are, clear area from the charred gates to the waterfront.
"Their attitudes, talk and fashion - they make the Droht here seem positively a dandy - lead me to believe they are forest residents who have been raiding civilised settlements. They spoke of a "great pack", which to me suggests either lycanthropy or at least a shamanistic or animal-focussed society."
He tilts his head "I'd suggest we start with diplomacy. The moment the first blood is spilled, that option is gone - probably for ever."

"I have never been published, Droht. I doubt the man has ever heard my name. The Doctor, on the other hand, is a name to conjure by within academic circles."

He sighs, stepping back aboard. "We must have information. Someone needs to scout ahead. Mircalla, prepare yourself - I intend us to fly there on black wings in a few hours. Let us retire to meditate."

rest, prep spells, all that stuff - and have breakfast! Not sure how much is done. Ideally leave about an hour out of Ascanor

"Leave a light on the mast for us, friends. A bright one."

Walking into a room, for privacy, he takes the young woman's hand and chants for a good fourteen seconds, his voice going hoarse at the end. A few moments later three ravens strut out.

After waiting for any last words, they fly away down the river.

Hard to see how we could do worse!

"More your circles than mine, I'm afraid, Doctor. I have to admit my curiosity at Zstelian's survival is blunted by anticipation of our journey's end. We all but died at that damned manor - if he's happy to leave us alone, I'm content to return the favour."

Edward nods "Daylight then. We should tell the captain to aim for a morning disembarkation, even if it means camping another night in this place."

"Nor from me. Not tonight, Master Ky. Not here. Our host seems genial, but his decor" the noble looks around the dark, spider infested forest of the Shudderwood "is not so amenable to a restful night of sleep." He pauses, switching topics "We should, perhaps, decide whether we wish to arrive in the daylight, or at night."
---------------------

Edward looks nervously at the dock, then nods and joins Aldous, bowing slightly in greeting.
"Yes, I understand traffic is noticeably decreased in the past few months?

"'Dark Arts'" the Earl is dismissive "I'm no necromancer. Conjuration is neither good nor evil - it is the user who determines that."

He raises an eyebrow at the doctor "He's not a threat now perhaps. But the dark realms of the dead can change a man, doctor. Are you sure your critical facilities are functioning correctly with this 'Brogol' of yours"

Well, I hope it goes well! You can certainly write, so I would think you'd be good at it.

"So. Doctor. Droht. Shall we have that chat." Edward has been in a black mood since Amos' funeral, staying away from everyone. Apparently the sudden dark of the shudderwood is enough to bring him back to himself.

On one hand I'm glad it wasn't my doing. On the other hand, damn that seems like bad luck - and a crappy job. This was the new job you were so hopeful for?

Alright, I didn't want to kill the game. I'll withdraw my objection.

Ed's a summoner. Word is bond, man. Plus, he has every reason to believe he'll be dealing with Hell some time in the future, so no point in making enemies.
Is he honorable? Yes.
Sentimental... well, he'd like people to think he was.

Honestly, I'm thinking maybe just send M to escort the body. The refund from having two people not on the boat should probably cover the trip.

Otherwise the sale of some of Amos' stuff should definitely cover it.

For the record, Ed will be making it clear to everyone when we have our big talk that he does have a will.

Um, Edward told Amos that he'd get him a good funeral. This doesn't really sound like it.
I recognise that OOC the player left, and that IC we have a mission, but looted and tossed overboard seems pretty... harsh. Especially given that Mr Stockl has shown us the dead can return about an hour ago.
Any chance Ed can get his body sent to Ravensholm, at least?
At a minimum he'd keep enough of a material component to use in a Reincarnate spell.

"I wasn't suggesting we take him. I'd expect there'd be someone we could hire at a capital."

"Well then. Let's hire a spot when we get to civilisation - or at lest Ardagh."
"If Captain Arter is more worried about the beasts of the forest than breaking a contract with a now-dead man who channeled the powwer of the god of contracts, I say we listen to him."
"I know of a church of Asmodeus in Kaer Maga. That is about..." he does some quick calculations "1700 miles from here. If we hire him a carriage for the trip, that'd be about fifty gold. Possibly a third of that in a cheap cart. Then he'd be in his church's hand, for whatever contract he'd made with them in the event of his death."
He looks sad "Not what I would choose - but it seems to fit the way the man thought."

"If I may. Given that he has sacrificed his life for our mission - perhaps it is best to burn him at our destination?" the Earl is uncharacteristically hesitant.

"Are you familiar with the rituals, Arter? Is anyone? As the doctor says, the man died in our service. I'd like to see him get the funeral he'd want. Gods know where we'd find a priest for it, though."

Edward shivers as Brogol wanders off
"We still need to talk. Once we're on the boat."

Edward, in a rare display, claps the Droht on the shoulder.
"Well said. Well said indeed."

"My instinct is the same. The Lord of this Land, who will be our neighbour, might look darkly on it." whispers Edward conspiratorially.
"I think we should write a strongly worded letter to Count Muralt as well." he adds, more loudly. "This land is littered with abandoned castles and manors. Perhaps he will act to save this one, perhaps simply condemn it."

Edward looks grave, and troubled.
"This is no simple spirit. This is a site of evil, evil that has fed on death again and again to gain strength. It could take years to unravel the threads of death that hold it together."

"Sometimes evil on this scale can etch itself into the fabric of objects and places." he looks grim "I suspect the house will not let us leave so easily, now that we are here. Be ready to burn this place down."