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'The sad thing is, they probably would.' 'Listen, the only thing you are going to get out of me for bashing the Chelaxian legal system is chuckles and agreement.' 'I'd rather have a drink before my briefing instead of going on with this, gods know I am going to need it, probably going to have to handhold a group of fresh faces through the Gloomspires AGAIN.' Harding sighs. 'So apologies for the rant earlier, it got us off on the wrong foot.' Harding's composure turns back to normal, but his expression is notably lighter. 'You want to join us? You might find that Hellknights aren't all that bad.'
'Paperwork? Paperwork!?' The thing that follows can only be described as the most wheeze-like laughter you have ever heard. 'Oh when an official wants someone dead over there, they dont need papers. The Rack will just bash open the door right there and you will be on the flaying rack by noon!' The laughing fit settles down and Harding Reafirms himself. 'Well done! I haven't had a laugh like that in years!' An occasional chuckle can still be heard. 'Paperwork?! Can you imagine! Ha...no seriously, if they want something to happen over there, most procedures will either be waved or the report will be so blatently copied it's absurd.' 'Gods I remember the last time I saw one of those ; The sentence regarding CRIMINAL will be carried out POSTHASTE, due force applied by ENFORCER, Legal sentence is DEATH. Signed by ADMINISTRATOR.'
'I completely understand, however the idea that the Scourge hunts down escaped slaves is completely false. The Order of the Scourge is dedicated to stamping out corruption and organized crime, we might apprehend bandit raids on the border, we even arrest nobles for whom crime has become a business, laws are not just by virtue of being laws, all most strive towards progress and the greater good. Even Nobles and other Hellknight orders are not exempt from our scrutiny, in fact.' Harding grabs a small black notebook from his satchel and opens it. 'About 3 months ago I was investigating the Order of the nail, it turned out that a member of their ranks was damming prisoners to Hell without due process to trade them in for Hellhounds. He was apprehended, and sentenced to jail were he serves the labor force, every soul he dammed was considered a count of murder for his jailtime. My companions at the time simply suggested killing him, but that would get him off easy.' Harding sighs before putting the notebook away. 'For a man called Boneclaw, you would expect him to have a better grip on things. The image of the Hellknights is however, mostly shaped by people such as him, true to his cause but not considering the consequences.' Hardings stance perks up at the suggestion. 'Why certainly, it will most likely take some time for briefing to start, I see no reason not to indulge a bit.'
'Do not take Hellknights at face value, the only order licking the hooves of Cheliax is the Rack.' 'I do not place myself above you, not by any means, we have different methods but we have the same goal or we would already be trying to tear eachother apart at this very moment, admit it or not.' He turns to the fox, completely fearless. 'I know that what I am doing is right, you have the freedom to do what you think is right, but should our ideals collide, I am a Hellknight of the Scourge, I root out the laws and leeches that feed on the earnest dutiful people and no man, beast, demon or otherwise shall stand in my way.' Sense motive check dc 25:
Maralictor Harding seems to be completely fearless. What appears to be a smirk attempts to form on the Maralictors face. 'As for the gauntlet fitting, I would like to see you try. Who knows, maybe this time I might stay dead, Hell It might get my heart pumping for a change.'
Harding lifts his eyes from the tome. 'You may be so bold, I was an agent long before we were known as the liberty's edge, though I was a lot more free-spirited back then. In the name of freedom I crushed slavers, bandits, escaped hellknight's and worse, I payed for it though, I almost know the Boneyard as well as Almas itself, though it turns out, going between the living and the dead to many times has it's consequences.' He sighs, twirling a small golden keepsake attached to his armor.
Dc 10 religion:
It appears to be a holy symbol of Kurguss, but it's rusted, bent and covered in scorch marks. Before he can continue however, following the barely concealed insults Harding slams his tome closed and turns to the halfling and fox, an almost palpable killing intent readable on his face. Every word he says is filled with venom, an enormous amount of hatred and contempt. 'What you are suggesting isn't Freedom, freedom is where every man,woman and child feel safe, where they are entitled to the sweat of their own brow and where integrity and a fair goverment works for the collective happines of it's people. I have seen the taint in my nation; corruption, favoritism, they all run rampent. People held for no reason, no chance of escape, even our leaders have secrets that defy everything we stand for and they keep it hidden rather than face judgement. Nobody is innocent, Nobody. True Freedom. Is. Not. Free. He calms down after his tyrade 'Cheliax and Andoran are two sides of the same coin, Cheliax is brutally ruled to the point where it's population has to be ruthless to succeed, happiness is bought with the suffering of others. In Andoran, this lax legal enviroment has brought a pack of ravenous wolves, determined to ravage everything we hold dear. And we put these wolves in charge.' He opens his tome before continueing. 'Feel free to live your lives, be a pair of good little puppets, the longer you help maintain this facade, the easier it is for you to be a pair of dogs on a leash, Look beyond the bravado and you can see the open festering wounds of our nation.' He then turns back to Charlotte, intending to continue in pleasant conversation.
The Hellknight looks away from his tome, staring at the performer and the unexpectedly gruff fox. 'Well aren't we bloodthristy today.' His voice is completely without energy and every sound he makes barely causes his mottled gray face to move, as if he is using no muscles. 'I suppose introductions are in order, I am Maralictor Harding of the Scourge, as a member of the Liberty's edge's I am currently awaiting my third mission to the gloomspires. And before you wonder, no it is not a disguise.' He spares a look at the halfling before shaking his head and turning back to the pair. 'if you wish to talk without barely concealed threats, I would be willing to oblige, rarely have time to socialize nowadays.' He then turns back to his Tome. Dc 20 perception check: He appears to be reading on legal procedures, specifically : how to reprimand members of the People's Council and possibly eject them from the ruling body.
An imposing figure patrols the hallways, his Serrated Black armor clearly marks him to be a Hellknight of the Order of the Scourge.
As there is currently a briefing taking place, he sits down to await his time.
He sighs as his sunken green eyes begin to read through the tome with a dejected look on his face.
An excellent display of martial prowess and those words ring true, there are many things blade and soul would accomplish where the body would fail on its own.
Most of the students are visably shaken, but still awestruck. Now students, do not be frightened, true mastery will come if you work hard, but you can't work hard on an empty stomach, today we have exotic green tea as well as homemade halfling sugar bread. Would the honored guests be interested as well?
Yes, as my old master once told me ;'a true master, is an eternal student', wich reminds me. Leon claps his hands twice and all the students form into neat rows. As you know, we currently have several esteemed guests in our humble Dojo today, including the esteemed Aialaysia Alona who I am sure most of you are familliar with. Most students flash a look and look away nervously, followed by whispers between some students in the back. They are here to assist and teach, but I would like you to show them some initiative, and learn from them as much as you can, this is a rare oppertunity and I would advice you to make the most of it.
Leon chuckles at the the suggestion. Of course that is still acceptable, there are plenty of techniques that developed around swords and such. My students would benefit greatly regardless. Leon then looks to the Vudrani man. I also believe we have a new guest. Would you be student, sensei or scholar good sir?
More visitors are never a bad thing, as a matter of fact, would you all be willing to review my research? Leon points to the large tome in the corner. My days on Jalmeray led me to discover scrolls and scriptures of a possible fourth house of perfection tied to the Marid, the most powerful of genies. Leon calls Some of his students, including a halfling who looks extremely cocky after defeating his half-orc sparring partner. Or you could review some of my students or hold a demonstration of your abilities, it would be great for their development. Any of these would be greatly appreciated
Leon bows in return and his students do the same. Welcome to the Dojo of the Ivory flame, I do not have a problem of more visitors, but to receive one of such prestige is quite an honor. As for the Dojo, it is a rather recent addition to the facilities here I started this dojo after my Pathfinder research and funds reached a point of becoming usable. Perception Dc 15: tucked away in the corner of the Dojo is a large leather and steel bound tome, students occasionelly red from it before returning to their sparring partners. The cover bears the same symbol as the door.
Dawn breaks over the city of Absolom. Most districts are bustling with activity. The lights ignite in the depths of the Irorium, exactly timed with a chorus of grunts in perfect unison. 24 students are all lined up in the Ivory Flame Dojo ; Surrounded by rough ebony wood and battered floormats, 6 magical lights illuminate the room. Good morning students. 'Good morning Master Leon' All the students respond. Now we might get a special guest today, if you train hard, I might ask her to demonstrate some techniques for you. The students immediatly start sparring and practicing, most students are pathfinder recruits or rising gladiators at the Irorium.
I need to be in decent physical condition for my students, have to set a good example so another would be swell. Leon averts his eyes before turning back to the doctor. Turns out that : at the pathfinder society, your seniors will leave you a badly beaten mess on the floor. Leon then cracks a smile and says. But hey, at least she accepted my offer of coming to my dojo as a guest, so the students will have a field day.
A bulky Kellid man walks into the infirmary obviously in pain. So this is the infirmary, never thought I actually needed to use it at some point, Arrg... The man clutches his everything in pain. Is the doctor in the room at the moment? I may need some help. Heal check dc 10, 0 if clothes are removed:
Leon is currently stable at 2 hit points, all of these wounds seem to be inflicted by unarmed strikes in pinpoint locations. If you could tell me that I'm really fine and need to sleep it off, that would be great, but if I know any better I can't sleep this off...
Leon grabs the offered hand and stands up quickly before giving all his limbs a shake. He then offers a bow of his own. Knowledge History Dc 15:
The stance and manners are common to the Houses of perfection A compliment from a senior is always appreciated, would you be willing to be a guest at my dojo? My students would benefit greatly from a more experienced artist than myself. Leon grabs a lead coin with a flame emblazoned on it. If you could make it tommorow morning I'm sure my students would appreciate it. It's the third floor at the Irorum, the same symbol is on the door. Leon turns and walks to a covered walkway to tend to his own wounds and he mubles under his breath :Ugh, she got 2 ribs, this is gonna take a while, better report to the infirmary later. He quickly pops a smile at the others currently safe from the rain but he has obviously seen better days.
I know that dancing is your thing, but there is no reason that you can't be effective and stylish at the same time. Leon starts weaving his body and limbs in wild and sweeping moves.
While not overly stylish, there is a certain practicality to the powerful sweeping moves that Leon is demonstrating. Look at least let me treat you to dinner, it's the least I can do for being so rough. Leon obviously feels guilty but he is also hungry for more. Before that though, would anyone else care to be my opponent?
As Auriea attempts to land, Leon sweeps his leg away, causing him to tumble over, falling flat on the ground.
And as Auriea lands, he is only pushed further into the dirt by a viscious axe kick to the back.
The pummeling is however not yet over, as Leon continues with a full swing aiming for the Liver.
Leon expects the challenger to rise to his feet. after seeing a lack of movement his eyes go wide and he quickly grabs a potion of cure light wounds from his satchel, wich he administers with all due haste. |
