I'll post as soon as I can. Might have a busy day.
Search Posts
"Imazi certainly seemed to outclass Zakat by any appreciable order of magnitude. My concern is, what are her designs such that a character like Zakat suits them? I know, speculation won't get us any further. We may as well report what we've seen."
"Urashu, I can think of of no reason why that might not be the case. They can call themselves anything they want. Perhaps 'the Tower' has some sort of harrow related significance?" Tybalt looks to the sky. "I seems that they did after all 'acquire the storm.' I wonder why and how. She keeps him on leash not quite short enough to stop him from causing trouble. I don't know if that's by design. I wonder what he wants from the tower and if he serves willingly."
"I presume then that is all you wish to relay?" Tybalt asks."If it is not presumptuous may I ask about our mutual friend here?"Tybalt gestures towards Zakat. "He certainly seemed eager to meet us, if not exactly glad, but not a fan of the Hellknights. I can understand that, but I wonder... What is he to you? An ally, a servant, a prisoner? Is his impulsive nature something you value or is he of value in spite of it? I ask your forgiveness if my questions are unwelcome."
Tybalt steps out from cover following about 20 feet behind Morvan. He keeps a wary eye out for any further sign of Zakat.
Storm is subsiding a little, what could that mean?
Silently cursing Tybalt moves farther into the trees, trying to remain concealed.
Hidden in the trees Tybalt scrambles for cover as he see the ominous sphere approaching.
With a shrug Tybalt slips off the path into the trees.
Concealing himself as best he can he watches and listens trying to detect if anyone else is around.
"Haha, yes, I understand why it might seem that way. What is freedom to you then? A lack of restriction, the absence of compulsion? Unlimited scope with which to act? I can tell you that it is not really that way for me. I would not feel more free if I were not a Hellknight. I would only feel more constricted. All these roads I could walk, but not one of them is the path I want to tread. Where is the freedom in apathy. The road I want to walk is with the Hellknights. Sure I'm trading something to get there, but for me it is trading freedom in on dimension for freedom in another. The freedom to truly act in a fashion meaningful to me."
Tybalt will just keep trying to engage Zakat in conversation. If a diplomacy roll will help I'll make it.
Cira nods. "Sounds sensible."
"I think you are right Zakat in that what many people feel they need is a product of circumstance. We are Hellknights and our needs are defined by our superiors. But I choose to be a Hellknight, for reasons of my own, and in that sense my needs are driven by my own choices. In the end my only real need is to act out my own nature, which I do by devoting myself to a cause I value. In this circumstance that leads me to 'need' to survive and complete my mission. We'll do whatever is required to make that happen. Sorry, I'm rambling..."
As I live in Korea my weekend will begin tomorrow and I'll be away for a a portion of it. I may have limited ability to post for the next 2 days.
"Is there justice without discernment, is the playing field truly level just because it is flat? When chaos comes, doesn't it favor the strong? And a base strength at that. Consider myself. Born fragile and small it took time for me to become one who could hold my own. Amidst the chaos of the storm I would have perished. Many people, and better ones than I, survive only on the ties that bind us together. The slender fragile threads that keep people invested in the survival of others."
Well this seems dangerous.
Tybalt decides to match the strangers tone by playing against Hellknight type, trying to come off as lighthearted and casual. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Tybalt. I'm indeed a Hellknight. It's a good job. Were here to meet with Imani, as you heard. It's been a nice trip so far though now it's raining which makes camping less fun. There's plenty more to say about me but I'd love to learn something about you."
Tybalt ties up his horse hoping that he'll see it again. Before they set off he mumbles something to himself and then turns and claps Kallant on his shoulder. "Well, let's be off!" Tybalt travels the rest of the way in silence doing his best to take in and understand this unfamiliar environment.
Tybalt busies himself preparing to take his gear with him on foot. Checking his gear to make sure it's secured against wind and rain. As he does so he asks. "Kallant you're more familiar with the wilderness than I. Do you think we need to be concerned with this storm? Did you have to brave anything similar in you demon hunting days at the Worldwound?"
"C'mon. Weather's gon' turn. Wan' get under the forest 'fore storm hits." "Very good." Tybalt immediately prepares to set off again. Tybalt watches the brewing storm but whatever Urashu notices is opaque to him. As Tybalt dismounts he asks "What do you make of the storm, Dusk? Does it look like it will be severe?"
Tybalt arranges his sleeping area in an unhurried and methodical fashion before eating his evening meal. They he lays down to sleep flat on his back with his hands clasped over his chest. He closes his eyes and sleeps almost immediately.
"I don't think the feeling of being watched is to be discounted, sadly the implications of that feeling are unclear. I believe the main road is the most prudent choice so long as it takes us where we need to go in time."
Copying some stuff from Morvan and Kallant's list.
Also during character creation we were to start out with a masterwork weapon, which Tybalt didn't take advantage of though I had intended to add a MW Light Crossbow, which I'd like to do now. Otherwise he'll just bring a normal crossbow.
"A Very sensible strategy Acting-Maralictor Fellis. If there is no further briefing I will prepare straight away. Signifier Trasalor I will be glad to fetch your supplies for you." Tybalt pauses. "Where i come from there was never much opportunity to train with horses, this should be interesting." He shrugs with smile. "Still, I joined the Order to be tested in ways more profound than that. Like this visit to the tower. The presence of a power so close by that can inspire caution in the Hellknights is disquieting. I wonder what the endgame could be? Enough musing, I shall make preparations."
"Is our briefing concluded Acting-Maralictor? Do we have any questions of tactics to consider as group before we go? If not we should prepare for the journey."
"If he has a long standing relationship with the Hellknights then hopefully we will be able to work together in harmony. However, nothing can be assumed. Perhaps we should prepare some measures to nullify darkness, in case he should come under enchantment or other means of shifting loyalties.
"That is very interesting Kallant. Demons seem... fearsome." Tybalt shakes his head. "Can you tell me... on what basis to the devils of the capterhouse cooperate with you? Are they compelled, or is there some agreement?"
Tybalt is a somewhat slightly built man with mop of black hair showing a few streaks of premature gray. He's wearing a fine and well maintained red and black studded leather. "Of course! I am Hellknight Tybalt Volocritus. Please address me in whatever fashion you are comfortable with." Tybalt's manner is relaxed and his body language is open. He makes frequent eye contact.
"Very good then. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the Gate."
He turns and nods to Morvan "Acting-Maralictor, I am prepared to inspect our briefing at your convenience."
Knowledge:
Tybalt enters the office and salutes the Vicarius. He listens to the briefing standing still with his hands clasped behind his back, leaning forward slightly at the mention of the Tower. Unknown intentions... bother me. As the Vicarius concludes he waits for Moravin to receive his answer before asking his own question. "Vicarius, it seems possible that we may encounter strix in the area. Is there any intelligence regarding their movements in the vicinity of the Tower? Would the rules of engagement be different should we encounter any strix who may be potentially friendly to the tower?"
As a psychic remaining centered and calm is important so Tyblat meditates each morning and performs his obedience to the Order. Then each day Tybalt wanders his new environs he tries to assess what new resources are available to him and slips in and out of conversations with other Hellknights, trying to get the measure of his new comrades. Every day he takes time to practice his martial skills with his dagger.
Gerntius's boasts about his power provoked a raised eyebrow from Tybalt.
"Ah Thurio..." Tybalt leans forward to speak, seemingly quite engaged. "You say the common people are no real threat to order, but without them there would be no chaos in Galt. Their own leaders we're once faces in the crowd, unremarkable until suddenly their skill fit the times. I also would not underestimate the temptation of demonic magic to the desperate and downtrodden. By simple math there are more of them than us, a small number of them are bound to be ambitious and foolish. I don't seek to replicate the incompetent tyranny of Galt before the fall. I believe in a light touch... most of the time. In fact, fundamentally we agree. They are a resource, not to be abused." Tybalt rubs the back of his neck and stretches his shoulders. "But they are a threat, as much as they are necessary, they are to be watched as much as they are to be protected. They are not mindless pawns, they are people with desires and ambitions and inner lives, and all of that makes them even more dangerous. Anyone can be a tool, anyone can be a weapon."
Tybalt regards Gerontius with detached amusement. "Where I feel at home isn't relevant to me. What I can learn is". "I certainly don't advocate the Order make it's business to persecute malcontents, but rather use them as a resource. The social web that connects them leads many places. Some of them dark. I can read thoughts, but only so many and only when I know where to look. But you have access to the underbelly, when you're listening to the chatter as it turns dark, secrets can come unlooked-for." Tybalt sits down, seeming tired for the first time. "But I don't discount your observations of the common people because you are an outsider to them Armiger Thurio. You're another source of information. Another perspective. As long as your goals remain in concert with the Order and the Empire I am eager to see where your methods lead."
Tybalt laughs, seeming in genuine appreciation. "Haha. You are right Cuan. We do sound rather ridiculous with our posturing. Perhaps our air of superiority is insufferable." Tybalt shrugs. "But I speak, in part, as one of them. I am a commoner and when I was younger I was not remarkable in any respect... but I saw some of the ways things can go awry. Our ultimate responsibility is for the people who ensure we can eat. But I disagree that they are not a threat. In your own way I think you sell people short. Unrest lurks in the heart of the most feckless rube, and most people are not so foolish as that. The people that would destabilize society are nothing without them. That's why the rumblings and desires of the most common folk are not to be ignored, but carefully observed."
"An impressive victory Gerontius. Another show of overwhelming force." Tybalt nods. "My own tricks seem quite paltry, I'm sure." "I sympathize with your viewpoint about the general populace." Tybalt muses. "They are weak, foolish, ignorant." Here Tybalt smiles again, without any show of mirth or joy. "However they are ultimately our responsibility. To indulge in a tired metaphor. They are the herd, clumped together mewling in fear. We are the shepherds trying to prevent their foolishness from destroying them and us. And where necessary we are also the wolves, when weakness cannot be tolerated. To that end it is our business to be among them. To listen to their bleating, underneath is always the sound of corruption and chaos."
Jathal sighs, but leaves it at that, for now. "I understand why some of the Order's methods could make you uncomfortable. I don't know that we can promise they are infallible, just better than the alternatives, which are chaos and vulnerability. If you feel dubious about the Order's mandate, what drew you here in the first place?"
"Divination. Psychic magic. Intimidation. Infiltration. Every source of knowledge you can employ." "Often people will tell you what they intend to do, even if they do not know it themselves. Just be in the right place at the right time."
Tyalt nods. "The Order would not be what it is if it's designs were easy to uncover." "I think one interest we share with devils is in being the master rather than the servant." Tybalt smiles. "Conflict is inevitable. That's why I believe we need to be aggressive with them. Bring them here before other fools can unleash them on us. Cajole, coerce, and bind. The Order should suffer no others to do so. It is good that you are trying to master the art of calling them, I envy that ability."
Tybalt considers the question. "I don't know either." His eyes scan the assembled Hellknights as he speaks. "We are now tools of the Order of the Gate. I don't know if there is any real procedure, the order has a broad mandate and every situation is unique. I assume we will be evaluated for our usefulness and deployed accordingly. Best to remain flexible I suppose. And wary."
"We are past that now. From now on we will be defined by our actions. Not our birthplaces or our desires or the rightness of our hearts, but by results." To Urashu he said. "Your contest was fascinating. I enjoyed watching you improvise." Tybalt perks up when Vespartius speaks. "A lemure? Interesting. I'm fascinated by negotiations with outsides. I hope to be able to participate in them in the future. I can't summon outsiders but I can be very convincing."
Tybalt smiles, though his eyes do not.
Tybalt shrugs. "As for toying with the devil, either it is done for a purpose or it is not. Mocking the devil seems irrelevant unless one is looking to provoke, or make a demonstration, but I don't find any tactic distasteful as long as it is a tactic."
Tybalt bows to the cheering Hellknights and again more elaborately to the Vicarius in response to the nod. As he enters the victor's area his demeanor shifts suddenly from icy to pleasant and inviting. "I for one am impressed by the variety we have seen today. Guns and boulders. A kobald with infernal blood! A devil submitting! He watches the combat unfolding before him with calculating gray eyes. "That's as it should be I think. Everyone and everything is a weapon." "Perhaps an armiger achieves only a narrow victory. It is important to consider whether that victory can be replicated in a situation where no other tactic could succeed."
Spoiler: The once fearsome devil is now a weak and desperate shadow of itself, but Tybalt still approaches with caution. He sees no point in wasting breath taunting an already defeated foe.
He slices at the devil one last time triggering his painful stare only as a precaution and watches impassively as the beast collapses. Methodically he slides the signature weapon of his order into his wrist sheath and directs a challenging stare toward the assembled hellknights. "It's done."
Spoiler: Locked in a close quarters death struggle with the devil Tybalt eschews taunts and grimly slashes at the beast again.
He just manages to make contact but and his painful stare wracks the devil's body leaving another livid wound.
Tybalt: Tybalt twists aside as the broken glaive sails by and closes to attack.
Spoiler: Tybalt's mocking laughter fills the air. "Poor brute. Don't worry. You'll soon forget your wounded pride when I slice you open."
Tempting a target as a prone devil is Tybalt sticks to his plan and casts glitterdust again.
Spoiler: Pushing his luck Tybalt produces and drinks his potion of Eagle's Splendor He shouts "Come find me you cowardly wretch!"
Spoiler: "What's the matter devil? Surely you can smash a little man with a knife? I'm going to carve you apart piece by agonizing piece. When I'm done you'll be begging mercy." Tybalt moves away from the devil and begins to cast a spell.
|