Making Lindynt an NPC who sends us off on various missions would certainly bring this back to a more manageable and traditional story structure. Political games are tough when you have a bunch of people built to be explorers and brawlers.
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I'm sure that will be quite the chat.
Just checking in to say I'm still here. Getting a new lordship up and running is a lot of work. :) Take your time and assume Vance basically wants no part of any of it.
"All the retainers in the world and we have to end up with Belros, Belros and Belneiros..." Vance mutters to Alaire, "As if Lindynt doesn't have enough to drive him crazy."
I'll be out of town for a week starting tomorrow. I'll be able to post from my phone but it will be less frequent. Don't let me hold up the game.
Restless, Vance leaves the library and paces the battlements atop the wall, scanning the horizon. Something ain't right...
"If 'dont pester them' means 'spend less time around arrogant idiots' I don't think you need to worry about me disobeying orders. I'll be up in the library trying to do something useful. Send for me if you need someone called out on their bullshit."
I think we should all take bets on what Vance's contribution to 'court intrigue' will be...
this chick is all the way on my shit list...
Vance leans against the ramparts on the wall looking down on the scene below. He rolls his eyes. "Lady, you need to take things back a few degrees." He says just loud enough to be heard. "We are allies of your distant relation. We literally fought off hell with him. Twice. These animals are the only reason this keep isn't crawling with undead right now, and if you want our heads you're going to have to out do the Lucovi we killed a couple hours ago. We've had a shit day and aren't in any mood to buy what you're selling." "So how about we both pretend the last thirty seconds never happened, pretend neither of us is being rude just because we can, and maybe treat each other with a drop or two of respect. What do you say?"
"Oh that's just f+@#ing wonderful." Vance said, turning on his heel and marching out.
"Fair enough. How about you hang on to it for now. No one takes it out except for myself, Lindynt, or Alaire."
"Didn't you say something about "rivaling the gods in power?" Or was that some other talking vault?"
"And six of dark or six of light will let you play god? Is that right?"
"Great." Vance said in a dry tone. "So there's five more Gemini gems? Or are there more than that, and six is all you need to play god?"
"This gem was used as a conduit to allow a zodiac demon to possess the bearer of the gem and try to cross over. Do they all do that? How can we stop it in the future?"
"Apparently to some people 'right now' means 'after a nap'." Vance mutters to Alaire.
"It means demons are pushing through into our world. Again. It means they're drawing cults and beastmen tribes and are amassing power and sewing terror. Again." Vance shook his head. "Do you know your history? It's like the beginning of the Lion War all over again. The ones we've seen so far wiped out an entire village and nearly killed every living thing in this keep, and that was while it was trying to cross over with the power of an actual god holding it at bay." "What it means is that we need to get our shit together right now."
"Take a guess..."
"Alaire's right. That's not a true Zodiac stone. It's something else."
"Alright. So what did he tell you?"
Vance doesn't even bother explaining or saying goodbye. He just bursts into motion and follows Alaire.
"Do I look the type to make things up?" Vance says with a raised eyebrow. "Honestly, I don't give a damn if you believe me or not, but Lindynt thinks we need allies so I'll play along." Vance turns to one of the guards and says "Go get Alaire. Tell him I said to bring the stone." Looking back to the Templar he says "We're in this room because the great hall isn't exactly cleaned up yet. You're a churchman, you can take a look at what we walked into, and where Reinholdt ascended, and you can tell us then if you think I know what I saw."
Vance tucks Widowmaker into his belt as he leans against a wall and listens to the conversation in the main hall. When the knight became aggressive with his accusations Vance couldn't help himself. It started with a low chuckle, but built into a full throated laugh. "Heh heh hahahaha." "If you think he killed Reinholdt it sure wouldn't be very bright to walk right into the audience chamber and challenge his authority, now would it?" "Reinholdt died keeping one of the Lucavi from crossing over into our world. Right after that he was taken by Freia herself to help do in the heavens what he tasked us with doing down here. Lindynt is the successor here because the Goddess of Flame herself wants him to be. You think you have a stronger claim than that?"
"You've got a couple serious looking fellows waiting for you in the main hall, by the way. One of them said he was looking for Reinholdt."
"It's a little more complicated than that, but dead's close enough." the black mage said without looking back. "I'll tell Lindynt you're waiting on him." and then he was gone. Winding down the halls towards where the guards said the vault was, Vance arrives just in time to see Lindynt's arm come out of some sort of keyhole and the massive doors open. "Impressive."
Vance nods to the guards on his way by, but otherwise doesn't change course.
"I can tell this is going to take some time. I'm going to go check in with Lindynt. Tell me what you've uncovered when I get back." Vance makes his way out of the tower and along the wall, surveying the sights as he went. Making his way into the keep he saw the two men obviously waiting he walks past, his heeled boots echoing in the chamber and his long dark coat swirling around his ankles. "You're both a bit late to help with the fight, and if you're here to see Reinholdt, you're going to be waiting a real long time."
"If that gem is a true Zodiac Stone, it is priceless. I don't think we'll be selling it. Rather, I think I'm going to lock it up and study it until I can figure out how to use it against the demons. Alaire, are you saying this is only half of what it should be?"
I'm still here. I'm also willing to stat out NPCs for us if Deiros can give me some creation guidelines. I'm thinking that between my academy contacts, Lindynt's ties to nobility and Akela's friends among woodsmen and trappers we can fill those roles easily by calling on as-yet-un-introduced friends. Anyone have thoughts on anyone in particular, or want me just to do some first draft write-ups?
The fire priest sounds awesome to me. I love characters with themes like that.
Sylvie Died!? That makes me quite sad. Also, this game just changed gears big time, didn't it?
Upgrade Complete!
Vance tips his hat to the goddess and her knight. "See you soon."
Vance wasn't sure when he had kneeled, but upon realizing it he sighed in resignation. In way over my head. Demons and gods. Still no answers. "Reinholdt, you certainly broke the demon's hold in this place. If the Goddess needs you, go. We can take care of things down here. Give me a while and I'll figure out how to let you straddle both worlds."
Vance lowers the brim of his hat down to protect his eyes, and steps out after Alaire. Sigh. "What now?"
Vance walks out of the room after Lindynt, more concerned about the stone than about Reinholdt. "Nichelle, that's a Zodiac Stone, and something's wrong with it. Would you mind if I held onto it for safe keeping? No telling what trouble this thing might bring us, and I think we'd both rather aim that trouble my way rather than yours."
[ooc]What's up with the gem?
Vance reloads and puts the barrel to the statue's forehead.
Vance hears the commotion and charges past the demon into the room the others are in. Assessing the situation in an instant, he finds the lock that binds the chains, puts the barrel of his gun against it and pulls the trigger, nearly deafening the room.
Realizing there is nothing up the stairs and hearing the commotion below, Vance dashes back down again.
Vance runs up the staircase as fast as he can. "I'll check up here. If you see anything that looks like an Altar, destroy it."
We need to break the Altar!" Vance yelled. "Lindynt! That door!"
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