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" Where your road leads is none of my Convern, as long as you walk it in an orderly manner.."Dagaard gives a Slight Grin as he finishes his sentance, as if he made a joke.
"The measure lists each Crime that could be commited, along with its assigned punishment. Examples prove a far more effective deterrent than Warnings."
[spoiler=arbot, alfonso] arbot, you really dont care about what condition brinewall is, youve survived on your own in the wilds before, what else is new? alfonso, you hear that there is a tavern already built in the keep walls and ready for whomever to get in first to claim ownership
[ooc]Aw, man. None for me? Must have used up my spoiler supply. :7)['ooc]
"Allow me to translate for you friend Lukas. As I have been in the belly of a beast closely related to the one that holds Daggard in a loving embrace."
"The Hellknights determine the law. Oh, excuse me, Abadon or I suppose Iomedae or Asmodeus, determine the law and communicate it privately to the Hellknights. Strangely enough this divine law is, more often than not, in precise accordance with the wishes of the Hellknights employers. This is a happy coincidence."
"Should you or I in our ignorance or foolishness violate the law, or walk our path in a disorderly manner as my chain-wrapped friend so eloquently put it. Then it is then solemn duty of the noble knight to correct your behavior. Or to ensure that what is left of your family knows that such behavior is in violation of Hellknight, excuse me again, divine law."
"Is that more or less correct friend Daggard."
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"Something Along those lines, yes. However None are above the law. If I where to break a law, or commit a crime, I would be punished aswell. Our order Flogs those knights who stray from the path with a Five tailed lash as an atonement. Should I slip from the path, I would gladly accept my punishment."
** spoiler omitted **
"Something Along those lines, yes. However None are above the law. If I where to break a law, or commit a crime, I would be punished aswell. Our order Flogs those knights who stray from the path with a Five tailed lash as an atonement. Should I slip from the path, I would gladly accept my punishment."
Donata frowns as she listens to the conversation. "But rather than focus on law, transgression and punishment, wouldn't it be better to promote better behavior through example and inspiration? If people have something good in their lives, if they can see the beauty in family, or their works, or nature itself, won't athey naturally behave well."
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"That is the world we all strive for. The day we may lay down our arms as hellknights, for every Man, Woman, and Child will govern themselves. We believe that Mankind is innately drawn to Chaos and self-destruction, and only through the Strict and unflinching application of Law will expunge the sickest elements of the social body. Chaos is a Plague, slowly eating away at civilization. It must be removed like a rotted limb."
" Surely, as someone who works metal, when you find a bur, or an imprefection in your work, you do not stop and talk to it? Reason with it? Warn it to behave like the rest of the metal. No. I think you would pound it out, reforging the piece untill the imprefection is gone."
"And here we have the basic failure of the Hellknights. They treat people as things. They think we can be improved from the, by force if necessary. This is a rather foolish idea but it makes the knights the useful tools we all know and love. They are as pedantic, joyless, hidebound, not at all fun at parties but a very usefull cannon once convince them to point in the proper direction."
"I suppose it is a flaw stemming from their mistaken devotion to law as an ideal. Law is a useful guide that can point out the errors of the past. However it cannot create. It is reactive rather than active. Laws are made to control and limit what exists not to bring new things and ideas into the light. Look at poor decaying Cheliax, as lawful a society as you could want, for the lower classes anyway, but it does nothing. It squats on the inner sea and stares at its own reflection. For all it's vaunted hellish might it could not win the Everwar nor even hold onto the colony in the M'gwani expanse. There are even rumors of rebellion in the old capitol of Westcrown. The nobility are corrupt, the people servile only when there is an informer around."
"The law does not teach virtue. The law teaches fear and fear teaches slyness. Cheliax has died. What is left is simply a foyer to hell. The whole place needs to burn."
"Not that anything so cheerful will happen mind you. That would require more bravery, virtue, and justice than is left in the festering dunghill we call Golarion. Far better to eat and drink and dance! while the music still plays."
Here Alonso turns and sweeps Donata into his arms, spinning her into a joyful simple folk dance. Should she not respond he will instead take he hand and dance a few steps around her before bowing over, and lightly kissing, her hand.
"Cheliax is far from dead. Despite the recent losses, we are STILL one of the largest countries of the Inner Sea. Do not attempt to understand the ploting of Asmodeus, His goals span years, decades, centuries.. Maybe even.. millenium."
"I do not attempt to understand the plots of a devil-god. I know that we are less to him than kine led to the slaughter food and fuel for his army. He cares nothing for our concerns,out dreams, I expect he even has to exert effort to preceive us as individuals.
However, for some reason I have yet to understrand you think this is a good thing. It is like you accept that you a pawn and then respect the chess player who sacrafices you for a passing advantage in a pointless game."
Alfonse shakes his head sadly. "Do you fear making your own choices that much?"
"And here we have the basic failure of the Hellknights. They treat people as things. They think we can be improved from the, by force if necessary. This is a rather foolish idea but it makes the knights the useful tools we all know and love. They are as pedantic, joyless, hidebound, not at all fun at parties ...
Here Alonso turns and sweeps Donata into his arms, spinning her into a joyful simple folk dance. Should she not respond he will instead take he hand and dance a few steps around her before bowing over, and lightly kissing, her hand.
Donata starts nodding agreement, but stops by Alfonso's fifth sentence when his tone begins to disturb her. Can he really be so cynical? He may be worse off than Dagaard.
When the fop tries to dance with her, she remains politely still. This was a serious conversation, but took a wrong turn somewhere. Besides her breastplate is heavy and uncomfortable for dancing.
Then Alfonso's argument steers back into a serious vein, and Donata nods agreement and adds, "You listed Torag and Iomedae among your gods. Surely they speak of more than obedience. Surely they ask one to consider the welfare of others and to help others in need merely because it is the right thing to do?"
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Spoken in a cold, emotionless tone directed at Alfonso:
"I make my own decisions all the time, in fact, I'm currently deciding if I want to wring your scrawny little neck.."
turning to Donata:
"We look to the Strength, Honor and Justice that Iomedae and Torag represent. The Chain states every Man is a Tyrant. all owe it to themselves and those around them to enforce order. Those who do not, or are silent are accomplices to mayhem, or weaklings fit only for a live of quiet and ignominious obedience."
Then turning his gaze back to the road ahead:
"But enough of this conversation, there will be plenty of time to Chat while we are on the boat. Lets gather our supplies and go"
With that, Dagaard hastens his pace
*POOF*
the night passes in a whirlwind of activity. the city of magnimar seems to be bulging with explorers and passengers bound for brinewall. hawkers are selling everything from charms to monster calls to monster bane. priests are blessing everyone who wants it. taverns have a steady flow of patrons, both for drink and seekers of companions for the night. blacksmiths make last minute repairs to all manor of metal things.
the following morning, more like predawn, finds everyone up and awake, and meeting back at the sign post.
with the party together, all 7 of you, you make your way down to the makeshift docks that sprung up to accomodate all the ships.
wondering around for a bit, you finally manage to come across a really ugly looking ship. other ships have nice brown hues and crisp white sails; this ship has a strange vile color brown to it, as if it was designed to transport animals, and not people. getting closer, you see horses and oxen being led up a wide, sturdy gangplank. you also catch a very distinct sour smell in the breeze, emenating from the ship.
Spoken in a cold, emotionless tone directed at Alfonso:
"I make my own decisions all the time, in fact, I'm currently deciding if I want to wring your scrawny little neck.."turning to Donata:
"We look to the Strength, Honor and Justice that Iomedae and Torag represent. The Chain states every Man is a Tyrant. all owe it to themselves and those around them to enforce order. Those who do not, or are silent are accomplices to mayhem, or weaklings fit only for a live of quiet and ignominious obedience."Then turning his gaze back to the road ahead:
"But enough of this conversation, there will be plenty of time to Chat while we are on the boat. Lets gather our supplies and go"With that, Dagaard hastens his pace
"Excellent plan friend. Let us find some comforts to ease our lives of quiet and ignominious obedience."
Anyone looking will notice that Alfonso is smiling broadly and he nearly skips and he picks up the pace to to match his stern companion.
"Dear Alfonso, what a unique smell you've discovered."
Fort save
"Excuse me please, I am afraid I need to do something rather undignified."
Fort save
Donata shades her eyes against the sun's glare as she approaches the ship. "That's our ship?" Disappointment is evident in her tone.
On reaching the gangplank, the odor hits her. The smell recalls lost memories of sitting under the family wagon playing with cow patties. It also recalls last night's food and drink and she kneels at the dock's edge violently emptying her stomach.
She stands up and wipes the back of her hand across her mouth. "If I knew I wouldn't get to keep it I wouldn't have bought all that food last night."
Ships? Floating coffins they are. They sink, they flood, they get attacked by pirates, sea monsters, and worse. And the edge on the blade of this one is it stinks! Give me the road anyday! How long of a march is it to the north? Perhaps if we started walking now....
I haven't smelled a stench like this since- hmm. I've never smelled anything this bad. I hope we'll be sleeping on deck. Or is it to late to get incense?
"Well the smell isn't all that bad, next time I find a 2 week old carcass of an elk left in the sun by the wolves, I'll have to bring you all a present. Though, I am with Lukas on this matter I think... I'd rather die fighting off bandits and animals in the woods than sinking to the bottom of the ocean in this coffin. Surely they have strong horses in town?"
"Well the smell isn't all that bad, next time I find a 2 week old carcass of an elk left in the sun by the wolves, I'll have to bring you all a present. Though, I am with Lukas on this matter I think... I'd rather die fighting off bandits and animals in the woods than sinking to the bottom of the ocean in this coffin. Surely they have strong horses in town?"
"No doubt a better choice but something tells me (excuse me) that the great and good will not allow us such an option."
"I fear my friends that the choice of this conveyance can be laid at my door. My loving uncle is including my sorry self in this venture against what passes for his better judgment. He cannot get rid of me, wheels within wheels you understand, but he makes a hobby of creating obstacles. This is actually rather subtle for him."
"He might be learning. Gods help us all."
"I am deeply sorry you have all become involved in this. There may be rewards however. You see between the fish and the fisticuffs ..."
Here Alfonso stops and makes a great show of looking around for eavesdroppers....
Aye Arbot you and I are cast of the same steel. The wilds and the roads be homes to such folk as us. Hopefully we'll be back there soon.
Lukas sets about stowing his gear and when that is done he takes up a position, somewhere out of the way on the ship and begins smoking his pipe, looking at the bustling sailors and trying to size up his comrades.
"You see between the fish and the fisticuffs my favorite uncle let me know he had a use for me after all."
"This is the next move in the game he thinks he is playing with me. He has set me a test. You see on board this fair galleon of delight there resides a horse. It is a foul tempered battle trained beast by the name "Sargento".
"This animal is no doubt the apple of some nobbles eye and I expect it's quarters will be quite superior to ours, if fact I know they will be. Now in the luxurious quarters of this homicidal equine my uncle and your Lord-Commander has secreted a note."
"This note details a task he would like me to perform. I have, of course, no intention of performing this task. However some reading matter would help to while away our journey cross Gozreh's sweating face, besides we can amuse ourselves by correcting the spelling of the more difficult words."
"Now my uncle also claimed he would leave a handful of emeralds with the note. I suppose to his limited intellect, simple greed appeared a good method to motivate such base creatures as we."
"I intend to take a look for this possibly mythical note. If it does exist and this is not simply a shortcut to my well deserved reward via steel shod hooves, the note will tell us something about why we are really going on this Dagon blessed jaunt. The bribe, if it is there I propose sharing equally amongst those willing to make the attempt."
"So I ask you all, are you ready to rob a hose?"
...
"So I ask you all, are you ready to rob a horse?"
"It's hardly robbery to recover the note your uncle left. I was raised among horsemen and although I am no rider, I am willing to try searching the stall. If Shelyn smiles on the attempt I am sure of success."
Donata keeps the rest of her thought to herself. Alfonso's uncle's methods are more than than unusual. What use will emeralds be in Brinewall? I hope our leader is not mad.
alfonso: your "surreptitious" glances around reveals no eaves droppers.
you have all gathered at the bow of the ship and currently laying about with your packed items when a really ugly, misshaped thing walks up to you. you are not sure what race it is, but you would deem it "ugly" with a capital "UG". as it approaces you, the stench seems to get stronger and more potent.
godayz to hyuz! imz capsin brizz, capsin of never-see-her! hoes ew duu? it finishes the statement with a flourish of a green colored hand and a bow that releases a most foul odor. ew mussen be myz car-go for dee tr-hip! grund! jus grund! it starts to look at each of you, studying you, as if weighing each of you. when it looks at donata, it shrieks! [b] arz ye a 'uman girlz? dis cant be! ye iz nawt allowed! you are superstition! you bring bad luck onto my vessel! you cannot ride with us! GET OFF OF MY SHIP!! [b] any and all traces of a horrible accent are lost the more irate the captain gets.
Alfonso takes a step back at the captains approach. He is holding a perfumed handkerchief to his nose.
Lukas Kaine, Horse Thief. I like the sound of that. Even more after catching a glimpse at our noble captain here. Lukas cringes as the captain babbles but after hearing the captain speak his face drops
Come now old boy, she may be a stranger but she's a stranger whose with us. Aye and besides, the lady of luck herself is a woman...or a goddess. Well either way Desna sure ain't a man. Be reasonable, no need to rock the boat.
Perception:
Diplomacy on the captain:
Lukas Kaine, Horse Thief. I like the sound of that. Even more after catching a glimpse at our noble captain here. Lukas cringes as the captain babbles but after hearing the captain speak his face drops
Come now old boy, she may be a stranger but she's a stranger whose with us. Aye and besides, the lady of luck herself is a woman...or a goddess. Well either way Desna sure ain't a man. Be reasonable, no need to rock the boat.
Perception: 1d20+0
Diplomacy on the captain: 1d20+7
Oops that should read "hearing the captain speak to Donata"
Perception:
Donata bridles at the Captain's speech, but Lukas steps smoothly between them. She takes the reprieve to master herself. After all she's heard similar comments about why a woman shouldn't be a smith all her working life.
She's somewhat startle by Lukas' words. She's not used to strangers taking her part, and so eloquently too. Shows you can't judge the singer by his moustache.
"Thank you, Lukas. Captain, let me add more in my own defense. I am a chosen of Shelyn, the eternal maid, patroness of love, beauty, and luck. In dream visions the goddess has shown me my forge on a far western coast where I will create blades and shields of uncommon beauty. Carry me there and receive Shelyn's blessing. Reject me at your peril."
Aid another, diplomacy :
Pallo stands behind Donata and catches the Captain's eye. Saying nothing he gestures and casts a Fire Jet straight up, missing everything but air.
"Whoa there with the fire crazy! There's not much keeping this ragged pile of wood afloat, and I don't want what little there is on fire! Now I'm sure the uh... captain will be as accommodating as he needs to be. He doesn't want to have to deal with inconveniencing the chelaxian leaders of this expedition, does he?"
"Yes, <cough> the Lord-Commander will book no delay. This vessel has been singled out for his special attention, it would be unfortunate to miss the opportunity this attention affords an astute captain."
Pallo stands behind Donata and catches the Captain's eye. Saying nothing he gestures and casts a Fire Jet straight up, missing everything but air.
Hells above and heaven below! Lukas sputters out in between hacking coughs of pipe smoke Seems a bit over the top eh? You've got quite the 'flare' for dramatics though i'll give you that...
when the fire leaps from pallo's hand, all work stops. the crew members loading up the cattle look at the bow of the ship, and seeing that the captain is at the bow, some start to inch their way closer.
HAHAHAHA! that is funnee!he chortles bwahahaha, 'ey boyz, lookenz like weez got oouwselves a xhef! he calms a little bit, and in a whisper for only you to hear dont patronize me or think me an idiot. ive been sailing the seas for the past 300 years! ive seen it all, done it all, and forgotten it all. ive sank more ships, both others and my own, than anyone else. ive even killed. this crew is my crew. they follow my word to the letter. So its in your best interests to behave. he steps back with a slight bow
guut sirahs, iz meahns no dis'pect to the female. i knowz allz bout lassie luck, she be a cruel one. but, ye see, i playd joke on ye, for a laugh. ha ha ha ha! now, onto biz. how shall ye be helping on me ship? yer fire frindz is the new cook, and the female cahn work ze iron fer fixen. what bout rest ye? what ken ye do?
There's more than meets the eye to this fellow, he's got quite the act put together
300 years you say? Bah, sailors boasts. As to my skills, besides swinging this here blade I can do some minor craft with wood. Nothing fancy but it'll be sturdy
yer fire frindz is the new cook
shrugs
Sure. I hope you like dinner well-done.
Where's the kitchen?
Alfonse seems to grow taller and so pale as to seem almost transparent. In short he becomes the very image of a noble fop. He looks down his long nose at the Captain. His handkerchief never drifting far from the half smile half sneer adorning his lips.
"My skills are more administrative than nautical. However I can carry a good report on the Neversere back to my Uncle the Lord-Commander. Now if you could please direct a member of your loyal crew to assist my porter in preparing my stateroom we can be on our way."
Despite being annoyed by the captain's joke, Donata coughs up an involuntary chuckle. "Very droll, sir," she murmurs under most of the conversation.
She wonders how well the captain would take a joke played on him. Would that somehow breach ship's discipline?
Sure. I hope you like dinner well-done.
Where's the kitchen?
"I'd rather have my meals done well."
***
Alfonso's question catches her by surprise. Porter? He's got a porter? She shakes her head, but Alfonso's question echoes one of her own. Captain, some trade goods were to be delivered to the ship for me. Who would I speak to about them, to see if they made it here?"
Porter? He's got a porter?
"I'd rather have my meals done well."
looks around ship dubiously
I'll aim for hot and see what happens.
Dear leader. Note for you on the OOC thread. A tad urgent.
the captian looks with disdain at dagaard, but, upon taking in his armor and surley attitude, makes a whicked face and guffaws.
azz hyu vish, sirz. he does a disjointed bow, as if it forgot how to bend over.
turning its head over its shoulder, you hear come from its mouth a strange otherworldly language not meant for normal conversation
the captain turns to you, smiles, and says my first mate, morwhin will take you below deck. enjoy your time on the neversere. its always an adventure!
Alfonse turns his back on the 'captain'. He seems to be retreiving something from his pack.