3 - 006: The Third Piece

[K Man]

Hero, Garor, Callian, Angelus, Caelith, Newt, Krysta, Girud and Galdren - Delomme watches the scene quiet down into something more controllable, yet he does not ask his men to lower their weapons. The Elven Elite, trained to be reflexive and pro-active, also keep their weapons aimed between Delomme and his men...they do however, remove their aim from Hero, Garor, Newt, Angelus, Callian and Caelith...somewhat respectful of Krysta's command.

[Newt, Hide and Move Silently Checks Vs. Spot and Listen of All] You feel relatively secure in knowing that few spotted you. Caelith's eyes follow you, as do Girud's and two of the Elven Elite...

Delomme keeps his eyes shifting from one person to the other, finally resting them on Krysta.



"Rousing speech..." The words are laden with sarcasm. "...considering it comes from servants of the Queen herself."

"We are part of the Empire of Astoril too, however, your 'Queen' cast us aside, locking herself in that damned city, Ephemiryl, long ago and foresaking us to this war. Whatever she works on in there has her possessed, losing grip on those under her reign."

Delomme turns his gaze to the remainder of the companions, the current bearers of the shard.

"Don't think Sturmguard is a saint either. We had talks with his nephew, a 'representative' much like yourselves, to discuss reinforcements, refuge within it walls...anything to survive the abandonment of our Queen."

"The nephew did little besides partake in our wine, food and women before haughtily leaving, wishing us the best of luck."

"So, as far as I'm concerned, you're all bastards that have been left on my doorstep to deal with."

Delomme takes a moment, rubbing his eyes with a weary hand. He motions to his guards to lower their weapons, the Elves mimicking the gesture. He finishes sighing heavily and lifts his head, eyes coming back into focus.



"However, the more pressing matter at hand is the SlaughterFog at my door that, if your words ring true, is an army of trolls concealed in a mist."

"Not the most comforting of thoughts..."

His eyes focus back on Krysta.

"Now, you said you 'had a chance to win this war'? Tell me, what do you speak of. I'm sure any movement of such a nature would benefit us all to hear it...especially in these dark times..."

"It doesn't deal with 'Fortress-Breaker' does it? We never told the Queen of our plans.

The last statment provides a segway for Delomme to answer Caelith's question.

"We're confident that it could reach Haven's Bluff or quite easily 'The Glade'...if luck is with us and the winds are right, I'm sure we could even hit Moorelock from here."

"Tell us....what are you talking about?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Romar, Sehanine and Yuri - Romar steps into the circle of Drow, twirling about. [Attack Rolls Vs. Drow 4 = 13/6 (Longsword) 15/22 Crit. Confirm, Success] Only the last strike hits, but as if driven by frustration itself, it slices into the jugular of the Dark Elf. [Damage Roll = 13]

Drow 4 collapses to the ground, dead. (Down 25)

Yuri focuses and unleashes yet another wave of mental powers. [Energy Missle, Ref. Saves = 1 Failure] Only one Drow manages to remain in the full path of the bolts, catching it in the chest. [Damage Rolls = 15, 9, 10]

Another two Drow fall, the last very near death.

Drow 1 down (21)
Drow 2 dead (29)
Drow 3 dead (25)

The last Drow stares, open-mouthed at Romar, unleashing the wave of energy from the gem in its forehead. [Romar, Will Save = Success] You manage to stay upright and mobile, the wave washing over you.

---------T--------
--------XD-------
-------X-RX------
------------------
------------------

T = Tube to Plan Library
X = Dead Drow Warrior
D = Drow Warriow
R = Romar
(Yuri is still out in the hallway having not moved in. He is 100ft. away.)
__________________________________________________________________________________________

[GeneralMHB]

Taking into account the recent events, Yuri simply moves up 80 ft near Romar, just in case the Drow still manages to hang on.

(OOC: Double move, base speed 40 ft)

[Hero]

Hero pauses to let others speak....so difficult not being in command.

[Fangor the Fierce]

In hushed tones, Krysta speaks low as she nears Delomme and Hero.

"This matter is one that I would rather not have out in the open. These crystals have an immense power, that if combined with a weapon of the elves, has the power to destroy the Master and his army. I have seen this weapon, but not of it's power. It is needing the power of the shards to be able to be used. That is our current mission. To retreive 3 more shards. Yes, we have 2 shards already, but three more must be found. That is why we are here. To retreive the shard that lays at the Master footstep. He is also seeking these shards, as he was sent his troops to Boone's Freehold to extract the very shard we retreived. Now his troops move to gather more of the shards. But we must not stand here and fight amongst ourselves. There is an enemy at your doorway, and we must address it swiftly. I fear that even if you do send the shard via your Fortress Breaker, the fog may not willingly let you go so easily. If it is something that you are willing to chance, then that is your decision. You know now our plan, and I trust you will keep this information safe. Hero, I have fought by your side, and have pledged the same loyalty to Sturmguard as you. In this endeavor that I and the others chose to take, we have taken it to hopefully deafeat the Master swiftly. I will not deny the rash actions of the elves and the Queen. It would seem that she is focused solely on the destruction of the Master by this weapon of hers. She has lost sight to most of the others of this world. Her own son the prince worries as well. But you must take into account one thing. If this weapon can deal the Master the blow to defeat it, why would we fight against this chance to do such? If it does not prove to defeat him, then it will still gain the advantage of removing the shards from the Master's grasp. We have been granted the chance to meet up again by Fate's own hand. Do not take this lightly. We have the upper hand for now. We must take advantage of this opportunity to form a plan of attack. Hero, you have not said much. Your loyalty to Sturmguard is well known, and admired. Galdren as well, being a soldier in the army knows the weight of his decisions as well. We might have the chance to weigh our options and troops, and decide what to do as a group. What are your opinions?"

[Japic]

Glad that the weapons have been lowered Girud listens to Krysta lay it all down. She's got this well in hand.

[TheUdjat]

Caelith takes note of Delomme's response first and foremost, the mental map in his head attempting to sort out distances. When Krysta speaks, his words are diverted. A glance to Hero, showing that she plans to remains silent for at least a moment, urges him to speak. When he does, his words are soft and cold. "Tell me, Krysta, why we should put faith in the words and plans of a Queen that has foresaken her people. Tell me why I should trust three individuals who, to the best of my knowledge, died at Boon's Freehold. And tell me why you neglected to contact anyone at Ravenshead to inform them of your discovery of the crystals. You were well aware that Sturmguard has been looking for these crystals for the benefit of his people, an objective far nobler, in my mind, than your Queen's dubious aims. You say you swore allegiance, and yet you work for the benefit of another monarch - How does that bespeak trust?"

Caelith shakes his head, looking at the hostile Elven elite and then back at Krysta. "I'm sorry, Krysta, but you're too late. The crystal is ours, and we will take it to Ravenshead, one way or another. I will not allow it to slide into the hands of a Queen ignorant of the suffering around her. Tell me, after all - How spacious was the great city? I highly doubt it was the visage of refugees packed to the inch that Ravenshead is. No, I'm afraid I cannot believe you, and I cannot believe your Queen. She was, after all, once my Queen."

"But not now."

He looks to his companions and Delomme. "Although Callian makes an excellent point about the crystal's durability, I think it is a worth risk to guess that it could withstand the shot. I have never seen a nick or a scratch on either of the crystals, and I doubt they were handled with care for their whole existence. If you like, perhaps we can test it before carrying out the plan. However..." And this he turns mostly to Delomme. He glances once at Krysta, aware that she is there, but preparing to speak of their actions regardless.

"Delomme. You want the shard out of your city, and we would very much like to get it back to Ravenshead. Myself and my companions possess the ability to travel instantly across the continent - Do not ask, it is difficult to explain. However, we cannot move with the shard. If you could send the Shard through Fortress-Breaker, we could meet it at its destination, and then take it the rest of the way to Ravenshead. What do you say?" He makes a sideward glance to Krysta again. "Though I hate to say it, I would also much prefer that our unexpected company not be included in the final arrangements." At which point Caelith wonders to himself exactly how they knew about this one. Interesting...

He sighs. "I am regretful that our meeting could not be on more... agreeable terms, Krysta. Fate, it seems, has a dark sense of humor."

[BluSpecs]

Garor listens to Caelith's words and closly watches his fomer companions reactions.

Their arrival was far to conveinient for his tastes. First they are ddragged away by the masters minions then they show up to "help" when it's needed most.

They fact that they showed up at a dire time with an alternate plan for the shard does not sit well with him, he's heard of the living working for the master right along side his undead.

[Jevva]

"We have not forsaken Sturmguard and all under his charge! Our decision was to chase after the slim bit of hope that these crystals offer us. We all know that the elves have extremely powerful magic. This was evidenced in the way we traveled all the way here from the Queen's city. Tell me, has Sturmguard come up with a way to use the crystals to destroy the Master, or is he just hoarding them so that those in his city can survive against the onslaught while everybody else on the continent suffers and dies? The way I see it is that maybe the Queen will just take the crystals and hole herself up with them, and maybe she'll use them to destroy the Master and his armies. But one thing we know for certain is that that is what Sturmguard will do with the crystals. He does not even have a plan to speak of, am I correct?"

[Japic]

As Caeltih sepaks, Girud feels anger burning deep inside of his chest.

TheUdjat said:

[/b]"Tell me, Krysta, why we should put faith in the words and plans of a Queen that has foresaken her people. Tell me why I should trust three individuals who, to the best of my knowledge, died at Boon's Freehold. And tell me why you neglected to contact anyone at Ravenshead to inform them of your discovery of the crystals. You were well aware that Sturmguard has been looking for these crystals for the benefit of his people, an objective far nobler, in my mind, than your Queen's dubious aims. You say you swore allegiance, and yet you work for the benefit of another monarch - How does that bespeak trust?"[/quote]

As he finishes Girud holds himself back, on the verge of attacking their former companions.

"We have been at the mercy of the vile forces of the Master, and barely came through it intact. Our lives were saved by this Queen, who has not forsaken all her people. They work to destroy the Master before any more harm can come to their people and the other people of this world. I am a soldier of the Blackwing Kingdom and my allegience holds true. However these crystals will save all the peoples of the world rather than just the Blackwing Kingdom. How long do you think that they can hold with limited resources, manpower and a few crystals of healing? Not forever, that much I can assure you. I work to help ALL the people, to kill the master and his forces before they have a chance to destroy the city of Ravenshead and others of this world."

"This town will benifit nothing from your crystal once it leaves these gates, we on the other hand will destroy that which plagues them. You are the betrayers for not setting your sights higher in this world. To help the few of Ravenshead over the many of the world, you are the ones that should be ashamed of yourselves."

Looking disgustedly at the former party menbers, even Newt who'se not being too sneaky, Girud turns back to Krysta.

"If they believe this crystal to be theirs, then let them have it. The race has been won, and they have claimed it. We have more crystals to collect, and if we hope to get there first, we'd best be on our way."

[Merovingian]

Newt listens to see how all will play out.

[K Man]

{*Walks over and turns up the thermostat* "It's getting cold in here.... " - However, the role-playing is coming along beautifully. This your time for conversation, so please, feel free to banter back and forth as much as you want. I'll pause your game until we reach a decision...or someone takes a brash action.}

{"My King is better than your King!" - I love it! ;D}

[TheUdjat]

Caelith responds just as heatedly to the half-giant, apparently unintimidated by his bulk. "Oh is that so, Girud? Tell me, what do you know of this cure-all plan the Queen has devised, except that she has told you to do it, and has assured you it works? What is to keep this Queen - already known for hiding within her city and forsaking her people further away - from in fact hoarding the crystals for herself, and merely telling you she is doing otherwise to deceive you into doing her dirty work? You spoke of this prince - Tell me, where is he now? Did she send you in his stead? How every convenient for her, don't you think? Non-elves to do her work, while she can keep her family well-protected in the Blessed City." He scoffs, eyes narrowed. "you may throw insults my way if you wish, Girud, but the base fact is that you have no assurance that this plan is even existent but the word of an elf whose elite have already proposed a plan to steal the crystal and leave Cannon's Foot to die. And why not? They already left Carealal to die, did they not?"

He moves closer to the interior edge of the wall, nigh leaning over it to look at the collective. "I may not know exactly what Sturmguard has planned, but he is a man whose character I trust. He will find a way. After all, it was his kingdom that devised a means for our own instant transportation - which you boasted so highly of from the Elves - so does that not make them a comparable source of knowledge? The learning of the elven empire is ancient, but the governing body is proving decadent in my eyes."

"Simply because our plan is not that of your new Queen," he says acidicly, specifically targetting Girud with the statement, "Does not make it an inferior one. I earnestly hope your plan is genuine and that it works, but I will not sacrifice all we have worked for for that mere chance." Coldly, despite the well wishing, he states his last line. "I - wish - you - luck."

((This is so goddamn fun!))

[BluSpecs]

Sturmguards sights are set much higher than his own kingdom unlike your queens. He's opened his doors to all the peoples of the land fighting the master. Have you so easily forgotten his call to arms? he aims for the betterment of all good beings, not just his own race.




Turning toward Girud,

We belive this crystal to be ours because we found and fought for it at the behest of our king, he was once you king remember? If you think you can walk in and take it your sorely mistaken.

Tell me Girud who will be your master next week?

[Artemis]

Angelus listens to the banter between Caelith and these new comers. Mmm they promise a way to destroy the Master yet I trust Sturmgard more then I do these elves. To think I use to wish to be like these haughty beings. He looks around and shakes his head. "Enough of this banter it gets us no where. Let us just fire the Crystal off and ask them where it will land and just meet it there. I grow weary from this."

[TheUdjat]

BluSpecs said:

Tell me Girud who will be your master next week?

((I just have to say... Da-yumn!))

[Fangor the Fierce]

"Caelith. Carealal was my home as well. Do not think that the loss of my father was simply an idle image that I have forsaken for the plans of the Queen. It haunts me to this day that I have lost him, as you have lost those dear to you as well." She makes sure to catch his eyes as she speaks, to show her feelings of that past and its toil on her.

"And as for our being here, at this time, apparently not dead, you can image our surprise as well. You all were thought to have died as well. How else could you have managed to escape the clutches of the enemy as well? We were stripped, beaten, starved and treated as mere slaves. Do NOT question our intentions to deal a mighty blow to the Master.

As usual, you are always jumping to conclusions. We are not here to fight you, and I have asked Hero and you all for your thoughts and opinions as well. Not this Bantering and Squabling like children over a gold piece. I am not here to take this crystal from you either. I come to aid in what way we can. Have you thought of one thing besides yourselves?

The Queen has a plan, one that may work. All I am saying is what needs to be said. We too are out to gather three more crystals, and to keep as many away from the Master as we can. I believe we can actually work together in this endeavor. Even if we get the crystals, we can not carry them all. As you can not as well. We must split up our resources, and make note of where they are. Both groups are to collect as many as they can, grasping them away from the Master. There are plenty to split up. But we must know one thing. It is something that we have to rely on each other to hold up to their part. The Master already has his hands on 4 of the shards. There are 6 more of the shards, not counting this one. We know of where they are, and you have the ability to travel through this process you described before.

Here is what I propose. The group I am heading can move to the next shard. Once it is retrieved, we will head to another. That will be two down for us, and one more to go. We can get two more hopefully easily. I can show you where the last three are. You must get to them quickly, and either protect them, or take them to Ravenshead. This will allow both groups a way to get to all the crystals and gain the upper hand on the Master. Our pledge to Sturmguard and the Queen will be protected, as you will now know where the others are, and can get to them as quickly as we can. The shards are the key to this war. They can either break us against each other, or seal the fate of the Master and destroy him.

Caelith, Hero, Newt and the rest... You are my fellow combatants and I would hope to say friends. What I speak of is not to turn against each other, but to work together. We can only win this war by doing so. We will fulfill our agreement to gather 3 shards, and you will also enable the people of Ravenshead the comfort and guidance of more crystals as well. We must put our differences aside, as Hero has the ability to know my heart's intention and feeling. What I speak is the truth. Nothing more. I will not turn my back on you, or the people of this city.

Which brings me to Delomme. You have a tough decision here. I would agree to having the crystal shard shot deep into the western region. If the others agree, I may have an idea of where exactly to aim for, granting you the chance to get two shards at once. This is what I hope to achieve. We MUST work together. I am not questioning Sturguards intentions, or the Queens. We are the ones that will decide this war's ending with our actions. Remember that."

Krysta wants a resolution to this conflict that will benefit both parties. With the knowledge that she has of where the other shards are located, and both groups being able to move swiftly, she is wanting to turn this turmoil into the upper hand against the Master.

[Wizard]

Callian listens carefully, particularly to the thoughts of Caelith and Krysta.

"Caelith, I had not considered that. I think you are correct as to the Shard's durability. It can be fired safely."

"There is one more problem, though it may be easily solved. How are we to find the Shard once it's fired? Does it radiate magic? I must confess my ignorance in this matter."

[TheUdjat]

Caelith visibly calms at Krysta words. A good diplomat, apparently. He is still hesitant, looking around at the others thoughtfully. Finally, he nods. "Your plan does not sound disagreeable. You say you have a way to locate the crystal shards? We would be foolish to pass up an opportunity to learn more..."

"Perhaps we can work together, after all, especially as you mentioned your Queen is not hungry for all the shards." He makes a quick glance at the elves to see what they think of that statement. "Very well, then. Show us how to find these shards, and I think we might be able to help you with this 'two at once' plan of yours. Where would you launch the crystal?"

Although still edgy and alert, Caelith is willing to talk and plan accordingly - Assuming his companions are willing to do so. Speaking of which, he addresses Callian. "I have not before tried to detect the magic of the shards - My guess is that it would resonate quite strongly. Rather, my plan had been to send it to some known location, and thereby travel there. Risky, but better than enduring the SlaughterFog."

[BluSpecs]

Aye, This plan is agreeable to me

[VemuKhaham]

MW Longsword (+8/+3, 1d8+3, 19-20/x2, S)
Shortsword (+7/+2, 1d6+3, 19-20/x2, S)
Move Silently/Hide +7

Question: previous round, I thought I had 4 attacks (2with my longsword, 2 with my shortsword; I didn't get them, though I think I should've, but I'm not sure if I understand the rules. Could someone please explain why not? No critique, just a question.

---

Romar proceeds his attacks and now aims for the last enemy standing.

Assuming the fight will be over within the next attack, Romar immediately proceeds his way, climbing into the tunnel towards their target, obviously trying not to be noticed.