3 - 030: The Third Piece

[K Man]

Callian - Sturmguard listens intently, his ruling eyes absorbing everything. When finished, he rubs his chin, teeth grinding.



"Damn that woman and her treachery! Astoril has enough gold and magic to outlast this war to the bitter end, but their queen cannot see past the end of her nose. She refuses to help, even rejecting my offers." The king spins, his amulet seeming to flare up in the afternoon sun. "Listen Callian, you now have direct orders from me...."

"Relations with Astoril have ended."

"Treat them as you would any other hostile force. Be lethal if necessary, but allow yourself to suffer treachery no more."

You pause for a moment, fearing the words that have escaped your liege's lips.

"Do not attack on sight, but be wary and do not restrain yourself. I will answer politically for your actions Callian, and of the other ambassadors..." This sounds more like the Sturmguard you know, unbending but somehow remaining merciful. "Though it saddens me to give such a decree, I believe it is a mesure well needed."

"On the mention of need, I will inform Final Shore they are to dispatch a small fleet of their fastest ships to aid those surviving the incident. Expect them within three days time. I assume they are to arrive at the location where Cannon's Foot used to be?"

Sturmguard and the faceless knight nod approvingly. You notice a trio of guards come and whisper something in 'The Faceless Knights' ear. He takes off trotting down the steps, armor bouncing with every stone shelf.



"Will there be nothing further ambassador?"
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Hero, Caelith, Garor, Newt, Krysta, Girud and Galdren - [Indeed, excellent discussion on all. Very good role-playing.]

The Elite warrior remains stoic, staring down the length of Girud's blade with eyes that could just pop out of his head and attack on their own. He mutters more in his native tongue, spitting a larger glob of saliva on the ground before the half-giant.

{Elven}"Do as you wish, but I will not become a prisoner. If any of you are man enough, fight me and die like a man."

"Tis a coward's tactic to ambush and outnumber."

Newt and Caelith root through the bodies, finding a substantial amount of weaponry and gear; [I'll assume Detect Magic for the moment.]

Laucimust and Illivellian - [Magic] One robe, three rings, two spell books, two wands, a pair of boots, a bag, a pair of bracers and a headband. [Non-Magic] Masterwork staff, nice robe and boots, spell component satchel etc.

The Elite - [Magic] Captain's Sword (Longsword), Two suits of chainmail, a small steel shield, a pair of boots, three cloaks and four rings. [Non-Magic] Five suits of masterwork chainmail, a suit of Elven Chainmail, eight masterwork longswords, nice clothing and a pair of jeweled earrings. (Ruby, 60gp)

The Scouts - [Magic] Two Mighty Composite Longbows, a quiver, a ring, a suit of light chainmail and a pair of Bracers. [Non-Magic] A suit of masterwork light chain, a quiver of 43 arrows, two masterwork longswords.

There is little else of value here on the cliff face, aside from tension and mistrust that must be corrected.

Flipping open the cloth map, you see the remainder of the shards where you left them, but the nearest shard - Cannon's Foot - still shows as being in the city. You then remember that once per day, the map will update with the locations of the shard.

Krysta lays out a rope, nearly a hundred feet that stops a few feet shy of the bottom. She looks to Caelith and the remainder of the group before beginning to work her way down.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
Romar and Yuri - Digging through the desolate town yeilds much of nothing. Walls are burned, windows are shattered and many of the buildings have incomplete roofs.

Yuri - There is an Inn, but it has been thoroughly looted. You find several arrows and weapons lying about, along with the occasional long-dried blood stain. The weapons you find are a mix of peasant and Goblin or Orc, leading you to believe that this battle was headed by the still-living troops of 'The Master'. The dead have no need to loot, but Goblins and Orcs are notorious for it.

You find a place to settle down, in the Inn and go about your tasks, reading more on the Lich-King Lurst. More reading provides nothing beyond what you already know. Lurst, the name still stirs something within those cold veins of yours, it whispers the words 'eternal' and 'hate' like a lullaby.

You know he ruled for eons before Karn slew him, and that death...at least for the undying, is just another stepping stone.

Romar - Wandering around outside, you also see the occasional Orc or Goblinoid weapons laying next to a shattered pitchfork or hatchet. However, you notice that the fighting was not as fierce in the city. It appears that the occasional skirmish took place, igniting the streets in blood and rage, but for a town this size, there should be more evidence of a fight.

Perhaps the town was partially deserted....

[Spot Check] As you glance around, you notice shadow coming from the coming dawn. It's a fleeting shadow, gone only for a moment...but it was huge.

Then you see it - a bird, with a wingspan well over fifty feet wide and saddled by a rider bearing a lance is streaking from a cloud towards you...

...intent on impaling you on his lance...
__________________________________________________________________________________________

[Japic]

{I never said that I was leaving.}

Assuming that someone has translated the elven words, Girud offers to fight the Elite with honor. He'd be more than glad to make sure that he never drew another breath.

If no one translates, Girud will still be merciful, standing guard over their elven enemy. (Still readied action)

[Hero]

[Hero doesn't understand elvish but she understands a point of honor. I am going to roleplay this as if she gets the jist of what the elf was saying.]

"Krysta, Caelith's words are mine on this, except for the matter of this elf. His actions at Cannon's Foot, under orders or not, were most vile. Their ruse resulted in the death of many innocents. He will not be our prisoner.

Hero wipes her blade and draws a line in the dirt. Then she points at the elf's blade. "If he takes up his blade, no one interfere. This will be a fair fight and will continue until he or I is dead."

[VemuKhaham]

Romar makes a few large steps backward as the huge bird and its rider strike down before him. As he looks at the bird he feels like a little worm that has gained the attention of its predator. He reaches for his swords and quickly takes even more distance. He is still hopefull for diplomatic options though, as a fight would surely bring him down. Therefore he quickly speaks up, from the back of his horse, before he indeed becomes a bird's dinner.

"I mean no harm but I'm not defenseless either! Tell me if we are to fight here needlessly or if we shall meet in other ways."

He's heard about a group of huge birds in these parts, but nothing more then that, so this could go anyway.

[Merovingian]

Newt shakes his head at the foolishness of warriors and honor. While the battle goes on and the debate of who to trust or what to do next, Newt will carefully examine the spell books for traps or the like (If I can take a twenty on search =31).

[Wizard]

Callian trembles slightly at his king's pronouncement of the end of diplomacy with Astoril.

"My Lord..."

Callian starts to speak up, but then stops. Who is he to question his king's judgement? And even were he to, has he not provided the elves every opportunity to work together? And did they not treacherously steal the shard from he and his companions, and then flee in the face of the enemy? Callian can understand cowardice in the weak, but the strong are lifted up for one purpose---to protect others. That they have misused their strength is only more the reason to shun them.

"It will be done, my Lord."

[Fangor the Fierce]

FYI - Mordrock was sent to loot the scouts, for the arrows and anything else he could use. I seriously don't know how the items will be distributed, so anyone have a plan?

Krysta hears the words of the Elf, and turns to Girud and Hero. "He says that he would not be a prisoner. If someone will accept, he will fight to the death instead of being lead as a prisoner."

"Can you not see this viel of mistrust covering your eyes? As I said, I will not become a prisoner as well. I will not take arms against my past fellow companions, unless they draw first. As for my intentions, unless these downcast eyes are set right, then I can not partake in your company, only to be kept at swords length. Unless the other two warriors feel as if we must accompany you all, I see no other way to settle this matter."

"Mordrock, take what you need, not what you want. If you prefer to stay with them, then that is your choice. You have saved us once and you owe us no debt. I will be fine on my own."

[TheUdjat]

"You apparently are having difficulty understanding our perspective here, Krysta." He moves closer, placing the point of his rapier to the ground and lightly leaning against it. "The way I am treating you now is a mercy. You betrayed us. The elves may have acted without your knowledge, but you brought them, you spoke out for their aims, and you left with them." He regards the half-giant and the samurai, as well. "You all left us there. And now you demand, condescendingly, to know what happened in that city? To know what happened in Boon's Freehold?" Caelith's voice begins to sink into the familiar elven coldness, but the rage behind it creates an interesting heat to it. This, clearly, is something the mage feels strongly about. "We defended the city, Krysta. We stayed, we fought, and we struggled to save as many lives as possible. We did not leave them - Either city. Both times we were forced to destroy the spot we defended, to destroy the invading armies. Both times, now, we have been the ones charged with protecting the refugees, the survivors, while the lot of you are conveniently absent." He steps closer, glaring at the woman.

"So do not speak to me of responsibility, Krysta. Do not speak to me of debts owed, our quests to undertake, or actions to be taken. Twice, now, you have deserted a place in need of defense. And you wonder why I do not trust you? You wonder why I do not trust you beyond my rapier's length? Because you have done nothing, Krysta, to regain my trust. You have done nothing, as far as I can see, to help a single soul save yourself and your immediate companions. That is why I find it hard to trust you. And if you are unable to comprehend this, and you are unable to accept our offer, despite its leniency, then I will instead politely tell you how you will be treated."

"You are apparently under the impression that we will just let you go. You are traitors, as far as I can see, and I will not permit one who has twice deserted me to roam free so that they might do it again. If you will not face the judgment for your transgressions, if you will not struggle to regain the trust of the citizens of the city you just left, than I can not stoop to bending my morals any further on your behalf."

"I did not claim to 'save' you, Krysta. I claimed to help you. But I will help you no longer. I consider these slain elves our conquest, and to that end I will not permit you to leave with their equipment. Nor will I, I suppose, assist you with your own. I suppose I may be forced to let you live, as my companions may be more sympathetic - But if I do so, it will be without that map of yours. For I will not tolerate you appearing in our affairs again. Give it up, or have it taken from you." He looks to his side, and then raises the rapier's point a foot before looking back at her. "Or have you not noticed that my blade is already out?"

"I'm sorry it has come to this, Krysta. But it is our mercy, or the law's judgment. Choose."

Caelith is no longer even concerned with the surviving elf. Their judgment sounds fine to him, considering the elf's own words.

[Fangor the Fierce]

With a flash in her eyes, Krysta merely looks at the rapier, grins, and turns to head towards the cliff edge. "Your words tell only of what you perceive, not what has happened. I saved the few refugees from the town you so boldly claim your home as well. We did free those that were caged near Boone's Freehold. And we saved the elven prince as well, from a dire beast in the swamps. As for the city that has recently been torn assunder, tell me oh noble Caelith, when the explosion took place, where were you? I am sure with your convenient ability to move through the ground so easily, you ran as well. You ran to save yourself. You may have stood to fight, but you had the one luxury that we could not afford. You had the means and ability to leave at the moment of your choice. And as for my leave, if you dare, go ahead and try to take the map from me. But mark my words, while I still breathing, you will have to pry it from my dead hands." Krysta turns to face Caelith, knowing full well that her life is at stake here. She is still cut and bleeding a little, but that will not slow her resolve. Her hand is on her swords, ready to draw if she is in danger. Her feet spaced a little more now, to allow moveability for a battle again. She watches his hand, it's movements, his eyes, and his breathing. When he moves in to attack, she will draw her own sword, defending the attack. As the sword is unsheathed, the fire engulfs it yet again, and her eyes turn coldly at her attacker.

So it has come to this. Our paths look to only cross again, and possibly for the last. The Master's shrouded fog must have proven too much for them. This war will surely end with the Master's victory, if we can not even find a way to get along ourselves. If I must die here to show them their error, then so be it. For I will not die helplessly.

Mordrock would more than likely be ready to aid, if he can...

Readied action to draw her own weapon if attacked. She will not initiate the attaack, for there are other pressing matters at hand, rather than killing those on the same side of this war.

[TheUdjat]

He does not attack. Yet. Rather he waits, aware of the others besides Krysta and judging their reactions.

"I suppose you are right, in a way. I did have certain tools at my disposal, this time around, that you did not. An interesting ability to move across the world instantly. But I will point out that a large quantity of the town's inhabitants survived without having such an ability. Had it been called for, yes, I would have crawled into one of those canisters along with everyone else. But I thought it would be a better idea to save as many as possible for those who could not travel instantaneously. Was I wrong? Should i have consumed their resources for survival as well? Should I have risked that none be left to dig them out of the ground if need be?" He pauses for a moment, then answers his own question. "In my judgment, no."

"But at least I did everything in my power to stop the trolls without resorting to that heinous act. At least I did not leave until the sparks were lit to secure the destruction of the SlaughterFog. At least I did not leave with a group of a dozen elite warriors and powerful mages that could defend the city. And angry though you may have been, it is telling that no effort was made to coax them otherwise, to stand against them until you were well out of harm's way."

He frowns. "Perhaps we were hasty in acting to aid you. For it is clear that you have no desire to swallow your pride, admit to being in error, and putting forth the work and toil to prove that you are, indeed, allies."

"And I am sorry, but I cannot put my trust in those that do not care to make amends. You would fight to the death over this map that you wrested from the elves? You would rather fight those you haughtily claim are of a similar goal, rather than putting forth the effort to meet eye to eye, to gain forgiveness?" He shakes his head. "I do not believe you, Krysta. Your actions speak louder than your words."

[GeneralMHB]

(OOC: Does Sindri see this? If he does, I see it too.)

The undead cannot die. Even if Lurst was slain, his gem that keeps him alive was never found... was it?

Yuri still flips though the pages and tries to piece together this puzzle. Where was he last reported? What was he up to? Why does he fear the very mention of Lich-King's name? He must find out where these answers lay. He looks though the books for a key to this riddle.

(OOC: If Sindri sees what happens outside, add this: )

[glow=green,2,300]Trouble just came, on a giant bird.[/glow]

Wait there

With this being spoken, Yuri leaps forth outside to see the being brought down on Romar. He jumps on his horse and rushes to aid his friend. If diplomacy does not work, he will take action himself.

(OOC: If the man and rider continue their decent without showing any sign of negotiating, he will cast Energy Missile on the mount and rider coming in. Fire base, 3d6+3 damage, Reflex 16 to half)

[Hero]

"It is some small portion of redemption that they were fighting these elves, Caelith. Yet, their leaving Cannon's foot in its hour of need was cowardly."

Hero stops speaking and stares in turn at each of her former companions for a moment. [detect evil]

"Still, I sense no impurity in their hearts."

"All of this is premature, however, as we still have a common enemy alive. Someone give him his sword if he will not take it."

[Jevva]

Galdren looks at Krysta and Caelith. "Please, friends, were we not companions once? If not for current friendship, at least for previous companionship restrain your anger. This impending fight will accomplish nothing other than to further separate our two groups. If nothing else, at least realize that there is actual good that we could be accomplishing, rather than reducing the number of those who can stand up against the Master."

[BluSpecs]

Garor finally speaks up in hopes of quelling the inevitable battle.


I propose we all go back, as companions, to Ravenshead and present this situation to Strumgaurd, he is the king and his word will settle this.

Once he has heard both sides, he can rule on the matter

[Fangor the Fierce]

Listening to all the words being spoken, Krysta's eyes never waver. She looks at all of the others, and at Hero when she speaks the words that tell of their true hearts feelings.

At Galdren's and Garor's words, Krysta smiles. For the first time, it is a genuine smile. It is faint, and ever so quick to disappear, but she knows what it was.

Perhaps they are right. Our struggle is not with each other, but with the Master and his forces. Besides, I have told Sturmguard all that has happened, and it is his command that I will follow next. For the sake of the world, I hope it is the right choice.

"You are right, Garor and Galdren. I am glad to see that two can speak up on this matter, with leveled heads. As for Sturmguard, I have sent word of the elves treachery and our recent trials. I am sure that you have already sent someone with word to Sturmguard as well. But you are correct, in that his decision will be honored, as he has my faith in this war."

"As for the map, Caelith, all you had to do was ask nicely, instead of the idel threats that may have taken your life so easily." As she says this, she looks at the map, and at Caelith. "But do not take this lightly, Caelith. The Queen knows of this map, and more than likely, it's whereabouts. Should you plan to use it, be wary, as she would undoubtedly send her forces to claim it, should she deem it necessary. And as for the crystals, since we don't have the luxury of gaining ground as quickly as you, what do you propose? For I am sure that you would not want us dragging you down in terms of travel. Or had you already figured that out?"

OOC - Okay, sorry about the delay, but I have been in Kuwait for the past two days, and have barely gained access to internet...Will not have access till Tuesday evening, as today and tomorrow will be flights all day long...