3 - 031: The Third Piece

[K Man]

Callian - Choking down Sturmguard's decree, you wonder how you will tell the others. With a fleeting glance of understanding, you make your way back down to the open Earth before the steps of Ravenshead and melt into the ground. The brilliant flash of Sturmguard's Amulet remaining in your vision for a moment before it is replaced with the smears of browns and metallics as you tear through the veins of Gaia.

Soon you appear, where you were before and you immediately spot the survivor's of Cannon's Foot trudging along. They have not made it far, hindered by the wounded and young. The smoke of their city still floats over head, blocking out the coming stars and moon like a blanket of thick cotton.

It would take but a moment to catch up to Delomme and speak with him, on the other hand - your companions have yet to return as well...
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Hero, Caelith, Garor, Newt, Krysta, Girud and Galdren - [Not much for me to do here. It comes down to a few things;

1) Who is fighting the Elf? If let go, he runs to the edge of the cliff and throws himself to his death.
2) Krysta and Caelith, showdown of the 9th century. Krysta, will you give up the map? Caelith will you let them go? Hero dectects no evil, others have made their statement.

Is it time to draw blades? Or come to a compromise? Decide.]
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Romar and Yuri - [Yuri, Sindri can see the Roc coming down from the sky, although at the rate of descent, you would have to come out and deliver your psionic attack after the Roc is flying off. I.E. - Next round initiative.]

Romar - As the giant bird of prey swoops from the sky, backlit by the coming dawn, you make a final attempt to parley before the bird finds out how hard it will be to pull this 'worm' from the ground.

"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."

Just as you instinctively flinch, expecting talons to tear through your flesh and tear your new metal mount apart, you are buffeted by a great blast of wind.

The bird stops in nearly mid-flight.

It hovers, body tilted backwards to profit the rider a good attacking point with a lance should talks go awry. The man on the back of the bird is barely armored, moreso wrapped in furs and heavy cloaks as though to ward extreme cold. You could only imagine that flight atop such a huge and fast beast would be frigid at best.

Through a fur wrapping about the face, a woman's voice shouts. You can see the occasional tuft of blonde hair whipping about the femine face as the giant bird continues to hover.

Apparently it is not a man rider at all...

"No fight is needless as all have results and consequences."

"I am Veya Gorman, leader of the Fatherless. Speak your name and intent immediately!"
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[K Man]

*BUMP*

From Krysta -
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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...
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[Hero]

Hero fights the elf - after he gets his blade.

[Japic]

<pout> I was gonna kill him first. Looks like the Paladins get all the fun. She can fight him.

As for all of this talk of treachery and prisoners, F'ing A. Roleplaying is all well and good, but as people of action, we will neither be prisoners or go down without a fight. This crap has gotta end or we'll never accomplish what we need to.

"I would remind you that we did not willingly abandon Boons Freehold. We were taken prisoner. Believe you me, I would have gladly done my part but I was unable. A poor decision allowed me to be captured. I did not run. None of us did. And when we were freed, we learned of it's destruction and we could not do more."

"Just now at Cannons Foot, we fled so that we could continue our fight against the master. Not just to save our hides. Had we the luxury of your method of travel, I would have gladly stayed. However, we had no control over the elve's actions, this battle is evidence of our unwillingness to follow their tyrannical ways. You cannot fault us for exacting justice for those who died in that city."

As for the map, I seem to recall (although I can find no post to back it up) that the queen was unwilling to part with it as it was one of a kind. I'm guessing I was wrong.

As for the equipment, you guys stealing our loot is just cruel. Everyone but us has teriffic methods of travel, as well as a treasury of magic items to rely on. We've got shit. The butt of every bad story turn, and we get shafted for equipment to help us survive? Not cool.

[VemuKhaham]

Romar finds the boldness to try and outwit the lady on the bird, but does so in a respectful manner, obviously not to insult her in any way.

"Yet in some fights all possible outcomes will be dire and that would make them quite futile to me."

He bows, feeling that even though she acts stern and untrusting, she only does what is best in these dangerous parts of the land, and then he answers in a loud voice:

"I am Romar Belamor, and I am here to do my part in the battle against the rising evil. I haven't heard of your people 'The Fatherless', as I do not come from here, but all would be well to me if you could tell me your allegiance is not with the Master."

[K Man]

As for the map, I seem to recall (although I can find no post to back it up) that the queen was unwilling to part with it as it was one of a kind. I'm guessing I was wrong.

[No, you're right. It was the Mages and the Elite's job to watch over it and ensure it returned to Astoril. The Queen allowed you to take it to find them with the caveat that her precious first born stays home and no longer risks his life. Guess what happens now that it's not coming home. ]

[Merovingian]

With the bitterness and tension thicker than mom’s home made chocolate pudding Newt stops his sorting of treasure and walks up to those in the debate of prisoners and who abandoned who (assuming the threat of the Elf is handled).

Look I’m probably not the one to consult when it comes to honor and law and justice others with more faith than I can comment on those things, but you all are acting like wounded school children. If I remember correctly at the freehold we thought them dead not because they abandoned us like Stermguards nephew but because they went out to fight the horde to give us time, as stupid as it seemed to me, they did it with honor in mind. Now at Cannons foot (pointing to the crater) they left with the traitorous elves, and if I had to chose between the options they had at the time I could not have made a different decision. So now it comes down to us who stayed. Why did we stay, first we wanted to help, but we also were in a position to escape when the time came. All of this has been said before and this is getting tedious even for me so here is the point. Forgive them for what ever but we need their help!!! Yes we do and don’t be so high on you magic or your sword to think that we don’t need each other. Take this battle for instance, with all of us we handled a formidable group, caught of guard yes but who wants a fair fight really. We all make bad decisions at times and if we were held to every mistake we made none of us would be able to get along. So we have much to do and little time to do so kiss and make up we will help everyone to safety and we can get back to doing what is needed at hand saving the world.

[Hero]

"I say let us split the spoils with our former companions, for they have proven some merit in turning against the elves. I do not wish to count them as my enemies. But to count them as my allies, I must trust them - I must believe they would die for any of us - and I do not. We can handle matters here, with the refugees. Let our former companions continue their own fight against the Master......somewhere else."

"But this is my word, and I am only one."

[GeneralMHB]

Yuri remains in the Inn, holding off his psionic attack. Sindri starts to speek.

[glow=green,2,300]I'm gonna go see what's going on, sounds like a woman is riding that monstrosity.[/glow]

I'll go too, but I cannot take the chance of that woman seeing me. Nobody likes the undead, especially of the vampiric kind. And who are 'The Fatherless'?

Yuri steps outside and stealthily goes by building to building towards Romar. He also takes a sip of one of his potions before going. Sindri gallops cautiously towards Romar, keeping an eye on the female rider and mount.

(OOC: Hiding and moving silently, +13 on both. I took a sip of Undetectable Alignment too. Also: Do I know who 'The Fatherless' is? +4 Knowledge check)

[TheUdjat]

Caelith chooses to be silent for a time - having realized he's ranted quite a bit already. When the others have said their piece, he silently nods and sheaths the rapier, its crackling of electricity fading in an instant. "I am with Hero in that I do not trust all of you, yet. But as she also finds no evil in you, I am less inclined to argue. My decision is with Garor - I would have us all travel to Ravenshead." He takes a moment to swallow his pride, then continues. "As companions. Not prisoners. While I do not see you as allies, yet, as Hero also does not - I think your actions would have the most use in service to the Blackwing kingdom, with both our groups pooling resources."

"I do have a plan, Krysta," he continues, addressing her earlier remark. "You want our form of travel. For all my arguments and disdain, I do want to trust all of you. It would be easier. We will send for boats, and then we will proceed, with the refugees, to Morten. Assuming all continues well, we can impart the knowledge of our travel there - I would prefer to allow Sturmguard to make that judgment, but I fear there is no time, and enabling you to travel thusly is the most prudent action in that regard."

"While we wait, we will try to retrieve the buried crystal. I have ideas, and the mages' spellbooks may aid me, as well as the map that you possess, Krysta. Some of us, perhaps, may even travel to the Glade and begin work in retrieving that crystal - but such is a decision for later. The elves' equipment, as suggested, will be divided evenly among us all. I hope to dispel this magic of the elves' and restore the effectiveness of your items. If I am unsuccessful, it is likely that your small group will receive most of the items. But we will see how I fare."

"Now then, are we all agreed? We will return to Ravenshead together? We will accompany the refugees as a group?"

As an afterthought, he gestures to the last elf. "And somebody please kill this man! His death wish has waited long enough."

((Spellcraft +15 to fix their gear))

[Jevva]

Galdren sighs, glad to have come to a peaceful resolution. "Yes, I also believe it a good idea to travel to Sturmguard and present our situation to him, that he may pass judgment on some events. And thank you for agreeing to treat us as companions, as we once were before these tumultuous events separated us, in more ways than one."

[Hero]

Hero is just waiting on the elf to pick up his sword.

[BluSpecs]

Excelent, let us make the preparations. Once argreed upon one of us should travel back to Dellome and the refugees to carry out the plan.

[Wizard]

Callian, worried about his companions, asks for information on them as he moves through the crowd, helping as he can. (Lifting, tending children...picture a paladin that doubles as a daycare worker.)

"Have you seen a small halfling? He would be but a child to your eyes..."

"Yes, he has a deep spiraled scar right here..."

"Clad in full-plate, with long dark hair? No?"

"Maybe this tall, and very gruff...long beard, too..."

(Gather information, +3)