Romar Side Quest

[K Man]

{Alright, if all you BOYD players remember, Vemu had to leave for a while and we decided to role-play a small side quest with him after his return to Ravenshead. This thread is that side quest and I'm putting it up for you all to read.}

***

KMan -

{We will pick up, just before you left Veya abruptly and after Krysta and Yuri tried to turn you around. You did not hear what the King said about the Faceless Knight and her. Sound good?}

{And Japic is right, there is no graveyard, fear of 'The Master' keeps the dead out of the ground and in the pyres. The nearest place people can go to pay respects to the dead is the Pyre Pits - a massive outdoor crematorium where the dead are consumed by flame.}
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"I'm happy for you Veya..."

Just as you turn to leave, you barely hear her call after you, your mind flooding with hundreds of emotions and nearly drowning out her words.



"Romar...please. I can't leave it like this. Meet me? Tonight? My room is in the Northeast tower of the castle..."

The rest of her words fade away as you storm off.

Yuri and Krysta do little to sway your path, only further aggrevating you and driving you away. FIVE YEARS!!! The demon took five years of your life in the blink of an eye and you didn't even get a glimpse of time passing before you. It's unfair...a punishment unfitting of any crime.

You stomp off, head swimming with all that could have been...no, all that SHOULD have been. Veya, she should have been yours. She said she would wait for you at Ravenshead...didn't she? How long did it take her to fall for another man? Was it the next day...

ARGHH!!!

Your anger and sorrow become so cloudy that you barely notice where you have walked to. The ash hanging in the air is choking, and the still-smoldering holes the only sign of where you are.

The Pyre-Pits...

Where the dead are burned so that their bodies cannot be used in this war. Four massive holes, nearly twenty feet across, are charred black with the souls that have been purified on their way to the afterlife. Ashen grey dust in the center of the pit their only remnants. Nearby, a widow wails for a lost husband and son. Across a pit from you, an old man stands stoic, tears filing down his cheek single file.

It is here that those that have lost, find that they have not lost all yet...
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Romar -

It is amidst these piles of ash and mourning people that Romar comes to a halt slowly. Through wet eyes he notices what he could've expected. His brother Ludhèr would never rise again from death, though for this moment he would've found more solace finding a peaceful grave, even if deteriorated by age, than these pits of the dead. They merely succeed in confronting Romar with even more desperate signs of a war that has dragged on too long, taken too many lives.

The fires that burned his brother Ludhèr cleansed Romar from his vow to protect him any longer, for he was safe now, resting in peace with all other brave warriors that fell against the Master. He just hoped that he'd done the right thing.

Romar says a quick prayer, before turning away from this sour sight and foul smell.

"Fahrlanghn, I pray to you on behalf of my brother. Bless him with a safe passage to the realm of the dead, as I tried my best to grant him escape from lands beset by the Master's troops. Carry on what I started, for not only will it give my brother peace, but also will my father rest easier, where-ever he may be... If he even rests at all..." Romar sobs, his feelings nearly becoming too much. He just manages to finish what he started.

"I pray to you, Fahrlanghn my God, Fahrlanghn my Guide."

Romar walks away. He strolls through the city, pondering on the last words Veya spoke. What was she doing? He was trying to complete the puzzle, but too many pieces were missing. Veya obviously gave up the wait for Romar, as he feared already. Who was the man that had made her forget about him? Who made her pregnant? Where was he when she was standing alone in the doorway? Wait, where exactly was he? He should've known better than to leave her alone at such a time if at all he cared about her! The coward! Did he frighten away at the mention of his return? Was he too busy at the time for such 'trivial' matters?

Or was he? Romar's thoughts then go out for the faceless knight. He rode on Vraak, befriended the bird, obviously was close enough to Veya for her to allow him to ride the roc. He didn't like his manner from the start, how he seemed to play with his concerns. How he wore his helmet always like a true coward would...

Before the night would fall, he would know more of this 'Faceless Knight', know more of how close he had been with Veya in the past. But he wouldn't find answers from him, not likely, unless there would be no other way at all. If only he could somehow speak to Vraak on the matter. When the night would fall, Romar would know all and come to Veya, and be able to tell her all her problems were taken care of...

Thinking this way, Romar lands up in a spiral downward, leading to hidden chambers within his heart, as of yet undiscovered, envy boiled up within the blood in his veins... envy that led to hatred, possibly totally unjustified. Hatred that led him back to the palace, but this time alone and in silence, after all the others had left. Where was Vraak? Where was the Faceless Knight?

Romar searched around the palacial complex, hoping to find some kind of stables perhaps, or anything else that would likely house strange mounts like Vraak and the other rocs. He would be able to speak with the bird through his magic, if only he could find it.

---

Ok, I know all of the above might sound like a bit of a Romar ala dark side, but strange things can happen in the mind of a desperate man with a broken heart, when left alone.

Romar is actually trying to remain unseen by anyone who would recognize him, so first of all he makes sure all the mob is dispersed and the welcoming 'committee' is gone from the square. He then tries to find Vraak first.

Move silently and hide if necessary: +7
Search: 0
When he finds him, speak with animals

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KMan -

{Damn...English is your second language? I'm impressed.}
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Waiting until night falls isn't easy. You mind begins to wander...wander down paths you wouldn't normally wander down. Who was the 'Faceless Knight'? Why was he faceless, what does he have to hide? Why did it have to be him that took Veya...why?

Arguments in favor of the 'Faceless Knight' really never cross your mind as your anger boils. King Sturmguard is no fool and surely if his heart was evil, the numerous clerics of Ravenshead would have caught it. Wouldn't they? It did have the heart of the people in his grasp, a good position to be in when trying to fool others.

You finally notice that night has fallen when you come to your darkest choice, subterfuge to uncover what has happened in Veya's life the last five years.

Making your way back to the castle ground, you notice the throngs of people have dissipated. Only the guards are left about the grounds and they amble about, tired from the constant duties. You could easily slip past them, to the roost where the Rocs are kept.

[Hide/Move Silently Checks] You don't think you're noticed, slipping over a low wall and into the grounds as quiet as you can be. You run across some low grass and between thatch huts, stopping at the edge of the roosts. There, in the largest roost is your target, Vraak - the loyal and trusted mount of Veya. He is a regal animal, filling up the barn-sized roost with his girth yet remaining inspiringly beautiful as well.

You notice that, though he should be sleeping with the others, he has one eye open and trained directly on you - but he does not move in fright. Instead he almost shuffles towards you, anxious for your approach. He must remember you and think highly of you.

Slipping to his roost, you find the great bird very accomodating as he shifts his bulk to allow you into his area. He accepts a few strokes on his feathered neck, eyes closed as he nudges you with a beak that could tear through the castle ramparts.

[Speak with Animals]

Vraak tilts his head to one side as you speak in hushed coos and chirps, the same language he uses. He nods and focuses beady eyes directly on you.

"Yes?"
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Romar -

---

Glad to have found the friendly Vraak and to notice how he co-operates to the best of his ability, Romar casts his spell on the roc and begins to explain to the bird while petting it on its neck.

"Listen, Vraak, we need to help Veya. I fear that the last five years haven't been kind on her, and I need to know what happened. I need to know who did it. You must have seen something, heard something. And... what does this Faceless Knight have to do with it?"

Romar sighs, strokes the animal on the back some more and adds: "You must tell me all you know... anything can be useful."
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KMan -

Vraak tilts his head, solid black eyes looking over you quizically.

"Need help? How?"

The bird blinks its eyelids a few time and chips its beak at the wooden railing.

"Veya sad for very long time. Would do nothing but take to sky and fly all over, looking for someone..."

"...you..."

"She give up after many many moons of looking and wouldn't even fly anymore. She would sit in tower and cry all day, barely eat."

"Man in mask see her." It's pretty clear the giant eagle is referring to the 'Faceless Knight' with these words. "He feel bad, try to help but for many more moons Veya not speak to him."

"Finally she speak to him."

"He speak back and they talk more and more. Finally Veya eat, laugh and ride again. No she with child and they never seen apart.."

"...until today..."

Vraak chirps a bit and rustles his feathers as a breeze blows through the coral. You look to the towers of Ravenshead above you and wonder - Is there truly something malicious here...or do I just want there to be?

The bird waits, wondering if you need something else...
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[K Man]

Romar -

For a few moments after Vraak spoke his last words, Romar remained knelled beside the big bird in silence. His face showed no expressions, like his mind was devoid of thought. Then, Romar stands up, giving the bird one more pet on the top of its head.

"Thank you, Vraak, you have helped more than you can imagine. Now that I know the truth, my path has become clear to me like never before."

Romar's words cling to his tongue with a bitter aftertaste, but he is once again determined. Until now, he had been naïve, believing that there was a way, somehow, to get Veya back as before. There was none, he saw it now. She had willingly let herself in with this complete stranger, who had probably taken advantage of her unstable state. This ‘knight’, as he called himself, was maybe the instigator of this entire tragedy, but Veya had obviously had her part in it as well.

And now, while crumbling in self-pity, Romar leaves the good bird, dispelling his spell with a moment’s thought, ignoring the possibility that Vraak might’ve wanted to say something more. He simply leaves the cage and the terrain, walking towards the palace. On his way, his hatred towards the entire situation takes him down to levels still lower than minutes before. The promise of happiness had been denied to him, his goals in life were swept away until the future looked to him as empty as death itself was. But he would not kill himself; *he* had not deserved this.

He knew what was to be done, and so he passed the gates of the palace – assuming the guards would let him in – and ascended the stairs to the tower Veya inhabited. His blood was boiling like molten lava when his fist hit the door to her rooms. If happiness he could not have, while he was the least to deserve such a fate, than neither would those that were to blame for it.

His voice as he called for Veya was far sweeter than his intentions were.

“Veya, it is me, Romar! Open the door!”

---

Don't be afraid, he's not yet planning to kill her.
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KMan -

{No worries about killing her, I can't stop you. }
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Leaving the giant bird in the coral, you walk past the guards of Ravenshead and to the base of her tower. The guards don't stop you, or even cast a second glance, most of them knowing exactly who you are and the part you have played in this war.

Each step up the tower is difficult for you, like a lead weight strapped to your foot. Your mind keeps reeling with questions, anger and frustration. Try as you might, you can't get the situation mentally under control and you nearly walk past her door before you realize you've huffed up the entire tower.

Raising a fist, you pound on the door and proclaim your presence. After a few seconds and some shuffling, the door cracks open. Filling the frame is Veya's face, beyond sorrowful and looking as though recently pouring tears.



"I was afraid you wouldn't come..."

She opens the door fully. You can see she's dressed in night attire befitting of a mother to be. A sheer silky gown that flows to the floor, billowing in the slight breeze from the balcony doors. Her pregnant stomach arches outward, wrapped in the ivory cloth and very much a noticable feature.

She shuffles back a bit, holding the door open for you to enter...
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Romar -

Romar remains standing in the doorway, refusing her invitation to enter further. He would not be here for long anyway, such was his plan. From the look on his face something was wrong, not just as would be expectable after this entire tragedy. It was a grim face, driven by emotions that went beyond both reason and doubt.

"I can only assume, now that I have returned, that your lovely 'knight' is nowhere to be seen anymore, is that right? For if he isn't here, we will have to pay him a visit and no doubt you know *precisely* where his bed stands."

The words Romar spoke might've been one thing to fear, but the cold bitter calmness with which they were pronounced were simply horrifying.

"Do not take me wrong, I wish not to do anything against the law. In fact, I plan to serve it."

Romar then turns around to turn his back to the room, saying:

"You have five minutes to make yourself presentable if you want to, and then you shall join me in a visit to this Spineless Knight. Do not even bother to resist; we will do this, willingly or not."
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KMan -

{Damn man...those are some cold words...I like it!}
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Veya also remains frozen, her sorrowful face quickly twisting into one of anguish. The words burned, you knew it, and even meant it. She meets your gaze confidently.



"He is not here now because I have asked him to not be here...he respects me, like you used to..."

She adds a scornful glare to the words, a sign she's not as weak as you expected her to be. For a moment, you remember her...the way she was. The leader of a group of ejected women, forced to watch their homes burn from the safety of nests above. The same leader that led battles against the undead atop her Roc mount fearlessly...the same Veya you found so attractive...



"I will go no where with you Romar Belamor. I asked you here this night to make peace with you, to empty my heart before you...instead of scribbling words on parchment like a coward."

She pushes the door open a bit further, apparently still extending the invite for your entry. Her face furls, bordering on more tears that she manages to hold back.

"If you want to speak like civilized...like friends, then enter. If not, be gone with you..."

She waits...
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Romar -

Romar had said what he had planned to say, and hardly had considered what he would do should Veya prove to be so resilient to his words. While Veya made clear she was anything but willingly to simply follow him like cattle, Romar still stood with arms folded and back turned to the room. It was fortunate for him that he stood as such, for a tear swelled in his eye as well. Such courage, such strength. Some piece of his heart had still not said goodbye to her, but it was barred out by the hatred that had flooded it.

It was impossible to love her still. He had found that hatred had been a thorough medicine to replace the pain that resulted from his desire, for what else could fill such a void in his soul? And so Romar fed his hatred and wiped away the tear before turning around and spouting some last words into her direction, but these words did not have such poison in them as those he delivered before, for the coldness in his heart had dissapeared, having made place for just a hint of respect that he still bore in him. Nevertheless, anger still dominated his speech.

"I respected you for your strength, and trusted you because of it. You have done me pain, Veya, more than you should be allowed to do... if you are truly sorry and if you respect me as I respected you once, then you will come with me now to meet the Faceless Knight. You will see how I shall end all of this. I deserve it..."

Romar was horrible to behold, not simply because of his anger. He was nearly shaking all over his body because of his inability to cope with this situation. But still he was determined, scarily so, to fullfill his malicious intent. It was only the question what that intent was... what was it exactly that he wished to do when Veya, the Faceless Knight and he were together?

His eyes were bordered by red circles resulted from dry tears, his forehead was sweating, and through his teeth he hissed full of malice, as if a last warning:

"Do not make me do things I will regret..."

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KMan -

Veya sighs heavily. Her face pained to even force words out.



"Look at you...this is the determination I remember..."

She drops her head low and lets go of the door, taking a few slow steps away from the threshold. She looks up and moves closer to the open balcony, towards the billowing gossamer curtains there as though they offer sanctuary from the maurading Ranger in her room.

She leans out and places lithe hands on the stone guard rail, a small half-rampart that covers the balcony, remaining still and silent for quite some time, her face illuminated in the moonlight of the evening. When she finally does speak, it is without looking at you and with much sadness in her voice.



"...I can't begin to express how sorrowful I am Romar.

"When I think of you, I cry tears from my heart. You don't know how many times I've relived that moment in my mind, the moment I let you go in search of the Hidden City..."

"Every night it's different, I try to stop you somehow... someway... from going and losing five years that could have been our heaven together...but in all my dreams of you, I see our love fall apart."

The tears begin to flow freely now, clouding her words in salty sorrow.

"Your determination never allowed you to be stopped from what your heart wanted in my dreams. You never strayed the course and you couldn't be disueded from what you want..."

"That was what attracted you to me most, your unnerring determination and drive."

"I know I've made mistakes. I did things that can't be undone. I want to make it up to you..."

Veya pauses here, gripping the stone railing so tight that her knuckles go white. Her chest heaves as she sobs, the tears dripping freely to the masonry. She finally manages to lift her head and look back to you as you remain in the doorway.

Her face is angelic, sorrowful and full of pain. She manages an ever-so-slight smile.



"...but I can't can I?..."

That said...she leaps.

In one fluid move, Veya heaves her pregnant form over the railing, hundreds of feet above the rocky courtyard of Ravenshead castle below. There is nothing but death below her now.

She is gone from sight before your heart even has the chance to skip a beat...

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{Prolly didn't see that one coming did you?}
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Romar -

Damn, I had never expected that, no. This is horrible, so much so that I love it.

---

Many things Romar had planned for this day to happen, and all were cruel in nature, but little had he suspected that the most cruel deed of all would be committed that day by Veya. As she slipped past the ramparts of the balcony and tumbled all the way down past many hundreds of feet of the tower, Romar came speeding to where she stood before she fell, looking out to below, hoping against all hope that he could still interfere somehow, undo what had just happened before his eyes.

But she could not be saved anymore, despite all that Romar could do, which by now amounted to little more than a powerless exclamation - "No!".

Like the wind he turned around and ran down the tower, nearly flying as he leaped down the many stairs, but no matter how hard he would run he would never be able to be there before Veya's lithe body, along with the innocent young baby that she took with her, would hit the ground, and he knew it.

And when he reached the body of Veya, no matter in what way, he would kneel beside her broken body and feel if she still breathed, or if there were any signs of life. He even took, in all haste, a magical potion of healing from his belongings, and with shaking hands he tried to pour its content upon the lips of his love, but she did not swallow and most of the fluid dripped past her cheeks upon the ground, and at last Romar dropped the flask altogether and the glass shattered on the ground into many pieces.

---

Now, whatever happens next, and what Romar decides to do, is depending on whether there are more people around that have already witnessed the disaster, or if he's alone entirely.

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KMan -

You race to the balcony, hoping against hope that Veya is just trying to fool you...a cruel prank that you can laugh about one day. Perhaps Vraak was lying in wait, ready to catch her and sweep her away while she deals with her feelings. Perhaps she's hanging to the landing below the railing, waiting to surprise you.

Placing your hands on the stone railing and leaning over, you realize it is not the case...

There, hundreds of feet below is her form, rumpled on the stone courtyard. From this height, her minute form looks restful, at peace...but you know it's just because you want it to look that way.

Casting aside all thoughts but the one that you can still help her, you turn and race down the interior of the tower - leaping from landing to landing. It seems to take hours, days...even years for you to make the bottom of the tower, it can never come fast enough.

You burst from the base of the tower, past two guards that have begun to make their way to the scene. Your feet become like lead weights, unable to move, and you take slow steps to the body before you.

From here, the scene is much more grisly...

She lies at an awkward angle, feet twisted behind her back and mouth slightly ajar, a thin trickle of blood streaming down a pale lifeless cheek. Her hands are crushed, broken by the fall. Her white gown has begun to stain solid crimson...mostly around her swollen belly....

Falling to your knees, you fumble for the life-giving drink and pour it across her lips. It runs feebly to the cement, barely cleaning the blood from her skin. The flask falls to the ground, breaking in two.

Barely audible above the rushing blood in your head, you hear one of the guards call out behind you.

"What happened here? Is that Veya?"
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[K Man]

Romar -

Still kneeling besides her, Romar hears the guard's call to ask what had happened, but Romar couldn't speak of it. All that he was able to utter were a few simple words, accompanied by many tears:

"I-it is... Sh-she fell..."

After those few words, Romar would not speak for some time. Sitting by her side, he cried for what seemed like eternity. It was, however, the last time that he would ever cry, for it was true that when a man had suffered in all ways that a man could suffer, he would feel pain no more. In the end, only the hatred remains, and all Romar’s tears had been spent in one single day. From that moment on, no-one ever did see him drop a single tear again.

And so he stood up, and concluded coldly that Veya had done the only thing left for her that she could have done, if she wished to remain with some honor left in her. It was certainly morbid, but with her death she had done what she said she could not do with her life: she had paid for her deeds, and now deserved no further blame.

“Treat her like you’d treat your queen. She deserves no less.”

But then there still remained one more thing to do for Romar. He would go to the Faceless Knight, and do there what he would’ve done were Veya still with her, only now he would do it with even more conviction.

However, for the moment, he was hesitant on whether the guards would let him leave so easily. He would remain standing there, taking a few steps away from the body of Veya, allowing the guards to do whatever they wish to do. However, if at any time, Romar notices a lapse moment in the attention of the guards towards him, he’d quickly and without making noise round any nearby corner to vanish into the streets of Ravenshead. If he could not find such a moment, than he’d wait for whatever course of action the guards propose.

---

Move silently/hide: +7 if possible
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KMan -

Trembling hands still clutching Veya's, feeling the cold come over her pale skin, you barely address the guards. They seem to know who you are, for they do not question your orders. One runs off in some direction, presumably to gather more guards and some help. The other kneels beside her crumpled form and closes her eyes, trying to make her somehow look more peaceful.

He barely notices you stand and leave, headed to face the 'Faceless Knight'. He remains by her side and, just as you slip around the corner, you notice a cadre of guards coming to her body. You have no fear she will be treated as she deserves...

Besides...you have something to do...

Making your way through the empty streets of Ravenshead, you keep a sharp eye out for your target - the 'Faceless Knight'. [Spot Check] You notice him, well above you, in a rampart on the castle walls. He must've come here to heed Veya's request that he remain out for the night.

He is slumped against one crenelation of the rampart, looking over the siege army with a heavy heart.

Most importantly...he is alone.

There is a stone staircase ascending to his rampart nearby, also devoid of any other figures.

You prepare to do what you came here to do...
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Romar -

Knowing that he has left Veya's body for a reason, and that her death would not have been should this dark figure on the ramparts not have existed, he moves towards the stairs to ascend the thick city wall of Ravenshead. No doubt that if he looked over his left shoulder and the crenelations as he approached the Faceless Knight, he would see one reason not to carry through with his foul plans, but he chooses to keep his eyes fixed on his target.

As he stands just about ten feet away from the Faceless Knight, he makes his presence known with the cold sound of his blades sliding past the exit of his scabbard.

"Faceless Knight! I am Romar Belamor! I am here to challenge your honor, and I will give you the opportunity to defend it! I challenge your honor because you stole away from me Veya! Defend your claim on her, or you are not worthy of knighthood. You are a thief without a face!"

Romar readies himself, holding his swords out in front of him. He stands broad, threatening the entire path towards the walls behind him.

"This challenge is until death!"

---

No problem about the post skipped.

Romar readies against an approach from the faceless knight. He will then attack.

Bane Longsword (+11/+6, 1d8+3, 19-20/x2, S, Special: +2attack and +2d6damage against undead)
AC: 19, HP: 59/59

Now, let's hope I'm not up against some champion of light 20th level demi-god.

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KMan -

{No...no 20th level champion of light demi-god. He's just 19th level. }

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The ascension to the top of the ramparts is quick, much quicker than you expected, and you soon find yourself standing a mere ten feet from him...from the 'Faceless Knight'. He remains still, looking over the seige army, his helm blocking any insight to what eyes scour the landscape from beneath.

You howl your challenge, not caring who would hear.

"Faceless Knight! I am Romar Belamor! I am here to challenge your honor, and I will give you the opportunity to defend it! I challenge your honor because you stole away from me Veya! Defend your claim on her, or you are not worthy of knighthood. You are a thief without a face!"

He spins on his heel to face you. The helm, in the darkness of night, blocks any hope of seeing within it - of seeing exactly who...or even what you're challenging. The 'Faceless Knight' doesn't move at all, his hands remaining calmly at his side. From beneath the helm, a voice speaks softly and slowly.



"...I know who you are, Romar Belamor, I doubt a soul sleeping in Ravenshead tonight does not. However, I do not know your actions or their course..."

He remains still, despite your threatening wavering of blades and anger.

"I do not have a 'claim' to Veya, Romar, no one can claim another. I merely tried to open her eyes after they had been shut in pain for so long. She could not bear life without you and was determined it was not worth living. It took months for her to even speak to someone else."

"I never claimed her Romar. I tried - mostly in vain - to fill a void...the void you left."

A movement in the courtyard of the castle catches your eyes. Apparently some guards have heard the voices and have come to investigate. They halt when they see the blades drawn, looking to their leader for actions. The 'Faceless Knight' holds his gauntleted hand outright to stop them. The helm tilts back to you.



"I could have never taken your place. I know that and most of all Veya knew that."

"I never intended to take your place, I could never be as great as you Romar. I am but a humble servant of this castle, its steward and its people. You are one of its champions...why would I contest your legend?"

"The least I could do was ensure that we did not lose another soul in this war to tragedy and hardship...especially one as unique as Veya. I tried to bring her hope once again. Hope that life goes on."

"I'm sorry our feelings ran deeper than either one of us expected."

"But I will not apologize for that..."

The 'Faceless Knight' finally reaches for his blade and wraps a hand firmly around the hilt. He draws it slowly, a glimmering blade in the moonlight, and levels it at you.

Amazing, he lets go and the blade drops to the rampart with a clatter.



"...and I will not fight you for it."

"If me being 'honorless' means that true love can blossom once again in these foresaken times - then I concede and walk in shame...if only for the hope of your continued love..."

The 'Faceless Knight' remains still, arms outstretched...welcoming the first blow.

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{Anxiously awaiting to see what you do now...}

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Romar -

It is a long and certainly righteous speech that the Faceless Knight gives as he is challenged by the raging Romar, and indeed if ever his honour could be questioned it was bitter irony that Romar should be the one to do so. The knight lets his sword fall to the ground, stops the onlooking guards from interfering, and even goes so far as to admit he could never replace him... and that his attempts were mostly in vain to fill the void he left.

But Romar knows something that the Faceless Knight does not. He knows that there is no way back, even if the Faceless Knight would step aside. Veya was dead, and talk as he might this man could never make up for that. His very existence was to blame, and again, and now probably for the last time, Romar spits out all his anger in a flow of shouted words:

"IF ALL YOU TRIED WAS TO FILL A VOID AND SAVE VEYA'S LIFE, THAN YOU HAVE FAILED! FAILED IN ALL WAYS IMAGINABLE, FOR SHE IS DEATH[/B]! DEATH BECAUSE SHE HAS EVER LOVED ME BUT YOU BROUGHT SHAME ON HER, YOU MADE HER PREGNANT, YOU MADE HER JUMP, YOU KILLED HER! NOW PICK UP YOUR SWORD AND DEFEND YOURSELF, EVEN IF YOU RESIGN YOUR HONOR!"[/I]

Romar points the tip of his longsword straight to his foe, and begins to move in his direction very slowly, his shortsword by his side to repel any blows at him.

"AND IF YOU DON'T, THAN I SWEAR... I SWEAR I WILL NOT BE TROUBLED BY SWEEPING YOUR HEAD CLEAN OFF!"

---

In game-terms, Romar moves five feet closer, and will take full defense this turn, but will move five feet closer next turn if the faceless knight refuses to fight and kill him by trying to behead him. I don't know, maybe a man who isn't resisting could be counted as helpless, so a CDG might be possible...

You know, the beautiful thing of this thing as a whole is that if Romar had visited the knight before Veya, it might have been entirely different. I think it would.

Nevertheless, don't be soft on Romar; the guard is watching him; what I do I know is stupid. Anyway, do your thing.

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KMan -

The cold steel helmet of the 'Faceless Knight' doesn't flinch at the advance, nor does his body quake with fear. It is as though the 'Faceless Knight' is at peace here, faced with the end of his life...as though the afterlife holds no fear for him.

It is when he speaks of her death that you hear his voice tremble.



"Dead? Jumped?...No..."

His head sinks low, metal helmet slapping to armor breastplate. He remains this way for mere seconds, knowing full well that you advance upon him. He raises his helm and looks to you.



"No one could have made her take her life but Veya Romar...she was too strong-willed to let anyone else get to her - you know that."

"The only 'shame' was that she gave into another. I imagine that is why she could not bear to live another minute, because she was not happy with herself. I doubt anyone could have changed that..."

The 'Faceless Knight' glances as his sword and then back to you as you take a step forward.

"Despite what has happened to her, you know this...life is too precious to be thrown away. While we quarrel amongst ourselves, the world is torn assunder by evil."

"Do not add to it Romar Belamor..."

"I ask you but this once. Lay your weapon down...
at least for the time being. If you insist, our duel can take place in proper channels and at proper ceremony...not here in the middle of night flooded with passion and anger."

The 'Faceless Knight' waves off the guards as they run up the stairs, keeping them from entering this fight.

"I will grant you the honor of a proper duel, in time."

"In the time before that duel, I also beg you to think our actions through. The city needs heroes and servants now, not quarrels among its children. If you strike me down, Ravenshead will be without not one, but two of its needed protectors."

"Think about this..."

{Initiative: The 'Faceless Knight', You (The Knight will go Full Defense)}

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Romar -

Okay, the longer I think about this, the more I'm beginning to doubt. Allow me to think out loud for a bit: I can do 3 things right now: 1.) Kill the Faceless Knight right here right now (and probably become an outlaw), 2.) I can go with his challenge and do it by the book, (becoming a huge asshole but within the law) or 3.) I can break and start begging for forgiveness against who knows how many people...

In any case, Romar is screwed. I need to know something before I go on, purely out-of-game. As DM, how far would you let me go if Romar would decide to carry through with his murderous intent? Cause there's still the matter of returning to the group of pc's. They wouldn't likely accept the murderer of their lovely knight (He's so right(eous) it makes my hair stand up straight as I bully him around so much). And I don't know if you would be able and willing to do another splitup, this time with a pc going entirely solo. And frankly, I would miss Yuri's company. I also realize that Romar is on his way to evil in no time if he continues this way. I do have ideas for what I could do if I kill him, but those are all about going solo. So I think it would be wisest now to back down and let it all cool down. Anyway, how far can I go?

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KMan -

You know me Vemu...I never tell you what you can and cannot do. You want to kill him, go ahead. There will be consequences, maybe harsh...but your story will go on.

Point is...I won't stop you, now or ever. It's up to you as to the fate of your PC.

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Romar -

I was "afraid" you would say that. I will do the following in this case:

---

Romar takes one step back from where he stood after the knight makes his last attempt to calm him, and indeed it seems to work, as slowly the brows on Romar's face relax and his sword is lowered. In the end, he even sheaths the weapons, as he does yet another step backward.

It was as if Romar had finally been released from his lust for revenge, but in reality he got what he came for and was only content that his plan would now be carried out.

"If you will accept my challenge, then I will not back down from my demand, and we shall do it on your terms. It is all I came for to ask. Maybe you will prove to have some backbone after all. We shall see."

Romar grins, but then looks at the guards that have closed in on him from all sides.

"Tell me when and where we will draw weapons again, and we shall settle this with respect to old customs."

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KMan -

The 'Faceless Knight' visibly sighs, not so much from relief but from the frustration that he hasn't gotten his point across.



"I told you...this city needs as much as it can get."

"But...if I cannot convince you quell this bloodlust until after the war is done and Ravenshead is no longer threatened, then tomorrow at high noon, before the castle steps."

"Armor and weapons to be provided."

He leans down and removes the blade from the cold stone, sheathing it quickly. He nods to the guards, dismissing them from the scene. Once you are alone on the ramparts again, the 'Faceless Knight' turns to you, his cold visor offering a mirror-like glimpse of your own, angst-ridden face.



"I would urge you to postpone this Romar...not for your sake or mine, but for the city..."

"I go now to pay my respects to the spirit of a great warrior and a great woman."

'I suggest you do the same..."

With that, he spins on his heels and walks away, down the ramparts and into the courtyard beyond.

Twelve hours...that is how much time you have left until the duel. You wonder how you'll spend it.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think this has come to a close outside of the others' game. If it's ok with you, I'd like to post it so that everyone can read. Get yourself up to date with what has happened in their game and hey...I'll see you tomorrow at noon!

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Romar -

Romar remains silent as the Faceless Knight gives the details and states his opinion on all this. At the moment, he just couldn't care less about the fates of all the thousands of men, women and children that had slept peacefully through this entire dramatic affair on the moonlit streets of Ravenshead. Tomorrow, they would watch the duel, and they would probably all cheer for their champion, this Faceless Knight. He wouldn't care; nobody had suffered so much to know what he was going through...

And yes, he would mourn the death of Veya, and honour her spirit. She had retained her honor, even after she had betrayed him, and he would recognize it.

And so he went to a dark corner of the streets. He feared that if he would enter any tavern people would flock to him like he were some kind of celebrity, and the palace or any other accomodation the kingdom would offer him would surely not give him a moment of rest this night. He slept through the night in a stable somewhere if he could find one, where the hay would provide his body some comfort to prepare for the day ahead.

---

I think this has come to a close outside of the others' game. If it's ok with you, I'd like to post it so that everyone can read. Get yourself up to date with what has happened in their game and hey...I'll see you tomorrow at noon!

Yeah, it has, and it's no problem if you post it for others to read. I've been reading the other BOYD threads as well so indeed, until tomorrow at noon.

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And there you have it...