Lafetha, you're first to notice it. One of Mr. Jacobsen's horses lay dead on the ground. Large impact marks from.. something. Not penetrating it, but like it was struck by boulders. Looking out further, quite a ways away, there are faint set of eyes catching and reflecting the light of the fires around the camp. A glimmer of an outline; Alul.
"Threaten me again. Ever," Alul's voice calls out. "This is your only warning."
He seems to shift, changing into that mountain-lion like body. Bolting off into the darkness and out of sight at Ironsides moves to rush, but stops just at the edge of the light you can all see. Cursing and kicking a rock.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Diadochi winces "great another layer of moral complexity. I agree that sort of thing can't be left lying around. I agree the iron church would be one of the best places to keep it locked away. You've met my family, would know we believe in the Faith but with the Loxodon influence, standard for our people. The disagreements between my upbringing and what appears to be mainstream is what bother me. What is to say the iron church won't use this apple to go after whole groups of people that are deemed "cleanse worthy"? What's to stop the iron church from dictating that the Loxodon interpretation is heretical and coming after us next?"
"Oxianus was always very talented in things he set his mind to, any order would have a great boon with him in their ranks and maybe it would have been good for him too. His death took a great toll on my family. If you needed allies why didn't you hire the Blackmire company? It seems like you have the funds. And it's really the way you say 'selected' that bothers me. Who selected us? And why would they choose..." Diadochi waves his hands as though indicating everything "people with no guarantee to help you? We tried to kill you."
((I might change what he says if the rolls give if major TRUTH BOMBS but most likely he says))
"So far you seem on the up and up, I'll pass on your message to my group and we'll see what they say. How would you like me to get the decision back to you?"
He thinks for a second. "I suppose you're right. There isn't a direct way of assuming that the Faith wouldn't necessarily use it. But we have collected relics since coming to this world. You'll simply have to take my word for it. I know there are groups within the Faith that do wish to impose their values on the Loxodon and all of Unity. Some by knowledge and some with war. I myself see no reason for War, or for thinking the current methods of how they practice to be against the core of the teachings."
You certainly recognize the symbol. Several times when you were young, black robed figures with that emblem came to live in the city. A few even stayed with you. Walked beside you. Talked and discussed. Part of a cultural exchange program. A elder Orcish woman once stayed with you all for about five years. Studying and learning. She spent most of her time asking questions than anything else. Others would visit her, get introductions. Some where children, or at least seemed like them. Shared dinners. Kids roaming. Some of the Loxodon youth exchanging over with Ethurian cities to study their own culture and learn stories. Shale, or whoever is behind the mask, could have been one of them. Perhaps a gnome or halfling masquerading as a child, or simply one of the people who came to visit. But it's been over two decades since then.
"Selected. Chosen. I think of it as a stroke of divine providence that someone I knew happened to be here. Fated sounded too important. But why we don't hire Blackmire, well, some jobs are better left to a agent in the field. But yes, I have to trust you all more now. You may try to kill me again, there's risk in that. If your party is interested, meet me tomorrow mid-day." he thinks of a location for a bit. "The mansion on the outskirt of town, I assume it's the leader of this village. Let's meet there."
You feel like he's hedging a bet that you wouldn't openly engage in combat in such a public base, but overall, seems honest enough.
"If you do not show up, I will take that as my answer." Shale shimmers for just a second, "may light guide you," he says in a traditional passage of the Faith before seeming to vanish. That burst of speed causing a bit of wind to flutter about the room.
At the camp, the sounds of shoveling begin early. Mr. Jacobsen, saddened by the death of his horse, along with Ironsides beginning to dig a pit to bury it. Eshe and Mama B discussing something while brewing some coffee over the fire. Sora-ha wandering the perimeter, keeping a eye out on the horizon.
Over at the Blood Raven, the morning is rather lackluster. Some people entering the Inn with a few picked plants, or some coin, exchanging for a hot meal. Mr. Weatherbee isn't down there yet by the time you all wake up (or get woken by Diadochi knocking on doors).
Diadochi does knock on doors and will have breakfast down at the Blood Raven he'll tell his teammates eating breakfast with him, "some developments have occurred, I want to say when everyone is together and somewhere not so public."
After breakfast he heads over to the caravan. If he finds the others, he'll leave out the parts about his brother, but otherwise tell them everything about the discussion with Shale last night. "If we agree to kill the Hn'ti leader, it'll be a tough fight, maybe we should see if Alul wants to help."
Yaalin scowls at shales news half in annoyance half in hangover.
"So let me get this straight, and you can all chip in to tell if I'm wrong. You want us to go fight the people I wanted to fight but you stopped me from fighting but not hurt anyone but their leader, in order to bring his head to a witch, with none to pleasant motives to get a key that may open a portal to a temple that may have been moved to get the apple for not the people who hired us?"
"I am not sure about the last part. Or the middle part. Or, hells the front part. I dont trust anyone bloody here my personal vote is to go with this plan to the end but not to give shale the apple. I am most certainly a heretic in his and her," she gestures overhead, "eyes and I dont trust they wont use it. I would rather that blame rest on blackmire than me but that's just my opinion."
She swigs some water winding with a headache and awaits the groups decision.
Diadochi clenches his fists "No Yaalin. I WANT TO LEAVE! But we can't. Now that we know what this thing might be if it gets into the wrong hands that's on us. That includes the Iron Church, that includes the strangers we don't know the motives of, even the ones that gave us money.
Please, by all means, bring up how wiping out the whole village was the right idea. I didn't want you to kill an ENTIRE VILLAGE, because, besides reliving the objectivly worst day of my life, The whole reason I'm on this mountain to begin with is to make up for the last Village I wiped out. Everything I'm doing right now is to do enough good that I can earn off my exile and see my family again, if I come back and say 'please let me back, I snuffed another village of all life,' how do you think it's going to go? Even if I was on board, Do you really think We can take on the Hn'Ti Village by ourselves, or do you have a death wish that spread to all of us? Need I remind you, WE ALMOST DIED TO BIRDS? We HAD a simple option, let 5 goblins die, which we killed way more of just getting up there, but we took the way you thought was right, and now we are paying the consequences. I know if you were the only one in charge you'd have given the order to save those goblins. Now we have an option that's and excuse to kill those people you don't like. So from where I'm standing You're the one getting the what you want out of this whole thing. And you have the NERVE to act like a smug adolescent? I'd tell you to grow up but your so old you'll probably die if you did.
Please, come up with a better option, Yaalin. I'll wait. Something tells me, If Shale had discovered a better option he'd have gone for that. So we can go the Orta way, Wait for Shale to get his ritual again. We Know where Shale is going to be we could kill him and leave, and just void the contract, even then Blackmire will send out more people to get the apple, so we have to live up here in the mountains killing everyone that comes looking for the apple for the rest of our lives. Or we wait for Yaalin's amazing other option. From where I'm standing the only way this works is we need get the apple, I don't care how, we kill the great evil that's up there too. Once we get the apple we figure out what it does, and if it's too dangerous for mortal hands we figure out how to destroy it. Failing that we move it to somewhere even more remote and take the secret to our graves."
Once Diadochi reaches the camp Lafetha will tell him about the situation with Alul that happened the night before (also telling the others if they are with Diadochi).
"I'm not sure that Aulu is going to want to help us out after last night. Also, we are already having a hard time finding him. Although, after he killed our horse he changed into a mountain lion. So that was interesting, but seems it will make it harder to find him as he could be anything."
"As for helping out Shale, I'm not sure about all that. I'm not okay with killing the Hn'ti leader. Do you really think that if we attack their leader that the whole village isn't going to try and attack us? We don't have the capacity or the capability to take on an entire village. Bit of the group all agrees then I guess I have to go along. Our mission is still to get the apple."
Abigail listens to Diadochi, Yaalin, and Sim before throwing her own thoughts into the mix. "I like the idea of just ending Shale and calling it a day. From what you said, and from what can be gathered, it seems like there are only two ways to get at the 'apple'. The first is to find a host of willing sacrifices. This option apparently takes a lot of time and effort, and not just anyone is going to be able to do it. Ending Shale would wipe out one of the few people that knows that this is even possible, let alone capable of doing it in any time soon."
"The second option is to get a key from Lady Orta. She is apparently not willing, powerful, or charismatic enough to open it herself, or get others to open it for her; otherwise, she would have likely pursued this route already. If the motivation is to keep the 'apple' out of evil hands, then killing the leader of the Hn'ti, who was able to ward off Alul and who is keen to keep people away from the apple, seems to counter productive. On top of that, it is likely that we would be ending more than just the Hn'ti leader's life pursuing that route - especially if we told Alul about out plan or brought him in to it. I for one, am not keen on being a hired assassin. Will Blackmire get contracted to send a more 'aggressive' team? Perhaps. But there is no guarantee that a more 'aggressive' group would be any more successful."
"If we are going to pursue Lady Orta's key, then we need to ensure that we can be tactical and precise in our methods against the Hn'ti. Alul needs to be left out of the loop, and I am not sure Shale should even be with us either - given his willingness to allow collateral damage."
Taken aback a bit at Diadochis' diatribe, Yaalin throws up her hands
"I get it you want to leave, You think I want to be here either? I took what was supposed to be a simple sigh seeing retrieval job and have turned into a murderer apparently in the eyes of the world. I have NOT and have NEVER wanted to wipe out that village or do you not remember than my ENTIRE clan was butchered before my eyes? I have not once got for an option that was the most destructive. have I killed to defend myself or one of you yes Gods and ancestors damn it I have. As I suggested the last time we stood outside that damned village I wanted to lure the town away and target only the leader whom we know performs blood magic."
She stands from where she has been resting her headache. Knuckles white as she squeezes her fist.
"But please tell me how with what we knew, attempting to get an unknown ritual that was sapping Life force from living beings was wrong. IF you don't remember I went to silence the chanting one and retrieve rune stones that are used to protect the innocent," she gestures at rest, " but sure if you want to leave just do it. If you want me to stay silent and out of the way for others just say it. But, I have a Job to accomplish before I can leave because my HONOR stands on it. Yes, I believe these Hn'ti will be better off without their leader. just as I believe this town would be better off without Orta. and yes I may be wrong but sure blame me and my apparent blood lust for everything up to and including the local wildlife if it makes it so you can look at yourself in the mirror. but until then unless someone has a better option lead on to your new 'friend' and follow his path to whatever redemption you seek.
Sim sits and listens as the discussion of events devoted into a full blown yelling match. Once it dies down and there is that moment where no one is talking and they look sheepish for yelling even though they are still mad Sim stands up and speaks quietly but firmly.
“Stop. You two are two sides of the same coin. You Diadochi trying to redeem yourself from what you did to that village in your misguided youth. You Yaalin trying make sure evil can never again do what was done to your clan. But both afraid their choices in this will lead you back to what you flee. When in reality you both want the same thing. To find honor again.
Yaalin that is why you cling to finding this Apple. I think you fear not completing the contract will be yet another failure in your life but seeking the greatest good will bring you honor beyond your hopes and dreams.
Diadochi, you fear wiping out the village and letting the evil loose as I do. You fear again being the cause of innocent people dying.
I think we find ourselves at a crossroads where instead of pulling apart we need to cling to one another and decide what legacy we want to leave this world. If we want to be heroes then this goes beyond contracts in goes beyond what we fear. The question is what is right?
Each of you must decide for yourselves and if that means leaving then do it but I will not stand by and watch you tear each other apart. “
Diadochi takes a deep breath and speaks slowly, "thank you Sim. Yaalin I'm sorry. I feel I've made it clear that I wanted to leave the mountain. I was not my intention to tell the group what I wanted, but to inform all of you and this new development and come to a conclusion on how to move forward. Your response came off to me as someone presuming to speak for me and ignoring the feelings I've previously stated. Coming from a friend that really hurt. I said somethings that I probably will regret later. If you want to have it out now, go for it. I hope it helps.
I'm also just upset because now that I know how powerful this Apple I have to go after it. We are in Great Grandfather Tylemon territory: if we do nothing evil wins. If it is Starfallen… imagine the Ever-shift but the size of a large country, intelligent, and malicious. We pass the Apple off to someone and they activate it, that's on us. If we do nothing and another team gets into the temple and releases it, that's on us. It's in a room and we watch three evil people go into the room and it gets out… that's on us. We don't get to walk away from this with a clean conscious anymore. Now it might not be that, it could just be a normal magic item if it is no problem. But if it's too powerful for any one person to hold… I'm worried that my honor will compel me to destroy it and your honor will compel you to give it to Blackmire anyway.
I'm not pleased with the option to kill the Hn'ti leadership because it will most probably lead collateral damage. Luring then out would be ideal, unfortunately people at the top tend to delegate, so we'd have to be smart about it.
We could look into a 3rd option we currently don't know about but I assume if there was an easier way into the temple, Shale would have done it instead. We live in a world where … tragedies are far too common. I don't think there will be a morally clean way to get in the temple.
Speaking of Shale if I implied I wanted to work with him I'm sorry for The confusion. If we do work with Shale we will have to kill him before we get to the Apple. We might have to kill him regardless. He's proven he can steal things from us easily in our sleep, and even if we make it to the Caravan, it'll be much easier for him to get it from them than going through the temple."
Diadochi smack his head "Blast it all, with all this excitement I forgot that I also invited Weatherbee to join us. He says he might slow us down so I don't think we can take him now."
The sounds of a footsteps followed by a heavy *thump* echo behind the group at the caravan. A loud cough rings out from behind, as the group had been shouting heatedly discussing.
"Problems?" Mama's voice rings out. She adjusts her footing as her one good eye looks between the group. "Not payin' you all to sit around and complain. Yer gettin paid to head out and delve. Now I don't need yer shoutin making everyone else on edge. Eshe came back a dwarf and now I gotta pay for a horse. Let alone some sick kid." She mutters something under breath. (If anyone speaks dwarven, she's cursing her luck.)
"Now if yer all restin. That's fine. Grab a shovel and make sure that horse gets put in the earth. Or go out 'n hunt. Patrol with Ironsides. Standin' here shoutin can be done at the little tavern. Don't need it here."
Sim nods at Mama “Let’s get this conversation with Shale over with. Maybe he will submit his mind to the helm so I can be sure of his true intentions. If he can get the Apple and not let the evil out then I’d be more amenable and we can always deal with him later. And if we do let it out may the Shifter watch over our souls.”
Diadochi stares at Yaalin, when it becomes apparent she won't speak he says "Right, well I'll be hear if you want to talk." He thinks about saying something to Mama B, thinks better of it, and just waves as he leaves. He goes to the meeting place for Shale, with the others.
The sounds of a flute began to pick up as you all drew closer to the Mayor's. A soft tune. One that wasn't quite in tune with the workers that were tiling and moving through the fields. The halfling Weathersbee out on the Mayor's front porch. The Mayor also outside, talking to a few of the guards that patrolled around. One of them in a 'new' set of armor, thanks to Yaalin.
Weathersbee looks over, giving a small signal of a nod to the group. A few steps away is another figure. Also a halfling, a handsome female standing in black robes with golden thread of the symbol of the faith. The Outfit rather odd for someone of the Faith; their colors being White & Green Trim. Some of the Holy Orders, the Four Pillars, and their groups have their own colors. Black, was not among them. Diadochi, that face. It's familiar. The stories that "Shale" saying about people coming over and staying, studying.
There was a tiny young girl who once visited and stayed for two years. Cora Darkclay. She was young then, but seemed to bond well to your brother. She gives a long look at Diadochi, then the others. The intensity of her gaze, the callus on her feet and knuckles. Bruises healing on her hands, neck and feet. The real face of Shale.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Lafetha thinks that the colors are odd. She will try to see if she can recall if she has ever seen this before in the Faith with someone in power or why someone would be dressed like this vs how they would normally be dressed.
Arcana 9 or history 5
((Don't know which one to do, so take what you want))
Diadochi approaches, and gives everyone a friendly greeting "Madam Darkclay, so good to see you again. I was giving my team your proposal, I'm not sure if we are at 100% consensus yet but I feel we are close enough that I thought it prudent to come to you so we could hammer out the details.
Weatherbee, it has come to light that our mission on the mountain maybe more time sensitive than we originally anticipated. So if you think you'll show us down we can't take you. However if we come back early we might be amiable to having you hire us out as guides and guards for a limited time, but that's for another day.
Mr. Mayor you must forgive my rudeness, conducting business on your front step like this. I promise you now have my full attention." ((Diadochi is preparing protection fighter on Shale if anyone attacks, but ironically, he isn't expecting Abigail to attack))
After a bit if the back and forth has happened Diadochi will ask them "by the way, how do you all know each other?"
Lafetha, you're first to notice it. One of Mr. Jacobsen's horses lay dead on the ground. Large impact marks from.. something. Not penetrating it, but like it was struck by boulders. Looking out further, quite a ways away, there are faint set of eyes catching and reflecting the light of the fires around the camp. A glimmer of an outline; Alul.
"Threaten me again. Ever," Alul's voice calls out. "This is your only warning."
He seems to shift, changing into that mountain-lion like body. Bolting off into the darkness and out of sight at Ironsides moves to rush, but stops just at the edge of the light you can all see. Cursing and kicking a rock.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Diadochi winces "great another layer of moral complexity. I agree that sort of thing can't be left lying around. I agree the iron church would be one of the best places to keep it locked away. You've met my family, would know we believe in the Faith but with the Loxodon influence, standard for our people. The disagreements between my upbringing and what appears to be mainstream is what bother me. What is to say the iron church won't use this apple to go after whole groups of people that are deemed "cleanse worthy"? What's to stop the iron church from dictating that the Loxodon interpretation is heretical and coming after us next?"
perception 19
religion 11
"Oxianus was always very talented in things he set his mind to, any order would have a great boon with him in their ranks and maybe it would have been good for him too. His death took a great toll on my family. If you needed allies why didn't you hire the Blackmire company? It seems like you have the funds. And it's really the way you say 'selected' that bothers me. Who selected us? And why would they choose..." Diadochi waves his hands as though indicating everything "people with no guarantee to help you? We tried to kill you."
insight 24
((I might change what he says if the rolls give if major TRUTH BOMBS but most likely he says))
"So far you seem on the up and up, I'll pass on your message to my group and we'll see what they say. How would you like me to get the decision back to you?"
He thinks for a second. "I suppose you're right. There isn't a direct way of assuming that the Faith wouldn't necessarily use it. But we have collected relics since coming to this world. You'll simply have to take my word for it. I know there are groups within the Faith that do wish to impose their values on the Loxodon and all of Unity. Some by knowledge and some with war. I myself see no reason for War, or for thinking the current methods of how they practice to be against the core of the teachings."
You certainly recognize the symbol. Several times when you were young, black robed figures with that emblem came to live in the city. A few even stayed with you. Walked beside you. Talked and discussed. Part of a cultural exchange program. A elder Orcish woman once stayed with you all for about five years. Studying and learning. She spent most of her time asking questions than anything else. Others would visit her, get introductions. Some where children, or at least seemed like them. Shared dinners. Kids roaming. Some of the Loxodon youth exchanging over with Ethurian cities to study their own culture and learn stories. Shale, or whoever is behind the mask, could have been one of them. Perhaps a gnome or halfling masquerading as a child, or simply one of the people who came to visit. But it's been over two decades since then.
"Selected. Chosen. I think of it as a stroke of divine providence that someone I knew happened to be here. Fated sounded too important. But why we don't hire Blackmire, well, some jobs are better left to a agent in the field. But yes, I have to trust you all more now. You may try to kill me again, there's risk in that. If your party is interested, meet me tomorrow mid-day." he thinks of a location for a bit. "The mansion on the outskirt of town, I assume it's the leader of this village. Let's meet there."
You feel like he's hedging a bet that you wouldn't openly engage in combat in such a public base, but overall, seems honest enough.
"If you do not show up, I will take that as my answer." Shale shimmers for just a second, "may light guide you," he says in a traditional passage of the Faith before seeming to vanish. That burst of speed causing a bit of wind to flutter about the room.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Morning Comes to everyone...
At the camp, the sounds of shoveling begin early. Mr. Jacobsen, saddened by the death of his horse, along with Ironsides beginning to dig a pit to bury it. Eshe and Mama B discussing something while brewing some coffee over the fire. Sora-ha wandering the perimeter, keeping a eye out on the horizon.
Over at the Blood Raven, the morning is rather lackluster. Some people entering the Inn with a few picked plants, or some coin, exchanging for a hot meal. Mr. Weatherbee isn't down there yet by the time you all wake up (or get woken by Diadochi knocking on doors).
What do you do?
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Diadochi does knock on doors and will have breakfast down at the Blood Raven he'll tell his teammates eating breakfast with him, "some developments have occurred, I want to say when everyone is together and somewhere not so public."
After breakfast he heads over to the caravan. If he finds the others, he'll leave out the parts about his brother, but otherwise tell them everything about the discussion with Shale last night. "If we agree to kill the Hn'ti leader, it'll be a tough fight, maybe we should see if Alul wants to help."
Yaalin scowls at shales news half in annoyance half in hangover.
"So let me get this straight, and you can all chip in to tell if I'm wrong. You want us to go fight the people I wanted to fight but you stopped me from fighting but not hurt anyone but their leader, in order to bring his head to a witch, with none to pleasant motives to get a key that may open a portal to a temple that may have been moved to get the apple for not the people who hired us?"
"I am not sure about the last part. Or the middle part. Or, hells the front part. I dont trust anyone bloody here my personal vote is to go with this plan to the end but not to give shale the apple. I am most certainly a heretic in his and her," she gestures overhead, "eyes and I dont trust they wont use it. I would rather that blame rest on blackmire than me but that's just my opinion."
She swigs some water winding with a headache and awaits the groups decision.
Diadochi clenches his fists "No Yaalin. I WANT TO LEAVE! But we can't. Now that we know what this thing might be if it gets into the wrong hands that's on us. That includes the Iron Church, that includes the strangers we don't know the motives of, even the ones that gave us money.
Please, by all means, bring up how wiping out the whole village was the right idea. I didn't want you to kill an ENTIRE VILLAGE, because, besides reliving the objectivly worst day of my life, The whole reason I'm on this mountain to begin with is to make up for the last Village I wiped out. Everything I'm doing right now is to do enough good that I can earn off my exile and see my family again, if I come back and say 'please let me back, I snuffed another village of all life,' how do you think it's going to go? Even if I was on board, Do you really think We can take on the Hn'Ti Village by ourselves, or do you have a death wish that spread to all of us? Need I remind you, WE ALMOST DIED TO BIRDS? We HAD a simple option, let 5 goblins die, which we killed way more of just getting up there, but we took the way you thought was right, and now we are paying the consequences. I know if you were the only one in charge you'd have given the order to save those goblins. Now we have an option that's and excuse to kill those people you don't like. So from where I'm standing You're the one getting the what you want out of this whole thing. And you have the NERVE to act like a smug adolescent? I'd tell you to grow up but your so old you'll probably die if you did.
Please, come up with a better option, Yaalin. I'll wait. Something tells me, If Shale had discovered a better option he'd have gone for that. So we can go the Orta way, Wait for Shale to get his ritual again. We Know where Shale is going to be we could kill him and leave, and just void the contract, even then Blackmire will send out more people to get the apple, so we have to live up here in the mountains killing everyone that comes looking for the apple for the rest of our lives. Or we wait for Yaalin's amazing other option. From where I'm standing the only way this works is we need get the apple, I don't care how, we kill the great evil that's up there too. Once we get the apple we figure out what it does, and if it's too dangerous for mortal hands we figure out how to destroy it. Failing that we move it to somewhere even more remote and take the secret to our graves."
Once Diadochi reaches the camp Lafetha will tell him about the situation with Alul that happened the night before (also telling the others if they are with Diadochi).
"I'm not sure that Aulu is going to want to help us out after last night. Also, we are already having a hard time finding him. Although, after he killed our horse he changed into a mountain lion. So that was interesting, but seems it will make it harder to find him as he could be anything."
"As for helping out Shale, I'm not sure about all that. I'm not okay with killing the Hn'ti leader. Do you really think that if we attack their leader that the whole village isn't going to try and attack us? We don't have the capacity or the capability to take on an entire village. Bit of the group all agrees then I guess I have to go along. Our mission is still to get the apple."
Abigail listens to Diadochi, Yaalin, and Sim before throwing her own thoughts into the mix. "I like the idea of just ending Shale and calling it a day. From what you said, and from what can be gathered, it seems like there are only two ways to get at the 'apple'. The first is to find a host of willing sacrifices. This option apparently takes a lot of time and effort, and not just anyone is going to be able to do it. Ending Shale would wipe out one of the few people that knows that this is even possible, let alone capable of doing it in any time soon."
"The second option is to get a key from Lady Orta. She is apparently not willing, powerful, or charismatic enough to open it herself, or get others to open it for her; otherwise, she would have likely pursued this route already. If the motivation is to keep the 'apple' out of evil hands, then killing the leader of the Hn'ti, who was able to ward off Alul and who is keen to keep people away from the apple, seems to counter productive. On top of that, it is likely that we would be ending more than just the Hn'ti leader's life pursuing that route - especially if we told Alul about out plan or brought him in to it. I for one, am not keen on being a hired assassin. Will Blackmire get contracted to send a more 'aggressive' team? Perhaps. But there is no guarantee that a more 'aggressive' group would be any more successful."
"If we are going to pursue Lady Orta's key, then we need to ensure that we can be tactical and precise in our methods against the Hn'ti. Alul needs to be left out of the loop, and I am not sure Shale should even be with us either - given his willingness to allow collateral damage."
Taken aback a bit at Diadochis' diatribe, Yaalin throws up her hands
"I get it you want to leave, You think I want to be here either? I took what was supposed to be a simple sigh seeing retrieval job and have turned into a murderer apparently in the eyes of the world. I have NOT and have NEVER wanted to wipe out that village or do you not remember than my ENTIRE clan was butchered before my eyes? I have not once got for an option that was the most destructive. have I killed to defend myself or one of you yes Gods and ancestors damn it I have. As I suggested the last time we stood outside that damned village I wanted to lure the town away and target only the leader whom we know performs blood magic."
She stands from where she has been resting her headache. Knuckles white as she squeezes her fist.
"But please tell me how with what we knew, attempting to get an unknown ritual that was sapping Life force from living beings was wrong. IF you don't remember I went to silence the chanting one and retrieve rune stones that are used to protect the innocent," she gestures at rest, " but sure if you want to leave just do it. If you want me to stay silent and out of the way for others just say it. But, I have a Job to accomplish before I can leave because my HONOR stands on it. Yes, I believe these Hn'ti will be better off without their leader. just as I believe this town would be better off without Orta. and yes I may be wrong but sure blame me and my apparent blood lust for everything up to and including the local wildlife if it makes it so you can look at yourself in the mirror. but until then unless someone has a better option lead on to your new 'friend' and follow his path to whatever redemption you seek.
Sim sits and listens as the discussion of events devoted into a full blown yelling match. Once it dies down and there is that moment where no one is talking and they look sheepish for yelling even though they are still mad Sim stands up and speaks quietly but firmly.
“Stop. You two are two sides of the same coin. You Diadochi trying to redeem yourself from what you did to that village in your misguided youth. You Yaalin trying make sure evil can never again do what was done to your clan. But both afraid their choices in this will lead you back to what you flee. When in reality you both want the same thing. To find honor again.
Yaalin that is why you cling to finding this Apple. I think you fear not completing the contract will be yet another failure in your life but seeking the greatest good will bring you honor beyond your hopes and dreams.
Diadochi, you fear wiping out the village and letting the evil loose as I do. You fear again being the cause of innocent people dying.
I think we find ourselves at a crossroads where instead of pulling apart we need to cling to one another and decide what legacy we want to leave this world. If we want to be heroes then this goes beyond contracts in goes beyond what we fear. The question is what is right?
Each of you must decide for yourselves and if that means leaving then do it but I will not stand by and watch you tear each other apart. “
Diadochi takes a deep breath and speaks slowly, "thank you Sim. Yaalin I'm sorry. I feel I've made it clear that I wanted to leave the mountain. I was not my intention to tell the group what I wanted, but to inform all of you and this new development and come to a conclusion on how to move forward. Your response came off to me as someone presuming to speak for me and ignoring the feelings I've previously stated. Coming from a friend that really hurt. I said somethings that I probably will regret later. If you want to have it out now, go for it. I hope it helps.
I'm also just upset because now that I know how powerful this Apple I have to go after it. We are in Great Grandfather Tylemon territory: if we do nothing evil wins. If it is Starfallen… imagine the Ever-shift but the size of a large country, intelligent, and malicious. We pass the Apple off to someone and they activate it, that's on us. If we do nothing and another team gets into the temple and releases it, that's on us. It's in a room and we watch three evil people go into the room and it gets out… that's on us. We don't get to walk away from this with a clean conscious anymore. Now it might not be that, it could just be a normal magic item if it is no problem. But if it's too powerful for any one person to hold… I'm worried that my honor will compel me to destroy it and your honor will compel you to give it to Blackmire anyway.
I'm not pleased with the option to kill the Hn'ti leadership because it will most probably lead collateral damage. Luring then out would be ideal, unfortunately people at the top tend to delegate, so we'd have to be smart about it.
We could look into a 3rd option we currently don't know about but I assume if there was an easier way into the temple, Shale would have done it instead. We live in a world where … tragedies are far too common. I don't think there will be a morally clean way to get in the temple.
Speaking of Shale if I implied I wanted to work with him I'm sorry for The confusion. If we do work with Shale we will have to kill him before we get to the Apple. We might have to kill him regardless. He's proven he can steal things from us easily in our sleep, and even if we make it to the Caravan, it'll be much easier for him to get it from them than going through the temple."
Diadochi smack his head "Blast it all, with all this excitement I forgot that I also invited Weatherbee to join us. He says he might slow us down so I don't think we can take him now."
The sounds of a footsteps followed by a heavy *thump* echo behind the group at the caravan. A loud cough rings out from behind, as the group had been shouting heatedly discussing.
"Problems?" Mama's voice rings out. She adjusts her footing as her one good eye looks between the group. "Not payin' you all to sit around and complain. Yer gettin paid to head out and delve. Now I don't need yer shoutin making everyone else on edge. Eshe came back a dwarf and now I gotta pay for a horse. Let alone some sick kid." She mutters something under breath. (If anyone speaks dwarven, she's cursing her luck.)
"Now if yer all restin. That's fine. Grab a shovel and make sure that horse gets put in the earth. Or go out 'n hunt. Patrol with Ironsides. Standin' here shoutin can be done at the little tavern. Don't need it here."
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Sim nods at Mama “Let’s get this conversation with Shale over with. Maybe he will submit his mind to the helm so I can be sure of his true intentions. If he can get the Apple and not let the evil out then I’d be more amenable and we can always deal with him later. And if we do let it out may the Shifter watch over our souls.”
Abigail resigns herself to just following along - though she is still rather tempted to just kill Shale on sight.
Diadochi stares at Yaalin, when it becomes apparent she won't speak he says "Right, well I'll be hear if you want to talk." He thinks about saying something to Mama B, thinks better of it, and just waves as he leaves. He goes to the meeting place for Shale, with the others.
Yaalin follows the group to meet shale near the Mayors, Crossing her arms and listening to what he has to say.
The sounds of a flute began to pick up as you all drew closer to the Mayor's. A soft tune. One that wasn't quite in tune with the workers that were tiling and moving through the fields. The halfling Weathersbee out on the Mayor's front porch. The Mayor also outside, talking to a few of the guards that patrolled around. One of them in a 'new' set of armor, thanks to Yaalin.
Weathersbee looks over, giving a small signal of a nod to the group. A few steps away is another figure. Also a halfling, a handsome female standing in black robes with golden thread of the symbol of the faith. The Outfit rather odd for someone of the Faith; their colors being White & Green Trim. Some of the Holy Orders, the Four Pillars, and their groups have their own colors. Black, was not among them. Diadochi, that face. It's familiar. The stories that "Shale" saying about people coming over and staying, studying.
There was a tiny young girl who once visited and stayed for two years. Cora Darkclay. She was young then, but seemed to bond well to your brother. She gives a long look at Diadochi, then the others. The intensity of her gaze, the callus on her feet and knuckles. Bruises healing on her hands, neck and feet. The real face of Shale.
What do you do?
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Lafetha thinks that the colors are odd. She will try to see if she can recall if she has ever seen this before in the Faith with someone in power or why someone would be dressed like this vs how they would normally be dressed.
Arcana 9 or history 5
((Don't know which one to do, so take what you want))
Diadochi approaches, and gives everyone a friendly greeting "Madam Darkclay, so good to see you again. I was giving my team your proposal, I'm not sure if we are at 100% consensus yet but I feel we are close enough that I thought it prudent to come to you so we could hammer out the details.
Weatherbee, it has come to light that our mission on the mountain maybe more time sensitive than we originally anticipated. So if you think you'll show us down we can't take you. However if we come back early we might be amiable to having you hire us out as guides and guards for a limited time, but that's for another day.
Mr. Mayor you must forgive my rudeness, conducting business on your front step like this. I promise you now have my full attention." ((Diadochi is preparing protection fighter on Shale if anyone attacks, but ironically, he isn't expecting Abigail to attack))
After a bit if the back and forth has happened Diadochi will ask them "by the way, how do you all know each other?"