Ashley looks around to all her new friends. There is apparently a lot going on here that she doesn’t understand. Not only does she not have any experience with counsels or governments or any of the like, most of the towns they are talking about she doesn’t know. Talmouth is the one that sounds familiar, because of course, everyone has heard of that town.
As they start focusing on the runes and Malachi mentions about the mining equipment, Ashley shudders with her nightmare memory returning. She refocuses on the staples and looks up to the others, “Why don’t we test some of the theories we talking about on these?”
”Kairem, do you know how Rana and the others are doing at the Inn? If the traveler is still there? If not, a couple of us should at least go and check on them.”
“I’ve not had anyone come through with word of topside in the short time you were fighting. By the way, I’ll say I’m certainly glad you for us and them.” Kairem looks around again at the 30 dead rats of varying sizes. “Why?” they ask, honestly. “What compels you to fight for us broken strangers so?“
As Silas passes his arm over the various items, he slowly and intentionally lowers himself to the ground, holding his head tight between his knees he shushes kairem's questions in silent terror...
“I’ve not had anyone come through with word of topside in the short time you were fighting. By the way, I’ll say I’m certainly glad you for us and them.” Kairem looks around again at the 30 dead rats of varying sizes. “Why?” they ask, honestly. “What compels you to fight for us broken strangers so?“
Joren doesn't know what to say to the intrigue and to the ideas of what to do with the runes on the cultists' bodies. Instead, he attempts to answer Kairem's question as best he can.
"Answering for my friends, I cannot be. But brimming full the world is with broken strangers - not alone, you and the others. Exiled from the Khirian Dynasty being I, though not broken yet. Valuing freedom. Freedom and fairness and my companions and family. These cultists, these slavers - standing against all of that they have, taking it away at every turn. Wanting us to lose hope, despairing. Fighting against them is the only way. Bending to their evil is begetting only more evil. Compelling me to fight them is this need, and protecting those they have wronged and enslaved. Their villainy is speaking for itself. We must be stopping it."
"I have never been... normal." Samir's eyes are focused not on any of the people around him, but instead on the strange collections of items spread out in front of him. "I'm not good with people, not like my parents. Not like so many of the other students at the Academy. I don't understand them. The way their minds work. I understand this. These... things. Logic and mechanics and cause and effect. Order and succession of effects based on balanced triggers and impartment of activation." He stops for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts that perhaps had started to go astray. "But I feel... I know what it's like to not be like everyone else, to be put aside. To be bullied and moved into a position of being a thing of itemized value rather than that of a sentient, living being. Everyone deserves more dignity than that. I'm not a person who can do much to fight those things, normally. But when I can, well, I suppose I will."
Samir shakes his head and fidgets with his glasses for a second, his expression clearly uncomfortable before it washes away and he turns a determined eye to the items below. With one hand he pulls a chair up and seats himself. A leather roll of tools is produced from his ever-present satchel and placed on the desktop, unrolled to reveal a panopoly of delicate seeming implements suited to interacting with small items and parts. "I'm going to sit here for a bit and see if perhaps I can do something with that suggestion. If we can disable the symbols on some of these, then maybe it will work on people too." Soon, he is engrossed in examining the staples with their strange symbols and considering how he might alter them to disable their effects.
With Joren and Samir opening up as to their pasts and their experiences, Silas tries to relax slightly, still keeping his ears covered somewhat which does nothing to stop the buzzing noise drilling deep in his head.
"Ummm I don't mean to interrupt guys, but does anyone know of a tower in the woods? I feel like it's important but nothing is making sense, if we're trying to get all the clues out on the table these visions and voices are... Something" he winces in pain and visibly sweats from his seat on the floor next to the table of goods.
Marion is pleased to hear such a strong and emphatic response from Joren and Samir to Kairem's question, and is about to do likewise herself. However, she instead finds her attention drawn to Silas who appears to be struggling and in pain. Moving to the kneeling Goliath she drops to one knee herself, lowering her head so he can see her face.
"Are you alright Silas? Have you received another vision? You do not look well, perhaps we should get you some water, and somewhere more comfortable to rest?"
"it comes and goes, but it's like swarming hornets in my head sometimes... Does the lady ever talk to you?" Silas eyes Marion for a moment, his hands remaining on his head before he slowly reaches out and is helped up, he will follow Marion, he is hesitant to accept the help offered, and still somewhat guarded.
Marion will be able to tell that he wants the help, wants to talk, but he is not used to asking for it, and not a person who readily admits to themselves or others when help is necessary.
Ashley looks at Joren with concern, she had no idea he was exiled. “Joren, I had no idea, I’m sorry you went through that. I myself? Well shunned is probably a better word? And well, this place, and how you were treated, its beyond wrong and we could not let it alone, its not who we are.” Ashley feels strong enough to talk about the others as a we after all they have been through together. She looks around at all the others with a warmth she hasn’t felt in a long time, it felt so good. “I just hope we’re doing all we can and that you all can get back to living and finding the life you want.”
She notices Marion crouching over by Silas, “Is everything ok? And what’s this about a tower?”
Ashley receives a thumbs up from Silas as he passes, "I just need to calm myself and sort my head out, I'll hopefully have some sensical input soon" he forces a pained smile toward the Genasi, trying to reassure her.
Helping Silas up Marion quickly catches on to his reluctance to accept the help from others, and as Ashley inquires about things she gives a knowing look to the Genasi before she tries her best to deflect from the obvious and steer the focus elsewhere."Thank you Ashley, I'm parched is all. All this fighting and I've hardly had a drink of water, not eaten properly at all. Sir Ennerd would be scowling at me for being so undisciplined with maintaining my strength. Come Silas, perhaps your catch is cooked by now!"
As she leads the Goliath off towards the inn she replies to his question as they walk:"The Lady has spoken to me many times, though never so direct as that which you describe. I see Her in my dreams, I feel Her communion through my senses, or in moments that never really existed at all..."Her voice tails off a little as her thoughts draw back to such moments. It would be plain as day upon her face the reverence and wonder that the young woman holds such moments, and though she is clearly happy to talk openly about them she cannot help but reflect on such a personal experience as she does. "Most often the Azure Queen imparts her wisdom to me subtly, tugging at my senses or speaking to me through allegory. But yesterday She warned me of an impending danger, when we first encountered the rat-beasts in the cellar and I was brought low. I have ne'er felt Her presence so directly, for tis not the Blue Lady's way. She gave to us her great gift, the boon of magic, that we might find our own way. For Her to intervene...tis unheard of since the days before lake rose came to be."
"she sounds distant, but kind. Were you taught that she is the mother of all magic? did you, like... go to blue lady church school or something? do you know how to make the visions and things make sense? I did meditation and stuff before but it wasn't very successful, I was forced to do it with great expectation and pressure on the results" the questions come thick and fast from the Silas as he looks Marion up and down, unable to mask the slight judgement that crosses his face for a split second. His head buzzes once more causing him to flinch in his train of thought.
She seems put together, a complete person who has a goal and a purpose, support and knowledge, but he can't help but wonder what could possibly be wrong, for every good cause and altruistic group, Silas has seen the ulterior motives or redirected attention.
Marion smiles warmly at Silas' description of the Blue Lady, and if she even noticed his scrutiny of her she certainly doesn't show it as she replies, confident in what she says, her belief apparent in every word. "Our Lady is grace given form, Her benevolence knows no bounds, but in Her wisdom She lets us grow on our own. This is why the Azure Lady chose to bestow Her great boon upon us, gifting us with magic and all it's wondrous potential. She sees the possibility in all of us, one can only hope that we manage to achieve it, but none should be forced into anything that is not their own choice. As for school, I learned most of what I know at Lady's Keep, home to the Order of the Blue Rose. I chose to join them when I was but a girl, enlisting as a squire after I had learned about her at home, and having seen ample example of misuse of The Lady's gift from my elder brothers. While I am no expert on visions, they taught me how to understand the Divine Monarch's wisdom, how to utilise Her great gift and channel it into magical effects and spells, but they also taught me why to use it."
As she finishes Marion's expression turns a little more concerned, her thoughts drifting back to the contrasting description of their experiences. "You speak of being forced to understand these visions, that the organisation your father is a member of gave you these gifts? What manner of organisation is it? I pray to the Queen above that you did not suffer when you were bestowed with such power?"
"you chose to be there?... To give your life to an organisation that tells you what to do and how to think, tells you the best way to live your life and expects you to keep their values close?
I was born into mine, most are either born into it or they disappear and end up with us, no one in my organisation technically exists, not legally in Talmouth or the greater Cambria area, meaning we move in the shadows, making decisions and influencing the factors that rule the way people live their lives, all the while driving the money and power towards our own motives, but you'll likely have never heard of the name..." Silas looks around and freezes up in some sort of fear, he then extends his consciousness to Marion, looking her dead in the eyes as his gravelly voice echoes as soft as he can manage in the back of her head "...the Delirius."
He then quickly switches back to vocal communication and continues, "as for suffering, I suffered enough, the required amount to be promoted, and the promotion came with a ritual, something which is kept in place as tradition and hasn't bestowed any actual blessings for centuries, the fact that it connected me with this watcher means that I effectively became this organisations new chosen one.. some were overwhelmed and revered me, some were resentful and any who were outspoken in their distain disappeared, i soon found myself with no more friends, no connections, being safeguarded against the world like some prized pig, and then all of a sudden hunted."
As the two reach the cellar under the Inn Silas stops them going any further, "I've had an idea that I think someone like you could help me with.. but I'm not sure if it will hurt you, or anyone else involved. If I meditate I can secure a connection to this thing in my head, The Watcher... And if someone can see into my mind whilst I do it, I might be able to anchor myself in the moment. Malachi has some skill in thought magics, but I need help meditating."
Listening intently, a look of concern begins to crease across Marion's brow as Silas elaborates on the organisation he was brought up amongst, in particular when she is caught off guard by his telepathic communication of it's name and the obvious paranoia that would drive him not to risk uttering it's name even when they are alone. It is obvious that the name meant nothing to her by her reaction.
"You speak of shadows and influence and a name likely few will ever hear spoken aloud, this troubles me greatly, though not more than tales of suffering by those such as yourself, all to prove what? Strength? Submission? Fear?"She shakes her head, clearly troubled by the revelations about Silas' past. It is apparent that Marion is used to facing difficulties head on and in the open, to even contemplate such an adversary is alien to her and it is unmistakable how it has irritated her sensibilities ."Few good deeds are done cloaked in secrecy, if there was honour in anything they endeavoured towards then why remain hidden? Such methods reek of cowardice surely?"
Remembering herself, and looking a little embarrassed for her remarks, she apologises to Silas. "I am sorry Silas, such statements were uncalled for and I meant no judgement upon thee. You wish help meditating? I learned from my mentor, Sir Ennerd Ulysin, that the secret to meditation is not to try and clear your mind of distractions, but rather to focus on thoughts that make you feel at peace. Tell me, my friend, is there a memory that brings you peace?"
Silas doesn't react to the apparent judgement, maybe it didn't sink in or maybe things like that just don't affect him, It isn't clear to Marion, "the goal was likely something to do with the will of The Watcher, but that will got lost along the way, a long long time ago, or possibly corrupted. Maybe I'm supposed to resurrect the meaning in the organisation... I'm not sure. But as for cowardice, I was always taught that it was easier to influence a situation when no one ever knew that you were part of it. You see, we don't pull strings or place our own people in positions of power, we simply make sure that the right people with ideals aligned with our own are maybe just challenged a little less, or those with opposing ideals either disappear or are embroiled in scandal, or their attention coincidentally averted to a more pressing matter, it's simple once you get used to it"
Silas realises that he's likely sounding overly practical in his explanation and tries to reel himself in a little, "umm, It's not great but like, It's not as bad as it seems, It's erm... effective, I guess, comes in useful sometimes y'know, and its much better than being impoverished, it's really fight for your own survival in the lower districts across Cambria, I don't know if you've experienced it but it's hard to imagine if you haven't lived it."
he backs up a little and gives his head a shake, "I'm sorry, I'm not trying to go for the sympathy vote or anything, and I'm not excusing the fact that terrible things have been done by me and the people I come from, but that's what I know. That's how I survived, and I saw and I knew that I was one of the luckier ones... I used to escape when I was younger, just a kid, I'd climb the secret ladders in the walls of Talmouth's clocktower and climb up the outside of the observation bit, as far up as I could and just sit there for hours looking over the city. No one would come for me there, I wasn't expected to do anything, didn't have to answer to anyone and the whole city was below me, within sight but out of reach, looking down on a city of busy people who couldn't feel my eyes on them. I found peace there. Watching."As he recounts his childhood escape Silas visibly relaxes, his breathing slows steadily and his stiffness and awkwardness leaves him.
Kairem, with Ashley and Malachi a bit ahead of Marion and Silas with a torch that casts enough light back for the two to navigate by, calls back to them quietly, "Be quiet as you come through the cellar. Looks like the others have turned in for the night"
Meanwhile, back in the lab Samir gets his tools laid out on the desk next to the items he had found, and then begins looking through the shelves on the wall to see if he can find anything useful for his endeavour. For the first time in a while, he feels the opportunity to sit down and focus on a project in solitude. Well... relatively. Though Joren says little, the sounds of his armour as he paces and checks and rechecks the prisoners make his presence rather salient.
(Samir give me Investigation check and an Arcana check)
Ashley looks at Joren with concern, she had no idea he was exiled. “Joren, I had no idea, I’m sorry you went through that. I myself? Well shunned is probably a better word? ...”
Joren replies immediately and earnestly to Ashley: "I was sensing as much with you. It is why we were feeling an immediate kinship when setting out on the road from Tibben. Both being cast out by our own people for simply... being ourselves, not doing anything wrong. You - and the others - you can always be counting on me to stand by your side."
He looks on with concern, though not much comprehension, as Silas relates the details of his upbringing and situation. Marion and Samir, he understands a bit more, both so dedicated in their own way, though they are still so different from him. He is worried about Malachi as well, so strong with his mental powers, but being marked by this evil... demigod? And about Kairem and all of the... broken strangers.
We must stand together. I sense this evil will not be resisted or defeated by one man or woman alone. If I must redeem myself, I choose this as my cause, not the arbitrary and tilted standards that some of my countrymen imposed on me when they drove me into exile.
Joren suits action to words, pacing and guarding the area as Samir works. Ensuring that the prisoners are secure, bound, disarmed, gagged and blindfolded. Checking them frequently in their cages. He does take a couple breaks to trot over to the partially-cleared cave-in and re-stack some of the rocks and rubble so that it will take a few minutes and some noise to get through and there will be some warning if another attack comes through the tunnels at least.
Ashley looks up to Joren as he responds to her finally admitting to herself as well as others what truly happened back at the sands. At least in the briefest of terms. He can see she starts to get a bit emotional, but then quickly gets control of it and side shoves her body into his side in an 'ah shucks' type of manor. The heat from her body permeating off of her as she does gives him a quick jolt.
Ashley follows Kairem into the cellar of the Inn, assisting Malachi however she can and looks around. So much has happened since things went to Hell in this basement. She shudders a bit, and heads up the ladder to the others. Searching out Rana if she is still awake, and looking out the windows to see if there is any light of fire or lantern out by where number two was camping.
Ashley looks around to all her new friends. There is apparently a lot going on here that she doesn’t understand. Not only does she not have any experience with counsels or governments or any of the like, most of the towns they are talking about she doesn’t know. Talmouth is the one that sounds familiar, because of course, everyone has heard of that town.
As they start focusing on the runes and Malachi mentions about the mining equipment, Ashley shudders with her nightmare memory returning. She refocuses on the staples and looks up to the others, “Why don’t we test some of the theories we talking about on these?”
”Kairem, do you know how Rana and the others are doing at the Inn? If the traveler is still there? If not, a couple of us should at least go and check on them.”
“I’ve not had anyone come through with word of topside in the short time you were fighting. By the way, I’ll say I’m certainly glad you for us and them.” Kairem looks around again at the 30 dead rats of varying sizes. “Why?” they ask, honestly. “What compels you to fight for us broken strangers so?“
As Silas passes his arm over the various items, he slowly and intentionally lowers himself to the ground, holding his head tight between his knees he shushes kairem's questions in silent terror...
Joren doesn't know what to say to the intrigue and to the ideas of what to do with the runes on the cultists' bodies. Instead, he attempts to answer Kairem's question as best he can.
"Answering for my friends, I cannot be. But brimming full the world is with broken strangers - not alone, you and the others. Exiled from the Khirian Dynasty being I, though not broken yet. Valuing freedom. Freedom and fairness and my companions and family. These cultists, these slavers - standing against all of that they have, taking it away at every turn. Wanting us to lose hope, despairing. Fighting against them is the only way. Bending to their evil is begetting only more evil. Compelling me to fight them is this need, and protecting those they have wronged and enslaved. Their villainy is speaking for itself. We must be stopping it."
Barn(Paladin1):Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4):VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5):Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic system):ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1):Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian (Fighter3):Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia (Sorcerer2):BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1):Culuril's Strixhaven
"I have never been... normal." Samir's eyes are focused not on any of the people around him, but instead on the strange collections of items spread out in front of him. "I'm not good with people, not like my parents. Not like so many of the other students at the Academy. I don't understand them. The way their minds work. I understand this. These... things. Logic and mechanics and cause and effect. Order and succession of effects based on balanced triggers and impartment of activation." He stops for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts that perhaps had started to go astray. "But I feel... I know what it's like to not be like everyone else, to be put aside. To be bullied and moved into a position of being a thing of itemized value rather than that of a sentient, living being. Everyone deserves more dignity than that. I'm not a person who can do much to fight those things, normally. But when I can, well, I suppose I will."
Samir shakes his head and fidgets with his glasses for a second, his expression clearly uncomfortable before it washes away and he turns a determined eye to the items below. With one hand he pulls a chair up and seats himself. A leather roll of tools is produced from his ever-present satchel and placed on the desktop, unrolled to reveal a panopoly of delicate seeming implements suited to interacting with small items and parts. "I'm going to sit here for a bit and see if perhaps I can do something with that suggestion. If we can disable the symbols on some of these, then maybe it will work on people too." Soon, he is engrossed in examining the staples with their strange symbols and considering how he might alter them to disable their effects.
With Joren and Samir opening up as to their pasts and their experiences, Silas tries to relax slightly, still keeping his ears covered somewhat which does nothing to stop the buzzing noise drilling deep in his head.
"Ummm I don't mean to interrupt guys, but does anyone know of a tower in the woods? I feel like it's important but nothing is making sense, if we're trying to get all the clues out on the table these visions and voices are... Something" he winces in pain and visibly sweats from his seat on the floor next to the table of goods.
Marion is pleased to hear such a strong and emphatic response from Joren and Samir to Kairem's question, and is about to do likewise herself. However, she instead finds her attention drawn to Silas who appears to be struggling and in pain. Moving to the kneeling Goliath she drops to one knee herself, lowering her head so he can see her face.
"Are you alright Silas? Have you received another vision? You do not look well, perhaps we should get you some water, and somewhere more comfortable to rest?"
"it comes and goes, but it's like swarming hornets in my head sometimes... Does the lady ever talk to you?" Silas eyes Marion for a moment, his hands remaining on his head before he slowly reaches out and is helped up, he will follow Marion, he is hesitant to accept the help offered, and still somewhat guarded.
Marion will be able to tell that he wants the help, wants to talk, but he is not used to asking for it, and not a person who readily admits to themselves or others when help is necessary.
Ashley looks at Joren with concern, she had no idea he was exiled. “Joren, I had no idea, I’m sorry you went through that. I myself? Well shunned is probably a better word? And well, this place, and how you were treated, its beyond wrong and we could not let it alone, its not who we are.” Ashley feels strong enough to talk about the others as a we after all they have been through together. She looks around at all the others with a warmth she hasn’t felt in a long time, it felt so good. “I just hope we’re doing all we can and that you all can get back to living and finding the life you want.”
She notices Marion crouching over by Silas, “Is everything ok? And what’s this about a tower?”
Ashley receives a thumbs up from Silas as he passes, "I just need to calm myself and sort my head out, I'll hopefully have some sensical input soon" he forces a pained smile toward the Genasi, trying to reassure her.
Helping Silas up Marion quickly catches on to his reluctance to accept the help from others, and as Ashley inquires about things she gives a knowing look to the Genasi before she tries her best to deflect from the obvious and steer the focus elsewhere. "Thank you Ashley, I'm parched is all. All this fighting and I've hardly had a drink of water, not eaten properly at all. Sir Ennerd would be scowling at me for being so undisciplined with maintaining my strength. Come Silas, perhaps your catch is cooked by now!"
As she leads the Goliath off towards the inn she replies to his question as they walk: "The Lady has spoken to me many times, though never so direct as that which you describe. I see Her in my dreams, I feel Her communion through my senses, or in moments that never really existed at all..." Her voice tails off a little as her thoughts draw back to such moments. It would be plain as day upon her face the reverence and wonder that the young woman holds such moments, and though she is clearly happy to talk openly about them she cannot help but reflect on such a personal experience as she does. "Most often the Azure Queen imparts her wisdom to me subtly, tugging at my senses or speaking to me through allegory. But yesterday She warned me of an impending danger, when we first encountered the rat-beasts in the cellar and I was brought low. I have ne'er felt Her presence so directly, for tis not the Blue Lady's way. She gave to us her great gift, the boon of magic, that we might find our own way. For Her to intervene...tis unheard of since the days before lake rose came to be."
"she sounds distant, but kind. Were you taught that she is the mother of all magic? did you, like... go to blue lady church school or something? do you know how to make the visions and things make sense? I did meditation and stuff before but it wasn't very successful, I was forced to do it with great expectation and pressure on the results" the questions come thick and fast from the Silas as he looks Marion up and down, unable to mask the slight judgement that crosses his face for a split second. His head buzzes once more causing him to flinch in his train of thought.
She seems put together, a complete person who has a goal and a purpose, support and knowledge, but he can't help but wonder what could possibly be wrong, for every good cause and altruistic group, Silas has seen the ulterior motives or redirected attention.
Marion smiles warmly at Silas' description of the Blue Lady, and if she even noticed his scrutiny of her she certainly doesn't show it as she replies, confident in what she says, her belief apparent in every word. "Our Lady is grace given form, Her benevolence knows no bounds, but in Her wisdom She lets us grow on our own. This is why the Azure Lady chose to bestow Her great boon upon us, gifting us with magic and all it's wondrous potential. She sees the possibility in all of us, one can only hope that we manage to achieve it, but none should be forced into anything that is not their own choice. As for school, I learned most of what I know at Lady's Keep, home to the Order of the Blue Rose. I chose to join them when I was but a girl, enlisting as a squire after I had learned about her at home, and having seen ample example of misuse of The Lady's gift from my elder brothers. While I am no expert on visions, they taught me how to understand the Divine Monarch's wisdom, how to utilise Her great gift and channel it into magical effects and spells, but they also taught me why to use it."
As she finishes Marion's expression turns a little more concerned, her thoughts drifting back to the contrasting description of their experiences. "You speak of being forced to understand these visions, that the organisation your father is a member of gave you these gifts? What manner of organisation is it? I pray to the Queen above that you did not suffer when you were bestowed with such power?"
"you chose to be there?... To give your life to an organisation that tells you what to do and how to think, tells you the best way to live your life and expects you to keep their values close?
I was born into mine, most are either born into it or they disappear and end up with us, no one in my organisation technically exists, not legally in Talmouth or the greater Cambria area, meaning we move in the shadows, making decisions and influencing the factors that rule the way people live their lives, all the while driving the money and power towards our own motives, but you'll likely have never heard of the name..." Silas looks around and freezes up in some sort of fear, he then extends his consciousness to Marion, looking her dead in the eyes as his gravelly voice echoes as soft as he can manage in the back of her head "...the Delirius."
He then quickly switches back to vocal communication and continues, "as for suffering, I suffered enough, the required amount to be promoted, and the promotion came with a ritual, something which is kept in place as tradition and hasn't bestowed any actual blessings for centuries, the fact that it connected me with this watcher means that I effectively became this organisations new chosen one.. some were overwhelmed and revered me, some were resentful and any who were outspoken in their distain disappeared, i soon found myself with no more friends, no connections, being safeguarded against the world like some prized pig, and then all of a sudden hunted."
As the two reach the cellar under the Inn Silas stops them going any further, "I've had an idea that I think someone like you could help me with.. but I'm not sure if it will hurt you, or anyone else involved. If I meditate I can secure a connection to this thing in my head, The Watcher... And if someone can see into my mind whilst I do it, I might be able to anchor myself in the moment. Malachi has some skill in thought magics, but I need help meditating."
Listening intently, a look of concern begins to crease across Marion's brow as Silas elaborates on the organisation he was brought up amongst, in particular when she is caught off guard by his telepathic communication of it's name and the obvious paranoia that would drive him not to risk uttering it's name even when they are alone. It is obvious that the name meant nothing to her by her reaction.
"You speak of shadows and influence and a name likely few will ever hear spoken aloud, this troubles me greatly, though not more than tales of suffering by those such as yourself, all to prove what? Strength? Submission? Fear?" She shakes her head, clearly troubled by the revelations about Silas' past. It is apparent that Marion is used to facing difficulties head on and in the open, to even contemplate such an adversary is alien to her and it is unmistakable how it has irritated her sensibilities . "Few good deeds are done cloaked in secrecy, if there was honour in anything they endeavoured towards then why remain hidden? Such methods reek of cowardice surely?"
Remembering herself, and looking a little embarrassed for her remarks, she apologises to Silas. "I am sorry Silas, such statements were uncalled for and I meant no judgement upon thee. You wish help meditating? I learned from my mentor, Sir Ennerd Ulysin, that the secret to meditation is not to try and clear your mind of distractions, but rather to focus on thoughts that make you feel at peace. Tell me, my friend, is there a memory that brings you peace?"
Silas doesn't react to the apparent judgement, maybe it didn't sink in or maybe things like that just don't affect him, It isn't clear to Marion, "the goal was likely something to do with the will of The Watcher, but that will got lost along the way, a long long time ago, or possibly corrupted. Maybe I'm supposed to resurrect the meaning in the organisation... I'm not sure.
But as for cowardice, I was always taught that it was easier to influence a situation when no one ever knew that you were part of it.
You see, we don't pull strings or place our own people in positions of power, we simply make sure that the right people with ideals aligned with our own are maybe just challenged a little less, or those with opposing ideals either disappear or are embroiled in scandal, or their attention coincidentally averted to a more pressing matter, it's simple once you get used to it"
Silas realises that he's likely sounding overly practical in his explanation and tries to reel himself in a little, "umm, It's not great but like, It's not as bad as it seems, It's erm... effective, I guess, comes in useful sometimes y'know, and its much better than being impoverished, it's really fight for your own survival in the lower districts across Cambria, I don't know if you've experienced it but it's hard to imagine if you haven't lived it."
he backs up a little and gives his head a shake, "I'm sorry, I'm not trying to go for the sympathy vote or anything, and I'm not excusing the fact that terrible things have been done by me and the people I come from, but that's what I know. That's how I survived, and I saw and I knew that I was one of the luckier ones...
I used to escape when I was younger, just a kid, I'd climb the secret ladders in the walls of Talmouth's clocktower and climb up the outside of the observation bit, as far up as I could and just sit there for hours looking over the city.
No one would come for me there, I wasn't expected to do anything, didn't have to answer to anyone and the whole city was below me, within sight but out of reach, looking down on a city of busy people who couldn't feel my eyes on them. I found peace there. Watching." As he recounts his childhood escape Silas visibly relaxes, his breathing slows steadily and his stiffness and awkwardness leaves him.
Kairem, with Ashley and Malachi a bit ahead of Marion and Silas with a torch that casts enough light back for the two to navigate by, calls back to them quietly, "Be quiet as you come through the cellar. Looks like the others have turned in for the night"
Meanwhile, back in the lab Samir gets his tools laid out on the desk next to the items he had found, and then begins looking through the shelves on the wall to see if he can find anything useful for his endeavour. For the first time in a while, he feels the opportunity to sit down and focus on a project in solitude. Well... relatively. Though Joren says little, the sounds of his armour as he paces and checks and rechecks the prisoners make his presence rather salient.
(Samir give me Investigation check and an Arcana check)
Joren replies immediately and earnestly to Ashley: "I was sensing as much with you. It is why we were feeling an immediate kinship when setting out on the road from Tibben. Both being cast out by our own people for simply... being ourselves, not doing anything wrong. You - and the others - you can always be counting on me to stand by your side."
He looks on with concern, though not much comprehension, as Silas relates the details of his upbringing and situation. Marion and Samir, he understands a bit more, both so dedicated in their own way, though they are still so different from him. He is worried about Malachi as well, so strong with his mental powers, but being marked by this evil... demigod? And about Kairem and all of the... broken strangers.
We must stand together. I sense this evil will not be resisted or defeated by one man or woman alone. If I must redeem myself, I choose this as my cause, not the arbitrary and tilted standards that some of my countrymen imposed on me when they drove me into exile.
Joren suits action to words, pacing and guarding the area as Samir works. Ensuring that the prisoners are secure, bound, disarmed, gagged and blindfolded. Checking them frequently in their cages. He does take a couple breaks to trot over to the partially-cleared cave-in and re-stack some of the rocks and rubble so that it will take a few minutes and some noise to get through and there will be some warning if another attack comes through the tunnels at least.
Barn(Paladin1):Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4):VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5):Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic system):ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1):Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian (Fighter3):Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia (Sorcerer2):BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1):Culuril's Strixhaven
Ashley looks up to Joren as he responds to her finally admitting to herself as well as others what truly happened back at the sands. At least in the briefest of terms. He can see she starts to get a bit emotional, but then quickly gets control of it and side shoves her body into his side in an 'ah shucks' type of manor. The heat from her body permeating off of her as she does gives him a quick jolt.
Ashley follows Kairem into the cellar of the Inn, assisting Malachi however she can and looks around. So much has happened since things went to Hell in this basement. She shudders a bit, and heads up the ladder to the others. Searching out Rana if she is still awake, and looking out the windows to see if there is any light of fire or lantern out by where number two was camping.
Investigation: 14
Arcana: 7