Ereni turns reluctantly from her stony death-stare at Cole. She fails to see why the traitorous entrepreneur should not be directly punished for his misdeeds. If I had done the same back in the Infantry, my death would have been slow and painful.
And yet, wait, did I hear the Thea say that the tower has fallen?
She puts it together that Cole must have told them that and used it as an excuse for his self-serving betrayal. (She hadn't heard Cole say it initially as she had still been in the desert with the orc and the hobgoblin and their horses).
Ereni turns to Stasolya and asks quietly, clearly still seething at Cole: "Our heroic businessman here claimed that the tower has fallen? Did he offer proof, AURYN-bearer? Or just his word of honor? I can try to summon and speak with the Kruthiks, but I may only have the strength to do it once more today, draining the remainder of my natural magic. Before I rush off to the mines to possibly be cut in half by the Kruthik rear-guard as my friend Emmett was, I'd like to know more than just that there is an army coming. When? Will the army be Vader's orcs or others as well? I'm thinking you are more persuasive a questioner than I..."
Stastolya's business-like demeanor falters and grief passes over her face like a storm. "I do not need his proof, because I received the news myself." She grasps the AURYN medallion at her neck both as if it is a lifeline and as if it pains her. "Vader has taken the Ivory Tower. There are others---heroes, like Atreyu said---fighting the forces of Chaos in other parts of Hyboria." She takes a deep breath. "If Vader is in Fantasia, and yet has so large an army set to cross the ocean from the Black Crags through Subternea, his reach has grown long. I cannot tell you the composition of his army and I doubt Mr. Cole was made privy to that information. But you are welcome to ask him whatever you wish. He is, as we might say, a captive audience..."
Her expression pensive, Stastolya takes a couple of steps backwards, letting go of the medallion and fingering the chanter of her pipes as she shifts the bag under her arm. As she closes her lips on the mouthpiece a mournful wail, a dirge-like tune, escapes from the old goat and carries over the desert breezes, back towards the townfolk.
Cinder looks towards the group, her tail wrapped around her leg in an almost nervous gesture. "I don't see us, even with the town's help, stopping an army." she says, uncharacteristically serious for a moment. "We could slow them down, maybe reduce their numbers? But I don't think we can stop them. Not without an army of our own."
She looks back towards the town and the cart full of explosives. "What about leaving a trap for them?" She asks suddenly spinning on her toes back to the group, her usual smile back on her face. "If we set up the explosives in the mines right, and keep them hidden so that Vader's army sets them off, it could cause a cave in and roast the army. But it would also destroy the mine and possibly part of the town," she shrugs, "you win some you lose some."
Hallius Cole watches as his captors discuss how to proceed, breathing a little easier now the Elf lady is no longer staring daggers at him. Daggers and a rather lethal looking arrow.
His gaze periodically shifts to various townsfolk that are now appearing in greater numbers, a buzz of whispers starting as they talk amongst themselves trying to work out what is happening, inching closer warily.
“Exactly!”, Cole says as he chuckles, “Vader’s reach is long indeed, and his army vast. I had no choice but to do as he asks, no-one does. There is no arguing with Vader, no refusing him. His army will come, and it won’t just be the Kruthiks in trouble then. Without me here, without my bargain, what will happen to the townsfolk?”, he adds more seriously as talk turns to the news about the Childlike Empress and the Ivory Tower.
At the talk of destroying the mine, and possibly part of the town, his gaze once again shifts to the townsfolk. If the ladies look around, they see at the moment it seems no-one heard, the dirge-like tune played by Stasolya drowning out Cinder’s words from all but those closest.
Thea has been feeding the Bantha and pensively quiet this whole time while she listens to the others. She looks up when Stasolya asks if she will speak with the townsfolk. Trying to not seem young and small and unsure of herself, her butterflies give away her emotion as they flit about nervously before settling back down again. With wide eyes, she says, “I can certainly try. They will be the most at risk if V- Vader is successful and they need to know what they are up against.” Looking back at Cole she looks much more stern and disgusted. “You made this deal to save your own neck. What assurances did you have for the townsfolk and their safety? You ask what will happen to them without you here but what do you propose you can and will do to keep them safe?” Studying him with her lavender eyes, “Speak the truth Mr. Cole. We need to figure out what to do and I need to know what plan you had outside of running away before I talk to the townsfolk.”
Cole looks down at Thea haughtily from atop the Bantha. His mouth opens as if about to speak, then a frown crosses his face and he shuts it, pausing for a moment.
"Well", he starts before pausing again. "The townsfolk will certainly be better off if Lord Vader is not angered, right? If he hears that the town has prepared for the arrival of his army, I will gain his favour, and that will benefit everyone", he continues with a little more confidence and a firm nod.
He then narrows his eyes at Thea. "Don't you work for me?...Why you...", he says releasing his grip with one hand to point a finger at her, then wobbling slightly and grabbing hold of the bantha two handed again.
Seeing him begin to threaten her, she gives a hooting moo to the Bantha, causing them to rear their head aggressively back toward Cole. Smiling sweetly, she looks at Cole, “Careful Mr. Cole, lest my friend toss you on your behind.” She gives the Bantha loving skritches and another globe cactus to eat. To her new allies, “Does this sound plausible to you all? That Vader might not terrorize this town?” She frowns. “I’m afraid this is all rather beyond my experiences….” She looks a little lost and confused like her memory is foggy.
Stasolya stops playing, and looks at Cole, and then Thea, with astonishment. "Play into Vader's schemes? Rally the town to his side? What are you saying? The sky will go dark before long if the forces of Chaos are given a smooth road. No, Thea, this is not what heroes are for! We each have our small part to play. We cannot do it all. You were not with us when we received our commission, when Atreyu gave us the Ivory Tower's call in Argos, where the Princess Andromeda was taken by a behemoth from the sea. The last unicorn stallion was slain, his alicorn taken by a goblin working for the Lord of Darkness. Today, Vader took the Ivory Tower. The battle is raging fast and far. We are here to find the Princess. It is the Princess, the Empress, and the Last Unicorn who will save Hyboria! The Lord of Darkness will destroy it, from its very foundations! We do not stand with him or his forces--not for anything! We have our task, as others have theirs---if we fulfill it, the world will be saved! There is no other way!"
Her fingers fall from the bagpipe chanter, and she sings softly, a verse she has sung before.
"O spiraled crux of worlds free, Torn from the brow that sheltered thee. In goblin hands the darkness reigns, The Ivory Tower needs a name..."
She nods sadly to Cole. "It seems he has chosen his side... let him make his own case to the townspeople."With that she straightens and turns to face the gathering crowd.
Thea listens, taking in all Stasolya says, falling in line to her leadership. As she speaks, Thea flinches ever so slightly and it’s almost as if the fog clears from her mind, her confusion waning. Rubbing her forehead with one hand, she keeps the other on the Bantha for support. Brushing her hair out of her face, her forehead almost seems to shimmer and she says “You’re right. We leave Cole to the townsfolk and let them determine his and their own fate. And-“ she hesitates looking very young and very uncertain, “- and it would be my honor to join you in trying to save the Princess. If you’ll have me?” Chin up, jaw set, eyes determined, she’s ready to join her fate with this group of amazingly brave women.
Ereni looks utterly disgusted and intensely angry.
"Working with Vader. No remorse. Every solution proposed to 'help' the town happens to be one where he benefits. Far as I'm concerned, he has the standing of a private asking the company mage for Prestidigitation after soiling his own breeches. He can make his case later, not on our time."
She yanks Cole off the bantha brusquely and hogties him with her rope. She then creates a gag by tearing a strip from her own cloak and binds his mouth so she doesn't have to hear his treasonous yapping. She addresses him almost brightly in her laconic drawl.
"We talk in your office, businessman. One of three things is going to happen. Either we find something we can use against Vader. Or my friends will plead with me for your life. Or I shoot you right above the groin. Maybe all three, you never know! Ever seen anyone bleed out from a belly wound? The filth from your guts mixes with your blood and draws out the pain. Happened to my fellow scout. Silent Soren, they called him. Wasn't so silent after that. Screeching in agony, minute after minute. Would have gone on longer but he got lucky. Horse kicked him in the face so he could shut up."
(This is notIntimidation. She means every word she says.)
Cole very visibly rolls his eyes as the ladies talk, before making a noise reminiscent of a startled piglet as Ereni drags him from the bantha and dumps him to the ground with a loud exhalation of breath. He wriggles and struggles but is unable to stop her from tying and gagging him.
The bantha shifts around at the sudden loss of weight and odd sounds, but doesn't move away from Thea, still nuzzling her.
Cole flops sullenly to the floor, looking up at Ereni from behind his gag with more than a modicum of fear, and his eyes widen further as she details exactly what will happen next.
Meanwhile the townsfolk have moved closer. It seems enough have gathered that they are now brave enough to approach. “Here, what’s happening?”, a tall lanky fellow with shaggy brown hair says in a surprisingly gruff voice, motioning to the members of the band and finally pointing at Cole, now bound, trussed and gagged.
The crowd looks up at Stasolya expecting answers as she turns to them.
Malenia keeps her arms folded and watches the events unfold, not one for talking in circles she has already said her peace. She truly believes that Cole should answer for his crimes, but not at their hands. Justice can only be served by the hands of the people he has betrayed for his own personal gain. Of course she cant help but grin at the welp made by the Half orc when Ereni yankk him off his mount, Only when the townsfolk begin to grow bolder and move closer do Malenia finally break her statuesque pose.
Her hands on her hips, she walks to stand beside Stasoyla. Her face as blank as a stone slate, a stare devoid of emotion. Meant to disuade any possible 'Heros' from freeing the very person they should be judging.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
Stasolya turns to face the townspeople. "O friends, hear the tragedy that has befallen Jappiter." Leaving the bagpipes silent at her side, the centaur raises her voice in song.
"A small proud town he worketh for, Of gems and stones none else had more, Til Vader dark and menancing Held fell orc blade to Cole's fond dream.
He thinks the war is soonly lost, Chaos will rake the terrible cost. Hyboria fractured, turned about Forgetting the grain of sand without.
Across the land, O day of wrath! O day of sorrow and bloodbath! The Ivory Tower thrown to ground, The Labyrinth conquered all around.
Black lies of Vader took from Cole His livelihood, his gems and gold To forge a tunnel under the sea, An army of night from which to flee.
But once Fantasia did not live, All darkness, naught, it seemed to give. The Empress White and Fair besought A mortal child alone and wrought.
The hopes and dreams within your hearts Will the future of Triforce restart. Though maelstrom deep and Apex fierce, The veil of sadness and nothing pierce.
When all is gone, adrift, and silent, The one for whom are our hearts are meant Holds out her hand into the quiet, And Hyboria, anew, ascends..."
There is silence for a moment as the townsfolk stand enraptured by Stasolya’s song, after which there are mutterings among the assembled townsfolk. They hear phrases like “beautiful voice” and “tear to my eye”, before a loud voice breaks through.
“T’is all well an good, but what you meaning? What’s Vader to do with the likes of Jappiter?”.
It is followed by another voice, a little higher pitched and nervous sounding, “Aye, and Cole there pays most our wages?”.
The townsman who originally spoke leans down to an older teenage looking boy, “Bilson me boy, run an get Mayor Thorin, an any watch ye find”.
“Will do, Jedik”, Bilson replies, backing up the first few feet as if not wanting to miss anything, before turning and scurrying off towards the Mayors office.
“You found someit in them mines, din’t you? More an Kruthik’s. When ye went to clear em out? Speak plain”, he says after turning back to the band members.
(OOC: For those with passive Insight of 12 or over):
There is no aggressiveness to the crowd, the townsfolk just look confused and seem to want answers. You suspect they mainly want to know what will happen to the mine and their prospects.
Ereni pauses in the midst of hauling Cole to his office. (Passive Insight 16).
"Cole here is the reason the Kruthiks came up near the surface and your mine shut down," she growls. She looks around making sure that sinks in.
"He ordered digging the mine down far, far deeper than he had any right, down into the Kruthiks' home tunnels, stealing their stones. But he's worse than just a common gem thief or a rabid gopher this one." She grabs Cole by the hair. "What my centaur friend is singing so pretty about in her hymn, well part of it anyway, is that Cole made a deal with Vader. Like a greedy piglet making a deal with a Kraken and thinking he got the best of it. Cole was proud of it and bragging. He's digging part of Vader's tunnel for him and using your mine to do it. So that Vader can bring his orcs," Ereni spits on the ground, "... his army of orcs under the sea from Fantasia to Hylia. To your doorstep. All this thanks to Cole."
She pauses again and looks around. She thinks of the orc and the hobgoblin and the horses dead in the desert. Blood in the sand.
"And when we caught him he fled like the turncoat he is on his bantha before my lady of butterflies charmed the beast back. We need to learn Cole's plans and block Vader's tunnel if we can, then you can have what's left of him. But more fool you if you think Vader will ever honor Cole's deal. I've seen with my own eyes what Vader's army does to a land. To the people. Trust in the empress... and the princesses, not in this traitorous piglet."
She turns and continues dragging Cole (still gagged) to his office.
And here I thought I was free of Vader and his orcs for good... Emmett truly was the lucky one, dying so quick.
There are gasps from the assembled townsfolk as Ereni spells out exactly what Hallius Cole has been up to, and why the mine had to shut.
More angry shouts can be heard now. "You treacherous snake!" and "You sold us out!" amongst other more colourful phrases.
As Ereni drags Cole behind her to his office, his cries muffled by the gag over his mouth, the last thing she hears before she kicks open the door is Jedik.
"Ye make sure there is someit left o'him. We have our own ways of dealing with those that wrong us!", Jedik calls out.
As Ereni steps inside the office of Hallius Cole, she can immediately see a dark wooden desk opposite her, covered in papers with a mug of something still steaming a little atop it. The chair on the other side has fallen onto the floor a short way away. The light streaming in the window illuminates maps of the mines on the walls, and underneath a chest of drawers made from the same dark wood as the desk. In the corner at the back, just beyond the desk can be seen a not inconsiderably sized safe.
Thea, who had tried to disappear next to the Bantha while the grown ups were talking (they’re all so eloquent and worldly!), watches Ereni drag Cole off to his office. She motions to the Bantha to walk with her and follows them there. She’s still at a loss what to do but she’s hopping mad for the townspeople and worried for their safety. Getting to the office building, she pats the Bantha and gives them one more globe cactus and asks them to wait there for her and goes inside after Ereni.
Cinder follows the group into Cole's office, content to let the others handle any interrogating. Instead she wanders through the office, riffling through Cole's belongings searching for anything interesting.
Once in Cole's office, Ereni waits for the Thea, Cinder and any others who wish to enter, leaving the door open.
She removes his makeshift gag, but leaves the businessman hogtied, dumping him on the floor unceremoniously (not hurting him, but clearly not caring).
"Your time to shine, Cole. Was a line mage in another unit, Mors. 'Mors the Magnificent' he called himself for his cleverness. Got caught selling our troop movement plans to Vader's orcs and bragged about it to the wrong person. Real smart fellow and could talk your ear off. True, his voice got a mite more shrill after they covered his balls with meat and honey and let the rats at him, legs splayed and naked, but still clever with his plans, right?"
She gazes at Cole unblinking, drawling in a deadpan: "So. You were talking of your deal with Vader. We're in your office. Where's the evidence? You being clever and all. Or was that just a funny story and you're useless after all? Then I'll just leave you to the mercy of the townsfolk. Though my friends might have to talk me out of making a few... small cuts first. No rats to the balls like with Mors, just hands, tongue, you know..."
Ereni turns reluctantly from her stony death-stare at Cole. She fails to see why the traitorous entrepreneur should not be directly punished for his misdeeds. If I had done the same back in the Infantry, my death would have been slow and painful.
And yet, wait, did I hear the Thea say that the tower has fallen?
She puts it together that Cole must have told them that and used it as an excuse for his self-serving betrayal. (She hadn't heard Cole say it initially as she had still been in the desert with the orc and the hobgoblin and their horses).
Ereni turns to Stasolya and asks quietly, clearly still seething at Cole:
"Our heroic businessman here claimed that the tower has fallen? Did he offer proof, AURYN-bearer? Or just his word of honor? I can try to summon and speak with the Kruthiks, but I may only have the strength to do it once more today, draining the remainder of my natural magic. Before I rush off to the mines to possibly be cut in half by the Kruthik rear-guard as my friend Emmett was, I'd like to know more than just that there is an army coming. When? Will the army be Vader's orcs or others as well? I'm thinking you are more persuasive a questioner than I..."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Stastolya's business-like demeanor falters and grief passes over her face like a storm. "I do not need his proof, because I received the news myself." She grasps the AURYN medallion at her neck both as if it is a lifeline and as if it pains her. "Vader has taken the Ivory Tower. There are others---heroes, like Atreyu said---fighting the forces of Chaos in other parts of Hyboria." She takes a deep breath. "If Vader is in Fantasia, and yet has so large an army set to cross the ocean from the Black Crags through Subternea, his reach has grown long. I cannot tell you the composition of his army and I doubt Mr. Cole was made privy to that information. But you are welcome to ask him whatever you wish. He is, as we might say, a captive audience..."
Her expression pensive, Stastolya takes a couple of steps backwards, letting go of the medallion and fingering the chanter of her pipes as she shifts the bag under her arm. As she closes her lips on the mouthpiece a mournful wail, a dirge-like tune, escapes from the old goat and carries over the desert breezes, back towards the townfolk.
Cinder looks towards the group, her tail wrapped around her leg in an almost nervous gesture. "I don't see us, even with the town's help, stopping an army." she says, uncharacteristically serious for a moment. "We could slow them down, maybe reduce their numbers? But I don't think we can stop them. Not without an army of our own."
She looks back towards the town and the cart full of explosives. "What about leaving a trap for them?" She asks suddenly spinning on her toes back to the group, her usual smile back on her face. "If we set up the explosives in the mines right, and keep them hidden so that Vader's army sets them off, it could cause a cave in and roast the army. But it would also destroy the mine and possibly part of the town," she shrugs, "you win some you lose some."
Hallius Cole watches as his captors discuss how to proceed, breathing a little easier now the Elf lady is no longer staring daggers at him. Daggers and a rather lethal looking arrow.
His gaze periodically shifts to various townsfolk that are now appearing in greater numbers, a buzz of whispers starting as they talk amongst themselves trying to work out what is happening, inching closer warily.
“Exactly!”, Cole says as he chuckles, “Vader’s reach is long indeed, and his army vast. I had no choice but to do as he asks, no-one does. There is no arguing with Vader, no refusing him. His army will come, and it won’t just be the Kruthiks in trouble then. Without me here, without my bargain, what will happen to the townsfolk?”, he adds more seriously as talk turns to the news about the Childlike Empress and the Ivory Tower.
At the talk of destroying the mine, and possibly part of the town, his gaze once again shifts to the townsfolk. If the ladies look around, they see at the moment it seems no-one heard, the dirge-like tune played by Stasolya drowning out Cinder’s words from all but those closest.
Thea has been feeding the Bantha and pensively quiet this whole time while she listens to the others. She looks up when Stasolya asks if she will speak with the townsfolk. Trying to not seem young and small and unsure of herself, her butterflies give away her emotion as they flit about nervously before settling back down again. With wide eyes, she says, “I can certainly try. They will be the most at risk if V- Vader is successful and they need to know what they are up against.” Looking back at Cole she looks much more stern and disgusted. “You made this deal to save your own neck. What assurances did you have for the townsfolk and their safety? You ask what will happen to them without you here but what do you propose you can and will do to keep them safe?” Studying him with her lavender eyes, “Speak the truth Mr. Cole. We need to figure out what to do and I need to know what plan you had outside of running away before I talk to the townsfolk.”
Cole looks down at Thea haughtily from atop the Bantha. His mouth opens as if about to speak, then a frown crosses his face and he shuts it, pausing for a moment.
"Well", he starts before pausing again. "The townsfolk will certainly be better off if Lord Vader is not angered, right? If he hears that the town has prepared for the arrival of his army, I will gain his favour, and that will benefit everyone", he continues with a little more confidence and a firm nod.
He then narrows his eyes at Thea. "Don't you work for me?...Why you...", he says releasing his grip with one hand to point a finger at her, then wobbling slightly and grabbing hold of the bantha two handed again.
Seeing him begin to threaten her, she gives a hooting moo to the Bantha, causing them to rear their head aggressively back toward Cole. Smiling sweetly, she looks at Cole, “Careful Mr. Cole, lest my friend toss you on your behind.” She gives the Bantha loving skritches and another globe cactus to eat. To her new allies, “Does this sound plausible to you all? That Vader might not terrorize this town?” She frowns. “I’m afraid this is all rather beyond my experiences….” She looks a little lost and confused like her memory is foggy.
Stasolya stops playing, and looks at Cole, and then Thea, with astonishment. "Play into Vader's schemes? Rally the town to his side? What are you saying? The sky will go dark before long if the forces of Chaos are given a smooth road. No, Thea, this is not what heroes are for! We each have our small part to play. We cannot do it all. You were not with us when we received our commission, when Atreyu gave us the Ivory Tower's call in Argos, where the Princess Andromeda was taken by a behemoth from the sea. The last unicorn stallion was slain, his alicorn taken by a goblin working for the Lord of Darkness. Today, Vader took the Ivory Tower. The battle is raging fast and far. We are here to find the Princess. It is the Princess, the Empress, and the Last Unicorn who will save Hyboria! The Lord of Darkness will destroy it, from its very foundations! We do not stand with him or his forces--not for anything! We have our task, as others have theirs---if we fulfill it, the world will be saved! There is no other way!"
Her fingers fall from the bagpipe chanter, and she sings softly, a verse she has sung before.
"O spiraled crux of worlds free,
Torn from the brow that sheltered thee.
In goblin hands the darkness reigns,
The Ivory Tower needs a name..."
She nods sadly to Cole. "It seems he has chosen his side... let him make his own case to the townspeople." With that she straightens and turns to face the gathering crowd.
Thea listens, taking in all Stasolya says, falling in line to her leadership. As she speaks, Thea flinches ever so slightly and it’s almost as if the fog clears from her mind, her confusion waning. Rubbing her forehead with one hand, she keeps the other on the Bantha for support. Brushing her hair out of her face, her forehead almost seems to shimmer and she says “You’re right. We leave Cole to the townsfolk and let them determine his and their own fate. And-“ she hesitates looking very young and very uncertain, “- and it would be my honor to join you in trying to save the Princess. If you’ll have me?” Chin up, jaw set, eyes determined, she’s ready to join her fate with this group of amazingly brave women.
Ereni looks utterly disgusted and intensely angry.
"Working with Vader. No remorse. Every solution proposed to 'help' the town happens to be one where he benefits. Far as I'm concerned, he has the standing of a private asking the company mage for Prestidigitation after soiling his own breeches. He can make his case later, not on our time."
She yanks Cole off the bantha brusquely and hogties him with her rope. She then creates a gag by tearing a strip from her own cloak and binds his mouth so she doesn't have to hear his treasonous yapping. She addresses him almost brightly in her laconic drawl.
"We talk in your office, businessman. One of three things is going to happen. Either we find something we can use against Vader. Or my friends will plead with me for your life. Or I shoot you right above the groin. Maybe all three, you never know! Ever seen anyone bleed out from a belly wound? The filth from your guts mixes with your blood and draws out the pain. Happened to my fellow scout. Silent Soren, they called him. Wasn't so silent after that. Screeching in agony, minute after minute. Would have gone on longer but he got lucky. Horse kicked him in the face so he could shut up."
(This is not Intimidation. She means every word she says.)
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Cole very visibly rolls his eyes as the ladies talk, before making a noise reminiscent of a startled piglet as Ereni drags him from the bantha and dumps him to the ground with a loud exhalation of breath. He wriggles and struggles but is unable to stop her from tying and gagging him.
The bantha shifts around at the sudden loss of weight and odd sounds, but doesn't move away from Thea, still nuzzling her.
Cole flops sullenly to the floor, looking up at Ereni from behind his gag with more than a modicum of fear, and his eyes widen further as she details exactly what will happen next.
Meanwhile the townsfolk have moved closer. It seems enough have gathered that they are now brave enough to approach. “Here, what’s happening?”, a tall lanky fellow with shaggy brown hair says in a surprisingly gruff voice, motioning to the members of the band and finally pointing at Cole, now bound, trussed and gagged.
The crowd looks up at Stasolya expecting answers as she turns to them.
Malenia keeps her arms folded and watches the events unfold, not one for talking in circles she has already said her peace. She truly believes that Cole should answer for his crimes, but not at their hands. Justice can only be served by the hands of the people he has betrayed for his own personal gain. Of course she cant help but grin at the welp made by the Half orc when Ereni yankk him off his mount, Only when the townsfolk begin to grow bolder and move closer do Malenia finally break her statuesque pose.
Her hands on her hips, she walks to stand beside Stasoyla. Her face as blank as a stone slate, a stare devoid of emotion. Meant to disuade any possible 'Heros' from freeing the very person they should be judging.
Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
Stasolya turns to face the townspeople. "O friends, hear the tragedy that has befallen Jappiter." Leaving the bagpipes silent at her side, the centaur raises her voice in song.
"A small proud town he worketh for,
Of gems and stones none else had more,
Til Vader dark and menancing
Held fell orc blade to Cole's fond dream.
He thinks the war is soonly lost,
Chaos will rake the terrible cost.
Hyboria fractured, turned about
Forgetting the grain of sand without.
Across the land, O day of wrath!
O day of sorrow and bloodbath!
The Ivory Tower thrown to ground,
The Labyrinth conquered all around.
Black lies of Vader took from Cole
His livelihood, his gems and gold
To forge a tunnel under the sea,
An army of night from which to flee.
But once Fantasia did not live,
All darkness, naught, it seemed to give.
The Empress White and Fair besought
A mortal child alone and wrought.
The hopes and dreams within your hearts
Will the future of Triforce restart.
Though maelstrom deep and Apex fierce,
The veil of sadness and nothing pierce.
When all is gone, adrift, and silent,
The one for whom are our hearts are meant
Holds out her hand into the quiet,
And Hyboria, anew, ascends..."
There is silence for a moment as the townsfolk stand enraptured by Stasolya’s song, after which there are mutterings among the assembled townsfolk. They hear phrases like “beautiful voice” and “tear to my eye”, before a loud voice breaks through.
“T’is all well an good, but what you meaning? What’s Vader to do with the likes of Jappiter?”.
It is followed by another voice, a little higher pitched and nervous sounding, “Aye, and Cole there pays most our wages?”.
The townsman who originally spoke leans down to an older teenage looking boy, “Bilson me boy, run an get Mayor Thorin, an any watch ye find”.
“Will do, Jedik”, Bilson replies, backing up the first few feet as if not wanting to miss anything, before turning and scurrying off towards the Mayors office.
“You found someit in them mines, din’t you? More an Kruthik’s. When ye went to clear em out? Speak plain”, he says after turning back to the band members.
(OOC: For those with passive Insight of 12 or over):
There is no aggressiveness to the crowd, the townsfolk just look confused and seem to want answers. You suspect they mainly want to know what will happen to the mine and their prospects.
Ereni pauses in the midst of hauling Cole to his office. (Passive Insight 16).
"Cole here is the reason the Kruthiks came up near the surface and your mine shut down," she growls. She looks around making sure that sinks in.
"He ordered digging the mine down far, far deeper than he had any right, down into the Kruthiks' home tunnels, stealing their stones. But he's worse than just a common gem thief or a rabid gopher this one." She grabs Cole by the hair. "What my centaur friend is singing so pretty about in her hymn, well part of it anyway, is that Cole made a deal with Vader. Like a greedy piglet making a deal with a Kraken and thinking he got the best of it. Cole was proud of it and bragging. He's digging part of Vader's tunnel for him and using your mine to do it. So that Vader can bring his orcs," Ereni spits on the ground, "... his army of orcs under the sea from Fantasia to Hylia. To your doorstep. All this thanks to Cole."
She pauses again and looks around. She thinks of the orc and the hobgoblin and the horses dead in the desert. Blood in the sand.
"And when we caught him he fled like the turncoat he is on his bantha before my lady of butterflies charmed the beast back. We need to learn Cole's plans and block Vader's tunnel if we can, then you can have what's left of him. But more fool you if you think Vader will ever honor Cole's deal. I've seen with my own eyes what Vader's army does to a land. To the people. Trust in the empress... and the princesses, not in this traitorous piglet."
She turns and continues dragging Cole (still gagged) to his office.
And here I thought I was free of Vader and his orcs for good... Emmett truly was the lucky one, dying so quick.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
There are gasps from the assembled townsfolk as Ereni spells out exactly what Hallius Cole has been up to, and why the mine had to shut.
More angry shouts can be heard now. "You treacherous snake!" and "You sold us out!" amongst other more colourful phrases.
As Ereni drags Cole behind her to his office, his cries muffled by the gag over his mouth, the last thing she hears before she kicks open the door is Jedik.
"Ye make sure there is someit left o'him. We have our own ways of dealing with those that wrong us!", Jedik calls out.
As Ereni steps inside the office of Hallius Cole, she can immediately see a dark wooden desk opposite her, covered in papers with a mug of something still steaming a little atop it. The chair on the other side has fallen onto the floor a short way away. The light streaming in the window illuminates maps of the mines on the walls, and underneath a chest of drawers made from the same dark wood as the desk. In the corner at the back, just beyond the desk can be seen a not inconsiderably sized safe.
Thea, who had tried to disappear next to the Bantha while the grown ups were talking (they’re all so eloquent and worldly!), watches Ereni drag Cole off to his office. She motions to the Bantha to walk with her and follows them there. She’s still at a loss what to do but she’s hopping mad for the townspeople and worried for their safety. Getting to the office building, she pats the Bantha and gives them one more globe cactus and asks them to wait there for her and goes inside after Ereni.
Cinder follows the group into Cole's office, content to let the others handle any interrogating. Instead she wanders through the office, riffling through Cole's belongings searching for anything interesting.
Thea would help Cinder just in case her time working for Cole would help her identify anything relevant or helpful.
Once in Cole's office, Ereni waits for the Thea, Cinder and any others who wish to enter, leaving the door open.
She removes his makeshift gag, but leaves the businessman hogtied, dumping him on the floor unceremoniously (not hurting him, but clearly not caring).
"Your time to shine, Cole. Was a line mage in another unit, Mors. 'Mors the Magnificent' he called himself for his cleverness. Got caught selling our troop movement plans to Vader's orcs and bragged about it to the wrong person. Real smart fellow and could talk your ear off. True, his voice got a mite more shrill after they covered his balls with meat and honey and let the rats at him, legs splayed and naked, but still clever with his plans, right?"
She gazes at Cole unblinking, drawling in a deadpan: "So. You were talking of your deal with Vader. We're in your office. Where's the evidence? You being clever and all. Or was that just a funny story and you're useless after all? Then I'll just leave you to the mercy of the townsfolk. Though my friends might have to talk me out of making a few... small cuts first. No rats to the balls like with Mors, just hands, tongue, you know..."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk