"Not a bad thought to have a contingency. But can planning for the worst not become a self fulfilling prophecy?", he asks.
"I mean, I know you said you would do things differently already anyway. We had all that time on the way to plan and strategise, and then we all did something differently. Acted as individuals to the point of sabotaging ourselves as a group. I kind of blame myself a little for goading you back then in front of Vinghov. He hit a nerve by talking down to me, and I guess you did a little too. It was juvenile of me and I regret it, especially if it had any part in your decision to leave. So I just wanted you to know, I am sorry".
"Indeed it seems planning for the worst is starting to become the norm for our little band....Thank you Vin. It is not your fault. Sometime we let people get to us and we react. Learning from our mistakes, making things right, and apologizing is a sign of growth that you have learned at such an early age where others much older would rather act the fool...." Muir not subtle at all looks back to the throne room. "I'd like to ask you something to see if it is me or if you too have noticed..... " Muir thinks for a moment on the phrasing not wanting to lead Vin to an answer "Since we met with Morris the second time and all received a boon from them, have you noticed any sorts of change?"
"A change? I am not sure what you mean. But I have been a bit pre-occupied in the time since then", Vin replies a little cryptically. "I expect to you and the others, I might have changed because of that".
“Perhaps I can be a little more specific…I didn’t want to lead you to my own thoughts but….ah perhaps you’re not the best to ask since you yourself have changed on this trip due to your….rebirth….Maybe it’s just in my head”
“Uh well….the group has changed…..Sam has become more ornery, paranoid and played the fool a little too well if you catch what I’m saying, Gewyn even more tight lipped, Elthana’s nightmares are worse which is understandable given the circumstances but even she’s more clamped up, and overall the group is even less trusting and cohesive.”
Vin reaches up and puts a hand on Muir's shoulder.
"What are you suggesting, Muir? That there is something sinister in that? I mean, an awful lot has happened to us. We've gone from being the Peacekeeper's of Northmorrah to traveller's between planes to the centre of a plot to wipe out all life. And each one of us has changed in some way along the journey. Sam seems to have strange new abilities. That must be confusing to him. Gewyn is the descendant to an Arch Fae. Quite the responsiblity. Elthana seems inextricably linked with the biggest of bads. I died and you had to bring me back!".
"You like to use knowledge and logic to piece things together, and all around you everything is becoming more complex and the more you learn the more you find you don't know. And without knowing we can't succeed. I mean, that must make you crazy!".
He sighs, "I guess what I am trying to say is that we are all still who we are underneath. Just moulded by experiences both good and bad. You think Sam is paranoid, but perhaps he is just reacting the same as you are. You are very different in a lot of ways to him, but in a few you are very similar. Especially when it comes to having a stubborn side".
He chuckles a bit at the last.
"I hope Sam sees sense and joins us. We all have secrets, or more accurately things we are maybe not ready to talk about just yet. We just need to be open with each other about that, and maybe we can heal what has been broken".
"That is all is true but my worrying comes from the things not being shared where Sam's came from his dislike of my questions...but that's neither here nor there....You are correct that my not knowing things or more so my teammates keeping things that could very well aid in all of this gets to me. Truthfully there is only 1 thing I have not shared with the group because I fear what would happen to me and you all if I told you. Elthana knows the secret because she snuck up on me and witnessed it. This secret has not, however, diverted me from any of our plans....That I entrust you with Vincent. Hopefully you see this as my trying to be as open as possible. If we survive this, which twice now I have come close to not surviving and you once, this group can sit and air its grievances....I hear families do this sort of thing" Muir says questioningly
“All of us it seems except Sam….oddly enough…although when I asked him about his parents he answered with a non answer….as always” Muir says still harboring some anger over what’s transpired.
The pink mist surrounding Sam doesn't dissipate as much as withdraws itself within him after a minute or so, shenoh sits looking at the half orc with confusion, though as he seemingly isn't casting a spell and is not yelling threats or insults she remains seated and generally nonchalant. When Sam's senses return to him, she leans forward with interest but asks nothing.
After an awkward moment of silence he turns on his heel and walks back towards the exit. Once he reaches others (I think Gewyn is only one this side of the doors?) he says "Let's get this done," and opens the doors and exits.
As the potential conflict seems to have relinquished for the moment, Sol starts to follow Sam towards the exit. As he gets there, he holds the door open, gesturing for Gewyn to follow through. Assuming the tiefling does, he turns to Shenoh, deeply bows then turns and follows the group out of the throne room.
"Transport to the city. That is first on the agenda." Seeing that Vin and Muir appear to be in conversation, he says this loud enough to be well heard with an urgency that he hopes conveys action. He walks past the pair and starts to lead the group away from the area. After several steps, he does look behind him to confirm the rest are in fact coming and not attempting another squabble.
"Vin, um, may I call you Vin?" he starts in as he continues to walk, letting the young man catch up with him. "You asked me what I thought the Mornlyft was for. Well, it was designed by Mori to be a fast acting and painless euthanasia agent. As I'm sure you realize, it isn't like we can bury our dead here within the hard crystal and relieving ourselves of the dead can be quite an issue at times. There are no graveyards, no place for people to visit their loved ones, so it is just more of a removal process. Please excuse my harshness, I mean nothing about it, just these are the facts. So normally bodies are burnt and sent into the vast where decay can collect their bodies for the next cycle of life. For those we love we continue to do this, elementals and air spirits are born in the vast and said to be part of this cycle as well. So in order to keep cultists bodies from this cycle of life, we instead preserved them and sent them to Vox Tontritor, in the hopes that the cultists sympathetic to nectyran wouldn't join the cycle, corrupting it and end up bringing forth nectyran himself to Thaeir."
He swallows hard after this, you can tell that this has been an explanation that either was drilled into him or he has explained several times over. "Obviously, we know differently now and will make changes immediately."
Vin does follow after Sol, and listens to the explanation of the use of Mornlyf and sending of corpses to Vox Tontritor.
"You're one of three advisors to Shenoh, so you must be a clever person. Parroting, you have parrots here I assume? Repeating this story does not do your intelligence justice. We know that perfectly preserved corpses were paid for, in fact killing with Mornlyf was very lucrative by all accounts. It makes no sense to want them perfectly preserved if it was all about a removal process. That can't have been lost on you, and I asked what you think, not what you were told", he replies matter of factly as they walk.
Muir follows along and listens in to Vin's line of questioning. Muir can't help but feel proud of Vin at his line of questioning. A smile crosses Muir's face as he walks with them.
As Sol leads the group down the large corridors and towards the core's own stabling area to acquire transport to the factory. There seems to be a little more hustle and bustle several more guards rushing here and there each of distinct markings adorning their armour. It seems the lieutenants have arrived and are assembling for shenoh's orders fir mobilisation.
In nearly every corner, every intersection, Ingram's griffon mounted, goliath forces are stopping people and shining lantern lights over them, other can be seen here and there entering different rooms two by two searching the core from top to bottom. If Mori is still here, it is likely she will be found soon.
As vin asks Sol the burning questions, Griff clears his throat and hesitantly clicks hi beak before saying, "I am also being guilty of following these orders, for being playing my part in the terrible oppression and genocide against the kobolds... Akiin is not being a singularly military isle either, I am just happening to be born into military family and taking on family expectation... Not to be excusing the evil we have being doing, but it is generational too, we are being taught the history of our realm from young age, teachings of trust in a giant sorceress who's mighty feats are being the reason we all are living today. If she is saying kobolds are being evil and must be sending bodies to her then it is being like told truths by a god... I is not excusing the evil, perhaps it is different cultures, perhaps you are learning on you plane to be questioning god's... All I am knowing is that my eyes were opening when we visited the shattered isle. Those peoples, they are not evil, they are just like us, better even. Being more moral."
Ömertyr hovers along next to Sam, and begins asking him things in giant.
"I do understand, Griff. And I am only asking these questions to better understand how Nivara has been working. You are a solider, you take orders. Sol here is an advisor, taught to think from differing view points. This 'yes man' and 'no man' idea Shenoh spoke of. Someone whose job it is to question what they are told. As was Vinghov I expect. Even if he never voiced those doubts, I would be surprised if there were none", Vin retorts.
"I am merely trying to ascertain whether anyone ever questioned Mori. And if they did, if it was quashed and by whom. Mori may not have been working alone after all".
Sam trudges on without complaint or commentary. Eyes forward at all times it’s unclear if Sam is following Vin’s conversation or not or paying attention to the extra troops and their activities. When asked, Sam answers Ömertyr in the Giant tongue but it’s clear to even non- speakers that Sam’s answers are short. Quiet. Bland.
“With an infiltration as bold as Mori’s, I would fain be surprised if she had tricks up her sleeve to make people a little more compliant and a little less questioning. It doesn’t take a great deal. A simple prestidigitation spell, for example, common enough, can easily be used to disguise the taste of an intoxicating agent in a drink. However, beyond that, the Sol we are seeing is far more experienced than the one who first met Mori those many years ago.”
Vin looks to Muir with understanding.
"Not a bad thought to have a contingency. But can planning for the worst not become a self fulfilling prophecy?", he asks.
"I mean, I know you said you would do things differently already anyway. We had all that time on the way to plan and strategise, and then we all did something differently. Acted as individuals to the point of sabotaging ourselves as a group. I kind of blame myself a little for goading you back then in front of Vinghov. He hit a nerve by talking down to me, and I guess you did a little too. It was juvenile of me and I regret it, especially if it had any part in your decision to leave. So I just wanted you to know, I am sorry".
"Indeed it seems planning for the worst is starting to become the norm for our little band....Thank you Vin. It is not your fault. Sometime we let people get to us and we react. Learning from our mistakes, making things right, and apologizing is a sign of growth that you have learned at such an early age where others much older would rather act the fool...." Muir not subtle at all looks back to the throne room. "I'd like to ask you something to see if it is me or if you too have noticed..... " Muir thinks for a moment on the phrasing not wanting to lead Vin to an answer "Since we met with Morris the second time and all received a boon from them, have you noticed any sorts of change?"
"A change? I am not sure what you mean. But I have been a bit pre-occupied in the time since then", Vin replies a little cryptically. "I expect to you and the others, I might have changed because of that".
“Perhaps I can be a little more specific…I didn’t want to lead you to my own thoughts but….ah perhaps you’re not the best to ask since you yourself have changed on this trip due to your….rebirth….Maybe it’s just in my head”
"Go ahead, be specific, Muir", Vin urges, curious now as to what he is talking about.
“Uh well….the group has changed…..Sam has become more ornery, paranoid and played the fool a little too well if you catch what I’m saying, Gewyn even more tight lipped, Elthana’s nightmares are worse which is understandable given the circumstances but even she’s more clamped up, and overall the group is even less trusting and cohesive.”
Vin reaches up and puts a hand on Muir's shoulder.
"What are you suggesting, Muir? That there is something sinister in that? I mean, an awful lot has happened to us. We've gone from being the Peacekeeper's of Northmorrah to traveller's between planes to the centre of a plot to wipe out all life. And each one of us has changed in some way along the journey. Sam seems to have strange new abilities. That must be confusing to him. Gewyn is the descendant to an Arch Fae. Quite the responsiblity. Elthana seems inextricably linked with the biggest of bads. I died and you had to bring me back!".
"You like to use knowledge and logic to piece things together, and all around you everything is becoming more complex and the more you learn the more you find you don't know. And without knowing we can't succeed. I mean, that must make you crazy!".
He sighs, "I guess what I am trying to say is that we are all still who we are underneath. Just moulded by experiences both good and bad. You think Sam is paranoid, but perhaps he is just reacting the same as you are. You are very different in a lot of ways to him, but in a few you are very similar. Especially when it comes to having a stubborn side".
He chuckles a bit at the last.
"I hope Sam sees sense and joins us. We all have secrets, or more accurately things we are maybe not ready to talk about just yet. We just need to be open with each other about that, and maybe we can heal what has been broken".
He looks back hopefully to the door.
"That is all is true but my worrying comes from the things not being shared where Sam's came from his dislike of my questions...but that's neither here nor there....You are correct that my not knowing things or more so my teammates keeping things that could very well aid in all of this gets to me. Truthfully there is only 1 thing I have not shared with the group because I fear what would happen to me and you all if I told you. Elthana knows the secret because she snuck up on me and witnessed it. This secret has not, however, diverted me from any of our plans....That I entrust you with Vincent. Hopefully you see this as my trying to be as open as possible. If we survive this, which twice now I have come close to not surviving and you once, this group can sit and air its grievances....I hear families do this sort of thing" Muir says questioningly
Vin turns back and smiles at Muir as he gives him knowledge of a secret as yet untold. He holds no resentment and does not pry into the detail.
"I think we need to make up our own rules regarding family, as most of us are more than a little inexperienced in that area", he replies.
“All of us it seems except Sam….oddly enough…although when I asked him about his parents he answered with a non answer….as always” Muir says still harboring some anger over what’s transpired.
The pink mist surrounding Sam doesn't dissipate as much as withdraws itself within him after a minute or so, shenoh sits looking at the half orc with confusion, though as he seemingly isn't casting a spell and is not yelling threats or insults she remains seated and generally nonchalant. When Sam's senses return to him, she leans forward with interest but asks nothing.
Sam shrugs.
After an awkward moment of silence he turns on his heel and walks back towards the exit. Once he reaches others (I think Gewyn is only one this side of the doors?) he says "Let's get this done," and opens the doors and exits.
As the potential conflict seems to have relinquished for the moment, Sol starts to follow Sam towards the exit. As he gets there, he holds the door open, gesturing for Gewyn to follow through. Assuming the tiefling does, he turns to Shenoh, deeply bows then turns and follows the group out of the throne room.
"Transport to the city. That is first on the agenda." Seeing that Vin and Muir appear to be in conversation, he says this loud enough to be well heard with an urgency that he hopes conveys action. He walks past the pair and starts to lead the group away from the area. After several steps, he does look behind him to confirm the rest are in fact coming and not attempting another squabble.
"Vin, um, may I call you Vin?" he starts in as he continues to walk, letting the young man catch up with him. "You asked me what I thought the Mornlyft was for. Well, it was designed by Mori to be a fast acting and painless euthanasia agent. As I'm sure you realize, it isn't like we can bury our dead here within the hard crystal and relieving ourselves of the dead can be quite an issue at times. There are no graveyards, no place for people to visit their loved ones, so it is just more of a removal process. Please excuse my harshness, I mean nothing about it, just these are the facts. So normally bodies are burnt and sent into the vast where decay can collect their bodies for the next cycle of life. For those we love we continue to do this, elementals and air spirits are born in the vast and said to be part of this cycle as well. So in order to keep cultists bodies from this cycle of life, we instead preserved them and sent them to Vox Tontritor, in the hopes that the cultists sympathetic to nectyran wouldn't join the cycle, corrupting it and end up bringing forth nectyran himself to Thaeir."
He swallows hard after this, you can tell that this has been an explanation that either was drilled into him or he has explained several times over. "Obviously, we know differently now and will make changes immediately."
Vin does follow after Sol, and listens to the explanation of the use of Mornlyf and sending of corpses to Vox Tontritor.
"You're one of three advisors to Shenoh, so you must be a clever person. Parroting, you have parrots here I assume? Repeating this story does not do your intelligence justice. We know that perfectly preserved corpses were paid for, in fact killing with Mornlyf was very lucrative by all accounts. It makes no sense to want them perfectly preserved if it was all about a removal process. That can't have been lost on you, and I asked what you think, not what you were told", he replies matter of factly as they walk.
Muir follows along and listens in to Vin's line of questioning. Muir can't help but feel proud of Vin at his line of questioning. A smile crosses Muir's face as he walks with them.
As Sol leads the group down the large corridors and towards the core's own stabling area to acquire transport to the factory. There seems to be a little more hustle and bustle several more guards rushing here and there each of distinct markings adorning their armour. It seems the lieutenants have arrived and are assembling for shenoh's orders fir mobilisation.
In nearly every corner, every intersection, Ingram's griffon mounted, goliath forces are stopping people and shining lantern lights over them, other can be seen here and there entering different rooms two by two searching the core from top to bottom. If Mori is still here, it is likely she will be found soon.
As vin asks Sol the burning questions, Griff clears his throat and hesitantly clicks hi beak before saying, "I am also being guilty of following these orders, for being playing my part in the terrible oppression and genocide against the kobolds... Akiin is not being a singularly military isle either, I am just happening to be born into military family and taking on family expectation... Not to be excusing the evil we have being doing, but it is generational too, we are being taught the history of our realm from young age, teachings of trust in a giant sorceress who's mighty feats are being the reason we all are living today. If she is saying kobolds are being evil and must be sending bodies to her then it is being like told truths by a god... I is not excusing the evil, perhaps it is different cultures, perhaps you are learning on you plane to be questioning god's... All I am knowing is that my eyes were opening when we visited the shattered isle. Those peoples, they are not evil, they are just like us, better even. Being more moral."
Ömertyr hovers along next to Sam, and begins asking him things in giant.
"I do understand, Griff. And I am only asking these questions to better understand how Nivara has been working. You are a solider, you take orders. Sol here is an advisor, taught to think from differing view points. This 'yes man' and 'no man' idea Shenoh spoke of. Someone whose job it is to question what they are told. As was Vinghov I expect. Even if he never voiced those doubts, I would be surprised if there were none", Vin retorts.
"I am merely trying to ascertain whether anyone ever questioned Mori. And if they did, if it was quashed and by whom. Mori may not have been working alone after all".
Sam trudges on without complaint or commentary. Eyes forward at all times it’s unclear if Sam is following Vin’s conversation or not or paying attention to the extra troops and their activities.
When asked, Sam answers Ömertyr in the Giant tongue but it’s clear to even non- speakers that Sam’s answers are short. Quiet. Bland.
“With an infiltration as bold as Mori’s, I would fain be surprised if she had tricks up her sleeve to make people a little more compliant and a little less questioning. It doesn’t take a great deal. A simple prestidigitation spell, for example, common enough, can easily be used to disguise the taste of an intoxicating agent in a drink. However, beyond that, the Sol we are seeing is far more experienced than the one who first met Mori those many years ago.”
Muir walks along keeping to himself unsure of Sam and Sam’s anger and paranoia towards him. He decides to stay quiet.