“I can confirm that things get more difficult the higher you go,” High King Vaire says solely.  “I do not know what you would face but each level brings greater danger.  In truth, if you are not going to be tempted by the portals and a chance to claim a tower of your own, there is no real reason to climb.”

Raevyn’s eyes meet Dabbert’s look and she dips her head in acknowledgement to his words. “I share similar sentiments for the young undead, her cats, and even some for your gambling companions.” She admits. Of course there is a ‘but’, as it is entangled with her ‘duty’. “However, the fact of the matter is, they are still undead.” The Doctor states the obvious identification of what they’ve been encountering and adjusts her attire. “Having tried testing a theory, the results of those test seem to prove false. There appears to be no purpose or reason for them to ‘be’. Nothing tethering them to our plane of existence, preventing them from passing on. They just, are.” She’s referencing assisting the Zombie girl find her cats for an example. “Thus ‘fufilling’ a desire, need or ‘criteria’ based on those false assumptions, simply encourages their existence, rather than resolve it peacefully.” Raevyn exhales a breath. “There is no viable reason or purpose for them to be an exemption to the natural cycle of life and death, therefore they’re tipping the scale towards imbalance.” She states. “They are, they can, they have been, and they will become plagues upon the plane of existence when left unchecked. I cannot continue to simply look the other way.“ With the failure of her theory of peaceful options to resolve, she would be ‘forced’ to be more agressive. The question then shifts too, what’s/where’s the source? The plague doctor then looks to the vision of the King. “I must ask. Does this mean you harbour them in your tower? Is this how you ‘maintain’ your ‘peace’ of the realm? Why is Witherbloom the only place to suffer debilitating plague and sickness?” Is it connected? Her visage hardens. Raevyn’s whole life direction and purpose revolves around this reality. A reality that only those who work in ‘the trenches’ suffer through in order to keep the rest of the realm healthy and in check. 

     The High King turns to look at Raevyn and... Pauses.  He looks at her with a steady intention and his visage actually seems to grow a bit more solid while he does.

     "My good doctor," he begins.  His words are slow and deliberate.  "I do believe you are conflating things that are not related.  It is understandable.  It would be comforting to think everything was connected and thus perhaps there was one simple solution.  I'm afraid that just is not the case..."

     "First, 'harboring' the undead...  The word carries some connotations which definitely do not apply.  The Tower is certainly not protecting anything or hiding anything from the outside.  It more...  temporarily creates what it needs.  I assure you, if you went back the way you came you would find no trace of the undead you speak of.  Not because they are being hidden or protected or harbored, but because The Tower's need for them no longer exists so neither do they.  They are entirely real while needed, but only for that length of time..."

     High King Vaire hesitates here, pauses again and cocks his head to the side as if pondering something.  "To be clear... For I have no wish to deceive...  Some things created are permanent and lasting.  The Tower does like to reward those who brave it's challenges.  I do believe anything you carried out would persist.  That has been my experience at least."

     "As for maintaining the peace of the realm..." The High King again pauses, this time sitting up straight and regal upon his throne before continuing.  "I will use any means at my disposal to keep the people of the islands safe, happy and free to live their lives.  My own strength, my armies, my advisers or the advantages The Tower bestows upon me.  I do not believe any good ruler would do otherwise."

     "Regarding Witherbloom..." he says with a bit of a sigh and looks aside for a moment to gather his thoughts.  "All regions have known sickness.  Plague even.  I wish it were not the case, I'd prefer something my armies could fight...  Alas, there is only so much strength of arm or steel can do.  You are right though, in all my years none have suffered as much or as long as the the Witherwoods..."

     "I am eternally grateful for the good works done by the elves of the region.  It is not ideal but the isolation imposed upon the Tanglewood portion is essentail for keeping the plague contained.  Thankfully it has not spread further.  I assure you though, there is no connection between the plague there and The Tower.  The elves of Witherwoods, my own learned advisors, all are seeking answers.  If there were any here I would share them gladly, for those are my people who suffer...  Give me a lead to follow for a cure and I will assure you that it will be followed.  For now though our only recourse is to keep it contained, unfortunately..."

Dabbert hears Jaylan's explanation of what he heard and nods.  He's honestly not sure what else he would have expected in this crazy place.  Then he listens to the King, to Raevyn.  It's Raevyn's words he addresses first.  

"We uh...don't even know if this place is a part of our...uh...plane of existence.  They uh..." 

Then the King starts talking again.  Dabbert makes a face, looks at Jaylan, looks back at Raevyn, then shrugs.  

"Or that."  He says.  He doubles up on the shrug, shrugging again for emphasis.    He studies everyone for a moment before punctuating what he'd said earlier.  "I don't have much of a desire to travel.  But being a hired sword?  That I uh...know how to do.  That's easy work."  

Raevyn’s questions were to assist her in determining whether they could be connected or not. They being strung together weren’t combining them under assumption of being connected, simply just asking the questions while having the opportunity. This opportunity only comes once in a life time, right? It would have been irresponsible of her not too. 

Raevyn looks over her shoulder. “You’re right Dabbert.” Then she looks back to meet the King’s eyes. “I know nothing.” Then, she bows. He’d know well enough she has no lead. Made fool in the King’s court. Perhaps she was out of line and overly passionate, however she could have done without the sense of being patronized. The doctor was no further ahead. Back to square one. She steps back before standing back upright and returning to listening.

Krumar looks at Dabbert and shrugs "Right well then are we going up, or out, or through? Personally going through a portal to the unknown is not very appealing but if that's what you all decide, I could go and write songs of your accomplishments. Going back down the tower and receiving a hero's welcome is preferable...." Krumar takes out his flute and begins playing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YymGJKhGgY

"We'll go walking out
While others shout of war's disaster
Oh, we won't give in
Let's go living in the past"

Syl shrugs.  He says to the others,  "I'm no tower-king material, so even if we took a portal, I'd surely be one o' the ones to perish along the way to somebody else's coronation."  He shrugs again.  "The man - er King says going up makes no difference, so I guess count me in for leaving."

He bows to the King, and adds, "Your Highness, out of respect for you and your rank, I'd be inclined to let you know any thought of hiring me on as some knight-errant comes with a price... I won't stop warning of the dangers that stir in the depths of your western coast.  I rang the bells and pounded on the doors of the powers that be in Weoter, til they were thrilled to see me deep-sixed off to this tower.  They won't listen... I presume you won't listen either... but I won't never be quiet about it."  He frowns for a moment.  "Er... again, with all respects, your highness." 

     "Hmmm," High King Vaire says and a moment later stands up from the throne and walks closer to the group, giving each of you a good look over.

     "It is up to the group of you, of course, but it sounds as if a couple amongst you are sure they do not want to leave Vaire.  I'm glad to hear that, I've spent more years than I can count trying to make this land as close to perfect as one can.  A far way off, no doubt, but I suspect perfect is only for the gods...  So if that is the case then the question is shall the group of you try to brave every floor of The Tower to see what resides at the top, or depart now, yes?" the king asks, walking slowly and talking as if lost in thought.

     "I do not even know what The Tower has in store for you on the floors above so I cannot really council you on that option.  I know I shall be at the stairs each time you find them and ready to answer any questions you have, if I can, but mostly it's the same option time after time - Portal, up or down..." He explains offhandedly.

     "If you do decide there is nothing on offer higher up or through the portal and you wish to go home, I know a bit more about the results of that.  You will return to Vaire and your homes, if you wish, and forever be one of the ones who entered The Tower.  It is a claim to fame rare enough that it brings a certain amount of celebrity and legend with it.  Many have leveraged this fame into comfortable lives, many free drinks and as much attention as they want.  Others have gone the other way and actively sought out anonymity.  Those who wished it found it sooner or later, Vaire is big enough to get lost in if you wish and if you don't feed the legend people look for other things of more interest, if you see my meaning..." he continues in the same offhanded explainy kind of way.

     "Or..." He says with more import and drama in his voice as he stops in the middle of the group and once again looks you all over.  "Or you could come work for me.  Work for Vaire.  For the betterment of the land and the people."

     "The army does a stellar job of maintaining the overall peace, of course." Vaire says, his focus directly on Dabbert.  "Some tasks are too specialized or unique or delicate for sending in the army, however.  Still it would please me to have a soldier amongst the group..."

     "Having a man unafraid to tell truth to power on the group also appeals to me," Vaire continues, turning to Syl.  "Whatever these dangers in the depths are, I have not heard of them.  I would have you tell me what you know and I if these dangers need be faced I would hope you would help us do so!"

     "Some of your tasks would be secret, others more public.  You would, of course, carry the authority of the crown with you and have the benefits that comes with that.  I would expect you to act with honor and respect, bravery and honesty in all things.  Your actions would need to be always worthy of the crown... And none would be allowed to tarnish it without cause," Vaire explains, eyes resting upon Jaylan for a meaningful moment before moving on.

     "There is a need for champions in Vaire, of people who stand above the rest and do what needs doing no matter how difficult or messy," Vaire says, his eyes locked on Nefire now.  "I'll need to best of you each and you'll need to prove that the best can come from any of the people of these lands.  People who not only can prove the doubters wrong but shatter all expectations."

     "Strength is more than muscle, though.  I also need strength of character and mind.  I need the strength of curiosity and determination.  You think there is more to a plague than the mysteries of nature?  This team would certainly be empowered to investigate any leads that suggest such a thing.  I am not looking merely for a reactionary team but a team that is capable of acting and pursuing the betterment of Vaire however they can."  Raevyn is the target of his gaze here.  "The goal is to be a solution to whatever problems there are, be they solved by sword or mind."

     "And of course deeds need praising, exceptional deeds call for exceptional praise!" Vaire says with a smile, turning to Krumar.  "Legends and a good story can often do more good than the sharpest sword... Or mind.  And often with far less grudges left behind.  Of course the time needs someone who can chronicle their deeds and write a chorus of praise for them.  And an Orc being a part of such a praiseworthy group?  Seeing that could inspire people to reconsider their opinions on just who Orcs are and what they can be..."

     "But I ramble.  I am sorry, I do have that tendency...  Point is, if you choose to leave The Tower you are of course free to choose whatever life you wish.  I do wish you would consider one in the employ of the crown..."

     High King Vaire takes a final look at each of you then gives a nod and returns to his throne.  He sits down in a relaxed and comfortable pose and then gestures to you all with a lazy upturn of his hand.  "The choice is yours..."

"Your Majesty."  Dabbert says, speaking when the King is done.  "I uh...think perhaps you give us too much credit.  So far I've messed up a game of dice with some skeletons and we beat the hell out of some dead cats.  Regardless...uh...what sort of compensation does such an appointment come with?  It sounds like we can be pretty comfortable by just going home and calling it a day."  

Dabbert takes a moment to consider what he just said as he twists the ring Syl handed him onto his finger.  

"I uh...didn't really mean it that way, sire.  But from what I gather, based on your own words, these are not your average missions.  What sort of support will we have?  What sort of assets will be provided to us?"  

He looks at the bard.  

"For example, uh, your majesty.  This one can't sing for shit.  He'll need some sort of augmentation.  I submit his current performance as exhibit A."  

Syl perks up a bit when the King turns his attention to him.  

"Aye... truth to power.  That's me..." he says quietly to himself.  "Suck on them bobbers, why don't ya, vice-magistrate?"

“My king” says Jaylan “It would be my honor to enter your service and I’ll do my best to help the good people of Vaire.But I must be honest Sire, for I’ve been framed for a crime.. a horrible crime for which I am innocent”he adds quickly and seems ashamed to have confessed that in front of the rest of the group and the High King himself” but I do not have the means to prove it. At least not yet. I… do not want to cause any trouble Sire… but you see… inside the bars of a cell or even dead I couldn’t look for the evidence of my innocence…. If you know what I mean…“

He sighs and feels a little better now that he had take it off his chest. He turns towards the rest of the party 

“So I do not want to monopolize the conversation and I know that we need to make a choice but I just wanted to be clear with you all too… in case in case we end up working together… if you… any of you of course Sire” he turns away towards the High King “wants to know more I gladly explain it to you but perhaps we should make a decision. I am not king-tower material either and as I said I gladly put my life in service of the King… he hesitates for a moment “ but don’t any of you have curiosity to look a little bit higher in the Tower? If we have the same choice after every level ee could go and enter the King’s service a little later… just a suggestion if you all want to leave I will follow you all of course.” 

     "The credit I give you, Dabbert, is for what I believe you all can accomplish, not for what you've already done.  I could be wrong...  But let's keep that between us?" The king says with some amusement.  "Krumar will become a much better bard, I am sure.  You need only worry about mastering your own skills."

     "Regarding compensation, asset management and provisions...  I am the High King.  I have people for that," King Vaire says with a mixture of haughtiness and humor.  "My Maestro would be tasked with ensuring you all had everything you needed even if not everything you want."

     "Jaylan, I am aware of your history.  At least the outlines of it.  My people do look into Tower Entrants as a matter of course," he explains.  "I could pardon you.  I could proclaim you innocent.  Neither really prove your innocence though, do they?  Not in the eyes or hearts of the people.  What I can, and will do is offer you immunity while you are in my service.  This should give you the freedom and maneuverability to try and prove your innocence yourself, no?"

     "Brave the higher levels, if you wish... But there are dangers above and no guarantees."

Jaylan kneels and offers his sword to the High King really moved by his generous offer 

“I pledge you my sword Sire” he manages to say 

Krumar mouth agape snorts out of his nose in anger "Can't sing?! Can't sing! Well I've never....perhaps you'd appreciate this a little more.... In the land of wit and wordplay, I'll craft a jest for you today, About a fellow named Dabbert, who had an unusual way. Dabbert, oh Dabbert, with a name so grand, But alas, he carried himself with a peculiar brand. He'd spin tales of adventures, so grand and tall, But truth be told, they were tiny, minuscule, and small. He'd claim to have climbed mountains and crossed the sea, Yet he stumbled on pebbles, oh, poor Dabbert, quite the decree! His voice, like a donkey caught in a thorny thicket, Would make folks cringe and reach for their earplugs, lickety-split. His laughter would erupt like a flock of squawking geese, Oh, Dabbert, your mirth, it brought no peace. But in every jest, there's a glimmer of charm, And Dabbert, dear Dabbert, had a heart that was warm. He'd lift spirits with jokes, though they fell flat, And unintentional humor, he had plenty of that. So let's help out on our next quest because he surely will need it from all of us, the best."  

Standing still from where she had placed herself, Raevyn's striking eyes follow the King's movements and watches his mannerisms as he weaves through the group. A silver tongue gifted with many words laced with good intentions. She silently watches, with full respect for the others and their choices, as they complete their pledges one by one.

Come time for it to be her turn, when the King looks at her expectantly, Raevyn with look to him. "I will be a Champion of the People of Vaire." She states clearly, making the promise as she finally slides the ring in place upon her finger. Then without wavering from the King's gaze on her, she simply adds, "And I will uncover the full truth.".

Irrational, desperate pride wells up inside Syl.  After so long being treated as a madman and a pariah, to hear the literal HIGH KING VAIRE offer to take his counsel is almost more than he can comprehend.  

You're just imagining all of this, a cruel voice whispers in his mind, but he ignores it, lost in the moment.

He drops to one knee.  "Sylrieth Banks, at your service, my liege.  I vow by the rocks I was raised on and by the sea I once loved that you will not regret this decision."  There might be tears in his eyes, but don't you dare say a word about that to anyone.

(Sorry for the delay  - lot of issues lately)

When Raevyn appears a bit distraught from the Kings nonanswer, the halfling reaches up a hand a places it on her forearm for a brief moment.  She then turns to the King once he had given his long speech.

She hides a smirk as Krumar makes his little rhyme at Dabberts expense, but enjoys the start of comradery amongst the group. 

"Adventure is definitely something I am searching for, but if the others are wary of the portal, I too will join up with the rest in service for you.  I do look forward to what that may bring, wanting to make my people proud." and she swings her axe around to punctuate that last remark.

"His rhymes suck too."  Dabbert says after listening to Krumar.  He reaches out and pats the Bard on the shoulder as if to say 'it'll be okay'.  He listens to everyone else as they pledge themselves and so forth to the King, and then he shrugs.  "Have I uh...explained that I'm good with the whole...doing missions for you?  Yeah, I'm done with the tower and I'm not going through the portal so..."  

He shrugs again.  

Krumar laughs knowing that his original rhyme (Thanks ChatGPT) was fire. He decides he may as well tag along "Well your lordship someone will have to tell the tales of everyone here no matter where they go. You can count me in to weave these stories for them....and Dabbert"

     King Vaire seems to have suddenly noticed those who have kneeled or such and waves them all to raise.  “No, no.  In person around others yes, formalities must be followed.  In these strange circumstances though?  I’m sure we can all be a bit more lax…”

     The king stands and claps his hands together.  “It seems there is a consensus then,” he proclaims in his more regal tone.  “I am pleased…  Just because cit how you came in and my Maestro will be waiting your arrival with a carriage and escort to bring you to the castle.  Thank you my friends, you will do great deeds for these lands, I am sure.”

     And he’s gone.  No special effects or anything, just gone.

((Assuming nobody does anything unexpected I’ll get another post up either tonight or tomorrow that ushers you all back through The Tower and into the carriage etc…  if you’ve RP or anything you want to do in the meanwhile, feel free…  and if you are going to do something unexpected… umm, do it?))