Sascha's eyes too lingered on Rivyre. This was, perhaps. a grave mistake. Candor was necessary at this point. Between the overt divine magic, and whatever Moz was doing, Sascha was uncomfortable. She didn't like the odds of a liar and a foreign priest convincing the druid alone. When Sascha spoke, it was earnest, direct, and pleading.
"I know nothing of this prophecy, however, I can speak to the fact that its words align with my intentions. The stone recovered in Westemar was a cursed thing. Stones of its kind reduced one of the largest cities on the continent to a damned husk where nature no longer holds sway, and where men become monsters with no remnant of their former selves to be found. We, Moz included, acted to try and spare your lands the same fate. This, perhaps, has turned Old against New, as the Church of the Sacred Flame seeks to prevent this evil from spreading, and in this case that lead to conflict with the servants of Kromac. Actions we were caught up in. I understand that we disrupted a rite, and that the Ravager likely does not suffer such transgressions lightly. I can only hope that the intent behind our deeds rings true."
Sascha may have spoken directly to the Druid, but in a real way, her audience was the Chieftain. Her intent was to appeal to the practicality of why this had all happened, and with any luck, convince him, that intervention, however regrettable, was for the greater good. To her mind, reparations could be made for the disruption far more easily if its reason was laid clear.
(Heroic Inspiration and Tactical mind expended Persuasion 15)
The Druid gives Moz a measured stare, his expression unreadable behind his prodigious beard and eyebrows, and then lifts a carved wooden bowl filled with a dark liquid. In the smoky dim interior of the longhouse, it's hard to tell what it is. But as he pours it into the fire, hissing steam flaring up the blaze, the scorched smell makes it obvious. Blood.
"The Fey Lords with their inscrutable prophecies are correct. Indeed a corrupting fire threatens to consume the Isle. The Flame ever seeks to devour and consume the very force of all life. We tame fire, we use it. Yet in our rites of sacrifice in the moonlight it has no place, it gasps for air, it drowns in the earth and the water. The unholy Flame must also be quenched on the Isle. It is the will of the gods, who are blasphemed by the followers of the Flame. For many years now, the Flame has spread. Burning, destroying. Infecting the tribes of the Northfolk, charring them to husks of their former selves. Enniskillen is a charred ruin. No doubt the knight who destroyed Kromac's altar has fled there. You know what must be done, faithful of Kromac!"He raises up the empty bowl in both hands, high over his head.
Loud shouts and howls ring out from the men circled around the fire, deafening in the smoky longhouse.
Chief Mac Lochlann speaks, his voice booming from his large frame, as he looks at Sascha. "Our Druid described this stone of which you speak. He told me that Alorin has bound himself to Kromac's service, and that he has agreed to travel to the mainland to discover the nature of this stone. With him he will take the offered child, for she cannot stay on the Isle. Now war is brewing. I will wait until the new moon... until Kromac's will is made clear." His bushy red brow furrows darkly. "It has been long enough since I last tested the mettle of the Lochlann men against the Blytheway clan. They must be made to see the error of their ways. But Kromac must be appeased first."
"Bring me the knight that destroyed Kromac's altar," the Druid roars. "His blood will sate Kromac's wrath."
Rivyre cannot sit silent no longer her anger rising up again. She will not by sit idly by listening to this rhetoric while this Druid & Chief Lochlaan call for needless & unjust violence against those who did no harm simply to satify their rage for blood & vengeance. She responds coldly & harshly to the Druid, (she will expend her Guidance as a general Persuasion check to the entire longhouse, & not specific people for all of her upcomg testimony) D20 (7) + (2 +1)= 10 Persuasion
"THE FLAME IS NOT UNHOLY!" Rivyre shouts in anger! "We do not burn, destroy, or forcibly turn people into charred husks, as you call it. Every person has a right to choose their own faith, to choose their own path, & choose what to believe in! The people of Enniskillen are a proud of their belief in the Flame, just as Clan Lochlaan is w/ your belief in the Old Gods. All of you can coexist without resorting to unjust violence!" Rivyre calms slightly..., but still w/ a measure sterness in her voice & continues w/ the Druid, "The Silver Order are bound to listen to Sacred Flame, to listen to the Flamekeepers like me! I admit Sir Lorn's destruction of your altar was an oversight on his part..., a common mindset of many Silver Order Knights who blindly follow our third tenant. But, I will refrain from quoting that in this counsel. I will speak with him to see if I get him to answer for the crimes he is accused of & willfully come of his own volition. His only goal was to spare Skye the horrors that lady Sascha described. I sensed that he is an honorable man when I met him. I think it's possible he'll see the position he has put all the people of Skye in & make the right choice to answer for the crimes he is accused of."
Next she turns her attention to Chief Lochlaan, "The Blytheway Clan has NOTHING to do w/ the destruction of the delerium crystal! There are no errors for their warriors or the innocent men, women, or children who have done no wrong to Clan Lochlaan.The Divine Matriarch has chosen to ignore the Isles of Skye for so long because it has had no bearing w/ the problems of the mainland. When the she hears you murder innocnets in a blind rage, do you know what will happen? The Faith & Silver Order will come down like wildfire all over the Isles of Skye & turn your people into charred husks, as your Druid calls it. She pauses..., Be honest w/ me Chief Lochlaan. How long do you think your clan can hold out in all out war w/ the Sacred Flame, the Silver Order, & Clan Blytheway? 3 armies against just your clan? I think even Angus (as she gestures to him) can see the flaw in those odds, even being tough warrior I know & respect that he is!Is that what you want? To see your entire clan & everything you have built here destroyed? I do not share the extreme rhetoric unlike those in Elyria. I do not wanto to see anyone harmed by this incident. Clan Lochlaan, Clan Blytheway, the Elves of Eladria, & all of us here today. There is a peaceful path forward if you only put aside your hate & listen!!!
Lastly she finishes with a echo & Sascha's words, "I echo what Sascha has said about that stone. I preach in a city less than 200 miles from Drakkenheim where these accursed stones come from. I have consoled many a failed treasure hunter seeking these stones for riches, only to see the horrors that shell of city left on the poor souls. They are shells of the men & women they used to be. Broken both physically & spiritually seeing friends turned to monsters for which there is no known cure. Some of these folks arrive in my temple mutilated beyond near recognition w/ horrific infections or body mutations w/ little that we can do to spare them from pain & suffering. I would not wish anyone on these isles to witness the things that I have seen! That crystal only brings death & despair, & its destruction saved Skye from the same horrific fate!"
Moz heaves a silent sigh of relief surprised that seemed too work. Taking his seat back in the circle, as the Druid continues to speech, Mozlooks around at the others. Seeing Rivyre'stemper slowly boil up, Mozchuckles. "Well this should be entertaining." He thinks to himself as he scoots back a few inches back out of the circle. Just in time for Rivyre's diatribe.
Silently waiting till Rivyre is finished, Moz leans over to Alorin. "So we have to take the child to mainland. What do you think.... Fairy road to the mainland? If there is even one. I know you are not a fan of boats, sooo not a lot of options."
Tell me, Druid, what happens to a god when they have no followers?
Valanthe stands and addresses the Druid amidst the shouting and heightened emotion with a calm and measured tone: What happens to a god when every trace of their existence has been scourged from the land: every altar, every shrine, every scripture, idol or carving has been smashed or turned to ash? What happens to a god when they are forgotten?
She turns to Chief Mac Lochlann at looks up him, unfazed by his height: If you wage war on Eniskillen, the Silver Order will come and purge Skye of all followers of the old faith. They will kill you, your children and your children’s children. Clan Lochlann will be ended. Your history and heritage - gone. All the clans will be wiped out.
All the clans except Blythway.
And you want to know the worst part? There won’t be a single paladin for you to swing your axe against: they will fly in on their griffins and smite you from the skies. Is that how you see the final moments of your people? Helpless?
And then, those paladins will hunt down every believer across the mainland until Kromac has no one left to believe in him. All because of him. She points at the Druid, keeping her arm up so no one could mistake who she is pointing at.
Still addressing the chief He brought that stone here! He brought Sir Lorn here! That stone would have cursed your people to fate worse than death: twisted their bodies in grotesque disfigurements, turned them into mindless husks of screaming agony. And if this Druid had made the offering of that stone, the altar of Kromac would have been destroyed at his hands instead. It is his mistakes that us led us all here.
Valanthe lowers her arm. Chief Mac Lochlann - I do not yet know the burden of leadership. And I can only speak of what I would do to protect my people when I am queen. But I would not seek council from a man so blinded by arrogance that his actions would lead to the eradication of my kind.
So, if you want to appease Kromac, sacrifice him instead.
Valanthe offers her hand to the Chief to shake and says: You honor me by hosting us here and for allowing us to speak. The elves of Eladria wish you and your family well. And she sits back down; her slight frame dwarfed by the interior of the longhouse.
Humans are so stupid, she thinks to herself, how little they value their shorts lives. How little credit they give their own abilities and instead blindly follow their silent gods. She knew her words would have little effect. But she knew she had to try anyway.
She looks across to Alorin and Moz with an expression futility on her face: This is pointless, she says with quiet defeat, We should just leave.
A desolate silence fills the longhouse after Rivyre and Valanthe's speeches. All of the warriors surrounding the fire, and Chief Mac Lochlann, all gazing in silence...their emotion is palpable. Fear.
The Druid alone has only a wild triumph in his eyes. "You prove my words with your threats," he says. "The Flame does nothing but destroy. How will Kromac respond to this threat? How will he protect his followers? How can the wild beast escape the forest fire? I sought to offer this powerful stone to Kromac for the benefit and power of his followers...Kromac willed it so. For he fights the Flame as we do. As only a wild beast in a forest fire can. By cunning, and perseverance. Unlike the beasts, we see farther. Our cunning is stronger. What happens when all of our altars are smashed?" He laughs as he slowly rises to his feet. "Kromac will live. Kromac always lives. You would like his influence on this world to be diminished, by destroying all of us, by smashing our altars. But Kromac will live, as long as this world lives. He is the force of all life." He smiles. "Who sent the magical stones? They are Kromac's gift, to shield us from the all-consuming Flame."
Chief Mac Lochlann speaks up. "This fearful stone. Does it truly warp men into monsters? Great Druid, you claim it is Kromac's gift to us. But what do we know of it?" He raises his enormous height and turns to his men. "Kromac's will is not clear to me. What happens when the wild beast can no longer escape the forest fire?"
One of the men mutters, "It dies in agony." Another says, "It is lost by its own power, unless the rain comes."
Chief Mac Lochlann continues, "What if it turns into a horrific monster that is unharmed by flames?"
The man shudder as one. "Blasphemy. The beasts must welcome death, as it comes to us all."
Chief Mac Lochlann stares at his men. Then he says, "This knight, Sir Lorn, who destroyed the stone that was meant to be an offering to Kromac. I would like to speak to him. I must know more of this stone. Perhaps it is Kromac's will that this knight be sacrified. That will be made clear in time. But he is not a native of Skye. He comes from Elyria. Neither is this stone native to Skye." He turns to Sascha and Rivyre. "Bring him here, and after the new moon we will have another Council."
"The Flame," the Druid says softly, standing across the fire from the Chief, "will consume us all. It does not co-exist, whatever the Flamekeeper of Nuada claims. It burns steadily, and insidiously, all in its path that is not itself." He turns to Alorin. "Wanderer of Kromac, go to the mainland. Find this stone."
As Valanthe finishes her speech, Moz gives her a round of applause. " Well said my dear, very diplomatic of you. Don't be so hard on yourself. Religious people tend to be a bit thick headed. It is easy to be intractable in their postion when they have faith propping up their argument." Patting her knee gently. " You can join me and Alorin, we are going to the mainland apparently. It well be a grand adventure." Leaning a bit more. " Are you actually a princess? I just assumed that Princess of Eladria was cuase ...... well.... you know aren't all elves princesses?"
As she sits down, defeated, she drops that formal poise and just stares in bewilderment at a people so keen to die. And then she sees it. She looks at Alorin and sees in his face that he sees it too. She doesn't hear what Moz says - just the last bit "Um... unless they're princes..." she says absently to the gnome as she leans over to Alorin and says: their fear of delerium and the silver order needs to be greater than their fear of kromac and stands again in response to the Druid's words:
Fire cannot burn without fuel, Druid. You are stoking those flames. You are giving the Silver Order all the excuse they need to come here and desecrate every alter of the old gods - including Kromac.
Alorinslowly gathers his thoughts and begins to speak. “I gave my word, Druid, and I plan to keep it. I will look for this stone, and I will prove that its danger far exceeds its value. That stone is not a plaything for human hands, or an object of sacrifice. It is an invasion by some outside force upon this world, considering how it crashed down from the sky like your clansmen pour upon the shores of the continent in your boats for your raids.” Thevery thought of travel by sea causes a shudder to run through him, but he quickly suppresses it, and continues his argument.
”More than once I told the druid of my dreams, perhaps given by Kromac himself, or another of the Old Gods, for all I know, and now I would tell you proud warriors as well. Of how this stone brings only ruin and horror. I would question whether that stone is a sacrifice or a poison that someone would use to harm Kromac.I would ask whether Kromac's interest in the stone was born from a desire to have it, or a desire to purge this influence - maybe of a foreign god - from the lands he sees as one day being his own. And if Kromac wants all such stones purged, who better to do that purging than you, his fangs and claws? Would you purge poison by consuming it, or by destroying it with your hands? If the stone is indeed poison, or a threat to Kromac, do you truly dare try sacrificing it to him? Would that not simply invite his wrath?"
"You think that the knight destroyed Kromac's altar, whereas he maintained that his aim was to destroy the stone. If this is a stone that Kromac would see purged, are you certain that Kromac did not guide his hand, regardless of whether he was a believer or not? Are you all arrogant enough to think that Kromac works only through the hands of you, his followers? That he has no sway over others, willing or otherwise? Do the predators of the forest not serve Kromac in their cunning, their perseverance, and their brutality, even without knowing they do so? Are you certain that Kromac was not forced to use a knight of the Flame to purge the stone before it was sacrificed to him, possibly harming him in the process? Are you certain that a mere knight could have destroyed Kromac's altar without divine consequence if Kromac himself didn't will it so? Could you stand to bear Kromac's wrath if this was all his arrangement, and you now chose to oppose it?”
"Your own men, and the Druid himself, tells tales of fish and men twisted into monstrosities, the faithful of Nodens now having become empty husks, as you call them. Are you certain that, had you sacrificed the stone to Kromac, that would not have been your fate as well? Could it be that Nodens has been poisoned, much the same way Kromac might have been, if the sacrifice had taken place? Do you dare presume to know his will? Are you sure you can bear the consequences of starting a war here and weakening Kromac's forces, when he has a much bigger war planned against the true enemies of himself and the other Old Gods, the ones who might have poisoned Nodens?"
"This stone is said to have the power to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. The tales tell of people that it drives to greed, to the point where they drive themselves to madness and abomination. This is a stone that might be looking to steal Kromac's followers, as well as those of all the Old Gods, through its corrupt power. Be careful of your thoughts if you have come into contact with this stone, for your mind may no longer be your own, or Kromac's, for that matter. There are reasons aplenty why Kromac might want these stones purged - be wary, and think on them before you act, or you may be going against his will, and that may not end well for any of us."
”I have already promised to bring Kromac the blood of monsters I might slay, and my enemies that I might incite to war. I would counsel you to wait, and to investigate, before deciding on the target of your war. There is much brewing in the world at large that he might have an interest in; a bigger war that he might be preparing you for. I would warn you against recklessly ruining his plans lest you face his wrath for not listening before you act."
"We have gathered to discuss the will of the gods. Yet only one has been discussed. What of Mother Danu? If this cursed rock corrupts men than surely it twists stone. Her will would be to carve out this tumor from her blessed form and destroy it! Of Father Nodens, it already infests his waters and now those fish creatures spill onto land. It seems unusual, sending fish-men rather than his tempestuous winds and thunder to enact his wrath, does it not? Perhaps he drove them out his waters for you to rid him of them."
Angusturns to the rest of his kin, "Remember our history. It was with the gods in ages past that we found refuge from the Sorceror Kings. All had lent their hand to guide us to our home. They care as deeply for us as they did then and now another great evil threatens our home. This stone must not be allowed to persist. I will accompany this group to the mainland and discern the nature of this stone. Let us find a sage of Ogham, a witch of Morrigan, a dreamer of Phantasia, a torch of Lugh. Let them share their insights in the meantime."
Seeing Chief Lochlaan beginning to question the Druid's recommendations now gives Rivyre hope to solve this dilemma, but she knows she must tread carefully. She fears for Sir Lorn's safety if the Druid it does not comply with Chief Lochlaan's wishes. Rivyre stands up & steps off to the side to in order to address both Chief Lochlaan & the Druid. She looks to Chief Mac Lochlaan with a more regained composure and a less threatening stace,
"Chief Mac Lochlaan..., I sense your fear. Fear of what these crystals can do & rightfully so you should be concerned. Forgive me of my interpretation is wrong, perhaps that fear is greater than what Kromac's displeasure would bring. I am willing to bring Sir Lorn here for you to speak with him about the crystals. I would need assurance that he "NOT" be harmed by anyone when he arrives. I do not trust the Druid to obey your command..., he seems hell bent on wanting his death as soon as possible blinded by his need for retribution. If it is not Kromac's will that Sir Lorn be sacrificed, I suspect you know or perhaps could think of other ways Kromac's hunger can be sated to avoid his displeasure."
"Your fear the Sacred Flame on what they could do. In total truth, so do I. I don't want an Elyrian military force to arrive on Skye, my childhood home. I will use as much of my influences I can in Enniskillen to keep them from calling reinforcements as we navigate this crisis together. If Angus & I can find an accord between our beliefs of the Flame, all the Old God's, & respect them, why can't we? The spark of cooperation has already been lit. Perhaps Angus is right that Sages of the other Old God's have insights that would bring value to your decision regarding your fears."
"My actions are not deceptions. It is a transgression to my faith, but also my personal morals. Work with us, me, & we will work with you to navigate an avoidance of war, & appeasement to Kromac!"
At Angus' words, the warriors begin to murmur to one another animatedly.
Chief Mac Lochlann frowns, a storm brewing on his bushy brow. "You? Accuse me of fear? Cowering like a beast before a wildfire? How dare you!" His voice begins to boom, filling the longhouse. "I am not here to make promises to a Flamekeeper, whatever your allegiance to Nuada. If Sir Lorn will not come, I will burn Enniskillen down to find him!"he roars. "There is no accord for us with Northfolk who have betrayed our ways and ally themselves to a religion that seeks the destruction of those ways. Your accord is the deception--perhaps you deceive yourself, but there is no accord between the Flame and the Old Gods. None at all. Quiet your blasphemy!"
The warriors have fallen to silence. The Druid lifts up his gnarled oaken staff, and slams it down onto the ground with a bang. "Our way is clear. These stones will be investigated. The Steward of the Silver Sword has spoken. You have heard his words. Nuada's sword will await his return, and Nuada defend his steps. You Prophesied"--he says this with a look at Moz--"will go to the mainland. Find the nature of the curse of Nodens. Make blood sacrifices to Kromac. Reveal the nature of the delerium stone. But first, bring Sir Lorn to me, or we will take him with axe and sword, and all of Enniskillen with him."
"Kromac will make his will known by the new moon," Chief Mac Lochlann says. "You have nine days to bring Sir Lorn here."
"As you say, Chief. Mac Lochlann."Sasha says with a nod. In this moment she was dejected, and it was not something she was hiding well. She was realizing in real time that her mercy had been misplaced. The Druid's death could have cast doubt on who had been responsible, and what had happened. Her desire to spare a spirtual leader who knew not what he was about to subject his community to had put countless lives in danger. In this moment she hated Sir Lorn. She loathed the pressure that was placed on her to act, she could have left, and the Paladin handled the problem himself. But no. She was here now, and her actions had only made things worse.
"When he is bought to you, what will come of him? Will he be afforded a chance to speak for himself, or has a judgment already been made?"
"He will speak for his deeds," Chief Mac Lochlann says, quietly. The chieftain seems tense, on edge, a mountain of fury barely contained in his enormous form. His voice raises to a commanding shout. "Now this Council is adjourned!"
"Let us implore the Ravager for success in our hunt," the Druid calls, his words warbling in a clamor in comparison to the stark and final evocation of the chieftain. "Let the blood of life drown the burning Flame!" As one, the warriors all rise to their feet around the fire, and with an animalistic howl, a rhythmic chant is started up, first by one man, then another. The Druid's voice like a roar, bestial, far louder than is possible from a human throat, joins the crescendo.
Awkwardly, the party has not been asked to leave... and before they even have time to wonder why, ceremonial daggers are thrust into Moz's and Alorin's hands. Angus is handed a silver bowl--not the usual carved wood or bone receptacle, oddly enough.
Alorin is perplexed at having a dagger thrust into his hands. “Usually people are more interested in making sure you put your dagger away in social gatherings, not in giving you one,” he muses. He briefly looks at Moz, who has also been handed a dagger, and shakes his head. “No way he has a clue what’s going on. But I know who might,” he thinks, and turns to Angus, who is now holding a silver bowl of some sort, for some sort of clarification.
As the warriors rise to their feet so too does Valanthe. And admist the howls and chanting she quietly leaves the longhouse: the stench of their bloodlust is too much to stomach.
And so the Hunt begins...but why a silver bowl? Angusthinks to himself.
Angusstoops to Alorinand Moz. He leans in for a whisper and quickly realizes that he might need to shout for them to hear over the chanting. "This is the Rite of the Ravager, used by my people to awaken their inner beast and draw closer to Kromac. Used before hunts and before war. Use the daggers to draw blood from those gathered here, they should offer it zealously. Draw blood from yourselves if you wish to join in. Though our goals are not the same as the Druids, we are, in some sense, hunting Sir Lorn. To capture is also to hunt. Kromac might give his insights in our next endeavors but I will think no less of you if do not participate. The Path is not for most."
"If you wish to have no part in this," Angus extends his hand, "then go, I can perform the bleeding."
This situation is too much for Rivyre & she is even more keenly aware now whatever she tries, there is no point in reasoning w/ these people. She watches as Valanthe leaves in a fair hurry as well, uncomfortable w/ the events transpiring. She has the right idea, & Rivyre immediately follows her out of longhouse w/ same urgency.
Flipping the blade in his hand and testing the balance. " No Angus, I will stick around."Giving him a grin. " So how does this work? I get to bleed you all and you collect the blood. Then what?...... We aren't going to drink it are we?'He says with a quizzical look. " I am not sayinnngg no, but just like to have a heads up before hand."
"The blood will be pooled to signify unity, a pack of wolves on the prowl. Then painted upon the skin, like the Druid showed you Alorin. This symbolizes the consumption of life and the eternal cycle of bloodshed that life requires."
Angus looks wearily at the silver bowl in his hands. "Traditionally, the receptacle is wooden or of bone. I believe this silver is to represent an allegiance between Kromac and Nuada, to call on her skills of war and combat. This is not her will. I will not allow it."
"If you wish to shed your blood and ask for a fruitful hunt then do not mix your blood with theirs. You will not wish to be a part of their pack. Neither do I. For us, this will be our vessel." Angus quietly opens his pack, revealing the bear skull from his pack, the same one used in Angus'spersonal pact with Kromac.
Sascha's eyes too lingered on Rivyre. This was, perhaps. a grave mistake. Candor was necessary at this point. Between the overt divine magic, and whatever Moz was doing, Sascha was uncomfortable. She didn't like the odds of a liar and a foreign priest convincing the druid alone. When Sascha spoke, it was earnest, direct, and pleading.
"I know nothing of this prophecy, however, I can speak to the fact that its words align with my intentions. The stone recovered in Westemar was a cursed thing. Stones of its kind reduced one of the largest cities on the continent to a damned husk where nature no longer holds sway, and where men become monsters with no remnant of their former selves to be found. We, Moz included, acted to try and spare your lands the same fate. This, perhaps, has turned Old against New, as the Church of the Sacred Flame seeks to prevent this evil from spreading, and in this case that lead to conflict with the servants of Kromac. Actions we were caught up in. I understand that we disrupted a rite, and that the Ravager likely does not suffer such transgressions lightly. I can only hope that the intent behind our deeds rings true."
Sascha may have spoken directly to the Druid, but in a real way, her audience was the Chieftain. Her intent was to appeal to the practicality of why this had all happened, and with any luck, convince him, that intervention, however regrettable, was for the greater good. To her mind, reparations could be made for the disruption far more easily if its reason was laid clear.
(Heroic Inspiration and Tactical mind expended Persuasion 15)
The Druid gives Moz a measured stare, his expression unreadable behind his prodigious beard and eyebrows, and then lifts a carved wooden bowl filled with a dark liquid. In the smoky dim interior of the longhouse, it's hard to tell what it is. But as he pours it into the fire, hissing steam flaring up the blaze, the scorched smell makes it obvious. Blood.
"The Fey Lords with their inscrutable prophecies are correct. Indeed a corrupting fire threatens to consume the Isle. The Flame ever seeks to devour and consume the very force of all life. We tame fire, we use it. Yet in our rites of sacrifice in the moonlight it has no place, it gasps for air, it drowns in the earth and the water. The unholy Flame must also be quenched on the Isle. It is the will of the gods, who are blasphemed by the followers of the Flame. For many years now, the Flame has spread. Burning, destroying. Infecting the tribes of the Northfolk, charring them to husks of their former selves. Enniskillen is a charred ruin. No doubt the knight who destroyed Kromac's altar has fled there. You know what must be done, faithful of Kromac!" He raises up the empty bowl in both hands, high over his head.
Loud shouts and howls ring out from the men circled around the fire, deafening in the smoky longhouse.
Chief Mac Lochlann speaks, his voice booming from his large frame, as he looks at Sascha. "Our Druid described this stone of which you speak. He told me that Alorin has bound himself to Kromac's service, and that he has agreed to travel to the mainland to discover the nature of this stone. With him he will take the offered child, for she cannot stay on the Isle. Now war is brewing. I will wait until the new moon... until Kromac's will is made clear." His bushy red brow furrows darkly. "It has been long enough since I last tested the mettle of the Lochlann men against the Blytheway clan. They must be made to see the error of their ways. But Kromac must be appeased first."
"Bring me the knight that destroyed Kromac's altar," the Druid roars. "His blood will sate Kromac's wrath."
Rivyre cannot sit silent no longer her anger rising up again. She will not by sit idly by listening to this rhetoric while this Druid & Chief Lochlaan call for needless & unjust violence against those who did no harm simply to satify their rage for blood & vengeance. She responds coldly & harshly to the Druid,
(she will expend her Guidance as a general Persuasion check to the entire longhouse, & not specific people for all of her upcomg testimony) D20 (7) + (2 +1)= 10 Persuasion
"THE FLAME IS NOT UNHOLY!" Rivyre shouts in anger! "We do not burn, destroy, or forcibly turn people into charred husks, as you call it. Every person has a right to choose their own faith, to choose their own path, & choose what to believe in! The people of Enniskillen are a proud of their belief in the Flame, just as Clan Lochlaan is w/ your belief in the Old Gods. All of you can coexist without resorting to unjust violence!"
Rivyre calms slightly..., but still w/ a measure sterness in her voice & continues w/ the Druid, "The Silver Order are bound to listen to Sacred Flame, to listen to the Flamekeepers like me! I admit Sir Lorn's destruction of your altar was an oversight on his part..., a common mindset of many Silver Order Knights who blindly follow our third tenant. But, I will refrain from quoting that in this counsel. I will speak with him to see if I get him to answer for the crimes he is accused of & willfully come of his own volition. His only goal was to spare Skye the horrors that lady Sascha described. I sensed that he is an honorable man when I met him. I think it's possible he'll see the position he has put all the people of Skye in & make the right choice to answer for the crimes he is accused of."
Next she turns her attention to Chief Lochlaan, "The Blytheway Clan has NOTHING to do w/ the destruction of the delerium crystal! There are no errors for their warriors or the innocent men, women, or children who have done no wrong to Clan Lochlaan. The Divine Matriarch has chosen to ignore the Isles of Skye for so long because it has had no bearing w/ the problems of the mainland. When the she hears you murder innocnets in a blind rage, do you know what will happen? The Faith & Silver Order will come down like wildfire all over the Isles of Skye & turn your people into charred husks, as your Druid calls it.
She pauses..., Be honest w/ me Chief Lochlaan. How long do you think your clan can hold out in all out war w/ the Sacred Flame, the Silver Order, & Clan Blytheway? 3 armies against just your clan? I think even Angus (as she gestures to him) can see the flaw in those odds, even being tough warrior I know & respect that he is! Is that what you want? To see your entire clan & everything you have built here destroyed? I do not share the extreme rhetoric unlike those in Elyria. I do not wanto to see anyone harmed by this incident. Clan Lochlaan, Clan Blytheway, the Elves of Eladria, & all of us here today. There is a peaceful path forward if you only put aside your hate & listen!!!
Lastly she finishes with a echo & Sascha's words, "I echo what Sascha has said about that stone. I preach in a city less than 200 miles from Drakkenheim where these accursed stones come from. I have consoled many a failed treasure hunter seeking these stones for riches, only to see the horrors that shell of city left on the poor souls. They are shells of the men & women they used to be. Broken both physically & spiritually seeing friends turned to monsters for which there is no known cure. Some of these folks arrive in my temple mutilated beyond near recognition w/ horrific infections or body mutations w/ little that we can do to spare them from pain & suffering. I would not wish anyone on these isles to witness the things that I have seen! That crystal only brings death & despair, & its destruction saved Skye from the same horrific fate!"
Moz the Magnificent
Moz heaves a silent sigh of relief surprised that seemed too work. Taking his seat back in the circle, as the Druid continues to speech, Moz looks around at the others. Seeing Rivyre's temper slowly boil up, Moz chuckles. "Well this should be entertaining." He thinks to himself as he scoots back a few inches back out of the circle. Just in time for Rivyre's diatribe.
Silently waiting till Rivyre is finished, Moz leans over to Alorin. "So we have to take the child to mainland. What do you think.... Fairy road to the mainland? If there is even one. I know you are not a fan of boats, sooo not a lot of options."
Tell me, Druid, what happens to a god when they have no followers?
Valanthe stands and addresses the Druid amidst the shouting and heightened emotion with a calm and measured tone: What happens to a god when every trace of their existence has been scourged from the land: every altar, every shrine, every scripture, idol or carving has been smashed or turned to ash? What happens to a god when they are forgotten?
She turns to Chief Mac Lochlann at looks up him, unfazed by his height: If you wage war on Eniskillen, the Silver Order will come and purge Skye of all followers of the old faith. They will kill you, your children and your children’s children. Clan Lochlann will be ended. Your history and heritage - gone. All the clans will be wiped out.
All the clans except Blythway.
And you want to know the worst part? There won’t be a single paladin for you to swing your axe against: they will fly in on their griffins and smite you from the skies. Is that how you see the final moments of your people? Helpless?
And then, those paladins will hunt down every believer across the mainland until Kromac has no one left to believe in him. All because of him. She points at the Druid, keeping her arm up so no one could mistake who she is pointing at.
Still addressing the chief He brought that stone here! He brought Sir Lorn here! That stone would have cursed your people to fate worse than death: twisted their bodies in grotesque disfigurements, turned them into mindless husks of screaming agony. And if this Druid had made the offering of that stone, the altar of Kromac would have been destroyed at his hands instead. It is his mistakes that us led us all here.
Valanthe lowers her arm. Chief Mac Lochlann - I do not yet know the burden of leadership. And I can only speak of what I would do to protect my people when I am queen. But I would not seek council from a man so blinded by arrogance that his actions would lead to the eradication of my kind.
So, if you want to appease Kromac, sacrifice him instead.
Valanthe offers her hand to the Chief to shake and says: You honor me by hosting us here and for allowing us to speak. The elves of Eladria wish you and your family well. And she sits back down; her slight frame dwarfed by the interior of the longhouse.
Humans are so stupid, she thinks to herself, how little they value their shorts lives. How little credit they give their own abilities and instead blindly follow their silent gods. She knew her words would have little effect. But she knew she had to try anyway.
She looks across to Alorin and Moz with an expression futility on her face: This is pointless, she says with quiet defeat, We should just leave.
A desolate silence fills the longhouse after Rivyre and Valanthe's speeches. All of the warriors surrounding the fire, and Chief Mac Lochlann, all gazing in silence...their emotion is palpable. Fear.
The Druid alone has only a wild triumph in his eyes. "You prove my words with your threats," he says. "The Flame does nothing but destroy. How will Kromac respond to this threat? How will he protect his followers? How can the wild beast escape the forest fire? I sought to offer this powerful stone to Kromac for the benefit and power of his followers...Kromac willed it so. For he fights the Flame as we do. As only a wild beast in a forest fire can. By cunning, and perseverance. Unlike the beasts, we see farther. Our cunning is stronger. What happens when all of our altars are smashed?" He laughs as he slowly rises to his feet. "Kromac will live. Kromac always lives. You would like his influence on this world to be diminished, by destroying all of us, by smashing our altars. But Kromac will live, as long as this world lives. He is the force of all life." He smiles. "Who sent the magical stones? They are Kromac's gift, to shield us from the all-consuming Flame."
Chief Mac Lochlann speaks up. "This fearful stone. Does it truly warp men into monsters? Great Druid, you claim it is Kromac's gift to us. But what do we know of it?" He raises his enormous height and turns to his men. "Kromac's will is not clear to me. What happens when the wild beast can no longer escape the forest fire?"
One of the men mutters, "It dies in agony." Another says, "It is lost by its own power, unless the rain comes."
Chief Mac Lochlann continues, "What if it turns into a horrific monster that is unharmed by flames?"
The man shudder as one. "Blasphemy. The beasts must welcome death, as it comes to us all."
Chief Mac Lochlann stares at his men. Then he says, "This knight, Sir Lorn, who destroyed the stone that was meant to be an offering to Kromac. I would like to speak to him. I must know more of this stone. Perhaps it is Kromac's will that this knight be sacrified. That will be made clear in time. But he is not a native of Skye. He comes from Elyria. Neither is this stone native to Skye." He turns to Sascha and Rivyre. "Bring him here, and after the new moon we will have another Council."
"The Flame," the Druid says softly, standing across the fire from the Chief, "will consume us all. It does not co-exist, whatever the Flamekeeper of Nuada claims. It burns steadily, and insidiously, all in its path that is not itself." He turns to Alorin. "Wanderer of Kromac, go to the mainland. Find this stone."
Moz the Magnificent
As Valanthe finishes her speech, Moz gives her a round of applause. " Well said my dear, very diplomatic of you. Don't be so hard on yourself. Religious people tend to be a bit thick headed. It is easy to be intractable in their postion when they have faith propping up their argument." Patting her knee gently. " You can join me and Alorin, we are going to the mainland apparently. It well be a grand adventure." Leaning a bit more. " Are you actually a princess? I just assumed that Princess of Eladria was cuase ...... well.... you know aren't all elves princesses?"
As she sits down, defeated, she drops that formal poise and just stares in bewilderment at a people so keen to die. And then she sees it. She looks at Alorin and sees in his face that he sees it too. She doesn't hear what Moz says - just the last bit "Um... unless they're princes..." she says absently to the gnome as she leans over to Alorin and says: their fear of delerium and the silver order needs to be greater than their fear of kromac and stands again in response to the Druid's words:
Fire cannot burn without fuel, Druid. You are stoking those flames. You are giving the Silver Order all the excuse they need to come here and desecrate every alter of the old gods - including Kromac.
Alorin
Alorin slowly gathers his thoughts and begins to speak. “I gave my word, Druid, and I plan to keep it. I will look for this stone, and I will prove that its danger far exceeds its value. That stone is not a plaything for human hands, or an object of sacrifice. It is an invasion by some outside force upon this world, considering how it crashed down from the sky like your clansmen pour upon the shores of the continent in your boats for your raids.” The very thought of travel by sea causes a shudder to run through him, but he quickly suppresses it, and continues his argument.
”More than once I told the druid of my dreams, perhaps given by Kromac himself, or another of the Old Gods, for all I know, and now I would tell you proud warriors as well. Of how this stone brings only ruin and horror. I would question whether that stone is a sacrifice or a poison that someone would use to harm Kromac.I would ask whether Kromac's interest in the stone was born from a desire to have it, or a desire to purge this influence - maybe of a foreign god - from the lands he sees as one day being his own. And if Kromac wants all such stones purged, who better to do that purging than you, his fangs and claws? Would you purge poison by consuming it, or by destroying it with your hands? If the stone is indeed poison, or a threat to Kromac, do you truly dare try sacrificing it to him? Would that not simply invite his wrath?"
"You think that the knight destroyed Kromac's altar, whereas he maintained that his aim was to destroy the stone. If this is a stone that Kromac would see purged, are you certain that Kromac did not guide his hand, regardless of whether he was a believer or not? Are you all arrogant enough to think that Kromac works only through the hands of you, his followers? That he has no sway over others, willing or otherwise? Do the predators of the forest not serve Kromac in their cunning, their perseverance, and their brutality, even without knowing they do so? Are you certain that Kromac was not forced to use a knight of the Flame to purge the stone before it was sacrificed to him, possibly harming him in the process? Are you certain that a mere knight could have destroyed Kromac's altar without divine consequence if Kromac himself didn't will it so? Could you stand to bear Kromac's wrath if this was all his arrangement, and you now chose to oppose it?”
"Your own men, and the Druid himself, tells tales of fish and men twisted into monstrosities, the faithful of Nodens now having become empty husks, as you call them. Are you certain that, had you sacrificed the stone to Kromac, that would not have been your fate as well? Could it be that Nodens has been poisoned, much the same way Kromac might have been, if the sacrifice had taken place? Do you dare presume to know his will? Are you sure you can bear the consequences of starting a war here and weakening Kromac's forces, when he has a much bigger war planned against the true enemies of himself and the other Old Gods, the ones who might have poisoned Nodens?"
"This stone is said to have the power to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. The tales tell of people that it drives to greed, to the point where they drive themselves to madness and abomination. This is a stone that might be looking to steal Kromac's followers, as well as those of all the Old Gods, through its corrupt power. Be careful of your thoughts if you have come into contact with this stone, for your mind may no longer be your own, or Kromac's, for that matter. There are reasons aplenty why Kromac might want these stones purged - be wary, and think on them before you act, or you may be going against his will, and that may not end well for any of us."
”I have already promised to bring Kromac the blood of monsters I might slay, and my enemies that I might incite to war. I would counsel you to wait, and to investigate, before deciding on the target of your war. There is much brewing in the world at large that he might have an interest in; a bigger war that he might be preparing you for. I would warn you against recklessly ruining his plans lest you face his wrath for not listening before you act."
(Intimidation: 13+0=13)
"We have gathered to discuss the will of the gods. Yet only one has been discussed. What of Mother Danu? If this cursed rock corrupts men than surely it twists stone. Her will would be to carve out this tumor from her blessed form and destroy it! Of Father Nodens, it already infests his waters and now those fish creatures spill onto land. It seems unusual, sending fish-men rather than his tempestuous winds and thunder to enact his wrath, does it not? Perhaps he drove them out his waters for you to rid him of them."
Angus turns to the rest of his kin, "Remember our history. It was with the gods in ages past that we found refuge from the Sorceror Kings. All had lent their hand to guide us to our home. They care as deeply for us as they did then and now another great evil threatens our home. This stone must not be allowed to persist. I will accompany this group to the mainland and discern the nature of this stone. Let us find a sage of Ogham, a witch of Morrigan, a dreamer of Phantasia, a torch of Lugh. Let them share their insights in the meantime."
Seeing Chief Lochlaan beginning to question the Druid's recommendations now gives Rivyre hope to solve this dilemma, but she knows she must tread carefully. She fears for Sir Lorn's safety if the Druid it does not comply with Chief Lochlaan's wishes. Rivyre stands up & steps off to the side to in order to address both Chief Lochlaan & the Druid. She looks to Chief Mac Lochlaan with a more regained composure and a less threatening stace,
"Chief Mac Lochlaan..., I sense your fear. Fear of what these crystals can do & rightfully so you should be concerned. Forgive me of my interpretation is wrong, perhaps that fear is greater than what Kromac's displeasure would bring. I am willing to bring Sir Lorn here for you to speak with him about the crystals. I would need assurance that he "NOT" be harmed by anyone when he arrives. I do not trust the Druid to obey your command..., he seems hell bent on wanting his death as soon as possible blinded by his need for retribution. If it is not Kromac's will that Sir Lorn be sacrificed, I suspect you know or perhaps could think of other ways Kromac's hunger can be sated to avoid his displeasure."
"Your fear the Sacred Flame on what they could do. In total truth, so do I. I don't want an Elyrian military force to arrive on Skye, my childhood home. I will use as much of my influences I can in Enniskillen to keep them from calling reinforcements as we navigate this crisis together. If Angus & I can find an accord between our beliefs of the Flame, all the Old God's, & respect them, why can't we? The spark of cooperation has already been lit. Perhaps Angus is right that Sages of the other Old God's have insights that would bring value to your decision regarding your fears."
"My actions are not deceptions. It is a transgression to my faith, but also my personal morals. Work with us, me, & we will work with you to navigate an avoidance of war, & appeasement to Kromac!"
At Angus' words, the warriors begin to murmur to one another animatedly.
Chief Mac Lochlann frowns, a storm brewing on his bushy brow. "You? Accuse me of fear? Cowering like a beast before a wildfire? How dare you!" His voice begins to boom, filling the longhouse. "I am not here to make promises to a Flamekeeper, whatever your allegiance to Nuada. If Sir Lorn will not come, I will burn Enniskillen down to find him!" he roars. "There is no accord for us with Northfolk who have betrayed our ways and ally themselves to a religion that seeks the destruction of those ways. Your accord is the deception--perhaps you deceive yourself, but there is no accord between the Flame and the Old Gods. None at all. Quiet your blasphemy!"
The warriors have fallen to silence. The Druid lifts up his gnarled oaken staff, and slams it down onto the ground with a bang. "Our way is clear. These stones will be investigated. The Steward of the Silver Sword has spoken. You have heard his words. Nuada's sword will await his return, and Nuada defend his steps. You Prophesied"--he says this with a look at Moz--"will go to the mainland. Find the nature of the curse of Nodens. Make blood sacrifices to Kromac. Reveal the nature of the delerium stone. But first, bring Sir Lorn to me, or we will take him with axe and sword, and all of Enniskillen with him."
"Kromac will make his will known by the new moon," Chief Mac Lochlann says. "You have nine days to bring Sir Lorn here."
"As you say, Chief. Mac Lochlann." Sasha says with a nod. In this moment she was dejected, and it was not something she was hiding well. She was realizing in real time that her mercy had been misplaced. The Druid's death could have cast doubt on who had been responsible, and what had happened. Her desire to spare a spirtual leader who knew not what he was about to subject his community to had put countless lives in danger. In this moment she hated Sir Lorn. She loathed the pressure that was placed on her to act, she could have left, and the Paladin handled the problem himself. But no. She was here now, and her actions had only made things worse.
"When he is bought to you, what will come of him? Will he be afforded a chance to speak for himself, or has a judgment already been made?"
"He will speak for his deeds," Chief Mac Lochlann says, quietly. The chieftain seems tense, on edge, a mountain of fury barely contained in his enormous form. His voice raises to a commanding shout. "Now this Council is adjourned!"
"Let us implore the Ravager for success in our hunt," the Druid calls, his words warbling in a clamor in comparison to the stark and final evocation of the chieftain. "Let the blood of life drown the burning Flame!" As one, the warriors all rise to their feet around the fire, and with an animalistic howl, a rhythmic chant is started up, first by one man, then another. The Druid's voice like a roar, bestial, far louder than is possible from a human throat, joins the crescendo.
Awkwardly, the party has not been asked to leave... and before they even have time to wonder why, ceremonial daggers are thrust into Moz's and Alorin's hands. Angus is handed a silver bowl--not the usual carved wood or bone receptacle, oddly enough.
Alorin
Alorin is perplexed at having a dagger thrust into his hands. “Usually people are more interested in making sure you put your dagger away in social gatherings, not in giving you one,” he muses. He briefly looks at Moz, who has also been handed a dagger, and shakes his head. “No way he has a clue what’s going on. But I know who might,” he thinks, and turns to Angus, who is now holding a silver bowl of some sort, for some sort of clarification.
As the warriors rise to their feet so too does Valanthe. And admist the howls and chanting she quietly leaves the longhouse: the stench of their bloodlust is too much to stomach.
And so the Hunt begins...but why a silver bowl? Angus thinks to himself.
Angus stoops to Alorin and Moz. He leans in for a whisper and quickly realizes that he might need to shout for them to hear over the chanting.
"This is the Rite of the Ravager, used by my people to awaken their inner beast and draw closer to Kromac. Used before hunts and before war. Use the daggers to draw blood from those gathered here, they should offer it zealously. Draw blood from yourselves if you wish to join in. Though our goals are not the same as the Druids, we are, in some sense, hunting Sir Lorn. To capture is also to hunt. Kromac might give his insights in our next endeavors but I will think no less of you if do not participate. The Path is not for most."
"If you wish to have no part in this," Angus extends his hand, "then go, I can perform the bleeding."
This situation is too much for Rivyre & she is even more keenly aware now whatever she tries, there is no point in reasoning w/ these people. She watches as Valanthe leaves in a fair hurry as well, uncomfortable w/ the events transpiring. She has the right idea, & Rivyre immediately follows her out of longhouse w/ same urgency.
Moz the Magnificent
Flipping the blade in his hand and testing the balance. " No Angus, I will stick around." Giving him a grin. " So how does this work? I get to bleed you all and you collect the blood. Then what?...... We aren't going to drink it are we?' He says with a quizzical look. " I am not sayinnngg no, but just like to have a heads up before hand."
"The blood will be pooled to signify unity, a pack of wolves on the prowl. Then painted upon the skin, like the Druid showed you Alorin. This symbolizes the consumption of life and the eternal cycle of bloodshed that life requires."
Angus looks wearily at the silver bowl in his hands. "Traditionally, the receptacle is wooden or of bone. I believe this silver is to represent an allegiance between Kromac and Nuada, to call on her skills of war and combat. This is not her will. I will not allow it."
"If you wish to shed your blood and ask for a fruitful hunt then do not mix your blood with theirs. You will not wish to be a part of their pack. Neither do I. For us, this will be our vessel." Angus quietly opens his pack, revealing the bear skull from his pack, the same one used in Angus's personal pact with Kromac.