"Oh good, a cleric," Tyst says. "Welcome to the asylum. I'm Tyst, don't mind the soot, it's illusory...mostly...a byproduct of hanging out near the Fey. Let me introduce you to Zarvox. Zarvox is a secretary for the Abyss - likes to write and talk in riddles. You two will get a long great!"He chuckles as he leads Thrain towards Zarvox.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Zarvox’s ember eyes flicker with theatrical delight as he steps forward, coat flaring like a curtain before a performance. His tail taps once—twice—thrice, in rhythm with the riddle he begins to weave: "A thief steals time, a dwarf wields faith, A soot-born jester dances near wraith. But tell me, newcomer, if truth you seek—Who writes the riddles that all others speak?”
He tilts his head, smile sharp as a scalpel, and adds with mock reverence: “Welcome, Thrain. You’ve arrived precisely when the plot thickens. I am Zarvox—footnote framer, abyssal archivist, and the reason this tale remembers itself.”
Then, with a wink toward Tyst: “And yes, dear sootling, I do believe we’ll get along famously. Provided he enjoys being confused.”
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Ian. I look forward to working with you. Hopefully we all life long enough to get to know each other better.”
With a slight look of irritation at still being in chains Ian follows Jade into the tent.
Thrain beams at everyone. I as cleric will make sure everyone lives long enough to get to know each other! What are we waiting for! It's time for action
OOC: Sorry for the late posting, the weekend has been busy
"Now the first order of business before we get to the main chunk of this briefing is designating a group leader for your individual dive squads. Your group, while some are familiar I'll re-explain how it works. This person is not in charge of every decision but takes the responsibility for keeping their group members alive and well and being heavier weighted in votes where it would result in a tie so that they have marginally greater influence should your group need to make a decision." She looks at the paperwork on her desk and sighs. "It also makes things easier for me to know who's in charge and who should report to me for things that would require additional planning or preparation. It also makes things easier should someone die in your group," Ian you see fire in Jade's eyes as she glares at you. "Much less for me to worry about." If you could Ian, you feel like it would've been a good idea to run.
"Now for your group, obviously the leader should've been someone with actual experience and skill in what they know, so that left it between Sucé and Ian. But seeing as Sucé had worked, and still does so just barely less, through strength in leading rather than intelligence that left me choosing you Ianfir Sachur." (hopefully you don't mind me giving you a last name, if you don't like it we can retcon this)
”Now,” she gestures towards Arazel’s group. “Despite his seniority, Arazel you are in charge of your group. Arven’s tendency to follow his gut will be wrong one of these days and I know you’ll be much better at making decisions with your brain rather than heart. Also give him this letter. He’s probably already picked a fight with some poor demon that managed to claw its way to the surface. I feel pity for that demon.”
"Does everyone agree with these choices?" (She doesn't look like she cares what you answer and her face is completely neutral in a way that shuts down any attempt at disagreement...which is mostly directed directly at Sol and a little towards Zarvox)
Zarvox tilts his head, tapping a riddle into his Codex with one long finger. His smile widens—detached, amused, unreadable.
“Agreement is irrelevant. The abyss doesn’t ask for consent—it assigns roles. I accept mine… with theatrical reluctance. Tho are we getting some new equipment and the Leader needs a badge of some sort right? To make him feel special?"
Tyst shrugs. "The last thing I want is to be in charge and responsible for keeping everyone else alive. But it does concern me that your choice for leader - the one in charge of keeping the rest of us alive - is in manacles. Seems an odd choice - like maybe he's not so good at the 'keeping everyone alive part'. Care to share your thought process there other than 'he has experience'?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
I accept the role assigned me! May Tyr guide us safely! He pauses looking uncertain. "I too question the wisdom of our leader, I seek us to be lead strongly into the realm beyond striving for good!"
Ian seems thrown off by the choice of him as leader. Ian struggles to understand if this decision is purely based on logic, a hope for redemption or a hope to send this group to their deaths. After a moment of contemplation Ian is jolted awake by Tyst’s comment.
“True, it is important for a leader to have the trust of those they lead. If I am the best choice I will strive to gain everyone's trust.”
If possible Ian will want to try to tell if there is any malice in choosing him as the leader.
Ian seems thrown off by the choice of him as leader. Ian struggles to understand if this decision is purely based on logic, a hope for redemption or a hope to send this group to their deaths. After a moment of contemplation Ian is jolted awake by Tyst’s comment.
“True, it is important for a leader to have the trust of those they lead. If I am the best choice I will strive to gain everyone's trust.”
If possible Ian will want to try to tell if there is any malice in choosing him as the leader.
Insight Roll: 5 (lol nope.)
Jade might’ve honestly picked you for your “persuasion“ of the arch devil to come to your aid and your past experiences for the benefit of the group.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"I have advantage on dex saving throws what could go wrong?"
Tyst shrugs. "The last thing I want is to be in charge and responsible for keeping everyone else alive. But it does concern me that your choice for leader - the one in charge of keeping the rest of us alive - is in manacles. Seems an odd choice - like maybe he's not so good at the 'keeping everyone alive part'. Care to share your thought process there other than 'he has experience'?"
“He was a paladin who had joined our ranks as far back in our formative days after the celestial war as possible his presence in fact predates Sucé’s and only Arven had joined before him. While not the strongest he had many experiences that led him to his knowledge and capabilities he has currently.” She looks at the chains with disdain. “And these,” she takes out a key and breaks the links between the chains still leaving them on Ian’s wrist. “These are inhibitor chains. On his last mission he was the only survivor, which would normally hold no consequences unless obvious abandonment of one’s group, he survived after being saved by an arch devil that we still haven’t identified and for all we know it could be a demon lord hence the shackles to at least comfort those remaining on base.
”You’re free to take them off outside of base but keep one on in most scenarios just in case Ian. I doubt it’d happen but your sponsor may just attempt to take a mad grasp for power at a point where you least expect. You already were drained of most of your strength when you accepted its ‘gift’ so beware.” She turns back to the group now looking at them to make sure they understand the circumstances. “Should he become controlled and the shackles do nothing, I give you permission to render him unconscious, if that doesn’t work, do what you must for the continued survival of your group. If he has at least one shackle on the devil shouldn’t be able to use its powers effectively through Ian so that’s why I ask that at least one remain on.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"I have advantage on dex saving throws what could go wrong?"
I accept the role assigned me! May Tyr guide us safely! He pauses looking uncertain. "I too question the wisdom of our leader, I seek us to be lead strongly into the realm beyond striving for good!"
Tyst pats Thrain on the shoulder, resulting in a small puff of soot that quickly disappears. "Good on ya' sparky," he says with just a hint of sarcasm. "I do appreciate your enthusiasm about keeping us alive. I don't know about striving for good, but I'll settle for a leader who also strives to have us remain, ya know, NOT dead."
"But," He says with a sigh, "we all die eventually. I guess today's as good a day as any."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
"Oh good, a cleric," Tyst says. "Welcome to the asylum. I'm Tyst, don't mind the soot, it's illusory...mostly...a byproduct of hanging out near the Fey. Let me introduce you to Zarvox. Zarvox is a secretary for the Abyss - likes to write and talk in riddles. You two will get a long great!" He chuckles as he leads Thrain towards Zarvox.
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Zarvox Narration
Zarvox’s ember eyes flicker with theatrical delight as he steps forward, coat flaring like a curtain before a performance. His tail taps once—twice—thrice, in rhythm with the riddle he begins to weave: "A thief steals time, a dwarf wields faith, A soot-born jester dances near wraith. But tell me, newcomer, if truth you seek—Who writes the riddles that all others speak?”
He tilts his head, smile sharp as a scalpel, and adds with mock reverence: “Welcome, Thrain. You’ve arrived precisely when the plot thickens. I am Zarvox—footnote framer, abyssal archivist, and the reason this tale remembers itself.”
Then, with a wink toward Tyst: “And yes, dear sootling, I do believe we’ll get along famously. Provided he enjoys being confused.”
Ian looks at Thrain.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Ian. I look forward to working with you. Hopefully we all life long enough to get to know each other better.”
With a slight look of irritation at still being in chains Ian follows Jade into the tent.
Thrain beams at everyone. I as cleric will make sure everyone lives long enough to get to know each other!
What are we waiting for! It's time for action
OOC: Sorry for the late posting, the weekend has been busy
((I'm assuming everyone has followed Jade into the tent at this point, give me a bit this might be a long write.))
"I have advantage on dex saving throws what could go wrong?"
"Now the first order of business before we get to the main chunk of this briefing is designating a group leader for your individual dive squads. Your group, while some are familiar I'll re-explain how it works. This person is not in charge of every decision but takes the responsibility for keeping their group members alive and well and being heavier weighted in votes where it would result in a tie so that they have marginally greater influence should your group need to make a decision." She looks at the paperwork on her desk and sighs. "It also makes things easier for me to know who's in charge and who should report to me for things that would require additional planning or preparation. It also makes things easier should someone die in your group," Ian you see fire in Jade's eyes as she glares at you. "Much less for me to worry about." If you could Ian, you feel like it would've been a good idea to run.
"Now for your group, obviously the leader should've been someone with actual experience and skill in what they know, so that left it between Sucé and Ian. But seeing as Sucé had worked, and still does so just barely less, through strength in leading rather than intelligence that left me choosing you Ianfir Sachur." (hopefully you don't mind me giving you a last name, if you don't like it we can retcon this)
”Now,” she gestures towards Arazel’s group. “Despite his seniority, Arazel you are in charge of your group. Arven’s tendency to follow his gut will be wrong one of these days and I know you’ll be much better at making decisions with your brain rather than heart. Also give him this letter. He’s probably already picked a fight with some poor demon that managed to claw its way to the surface. I feel pity for that demon.”
"Does everyone agree with these choices?" (She doesn't look like she cares what you answer and her face is completely neutral in a way that shuts down any attempt at disagreement...which is mostly directed directly at Sol and a little towards Zarvox)
"I have advantage on dex saving throws what could go wrong?"
Zarvox Narration.
Zarvox tilts his head, tapping a riddle into his Codex with one long finger. His smile widens—detached, amused, unreadable.
“Agreement is irrelevant. The abyss doesn’t ask for consent—it assigns roles. I accept mine… with theatrical reluctance. Tho are we getting some new equipment and the Leader needs a badge of some sort right? To make him feel special?"
His tail flicks once, like punctuation.
Tyst shrugs. "The last thing I want is to be in charge and responsible for keeping everyone else alive. But it does concern me that your choice for leader - the one in charge of keeping the rest of us alive - is in manacles. Seems an odd choice - like maybe he's not so good at the 'keeping everyone alive part'. Care to share your thought process there other than 'he has experience'?"
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
(Hey now ;-) )
D&D since 1984
Sol would; yes)
D&D since 1984
Sol smiles and relishes the attention. "I am in FULL agreement."
D&D since 1984
I accept the role assigned me! May Tyr guide us safely!
He pauses looking uncertain. "I too question the wisdom of our leader, I seek us to be lead strongly into the realm beyond striving for good!"
Ian seems thrown off by the choice of him as leader. Ian struggles to understand if this decision is purely based on logic, a hope for redemption or a hope to send this group to their deaths. After a moment of contemplation Ian is jolted awake by Tyst’s comment.
“True, it is important for a leader to have the trust of those they lead. If I am the best choice I will strive to gain everyone's trust.”
If possible Ian will want to try to tell if there is any malice in choosing him as the leader.
Insight Roll: 5 (lol nope.)
Jade might’ve honestly picked you for your “persuasion“ of the arch devil to come to your aid and your past experiences for the benefit of the group.
"I have advantage on dex saving throws what could go wrong?"
“He was a paladin who had joined our ranks as far back in our formative days after the celestial war as possible his presence in fact predates Sucé’s and only Arven had joined before him. While not the strongest he had many experiences that led him to his knowledge and capabilities he has currently.” She looks at the chains with disdain. “And these,” she takes out a key and breaks the links between the chains still leaving them on Ian’s wrist. “These are inhibitor chains. On his last mission he was the only survivor, which would normally hold no consequences unless obvious abandonment of one’s group, he survived after being saved by an arch devil that we still haven’t identified and for all we know it could be a demon lord hence the shackles to at least comfort those remaining on base.
”You’re free to take them off outside of base but keep one on in most scenarios just in case Ian. I doubt it’d happen but your sponsor may just attempt to take a mad grasp for power at a point where you least expect. You already were drained of most of your strength when you accepted its ‘gift’ so beware.” She turns back to the group now looking at them to make sure they understand the circumstances. “Should he become controlled and the shackles do nothing, I give you permission to render him unconscious, if that doesn’t work, do what you must for the continued survival of your group. If he has at least one shackle on the devil shouldn’t be able to use its powers effectively through Ian so that’s why I ask that at least one remain on.”
"I have advantage on dex saving throws what could go wrong?"
Tyst pats Thrain on the shoulder, resulting in a small puff of soot that quickly disappears. "Good on ya' sparky," he says with just a hint of sarcasm. "I do appreciate your enthusiasm about keeping us alive. I don't know about striving for good, but I'll settle for a leader who also strives to have us remain, ya know, NOT dead."
"But," He says with a sigh, "we all die eventually. I guess today's as good a day as any."
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
He nods looking to Tyst. "I shall always aspire to keep us not dead. We shall not die if I can help it!"