"Aradurk has it," Ritska says, continuing to pace and ignoring Wes's own question, "It's ridiculous when you think about it, is it not? They shouted his name to draw out forces rashly on a rescue mission, racing to his lair to rescue Ser Mary Glendale. This allowed him to plant a gem of revealing on her, allowing her to be taken back into the midst of the slaadi, where it would do the most damage to their infiltrations. Denorian clearly believes her to be expendable. Only...Denorian is wrong."
She pauses for a moment, pointing toward the door.
"The explosions...according to The Schoolchildren nearby, each explosion occurred as a result of the same action. A woman, standing in the middle of a crowded street, chanted a phrase: 'Ser Mary the bravest.' Why do you think these sappers shout Ser Mary's name?" she asks.
“It seems as though, they’re taking a page from Denorians book, and making it seem like she is behind the attack...” Wes chimes in from the corner. Petunia has now focused her attention at circling and sniffing at Ritska
If Ritska is bothered by Killian's comment, it does not show. She waits patiently, nodding when Wes answers.
"That is correct, Wes. Like those constructs, Doramor's sappers are drawing out Ser Mary. She is powerful, but prideful. Doramor is not stupid. He knows she will foolishly race into combat, but he must also know that Denorian's gems will negate his slaadi's shapechanging. Sure, they can do some impressive damage, but eventually with the gems they will be unmasked and harried back to their home plane."
"No, this is personal. Doramor is calling Ser Mary out. He knows his slaad army is going to lose, and he's using what's left of his power over them to settle an old score," she says. As if Ritska was not already serious enough, she suddenly grows even more so.
"Ser Mary cannot die. Perhaps in Denorian's mind she is expendable in his battle with his Elder Evil, but if she falls...between the orc empire and the recent chaos in Sundabar, Ser Mary is the only thing holding Luruar together. She is a beacon to its people, a symbol of strength and unity. She is the Warblade of Sundabar, Grand Inquisitrix, High Protector of the Silver Marches, Orc-Bane, and Paladin Ser Mary Glendale. What do you think will happen if she falls to her pride, rushing straight toward Doramor's trap?"she asks.
"How well does Doramor know Ser Mary's strength? When trapping a boar, a simple sharpened stake is all that is needed but does not provide safety. It will break the stake and rampage until dead. Knowing its strength and placing the stick in a pit kills and contains the boar.
"Ser Mary has not been sighted yet - at least, not the real Ser Mary. Doramor's sappers seem to have worn her likeness," Ritska answers.
"If Ser Mary is not found, and falls to Doramor, the entire North will plunge into conflict. She is the key to the Devilsfall Pact. My spies, and my contacts within the Zhentarim, believe the secret deal will eventually come into light, and when it does, if Ser Mary is not there to explain herself, the populace will be up in arms at the discovery that orcs have been smuggled through their lands to bolster the Many Arrows kingdom, regardless of the logic behind the move, and all of her hard work to prevent war will be for naught. Without the Warblade of Sundabar, Many Arrows will see Luruar as weakened, and no doubt demand more concessions. Doubtless, militants on both sides will be howling. Dissenters will be accused of being slaadi. And the grey orcs, only willing to remain peaceful because of Many Arrows' demands, will be ready to strike. Not to mention Roccar's own stake in the Devilsfall Pact: He'll no doubt tear down the Spine of the World to protect his adopted daughter Nazzar."
"Moreover, I do not want Ser Mary to have to kill Doramor. There is complicated history between them. I know she saved his life as a child, only to see him turn to this madness. To then have to kill that child grown a man? Even paladins feel regret, am I wrong? Karst, Killian, Tanakir, do you not all carry with you the weight of the decisions you have made to follow or break your oaths? She was my friend, and I would spare her this."
Ritska stop her story, cocking her head. "Do you know what happened in the Den of the Whispered Word?" she asks.
Aradurk's humor seems lost on Ritska. "No. The Den of the Whispered Word is a grand home nestled in the Lowerdark, in that hell they call 'The Howling Pits'. Denorian stumbled upon Doramor's parents here. They had been sold by orc slavers from 'The Burning Banner' war party to a yugoloth named Maram il Vass, the Den's master. Ser Mary, however, was only there to buy the freedom of a drow alchemist, Xaven Tanor'this, who was key to the war effort against the Demon Lord Graz'zt and his occupying fire giant horde in the Underdark city, Maerimydra."
"Ser Mary was faced with a choice: Follow through with her deal, or neglect her duty to save Doramor's parents instead. She knew these were the parents of the orphaned halfling; she had seen their portraits in a locket with Doramor's likeness. I was there, the resemblance was uncanny. But she did her duty. She treated with demons and hags, and she stuck with her pact, surely thinking she would return when all of Faerûn was not in peril. But Denorian...well, Denorian was more of a romantic back then."
"He tried to break the deal to save Doramor's parents. Magical fire lashed the wicked coven. But the slaves' suspended cages were magically triggered to fall...just like this one here, that's where I got the idea. Doramor's parents died. And then the fiends were on us. We fought our way out tooth and horn. And when Ser Mary clawed her way out of that dungeon, bloodied and battered, she brought one body: The drow she came for."
Ritska pauses to let the information sink in.
"Doramor never forgave Ser Mary. Once a trusted friend, he swore when he found out that he would take his revenge someday. And now the little madman is just waiting for her to charge in for an explosive murder-suicide."
"Of course, I do not ask for your help without offering a substantial reward, should you succeed. And you will be aided," Ritska nods in Brie's direction. The tiefling girl hands a glowing sapphire orb to each member of the party. "Touch this gem to your weapon, or armor, or fists, and they will be empowered. It won't last forever, and it will only work on one thing, but it should be a significant boon to the coming days," Ritska explains.
"Capture and protect Ser Mary from Doramor's forces, and prevent her from fighting Doramor or his army by any means necessary. Roccar will not understand this - he tends to rush headfirst into problems as well, as you know - so do not take her to his safehouse. Bring her to Bohmar Brineboots' Apothecary and give him my directions. He will be able to keep her safe. Gruun and Killian know the way."
OOC: How does each character respond to all they have learned? Your responses here will greatly dictate the direction the story takes.
Wes nods and stands “When I joined this team, it was to help break in and pull off a heist. I have learned much, made lifelong friends and allies.” Wes looks to each member of his original group. “But I’ve also grown weary as this is much bigger endeavor than I ever expected. I’ll place my wand in my hand to put my life in yours once more.”
Petunia poofs into existence on Wes’ shoulder with a burst of black smoke.
"The promise of reward is irrelevant now, we have come so far, fought through so much we cannot stand by whilst we are needed. Ser Mary has need of us, our power must be used to save this situation from going straight to the hells. I respect Roccar and would not go against him, I understand your reasoning but I think you underestimate the man. If you can convince me,you could probably convince him. But if this plan must be carried out then we need to commit to it entirely. If everyone else prefers to hide this course of action from Roccar I will not go against you, although I would prefer to be upfront with him."
Karst looks at the gem offered to enhance his equipment, knowing that the axe he carries is already magical he leaves it sheathed at his hip instead touching the shield he carries embossed with the twin faces of Hoar, god of vengeance holding it in place while the magic takes effect.
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Vhon - Level 2 Warlock - What shall become of the Drunken Sailor?
Killian takes the orb offered by Brie, her eyes lingering on the girl as she continues about the room handing out magic. She listens quietly as some of the others speak, brushing her long dark hair out of her face. When it comes to her turn, she will simply say, "I will see this through, my reasons my own," with a significant look at Ritska. Then she turns to check the set of her equipment, and her new(ish) sword.
Gruun gingerly takes the offered orb and quickly wraps it in a cloth and store it away. "I have traveled too far to give up on this hunt. I will not spend my days questioning if someone is really a toad in another's skin, I will help finish this fight."
"Karst, I understand your concerns but sometimes we cannot afford to gamble. It pains me to say it, but this little deception seems necessary in the face of all that we could lose."
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"Aradurk has it," Ritska says, continuing to pace and ignoring Wes's own question, "It's ridiculous when you think about it, is it not? They shouted his name to draw out forces rashly on a rescue mission, racing to his lair to rescue Ser Mary Glendale. This allowed him to plant a gem of revealing on her, allowing her to be taken back into the midst of the slaadi, where it would do the most damage to their infiltrations. Denorian clearly believes her to be expendable. Only...Denorian is wrong."
She pauses for a moment, pointing toward the door.
"The explosions...according to The Schoolchildren nearby, each explosion occurred as a result of the same action. A woman, standing in the middle of a crowded street, chanted a phrase: 'Ser Mary the bravest.' Why do you think these sappers shout Ser Mary's name?" she asks.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
"Spit it out, woman," Killian grates. "We are not your schoolchildren to be at lessons."
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Ricky continues to listen, chiding herself that she is not understanding the connections this woman is trying to make.
“It seems as though, they’re taking a page from Denorians book, and making it seem like she is behind the attack...” Wes chimes in from the corner. Petunia has now focused her attention at circling and sniffing at Ritska
If Ritska is bothered by Killian's comment, it does not show. She waits patiently, nodding when Wes answers.
"That is correct, Wes. Like those constructs, Doramor's sappers are drawing out Ser Mary. She is powerful, but prideful. Doramor is not stupid. He knows she will foolishly race into combat, but he must also know that Denorian's gems will negate his slaadi's shapechanging. Sure, they can do some impressive damage, but eventually with the gems they will be unmasked and harried back to their home plane."
"No, this is personal. Doramor is calling Ser Mary out. He knows his slaad army is going to lose, and he's using what's left of his power over them to settle an old score," she says. As if Ritska was not already serious enough, she suddenly grows even more so.
"Ser Mary cannot die. Perhaps in Denorian's mind she is expendable in his battle with his Elder Evil, but if she falls...between the orc empire and the recent chaos in Sundabar, Ser Mary is the only thing holding Luruar together. She is a beacon to its people, a symbol of strength and unity. She is the Warblade of Sundabar, Grand Inquisitrix, High Protector of the Silver Marches, Orc-Bane, and Paladin Ser Mary Glendale. What do you think will happen if she falls to her pride, rushing straight toward Doramor's trap?" she asks.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
"How well does Doramor know Ser Mary's strength? When trapping a boar, a simple sharpened stake is all that is needed but does not provide safety. It will break the stake and rampage until dead. Knowing its strength and placing the stick in a pit kills and contains the boar.
Can Doramor trap Ser Mary like this?"
"If Doramor is setting a trap to destroy Ser Mary, then we must rush into it first to upset his plans."
Killian quirks an eyebrow at "we must rush into it."
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
“If Mary is the Queen and the prize of the war efforts, then we as the pawns in this game are the ones to stand in the way.”
Do you have your little ones looking for her now? Rycider enquires
"Ser Mary has not been sighted yet - at least, not the real Ser Mary. Doramor's sappers seem to have worn her likeness," Ritska answers.
"If Ser Mary is not found, and falls to Doramor, the entire North will plunge into conflict. She is the key to the Devilsfall Pact. My spies, and my contacts within the Zhentarim, believe the secret deal will eventually come into light, and when it does, if Ser Mary is not there to explain herself, the populace will be up in arms at the discovery that orcs have been smuggled through their lands to bolster the Many Arrows kingdom, regardless of the logic behind the move, and all of her hard work to prevent war will be for naught. Without the Warblade of Sundabar, Many Arrows will see Luruar as weakened, and no doubt demand more concessions. Doubtless, militants on both sides will be howling. Dissenters will be accused of being slaadi. And the grey orcs, only willing to remain peaceful because of Many Arrows' demands, will be ready to strike. Not to mention Roccar's own stake in the Devilsfall Pact: He'll no doubt tear down the Spine of the World to protect his adopted daughter Nazzar."
"Moreover, I do not want Ser Mary to have to kill Doramor. There is complicated history between them. I know she saved his life as a child, only to see him turn to this madness. To then have to kill that child grown a man? Even paladins feel regret, am I wrong? Karst, Killian, Tanakir, do you not all carry with you the weight of the decisions you have made to follow or break your oaths? She was my friend, and I would spare her this."
Ritska stop her story, cocking her head. "Do you know what happened in the Den of the Whispered Word?" she asks.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Killian does not deign to respond to Ritska. Her oaths are her own business.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
“Not to seem glib but is it where librarians were created?”, Aradurk asks?
Halsen - Human Monk - Winter Splendor
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's Blade Bizarre
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Betrayal at Devilsfall
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Hidden War" (Doom Portals Part 4A)
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Whispered Word (Doom Portals Part 5)
Garu - Tabaxi Paladin - Barty's "Beyond Twilight" (Rikirta Part 3)
Aradurk's humor seems lost on Ritska. "No. The Den of the Whispered Word is a grand home nestled in the Lowerdark, in that hell they call 'The Howling Pits'. Denorian stumbled upon Doramor's parents here. They had been sold by orc slavers from 'The Burning Banner' war party to a yugoloth named Maram il Vass, the Den's master. Ser Mary, however, was only there to buy the freedom of a drow alchemist, Xaven Tanor'this, who was key to the war effort against the Demon Lord Graz'zt and his occupying fire giant horde in the Underdark city, Maerimydra."
"Ser Mary was faced with a choice: Follow through with her deal, or neglect her duty to save Doramor's parents instead. She knew these were the parents of the orphaned halfling; she had seen their portraits in a locket with Doramor's likeness. I was there, the resemblance was uncanny. But she did her duty. She treated with demons and hags, and she stuck with her pact, surely thinking she would return when all of Faerûn was not in peril. But Denorian...well, Denorian was more of a romantic back then."
"He tried to break the deal to save Doramor's parents. Magical fire lashed the wicked coven. But the slaves' suspended cages were magically triggered to fall...just like this one here, that's where I got the idea. Doramor's parents died. And then the fiends were on us. We fought our way out tooth and horn. And when Ser Mary clawed her way out of that dungeon, bloodied and battered, she brought one body: The drow she came for."
Ritska pauses to let the information sink in.
"Doramor never forgave Ser Mary. Once a trusted friend, he swore when he found out that he would take his revenge someday. And now the little madman is just waiting for her to charge in for an explosive murder-suicide."
"Of course, I do not ask for your help without offering a substantial reward, should you succeed. And you will be aided," Ritska nods in Brie's direction. The tiefling girl hands a glowing sapphire orb to each member of the party. "Touch this gem to your weapon, or armor, or fists, and they will be empowered. It won't last forever, and it will only work on one thing, but it should be a significant boon to the coming days," Ritska explains.
"Capture and protect Ser Mary from Doramor's forces, and prevent her from fighting Doramor or his army by any means necessary. Roccar will not understand this - he tends to rush headfirst into problems as well, as you know - so do not take her to his safehouse. Bring her to Bohmar Brineboots' Apothecary and give him my directions. He will be able to keep her safe. Gruun and Killian know the way."
OOC: How does each character respond to all they have learned? Your responses here will greatly dictate the direction the story takes.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Wes nods and stands “When I joined this team, it was to help break in and pull off a heist. I have learned much, made lifelong friends and allies.” Wes looks to each member of his original group. “But I’ve also grown weary as this is much bigger endeavor than I ever expected. I’ll place my wand in my hand to put my life in yours once more.”
Petunia poofs into existence on Wes’ shoulder with a burst of black smoke.
"The promise of reward is irrelevant now, we have come so far, fought through so much we cannot stand by whilst we are needed. Ser Mary has need of us, our power must be used to save this situation from going straight to the hells. I respect Roccar and would not go against him, I understand your reasoning but I think you underestimate the man. If you can convince me,you could probably convince him. But if this plan must be carried out then we need to commit to it entirely. If everyone else prefers to hide this course of action from Roccar I will not go against you, although I would prefer to be upfront with him."
Karst looks at the gem offered to enhance his equipment, knowing that the axe he carries is already magical he leaves it sheathed at his hip instead touching the shield he carries embossed with the twin faces of Hoar, god of vengeance holding it in place while the magic takes effect.
Vhon - Level 2 Warlock - What shall become of the Drunken Sailor?
Lyreis - Level 6 Elf Fighter - Eberron: Omega
DM - Dzenda: The Cracks - DM - Dzenda: Whispered Tales
Killian takes the orb offered by Brie, her eyes lingering on the girl as she continues about the room handing out magic. She listens quietly as some of the others speak, brushing her long dark hair out of her face. When it comes to her turn, she will simply say, "I will see this through, my reasons my own," with a significant look at Ritska. Then she turns to check the set of her equipment, and her new(ish) sword.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Gruun gingerly takes the offered orb and quickly wraps it in a cloth and store it away. "I have traveled too far to give up on this hunt. I will not spend my days questioning if someone is really a toad in another's skin, I will help finish this fight."
Rycider takes her orb and tucks it safely away in her carpet bag.
My my. Such drama. Delightful.
Ricky uses Disguise Self to transform herself into a stunning facsimile of Ser Mary.
Should we use bait?
Tanakir takes the orb, touching it to his armor.
"Karst, I understand your concerns but sometimes we cannot afford to gamble. It pains me to say it, but this little deception seems necessary in the face of all that we could lose."