“Do not test my patience.” Aric says. “You are children playing a game you do not understand. Yes, the mercenaries were under my employ. Answer me this, warrior of Karnaath. Have we come so far? Khorvaire is on its knees, scarred by war, and suffering under the corrupt governments which were born from fear and confusion. What if I could promise you a world free from pain? A world of dreams? The relic you possess is the key to awakening an ancient entity which slumbers in The Dreaming Dark. When it is summoned, Khorvaire will fall into an eternal sleep, and fear, doubt, pain, and anger will be no more than a whisper of the past. What say you?”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Urmdir looks disdainfully at the war hero fallen so far from honor. "You are a fool. No power can deliver what you speak of, and anything that promises it cannot be trusted. Honor comes from resisting the horrors of the world, despite their presence. My brother was right. Not only are you a fool, you are a coward hiding behind his mother's skirts."
"And striving, bettering oneself, and free choice will be a thing of the past." Saralyssa says with a shake of her head. "I have heard all I need to. Not interested."
Seeker will stand back up from the table, taking a firm grip on his spear, "Whether the world you speak of is possible, I do not know, but it is not a world to be desired. I wish for my people to grow and become better, to bring about the Becoming God. None of this will be possible in your world." Looking to the others, "I think we've heard enough. Shall we continue to Flamekeep?"
Wisp had been quiet during this conversation, analyzing what was being said, they had stumbled into the Toads pond and now were at the mercy of this conversation. But it seemed like the people she was traveling with were of the same mind. This world the Toad suggested wasn't the first utopia Wisp had heard others speak of, and assuredly wasn't the last.
"Well darlin, it seems like our collective answer is no. We appreciate you sparing us the bloodshed in the streets, and hopefully our paths will not cross again." Wisp stood and regarded the man named as the Toad once more, memorizing his face.
Aric’s expression is grim. “If you would continue a nightmare when a beautiful dream is within your grasp, so be it. I am a man of my word. You may leave. My men will give you no trouble.”
The woman with the shaved head stands silently, an unspoken threat hanging in the air.
Siggür considers his companions decision and weighs it against what they actually know, "I was told the story of the Cleric and the Toad would be thoroughly explained and I mean to hear it. As I have only my life to lose I will stay and listen. My life has been lost before. Perhaps I will I find a new one yet again."Siggür sits and waves to be served a drink.
"Captain, if you would be so kind I would like to hear your story."
Aric eyes Siggur with interest, ignoring the others. “You have respect, boy. And a man who respects other men is worthy of respect himself.” He stares ahead, lost in memory.
”The Last War never truly ended, as anyone who raised blade in battle can attest. It became a part of us, living on in our minds long after the Treaty of Thronehold had been signed by men and women with clean hands and clear consciences. Those of us who had given our blood and sweat in service were left with our nightmares.”
Aric shudders. “The nightmares feed on your fear and your sorrow. I am often asked how I can put the war behind me and move on with my life. The truth is, I have never left the battlefield.”
”One night, nearly a year ago, while exploring the Icetop Mountains, the ground gave way beneath my feet and I fell into the ruin of an ancient temple. Alone and nursing a broken leg, I decided to lay low until morning. I closed my eyes and waited for the nightmares to come, as they did every night. But they never did. For the first time since the war, I slept soundly. I soon identified the cause: an amethyst crystal carved to resemble a bat. That is what you have in your possession now.” He says, resentment in his voice.
”Something spoke to me that night. It promised an end to the nightmares forever, if I followed its directions. I agreed. I came so close!” Aric yells suddenly, pounding a fist on the table. Then he calms down.
”I ventured into the Demon Wastes to perform the ritual that would allow an ancient being known as Somnus into our realm, and Khorvaire would fall into eternal slumber. But before I could complete the ritual, that cursed cleric showed up. I do not know how she found me, only that she stole the amethyst bat and left me for dead in the Demon Wastes.” Alaric grinds his teeth. “For months I searched for the cleric and the amethyst bat, finally locating it on an elemental galleon off the coast of Stormhome. The remainder of the story is well known to you.”
Aric Redmane falls silent as he concludes his story, and for the first time you see the light of madness burning in his eyes.
Urmdir listens to his story with disdain. "You may have once deserved respect, but no more. We all did terrible things.." Urmdir glances towards his brother..."often at the expense of those closest to us. You seek to run from your pain - hiring mercenaries who kill innocents just to quiet your troubled mind. You are a shell - not even a man - not worthy of the peace you seek."Urmdir draws his shield and flail and raises his voice to be heard throughout the tavern. "ARIC REDMANE! I NAME YOU COWARD AND CRAVEN! STAND AND FACE US AND EARN THE ONLY THE PEACE YOU DESERVE!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PbP Lost Mines of Phandelver -Squelch (Kenku Grave Cleric)
What Lies Between - Cragworm (Goblin Oathbreaker Paladin)
Embers in the Dark - Martin "Uncle" Flintmore (Human Rogue)
Adventures in Esyldien - Khorzik Fume (Hobgoblin Transmuter) - retired
A Machine's Ambition- Canavar (Shifter Zealot Barbarian) - retired
What Lurks Below - Urmdir Volsung (Human Fighter) - retired
“There are two kinds of warriors.” Aric says, his voice a low whisper. “Those who finish fights when they have no other choice, and those who initiate fights because they know nothing else.” He rises. “Come, Erin. I have nothing more to say here.”
He departs the Wine and Roses Inn without another word, accompanied by Erin. Men and women who you assumed to be fellow patrons also stand and follow Aric out the door.
Tank rejoins you, having spent the last fifteen minutes engaged in conversation with the innkeeper. “What did I miss?” He asks.
"Any ideas on how to get out of here without a horde of them following us?" Saralyssa asks the group as she sees the mass exiting of the would-be patrons.
Seeker will look to the others, “Does anyone know if this place has one of those rails? Or perhaps someone has a House that may have a station here we could seek sanctuary at?”
"I agree that we get to this Cleric sooner than later. The Captain has gone mad in his pursuit, but we don't know if the Cleric is any better. Redmane spoke of nightmares, like the strange stone we encountered. So then what or who is the Grey?" Siggur says trying to piece what little of the puzzle they have together.
“Do not test my patience.” Aric says. “You are children playing a game you do not understand. Yes, the mercenaries were under my employ. Answer me this, warrior of Karnaath. Have we come so far? Khorvaire is on its knees, scarred by war, and suffering under the corrupt governments which were born from fear and confusion. What if I could promise you a world free from pain? A world of dreams? The relic you possess is the key to awakening an ancient entity which slumbers in The Dreaming Dark. When it is summoned, Khorvaire will fall into an eternal sleep, and fear, doubt, pain, and anger will be no more than a whisper of the past. What say you?”
Urmdir looks disdainfully at the war hero fallen so far from honor. "You are a fool. No power can deliver what you speak of, and anything that promises it cannot be trusted. Honor comes from resisting the horrors of the world, despite their presence. My brother was right. Not only are you a fool, you are a coward hiding behind his mother's skirts."
(Do I know anything of this entity? Arcana: 16
"And striving, bettering oneself, and free choice will be a thing of the past." Saralyssa says with a shake of her head. "I have heard all I need to. Not interested."
Saralyssa arcana: 11
Neither of you have heard of this entity before, but you recall the words you heard at Whisper Rock...
The Cleric, The Toad, The Nightmare, The Grey...
Seeker will stand back up from the table, taking a firm grip on his spear, "Whether the world you speak of is possible, I do not know, but it is not a world to be desired. I wish for my people to grow and become better, to bring about the Becoming God. None of this will be possible in your world." Looking to the others, "I think we've heard enough. Shall we continue to Flamekeep?"
"Best idea I heard since Mithril turbine plugs were suggested." Saralyssa agrees.
Wisp had been quiet during this conversation, analyzing what was being said, they had stumbled into the Toads pond and now were at the mercy of this conversation. But it seemed like the people she was traveling with were of the same mind. This world the Toad suggested wasn't the first utopia Wisp had heard others speak of, and assuredly wasn't the last.
"Well darlin, it seems like our collective answer is no. We appreciate you sparing us the bloodshed in the streets, and hopefully our paths will not cross again." Wisp stood and regarded the man named as the Toad once more, memorizing his face.
Aric Redmane
Aric’s expression is grim. “If you would continue a nightmare when a beautiful dream is within your grasp, so be it. I am a man of my word. You may leave. My men will give you no trouble.”
The woman with the shaved head stands silently, an unspoken threat hanging in the air.
Siggür considers his companions decision and weighs it against what they actually know, "I was told the story of the Cleric and the Toad would be thoroughly explained and I mean to hear it. As I have only my life to lose I will stay and listen. My life has been lost before. Perhaps I will I find a new one yet again." Siggür sits and waves to be served a drink.
"Captain, if you would be so kind I would like to hear your story."
Aric eyes Siggur with interest, ignoring the others. “You have respect, boy. And a man who respects other men is worthy of respect himself.” He stares ahead, lost in memory.
”The Last War never truly ended, as anyone who raised blade in battle can attest. It became a part of us, living on in our minds long after the Treaty of Thronehold had been signed by men and women with clean hands and clear consciences. Those of us who had given our blood and sweat in service were left with our nightmares.”
Aric shudders. “The nightmares feed on your fear and your sorrow. I am often asked how I can put the war behind me and move on with my life. The truth is, I have never left the battlefield.”
”One night, nearly a year ago, while exploring the Icetop Mountains, the ground gave way beneath my feet and I fell into the ruin of an ancient temple. Alone and nursing a broken leg, I decided to lay low until morning. I closed my eyes and waited for the nightmares to come, as they did every night. But they never did. For the first time since the war, I slept soundly. I soon identified the cause: an amethyst crystal carved to resemble a bat. That is what you have in your possession now.” He says, resentment in his voice.
”Something spoke to me that night. It promised an end to the nightmares forever, if I followed its directions. I agreed. I came so close!” Aric yells suddenly, pounding a fist on the table. Then he calms down.
”I ventured into the Demon Wastes to perform the ritual that would allow an ancient being known as Somnus into our realm, and Khorvaire would fall into eternal slumber. But before I could complete the ritual, that cursed cleric showed up. I do not know how she found me, only that she stole the amethyst bat and left me for dead in the Demon Wastes.” Alaric grinds his teeth. “For months I searched for the cleric and the amethyst bat, finally locating it on an elemental galleon off the coast of Stormhome. The remainder of the story is well known to you.”
Aric Redmane falls silent as he concludes his story, and for the first time you see the light of madness burning in his eyes.
Urmdir listens to his story with disdain. "You may have once deserved respect, but no more. We all did terrible things.." Urmdir glances towards his brother..."often at the expense of those closest to us. You seek to run from your pain - hiring mercenaries who kill innocents just to quiet your troubled mind. You are a shell - not even a man - not worthy of the peace you seek." Urmdir draws his shield and flail and raises his voice to be heard throughout the tavern. "ARIC REDMANE! I NAME YOU COWARD AND CRAVEN! STAND AND FACE US AND EARN THE ONLY THE PEACE YOU DESERVE!"
“There are two kinds of warriors.” Aric says, his voice a low whisper. “Those who finish fights when they have no other choice, and those who initiate fights because they know nothing else.” He rises. “Come, Erin. I have nothing more to say here.”
He departs the Wine and Roses Inn without another word, accompanied by Erin. Men and women who you assumed to be fellow patrons also stand and follow Aric out the door.
Tank rejoins you, having spent the last fifteen minutes engaged in conversation with the innkeeper. “What did I miss?” He asks.
(OOC: did my perception of 22 fail to notice his allies?)
"Any ideas on how to get out of here without a horde of them following us?" Saralyssa asks the group as she sees the mass exiting of the would-be patrons.
(Aric's men did not arrive until after you, entering one at a time at inconspicuous intervals.)
Seeker will look to the others, “Does anyone know if this place has one of those rails? Or perhaps someone has a House that may have a station here we could seek sanctuary at?”
"I'd say we won't be safe until we get the box to the cleric." Saralyssa speaks up. "Let's just get that done with right away."
"I agree that we get to this Cleric sooner than later. The Captain has gone mad in his pursuit, but we don't know if the Cleric is any better. Redmane spoke of nightmares, like the strange stone we encountered. So then what or who is the Grey?" Siggur says trying to piece what little of the puzzle they have together.