"I think we should seek for Emeril, or someoe, report and discuss what we should do next. Oh, and... Sorry about my absence, i had some urgent business elsewhere. "(Actually Kaled was at the inn drawing weapon designes.)
The party makes their way back to the mayor’s house, where Roan is found relaxing on a couch in the foyer. “So,” he says without looking at them. “You’ve cut a deal with the scorpionman, hm? Good. That gives us just the opportunity we need. Emeril is out gathering the necessary funds as we speak. She will meet you at the gate.”
I think we should report in immediately. Alos, with Mashedaters temporary absence, how do we want to rp this? Is Guston present, but silent? Or is he elsewhere?
*edit*
Oh hey, what's this extra page I didn't notice? Doh, guess we moved on already haha.
Guston's flying cloak is there, and if he's not using it, one of us can take it. Also, there's the wand of levitation. Though if everyone wants to proceed on land, we will do so.
As the group discusses these matters, they find themselves already at the gate, although Emeril hasn’t arrived yet. After a moment of waiting, she appears, along with Harvey, Butter, and Keeley. Emeril is carrying a large sack with her.
Diplomacy check? Maybe I'll get lucky and roll a 20! But what happens if I roll a 1.. ? I just soooo wanna go into battle, a dwarf monk riding on a scorpion man! Fists of glory pumping in the air, sharp spears in all directions, battle screams and with loud rock music in the background!
Vaga approaches Ixion as they all gather at the gate. "So.. " Vaga's self-assurance suddenly diminished a little ".. I was thinking. When we head out of here, to not slow us down.. ahem.. for the best of the group I mean, I believe it would be best if I ... ahem.. if I.. rode you."
There’s always that 5% chance... Vaga: Diplomacy: 4-1=3
“Sod off,” Ixion answers Vaga without hesitation. “Where’s the gold?” Emeril walks over to him and hands him the large sack. He opens it and nods. “You’re all coming?” he asks the rather large group assembled.
“I must stay here and help uphold the defense,” Emeril says. “I will await your return, and hope for your success.” With that, she goes back to town. Harvey waves at Ixion and says “Hello again!” Ixion looks over at him and nods, then looks at Keeley, who is still in her human form. “I take it there’s more to this one than meets the eye?” he asks. “Yup!” Harvey replies. “This is Keeley. She’s a dragon.”
“Hello, erm, Ixion,” Keeley says. Ixion looks at her for a moment, then nods. “Let’s go,” he says. “I want to finish this quickly.”
Vaga tries to act unaffected. There's still one chance though.. maybe, just maybe his true purpose in life isn't to become a scorpioman-rider, maybe he's meant to be a DRAGON RIDER! Food for though, Vaga thinks to himself. I'll address this to Keeley when appropriate.
Vaga's face is his usual combination of sternness and neutrality. "Indeed, let's head out. I'm ready to go now."
The party travels north, led by Ixion and Harvey, to the orc king’s camp. Along the way, they notice that where there was once nothing but wasteland, fields of grass are starting to take hold. Ixion pays this no mind, but Harvey certainly does, as he occasionally stops to dismount from Butter and feel the grass beneath his feet. It is during one of these stops that Harvey says “There is a ravine nearby. Until roughly a decade ago, that was where Ixion’s people lived, or most of them, at least. Boy, I would have liked to have seen that fancy place before it fell. Tall towers of crystal, illuminated by glowing gemstones. It was a sight to see, or so I’ve been told.” He looks at Ixion, who is keeping watch.
“You would have been hunted and killed long before you got anywhere near it,” Ixion replied. “But yes, our buildings were designed to be so beautiful. Each city was a work of art, and every crystal and gemstone was placed exactly where it needed to be. Not a single piece was out of place. Our cities served as both a beacon and a warning to all other creatures that we had claimed that land, and none were welcome to it. Because of our isolation, we rarely met outsiders, and when we did meet them, we killed them. Such was our way. We were the hunters, and all other species were our prey. And then humans came to this land. While the other ‘civilized’ races heeded our warnings, the humans saw it as a challenge. They sent their soldiers, and we sent our hunters to meet them. Just one of us was enough to kill a score of them, but they did not send scores, they sent thousands. And so my people were exterminated like any other monster faced with humanity’s crushing need for expansion. Our cities were destroyed, our nests crushed beneath armored boots.”
“And yet, those selfsame hunters were an important part of this land’s ecosystem,” Harvey says. “Once they were gone, there was no one left to hunt the monsters that also call this land home. The drastically weakened human forces were all but wiped out in the decade since their victory, and entire towns of the civilized folk were destroyed. Meanwhile, the more vicious of the local beasts continue to grow in numbers. The arrival of mercenaries like your friends in Callus helps to control them, but thousands of people have died in the meantime. The extinction of Ixion’s people was a crime against nature, and the punishment was severe.”
And the gnomes continued to rule the humans and elves with their higher intellectual property from the shadows.
Ignored by all, they continue to take charge of small groups of humanoids to meet there lofty goals... Destroying all without getting blood on their hands...
“But the only nests that were kicked were theirs.” Harvey nods toward Ixion. Ixion, meanwhile, is simply sitting back and laughing. Eventually, he says “It really doesn’t matter to me what you have to say about it. The words of self-righteous vermin are not worth hearing.”
“Isn’t that what she’s talking about, though?” Keeley asks. “Rather than talk, you dismiss and ignore them, or even kill them outright. Wouldn’t it have been better if your people had been more friendly?”
“Wouldn’t it have been even better if the civilized races never came here in the first place?” Harvey asks. “I understand being friendly, but committing genocide on a species for not being friendly seems a bit harsh, don’t you think? Especially considering that species had a better claim to this land than theirs. It was an indigenous species, after all.”
“Would it make you feel differently if I say that they attacked first?” Ixion asks. “Because they did. Those groups we hunted before the conflict escalated were not innocents, they were armed bands of adventurers. They had come to exterminate monsters, which included us. They had no interest in talking, only killing. We were simply better at it than they were.”
Keeley’s eyes linger on Ixion for a moment before she says “I can sense you are being honest. Although I still believe that your people should have been more open to them, I can also agree that they had no right to do what they did. I can only say that both sides were at least partly at fault.”
Ixion shrugs. “Believe what you will. It matters not to me. I do not begrudge my current life as much as you are probably thinking, nor do I linger on the past. What bugs me the most about humans is their inability to accept their fault.” With that, he turns and continues walking, and Harvey and Keeley walk after him.
Vaga listen to the discussion and contemplates the different viewpoints in silence. He decides to not state his mind. This time. The bickering around who's to blame is pointless since all are equally to blame. If you raise your fist to do harm, then expect to get harmed. It doesn't matter if it's a monster who kills, or a sentient being who believes themselves to be the betters who does the killing. In the end, the act of violence makes us all equal monsters, no matter if we are hydra, scorpionmen, humans or beast.
It takes a full week to get to the foot of the mountains where the orc king’s camp rests. Before the party arrives, they see a pair of well-armed orc guards standing before the entrance to the mountain pass. They are armed with large glaives, and are wearing plate armor. As the party approaches, one of them shouts in surprisingly fluent Common “Hail, travelers! We see Harvey and Ixion are with you. What brings you all the way out here to this mountain?”
Hail and well met. Inform your King that Anduin is here. We come in peace to discuss terms between the Township of Callus and the King under the mountain. Be not fooled that we come seeking words and counsel for we carry great strength in arms and magic to see our mission, and our words delivered.
*Nanna casts light. It Illuminates the entrance in white brilliant cadence, eradicating the shadows and hinting at ultimate arcane might. Nanna smiles widely... like a tiger about to pounce on easy prey.*
The orc guards look at each other, then shrug. The one who spoke before says “Follow me. The king is very busy, but he always finds time to meet with diplomats of the other races. No weapons are needed.”
He leads the party through the camp. Several other well-equipped orcs are seen patrolling the camp, while other orcs wearing simple clothes are milling about. The camp itself is more of a town in its own right. There are no ramshackle tents, only stone buildings made in a similar fashion to the buildings in Callus, and any other town that the party knows. Eventually, they come to a larger building. The orc escort says “Please wait inside here while I go and find the king.” He opens the door, and the party sees a well-furnished room beyond it, with a long, heavy wooden table in the center surrounded by wood chairs.
This is very... Civilised for... Orcs... They don't even appear to be nomadic. These buildings are permanent... Do they practise agriculture? These Orcs appear to be... Milling about? Are they making bread? Why... WHY DID WE PAY SO MUCH MONEY TO IXION! THE KING ACCEPTS DIPLOMATS!
*Nanna seethes as this fresh information feeds her brain. She slowly turns and looks at Harvey, daggers in her eyes.*
Special friend to the warlike Orcs? How long have you been living off the fear, Harvey? The fear and the good townsfolk of Callus?
Comments
"I'm guessing you want to continue with your skullduggery and sneak into camp and kill the orc king behind enemy lines?"
*edit*
Oh hey, what's this extra page I didn't notice? Doh, guess we moved on already haha.
"Kaled, there's some scrolls for you in the backpack. Perhaps you can find some use of these.. paper.. thingys. "
You have a flying broom... Why would you want a horse?
...
If you have a horse... Can I have the broom?
Let me practise that strange magic called math...
Guston has a flying cloak.
Ignatuis can fly.
Fiora has a broom.
That means...
I, Vaga and Kaled can use the wand of levitation.
...
Luckily for us Marco has been enlisted to guard the walls with his bow. I think. So we are all set to fly!
*Facepalm*
Forgot Ixion... Lets get horses...
...
On a plus note. If we get there and the orcs eat our horses and one of us dies. We can fly back!
...
Yay!
*Nanna starts clapping*
Vaga approaches Ixion as they all gather at the gate. "So.. " Vaga's self-assurance suddenly diminished a little ".. I was thinking. When we head out of here, to not slow us down.. ahem.. for the best of the group I mean, I believe it would be best if I ... ahem.. if I.. rode you."
Vaga: Diplomacy: 4-1=3
“Sod off,” Ixion answers Vaga without hesitation. “Where’s the gold?” Emeril walks over to him and hands him the large sack. He opens it and nods. “You’re all coming?” he asks the rather large group assembled.
“I must stay here and help uphold the defense,” Emeril says. “I will await your return, and hope for your success.” With that, she goes back to town. Harvey waves at Ixion and says “Hello again!” Ixion looks over at him and nods, then looks at Keeley, who is still in her human form. “I take it there’s more to this one than meets the eye?” he asks. “Yup!” Harvey replies. “This is Keeley. She’s a dragon.”
“Hello, erm, Ixion,” Keeley says. Ixion looks at her for a moment, then nods. “Let’s go,” he says. “I want to finish this quickly.”
Vaga's face is his usual combination of sternness and neutrality. "Indeed, let's head out. I'm ready to go now."
“You would have been hunted and killed long before you got anywhere near it,” Ixion replied. “But yes, our buildings were designed to be so beautiful. Each city was a work of art, and every crystal and gemstone was placed exactly where it needed to be. Not a single piece was out of place. Our cities served as both a beacon and a warning to all other creatures that we had claimed that land, and none were welcome to it. Because of our isolation, we rarely met outsiders, and when we did meet them, we killed them. Such was our way. We were the hunters, and all other species were our prey. And then humans came to this land. While the other ‘civilized’ races heeded our warnings, the humans saw it as a challenge. They sent their soldiers, and we sent our hunters to meet them. Just one of us was enough to kill a score of them, but they did not send scores, they sent thousands. And so my people were exterminated like any other monster faced with humanity’s crushing need for expansion. Our cities were destroyed, our nests crushed beneath armored boots.”
*Fiora feels deeply profound for saying this*
Ignored by all, they continue to take charge of small groups of humanoids to meet there lofty goals... Destroying all without getting blood on their hands...
...
What was that about hornets?
“Isn’t that what she’s talking about, though?” Keeley asks. “Rather than talk, you dismiss and ignore them, or even kill them outright. Wouldn’t it have been better if your people had been more friendly?”
“Wouldn’t it have been even better if the civilized races never came here in the first place?” Harvey asks. “I understand being friendly, but committing genocide on a species for not being friendly seems a bit harsh, don’t you think? Especially considering that species had a better claim to this land than theirs. It was an indigenous species, after all.”
“Would it make you feel differently if I say that they attacked first?” Ixion asks. “Because they did. Those groups we hunted before the conflict escalated were not innocents, they were armed bands of adventurers. They had come to exterminate monsters, which included us. They had no interest in talking, only killing. We were simply better at it than they were.”
Keeley’s eyes linger on Ixion for a moment before she says “I can sense you are being honest. Although I still believe that your people should have been more open to them, I can also agree that they had no right to do what they did. I can only say that both sides were at least partly at fault.”
Ixion shrugs. “Believe what you will. It matters not to me. I do not begrudge my current life as much as you are probably thinking, nor do I linger on the past. What bugs me the most about humans is their inability to accept their fault.” With that, he turns and continues walking, and Harvey and Keeley walk after him.
"Less talking, and more walking?"
Hail and well met. Inform your King that Anduin is here. We come in peace to discuss terms between the Township of Callus and the King under the mountain. Be not fooled that we come seeking words and counsel for we carry great strength in arms and magic to see our mission, and our words delivered.
*Nanna casts light. It Illuminates the entrance in white brilliant cadence, eradicating the shadows and hinting at ultimate arcane might. Nanna smiles widely... like a tiger about to pounce on easy prey.*
He leads the party through the camp. Several other well-equipped orcs are seen patrolling the camp, while other orcs wearing simple clothes are milling about. The camp itself is more of a town in its own right. There are no ramshackle tents, only stone buildings made in a similar fashion to the buildings in Callus, and any other town that the party knows. Eventually, they come to a larger building. The orc escort says “Please wait inside here while I go and find the king.” He opens the door, and the party sees a well-furnished room beyond it, with a long, heavy wooden table in the center surrounded by wood chairs.
*Nanna seethes as this fresh information feeds her brain. She slowly turns and looks at Harvey, daggers in her eyes.*
Special friend to the warlike Orcs? How long have you been living off the fear, Harvey? The fear and the good townsfolk of Callus?