[Game Thread] Final Round

[Embrodak]

Vanai keeps his eyes locked on Lira as he gets lectured by Archie. "Why can't you guys just sit down and let her answer. My gut says she's up to something, and I need to get a confirmation from her."

He just shakes his head and sighs but says nothing in response to Archie. "Well Miss Lira." he asks calmly.

[TheDarkFuzz]

Lyssa nearly stomps her foot in frustration when the letter gets slid back into its envelope. The half-orc was so close to sliding it out and reading it, right where she could see, then he just put it back and stared at the envelope like it was the font of all wisdom and understanding. Her curiosity unsated, she ponders yanking the envelope out of his hands and reading it for herself, but only for a moment, since he would probably promptly take it back from her. If he didn't read it soon, though, she would have to steal it when he wasn't looking.

After watching Vanai's blank stare intently for a few seconds, wondering what on earth he could be thinking about that was more interesting than finding out the contents of that missive, Lyssa jumps a little in sudden surprise as the paladin suddenly confronts the dancing woman and her father with a barrage of suspicious questions. Perhaps Heironeus had given him some insight? It wasn't that likely. Warriors like Vanai, above and below ground, were always a lot stronger in the arm than in the mind, and nothing she had seen of the massive half-orc so far had convinced her any differently. He was a moral fellow for certain, and perhaps that gave him some kind of ability in detecting subterfuge or conspiracy, but more likely his strict code just gave him a lens through which he could view everyone with suspicion.

The rest of the group objects rather vocally to his verbal attack. Blazbert lambastes him on racial prejudice, which confuses Lyssa momentarily until she sees Lira's odd eyes. To be honest, she hadn't even noticed them.

"Help me out here Tryx. These guys are picking on a girl who hasn't done us any wrong."

She opens her mouth to say that um, yes, Vanai was in the wrong, and oh, by the way, why did he have to turn a perfectly nice dance into an interrogation, when the paladin responds that he was simply questioning coincidence. She didn't see much that was coincidental, or where he got the idea that these folks possessed significant power, but he would clearly not be stopped in his questioning.

Then, of course, Archie had something to say as well. He says exactly what's in her head, only more substantially. When he finishes and asks if he was too strong, she smiles and shakes her head. This group seemed to get serious about everything, and what's more, the paladin and the old warrior were both still on edge. She didn't know that the battlefield ever actually went away for either of them.

Taking the opening in conversation, Lyssa takes another angle on an argument of her own. "Um...why are you guys getting so worked up about this? I thought we were here to drink and dance and talk about how much demon ass we kicked yesterday." She smirks and emphasizes with a punch, trying to lighten the mood. "This right here, whatever we're doing, is kinda more stressful than it is fun, so how about we just get some more drinks and toast to saving this town?"

[RonarsCorruption]

All this conflict - to trust strangers or not. If I am to judge others as I would be judged, nobody would be safe, I'm likely the least trustworthy one here, I'd wager. But most importantly, Bloodreaver has a point. A curious pair who control have magics that two powerful wizards have no knowledge of, one of them of mixed demon, or possibly draconian heritage. Both of them convienently around when the messenger arrives. Yes, I will admit that we were the ones who spoke to them first, but they were here, in the room with us before the messenger arrived - they arrived after we did, and they stayed here, reasonably quiet. It wouldn't be hard to follow a group like us, especially if one knew that there was good reward money in it. But, once my spell latches on - assuming of course this old man isn't more powerful than I figure him - I should know just why they're here, whether it be money or coincidence. It is possible to disguise intentions, even while speaking the truth, but it is difficult to disguise one's own thoughts when one does not know they are being read.

All this passes through Lian's mind in several seconds, mostly while Lyssa was speaking, but Lian remained distrusting of these strangers, partly due to the insult, and partly due to the coincidental nature of them and their location, and partly because he never fully trusted anyone, as he was never one to be fully trusted.

[roaddog41]

OODM Since I believed I stated the herald whispered to Vanai "and his voice is low." ... most of you would not know what he said or what the letter contained..... still it was in plain text so I won't penalize you for posting concerning it. Keep in mind none of the NPC's could hear it without effort.

Archie attempts to correct the old man, but it seems his concentration is back fully upon his "drawing". He does not answer, nor does he seem to have noticed the fire mage's comments or even his existence.

At Blazbert's comment Lira attempts a smile, despite her eyes obvious watering and the truly miserable look upon her face. She seems completely confused by the comment about bondage, but ignores it. I... I have a good sense of smell... I will be fine in a moment, it was a bit strong and roses were never my... cough... favorite. Her skin is flushed, and while the coughing has mostly eased Lira is obviously no longer feeling her best, almost like some poor child afflicted with hay fever or a particularly nasty head cold.

It is then that Vanai delivers his accusation. Lira appears puzzled as he begins, and then his suspicions come out and her face turns a dark red with anger. She sneers for a moment and seems about to answer, when the rest of those gathered in the tavern immediately leap into the conversation.



Blazbert leaps to Lira's defense, and he and Vanai spar for a moment. Hala inserts her two sense which amounts to "listen to the paladin", drawing a glare from Lira. Archie steps in to defend Lira. Lyssa just gets annoyed with the discussion, obviously she is more interested in dancing than in talking.

Then Lira can finally get a word in edgewise. Tell me Sir, is there some law... some universal rule that requires an individual with some prowess to keep away from all other such individuals. I happen to like this bar because it is quiet, out of the way, and there is no chance of my meeting someone here I already know. As for my grandfather... he has some magical knowledge that is obvious, but what knowledge he has is not any of your business.
She stands up, her face the picture of anger and quite a bit of shock. If you think I did not notice your placement of magic, and its compulsions upon me to tell the truth you are far from sanity. Just like your compatriot thinking he can invade my thoughts as he wills it has not escaped my notice. This is a public place, but apparently you are so arrogant as to believe the planes revolves around your big head. Oh and did I mention that since your compulsion requires me to speak the truth I would be a fool to answer any of your questions.

She turns to Blazbert and looks at him. Your companions leave much to be desired... still look me up sometime cutie. I am sure you can find me. She winks.
Then with an arch walk she heads straight for the door.

[RonarsCorruption]

Lian twitches more than Lyra as his spell bounces off of her and her grandfather. He had expected some sort of sight into their motives, but as they were they remained both enigmas, and therefore potential and likely threats.

Once Lyra has left the room, Lian speaks. "Come Vanai." Lian gestured at the Paladin with his chin. "She has proved you right. If she had nothing to hide, she would have spoken, rather than storm away like that. But what is this about the king? I - er - visited his nearest palace once before, quite the stunning place. I assume he wants to thank us in person?"

Heh, Visited. That was a close one. This truth-spell is almost more dangerous to you then it was to Lyra, the terrible demon-spy! Lian's mind adds a series of damning adjectives, irritated that even though his failures weren't overly public, they were still happening at all, and all thanks to these two... ruffians. Still, it could be worse. He could ask why I was in the castle. Then I'd be forced to answer that, ha! I'll have to think on that before someone does ask, knowing this group it's sure to come up.

Lian tapped the heels of his boots together, and sprang to his usual position, floating half an inch above the floor, leather creaking softly as he moved. "I have not seen you read it, but I am sure it is a summons. Come, you can read it as we walk, that will at least move us out of any pre-planned distractions." Lian pauses, then grins his usual wide grin. "Unless, of course, you would all rather travel by magic? I can have the lot of us in the throne-room in an instant, if need be."

[Embrodak]

Vanai watches the woman leave and then turns to his "companions". He nods a thanks to liam for his confidence but motions that he should take a seat. He turns his head and looks squarely at the Blazbert and Archie. "I do not blame either of you for doubting my intent and siding with Miss Lira. You only met me yesterday and barely have spent more time with me than with her. Please know I do not go around throwing baseless accusations against anyone, and with Miss Lira I accused her of nothing, only mentioning I was concerned about a series of coincidences and asked her to explain how she happened to be here. I could care less about the strangeness of her eyes, I have seen even more exotic ones in my days and her exotic shading didn't give me any cause for concern."

"If we are going to consider ourselves companions, which we have no reason too having only just met, then you need to trust in my actions and deeds. I would never do so lightly to someone unless I had a cause for concern." He opens the envelope and removed the three papers. He raises the first page and hands it to Lyssa sitting at his side. "I didn't have time to raise my concerns with you, so please read this to yourself and pass it to the next person. I am sure you will see why I suddenly became "delusional with paranoia. I do not know if Miss Lira is a danger to us, but her evasiveness has done nothing to belay my concerns."

Page 1 Heroes, for that is how you shall be addressed by me It is unfortunate but my cabinet has come upon some information of a most fell sort. We have determined that certain forces detailed on another document have decided to place the blame for the failure of their henchman's siege squarely upon your shoulders. I apologize that I cannot safely give you the heroes thanks you deserve, nor can I grant to you the respect and gratitude deserving of your actions. Hopefully you will be able to trust in the thanks of the crown, but that is not important for the moment. You can understand that the possibility of an assassination attempt is quite high. And the type of assassins needed to have a chance of succeeding against you are not the type of creature that would be welcome within this city. That means that some powerful entity or entities will be trying to sneak within the city, and to be frank such would be most dangerous for the people of my capital. As king it is my duty to protect them as best I can, and so I find myself in a quandary. I am honor bound to reward he heroes who have broken the siege of my kingdom, and yet the very presence of those heroes endangers everyone around them. As important as honor is, duty must come first for without duty there can be no honor. And so I ask that you postpone the royal welcome and thanks that are your due, and travel from this kingdom. The letter of tender within this envelope should be of some help in your travels. If you are not sure of a suitable destination perhaps you could try Fort Hold. It is currently uninhabited as the soldiers who had once garrisoned it are currently employed protecting this city. It is a bare two days ride to the North, although I am sure ones of your power could find their ay there much faster than any common folk. Whatever your course I ask that you act in a speedy and secretive fashion. Know that you have my thanks, and the thanks of this kingdom.

While the others read the first page of parchment Vanai begins to read the other two.

[roaddog41]

After Vanai finishes reading the next pieces of parchment he passes them along, and each member of the group reads them. They gradually make their way back to Vanai, who places all three pieces of parchment back into the envelope from which they were withdrawn.

Second piece of parchment Dispater the Iron Lord: Dispater is the lord of the Iron city on the second level of the Netherworlds. He is a powerful Devil, and one of the oldest Archdevils in the abyss. Before the rise of Vecna Dispater was the most powerful being upon the first level, and the war between him and Vecna was legendary. It took near on a hundred years in which Dispater was the uncontroversial loser. He fled down into the second level of Hell and has been rebuilding his forces. It has become nearly common knowledge that Dispater believes that the key to defeating Vecna and recovering his place upon the first level is to be found on the Prime material plane from whence Vecna came. For the last millennium Dispater has been carefully and cautiously making inroads on the Prime material plane looking for some means of defeating his most hated enemy. It is he that assisted the Marilith Shezbaren in creating the fiendish army that was defeated by your efforts. His reasoning for attacking this city is unknown, although it may have something to do with the Well of the World that resides within our city. While powerful his power rests mainly with his "traditional" force. He commands a massive army of demons and devils from all layers of the abyss, and has easily carved out a massive territory on the Second level of Hell. Since the Well of the World could be used to transport a large force from any plane to any other, he may be intending to bring his army to the Prime Material Plane. Demogorgon the lord of the Dark: This powerful Demon Demogorgon is also known as the Lord of All that Swims in the Darkness, The lord of Death and Shadow, or Master of the Inky Water. Or he was up until the rise of Vecna. He is another powerful lord who hates the newly risen God figure, and he has as much at stake in returning to the First layer as any other Lord in Hell. Upon the surface of the First Layer is a massive river known as Styx, which drains into a terrible whirlpool known as Charybdis. Charybdis drops the water of the river Styx down into the Second layer of Hell into a massive bog known as the Marsh of Tears. The souls of the dead destined for deeper layers of hell are sent down the River Styx. Before the rise of Vecna, Demogorgon held a massive territory that encompassed nearly four hundred miles of the river Styx. He made his headquarters on the shores of the massive lake within which lies Charybdis, and many wonder whether old tales about a terrible multiple headed monster that used to attack travelers upon the river refers to Demogorgon before his own rise to power. Vecna's defeat of Demogorgon was swift and ruthless, and it is rumored that the archmage turned god defeated the demon in single combat upon the shores of the river. It is said that Demogorgon was cast into the river and was swallowed by Charybdis, and he found himself without power within the Marsh of Tears. He spent the hundred years in which his old rival Dispater was doing battle with Vecna building a power base among the demons and devils of the Second level, and has become a major player there. His greatest strength is his connections within the Plane of shadow, and his connections have only multiplied since his "exile" form the First level of Hell. Conclusions: We know that these Lords have formed an alliance against Vecna, and are looking for a way to ensure his defeat. Your defeat of their Marilith henchman Shezbaren has created much interest in you, and according to our research they have decided that removing you must be accomplished before any further attempts are made upon the Prime Material Plane. Demogorgon is known for using henchmen to solve his problems, and Dispater is incredibly careful and cautious. We believe that these two lords will use their powerful subordinates and servants to assassinate you, and do so in as flashy a manner as possible in order to hurt the morale of our city. We would guess that whoever or whatever they face will be both powerful and noticeable to all, and as such believe that such a confrontation would be a massive threat to our city. We suggest that you find someplace fairly out of the way, and erect what defenses you have against assault.

The third piece of parchment is a letter of currency that will allow the bearer to withdraw a sum of 25,000 pieces of gold from the exchange, the local banking establishment run by the Crown.

[Zhefonyll]

Blazbert walks with Lira to the door, talking as he goes. "Yeah, sorry about that. Apparently those two are far less fun to be around when there's not an obvious enemy for their paranoia to focus on. I mean, I keep an eye out for danger, but they're just going crazy without something trying to kill them. I'll definitely look you up when they're away."

Stepping back in the door, Blazbert hears Lian. "...proved you right. If she had nothing to hide, she would have spoken..." He lets the two of them keep talking and fumes as he walks over to the table. Clambering up on top of it, the little man turns to look directly in Lian's eyes. "The only thing she proved is that you're both being jerks. You've got a mind-reading spell up, huh? Well, you don't need to read my thoughts, I'll say them to your face. Could you mistreat a stranger more than trying to snoop around in her head?"

Turning to the Paladin, Blazbert fixes him with a glare as well. "And, as for people not being able to lie: The sky is made of blood, you're a fish, and I own this entire city. I haven't seen a truth-spell yet that can't be beat. Since you were wrong about being able to know if she told you the truth, you can start writing a letter of apology to Lady Lira. I'll deliver it for you, since she's so dangerous."

Then the first paper reaches Blazbert.

The Halfling falls over on the table, laughing like a maniac until tears roll down his face.

He manages to get his amusement under control and hands off the paper, but there's still incredulous mith in his voice when he looks around the table. "You need somebody to tell you that beating an army gets you enemies? Hey, Tryx, you've been around the Underdark - and lots of bad people, there - right? How many bad guys do you have to beat before a relative, friend, or work-associate decides to take a shot back - one or two?" Blazbert shakes his head at the entire situation, a grin on his face as though he has been made privvy to a great joke at the expense of the paladin. "What a waste of paper."

[RonarsCorruption]

Originally Posted by Blazbert

"Could you mistreat a stranger more than trying to snoop around in her head?"

"Well, I could kill them." Lian jabs, "that would be a fair bit more insensitive than using magic to judge their opinions. I'm somewhat of a gentleman compared to you on the battlefield yesterday." Lian's eyes narrow at the halfling, "But we clearly have more trouble than that, Blazbert."

He turns around and looks Blazbert directly in the face, "These are not just 'someone's cousin', these are Lords of Hell! This is akin to saying that Nerull himself was following you around, waiting for you to blink! okay, not so bad, but..." Lian takes a deep breath. "I do not want to have on my head the attraction of two devil lords into a city full of people."

[Zhefonyll]

Blazbert wipes the tears from his face as he does his best to regain his composure. He waves a hand dismissively at the levity of Lian's words. "Slay powerful demons, get powerful demon enemies. It's common sense, not anything you should need a letter to tell you."

"And this isn't a battlefield, nobody here was trying to kill you and yours, so better than yesterday is to be expected. If you wanted to fight the entire city, you should have hopped on the other side. Still, you got one thing right - we should leave before some other innocents get caught up in our mess."

[GleefulNihilism]

"Sometimes it seems you're the one with all the brains" he says to Lyssa conspiritorily. This should be a happy time for drinking and dancing and it's been reduced to an angry philosophical arguement. He tries stay out of it further, he really does, but the trampling of what should be basic sentient rights, even something minor as this, is not something that sits well.


"Gods, truth spells and mind reading on people who just happen to be in the same place? Since when do the good guys do that? I'm not saying I'm a choir boy exactly, but even I think people shouldn't be mind-probed and truth-zoned without a damn good reason. People are always more important then any of your silly spy games or holierr-than-thou maneveurs, that's what should always seperate the good guys and the demons." Archie says backing up Blazbert. He refuses to use a fire analogy to describe his emotions, he absolutely refuses.


"That being said, you have a point about getting everyone here out of the line of fire. We leaving now or is there anything we have to do first?"

[Embrodak]

Vanai's grin disappears and he looks coldly at Blazbert. "Shut the Frell up. You shouting and arguing with me only made the situation worse. I didn't go into the situation looking to cast truth on her, I cast that to help the Captain of the guard interrogate his captives. When I read the letter and saw a powerful person pay an awful lot of attention to our little group I became concerned and asked her what she was doing here taking advantage of a spell that was already active." The half-orc sighs, and continues in a calmer voice. "I'm not going to sit here anymore and justify what I did to anyone. What happened happened, and dwelling on past isn't going to solve the problem at hand."

He looks around at everyone in the group. "To be honest, I was on my way home to meet my godson that was just born when this situation cropped up. I choose to help as my help was needed. If we didn't just receive this letter I would have finished drinking with you all now, met with the king and then been on my way home. We didn't choose to be with each other, but now that there are more innocents in danger from the actions we took, then I am staying on until the danger passes. I see no reason to continue staying here and bringing danger to anyone here. I see no place to go but where indicated on the letter, I say we start out for that place and if someone has a better suggestion we speak about it as we move and can get some privacy to speak with out being overheard."

[RonarsCorruption]

"I agree with the paladin as odd as I feel to say that. We should move quickly, and for the moment stay together. If we split apart, there is little doubt that these Devils will strike quickly. I might be good at belaying detection, but not so good as to slip out from under the eye of one of the lords of hell who have near unlimited resources and power. Now, do any of you know where this keep is? two days north is just on the 'too vague' side for my magics, but once I have a better picture we can be at the gates in the blink of an eye, or I could just put us down in the wilderness nearby if you'd all rather be off sooner than later."

Lian looks at the group for objections, and if there are none, he will instruct the group to stand around in a circle, and clasp hands before casting Greater Teleport to Sixty-Five Miles North of This Location (roughly two days walk), or directly to Fort Hold if someone has more than just the name of the palce to go off of.

[Nimlos]

By the time the papers make their way to Hala's hands, she already knows most of what they hold, given what the others have said. Still, she reads them carefully, feeling a tremble of fear snake its way down her spine at the names contained within.

She is no scholar of the outer planes - that was Josua's strength, or rather, one of his many. Still, no one who had endured what she had, who had fought what she did, would not know these names, and what they meant. Dispater and Demogorgon, two princes of Hell, masters even of Bakhul. And Vecna ... she can barely bring herself to think the name, given what Josua had told her of him. The Whispered One, the Rotten King, Banemaker, Lord of the Spidered Throne - all sobriquets given to Vecna to avoid using his actual name, an act that, as Josua had told her, would bring the lichlord's attention down upon the speaker.

Her hand trembles as she lays the papers aside. Blazbert is upon the table laughing, but the sound is tinny to Hala's ears. "Laughter to cover fear," she decides. "That or he's a fool."

Her first instinct is to flee, to leave these strangers behind and return to Barnes Bridge, to hide behind the screens that have kept her invisible for more than three decades. But they've never been subjected to attention like this before; never had to stand up to the unrelenting gaze of a prince of hell. What if they were pierced? Into her mind's eye comes a terrible sight - of demons swarming over the small town, her friends slaughtered, of the fiends marching on, of her children, of little Naomi playing in the sun while a clawed hand reaches toward her. She breaks free of the vision with a gasp. No, she couldn't go home. Not now, perhaps not ever.

"I never should have come," she murmurs. One choice, one simple choice and it was all starting again. One choice and now she had to leave everything she cherished behind and walk again into fear and death. One corner of her mouth twists into a sardonic smile. So be it. She had agreed to come so those she loved would stay safe. Now, she would stay away to the same purpose. If death came for her, then it would come. It was probably not so very far from her anyway. Of all the causes she'd fought for through the long years, none was more just than her grandchild. Come what may, Callum, Jonas, Nadia and Naomi would be safe. Nothing else mattered.

She looks around at the others, grousing at one another in the midst of the tavern's common room, and shakes her head.

"Enough bickering, children," she tells them, her voice snapping with the tone of a mother about to fetch a switch. "We'll go where the letter suggests. We can't stay there, but it will do well enough as a place to plan away from eyes and ears." She points to Lian, then to Archie. "One of you, or both, can cast teleport, I would hope? Get ready to do so."

She turns to the messenger, who has yet to leave (OOC: At least, if he did, it wasn't mentioned). "I have something to send back with you," she tells him. With a bit of effort, she wrestles her wedding ring from her wrinkled finger, leaving behind a patch of pale skin untouched by the sun. She pulls the silver filigree pin from her hair and presses both of them into the messenger's hands, walking him toward the door as she does and whispering a few soft words to his ear.

After sending him on his way, she glances back to the others. "If anyone has arrangements to make, please hurry," she tells them. "There's little time."

[TheDarkFuzz]

As Lira tells the paladin off, who then proceeds to tell off Blazbert and Archie, who each move to tell him off in turn, Lyssa makes her way over to the bar and gets another drink. Just the cheap ale, whatever the barkeep could pour the fastest. Blazbert was already calling for her to come over, something about the Underdark. She sighs. She wasn't a lush, nor an alcoholic, she just felt the urge to get out of the conversation for a bit. These new "friends" of hers could get riled up quickly.

She returns, drink in hand, just in time for Archie to whisper conspiratorially to her. She nods, moving to hand her drink to him so that he could kick back too without needing to get involved in this, but then he's arguing with the paladin. Gods, this was ridiculous. As Vanai pursues his line of argument, she grabs the letters she had been so interested in earlier and scans it quickly, losing herself momentarily in contemplation.

"Let's see...heroes, assassins, reward, get the hell out of town. Or, more accurately, stop Hell from coming in the first place. Dispater and Demogorgon? Both pissed over one marilith?"

She had seen larger overreactions among the movers and shakers who occupied the higher echelons of power, but not many. When you kicked over a statue of Dispater and killed a few of his servants, sure, he might send some henchmen after you, but he certainly wouldn't do anything so desperate as focusing his full power and attention on willing you out of existence. Even a single moment like that, when his attention had to be all in one place at one time, could create an opportunity for his true enemies to strike and cost him everything. So as much danger as they were in, once they were out of the city and out of Hell's way it was unlikely they would be seen as anything more than a trifling matter to these demonic overlords as compared to the achievement of their true objective.

If the Well of Worlds this city contained was what the demon lords desired, it was a very naive king who thought that simply sending away the men and women responsible for breaking the first siege would negate or even delay a second assault. The Princes of Hell were vindictive, vengeful bastards, true, but they were schemers and planners of the highest caliber. Drow society is based on such scheming, and compared to the games these entities played it was nothing but the crudest shadow of a reflection of Hell's intrigues. Demogorgon and Dispater had made their intentions clear, or so she thought, and only the failure of brute force had led them to these scare tactics and manipulation - they were not going to suddenly forget their ultimate goal in the pursuit of killing a few more mortals on the side.

So it sensibly came down to a choice. Leave, innocents die, and the city would almost certainly be taken. Stay, innocents die, but perhaps the portal would be protected. She wonders momentarily if the members of the group being so vocal in support of leaving town immediately actually understood their predicament, then she shrugs. With the way these folks liked to go at things, it would be hours before they did anything if she brought it up, and all she really wanted to do right now was have some fun. Plus, she had a great idea for where they could go.

And just in time, because the old lady was chiding the group for arguing and hurrying them along to teleport. Setting her drink down on the table, Lyssa interjects with a raised hand, hoping to get a word in. When she gets to speak, the bored expression she had been wearing throughout this entire argument turns into a smile of anticipation. "Ok, wait a moment. As long as we all want to leave, I've got the perfect place we can go to. It's secure, it's out of the way, and best of all, it's not some crappy fort in the middle of nowhere. I'm not gonna tell you where, it's a surprise, but I promise it beats this place by a long shot. How 'bout it?"