[Game Thread] North of the Forest

[Nightshade]

Maeven moves up to support Bella as she gets closer and is surprised by her companion's words. She dismounts as well and adds, we are curious about all this purifying going on.

[Vyserion]

As the last of the guards drop around them, Vyserion immediately begins checking on them and using a cure minor wounds to stabilize any whose soul has not passed on to the next world. Let's hope these stranger's are being honest, he says to Marelith, although it is a good sign they have not begun attacking already.

As he stabilizes those he can, he uses the guards ropes or shackles to bind them as he answers the new arrivals. I am Vyserion and this is my companion Marelith. If you could help me save any of these foolish guard's lives first I would be grateful. The 'purity' you mention seems to fill them with a zealotry that makes them not be able to think for themselves and they would not see reason and forced us to defend ourselves.

[iainconliffe]

Bella raises an eyebrow towards Vyserion. Then looks towards Marelith. He's serious about healing these guards? Bella turns again to Vyserion. I don't mean to be rude, stranger, but that's the stupidest thing I've heard since Nebel wanted to raze the entire Dusken Forest for laughs. You'll still be 'impure' when they wake up, only then you'll also be a wanted man. Bella looks at Vyserion's face, his eyes, his skin, unusual as it is. Call me crazy, but I suspect if a description of you gets out, the rest of the Duravian military won't have much trouble identifying you.

After dragging the first body off the road, Bella stands, wipes her hands on her cloak, and extends a hand to Marelith. Where are my manners? Name's Bella. I am originally from Duravia, but have been gone a while. I am trying to find out what happened to my country.

[Kazaak Than]

Marelith wipes her blades clean before sheathing them and assisting with the bodies. She nods in agreement at Vyserion's words, though a sneer crosses her face as Maeven mentions purifying. Aye, I can tell you all about it. Though it is far from the purity they claim. More like soul leeching, mind clouding, and personality wiping.

After His Excellency rose, he met with the King, and the King stepped down as ruler. Then the priests of Tyr began bringing everyone into the temple of Tyr for their "purification". Everything spiraled out faster and faster after that. In two days they had the city.

Anyone who practiced magic was taken before their Inquisitor. If he could convert you, you were pure; if not, you were tainted and exiled. All the other temples in town have been shuttered, their priests given the choice to join Tyr or be exiled. All property and belongings of the "tainted" have been seized and turned over to the priests for "purification" or destruction.

They claim they are purifying the kingdom, but all they really did was enslave it. They have patrols out keeping tabs on the farmers watching for any signs of individual thought or action not approved of by the priests.

If you came through a checkpoint you are being followed, count on it. At some point, probably while you are sleeping, they will try to take you so you can be converted.

What I don't know is why they are doing all this.

[Vyserion]

Vyserion smiles and shrugs at Bella's words, this was not a new argument for him by any means and while he could easily see her point of view he felt no need to just let lives expire. It is simple enough to take a life but not nearly so easy to return someone to life once they have passed on. Each of these men have family; wives, children, parents and so on, who will mourn their passing and if by a simple touch I can prevent such a tragedy then I will gladly do so.

For now they are not guilty of doing more than following orders. Now the orders may not be just or right, hunting down those for merely being different, but sooner or later people will start questioning those orders. If by my showing of compassion it helps them, or those who hear about what I do, to question those orders sooner then my act of compassion can only help to open their eyes and see the injustice they are spreading.

As for being a wanted man, I already am, as is Marelith and I have no doubt our description is already being spread. Being from Duravia, I am surprised you would be so quick to let your fellow countrymen perish.

OOC Sorry, change of action. Vyserion does not cast anything but merely moves among the fallen and touches them, healing them for 9 points although he makes sure they will not put up a fight first.

[Jensaarai]

Amoura is content to listen to the debate between Bella and Vyserion but is intrigued by the information and warning provided by the other newcomer, Marelith. She does not interfere with Vyserion healing and binding any of the guards that are still alive and helps with removing and hiding the bodies of the deceased, although she casts detect magic in case they have anythign on them worth taking. I am Amoura and I thank you both for the warning. We are in Duravia on other business but this matter about those who use magic being purified in a temple of Tyr is concerning. Unfortunately it sounds as if those who are doing the purifying believe they are in the right and are acting justly.

[Nightshade]

Seeing the others helping to bind those that can be healed and hiding the bodies, Maeven lends a hand as well. Well we clearly all have questions, perhaps we should get out of here and we can talk on the way. No doubt if we really are being followed then this entire exchange has been seen and we will be guilty for no other reason than that we did not aid the guards. Let's get moving and out of here.

[Jensaarai]

Clearly surprised at Maeven's invitation to join them, at least long enough to talk, Amoura shakes her head slightly and looks at her again, as if she can't believe what she just heard. Where was the bloodthirsty mercenary she had been getting to know? Well she was after information so that probably helped to explain it. I think getting out of here is an excellent idea and we can talk on the way. If you are both correct, then the guards that are still alive won't have to wait long until their comrades find them.

[iainconliffe]

Wonderful, Bella says sarcastically. Vyserion, you are a more sympathetic person than I am. I admire that... even if I do think you are a bit foolish. I assure you, these extremists would not offer you the same kindness.

Addressing both Marelith and Vyserion, Where are you heading? Perhaps we are traveling in the same direction. Have you horses or some other means of travel?

Can't spell tyranny without T-Y-R. If those clowns kidnap me in the middle of the night, they're going to have the biggest surprise of their life. And more softly, under her breath, And they'll regret it for the rest of their life...

[HFLep]

ooc looks like my last post was lost. Weird.

Nebel takes another draught from his cup o' plenty, and walks down to join the rest of the group. He jiggles the mug, looking around the soldiers, thinking. Radiance's gotta feed, right? Enjoy, my lil' shiny buddy. He motions towards the comatose soldiers, and then turns to the others. If they're convertin' everyone to Tyr, then they're gonna be my enemies for sure. Kossuth's can get pretty pissed about that sort of thing. The monk snarls, Pretty pissed indeed. I'm gonna have to meditate on it, but I think that burning down some temples may be in order, if what the others say is true. And then the forest.

He turns to Bella, Which wasn't a stupid idea, I'll have you know! If I hadn't set fire to that grove of ancient trees, we would have never known about the zombie trees invading the forest! Fire purifies everything. He takes a swig from the mug, Including tyrannical tendencies of some regimes. Damn, I'm gonna have to ration this cup. I can only get three good drinks out of it per day, and I've already had two.

He spits, looking at the new companion, Any of you know where one can get some alcohol around here? It's for medicinal purposes. My headache goes away when I'm drunk, and I don't have to notice the patent idiocy of everyone around me.

[Vyserion]

I don't believe we had any particular direction in mind, Vyserion says in answer to Bella's question. Our first goal was to escape the city and then the rest of the kingdom. The biggest problem will be getting past the borders. From the little we have heard, they are screening those coming in and not allowing the magically learned or gifted out.

Vyserion eyes Nebel before taking a wineskin out from his backpack, I would drink it sparingly since refilling in the city is not really an option.

[Kazaak Than]

Marelith smiles at Bella's comment about TYR-anny, then nods in agreement with Vyserion. They decided I was impure because I wouldn't renounce my veneration of Corellon Larethian. So I was banished from the city, escorted to the edge of the woods, and told not to return. My house, my shop, and most of my possessions were seized and turned over to the very same priests who decided I was impure. Nice racket that. Anyway, I snuck back into the city, made my way to a safehouse where I kept some of my less common items and retrieved as much as I could carry.

I ran into Vyserion on my way back out of the city. The guards were giving him some trouble. I decided to vent some of my anger on them. We've pretty much been on the run since then. I was suggesting we make for the mountains and the dwarven tunnels through to the north. Leave Duravia to the hypocritical zealots. I figure they will turn on each other over who is the more pure eventually. Fanatics usually do. I'll give it 15 years before it all falls apart here. Perhaps in another human generation I will return and see how things have changed.

So where are you headed? What brings you into the lovely land of brainwashed sheep?

She looks at Nebel and considers him, trying to size him up. Whats this about burning the forest and zombie trees?

[iainconliffe]

Bella looks around at the countryside, searching for a farm near the road. Marelith. How certain are you that we are being followed? I have an idea... Bella trails off, a sly grin spreading across her lips.

Spot check, if needed, for spotting a farm: Dice Roll: (as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code) d20+9: (14) + 9 Total = 23

[iainconliffe]

Oh, and to answer your question. Duravia is my home country. These are my friends. Really we are just passing through. I had thought we might stop in the city... but it sounds like that might be a hair more dangerous than I anticipated.

Bella jerks a thumb towards Nebel. I missed the adventure with the zombie trees... He can tell you all about it. And then tomorrow, after he forgets he told you, he can tell you about it again.

[Elceron]

Bella has no trouble spotting a farm.