[Game Thread] A Change of Season - Part 3

[zebedee]

Gallindan looked quizzically at Oren before answering. He still wasn't sure the Abbott was an ally, and he certainly didn't trust him. On the other hand, it was a perfectly reasonable question. And Oren perhaps needed to hear these answers, regardless of whether the Abbott and Lux should. He took a deep breath as he considered how to begin.

"I have come further than you might suspect, though my boots were indeed purchased not far away. I was born and raised in the Feywild. My village and my family have a long history of training warriors to battle the forces which seek to destroy the civilizations of our world and all worlds. I swore an oath to the Ancient powers when I became an adult - nearly 50 years ago now. All that time I have trained to be the light of the Ancient gods, and their sword. But my people have the benefit of long lives, and this leads to a patience you short-lived races perhaps cannot fathom. Though I have trained for 50 years, this is my first mission. I came to this plane a year or so ago, and joined an outpost of my order a few leagues west of here. Two weeks ago, word reached my outpost that there was a fiendish incursion in Oakcrest, and my lot was picked to come and confront it. While I have vast experience in the theory of these conflicts, today was the first time I have ever actually crossed blades with a demon."

[mountainbound]

The warlock's eyes glow as he listens to Gallindan spin his tale. To think of others devoted to the same Entity as he was, and not far. It gave the warlock confidence that his devotion wasn't some sign of madness.

At times he rises and pours wine for his guests as Daybreak prepares the meal for all. At one point he returns with the burlap bag that several of the items were toted back in, and withdraws the second bottle of spirits. All the while, he keeps an eye on Lux, noting the imp's progress through the first bottle of whiskey. It was strong stuff, and the creature was already well into it.

During a pause in the tale, Oren defers conversation back to the Abbot. "Do you know of the outpost that Gallindan speaks of, or what other places of interest are in this area?" It was an honest question, but Oren's intent was simply to cause a diversion so he and Gallindan could converse secretly.

Opening his mind, the warlock taps into the special psychic powers given to him by the Great and Nameless One.

Gallindan. I have a plan to ensnare the imp. We can't kill him else reinforcements will be sent by his queen, but I believe we can stop him from shadowing me. Will you assist?

He's almost through the first bottle of whiskey. Stay close by, for when I say 'We'll all have a good rest tonight,' that will be the sign for us to act. I have this heavy burlap bag to set over him. I've seen him turn into a rat, but this bag should hold a rat or an imp until we can find a more permanent confinement.

"Indeed," Oren says, nodding at the Abbot gravely just to keep outward conversation going. "And why is that?"

Turning to Lux the warlock says mildly, "Easy does it, a little fellow like you needs to pace himself. Besides I only have this one other bottle for you tonight."

OOC @DM: So that's the big plan Oren has been secretly working on since we returned from the Abyss. The trap is set, let me know how to proceed from here.

[zebedee]

Gallindan nods emphatically at a particularly inappropriate part of the Abbot's answer.

[Admin Bhelogan]

There are many types of drunks. There are funny drunks, brave drunks, belligerent drunks, sad drunks. Lux didn't quite fit into any of those categories. He certainly became more talkative, but he also seemed more alert and sharp, as opposed to tired or dull of senses. He was eager to tell stories of pranks they had pulled in the past on greater demons, and stories of mythical things that the lesser beings believe about the material plane. Some of it was obviously pure fabrication and others were misunderstandings of mundane everyday things for mortals. The more Lux talked, the more his guard was down though, as the little imp felt like he fit in as a natural part of the group. Every step in this direction made the Abbot more and more uncomfortable, as being associated with devils had enough of a stigma to it, prior to the events of the last few weeks.

As the first bottle reached the bottom, Lux suddenly had a new interest. "Hey Oren, mind if I go explore your cave here a bit? I bet I can fit into places, and find think you never imaged existed here!"

[mountainbound]

Oren thinks long and hard, letting the air hang heavy as he considers Lux's question. "I want to be clear about something. This is my home. As long as you're in it, I would ask you agree to my rules. First, as with anyone else, I demand my privacy. You may be assigned to accompany me for a time, but I don't want you spying on me or Daybreak, especially in my hall, and I don't want you hanging around me unless I summon you. By the same token, I don't want you snooping about my house. If you want to look around the cave, fine we can do so tonight, together."

The warlock was all business. "If I catch you in breach of this understanding, I will rip your wings off."

[zebedee]

Gallindan flinched when the imp got up and moved away from the burlap sack, but tried to maintain polite conversation as best he could. It was difficult, to be honest. The imp and the Abbott represented two extremes that the eladrin found difficult to navigate. He wasn't entirely sure how he felt about Oren's threat to rip the wings off Lux, although he certainly shared the sentiment.

[Admin Bhelogan]

Lux stood with his arms crossed as Oren lectured him on the 'rules' of his house. "Ok Oren. Your house, I'll play by your rules. But, let me make one thing clear too. You think you got me by the horns. That I have to do whatever you say or else." Lux started pointing his finger into Oren's nose, showing a belligerent side now, probably alcohol-fueled, that had not shown up before. "Well, I'll admit, I like it here, and want to stay. I really don't care too much about what you are up to. Just so long as you let me have my fun. I'll keep mum about anything I see, whenever I do get called back to report. Make sure you don't have trouble in the future. But, if you boss me around, keep me caged up like a rat, or mistreated me... It will only take a few easy to believe lies, Oren. My Mistress I can imagine is probably in a terrible mood after what just went down in the Abyss. Venting her frustration on a little town like Oakcrest, and wiping the place off the map, would be no sweat. Might even make her feel better. You wouldn't want that to happen now, would you?" The little devil stepped back, and folded his arms again, seeming proud of the way he stood up for himself. "Now, if you don't mind me, I think I'll just take a little nappy nappy right here," Lux said and laid down on the table. It took almost less time for him to close his eyes than it did for him to fall asleep and start snoring.

[zebedee]

Gallindan winced at the imp's rant, but said nothing until the fiend passed out. Quietly and in elven, he said, "I guess this means we're not putting him in the sack? I suppose now's our chance to talk without him listening, but we'd have to trust the Abbot. Can we?" He was aware that the Abbot might well speak elvish, and that he might be offended by the blatant attempt to exclude him from the conversation in either case. But poor choices seemed to be all that he had.

[mountainbound]

Oren let the imp have his say, withdrawing his wooden pipe and packing it while Lux tuckered himself out. Lighting it, he offered it to Gallindan, the smoke itself stimulating the senses. Once the imp was asleep, he says in an unperturbed tone, "No, we won't put him in the sack. I think we're ok for now. I won't be trusting him, but I believe he means what he says for now."

To Gallindan, Oren replies telepathically, Yes, I think we can trust the Abbot. He's a fool, and I plan to usher him away from Oakcrest for good. But for tonight, let us not talk of the future.

When Daybreak appears again, repsplendant in her seafoam green cloak, Oren grins widely. "Time to eat." He motions to the Abbot and Gallindan. "Come, let us enjoy a meal together. Have I told you the full tale of how Daybreak and I won this stronghold?" He launches into it, the smoke calming his nerves, and the events of the day finally past. The meal is good, the company better. And he had Daybreak back. Just that morning she had been the captive of a demon queen. But he had risked everything to save her, and now there she was: smiling right next to him and adding her side to the dragon story. They had each suffered in their own way, and the consequences of deals made, plans hatched, and events set in place were all things that could wait until tomorrow. That he would have met Gallindan, an elf dedicated to the very cause as he, was almost too great a coincidence. But Oren chose not think too much about it. It was easier to gaze upon his companion Daybreak for the time being. So rare it was to relax beside her for a moment.

[Admin Bhelogan]

Throughout the conversation, Abbot Urthwin was very quiet. He kept staring at Lux. When asked why, he was frank in his response. "This is what makes devils so dangerous. Any deal you make with them, they ultimately win. Even this little imp. Seems harmless, and by himself he is. Yet, he is aligned with forces that can cause havoc on the cosmos. Keep him around, and he builds his influence with you. Get rid of him, and already there are dire consequences. Oren, I think I have hade up my mind. I appreciate your hospitality. But, I think in the morning it is time I leave. I will head to Rosewood, as I had mentioned earlier. After that, I will have to decide what lies next. I never had any other plans than to eventually retire and die here. It could be a clean start. Something refreshing."

[zebedee]

Gallindan was pleasantly surprised by the Abbot's wisdom. He nodded in appreciation. "I believe you see the truth of it, Abbot. The imp is dangerous. But eliminating him brings trouble, not just on to Oren but on to all of us. I fear we must keep him around, much though my blood burns from his very presence. Rest assured that I don't trust him even the slightest."

[mountainbound]

The warlock listens to the Abbot's frank response. "I respect your decision to leave Abbot, and support it. Perhaps Rosewood will be in need of your services. Either way, good luck to you in your travels. You know me to be honorable, and you can rest assured that I will look out for the faithful of Oakcrest. Tomorrow I will see you off."

Mentally to Gallindan Oren says, "The Demon queen Fierna wants new spiritual leadership for Oakcrest, but I promised only to ensure the Abbot was removed. I don't trust what the queen may have implanted in Isabella's heart and have no plans of supporting her. Once the Abbot is gone, contractually my work is done and Lux serves no further purpose. Let us see what the morning brings."

[Admin Bhelogan]

After enjoying the rest of their dinner, the group decided to turn in for the night and get some sleep. It had been a long and eventful day. New faces had met, devils had been fought, and much traveling had transpired. Sleep came easy to the group, and in the morning all woke ready for the day, except for Lux. The imp was still passed out on the table as Abbot Urthwin gathered his few belongings before bidding everyone farewell.

This morning, it was Daybreak's turn to be flustered by Lux's presence. "Scared me to death when I saw him on the table this morning. For a moment, I thought I was still... you know... captured down there." She didn't make any further comments about the imp but refused to look directly at him. Still, she kept track of him through the corner of her eye, like a school teacher making sure the class goofoff is kept in check.

When breakfast was ready, the trio sat down at the table to eat. Lux was rolled up in a napkin and moved to the side of the table. "Let's hope things can quiet down now for a bit, I'm ready for some normal, calm, boring days." Daybreak said, now almost completely awake. "With Urthwin leaving, what do you think will happen to the church in town?"

[mountainbound]

The warlock didn't like the presence of Lux any more than Daybreak, but he kept his thoughts to himself. It was likely the imp was more clever than he let on. To his companion he says, "That is a question for the faithful of the village. It may be that Isabella comes into her own as a spiritual leader, or perhaps another steps forward to obey a higher calling..." he gives just the slightest smirk but says no more.

Indeed, he had already aired his thoughts about assuming control of the church to Gallindan, but wouldn't dare discuss it in the presence of Lux. Instead he turns his attention to Urthwin. "Abbot, whatever the case, I will look after Oakcrest. Daybreak has already packed you some provisions for the road. I will see you down the path and through this end of the forest on your way to Rosewood."

It wasn't that Oren was overly concerned about the man. No, but he made a promise to Fierna that he would see the Abbot out of town, and he would do that with his own two eyes.

OOC No need to RP the escort if it's uneventful. But just want to make sure that Oren sees him to the border of this region.

[zebedee]

Gallindan was still struggling to deal with Daybreak. All his instincts rebelled at her presence, but he could feel that she was no threat. Indeed, her fey nature called out to him, but he was unsure how to respond. He tried his best to be kind and polite, but he struggled to open himself up. This was not helped by the presence of the Abbot, who he deeply distrusted, or that of the imp, who he deeply wished to destroy. He was not at his best, and spent the evening in a quiet mood before sleeping terribly.

He rose with a renewed sense of purpose. Had he not, in less than an hour, ridden this village of the demon that had possessed it? Not on his, own, of course. He had also obtained a new ally. One who followed the same faith as he did, albeit from a human/prime plane perspective. And with a fundamentally different relationship to the deity. Nevertheless, this trip had been a rousing success. There was more to come - the village was clearly a nexus of some sort of conflict of powers, and he didn't know why. But his initial mission was already complete. Now he had to shift gears to investigation. Which, frankly, was not what he had trained for.

At breakfast, he took the time to enjoy the companionship of Oren and Daybreak. As they ate, he asked the dryad, "[COLOR="SeaGreen"]Do your people speak our tongue, Daybreak? I am sure you understand it. But I wonder... my dialect is older than the one Oren speaks. He has words I have never heard, and his... verbs... are simpler, quicker than mine. The same language, but separated by unimaginable time and space. Are your people a bridge between us?"[/COLOR="SeaGreen"]

{time passes}

As Oren took the Abbot to the edge of town, Gallindan remained behind to watch over the "sleeping" imp.

OOC: Man. Sorry, guys. My new job is *killing* me. I love it, but it's so much busy work. I hereby promise to stop trying to post "art" and just post "yes I am here" every 3 or 4 days, at least.