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Post by sue on Sept 15, 2011 19:48:51 GMT -5
(ooc: separate post for pally)
Though he was usually a far more well-composed man, Castus felt his mouth open and close dumbly, like that of a fish, before he remembered himself. Compulsively, he reached a hand up to clasp the small holy symbol that pinned his cloak in place. The tent seemed almost to waver around him as his mind struggled to grasp the elven lord's words.
"Do you truly so charge us, my lord?" he heard himself ask, his voice faraway to his ears. "Truly? I would be unexpressably honored to be chosen to serve my god in such a way...to find...I can scarce imagine..."
He fell quiet, realizing with sudden embarassment that he was on the verge of babbling in his enthusiasm. But still, he clutched the symbol, white-knuckled.
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Post by DM CiCi on Sept 16, 2011 12:50:15 GMT -5
((OOC: There's a giant cat in front of my screen damnit. Ok, now Felis Interuptus has been dealt with....)
Lord Baequimitore felt slightly light headed at the paladin's display of passion and zeal.
"Thank you Sir Castus for your pledge of support," he responded before turning his attention back to the merchant. "Sir Merrik your concerns and questions are well founded. Yes the king is a bit more progressive than his court and people. He has seen first hand what centuries of hate has done and has devoted himself to put an end to it, although I can't help but feel he struggles in vain. Those drow were sent here to attack him by the Nameless Ones- a dark cult that my servant here has alerted me to. I'm afraid their intentions are to keep the world the way it is, and perhaps to set things back even further. It seems they wish to do this by any means necessary, and I know they have already decerned the aim of what I hope to do. They may try to obtain the power of Corrlinn Thalon for themselves- forever tainting the one hope this world has. This is what we are up against."
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Post by sue on Sept 16, 2011 13:13:04 GMT -5
"It shall not come to that!" Castus swore lowly, through gritted teeth. "Such as them cannot prevail!"
Merrik ignored the paladin's mutterings, mulling over Baequimitore's words in silence. So, they were being asked to serve as the underdogs in a political-religious struggle, in which their best chance would be to locate, reconstruct, and win the favor of a split god.
He reached out towards the table, calmly plucking a cherry tomato from a small dish and popping it into his mouth. The merchant chewed for a moment, composing himself to speak.
"Lord Baequimitore," he said at last, his tone a bit flat, "We may need to speak privately, I fear."
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Post by Katherine on Sept 16, 2011 15:39:59 GMT -5
Terrwyn smiled a bit at Castus' reaction and leaned over to look at what Nia thought about it.
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Kitsu
Round-Ear
Posts: 44
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Post by Kitsu on Sept 17, 2011 13:02:28 GMT -5
Lyrania's expression was dark as she listened to the conversation. She seemed to brighten a little at Castus's exuberance only to fall back to her earlier mood at the next words spoken.
"We can't let such a thing happen. And if something happens to the king... I... it can't happen."
She sat back, mulling everything over in her mind. If something did happen to the king, if things did go that way... No, she couldn't think like that.
Nia turned to find the half-elf staring at her. "What is it?" She sounded slightly irritable. Likely that was due to the thoughts that Terrwyn had interrupted.
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Post by Katherine on Sept 17, 2011 15:12:25 GMT -5
"Just watching your expression", Terwyn said with a slightly hurt expression.
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Kitsu
Round-Ear
Posts: 44
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Post by Kitsu on Sept 17, 2011 21:19:25 GMT -5
"S-sorry Terrwyn. I'm just a bit... worried. If something does happen. Well... to say we would be in trouble would be an understatement. What Lord Baequimitore has laid out before us. It's bad. Or it could be anyway..." Lyrania's voice trailed off as she began to think about that again. If something did happen to the king, would that mean that... no! Now was not the time to be thinking about such things. As for that, where was his majesty anyway?
"I hate to butt in, but I can't help but wonder: How can we be sure His Majesty is safe now?"
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Post by sue on Sept 17, 2011 22:27:18 GMT -5
Castus glanced at Nia appraisingly for a moment, before working his face into as reassuring a smile as he could muster, the effect looking a bit tenuous. "I'm sure that His Grace is surrounded by some of the best guards the kingdom has to offer. However, if it will ease your mind-" he paused, and inclined his head towards the elven lord, "-and if our gracious host thinks it would be appropriate, I would be glad to go and check on him."
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Post by DM CiCi on Sept 18, 2011 11:07:35 GMT -5
"If you would like to do as such I trust your judgment Sir Castus," Lord Baequimitore replied. "Seeing as everyone is settling down, Sir Merrik if you want to follow me into my private area for that little chat you can."
With that he stood up carefully and made his way to the back of the tent where an adjoining tent was set up. Before leaving he bent down to whisper something in Daesi's ear.
"Yes M'Lord, as you wish," the other elf replied before escorting his master out of the dining area and taking up a post right outside the smaller private area.
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Post by sue on Sept 18, 2011 14:02:20 GMT -5
Both the paladin and the bard rose to their feet. Castus exited into the night, heading directly to the king's tent, keeping an eye out for guards.
Merrik followed the elf, glancing at Daesi as he passed, trying to keep his expression neutral. I must be careful to not be too contentious, he thought to himself, but this needs to be ironed out before it goes any farther.
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Post by DM CiCi on Sept 19, 2011 13:37:28 GMT -5
Lord Baequimitore carefully took a seat on his cot, surrounded by several cushion, and still looking very much like the man of noble bearing he was even in his private chambers.
He could instantly sense the merchant's unease as the other man took a set across from him.
"Please don't think ill of my messenger. I have my ways of knowing things with out Daesi telling me. It is rather hard to ignore a spike of ancient dragon magic when one is as in tune to the universe as I am. I am not just the simple priest I appear to be."
Castus: As you aproch the kings camp you hear some strange noises off in the distance.
You can give me either a Listen, Spot, or Search check
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Post by sue on Sept 19, 2011 15:09:39 GMT -5
(I don't have his sheet to add his bonuses, but I got a 17 on the die for a Listen check)
"I would appreciate it if you would keep the truth of what I am between us, your lordship," Merrik replied a bit stiffly, "Daesi knows only because I thought it necessary at the time, and the rest of the party is not yet included in the secret. Knowledge of my...situation...would be dangerous to my person, were it to get out. My holdings and myself would both be threatened. As it stands, I don't even have a way to alert my allies so that steps could be taken to prevent great personal loss which, I feel, grows more inevitable with each moment I allow to get by me."
"I'm sure that Daesi told you that I'm currently trapped in this false form."
The merchant shifted, wondering how his words would be taken. I need to look out for myself, after all.
"I joined with Daesi and his band on his word that I'd be introduced to some magi that he believed would be able to assist me. Already, I've taken an arrow that might easily have ended my life, and today it is asked of me to continue this fight that is not my own, for the sake of gods and people that are not my own, and to risk death in this feeble, untrained body."
"Surely I'm partly to blame for not preparing for the possibility that I might see combat in my false form, but I had always relied on my true body in any contingency."
"Now I'm trapped in this form, a merchant and a singer - would that I had chosen to shape myself as a knight, but it's too late now."
He sighed.
"Ultimately, my point is this, as distasteful as I find it. To continue along this path, I will require insurance. I will require a vow that what's been done to me can be reversed...and that it will be done as soon as is possible. I also need a contract, in case the worst should befall me - I would ask your churches to do what they can. Keep me living and I will repay as best as I am able once this is over."
"Should that become impossible, I will give you names of those among my people who must be notified, if I fall. I would see them get to my holdings before word has a chance to get around."
"If these conditions can be met, then you will find me to be most loyal to your cause."
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Post by DM CiCi on Sept 19, 2011 16:13:26 GMT -5
Sue: I'm not at my computer right now because someone's looking at our house, in fact I'm at Kitsu's using her dad's PC. Errrrgggggg. When I get back to my computer and books I'll be replying to Merrik.
Castus: off in the distance you hear the approach of four individuals moving swiftly yet carefully across the plain. By the sound they are making you can tell they are in light armor, and are trying to mask their movements as if they were some sort of hunting party.
(I give everyone who doesn't have a sheet with them a +5. It's not the best and not the worst....)
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Post by sue on Sept 19, 2011 16:18:35 GMT -5
No man who disguised their movements within camp could be a friend, Castus reasoned quickly. He dropped his hand to the hilt of his blade, pulling free a few inches of steel as he strode towards the sound. He spoke in a loud voice that was sure to carry well, as much to alert the guards as let the intruders know their presence was known - "Four men in camp! Who goes?"
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Kitsu
Round-Ear
Posts: 44
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Post by Kitsu on Sept 19, 2011 16:47:30 GMT -5
The sound of steel put Mirasinera on full alert. She had been in far too many battles in the last few days to not pick up the sound quickly. The voice that went along with that of the man was accompanied by the sound of armor which would help the girl pinpoint his location. Making no move toward or away from the man she signaled to her men to do the same.
"I am Mirasinera of the Falling Leaves tribe. My men and I are looking for a place to stay."
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