Professor Flitwick Posted March 24, 2013 Posted March 24, 2013 He moved a few paces away, not wishing survey the carnage of the battle. Sitting on a small pile of rubble, he caressed his pipe. Gazed up at the imposing temple of Zoot, he reminisced not a Quest he partook upon not but days ago. "Mephisto swallowed two heroes whole. Mr. Harkenshire, and Fenerian Mage. Both turned up a short while later - little worse for wear, but essentially fine. Perhaps..." Heaving himself up, he walked amongst his companions. He came across the corpse of Gnash. "He died a free Orc. Probably would've preferred it to a long life in chains..." Moving further on, he noticed the body of Hans, and knelt beside him. "May Orang Pendek guide you to a lustrous hall of gold, and reinstate both brains and beauty. May your next reward the sacrifices of your last." Gazing up slightly, he noticed Arthur was the only hero not to get up back on his feet. He walked across to him, and felt for a pulse, not entirely hoping to find one. Quote
CorneliusMurdock Posted March 24, 2013 Posted March 24, 2013 It is over... Cronk collapses. Tears stream down his face. Cronk could not save all... Cronk thought... Cronk thought Cronk would find what Cronk was missing. Find peace. But Cronk is not at peace. Cronk does not feel it... Quote
CMP Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 (edited) "Cronk, none of us here can ever be at true peace. Not as long as we keep tryin' to give that gift to those who won't even know the threat we just destroyed. That's just the price of bein' a hero," remarked Atramor bluntly. "We'll never be able to save everyone, or end all evil forever. But hell if we can't say we're tryin' our hardest to. That's my peace." Edited March 25, 2013 by CallMePie Quote
CorneliusMurdock Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 Cronk thought burden would lessen. But lives of friends were Cronk's responsibility. Each loss... Cronk's fault. Cronk should have been better, greater. Bashed evil more. Burden crushes Cronk. Bal, Triad, Bennetton, Gnash, Gray, Hans. Each death leaves world darker than before. So much death... Quote
CMP Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 "Would they have wanted to die any other way but fightin' evil? Do ya' think they'd've rather lived under even darker world with Wren as a god? People die, Cronk. You're gonna have to accept the reality that we can't save everyone. Every single person here tried their hardest to accomplish what they believed in, and some died for it. That's as close to peace as we can get." Quote
UsernameMDM Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 (edited) Hoke watched as the heroes pummeled on Wren's body. He knew the battle was over. It was won. He sheathed Vintul and slung the steel buckler across his back. He removed the helm from his head and let it fall with a discordant clatter to the floor. He slid off his gloves and let them fall as well. He rubbed his face hard with his hands and ran his fingers back through his tangled hair. Hoke looked around to behold the macabre scene all around him. The bruised bodies of fallen friends and the black pus like ooze and ash of the defeated Chaos Beasts. The quest mates that had survived looked like they were all holding back a torrent of emotion. Which emotions they were, Hoke did not know. He was not sure what was accomplished here. Did a deity die? Was there peace for Eubric now? No. No, there wasn't. There would be some other scheme by some other madness, and Hoke knew he had to be ready. He picked up the gloves and slid them into his belt. Then he picked up the helmet and approached the survivors, holding his arm aloft for Vipera. Edited March 25, 2013 by UsernameMDM Quote
The Legonater Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 "Cronk, none of us here can ever be at true peace. Not as long as we keep tryin' to give that gift to those who won't even know the threat we just destroyed. That's just the price of bein' a hero," remarked Atramor bluntly. "We'll never be able to save everyone, or end all evil forever. But hell if we can't say we're tryin' our hardest to. That's my peace." Well said, Atramor. Well said. Cronk thought burden would lessen. But lives of friends were Cronk's responsibility. Each loss... Cronk's fault. Cronk should have been better, greater. Bashed evil more. Burden crushes Cronk. Bal, Triad, Bennetton, Gnash, Gray, Hans. Each death leaves world darker than before. So much death... Cronk, you can't blame yourself for everyone's death. Believe me, I know. I burdened myself with all the deaths that caused during my exile from Duplovia. But it comes the time where you realize, it's not your fault. It's Wren's. Wren killed Gnash, Gray and Hans. Vonnetate killed Triad. Bal sacrificed himself because Vonnetate's Pongcanis attacked. None of that is your fault. These would have happened whether you were here or not, Cronk. Perhaps not in that way. Perhaps the man in your place would have done things for the better or for the worst. What matters, is that it happened. What matters is what you take away from it. Will you honour these deaths, become a better person, and continue to fight for people's freedom? Or will you bunker down in fear, fear of leading another man to his death? Cronk, you must stay strong. Stay strong not just for yourself, but for others who might be saved through your effort. Quote
Scorpiox Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 Haldor coughed up a small amount of blood. "No more of this talk of death, we should be looking to the future, how much of a better place the world will be now that Wren is gone. Like hell, nothing will change, there will be others, and we need to be ready when they come. Somebody pass me an ale, I want to go home." Quote
Masked Builder Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 Alexis looks around at their dead friends, wishing there had been something she could have done to help them. She sighs, then walks over to Cronk. "Cronk, I understand how you feel. There wasn't anything you could do to save them. As Atramor said, they would have wanted to go out this way." Quote
CorneliusMurdock Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 It is nice of friends to say such things but Cronk knows what Cronk feels. What is cost of bashing evil? Cronk had hoped that becoming hero would lead to redemption, forgiveness. But Cronk only feels more in need of such things. Quote
Flipz Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 (edited) Gazing up slightly, he noticed Arthur was the only hero not to get up back on his feet. He walked across to him, and felt for a pulse, not entirely hoping to find one. Arthur's pulse is weak and irregular, but present--he should have been conscious by now. The only clue Thothwick could see was a single tear resting in the corner of the Sorcerer's closed eye. But the point was moot. Feeling the Metasimian's fingers on his wrist, Arthur's eyes burst open, watery with tears. He quickly turns his face and wipes them away, but he can't bring himself to look at the others. "...a waste...all of it...I'm sorry..." Edited March 25, 2013 by Flipz Quote
Professor Flitwick Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 Thothwick jumped back in surprise at the sudden revitalisation of the Sorcerer. He looked down at his weeping, pitiful figure. "Does he wish to repent for his actions, or repent for being caught?" Thothwick looked over his shoulder, and saw most of his companions comforting the brave Mr. Cronk. "If the brave can break after, maybe it is permissible for the weak to break during?" Looking back at Arthur, he grimaced at him. "If you truly wish to repent, start now. Help me carry Mr. Gnash out of here. Their sacrifice warrants much more than being left here." Quote
UsernameMDM Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 "Yes, let's gather our friends and leave this place." Quote
Pandora Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 Nyx moves towards Cronk and talks in a low, quiet voice. "The cost of bashing evil will always be pain and suffering, but know this Cronk, without you there would have been far more pain and suffering. We cannot give up just because the road gets tough. People do fall by the wayside, and should I do so one day, I would be honoured to be lamented by you in this way. There is redemption, there is forgiveness, you just can't always see it." She smiles sincerely, looking the orc straight in his eyes. Then she breaks the moment, whirling away and walking into the centre of the cavern. "Is anyone else really hungry? Oh, and Alexis, sorry, but could I have that 25 gold back please?" OoC: Zeph, I assume I can get my Sandman's Parasol back from... whoever had it, and all the other stuff can be swapped around? Plus I should be back to max health having been healed and then having Natural Respite. Quote
Flipz Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 OoC: Zeph, I assume I can get my Sandman's Parasol back from... whoever had it, and all the other stuff can be swapped around? Plus I should be back to max health having been healed and then having Natural Respite. Same question. IF it's a matter of confusion, I can figure it out after noon Pacific time. Thothwick jumped back in surprise at the sudden revitalisation of the Sorcerer. He looked down at his weeping, pitiful figure. "Does he wish to repent for his actions, or repent for being caught?" Thothwick looked over his shoulder, and saw most of his companions comforting the brave Mr. Cronk. "If the brave can break after, maybe it is permissible for the weak to break during?" Looking back at Arthur, he grimaced at him. "If you truly wish to repent, start now. Help me carry Mr. Gnash out of here. Their sacrifice warrants much more than being left here." Arthur nods, wipes his face once more, and moves to pick up Gnash. He hums a tune quietly, but stops after a few short moments. "So this is it? I sold my soul for this? Washed my hands of gods for this? Miss my mom and dad for this?" Quote
UsernameMDM Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 OoC: Zeph, I assume I can get my Sandman's Parasol back from... whoever had it, and all the other stuff can be swapped around? Plus I should be back to max health having been healed and then having Natural Respite. Speaking of which, that should be a Zoot's Cookie in my inventory, not a Grand Zoot's Cookie, unfortunately. I also need back the Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening and Cultist's Hat. I need to give back a Topaz, Lt Helmet, Counterstrike Gloves, Zoot er Isen and Healing Staff, but I figured we would fix all that when loot is distributed. Quote
Scorpiox Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 Haldor looked in comtempt at Arthur, somehow, he blamed the sorceror for this. "I want to carry Hans, who will help me?" Haldor pulls an old wooden board from one of the walls and lays it down like a stretcher. Carefully, the nord moves the dead Regulator onto it and breathes deeply. "Why is it that the good pass away, while the bastards always survive?" Quote
CorneliusMurdock Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 Cronk hopes that friend Nyx is right, though Cronk finds it hard to hope in this place... Cronk will help carry Hans. Quote
Waterbrick Down Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 ...Skrall gently picked up the body of the Wren Hunter, "Cronk, we should spend as little time as possible in this hole of Hel." OoC: Skrall lay Hans down on the board, nodding acknowledgingly to the Nord's request for assistance. He reholstered his crossbow from Nyx and looked over the group. Arthur was slowly recovering and helping Thothwick with the body of Gnash; Cronk sobbed to one side being encouraged by Hoke, Atramor, and Alexis; McColt still stood surveying the carnage; Vipera was no where to be seen; and Poletad nestled in the arms of Nyx. Yes there was victory, but it felt shallow, empty as the temple they now stood in. Misery and emptiness, that is all he had ever known and would know. "Cronk, we're movin' out, pull yerself together. McColt, gather any of the stuff they dropped, we'll redistribute topside." Skrall looked around for a way back to the surface. Quote
Professor Flitwick Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 Arthur nods, wipes his face once more, and moves to pick up Gnash. He hums a tune quietly, but stops after a few short moments. "So this is it? I sold my soul for this? Washed my hands of gods for this? Miss my mom and dad for this?" Upon hearing the Sorcerers words, Thothwick sighed loudly, and gingerly lowered Gnashs body. "Indeed, Regulus, 'this' is indeed 'it'. If you lower your eyes, you can see another way 'it' could have manifested itself. But, like it or not, 'this' is 'it'. We have to play the cards we're dealt." Thothwick carefully picked up Gnash once more, waiting to see if Arthur would continue to assist him. Quote
Flipz Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 (edited) Upon hearing the Sorcerers words, Thothwick sighed loudly, and gingerly lowered Gnashs body. "Indeed, Regulus, 'this' is indeed 'it'. If you lower your eyes, you can see another way 'it' could have manifested itself. But, like it or not, 'this' is 'it'. We have to play the cards we're dealt." Thothwick carefully picked up Gnash once more, waiting to see if Arthur would continue to assist him. Arthur supported as much of the weight of the body as was physically possible, and perhaps even more; the mage was in no condition to regulate his Ether output. "It was my sword he held in death. My sword. Maybe...if he'd had his own weapon...if I hadn't felt...he wouldn't..." Arthur contemplated Sir Roderick's blade with a worrisome gleam in his eye...well, worrisome to Dyric or Alexis. To Skrall, perhaps. He doubted many of the others would care, one way or the other. Some might even relish it, a conclusion borne out by the Nord's words a moment later. Haldor looked in comtempt at Arthur, somehow, he blamed the sorceror for this. ... "Why is it that the good pass away, while the bastards always survive?" "You tell me." From his tone, it was clear he agreed with the Nord's assessment of him. "Some nights I wish that this all could end...but I still wake up, and I'm still not sure what I stand for." He looks to Skrall. "What do I stand for? What do I stand for? Most nights...I don't know anymore." Arthur turns his face back to Roderick's sword, staring in mournful contempt at his reflection in its unnaturally reflective surface. Edited March 25, 2013 by Flipz Quote
Waterbrick Down Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 "That is fer you to decide young Regulus. What you "stood" fer, I wouldn't suggest goin' back to. Young Gnash died fulfilling his duty. The blade he carried made him no more or no less of the hero that he was." Quote
Zepher Posted March 25, 2013 Author Posted March 25, 2013 (edited) OoC: Health doesn't matter at this point, there will be no more battles. Weapons and inventories are for you to figure out, not me. At this point I trust everyone to take back what they deserve. You may not loot the dead allies (though I don't think they have anything worth taking anyway), but can of course take back from them anything that belonged to you. The heroes begin to collect their dead, but when they reach the Gray Wizard there is a flash and bang and before them stands the Master of Regret. "Leave him. He is my brother. He is mine. I will take care of him." The Master of Regret turns to the heroes. "You should not feel regret. You won. Nothing in life comes without a cost. But you fought for what you believed in, and in the end, you prevailed. I will tell you this. When Hans died, when Gnash died, when Wren and Felton passed into where ever they passed into, they felt no regret. Felton advised you to live in the beauty of the now, in the ever changing. Think on my riddle. Think on my brother. You are not finished, heroes. The now is eternal. I will assist you out, as you are unlikely to be able to get back to your hall floor. Perhaps we will meet again. My sister is better with hopes and dreams than I." There is another dark flash, and the Master of Regret is gone along with his dead brother. The heroes stand out on the edges of Eubric. The sun is high in the sky, the air is sweet, time has passed. Cancelled roleplay bit deleted. Avert your gaze. Around them is the loot. While they still have a bit to do, they will probably have to distribute that now. LOOT: Zoot's Plaything (Becomes a Weapon with WP=3/4 of the hero's level, usable only by that player) x2 Phoenix Essence 700 Gold Topaz Diamond Aquamarine Emerald Sapphire x2 Dragon Scales Edited March 25, 2013 by Zepher Quote
UsernameMDM Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 OoC: They asked for this roleplay. Give them a few minutes, I'll post some stuff, and then we should be done! LOOT for goodness sake, LOOT! Quote
Flipz Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 LOOT for goodness sake, LOOT! Sorry. We had something planned, but we didn't bank on such a serene ending. Just pretend you saw nothing! Quote
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