Chromeknight

Swords out master Samuel, let us see how you have been trained. Nerwen - mourning star vs. Bors Samuel - sword vs. Bors

Nerwen raises an eyebrow in surprise at Purpearl's mercenary ultimatum. She speaks quietly to XX, I doubt our party leader intends on letting him leave.

Nerwen nods amicably to Samuel and looks expectantly in Purpearl's direction. She replies via the Sylvania's cowl she wears to Matthias <no one here would take that bet ranger, they would lose their money for certain.>

I hope that your path continues to bring you wisdom and that you find the peace you seek. Since you are collecting names, you might seek out the Mithrandir, my grandmother. If you are curious about the appearance of two angels to protect and guide you, she may know the answer. You will find her in the white tower between the low Kingdoms and Mistaria. As for drink, as we serve as shields to our brethren, I have been drinking more ambrosia lately. I heard the barkeep say it was on the menu.

Bend the wills of men? Is your will bent or do you serve freely, without coercion? No, the gods use those who would be used and do not give their power to those who will not accept it. To say that the gods bend the wills of men is to mistake their methods. They guide, inform, send dreams and visions, bestow power and withhold it. But always at the unfettered choice of the mortals involved. As for allowing his servants to die, is Ennoc a miser that hoards mortal servants like coins, keeping them locked away? Or does he have a purpose of his own which he acts to achieve, spending his disciples, yes, even their lives, to purchase advantage over the other gods and victory against the outsiders. As for why Raguel had to die, part of the answer is sometimes history needs not a champion, but a martyr. But again, though Raguel was of the Light, he was not all of the Light. That he is gone is sad, but not cause for dispair. The Light Above continues on undimmed. Nerwen pauses, her voice quiet, but carrying clearly to Samuel. I must confess though, part of why he was martyred was that I, seeking to follow Ennoc's path, delivered him up to pay the blood debt owed by the Kingdoms. He died so that Prince David, his acolyte, did not have to.

It wasn't so much an apology as amusement that I'm easy to get talking, given the right topics. If you are willing to give your life, why are you surprised that Ennoc occasionally avails himself of that offer? Sometimes there is more in play than simply the apparent 'goodness' of the one who dies. One death causing peace? Is his death worth achieving less than that? Imagine a land where a conflict that might have raged is put on hold, even if only for a few years. Zoom in to a peasant boy in a kingdom, one who would have been pressed into service in an army and died quickly in the front of battle. Instead of dying, this boy comes to the attention of a local priest, who sends him off to study and train, a boy who grows to be a faithful servant of Ennoc. Multiply this story across four kingdoms and you can begin to see possible repercussions of Raguel's death. Label those who kill the good as evil, that does not change the fact that Ennoc, as a god, can use what is labeled evil for his own good ends. Perhaps you begin to understand? But tell me also of yourself. Why are you doubly blessed?

Also, conferences are finished, mid year break is over and I'm back on campus, so should be able to update more than only once daily now.

Nerwen listens to Samuel, saddened by his lack of trust. She meditates on the message for him, a subjective hour, but to him a brief moment. Is Ennoc a god or is he only a figment? He is a god and is over the unjust and the just alike. For is it not the unjust who most need justice? I tell you, Ennoc watches over you whether you do right or wrong. If you are his then your disobedience may earn his censure but you will nethertheless remain his servant. This is why I can say confidently that Ennoc did not abandon Raguel. Moreover, Ennoc is entirely able to achieve multiple results with the lives and deaths of his servants. So, Raguel's death could be viewed as the natural result of his mistakes and disobedience, whilst at the very same time, be a death that is just and achieves justice for those in the Kingdoms and in Baltarok - orcs who need justice just as much as men do. And Raguel's death is a move in the battle between the forces that shape the lives of men. For while the gods are a pantheon, and are peers, they are not all harmonious, and their elemental nature means they strive one against another, sometimes opposing, sometimes complimenting, all the time struggling for dominance. So you say you saw light swallowed by the darkness? I saw the the light standing against the dark and not overcome. I saw the darkness unmasked and flee, opening a chance for peace, light and justice to rain upon a people untouched by such for two centuries. For the hate and violence of the orcs is not from their essential nature but is the work of a truly evil force. A force that was blunted at the bridge. As for what the darkness is, there is no one answer. Some darkness is the shadowy glade under moonlight ruled by Sem. Some darkness is the inner room, filled with the smoke of incense and visions granted by Isis. Some darkness is the balance and harmony of duality, of necessary war and righteous hate ruled by the Twins. And some darkness is those of the outside who hate even the darknesses of this world and would tear everything down until not even primordial chaos is left and all is eaten. You are right to fear that kind of darkness, the undark, for it cannot be fought with swords, nor even with light alone. When that undarkness comes is can only be fought with the powers of the gods themselves. So, do not be quick to attack the servants of other gods. And do not label all darkness as evil, practice discernment and strive to hear Ennoc's will that you may be a worthy servant and be blessed with his power to stand against those from the outside. I tell you the truth, for I have seen it happen, the powers of the gods can and does suffice to oppose the undark and there is worth and good in doing so. Do not turn from your hope but seek again the blessing of Ennoc. These are his words to you. Ask a theological/philosophical question, get a wall of text exposition.

Sitting down with Samuel the doubly blessed, she begins recounting the tale. The short answer is, Raguel gave his life for peace between the clans of Baltarok and the High Kingdoms. It does not surprise me the King Speros has placed the order under edict, the conflict cost him his son. The dream you had is a true one. I was there, with others from Heroica, standing between the armies of Baltarok and the Kingdoms, trying to prevent wholesale slaughter and achieve a just outcome that made peace a possibility. The dark figure is an Orc assassin named Tra-Serral, the daughter of one of the clan chiefs. I will answer your questions, but I do not think the others will be able to add much to the story, it was a traumatic battle that they will not want to relive, even in memory. What else would you know?

Nerwen drew breath. I apologise for your reception, I did not recognise your armour pattern immediately. All of us were there on that day, but as your dream indicates, I was closest to what happened. The tale is complicated and fraught with the politics of both the High Kingdoms and of the clans of Baltarok. The street is not the best place for telling it, perhaps we might adjourn to sit inside somewhere? and I will answer your question as fully as I can.

Nerwen stops and stands still and ready for the encounter. Stars shine on our meeting then. Yet I have not been dreaming of you. You had best introduce yourself and explain your dream. But be quick and very honest, if your dream has spoken of me truly you wi know that I have little patience for those who try to deceive me for there own ends and for those who do not keep their word. She looks around seeing who might be listening in to the conversation, wary of giving to much away in loud discussion on the street.

Nerwen listens to Pigley and the ensuing conversation between Matthias and Purpearl. She speaks softly to the the downcast swine. <I expect you enjoy carrots as much as rabbits do. Please accept this a gift and accept my thanks for your efforts also.> as she hands him the carrot from her satchel.

Nerwen nods in response to Matthias. She heals Alexis, Purpearl and XX. You are welcome Amos. As I said to Master Zathwin and Master Hairbelly, I have access to a ship which has current Boneparte accreditation. If you need things moved, let me know through the hall or leave word with the novice, Johero Blackhorn at the temple of Sem. He will see that I receive it. With that Nerwen nods in a friendly way to the pale trembling barkeep and says I am ready to leave.

To XX Nerwen says, I am not sure. That is exactly what this one did. He had his murder victim under his knife and rather than killing him and leaving, he stopped and asked us not to interfere.

A man hits a wall and complains when he breaks his hand? The riot in the hovels was the work of agitators using others to try to kill Nemo and Hestia Boneparte. Rather than abandoning such a futile task, their pawns threw themselves into combat and fell accordingly. Nerwen - sword vs. assassin You can rest easy for the moment, Nstickney

Nerwen shrugs. I was at the oracle's temple on that day. I saw... resurrection, not murder. Nerwen - sword vs. Assassin On conference for work. Patchy reception. Nstickney can post for Nerwen if I haven't posted 25hrs from this one.

It is Nerwen's turn to look surprised. I did not know that about gnomes. Even with what I have seen, there is still so much I have not.

Nerwen notes the brief flash of surprise on Matthias' face at the mention of her previous activities. Two and a half centuries I have lived. Did you think I merely sat around writing poems about butterflies and drawing pictures of flowers? she asks with a smile.

Nerwen replies to Matthias. Eubric used to have a selection of gangs. The Wolfgang muscled in and has killed off most of them. Two of the remaining ones are a group of metasimians, people like Byblos the Librarian, and the blood paws, werehounds mostly. The fact he supplies those that resist the tyranny of the wolf is reason enough to protect him. Turning to the assassin she says. You seem confused. Are you trying to suggest the gangs make money by arms dealing? Are they the customers of arms dealers or are they the sellers? Do not be so quick to dismiss my view. I was not always a knight-cleric and I have traded in weapons in my time. And not simply from some sweatshop forge in a backwoods valley but proper elven made swords and bows. As for telling you how to do your job, regardless of whether you cleaned up afterward, reflect on how simple your kill would have been if you were somewhere where we did not interfere. Shame you may not live to learn from your mistake. Nerwen - mourning star vs. assassin

I still do not understand why you chose to make a spectacle of your assassination attempt by staging it in a crowded bar, with well armed patrons..

For bonus points Nstickney, cross reference by starting date or number of quests completed...

Nerwen snorts derisively Selling to the highest bidder? In Eubric, that means the houses. So this man has, if not the imprimatur of the houses, at least their assent. And if he is arming gangs like the blood paws and the metasimians so that they can stand against the Wolfgang, then it is not innocents who are targeted but the pawns of a want-to-be tyrant. Seraphiel shimmers into view, her glowing blue shield raised. Nerwen nods in thanks then swings her mace again. Nerwen - mourning star vs. Assassin

Would happily have restated it if the battle set up made my action invalid or if either QM had noted that I needed to. Put me higher up and will use my mourning star to fragilize him. Nerwen - mourning star vs. assassin

Please edit battle accordingly.

Miss Berthadhiell, perhaps you would be better removing the hostage from play? That would mean we could finish the assassin without distraction. I expect putting the hostage to sleep will make it too difficult for Ugly there to use him as a shield.