Chromeknight

given your speech about justice and seeking it, I would have expected you were working closely with U'stus. But it seems not. Nikolai himself was a target, yet here he stands, silently supporting your aims, if not your methods. Constance was framed as a traitor. A traitor to whom? Surely she was your loyal soldier. Shall I go on? What of Alandri? Younger than you or Septrine, with less military power, was he so impossible to sway to your counsels that non-violent change was impossible? And how did you not know there were other heroes about? That fact was advertised freely in Eubric, in the hall. You at least have an agent there to have posted the request for heroes originally, will you blame them or did you lie about your ignorance? Your testimony is needed Nikolai. Do you stand by Emeraldo's aims? His actions? Do you stand by him as a man? Nerwen is unsettled by grin that seems like trouble. Cronk! That grin is evil, even if Emeraldo isn't. Perhaps you should bash his grin.

Thank you hatchling, but you are right, we have no use for your coin. Your thanks do better though. Nerwen, who had been silent for a while, spoke. Whilst you are in a talkative mood, there are still questions to be answered. Tell us about your connection to the assassins. And to Lady Wren. Tell us more about the U'kin.

Normally I write Nerwen's words in colour, but since it's such a massive wall of text, I've broken my own guideline so I don't hurt anyone's eyes. And thanks JB for getting me to dig out my college textbooks on ethics in writing this response. I always knew Nerwen was a talkative person, but giving her a platform to make speeches? Hopefully people don't just skip past it... Nerwen stood to the side, able to see the Emperor, recumbent on the rubble and the other heroes. As she spoke she toyed with the crown in her hands, turning it around and over, drawing a deep breath, she said Emperor Emeraldo. You misunderstand my friend the orc. It is not that he disagrees with you that he dismisses your reasons, but he believes that one's actions are the standard of judgement. More specifically the consequences of one's actions. As you can see by looking around, some of your actions have lead to death and destruction. You yourself have placed yourself as executioner of people whom you should instead have shepherded. I expect that you would grasp such a position. You seem to espouse the same values. If you had succeeded you likely expected the Empire to have lauded your actions, regardless of the casualties along the way. You claim that the end you were working for, the justice you sought excuses any method to bring about its eventuality. That may be so. But you have failed to bring about the justice you claim to have pursued. Unlike friend Cronk though, I believe your motives matter. I can see in your words the ideas that propelled you to this course of action. I know that as a human you would have been impatient and heedless of the bigger picture. Perhaps you are merely just a trigger, a small note in a grander symphony of Dastan. That all this would have happened as the various groups you mention oppose their oppression and marginalization. Does that excuse you? Surely not. More, it condemns you utterly. As wearer of the crown you had a duty to fulfill, to govern well. Now, I do not know the mechanisms of your triumvirate, what degree of independence you were each allowed, but it sounds as if you spoke and your words failed to convince your fellow Emperors. You have failed your duty, but that alone does not warrant death, perhaps. It is sad and somewhat ironic that you would not wish to go down in history as the one who destroyed the empire, but that is what will probably happen. History is written by winners, and you lost. You have reflected on why you lost and have identified it correctly. You lost because we opposed you. But why should we have opposed you when, at least some of us, agree with the virtues you espouse and the values you hold, if disagreeing on methods? You know why we opposed you, we were not given a choice. Nerwen paused, her voice sharper. You lied to us. And your state here is a direct result of that cowardice and timidity. You brought us here under false pretences, claiming to be protecting the empire from the lions. You did not lay out your case to us, show us the oppression of those not in the majority. Instead you weaseled and connived. You told us a bare minimum and sought to manipulate us. Looking around at the others Nerwen continued. Some might not have joined you in your efforts at justice, but we will never know. You who claim to love equality and choice, to hold all persons equal have not extended the same courtsey to us. Do you wonder then why we doubt your commitment to these virtues? Instead of speaking, pleading, you ran. Yes we had figured it out. That was the time to put your case, not now when so many are dead and so much is broken. Yet you are pleased with your own actions there. Nerwen shook her head... And now you forsee a grand future for your empire, as it divides against itself in civil unrest, with uprising after uprising following. For what will happen with your crown? The others will appoint another to take it, one who will be beholden to them. And then there will be no voice for the others in the councils of the high, but more oppression, made sharper as innocents are blamed for the destruction wrought today. One day, justice may indeed flower, but it will not be soon and it will not be born from your deeds. As one who as walked the ashes of the Kingdom of Ennon, I guarantee you that. A small sigh escaped Nerwen as the pull of memories nearly overtook her. And what do they teach us in the hall? I recall no lessons. If there were such things we would all be agreed, all think the same. We do not. Your true view of us at last shines through. We are as 'lesser' to you as the Rito are to others. And you feign indifference at your fate, truly? you would be a rare man indeed if it were really so. But you are not indifferent, just as you do not simply believe there is no wrong or right. You stood up for what you thought was right. And so have many others. That you have come to blows does not negate the idea of right, instead it bares the need for civilised ways to discuss and work out differences, rather than running and manipulating. I am an Elf. Created by Galadrya and Celebryon. They desire concord, order, and civilisation. They inspire art and music and the building of beautiful things, like this palace, this empire, once was. The gods do not tell me what right and wrong is, they have made me to recognise these things myself. And I know that they are not the only gods, but I am theirs and I could no more not be than you could fly like a Rito or breathe underwater like a tethusai. Know that when I make my decision, it comes from who I am. Nerwen bowed her head for a moment, eyes closed. Turning to Nikolai she said We have heard what the Emperor has had to say. Others should hear as well. Voices should not be silenced, regardless of their crimes. Nikolai, you served this man for longer than any of us have known him, you know he speaks the truth about the state of the empire before the lions returned. Yet you seek to wash your hands of him and have us decide. I stand by what I have said all along. These things can not, should not be decided by a small group in a side corridor. Emeraldo is not without flaws, but he is not without virtue either. But who here can claim they themselves are otherwise? Those that would take his life for treason are not here, even though they could be easily. They have forfetted the right to this man's life in exchange for his crimes. Equally he can not remain in Dastan. I suggest we escort him to the border where he can travel to the country of his choosing, perhaps explore, free from the weight of a crown and pursue justice from below rather than seeking to impose it from above. Nerwen stopped, looking around at the others. What say you all? I feel like this is the end of quest 13 all over again. Quest giver is really the baddie and we have to decide. I wish there was an international criminal court we could hand him over to... At this point, I'm not fussed about the reward, I just don't want another failed quest on my record! Denarii cocked her head listening to the words of De'kra and Cronk. We've the place to hold him, sure, unless he can fly. But how long before the other Emperors got together an army and came and got him? Yes, Roland spoke about leaving us alone in our mountains, but now we see he is as bad as the others, we want nothing to do with any of them! And you heroes tricked us. We were right, we should never have gotten involved! Denarii turned her back on the heroes and began taking care of Flavius again.

Thanks WBD for including Denarii! I'm glad she has such a distinctive 'voice' and that you were able to capture it. Made my day...

Denarii had been enjoying herself. Flying around and shooting the men who would hurt her friends. Then once they were all taken care of there was so much stuff lying around, lots of it valuable. Then the ogre came stomping in a handed out the pile. And didn't even give her any! She was handed a crown but Skrall made her promise to give it to Nerwen, the healer lady. She was beginning to work up a good pout when she remembered... Flavius! About to rush out of the corridor to find him she nearly collided with Nerwen supporting him, walking in. Calm down Denarii, here he is. A bit battered and it will be a little while before he flys again, but he will mend. As Denarii rushes to fuss over Flavius she drops the crown. It bounces with a hollow ringing sound and rolls to Emeraldo's feet. Nerwen walks over and picks it up, moving it in her hands pensively while she waits for the Emperor to speak. Turning to Sarick she says quietly, Whatever he says, his fate is not ours to decide. We should turn him over to the other Emperors for trial. Can anyone remember what our quest completion reward was supposed to be? Do we still get it even though the quest giver is a filthy rotten betrayer? (again!!!)

Soaring above, Denarii laughed as Nyx was confused by her swooping acrobatics above. Hey fire girl, you're facing the wrong way, baddies in that direction! Stop talking to yaself and get a spell together! Enemies were stunned from Denarii's take to the skies special. Hence XX did no damage to you. I narrated that above, but perhaps wasn't clear. Nyx is not stunned this round and may attack normally. Don't forget Alexandre's Sentinel special is in play and all heroes are invulnerable!

Perhaps I have a different setting somewhere, all I get is the first page of the topic...

I second this. Would love to go on a dwarf background quest! That's why I asked about the absence of dwarven players. Yes, I've spotted those. But for searching, it doesn't generate the post number, it only provides a link to the topic and a snippet of the relevant post?

Most of the information about Nerwen is in the hall thread. But now that it's some 700 pages long it's a bugger to search. And my search-fu isn't up to scratch on EB. All I can generate is a link to a topic, but not to the specific post. Most annoying. Anyway, yes. I'm working on putting what I know so far about Nerwen into my personal info so it's easier to read.

Those coaches are nice. It's a shame those windows aren't commonly available in that colour.

The throne room was a mess. Destroyed furniture, plaster blasted off the walls, a crater in the middle where someone had let off one of those infernal bombs. The parts of many of the mechanical monstrosities scattered about and the bodies of men in Lion surcoats clutching broken weaponry. Nerwen skidded to a halt in front of a body masked by a black cloak. Rolling him over she was relieved to find that, though faint, Thothwick still breathed. Nerwen gently pours a phoenix essence down Thothwick's throat Immediately she sees a difference, his breathing steadies, deepens and his hand flexes. Orang Pendek bless she sighed Thothwick! The battle has moved on and is nearly over. If you hurry you can still strike a blow in revenge. I will continue on to Galen. In the chaos of the entrance corridor, Denarii exulted at the air under her wings. Skrall had reminded her what she was. She was Rito. Powerful at hunting, defending her nest-mates with her bow, her knife and the sweep of her wings. As Nyx attacked Denarii saw the bomb maker reach back ready to throw a bomb. A flick of her wings knocked him off balance and the plucky spider distracted him from trying again. Lord Lucan, watching this, mistimed his swing on Count Knyghton. Denarii smirked and tipped a wing in salute to Nyx before pulling out her stone knife. Keen to do some damage, Denarii swoops in with her stone knife from the front row at Lord Lucan. Ready or not, here I come!

I've always thought that Pretzel was simply as good at counting as he was at preaching, that he just got the numbers wrong or was exaggerating his age. As for the 'dark side' pretzel only has 8 more battles himself. What will he do then? Pretzel the witch? The nature worshiping Druid? The Ennoc worshiping Paladin? The blood-magic shaman? I guess that just leaves sage...

Several of the heroes have mentioned involvement with the high kingdoms. Dyric Rone, Arasmyth RuGard, Nerwen and Sorrow have all incorporated it into their back stories.

Namrrya is a leet Fenarian. You'd have to ask Quarryman what a Fenarian is. All I remember is that they are extremely long lived. As for Winged sandals and Skrall, can he get them in his size?!?

Maybe we should get all the elven gals together on a quest sometime. Alexis, Erdy, Nerwen, Jess... maybe throw in Namyrra as an honorary elf. Edit: Random question of the day. Where are the dwarves? There have only been a handful of players who've played dwarves, and none active currently. Why no love for our bearded, stumpy-legged brethren?

Denarii spoke proudly, so that she could be heard above the battle. We are Rito! We live in the high mountains of this land, from before humans came grubbing along. We walk the paths of the sky, hunting from above. And yes, we like the bow, our hatchlings can shoot before they can fly, all the better to defend the nest! But once they've had practice in the sky, reading the wind and feeling the flow of air, nothing can hide from us. The only thing to scare us are dragons, we say it's hard to carry a bow big enough to pierce their hide! Denarii giggle, remembering Vipera is listening in. Sorry there! Anyway, before meeting here I thought dragons were stories to frighten chicks, that they'd all gone. Denarii takes some time out to shake out her wings and settle them again.

Her target down, Denarii shifts her aim, targetting Lord Lucan from the back row with her bow. Another great shot ogre! You certainly know how to pick the weak spots! Nerwen rushed on moving to the throne room. No doubt the battle would be done soon, the weight of numbers would surely tell against the few remaining enemies. Can you check Denaii's stats please? The Emerald she has is Nerwen's the cheeky thief!

Be polite, gloating is not a good look. And why would Nerwen kill Erdy? They're both elves, both older than the average age of heroes and now both healers. If anything,the hermit is the odd one out. As for counting active clerics; Tomas, Ellaria and Sylph should be in the list too.

Not that I want to tell you how to roleplay, but I think a lot of your comments that you label OoC could actually be made in character, either as they are or with only a little modification. As it is, Isabella goes long stretches without speaking. Perhaps that's the effect you're after and the way you want to play her. Just letting you know what it is like on this side of the screen. Nerwen ponders the insight provided by Vipera. Perhaps she had misjudged the rogue. It wasn't heedlessness, it was focus. Clearly she had set herself a task and was determined to see it through. Nerwen could understand that, admire it even. Besides, Isabella was human, and there was always something odd about the way they thought. So... unaware of the longer view. And young too. She did not have the same breadth of experience as Nerwen. Nerwen shrugged to herself. Isabella would no doubt remain somewhat of a mystery. And there was nothing wrong with that.

Thanks to Vipera's link, even some of the heroes' thoughts were broadcast. Nerwen responded to the young rogue's worries. You are a rogue. You should be able to flee and not take a hit. As she said this she moved rooms herself. Nerwen moves north toward the throne room. Denarii was keen to take advantage of the higher ceiling here. She took aim at Sir Lamorak from the back row with her bow.

Nerwen accepts the pheonix essence from Nyx. I think it is a song from his homeland. Denarii listened with head cocked. You sing a pretty song hatchling. You're a strange one, definitely! But good with the blade. she draws her bow, aiming at Sir Lamorak from the back row. Hearing Isabella's plaintive lament Nerwen sends a thought to her You are a rogue, you can flee to the south corridor with everyone else. The guard will either follow you and others can also target him, or will flee, which is of no consequence.

Nerwen sang. She sang for pure joy. The balance of the world was being restored. Chaos was being beaten back. Falling prey to its own chaotic drive. Withering under the light of civilization. Of unity and order. Nerwen sang and the healing power of her gods spilled out, touching all the heroes in the corridor. Lifting their spirits and easing their hurts. Although strong enemies remained, the heroes were no longer out numbered. No longer on the back foot. It was, as one of her old teachers said, the turning of the tide. Thinking now of the bigger picture she moved closer to the battlemage, who was clearly enjoying the rolling moil of combat. Nyx, will you hand me you phoenix essence? I will go and get Thothwick and Galen. I do not feel right about leaving them. I would get Flavius too but we only have limited essences. They've sat out for a lot, I wouldn't want them to miss all the fun...

With so many targets, Nerwen is spoilt for choice. Nerwen lines up a strike on guard G with her hammer from the front row. Denarii, keen to get stuck into the soldiers who downed her nestmate takes aim with her bow. Denarii shoots guard H from the back row with her bow.

Nerwen prepared herself for the onrush of enemies that were chasing after the party from the throne room. Standing next to Xander she looked across at him and said Good to have you here, may Celebryon bless your blade.

If Sarick is healing Denarii, I do not then need to and have a hand free to take a scroll. I will be able to call on Galadrya to infuse power into the words. If Nyx is still remedying Tarn, he could give the scroll to me.