CMP

Patrekr, Baulf, and either Snotra or Wilhalm. If the town block was really leading us on we would've lost already.

Seems like it.

That's fine CJP. You can only influence in one direction, though - you can't influence people in a lawful good, it's either lawful OR good. Masked, there's no true good alignment. And you haven't chosen to influence anyone, which is entirely feasible, but I'm not sure if you meant to or not.

I mailed off my Soma and Sabre and instead now have two Meads. Atramor scribbled another Z-Mail message and the card snapped as it vanished. He watched the uncooperative demon huntress leave, shaking his head. " 'Least she won't be cuttin' into our profits." He turned to Byblos, rolling his eyes as the ape went on about his book. "Don't bother with that thing. Demon weapons are just that; weapons. Their advice is about as helpful as this damn sand." The regulator carelessly tossed Byblos a Remedy and he stowed his claws and slung his shield across his back, swallowing a Potion and washing it down with Mulled Wine as he ascended the stairs. He paused a couple steps up, and threw a Mead down to Nyx. "Our fat bearded friend told me to send this your way. And I'm not talkin' about Father Grogmas," he chuckled.

They have to be on the guessed alignment after everything's said and done in a round, so after the shift. You've got to plan ahead.

Yeah, you all seem to get the idea of it. Just remember, you can't change a guess (and another player can't guess the alignment of the same Clanmeet member) until it's been tested.

You guys have the idea. I just didn't think a fight was appropriate for this sequence, and I figured you guys were getting tired of endless talking with my NPCs, so I made a game out of it.

Yes. Each Clanmeet member has a set alignment. By talking to them and such, you must try and figure out what it is. Then you make a guess, you get their mood to shift towards your guess, and if you're correct, they withdraw from the discussion.

Just noticed this. Dreyrugr takes getting stabbed in the back pretty well.

1. Correct. 2. If they end the round in which the atmosphere shifts towards Lawful in a Lawful mood, yes, they will be out of the spectrum. But you have that entire round to influence them Chaotically to prevent it. Take this round for example, it'd be in your best interest to influence Helrak, Garohn, and Marga lawfully to keep them within the spectrum.

Ellaria- Where have you been? It finally occurred to me why the hell I ending up facefirst in the ground in this hellhole of a desert; nobody in this party can heal worth a damn, save for some idiot djinn. Where'd you end up after the four of us kicked megablocks in that theatre? Run into Boomingham much? Now that I think about it, probably best I'm over here and he's back in Eubric, we've got nothing to do but talk in this sand bowl, if I had to listen to one more war story I'd've swallowed my last venom. If there's anyone I'd rather have than this damn ape, it'd be a healer. Maybe I could stay on two feet long enough to hit something. On a slightly related note, are you sure that rag Russel gave me actually works? Or is this desert actually that deserted? Ah, whatever. From where I stand, it looks like the only animals worth talking to are the ones that can use a sword. Why the hell isn't every crab and frog a rogue or a paladin? Actually, no, bad idea. I don't think humans would last very long against the oceans of sea life in the world. It feels like months since I've seen a drop of water outside of this damn canteen, but I don't think it's been more than a day. Demons screwing up perceptions of stuff, probably. You know, I've got two demons around with me constantly, and it feels like ever since I got here a third has been staring at me, yet I can't stand the damn things. Namyrra's still dragging around her undead, too, which would be just as bad if they weren't on our side. Still don't like them. People like this ape give demons much more attention than they deserve. Does it take that damn much willpower just to outright hate the things? If there's anyone I can trust on that it's you and Boomingham - Nyx is a good friend but warps the very souls of her humans victims beyond repair a little too often for my liking. Not that they don't (usually) have it coming, but frying them like fish seems more wholesome. In a way. Smells worse, though. Here's a Soma. It's supposed to have some sort of religious meaning or something, I think. Hell if I know. Wine tastes better, and keeps me alive longer to boot. Maybe you'll get more use out of it. Hope we'll get a chance to quest together again at some point (Strivvi comes to mind, all four of us have business to finish there), maybe with you there I'll be able to soak up some hits without getting flattened by a bunch of damn vermin. Worked in that rathole of a theatre. - A.G

"What, lacking magical potential? In a strange way, I suppose so. It is no small feat to defeat one enemy wielding magic, much less the hundreds of mages there were in the High Kingdoms." "Karstaal and Bastala don't see the harm in trading, I don't think. Marga doesn't like anything about the bridge, nor does Tarvalk. But unlike her, Tarvalk is fully prepared to take advantage of it and use it to fight back." "No," answered Olmstyr without a hint of doubt. "None of the clans, anyway. It wouldn't be the first time some hired assassins would try and assault the Clanmeet. But none of the clans would ever dare interfere with such an ancient tradition. Clanmeets stem from the 'tribe meets' we had when Baltarok was consumed in wars with one another, they took place for thousands of years. No orc would ever violate that. We're an honest people. If another clan doesn't like yours, they say so. Our politics might not work very well, but they're a damn sight better than all the backstabbing and blackmailing in the Kingdoms." "Quite true," remarked Karstaal suddenly, having caught this last sentence. "Many things from the Kingdoms I value more than our own, but not their politics." "That is some small comfort, given how much else you envy those human swine," snarled Marga. "Have you no respect for your own kind?" "Now now Marga, don't be so hard on old Karstaal. Some of these customs we have are quite strange. Cerisea here was just telling me how in her own land-" "This is not a human's land. This is our land, girl. Our customs. Our traditions. Our history." The clans soon all disintegrated into a mess of arguments and harsh words. Only a few were left out of the din. Olmstyr looked from one person to another with a sigh, then glanced at the heroes. "This will take some tact." -AGGRESSIVE NEGOTIATIONS- -The Clanmeet has fallen into disarray. To prevent further discord, the heroes must try and get each Clanmeet member to peacefully withdraw from the discussion. -Each Clanmeet member has a given alignment that the heroes must try and discern throughout the Clanmeet through their actions and behavior by speaking to and influencing them. While doing so, they must also keep their moods within the alignment spectrum. -At the beginning of each 'round', the atmosphere will change at random – it will be either good, evil, chaotic, lawful, or neutral. At the end of the round, every Clanmeet member’s mood will shift towards whatever the atmosphere is, or they will remain the same in the case of neutral. (If the atmosphere is Chaotic, and the end of the round, a Clanmeet member in a Lawful Good mood will change to Neutral Good, a True Neutral mood will change to Chaotic Neutral, etc.) Plan carefully; if a member’s mood goes beyond the alignment spectrum, they will storm out of the Clanmeet. If the atmosphere is Chaotic, any Clanmeet members in a Chaotic mood at the end of the round will storm off. -Each round, a hero may choose to influence a Clanmeet member, again in either a good, evil, chaotic, or lawful way. Their mood will change accordingly and immediately. The order of these changes is decided by the party leader, and listed like a battle order. Heroes with Diplomacy, 'Diplomacy', Intimidation, or Promiscuity may choose up to influence up to two Clanmeet members in the same round. Multiple heroes can target the same Clanmeet member. Influencing a Clanmeet member is the best way to gain some insight into their alignment. -At any time, a hero may choose to guess a Clanmeet member’s alignment. When their mood reaches that alignment, the guess will be declared correct or incorrect. There is no penalty for being incorrect, but a guess cannot be changed until the current guess has been tested. Each hero may only guess one alignment at a time. A correct guess will result in the Clanmeet member being satisfied, and they will withdraw from the discussion peacefully as soon as they reach the guessed alignment. -The goal is for at least six Clanmeet members to be satisfied and withdraw from the discussion peacefully. Current Atmosphere: Chaotic Bastala: Neutral Evil Garohn: Chaotic Neutral General Gor: True Neutral Helrak: Chaotic Good Jaret: Lawful Evil Karstaal: Neutral Good Marga: Chaotic Evil Tarknal: Lawful Good Tarvalk: Lawful Neutral Hope this is clear enough....basically, talk around to gain some perspective, keep their moods in check while doing so, and when you're ready try and figure out who belongs to what alignment. The current moods have all been randomized.

Congrats to all the winners, and of course to CopMike for putting together this awesome raffle. Better luck next year for me.

"Few orcs these days try to leave Baltarok. Even fewer can. Most of those outside are descendants of those who left our country long ago, and are likelier to have a non-orc in their bloodline somewhere. Pure orcs, I suppose you could call us, have very little magical potential. If we had more, well...the Invasion might've gone very differently." I'll actually move things along tomorrow. I doubt I'm the only one with stuff to do today.

Agreed, that was pretty awesome.

"That's been a bit of a scandal, though Grishnod dispelled most rumors about it in public in his time. It's hard to say for cetain. She's also skilled in the field of magic....question is, is she a mage because she's half human, or does she look half human because she's a mage?

I'm talking strictly about regular upgrades. Upgrade a weapon by 1 WP, you get a free 1 WP weapon upgrade for a weapon of lower WP for free. Buy one get one at equal or lesser value. No, grating stones don't count.

Another amazing Aliens MOC. :thumbup: Attention to detail is great. The floor is fully SNOT-built, right? I like the caution stripes. Though I would've liked to see the mech wrestling the Alien Queen.

Boomingham- Where the hell are you mate? Since the last time we met I've killed a horde of demons, a crazy mage, a horde of ghosts, another crazy mage, a horde of rats, a third crazy mage, a bunch of ninja, a dragon, and I'm halfway through another horde of demons. Aren't you supposed to be king of the desert or something? They should've brought you instead of this damn ape. At least the one that hates me can deal a hit, this one takes 'knowledge is power' too damn literally for my tastes. Saw your plaque in the hall, though. A Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something? Who gives these titles? Was it Patricia? That sounds like something she'd call someone. Have you heard from her? I want to find the Strivvian bastard who sold us out and give him my thanks. If it weren't for him I wouldn't've gotten in any practice killing gods, and me beating the crap out of him wouldn't be as nearly as fun. Hmm. Claw his guts out or bash his head open? Well, whatever, I'll have plenty of time to think about it, we're about to walk into some ruins in the middle of the desert. Ten coins says we walk into a trap or an endless maze of something once we get inside. I've got Nyx with me. The smell of roasted demon is not a good one. Also got some other heroes and a pile of undead following us around. I don't like it, but whatever. Throw enough of the little freaks at something and it falls down eventually. I'm talking about the undead. Though it ain't getting any easier to trust other heroes. Too many goddamn backstabbers. I have my eye on the ape. He was the librarian in the Hall, no clue why the Oracle wants him out here. But there's something off about him, and it ain't just the smell of musty books and rotten bananas. Docken would shoot anyone he thinks would get him some more experience. Namyrra's got the undead in tow, but otherwise seems reasonable enough. Oh right, I picked up a Sabre while I was out here. I've got enough weapons already, so I'm sending it to you. You kill any ethereal enemies yet? No? Well, you can thank me after you do with this sucker. I would've sent you a drink, but I'm gonna need them. Don't get killed you old bastard. - A.G

"No. Not yet, anyway. I'd rather you just feel them out before confronting them with that question...probably safer, too." "Before Tarokai's time, we spoke Baltar. After the Invasion, when the few surviving orcs returned to Baltarok, they brought with them knowledge of the Common tongue. Sometimes they'd even forgotten their native language; it was a long war. Common dominated our land for maybe a century, then the clan leaders made a push for revitalizing the old language. But Baltar tended to be needlessly complex, and there were countless clan-specific dialects. We've picked up some new words and customs of speaking from Common, however. So now, most orcs speak Common, a few of the Broken Tribes still speak Baltar, but almost all of us speak Modern Orcish, a conjunction of the two." "Anyway...you've already Clan Musalnav." Olmstyr scratched his chin and pointed out the group near the ogre. "Those are the representatives of Clan Aj-Kahr." "The ogre is Helrak. He's more or less the voice of reason of Clan Aj-Kahr. If Marga brought unity to the clan, Helrak brought stability. Joined up not long ago and took up the unofficial role of negotiator. He's prevented several skirmishes with the Broken Tribes in the west. Despite his appearance, everything I've ever heard him say points to him avoiding conflict." "The one next to him is Gor the Fevered. Vicious Goblonian warlord. Gets his name from his sheer brutality in battle. Loses himself completely - if you're lucky. If you're not, well, then you're facing one of the most effective battle tacticians in Baltarok. He's put an end to many would-be civil wars in his land with ease. I don't how he ended up being the in the service of Clan Aj-Kahr, but their army has never been in better shape." "In the middle there is Marga Pointed-Crown. I've already told you about her. Religious to the bone. Blunt in her motivations, though. She's got nothing to hide; she's made it very clear in the past what she thinks about having humans right across the river. Tarok is her only drive, and she rules Aj-Kahr in his name." He pointed to the back of the room. "Those three are of Clan Tarokin." "The older one is Tarknal the Lidless. As the eldest member of the Clanmeet, he initiates the Rite of the Meet. Formalities, mostly. He only serves as an adviser to the current clan leader. As with all the representatives and leaders of Tarokin, his line descends directly from Tarokai himself. He's old now, but in good health, and of widespread fame. High Kingdoms scouts crossed the Navaosh a few decades back, harassing and pillaging a few fringe villages. He pushed them all back without any major casualties. Won himself quite a lot of glory for spilling the first Kingdoms blood in centuries. Destroyed half a dozen well-trained assassins after they ambushed him in his sleep after, lost his eyes doing it. He has the respect of everyone here." "The other bearded one is Tarvalk, Tarknal's third son. We discussed him. Half of Baltarok would follow him knowing they were to die. He's the symbol of everything orcs stand for. Honor, glory in battle, determination. He would declare war as soon as our homeland is threatened...but he's not an idealist. The power balance is fragile, and he wouldn't want a civil war; the wellbeing of every orc alive is his primary concern. He would not attack the High Kingdoms for what they did hundreds of years ago; he would crush them utterly to free every last slave in the Kingdoms. His strength lies in the glory and the horrors of the past, but he would use both to carve us a better future." "The woman in the back is Tra-Serral. Tarvalk's daughter, and believe it or not his only child. She's been at his side in every Clanmeet since she was a young girl, but I don't think she's spoken a word. She doesn't have to. Her reputation precedes her. She is Tarvalk's enforcer. I don't know if she values honor as much as her father or grandfather, most of what I know about her is in rumor. These rumors are...unsettling. They speak of a ceaseless hunter, greatest of the clan of the greatest warriors, destroying entire groups of the Broken Tribes by killing each of their leaders in a single day. And her presence is disconcerting. Even for an orc. Best way to describe her would be effective." Olmstyr nodded towards the last trio of orcs. "Those are the current representatives of Clan Irlaz." "The hooded one, Miss Fenral, is Bastala, of whom I've told you a great deal already. You can see now what I mean when I said she is unlike most orcs. And when I said she enjoyed her wine....this is only her second Clanmeet, after Grishnod was taken. She's settled in quite well; in her own eyes. I've not heard one ultimately positive word about her leadership. She was spoiled like a princess back when she was but the clan leader's daughter, now that she's the leader, she acts as though she's the queen. The other clan leaders disprove of her strongly, but it seems she only makes significant changes on her own whims..." "The armored orc is Garohn Ironshin. The Ironshins have protected the leaders of Clan Irlaz since shortly after the Invasion. Ironshin the Greater became a legend when he faced down a giant during the assault on Castle Fortaan, one of the few who was able to delay the six...assassins, before they reached King Tarokai. As the tales have it, he was thrown through the roof, over the wall, out of the castle, and into a boulder. Broke every single bone in his body but his leg, yet led his force nearly intact all the way back to Baltarok during the purge of the orcs once Fortaan was abandoned. The leg was fashioned into a weapon after his death, and now represents unwavering loyalty. Garohn himself's real quiet, though, even moreso since Grishnod's kidnapping. I'm not sure if he approves of Bastala, but she seems plenty happy to keep him around." "Cerisea is a mercenary from Azzurat. Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine. I guess she must've done something significant, even Bastala knew the risk of bringing a human to the Clanmeet."

"Good. Now we begin." Olmstyr approached the table, leaving the party to hover back and observe the room in its entirety now. The atmosphere was thick with tension, as was the air with the smoke from both oil pipes. "Yreg vohln Tarok, ir styr, ir rohk, ir oroc. Ash dir balo dol amor durm calm dir vahl gausho. Grog iiv dir laz ei kon caz ir krahno ei ta. Yreg Tarok, vahl gaun." Each orc bowed their heads in silence for a moment. Then the old one spoke up again. "The six hundred and thirty ninth Clanmeet has thus begun. Do any wish to pose an issue for discussion?" "I do." This orc's voice was low and commanding, experience bleeding through his tone. He crossed his muscular arms over his armored chest. "I want to know why we have humans present. Eight of them, in fact. I very much would like to hear the reasoning for their presence." "I thought I addressed th-" "I found your answer lacking, Karstaal. Not once has a human set foot inside the Taaln. There'd best be a reason for this break in tradition." A female orc on his left spoke up next, her voice gravelly and annoyed. "Bah, no reason they could give us would be adequate. Perhaps a sacrifice would appease Tarok for this transgression. Yes, surely his favor would fall upon us if we were to once more shed the blood of his enemies..." "These six are here on my request, and there will not be any sacrifices here, we left such barbaric practices ages ago. I know what you would say, that they've no place here or in discussion of matters so significant, but I think they're necessary." "How do you find this so?" "Unless anyone seriously thinks we can come to an agreement on the bridge in this very Clanmeet, we need a team to monitor the issue until we do come up with something. They're here to delay the time when we must come to a decision as long as they can. That is, of course, assuming nobody has a decisive compromise for us all right now....am I wrong?" There was silence for a few ringing moments. Olmstyr looked from each Clanmeet member to the next with raised eyebrows. "You speak boldly, Olmstyr...but not untruthfully. I see no reason the humans cannot stay, as long as their allegiances lie with you. Should their goals stray from yours, however, they will be treated as enemies and killed in what way the first passing orc deems fit." "That's all I ask. Can I ask we lay off them, at least for some time? They've journeyed far to get here. And, as we all know, humans and elves are far more...delicate than our kind. They need some time to rest." A young, bright voice giggled in response. "Of course, dear Olmstyr. Their kind are so fascinating, such a shame how frail they are...I also would like to clear up the issue regarding your aepyorni hunting so near our capital, Karstaal, before we launch into the real issue at hand. One can get sick of fish far more quickly than you realize..." Several of the Clanmeet members broke into discussion with one another, but several stayed back, instead only watching the heroes intently. Olmstyr looked sideways at them. "Could've gone worse, but it's far from over. It looks like we've got a bit of time before the...bit about the bridge comes up. I could give you a rundown on the clan representatives - I can recognize them all - and you could go to speak to some of them yourselves if you think it wise. Don't waste their time, but be careful. Things will get heated, that I know, but it'd be best to avoid it as long as possible..."

That's one hell of a bonus prize. Congrats to all the winners so far. Crossing my fingers for tomorrow, but I can't imagine winning on the same day for the second year in a row.

Yeah, letters have already been written to some of my own NPCs.

Atramor sank the Tiger Claws into both Dune Ghouls from the front row.

"Perhaps, perhaps not. The Kingdoms aren't going to attack us simply because of what happened centuries ago, we've done nothing to provoke them. Unless you count Bastala's little scheme....in any case, I don't see any reason to impose on their construction project." A blind, elderly orc across the table coughed suddenly. All the voices in the room fell quiet. "I believe we've each had the time necessary to discuss our thoughts with one another," he wheezed through his thick, yet wispy beard. "Are we all quite prepared to begin this Clanmeet?"