Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[AkamaruGames]

Marius

Marius scratched his head a bit a the talk of good and evil. He never really understood the concepts, particularly as discussed by priests and paladins. He had always given the church a wide berth because the people there seemed a little crazy to him. Priests and paladins often professed that theft and murder was evil, except when it wasn't. The church itself did not seem overly concerned with being evil if that was the case. They came in with their paladins to steal from people at sword point, called it "tithing" which somehow made it okay. They thought nothing of slaughtering people by the hundred in their holy crusades against evil. If you have a magic test to determine the wickedness in a person's soul, then slaughtering them in the name of the holy gods was right, wasn't it? Of course the mundane masses could only take their word on the matter, so what if they lied? What if the magic test was just justification for the church to cut down whoever they wanted while still claiming that killing was evil and that they were right?

Over the course of his life, Marius had killed before. He had taken things that might not strictly be described as having belonged to him as well. He did not think of himself as either a murderer or a thief. Nor did he think that he was evil, regardless of what any church might preach. The world was a cruel, violent place and sometimes people had to do what they had to do, much like this orc had. There was no good or evil. Or if there was, then judging by the assortment of weapons and their apparent willingness to kill, every single person here was evil. After all, if killing is wrong, why carry a weapon?

It was philosophical talk like that that made Marius sometimes envy the animals. They were not concerned about good or evil. They were not concerned about being judged for killing something else. When a wolf slaughtered a rabbit, it was not concerned about whether the rabbit was evil or not, nor was it concerned about whether the act of slaughtering said rabbit was evil. An opossum felt no guilt over stealing a few eggs from a chicken coop. It just ate it's newly acquired eggs and was happy about it. No one ever says that an animal is evil.

Despite all these thoughts that swirled about in Marius's head, sworn to silence as he was, he said nothing. But he did give both Baldhart and Zoran a long, incredulous stare.

 

[Philster401]

"Yes I only sensed a bit, and I'll check," Zoran replied quiet. He then checked Branwen for evil and while he was at it decided to check Marius and the villager for evil.
He also asked, "Marius why do you stare at us thus."

 

[AkamaruGames]

Marius

Marius radiated no evil at all, nor had he any evil intent at the time. However, noticing the paladin scanning him, he did look noticeably uncomfortable by it. When questioned, he simply pointed at Zoran, wiggled his fingers and then crossed his arms in front of him, making an "X" while shaking his head. It seemed like he was pretty serious about remaining quiet for the duration of guarding his charge.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

Aw, poor guy… I think he took Baldy's comment a little too seriously. But he's compliant. This is a good thing… I think.

"Marius, please feel free to speak your mind. I think Baldy was just asking that you choose your words carefully when we're in the orc camp." I suppose I should give him something to talk about. "I think you're an excellent bodyguard. I haven't been stabbed once since you started, so so far so good. Will you still be there to protect me even if a feather falls off?"

((successful check = Nissa is adorable))

 

[AkamaruGames]

Marius

Glancing back at Nissa, thinks for a moment then once again defers to his two week coin for judgement.

Flip a coin! Heads or tails? [1d2] = 2

With the tails result, Marius squints suspiciously at the coin before finally shrugging. Apparently released from his vow of silence through the combined powers of cute and fate, he says, "I will protect you until a feather falls off. I can only promise that long. What happens after that is for fate to decide. For now, buy yourself some candy, baby angel."

He then hands another copper coin to Nissa.

After handing over the coin, he seems to remember himself and goes back to squinting at Zoran, saying, "And you keep your magic judgy eyes off of me, holy man. It's creepy."

That said, he once again resumes his defensive vigil over Nissa.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I can't help but chuckle at Marius' remarks about Nissa. "She is no baby. Her body is that of a nineteen-year-old, and she has been a valkyrie for much longer than that. Eight hundred years, wasn't it?" I look to Nissa and Baldhart for clarification. "Which makes her nearly one-third as old as I am."

 

[Philster401]

"I decided to check all for evil none here, besides the oec contain a notable amount," I whispered to Baldhart.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I confirm my age. "I am 808. Baldy just missed my 800th birthday when we first met."


Baldhart

I give Branwen a pat on the head and say, "I always knew you were a good girl!"

The orc though… that worries me. I ask Zoran, "Would you mind testing the orc leader when we meet him? I suspect the orc here was about to steal, and that's why you see evil in him, but in a small amount. But then, I haven't been blessed or trained as you have, so I don't really know how your 'test' works. I do trust your judgment. It doesn't surprise me that Branwen passed this test. She is a child. A sweet, innocent child."

 

[Philster401]

"No problem that was something I planned on doing anyway," Zoran replied.

(I'm honestly a bit unclear also how the detection would really work also because I think it would depend on the GM's opinion on good and evil, my opinion on good and evil and Zoran's opinion on good and evil because I bet they all have different opinions on good and evil. I think it would be better for a detect intention or something.)

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
"So many new faces. Nissa has a body guard? Seems like a kind of shifty fellow from my first impression, seems street wise and calculating, very little he does not notice."
Aliron moves to a flanking position to the group. "No one seemed to mind our young ladies. Bressel was correct, but I would have planted an arrow long before his sword could strike."
"Baldhart, why is it every time you turn around, you collect a would be enemy and make him an ally?"

"I do not like holy fighter looking at me either. He seems to look through to your sole...Not a sight I want to see, let alone have others see. I will keep my eye on you, the one called Marius. Well all of you, but more on Marius. I think he knows...the dark sides of cities to well."
"To all the new people, if you are friend and you do not see me, know that I am ready to kill for the group, if you are no friend, know that I am watching you. When you do not see me, I may turn up behind your foe, or if you be foe, I might just be behind you."

 

[Philster401]

Zoran feels like his ability to detect evil might not be perfect with people he knows because the tone of Aliron's voice has a dark feel to it. Yet he has to keep up the appearance that he detects evil without a chance for it to be wrong. He thinks back to what they were talking about earlier, Gods. Do the gos that align themselves with evil believe they are evil or are they as misguided as the humans that follow them . He took a step back from that idea and thought what is evil? since he became a Palladian years ago he had asked that questions many years ago. Yet while he thought all of this he still had faith that his ability to detect evil was accurate enough to save him from certain situations which he might unwisely fall into if he didn't have this ability.

 

[Steerpike]

Masama continues to watch Callan thoughtfully, but says nothing further as the rest of the group and the newcomers interact.

The orc seems to have calmed a bit, though the creature still looks tense as it eyes all of those gathered around. He spends most of his time, when not being addressed, looking between Nissa and Branwen, clearly made uncomfortable by both of them. When Baldhart offers meat, that seems to be enough to focus the orc's attention. Having seen Baldhart eat portions of the meat, the orc will eat what is offered, continuing his halting conversation with Liadan around mouthfuls of whatever food he can obtain from the party.

Tumi nods when Nissa says no more valkyries are coming. "Well, it's a damned miracle to have one of you here. And one of the prettier ones I bet," he winks. "Still, seems like the gods make things hard on us mortal folk sometimes. If Brynhild, or Tyr, or anyone one of 'em had a mind to wipe this witch out, I don't doubt they could do it."

When Baldhart mentions that Burnbright is Aslaug's daughter, a worried look passes across both Callan's and Tumi's face.

((NOTE: Marius would have heard of Aslaug simply by virtue of being in the North, since she's the main evil in the land and widely believed to be responsible for the Taint))

Burnbright shrugs when Baldhart asks about Aslaug. It takes some prodding, but she finally says: "She told me she didn't want to leave me. She was taken, and didn't want to go. And no one helped her." She looks up at Baldhart. "Is that true, that no one tried to save her? I know she wasn't always bad. I've heard stories about her from when she helped people with their crops. Would people have just left her if she was captured?"

Callan and Tumi are startled when Aliron shows himself, but Callan recovers quickly. She looks over the group, sizing up Bressel and Cadell, lingering a moment on Masama who still watches with a slightly furrowed brow, and then turning toward Aliron. "Looks like a group that knows how to handle itself. That's encouraging."

As Baldhart consoles Burnbright, Tumi edges closer to Nissa, watching Marius out of one eye in case Nissa's new-found bodyguard has anything to say about it. When he's close enough to be able to speak without being overheard (except by Marius), he says: "The witch's girl? And the old hag herself appeared in this camp? That's a piece of leverage you got there, and no mistake. Have you thought about how you might use her to turn the tables on the witch? Strategically, I mean. You got something she sorely wants."

If Callan and Tumi are put off by Zoran's probing of the group, they don't show it. Nor does Masama.

Branwen moves away from Burnbright as the girl and Baldhart are talking, and the little harpy takes up a position next to Bressel, reaching up to grab one of his hands, her doll dangling from the other. She watches the orc curiously, and the orc watches her warily as he finishes the meat he was offered. He continues to converse with Liadan, and listens to her translations of Baldhart's words.

 

[AkamaruGames]

Marius

Marius looks vaguely in the direction of the disembodied voice and gives a salute. "Nice to meet you, ghost man," he shouts, not bothering to search for the source of the voice, "I am told that I am a lot of fun to watch. Or maybe they just say I am funny looking. I forget which."

He then turns to Nissa and asks, "You know, for such a heavily armed group, you guys sure spend a lot of time talking. This is one of those adventuring groups I've heard tell of, right? Does this mean we are going into a long forgotten tomb to dig up buried treasure guarded by an evil sorceress? Because I am alright with that. I've never seen a poor adventurer, that's for sure. Well, except for old one-leg Pete. But he took an arrow to the knee, so that kind of ended his career prematurely."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I tell Burnbright, "The day we met was the first time I came to the north. I don't know the whole truth of what happened to your mother. I only know that she now sends armies to kill… yet I did see the word 'betrayers' written in blood the first time she attacked Srilkind. I don't know how to save her or how to defeat her. We need to outnumber her for either to be likely."

I show Callan my skull, which I no longer wear in case it violates my vow. Pointing to the side with 34 hatch marks, I tell her, "These are my kills over the past few weeks. We must've slain over a hundred as a group—" To Marius, "—including the there evil sorceresses." I go on, "Such a waste of life… I'm not conflicted about wasting a few more, but there's a difference between taking care of ourselves and taking care of the entire continent. Callan, these town militias and the Inquisition need to get their act together. You've now met our entire group. There were a few deserters, and we lost Darin the dwarf the one time we were against a considerably stronger force. Aside from the loss of one good man, we've managed to emerge victorious in every battle, but part of it was picking battles wisely. We rescued Burnbright, Masama and others from Ghendra's force, but his is a force of 36. We were able to succeed without a battle. It's only a matter of time before we face an army, so we better be an army ourselves."

I now face the orc, "I won't feed you my entire food supply, but you are welcome to a second helping. I need answers from you, however. I need to know about your leader. What is he like? What does he want for you tribe? Are you from one of the smaller tribes, or is yours among the strongest? Can you take me to him? My intentions are peaceful. Do you think your fellow orcs will be peaceful when they see that you have stolen from humans, fell under a human sword, yet humans bring you back to your camp alive and fed?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I tell Tumi, "Burnbright is a follower of Brynhild, and regardless of that, she's an innocent child. Either way, she has my protection. It would be advantageous for us if Aslaug realized that we protect her out of love… if she can be saved. I don't know if she can, or whether the evil is her doing and not that of a demon that controls her as I once heard.

"As for the gods, they leave the world to us mortals… well, yes, us. I think I count as a mortal as long as I have this body. If the gods came down to crush forces of evil, imagine what kind of a world it would be. Where would They draw the line? Would child-killers be crushed under the toe of a thousand-foot-tall Freya? Then why doesn't Thor just strike down all murderers with lightning? People would live in fear, and not do anything for fear of offending the gods. It would be a magical world, but who would want to live in it?

"The suffering caused by evil, if it continues to grow worse… that may make the world just as unlivable. When the world gets to the point that not intervening is worse than intervening, that is when the gods will send my Sisters and the warriors and heroes in Valhalla who have sworn to serve their gods in such a time."

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I translate the orc's words for the others, and try to assure him that Nissa is not a harpy. <If Korgak will not serve Aslaug, do you think his people will work together against her?>

 

[Steerpike]

The orc seems less than convinced that Nissa isn't a harpy, particularly given that Branwen is one (harpies are well enough known in the north that the orc may very well have seen one before), but for the moment the creature seems to accept that he won't be killed on the spot and fed bit by bit to Nissa. He is willing to accept more food from Baldhart.

"Korgak is strong," he tells Liadan. "I am from strong tribe. I take you to Korgak and you will help him fight witch." In response to Baldhart's questions, translated by Liadan, he says "We have a big tribe. You bring me back, Korgak see you have honor. Maybe give you gold for me. Maybe you help him fight, like I tell elf." He gestures to Liadan.

Burnbright listens solemnly to Baldhart, nodding and regaining her composure as Baldhart talks. "I need to think for a minute," she says, getting up and moving toward the edge of camp. She turns back after a few steps, asking "How do you think she found me?" After listening to Baldhart's response, she walks to the far edge of the camp and stands in among some trees - not out of sight, but just at the edge of vision, as far removed from the camp as she can be while still being there. Masama slides through the trees, quietly, a dozen paces north of Burnbright, disappearing from sight but doubtless not far from the girl.

Tumi listens to Nissa thoughtfully. "I reckon the gods know what's best, eh? Least I hope they do, because most of us down here ain't got a clue." He chuckles. "I see now the witch's girl...Burnbright was it? What kinda name is that?...I see you've grown attached to her. I respect that. I didn't mean misusing her no how. Just seems like the witch is determined to get her back, and that might be some use. When you got something someone wants, you got a certain amount of power over 'em, right? But I didn't mean to say you should put her in danger. She's a kid, like you say, and it looks like your all the family she's got left than ain't crazy."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Yes, if we are on the same side, we have a better chance if we combine our forces. I won't have your leader pay me to spare you; you are already spared. However, I won't insult him by refusing his generosity if he makes such an offer."

To the others, I say, "Are we all going to Korgak, or just some of us? Given that Aslaug already knows where we are, I think we should stick together."



Nissa

I tell Tumi, "I didn't think you meant 'leverage' in a bad way. You seem too thoughtful, especially when it comes to young ladies, that you would see any harm come to a little girl. I'm curious, Tumi. What kind of leverage were you thinking?"

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

"I agree. Splitting up the company at a time like this would be suicidal."

 

[AkamaruGames]

Marius

Stares up at the sky as he does some mental math. "If we are going to be recruiting an entire starved orc army to kill a sorceress, she had better have one huge treasure horde. Because one big treasure horde split into a hundred shares is a hundred really really tiny treasure hordes. A huge treasure horde split into a hundred shares is at least a small treasure horde, and I am going to need some backup coins."

He then starts digging around in his backpack as he asks, "Sorceresses die from a stake to the heart right? Or did you decapitate them with silver weapons? No no... burning. Sorceresses die from burning. We have fire, right? I don't think I have enough fire for a sorceress."