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Chapter 3: Into the Lion's Den
Topic Started: Mar 10 2016, 09:58 AM (1,729 Views)
DungeonMaster
Administrator
You stalk through the keep, heading towards the office of the governor, and the oppressive stillness that had filled the keep prior remains. The refugees are now out of sight and, even when you catch glimpse of them, it's only briefly before they retreat behind a closed door or scurry off, away from you. Almost as if they have a sense of what could be coming. You turn the corner and find yourself in the circular foyer outside of the governor's office, where eight of the guards are standing at ready. Immediately noticing your blood-speckled armor, they step forward, their spears barring the way to the doorway and, in some cases, pointing directly at you.

"Traitors! Halt!" one of the guards shouts at you.

Before things can escalate, however, a gnomish figure steps forward and Pike raises her hands, calming the guards.

"You are either very brave or very foolhardy to return here," Pike says calmly. "Please...Tell me that these things that are being said about you are not true. I...I cannot believe that you would be working for the Cult, but I have to admit...I cannot disagree that your arrival in Greenest has been quite convenient."
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Soleil Moonshadow

Soleil steels herself at the aggressive stance of the guards, hand still gripping her longbow tightly. Her eyes soften when she turns her gaze to Pike.

"Pike, you are one of five people in this keep that I trust. Believe me when I say, I would never help the cult in any way. They murdered my family fifty years ago, and it's been my life's ambition ever since to destroy them. I gave up my place on the Royal Council to make sure they pay for the atrocities they've committed. Now I find out that my oldest and dearest friend, Talis is in danger because of them. I WILL NOT lose another person I love to those bastards! From what we've been told, there has been treason, but not on our part. There is a woman from Jareth's past who has an axe to grind, and obviously they haven't given up on destroying me."

She kneels so she's eye level with Pike.

"I know our first meeting wasn't optimal, and for that I am sorry. All we want are some answers. We were lead down that tunnel for a reason, and we found this. (she hands the parchment to Pike) The convenience of our arrival was intentional, but unbeknownst to us as to why. If we can't stop this cult, they will sacrifice us and bring about the rising of a queen, and I'm sure that's something you don't want any more than we do. Now according to Sergeant Markgath, the governor has been heard communicating with someone through the washbasin, and I'm not sure if it's willingly or not, but I sure as hell want to know. If he's being held under the cult's power unwillingly, then we want to help. Otherwise, this town needs to know exactly what type of man sold them out. Either way, everyone deserves the truth."
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DungeonMaster
Administrator
Pike looks at the parchment, then at each one of you in turn.

"These are serious accusations to make...Especially without any proof of substance."

Before you can speak, she holds up her hand.

"But it's not without precedent. Events such as these have transpired before. There are always those out there that wish to grab power by any means necessary, and a small town such as Greenest could see a transfer of power without anyone even thinking twice."

She sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose for a moment.

"I'm not saying I believe you...Yet. But I do think that this is something that needs to be discussed. So please...The governor is in his office with Castellan as we speak. Let's go in and clear all of this nasty business up, once and for all."
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Soleil Moonshadow

As Soleil, Jareth, and Sir Ulric follow Pike into the governor's office, she speaks to Pike once more.

"I'm not asking for you to blindly believe us, but thank you for at least being willing to give us a chance to find out."

She looks at the governor intently.

"You wanted to see us? I have to say I'm not sorry to tell you you're short four guards for their behavior but I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy shooting that spineless little shit in the throat after he gave you up. So we're the traitors here? Who were you speaking to through your wash basin, Nighthill?"

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DungeonMaster
Administrator
Before the governor can speak, a dark, commanding voice rings through the office as you see three people appear, seemingly, out of nowhere.

"I suppose that would be me."

The governor is in no way surprised by the sudden appearance of these three people as he simply glances in their direction. Castellan, however, looks very unnerved and surprised by the sudden presence of these three imposing individuals, two males and one female. The one who is speaking is wearing dark, crimson red mage armor. The chest piece warps around his torso, almost looking alive as tendrils sprawl out from the center and wrap around, connecting beneath his billowing black cloak. His gauntlets form claw-like spikes at the fingertips, and every inch of his body is covered by thick armor, up to his jawline. The neck curls around his neck, protecting every inch of flesh, and crawls up the back of his pale, bald head, forming a peak about six inches above his head. He holds a staff in his right hand with a glowing orange orb at its tip.

The other male is cloaked entirely in red, his face obscured by his red hood, and, beneath his cloak, wears brown leather armor underneath his cloak. His hands, covered in leather bracers, rest on the hilts of two daggers as he stands motionless to the right of the mage that is speaking.

The female wears purple armor with spikes coming off of its shoulders that look almost like dragon wings. Under the armor, you see a similarly purple cloak, belted at the waist by a belt with a clasp that looks like a golden eye. A purple cloak flows off of her back and she holds a massive halberd by her side. She has short cut hair, looking almost boyish in nature, and would likely be strikingly beautiful under different circumstances. Jareth immediately recognizes her as Frulam Mondath.

"I had hoped that this meeting would not have happened so quickly...However, Governor Nighthill inexplicably led you directly to my accommodations, which forced me to speed up my plans, as it were. But, no matter. In a matter of days, the refugees and townsfolk will see you as the traitors that they have been told you are and will celebrate your deaths as the cult will flee at the show of force from their dear governor. You will be dead and the Queen's ritual will have begun...And everyone will go back to their insignificant lives, forgetting of the three insignificant traitors that brought destruction upon Greenest."

As he says this, Castellan looks increasingly uncomfortable, even going so far as taking a few steps away from the governor, his hand going towards his axe. In an instant, however, the red armored mage reaches his arm out and Castellan freezes in place.

"That would not be wise, master dwarf. I do not require your blood for this sacrifice...But I will not hesitate to spill it this day."
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Soleil Moonshadow

Soleil watches the three newcomers intently, weighing the value of their impressive armor and magic. She doesn't make a move but her eyes flick to the governor, gauging his reaction, or lack of, then finally moving to Castellan's eyes before moving back to meet the mage's cold stare.

"You know who we are so just for shits and giggles, how about at least giving us the courtesy of knowing who wants us dead? I mean,obviously Nighthill knows who you are but you don't exactly ring any bells for the rest of us."

She pauses briefly, her mind swirling.

"You said Nighthill 'inexplicably sent us to your accommodations', but somehow that just strikes me as false. Everything he's done has been intentional, just to get us to this point. You want us dead to bring about the Queen's ritual but I don't understand why you wanted to wait. Your end game is still the same, why the suspense? And just how do you propose you're going to sell us as the traitors?"

She sneers at the other male, whose face is obscured.

"You've got us where you wanted us, why are you still hiding your identity? Do you have to ask permission or are you just that hideous that children run screaming when they see you?"
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Jareth

Jareth, having taken it all in finally looks over at Frulam Mondath. He smiles and pulls the sword from his right hip, but makes no aggressive action. He holds the sword, balanced in his hand.

"Hello Frulam. Been a long time."

Jareth holds the sword out for inspection.

"You know, I think I can still see your brothers blood on my blade. Funny how the blood of a traitorous rapist seems to tarnish even the best blades. And before the day is over, your blood will join his."

Jareth then turns to the governor.

"And you; I have a question for you, and I suggest you answer it very carefully because depending on your answer, will depend on whether I allow you to leave or if you taste my obsidian after we kill them. Are you a willingly participant in this, or are you being forced into this?"
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DungeonMaster
Administrator
The man in the red armor lets out a deep, throaty laugh.

"Foolish boy. And here I thought that the three of you finding my secret laboratory was a bit concerning. I should have realized, with as much bickering as you did upon finding this note that you were no real threat. Tell me, boy...Do you still wish to run your friend through? Do you still wish to spill his blood?"

Jareth Wisdom Saving Throw
[result]15&15,1d20,0,15&1d20[/result]-1
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DungeonMaster
Administrator
Jareth's eyes flash red and he quickly turns towards Ulric, his obsidian swords flashing through the air as he swings.

[result]10&4,1d20,6,10&1d20+6[/result]
[result]23&17,1d20,6,23&1d20+6[/result]
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DungeonMaster
Administrator
Ulric, shocked by the attacks, just barely manages to get his bracer up in time to deflect the first, but is unable to fend off the second and takes [result]8&4,1d6,4,8&1d6+4[/result] piercing damage.
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