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Brian: And now you guys are camped for the night.
Adam: Time to wander through the woods
Brian: Are you searching for something in particular?
Adam: If getting caught is going to start a war, then we should probably just leave
Jannik: agreed
Jannik: oh, did we already talk about what you did on the island?
Adam: There was a run down shack and a water fountain. Nothing terribly interesting
Jannik: alright
Brian: So you guys just wander back to Gorwood, or do you journey all the way back to the capital
Jannik: Aren't we wanted criminals in Gorwood?
Adam: sounds like it
Brian: ...maybe
Jannik: then I shall suggest to not go there
Adam: agreed
Brian: Alright, I'm going to skip the hunting and gathering checks for the journey back on the grounds that it would be too pathetic if you guys starved to death while trying to come home empty-handed.
Brian: Straight back to Shavorne?
Adam: There's no place like home
Brian: It's only home for Aaron...
Adam: I know
Brian: Well if you want to stop at Eastmark or Tinsboro, let me know.
Jannik: I don't think I have a connection to these places
Jannik: and I'm not sure what we would search for there
Adam: Yeah, pass
Brian: Cool. Do you just report back to Eryson then?
Adam: yup
Jannik: sure
Brian: Alright, so you have come back to the palace, and somewhere you run into Eryson. The guards give you a hard time at first, but after a while they remember you since you lived amoung them for a bit.
Apparently Sir Eryson approached them...
Sir Eryson: Hello.
Sir Eryson: Is this a good place to discuss this? There are more private places to speak if you think it's wiser.
Aaron: Well, we didn't really find anything. As we wanted to investigate Gorwood and almost find something out, we were assaulted in the inn and fled from captivity. Afterwards we went to a strange mystical lake near Daysriver, east of Gorwood, only to find a deserted island and an orc who doesn't seem to be affiliated to anyone, who wanted us to get out of there so we don't provoke the war.
Aaron: That's basically it.
Cerim Potter: The people of Gorwood claimed that they had no idea what the black swords are or where they come from.
Sir Eryson: Of course they would.
Brian: There seems to be a look of genuine shock on Eryson's face.
Cerim Potter: Sir?
Sir Eryson: Let's not talk in the hall. Come with me.
Brian: He leads you to a room near to where Aaron was housed.
Brian: I assume you follow?
Jannik: ye
Sir Eryson: So they told you to go away, and you just did?
Aaron: Well, we couldn't really go back to a city we just fled from.
Cerim Potter: They were keen on keeping us imprisoned or even executed. We were lucky to get out.
Sir Eryson: Well apparently you took a trip to a lake at some point...
Cerim Potter: Indeed. Our escape was aided by an orc who claimed to know the origin of the blades. He told us to go to the lake. There was nothing there. He was likely just telling us what we wanted to hear.
Sir Eryson: Never found him again and interrogated him?
Cerim Potter: I never saw his face again, no.
Jannik: fk, we should've waited for him actually
Cerim Potter: (( we did ))
Brian: might of been what that camp was for, now that I think about it...
Sir Eryson: And then? You just...went home?
Cerim Potter: No, we came here.
Brian: He opens his mouth to speak, but then simply sits down.
Sir Eryson: Do you know who's appartment this is?
Cerim Potter: I do not.
Sir Eryson: It's Artyom's. That friend of yours from Tinsboro.
Sir Eryson: I know for a fact that he won't mind us meeting here though. You know why? Because he hasn't been here for over a month. He's down in the south of Eldati's fool crusade killing every Nerulian he comes across, and building a damn religion aronud himself!
Cerim Potter: So the war has already begun.
Sir Eryson: They've built a castle together in the south. Horizon castle or Ft. Dirtyom or whatever they want to call it. He's making himeself into a king. Meanwhile, the black swords still turn our people into monsters and we are no closer to figuring out why.
Sir Eryson: Do you know why we aren't any closer, my young guard?
Sir Eryson: BECAUSE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO COULD GET CAUGHT IN GORWOOD WITHOUT STARTING A WAR DIDNT WANT TO START A WAR!!!
Cerim Potter: So it's our fault, then.
Jannik: were we out for a whole month?
Brian: all travel times together, yeah, roughly a month now. I think Artyom headed off a little before you did, in fact.
Jannik: doesn't that mean thatwhatever we did wouldn't have stopped the war from starting?
Cerim Potter: Those orcs are unreasonable. They seem to be keen to have a war simply for the sake of having some moral high ground for being attacked..
Sir Eryson: Are you sure? Perhaps they had a good reason, because they were already attacking.
Cerim Potter: They sent assassin's after us in the night FAR before we showed any signs of being unfriendly.
Aaron: Maybe that was because the war already started?
Aaron: And us coming there was too much of a coincidence for them to believe?
Sir Eryson: An...interesting idea. Do you have proof of them trying to assasinate you?
Jannik: do we? probably not
Brian: I can't think of anything.
Jannik: we probably have some wounds? but that could be anything
Cerim Potter: I doubt the orcs will confess to the idea. Seeing as how our heads are still on our shoulders, there's no other proof to provide beyond our word.
Sir Eryson: But that still proves it to us. Gorwood has been at peace with us for a human lifetime, why would they turn on us now?
Aaron: Did anyone here do anything without the others knowing? Some people seemed suspiciously eager to fight the orcs.
Aaron: Not that I think that the orcs aren't brutish enough to start a war by themselves, it's just not very clever.
Cerim Potter: The orcs didn't seem very clever.
Sir Eryson: They tend not to be. They're in the woods for a reason.
Sir Eryson: The only people who could have ordered some kind of attack would be Eldati or the king, but neither of them would have a reason to.
Sir Eryson: Could be a random hunter from Eastmark, but they've gone a long time without causing trouble.
Cerim Potter: The king seemed quite interested in attacking them last I saw.
Sir Eryson: Last time you saw was the last time I had the king's ear. Glistar was content to let the orcs die out on their own before I was able to convince him to think about the idea that they might be up to something.
Sir Eryson: And now that he has a war against half the humans? Not wise, even for him.
Cerim Potter: It sounds like Artyon has become a problem too big to ignore.
Sir Eryson: Do you know anything else about his powers?
Cerim Potter: I know very little. He claims they were given to him by some unnamed god. All I know for sure is that he wields terrible strength. Anyone to tries to face him in open battle is a fool.
Sir Eryson: Then I see no option besides trying to manipulate him. Something that will force him to give up this crusade willingly...
Cerim Potter: Perhaps a woman could talk some sense into him. Then again, the woman he was courting back at home may very well have joined him already.
Sir Eryson: Aema?
Cerim Potter: Aye, sir.
Cerim Potter: (( I don't actually remember her name. lol ))
Brian: in game you do. You grew up together
Jannik: you really have a lot of characters in your campaign, dont you
Brian: I started with about 6 core NPCs, then every time someone went somewhere I didn't expect I had to write a couple more.
Brian: This game got out of hand FAST
Jannik: ^^'
Sir Eryson: A woman can be a powerfull tool. What would you suggest doing though?
Cerim Potter: We'll have to find her and explain the danger of his current path to her. He also has a younger sister that might help also.
Sir Eryson: The simplist, but most risky option. Quite frankly, we both seem pretty bad at convincing people.
Sir Eryson: But finding Aema will not be a challenge. She's here in the palace.
Sir Eryson: Guarded by two knights, and two knights of the Order, at all times.
Cerim Potter: That seems extreme for a peasant
Sir Eryson: Well, that's the thing. She has the same powers as Artyom.
Sir Eryson: The guards were an order form the king to keep either of us from stealing her.
Cerim Potter: Will we be able to speak with her?
Sir Eryson: If the Order is feeling nice. No royal decrees about talking...
Cerim Potter: And if we are unable to open Artyom's eyes...
Sir Eryson: You don't need someone to agree with you to get them to do what you want. Anything that compells him to go away and torment some other land will be enough to save the kingdom.
Aaron: Is Gorwood really that strong that you fear we can't fight them even with two people with superpowers?
Sir Eryson: Gorwood is an enclave of savages that should have been wiped from the face of the Earth a long time ago. Just give me my army and I can deal with whatever they are doing to us. But while Gorwood's sins are an excuse to fuel Eldati's lust for power, we are in much more danger.
Aaron: So we really need to explore the secrets of the black swords, right?
Aaron: That's what makes this situation so dangerous
Sir Eryson: You know, I thought it was you who first convinced me of that not that long ago.
Aaron: Yes, but it was for a different reason.
Sir Eryson: Fair. But either way, apparently you two can't do anything without permission, so we might not find the answer any time soon.
Sir Eryson: Or ever. We can always solve the problem by killing all the orcs and letting the secret die with them.
Aaron: I just don't see how we get any more information like this. We can't really go to Gorwood, and I don't know any friendly orcs who happen to be involved with the black swords and are willing to share what they know.
Jannik: does Gorwood interact with any of the elven cities?
Jannik: like trading and stuff
Brian: there is VERY occasional trade, which has gone down even more recently due to an incident where some traders vanished in Gorewood, and Gorwood claimed they were spies.
Jannik: so that option is gone too
Jannik: I mean, I only see three options now
Jannik: 1. find Neek and get him to infiltrate Gorwood
Jannik: 2. find Umrat and get him to infiltrate Gorwood
Jannik: 3. fight the war
Jannik: and 1. and 2. depend on if we can trust them, which we don't know
Sir Eryson: Perhaps we don't need to play nice with Gorwood anymore.
Cerim Potter: Perhaps you're right. If they can't return the favor, then our diplomatic efforts would be better spent elsewhere.
Sir Eryson: Or we could engage in un-diplomatic efforts there...
Cerim Potter: Isn't that what your army is for?
Sir Eryson: It is, but the king has made the royal decision that it is not to be used. You two are really my last tool, and frankly even meeting you in the palace is a questionable choice.
Sir Eryson: We might, however, have Artyom.
Cerim Potter: And if we don't, then perhaps we can at least have him for tea. Black lotus might do the trick.
Sir Eryson: Possible. Don't know what you would do to bring him to the table though. He's kind of busy...
Cerim Potter: It would be easier to join his table.
Cerim Potter: Surely he spends some time at this new castle of his.
Sir Eryson: He does.
Cerim Potter: Perhaps without his walking god, the king will be more inclined to hear your words of reason
Sir Eryson: He probably would. Unless Eldati tells him more lies about prophecy and magic that make him run around chasing more nothing.
Sir Eryson: But if you think you can take out one player, that's probably good enough.
Sir Eryson: But don't take too many risks out there, alright? Even if Artyom isn't fully brainwashed, Eldati will be happy to kill you if she sees a trick. And frankly, I need you at this point.
Cerim Potter: Is Eldati with Artyom?
Aaron: Wait, so you are telling us to risk our lives convincing Artyom, our strongest fighter, to not participate in a war that we probably can't even end at this point?
Sir Eryson: The church of Nerul is small and weak. Weaker and smaller now than before the fighting started. And he's been suprisingly effective against the army of the dead. We can take what's left.
Sir Eryson: Artyom is quickly becoming far more of a threat than an asset.
Cerim Potter: The "Church of Artyom" is most assuredly far stronger than Nerul at this point.
Aaron: What in the world ...
Sir Eryson: Tell me Aaron, how did you think this was all going to turn out?
Aaron: I don't know, sir, I have little experience with war, superpowers, and necromancy.
Sir Eryson: Sounds like you've lived a good life.
Sir Eryson: Either way, this seems like a good plan to start with. Anything else you might want from me first?
Cerim Potter: Some Black Lotus extract would be most helpful.
Sir Eryson: And most damning. Eldati's not stupid, and she's got all her money on that man.
Jannik: does Aaron know what that black lotus is?
Jannik: is that a special tea?
Cerim Potter: (( totes lol ))
Brian: It's the most famous poison in the world. Quite deadly, assuming it really exists.
Jannik: ohhh
Brian: Which it seems like it does, judging by how these guys are talking about it
Cerim Potter: If Eldati is really hovering over Artyom so closely, then no matter what we try and to, she will be working against us.
Cerim Potter: Whatever we whisper in his ear will be contradicted by her whispering in his other.
Cerim Potter: We need to separate the two at the very least.
Sir Eryson: That...could be arranged.
Sir Eryson: Getting Eldati up here will be tricky unless some very important administrative matter comes up, and even then she might just send another priest, but Artyom is impulsive.
Sir Eryson: If we can get him to be a hero, we might have a chance of getting him to ignore Eldati's instructions and split up.
Cerim Potter: Would she not follow him if he runs off?
Sir Eryson: Honestly, I don't know. She might consider protecting him to be her first priority, or she might stick with running her inquisition. Or maybe he won't give her a chance to stop him and leave without saying a word.
Cerim Potter: So we need some bait.
Sir Eryson: How would you feel about taking the role?
Cerim Potter: I could try. If we're lucky, he secretly harbors some strong feelings for me.
Cerim Potter: We need him to rush, after all.
Sir Eryson: We can make him. If he heard you stole Aema, Emita, or both, he might have strong feelings indeed.
Cerim Potter: You might be onto something there.
Sir Eryson: You're a lowly peasant, so I would have no right to order you to stop your heinous act, and if you say...fled to the border of Gorwood with her, my hands would be tied. I am forbidden to order men to leave Damriel.
Cerim Potter: That idea certainly has its merits. There is a risk that the orcs would get involved. They have eyes all over the forest.
Sir Eryson: The orcs are already involved.
Cerim Potter: That's not what I mean.
Cerim Potter: I mean when Artyom does catch up with me, it will be a very delicate scenario.
Cerim Potter: Were the orcs to crash the party, the results could be disasterous.
Sir Eryson: Agreed. But to be honest with you, I'm willing to lose you there for the greater good. If Artyom sees you killed by orcs, the result is still that the true foes of the crown will be punished.
Sir Eryson: I don't want anyone to get hurt, but part of command is knowing when to make tough choices.
Cerim Potter: That's... real big of you.
Cerim Potter: Very well.
Cerim Potter: How am I to get Aema out of Damriel?
Sir Eryson: Since you're already going rogue you can try to defeat four of the kingdon's best knights. I, of course, could arrange for two of them to NOT be the best, but you two will still have a fight.
Sir Eryson: Or you could finally take up Ephnyr's offer to be his squire, only to turn out to be a traitor and sneak off when the damn fool is drinking his guts out.
Aaron: Didn't you just say Aema also has Artyom's powers? Wouldn't napping her be a bit difficult, even after getting through the guards?
Sir Eryson: That is a very good point. I was always assuming she would just trust Cerim.
Aaron: After he knocks out the guards protecting her?
Cerim Potter: "Knocks out"
Sir Eryson: "Protecting"
Jannik: wait, is she held hostage?
Sir Eryson: I've never had a chance to really chat with her, but I'm sure she's learned to trust no one.
Brian: you don't know any more than you heard in this conversation
Cerim Potter: I mean, I could offer the guards some spiked mead. That might knock them out. The odds of me taking four men at once are slim.
Cerim Potter: And I've never been on the rack before, but I hear it's tough to keep your mouth shut while on it.
Sir Eryson: I'm sorry, who's going on the rack?
Cerim Potter: If I lose a fight against four knights, it'll be me.
Cerim Potter: Assuming they don't kill me outright.
Sir Eryson: And there's one other problem: Aema would be the best chance I would have at a weapon if I were trying to fight Artyom man to man. Eldati might not be able to risk ignoring that.
Cerim Potter: If Aema has the same power as Artyom, then she's as much of a danger as he is.
Cerim Potter: Their presence in this kingdom cannot be tolerated.
Sir Eryson: Lucky for us, Eldati teaches that only Elves can have these powers, so she can never reveal Aema or use her unless we do somthing to bring it to the light.
Cerim Potter: That's fortunate. Perhaps Aema will be fine under lock and key for now. She's the best failsafe we have.
Cerim Potter: That just leaves Emita as bait.
Sir Eryson: I don't know if it's better to coordinate with Ephnyr or not. I want as few leaks as possible for who's behind this, and unwilling actors are the best ones.
Cerim Potter: I wouldn't trust him to keep a secret, if that's what you mean.
Sir Eryson: What about Emita? What do you think she would say if one of us told her?
Cerim Potter: She would be wholeheartedly against betraying her own brother.
Sir Eryson: Then it looks like all the pieces are set in place.
Sir Eryson: You've been quiet Aaron, what do you think?
Aaron: Uhm ...
Aaron: So the only option is to kill four guards, nap Aema, go to Gorwood, and hope for the best?
Sir Eryson: The plan is to not do that, nap Emita instead, and go to Gorwood.
Aaron: Didn't you say she's against betraying her brother?
Brian: Eryson looks towards Cerim
Jannik: also, I'm not quite sure how you want Aaron to be reacting in this situation
Brian: Nor do I. But I want to know what he does, as does Eryson.
Brian: Aaron didn't get to do much of his plot at all so far
Jannik: well, if we went with who I thought he would be, he would just support this thing but not want to be involved too much
Jannik: his only quest - to find out what happened to his brother and/or avenge him - seemingly failed
Cerim Potter: That's right. If she finds out about a hostile plan against her brother, she will fight against it. She will either need to be kept ignorant of any such plan or be taken by force.
Jannik: and he doesn't want to abandon his whole life over a plan that doesn't exactly seem foolproof
Sir Eryson: Or?
Cerim Potter: Or?
Sir Eryson: If she's ignorant of the plan, how would you convince her to pretend to be kidnapped?
Cerim Potter: She doesn't really need to. If Artyom is going to be hearing the news through a letter or something, all we need to do is say she's been kidnapped.
Sir Eryson: You think he won't ask around?
Cerim Potter: Who would he ask? Unless he plans to stop at the Capitol first, nobody would know any better.
Sir Eryson: You seem to be leaving an opening without good reason...
Cerim Potter: If it's all that important, then we could kidnap her for real.
Cerim Potter: I doubt she's being guarded as much as Aema
Sir Eryson: Why would she need to be? She has one of the better knights in the land protecting her.
Sir Eryson: But I wouldn't risk the fate of the nation just to be polite. But at the end of the day that's going to be your choice, and I can't really stop you.
Cerim Potter: Does espionage ordinarily fall under the purview of your position?
Sir Eryson: It's a part of everyone's position at the capital.
Cerim Potter: Well, if we're being bold then there's no sense in withholding attack vectors. If you haven't the poison, you'll need to give me information to get my own.
Sir Eryson: You're going to Poison him? After this whole chat we had?
Cerim Potter: You said that the Priestess would catch it. We're arranging to split up her and Artyom. If she's not around, then she won't catch it, will she? Besides, that will be a last resort. To have not contingency plans is needlessly foolish.
Sir Eryson: *smiles* I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship. The poison will find you in short time.
Cerim Potter: Excellent.
Sir Eryson: But for now, if you could leave in a huff that would be lovely.
Cerim Potter: Before that, there's still one more thing to be addressed.
Sir Eryson: Aye?
Cerim Potter: Will you be joining me, Aaron?
Aaron: I would prefer to help from the shadows, but if the worst happens, I'll come with you.
Sir Eryson: Don't feel like you need to come. I'm sure everything will be fine.
Cerim Potter: I'll likely need the aid of the shadows before it comes to the worst.
Aaron: Consider me on your team.
Cerim Potter: I'm pleased to hear that.
Cerim Potter: First things first, I'll need to learn Emita's schedule.
Sir Eryson: That's the job of a handmaiden when she's not pretending to be one. It also depends on Ephnyr's, so I can adjust it if you find it's not to your liking.
Cerim Potter: Preferably there will be a time after dark when she's outside the walls of the castle.
Sir Eryson: Which god do we pray to for that?
Cerim Potter: Our own. Didn't you just say you could adjust Ephnyr's schedule? Surely there's some romantic pond that needs to be defended from rumors of monsters or something.
Cerim Potter: "rumors"
Sir Eryson: As a matter of fact, I think there is. Thanks for reminding me.
Sir Eryson: Anyhow, we best not stay lurking too long. Anything else you need?
Cerim Potter: Not presently, though I'm sure we'll be in touch.
Brian: Eryson nods
Cerim Potter: Time to leave in a huff.
Brian: Eryson nods
Cerim Potter: UGH!
Cerim Potter: *leaves huffing*
Brian: Alright, looks like I've managed to fully split the party again, which means this is session for at least one of you.
Cerim Potter: (( gratz ))