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Jaden1 has connected.
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Brian:
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It's been some time since you first
raised the ramparts. Eldati has proven an efficent manager, if a
poor general. The castle is now quite impresive, and well defended
beyond what the undead hope to send against your might. Villagers
from across Damriel have come from across Damriel, and sworn
themselves to you and Eldati in a united front against the dead.
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Brian:
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Are you up to anything of interest
during this time, other than ensuring the smooth running of the
castle's hardening, and supply lines to the capital?
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Jaden1:
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Artyom would help oversee the troops
and "assist" in their training. Though his "asistance" is more
often just showing up and causing an inevitable morale boost
rather than any actual guidance. He'd also sometimes train
alongsides them, trying to learn how to wield his shortsword,
except probably most of the time end up frustrated and just summon
lightning to blast whatever training dummy he's practicing on
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Jaden1:
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Which I'd imagine would only boost
morale higher
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Brian:
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I will let you not roll to hurt
yourself in the process
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Jaden1:
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What sort of not hurting himself?
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Brian:
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I assume you don't hit yourself
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Jaden1:
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Oh, he'd only really go for 5 or so
and it's only going to be a single-target attack when he would do
it
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Jaden1:
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I mean, training dummies don't need to
be blasted too hard, just enough to cause some sparks
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* Jaden1 rolls: 1d20 + 12 => 2 + 12 = 14
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Brian:
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Either way, some time after sir
Vilrays, one of the most senior knights of the Order of Blood,
approaches you in private
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Sir Vilrays:
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Artyom, do you have a moment?
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Artyom Cooper:
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I do
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Sir Vilrays:
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I just heard some news, and I wanted
you to be the first to know.
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Sir Vilrays:
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It's about your sister, Emita.
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Artyom Cooper:
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What'd she do this time?
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Sir Vilrays:
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She...she's been kidnapped.
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Sir Vilrays:
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Sir Ephnyr reported that a band of
masked men stole her, and are holding her for ransom at Eastmark.
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Artyom Cooper:
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What did the masked men look like?
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Sir Vilrays:
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I don't know anything more. There's
been no official summons from the king or anything, just word
trickled down from men I trust.
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Sir Vilrays:
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I just...thought you would want to
know, sir.
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Artyom Cooper:
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No, no, you did a good job
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Artyom Cooper:
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Masked men, huh...
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Sir Vilrays:
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Bandits, perhaps?
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Sir Vilrays:
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A noble lady would fetch a good price.
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Artyom Cooper:
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She's a noble?
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Sir Vilrays:
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Well, of course. She is your sister,
right?
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Sir Vilrays:
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I assume you're not so distant from
the royal line that women in your family aren't...
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Sir Vilrays:
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...no, I don't even see how that would
work.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Ah, yes of course
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Artyom Cooper:
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She's a noble
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Artyom Cooper:
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I was just musing to myself
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Artyom Cooper:
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Considering another aspect
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Artyom Cooper:
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No need to worry yourself
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Sir Vilrays:
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Of couse, sir,
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Brian:
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He waits to see if you have more to say
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Artyom Cooper:
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I have nothing more to say, you may
return to your post. Good work
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Brian:
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He bows and leaves
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Artyom Cooper:
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Eastmark...
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Jaden1:
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Artyom's going to go over and see what
Eldati's up to
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Brian:
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Eldati is having a conversation with
one of the other priests in the new chapel set up in the castle.
It's one of the first structures to be receiving a proper floor
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Eldati:
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Ahh, hello Artyom.
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Eldati:
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Have you given up on swords yet?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Yeah, not really my thing
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Eldati:
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I knew you were smart.
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Eldati:
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What's up?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Still looks cool though
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Artyom Cooper:
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Ah, where's Eastmark?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Like...
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Artyom Cooper:
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If I were to start walking
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Artyom Cooper:
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When would I get there?
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Artyom Cooper:
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And what direction should I go?
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Eldati:
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I don't think I've heard of Eastmark,
but I've got a hunch it's to the east.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Perfect
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Eldati:
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I'd need to take a look at the map.
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Jaden1:
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Artyom turns to leave
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Artyom Cooper:
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Which way's east?
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Eldati:
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Rising sun.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Ah
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Eldati:
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But why are you asking?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Apparently my sister's gotten herself
kidnapped again
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Artyom Cooper:
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But for real the first time
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Artyom Cooper:
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Last time she was "kidnapped" we just
found her talking to some bread salesman
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Eldati:
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I'll assemble a team of knights at once.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Very good then
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Eldati:
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...that's it?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Well
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Artyom Cooper:
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Let's see
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Artyom Cooper:
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You're assembling a team of knights
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Artyom Cooper:
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I've given up on swordsmanship
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Artyom Cooper:
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There's somewhere called Eastmark
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Artyom Cooper:
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Mm
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Artyom Cooper:
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Oh yes, what's for dinner?
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Brian:
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Eldati gives off one of her rare, but
sincere, laughs.
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Eldati:
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You're the hero of elfkind. I would
have assumed you'd fly off at once to save the day.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Don't travel on an empty stomach?
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Eldati:
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I find it doesn't make much difference
when you can just tax a peasant.
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Eldati:
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...but I guess you can't right now.
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Artyom Cooper:
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I mean I could probably set traps, but
traps don't move with you
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Artyom Cooper:
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And berries don't exactly grow on
trees you know
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Artyom Cooper:
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Well
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Artyom Cooper:
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They grow on bushes
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Artyom Cooper:
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But they aren't everywhere, understand?
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Artyom Cooper:
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It's not as if food just comes from
nowhere
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Eldati:
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Ok, ok.
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Eldati:
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I don't care about bushes. Are you
going with the knights?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Well of course
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Artyom Cooper:
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All they know is swordfighting
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Artyom Cooper:
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And we all know how bad that is
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Eldati:
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I like to think my Order can kick in a
few hindquarters...
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Artyom Cooper:
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Sure, but swords can't kick
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Jaden1:
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He looks down with a face of utter
disgust at the sword hanging at his waist
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Eldati:
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Well if you're going, I'm going to
have to keep a lot more knights here, you realize.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Hold on, let's get Vilrays in here
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Eldati:
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*to other priest* get him.
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Brian:
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in short order, he arrives
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Sir Vilrays:
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Your holyness?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Do you know approximately how many
bandits there were?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Well, masked men?
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Sir Vilrays:
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A few. That's all I know.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Few as in like, 10-20 or a few as in
upwards of 200?
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Sir Vilrays:
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Definitely far less.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Oh, if it's not more than 50 I'm not
going
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Jaden1:
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He turns back to Eldati
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Artyom Cooper:
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Yeah just send the knights
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Eldati:
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Ohh. Wow. I didn't expect such sense
in you.
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Artyom Cooper:
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I mean, I'm here to provide as much
power as I can
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Artyom Cooper:
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If another army comes, what are you
going to do?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Probably win without me
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Artyom Cooper:
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But there might be casualties then
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Artyom Cooper:
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And I'd prefer to prevent casualties
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Eldati:
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Hey, I'm not complaining.
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Eldati:
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But she's your sister, not mine. The
last thing I wanted to do was forbid you to go.
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Artyom Cooper:
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As you said, your knights are capable
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Artyom Cooper:
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I'm sure they can crush a few masked
men
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Eldati:
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Vilrays, you will see to this matter
personally. I want 20 of knights of the order on this. Gather those
left at the capital if you need to.
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Sir Vilrays:
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Aye.
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Brian:
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He bows again, and heads out.
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Eldati:
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I will send you the first report I
get, of course.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Great
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Artyom Cooper:
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Also since I'm pretty much done with
this I guess I'll give it to you for research
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Artyom Cooper:
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I've not really made progress
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Jaden1:
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He's going to take off the black
shortsword and hand it over to her
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Eldati:
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Any other leads on all these
mysteries? Do you know what your next move is?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Not really
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Artyom Cooper:
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But there's plenty of people here now
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Artyom Cooper:
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I'd like to form a stronger militia
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Artyom Cooper:
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Recruiting among those villagers who
were wronged and turning them into a fighting force that's worthy
of this kingdom
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Eldati:
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I think that's called an army.
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Eldati:
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But I'm not a military man.
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Eldati:
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I'm not a
man at all...
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Artyom Cooper:
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That may be true, and I'm not either
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Artyom Cooper:
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But I'm sure I'll figure it out as I
go along
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Eldati:
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You're among my best leaders with
Vilrays off. I think you'll do great.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Hm, I believe most of my orders would
consist of "Stand there and kill anything that doesn't die from
lightning"
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Eldati:
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Not a bad start.
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Eldati:
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You know, if you want to take a more
noble last name, this would be a good time...
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Eldati:
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Before everyone knows you're just a
cooper
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Artyom Cooper:
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Hm, but if I weren't referred to as
General Cooper, how would I ever end up being known to "barrel"
through enemies
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Eldati:
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Well met. And I think I'll leave you
with that. More Nerulians to root out...
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Eldati:
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Farewell.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Hm
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Artyom Cooper:
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That gives me an idea
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Eldati:
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Ohh no...
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Artyom Cooper:
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You're a genius
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Artyom Cooper:
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Well
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Artyom Cooper:
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I'm a genius
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Eldati:
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Of course.
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Artyom Cooper:
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But you're a spark to genius
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Eldati:
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Thanks
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Jaden1:
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And he's off to visit wherever the
Nerulians who came in with the refugees are
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Jaden1:
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If I remember they were slightly
seperated from the rest
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Brian:
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They were. But there if I recall
correctly they are just under-cover now. I'll check
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Brian:
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yeah, they are. Scattered amoung the
normies. A few have already been rooted out (and normally killed),
but Father Maryn has been trying to pull strings as best he can.
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Brian:
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And Eldati no longer condones flat
killing them, on your reccomendation, but that doesn't keep
superstitious peasants from taking matters into their own hands.
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Jaden1:
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He's going to gather a meeting of
every peasant around
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Jaden1:
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All the villagers to gather in one
spot for him to talk to them
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Brian:
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In short order, it is so. Except for
the sick ones
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Artyom Cooper:
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I know many have wondered why I have
allowed Nerulians among us, and that many of you are still
suspicious of them, and that some of you may still be Nerulians
yourself
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Artyom Cooper:
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So I'm going to offer anyone who is a
Nerulian to step forward right now and join a group I'm putting
together
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Artyom Cooper:
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You will train, you will become a
fighting force, soldiers, and an army
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Brian:
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Everyone looks around at one another
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Artyom Cooper:
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And then you will help put a stop to
this threat
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Artyom Cooper:
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I understand there has been
discrimination
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Artyom Cooper:
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But everyone who steps forward will be
given seperate quarters and be under my care for training
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Artyom Cooper:
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To act against anyone in the group I'm
forming is to act against me, you will be protected
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Artyom Cooper:
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And in return, I ask you to protect
those who might hurt you by slaying what everyone is fighting
against
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Artyom Cooper:
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There is no better way to prove your
innocence
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Knight of the Order of Blood 10:
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Why would you trust Nerul's followers
with this?
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Knight of the Order of Blood 10:
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We have always been loyal to you.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Yes
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Artyom Cooper:
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So what have I to fear from my
greatest allies?
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Artyom Cooper:
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But there are those who do spread fear
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Artyom Cooper:
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And spread deceit trying to seperate us
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Artyom Cooper:
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To divide us
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Artyom Cooper:
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We must stand united in these
difficult times
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Artyom Cooper:
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If someone we once thought were
enemies became allies, wouldn't those be the most precious allies
we could ever receive?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Not only do we not have less to fight
against, but we have more to fight for us
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Knight of the Order of Blood 10:
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They started this evil. Why would they
aid us now?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Why do you speak out like this?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Do you know they started this evil?
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Knight of the Order of Blood 10:
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With all my heart.
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Artyom Cooper:
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What proof do you have?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Baseless accusations do nothing to
better us
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Artyom Cooper:
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If I said you were a goblin at this
very moment, even if you have no green skin, would you believe me?
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Artyom Cooper:
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If there is no substance to back it
up, I cannot believe.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Therefore, I offer this chance to all
of Nerul's followers
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Artyom Cooper:
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These rumors will float around until
someone either gathers the proof to say they are true or untrue
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Artyom Cooper:
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This would move you towards the latter
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Artyom Cooper:
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A shining beacon to all that notice
you that you did not cause this calamity
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Artyom Cooper:
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So come join me in defeating these foes
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Brian:
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There is a dead silence amoung the
crowd. Not a cough, not a breath, and a few looks of disbelief all
around. Then, a high-pitched voice pierces the silence.
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Hyntsa:
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I'm in!
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Artyom Cooper:
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Come, join me up here
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Brian:
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She joins you, and takes a place at
your hip-level.
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Artyom Cooper:
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And now there is one that dares to
fight
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Artyom Cooper:
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Any to lay a hand on her is doing this
kingdom a disservice and shall be punished
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Hyntsa:
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I know I'm not the only one. Come on,
are you gonna let a little girl be braver than you?
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Artyom Cooper:
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We stand together or we fall
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Artyom Cooper:
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A kingdom divided against itself
cannot stand
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Brian:
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The crowd remains just as silent and
more shocked.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Surely a single girl isn't the only
one willing to fight here?
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Jaden1:
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They're standing up right?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Those who would fight and those who
would support our armies remain standing, the rest are dismissed
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Artyom Cooper:
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I understand not everyone can wield a
weapon, but those unable to fight are the only ones that should
not be willing
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Artyom Cooper:
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If you are not unable, why are you so
scared?
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Brian:
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The knight who spoke out turns and
walks away.
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Brian:
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Everyone else just stands.
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Artyom Cooper:
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When I said dismissed, I meant no
longer welcome in this castle
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Artyom Cooper:
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Those who will not serve are useless
in the war
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Artyom Cooper:
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They are no better than dead to me
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Artyom Cooper:
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And if they are no better than the
dead, they may go live with them
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Artyom Cooper:
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For as long as that time remains
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Artyom Cooper:
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You may either choose to fight, in
whatever way that may be
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Artyom Cooper:
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Warriors on the front line, medics,
supplies, priests
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Artyom Cooper:
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We will need all sorts
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Artyom Cooper:
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But if you do nothing to contribute
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Artyom Cooper:
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Then why are you still standing before
me?
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knight 10:
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We will always serve you. But you
asked for Nerulians.
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knight 10:
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I am a faithful knight.
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Artyom Cooper:
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This offer is not only to Nerulians,
Nerulians will be under my direct guidance
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Artyom Cooper:
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Everyone else may sign up with the
militia
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Artyom Cooper:
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Or work as the farmers, blacksmiths,
and host of others required to supply an army
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Artyom Cooper:
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Only those mothers with children and
those wounded or too old to fight are exempt
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Brian:
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Everyone generally nods and seems to
agree with you, but otherwise nobody does anything.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Then what are you standing here for?
Those of you who can fight, go train, those of you who are
Nerulians, stay here and train under me, everyone else go to your
work.
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Brian:
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Everyone, other than Hyntsa, leaves,
presumably to do work
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Hyntsa:
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I hate those people.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Huh, looks like you're the only one
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Artyom Cooper:
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Well, I'm sure there's a spare room
somewhere
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Artyom Cooper:
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And to think I was planning to have to
make a whole new barracks
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Artyom Cooper:
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You and your sister may stay somewhere
seperate from the others
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Hyntsa:
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Can I have a bed on the guard tower?
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Artyom Cooper:
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I'll see if that can be arranged
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Hyntsa:
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Thanks!
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Artyom Cooper:
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And I'll arrange for a guard to stand
by to make sure you aren't harmed
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Artyom Cooper:
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I'm not pleased with it, but I've
heard what some of the peasants have done to other Nerulians
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Artyom Cooper:
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I'll ensure the same for Father Maryn
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Artyom Cooper:
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And we'll start training once that's
done
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Hyntsa:
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You bet!
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Brian:
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So I assume you do that stuff?
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Jaden1:
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Yep, and the guard(s) that are set up
to make sure they aren't hurt are basically told I'll personally
see that they are punished if anything at all happens to the girls
or Father Maryn
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Brian:
|
Cool. So what do you teach her during
training?
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Jaden1:
|
Well, probably how to use a shortbow
or a crossbow
|
|
Jaden1:
|
If those are available
|
|
Jaden1:
|
Since that's pretty much all he knows
|
|
Brian:
|
there's something for you guys
|
|
Jaden1:
|
And I'm sure at some point he's gonna
try to like, introduce her to arcana or mana magic
|
|
Jaden1:
|
Just as an experiment to see if she
can interact with it at all
|
|
Brian:
|
As you try that, suddenly Hyntsa
collapses to the ground, as if being screamed at by a thousand
voices.
|
|
|
Hyntsa:
|
No, no! I didn't mean to, I'm sorry!
|
|
Jaden1:
|
He's gonna try to pull the magic back
from her
|
|
Jaden1:
|
Like back into himself
|
|
Brian:
|
It goes back just fine.
|
|
Jaden1:
|
Does she stop screaming?
|
|
Brian:
|
but not immediately
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Are you okay?
|
|
|
Hyntsa:
|
Yeah, yeah. I'm okay.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
What happened?
|
|
|
Hyntsa:
|
Nothing.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
No, you screamed out
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Why did you say "I'm sorry"?
|
|
|
Hyntsa:
|
Someone...someone was mad.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Who was it?
|
|
|
Hyntsa:
|
I don't know!
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Was it anyone you recognized?
|
|
|
Hyntsa:
|
Just leave me alone, okay?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Hm...
|
|
Brian:
|
she runs off back to the guard tower
|
|
Jaden1:
|
Artyom's going to make sure the guards
follow her and stand outside as usual
|
|
Jaden1:
|
Then he's off to see Father Maryn
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Hail! Father Maryn
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I have a matter of great importance
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
Hail? I feel like I'm moving up.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I've spent too much time around Vilrays
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
He's still off saving your sister,
right?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I believe so, still he was always
talking to me with some report about this or that beforehand
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Anyway
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Has there ever been an instance where
a god spoke to their follower?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Directly
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
Of course, that's how the gods were
found to be real in the first place.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
Other than Palor, of course.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Hm
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
And what were the reactions to this?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Of the people spoken to?
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
Mostly reverence. And confusion.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
The gods have a way of being vague
when the speak, or speaking in short, confusing phrases.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Did they ever.. yell at a follower?
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
No. I suppose they could have, if they
were very angry...
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
I don't like to hang out with angry
gods.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Hm
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I suspect I might have made Nerul angry
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
You think?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Well, Hyntsa and I were training, and
I decided to run a tad bit of my magic through her, to test if she
had the gift
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
She collapsed and started screaming
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
And said I'm sorry for... something
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
When I asked her why she ran off to
the guard tower after mentioning that she heard a voice
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Someone was mad at her
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
Why did you think she had the gift?
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
She's a little girl.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
She seemed of the right temperment
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
Mind an opinion?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Go ahead
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I came to you for it
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
You're too confident in yourself.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
Killing people is easy, not killing
them takes time.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Her attitude
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Reminded me of Aema, a girl from my
village
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
She was like me
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
With these powers
|
|
Brian:
|
He gives you a shocked face.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
How many of you are there?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
2? Maybe less now, I don't know if
she's still alive
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Possibly far more
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Which is why I began to wonder if she
was one as well
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
What about Aema? Have you just lost
her?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Last I remember she was locked away
and I wasn't supposed to leave the castle, but there was an urgent
mission, and I'm pretty sure she's been executed
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
I never knew how much you left behind
to be here with Eldati.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I've got to push forward now
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
There's a war going on
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
As long as there's something for me to
fight in front of me I don't have the luxury to look back and feel
sad
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
We all lose something in war, I just
want to limit that loss to as little as possible for as many
people as possible now
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
And now you fear you brought it to
this girl?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Yes
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
I can help watch over her if you want.
If if you brought a god's curse on her I don't know what I can do.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I promised to protect her
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Heresy or not, if a god has cursed her
I suppose I'll just have to go beat up that god until he stops
|
|
Brian:
|
Maryon lets out his most common laugh.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
Bored of things to fight on Earth?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I mean, if they're any more difficult
than skeletons or zombies I'll gladly take it on
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Summoning lightning all the time is a
bit boring
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
How do you even think lightning would
kill a god?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I've got fire too
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
Fine. What do you want me to do?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Talk with her if she'll let you
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
If not, just talk to her when she will
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Make sure she's okay
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
And if there's any way you can rustle
up some holy magic to see how she is I'd appreciate it
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
I can't kill a god. I probably can't
stop one from killing anyone, but I can care about someone.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
And hey, maybe in all this Palor still
isn't insane.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
I wish you the best.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
You as well
|
|
Brian:
|
You up to anything else?
|
|
Jaden1:
|
He'd stop by her sister and make the
same request
|
|
Jaden1:
|
To check in on her and make sure she's
alright over the next few days/weeks
|
|
Brian:
|
she agrees, and doesn't leave her
sister's side on the tower. In a few days time, Maryon returns to
you.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
She doesn't want to speak to me, but I
overheard her praying.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
She prayed to Nerul. She said he was
mad, and that she wished to serve him to put this right.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
She's very afraid.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I see
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
So my magic really is an aberration to
the gods
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
I have worse news as well.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Mm?
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
She grows ill. As I try to use Palor's
power to heal her, I feel it leave me.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
I've done all I can.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
So
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Unless there's some god that isn't
liked by both Palor and Nerul...
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
My magic might not be from any god
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Which would be a first, correct?
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
It would. I don't even know what magic
without a god would mean.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
And so... the strain I feel in my head
each time
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
The magic may really be coming from me?
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
I don't know. I don't know much about
any of this.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
How does it feel to recite a prayer?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
To summon holy magic to your side?
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
Like you're a lute, finally tuned and
played for a masterpiece.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
Even when the world is falling apart,
there's one little branch I can hold onto that never moves.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Is that how most people feel?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Because that's not how my magic works
at all
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
They say they do. I don't trust them.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
And none of them are shooting
lightning.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Mine feels like a river raging through
its banks
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
And to gain power you have to reach in
with a bucket and pull out some water
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Without sure footing you'll be swept
away, dashed upon the rocks and broken apart
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
And when that happens, there's a
pressure when you fail to gain the magic
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
And you're not quite as fast
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
But you still do it?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
But I still do it
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Because I have to
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
This is my weapon
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I was given it for a reason, whether
it comes from a god or not
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
So to not use it for what I believe in
would be a waste
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
Do you plan to use it until it steals
your mind?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
If that's what it takes
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
What if you're only making it worse
each time? If the gods really hate your power...
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Then let the gods hate me
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
If I have to light the heavens on fire
to protect those here
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
So be it
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
But I'll be the one to do it
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Not anyone else
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
So if there's any way for you to solve
her sickness
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I plead you, find it
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I've got to go somewhere, I might be
back
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
Palor's light be with you. It's not
with me anymore, apparently.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I doubt Palor would deign me a worthy
carrier of his light
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Besides, I'd need Nerul where I'm going
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Once the knights return
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I'll be setting out
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Thank you
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
To?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
The one place that I can think of that
knows the most about Nerul and how he works
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Is that not Gorewood?
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
It would be.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
But are you sure you're not going
there because it's right next to Eastmark?
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I left the knights to get my sister,
however I took personal responsibility for Hyntsa
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Is this what makes you confused?
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
I just wanted you to know what you
wanted.
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
You're mind is already breaking up,
you don't need to split it more.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I'll be here for a while longer
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I need the knights to protect this
place
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Without me, you're losing a fair bit
of defense
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
And a commander
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Until Sir Vilrays and the knights
return, I am here so that the people can fend off any attack
|
|
|
Father Maryn:
|
Very well.
|
|
Brian:
|
That's probably a good note for the
session right there.
|