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Brian:
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Got a free pizza, and got muh D&D. Tis
a good day
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Brian:
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So, how much catch-up do you need, and
how confused are ya?
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Jaden1:
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Probably no catch up
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Jaden1:
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And very confused
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Brian:
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So, do you do anything else before you
journey off?
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Jaden1:
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No, just as soon as those knights get
back and he's sure of the safety for the castle he'd set off for Gorewood
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Jaden1:
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The ones that left to retrieve my
sister I believe
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Jaden1:
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There was some concern about the
safety with both of us being missing
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Jaden1:
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So Artyom's in town until they get back
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Brian:
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That..uh...dramaticically changes the
plot.
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Brian:
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Let's take five. I need to rethink the
campaign real fast
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Jaden1:
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Ah, was that not clear before? I think
I did say it earlier
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Brian:
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Ok, I think I'm ready.
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Brian:
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Tell me when you show up again.
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Brian:
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A couple weeks pass at Ft.
Dirtyom/Horizon castle. Hyntsa grows yet more ill, and the undead
hordes yet more thin. There are reports that all of the "good"
corpses have already been uprooted, and the great evil that has
been uprooting them has seemed to leave be the ones that remain.
Many still attribute this to you, and have continued to flock to
the new and growing community, with some bold adventurer types
heading out to set up sattelite villages in order to gain more
farmland (an alien idea this far south).
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Brian:
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Not a single one of the dead now
haunts the castle, but you hear strange voices in your dreams.
Angry voices, speaking of vengence.
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Brian:
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Maryn still tends to Hyntsa, but to
little avail.
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Brian:
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One day, Eldati approaches you, and
pulls you aside for a chat.
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Eldati:
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Do you have a moment, Artyom?
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Artyom Cooper:
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I do. What do you need?
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Eldati:
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I have some concern about the girl.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Yeah...
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Eldati:
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Mayrn won't let me see her. He thinks
I'm too dangerous to trust with a Nerulian. Are you sure we should
be trusting him with this?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Well
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Artyom Cooper:
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Nothing much has helped
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Artyom Cooper:
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Let's go talk with them
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Artyom Cooper:
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I think if anyone here could help her
it would be you or Maryn
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Eldati:
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I feel Palor's power leaving him. The
sun is, of course, a fleeting god, but to retreat now instead of
confront Nerul's curse?
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Artyom Cooper:
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I don't really know how godly power
and all that works
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Artyom Cooper:
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But... he may be losing power because
of that contact
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Eldati:
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...what contact?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Well you see, the incident that
started all of this, was most likely my magic
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Artyom Cooper:
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I'm pretty sure it's some sort of
poison to divine magic users
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Artyom Cooper:
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That degrades their relations with
their gods or something
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Artyom Cooper:
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I dont know
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Eldati:
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So, what do we have to avoid that ruined
him?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Touch my magic?
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Eldati:
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Hmm.
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Artyom Cooper:
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That's why she's sick after all
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Artyom Cooper:
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I think
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Eldati:
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Wanna make a bet?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Uh, no
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Eldati:
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I don't think your magic will corrupt
me.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Why do you say that?
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Artyom Cooper:
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And personally, I'd rather not try
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Eldati:
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A Nerulian grows ill after touching
your power, the undead fall before your power, and Palor's kindest
priest can't help someone just as a Nerulian starts to fall from
your power. One who is known for his sympathies to the stranger
cults and religions.
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Eldati:
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I think your power comes from our lord.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Well, tell him to stop because he's
causing me to kill my friend
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Eldati:
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There is more at play here than any of
us.
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Brian:
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She cracks open the door, and points
to the mass of folks going about at the castle, some very
destitute.
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Eldati:
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Do you think they haven't all lost
friends? You lost Aema and your own sister. I lost both parents in
the expulsion of the orcs. The gods are powerful, and they will
use our flesh as pawns in their war.
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Eldati:
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I accepted that as a girl, which is
why I chose the only god willing to bring order. I don't know if
Nerul or Correlon Lorethian makes this girl suffer, but I think
the will of the gods is what must come first here.
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Artyom Cooper:
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I'm tired of the will of the Gods,
whether Nerul is doing this or not, or if Correlon is behind it,
it doesnt matter to me. A god isn't being a very good god if they
aren't taking care of their followers.
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Eldati:
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What do you suppose then?
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Artyom Cooper:
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I have these powers. I don't believe
they are given from any god. From now on, I will exert my will on
this world as I see fit. The undead are a menace, they deserve to
die. Hyntsa has done nothing wrong, she deserves to live.
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Artyom Cooper:
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I plan on going to find a way
accomplish that in any way possible
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Eldati:
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Please, let me treat her just once.
Maybe I can keep Nerul from her.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Go, try to treat her
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Artyom Cooper:
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If it doesnt work however
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Artyom Cooper:
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I must go to Gorewood
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Artyom Cooper:
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They undoubtedly know Nerul best
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Artyom Cooper:
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I can only believe this is done by him
in some way, so if you can't do it, I have to get the information
from them
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Eldati:
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I will prepare my best rituals.
Consult all my books.
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Eldati:
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Thank you.
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Brian:
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Unless you say something else, she's
off. She indicates the rituals will be ready by morning.
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Jaden1:
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And I guess sleep
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Jaden1:
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If nothing else happens that day
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Brian:
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Late in the evening, You get a knock
on your door.
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Jaden1:
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I walk to the door and open it
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Artyom Cooper:
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Who is it?
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Jaden1:
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Artyom looks tired, obvious bags under
his eyes
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Artyom Cooper:
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Ah. Maryn
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Artyom Cooper:
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How are you?
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Brian:
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Mayrn is a man defined by easy temper,
and joy in any circumstance. The face of the man you see before
you bears neither.
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Father Maryn:
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The other Nerulian girl spoke to me.
She says the elven priests are gathering for a ritual.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Yes, I think so
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Father Maryn:
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Do you know what they plan to do?
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Artyom Cooper:
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No, but whatever may happen I will
take what action I deem appropriate
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Father Maryn:
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How can you trust her so much?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Because if I dont she might die before
I make it back
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Artyom Cooper:
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Gorewood is far away and I'm unsure if
I can even find the information I need from there
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Artyom Cooper:
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And I have no idea how long she'll last
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Artyom Cooper:
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If there's something I can do to fix
this, I'll do it
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Father Maryn:
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Then take her with you! Leave tonight!
Hope a spirit creature comes up and...
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Father Maryn:
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You and I both know the church is
using these people as puppets. What if they do something to her?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Then I'll kill them
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Father Maryn:
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Then why haven't you done that already?
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Father Maryn:
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You've seen what she's done. Innocents
are dead, Artyom. I don't know what angered the dead, but I'm
pretty sure she's to blame somehow...
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Artyom Cooper:
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And she's pretty sure the Nerullian's
are to blame
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Artyom Cooper:
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You know what I'm sure of?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Nothing
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Artyom Cooper:
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I dont know what's going on anymore
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Artyom Cooper:
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I used to make barrels
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Artyom Cooper:
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Now I'm fending off hordes of skeletons
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Father Maryn:
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And forcing the people of this kingdom
underground.
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Father Maryn:
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Like it or not, you have power now. I
should have used mine when I had the chance.
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Artyom Cooper:
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The thing is
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Artyom Cooper:
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There's no clear plan of action
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Artyom Cooper:
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Eldati is giving me advice
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Artyom Cooper:
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It seems sound
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Artyom Cooper:
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You're giving me advice
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Artyom Cooper:
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It also seems sound
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Artyom Cooper:
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Everyone has advice for me
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Artyom Cooper:
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But I'm not sure what's best
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Father Maryn:
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So...you just going to be nice to
everyone and do nothing.
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Father Maryn:
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I'm sorry I disturbed you. Have a good
rest.
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Brian:
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He turns and leaves
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Brian:
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Do you do anything else before the
ritual in the morning?
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Jaden1:
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But I imagine he's probably got a bit
too much on his mind to rest
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Brian:
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You wake early in the morning, and by
then the circle of power is already drawn. Eldati kept her word,
and has orimants and things you can't even identify, but they sure
do look holy. The chapel of the castle was never that impressive
before, but it is now quite a sight with all this decor. At least
it would be, if you cared to look at such things right now.
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Brian:
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Eldati is already in ritual silence
along with three lower priests. It looks like they will begin
shortly
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Brian:
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I assume you just wait?
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Brian:
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The ritual begins in short order. You
observed Maryn is not present, wherever he is.
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Eldati:
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I call upon your power, lord. I call
upon your grace and judgement. I ask of thee to bring life where
there is death, and renewal where there is an ending.
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Eldati:
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I call up to you, Correlon Lorethian!
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Brian:
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As soon as the name is spoken, the
Hyntsa collapses to the ground.
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Eldati:
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Do not let death steal this girl!
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Brian:
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suddenly, a blue light glows from her
eyes, and she rises stifly, pointing a finger at you.
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Hyntsa:
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YOU...
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Hyntsa:
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YOU ARE THEFT.
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Hyntsa:
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YOU MUST PAY FOR YOUR SINS, AND RIGHT
WRONG!
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Eldati:
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Stop this plauge, my lord!
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Brian:
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you can visibly see the magic come
from Eldati's totem, and the blue light begins to fade...
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Hyntsa:
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YOU MUST... MUST GO TO...
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Artyom Cooper:
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Wait
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Brian:
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the light fades more, and she
collapses again
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Artyom Cooper:
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Okay great
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Artyom Cooper:
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Let's see
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Artyom Cooper:
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I've got sins to pay for and have to
go somewhere
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Eldati:
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I compell you to leave this innocent
child, wicked one!
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Brian:
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Hynsta flails, as though death were
life, and a cure a sickness.
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Hyntsa:
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you... must...
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Hyntsa:
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return...choose...
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Hyntsa:
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choose...virtue.
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Brian:
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unless you do anything, the light
fades away, and she returns to stillness.
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Jaden1:
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He's standing there thinking, pretty
much frozen for a while
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Jaden1:
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So no he does nothing
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Brian:
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The ritual carries on, and the girl
says no more.
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Jaden1:
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He mumbles to himself a few minutes
later
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Artyom Cooper:
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I don't understand
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Brian:
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Hours pass of nothing but chanting.
There are times that she seems to...change, but you can't really
tell.
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Brian:
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Eventually, the ritual ends, and she
seems as though asleep.
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Jaden1:
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Is she still breathing?
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Jaden1:
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Okay he's just standing there thinking
then
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Jaden1:
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He's said nothing this whole time
other than that phrase
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Jaden1:
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And that was only extremely quietly to
himself
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Eldati:
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The girl is saved. Our lord has done
what the lesser gods could not.
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Artyom Cooper:
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We'll see
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Artyom Cooper:
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Give it a few days time
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Artyom Cooper:
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I want to speak with her and see how
she feels
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Eldati:
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We will see indeed.
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Eldati:
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*to the other priests* See to her
comfort. I must attend to matters of the castle.
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Brian:
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do you do anything else?
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Jaden1:
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Oh, he's staying and watching over her
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Brian:
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Late in the day, when all three of the
other priests are taking a break from her for a time, she stirs.
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Brian:
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One eye opens, then the other.
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Hyntsa:
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I...Artyom?
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Artyom Cooper:
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You're awake
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Hyntsa:
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Why...why am I here?
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Artyom Cooper:
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What do you remember last?
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Hyntsa:
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I was sick, and I went to sleep. I
thought it was time.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Eldati and the other priests
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Artyom Cooper:
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They performed a ritual
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Artyom Cooper:
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And cured you
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Artyom Cooper:
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I think
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Artyom Cooper:
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Do you feel cured?
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Hyntsa:
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I...I thought I would be dead.
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Hyntsa:
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I made a wish. I wished that I
wouldn't hurt anymore, and that everything could go back to normal
and the dead people could go back to sleep.
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Hyntsa:
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And father death said he could do
that, but I would have to come with him, and say goodbye to my
sister until she came with me one day.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Hm...
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Hyntsa:
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Did it work? Is everything better now?
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Artyom Cooper:
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No... I dont think so
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Artyom Cooper:
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I'm sorry
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Brian:
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You see a tear, the first one you've
ever seen this girl cry, stream down one cheek.
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Hyntsa:
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That's...that's okay. I'm sure you did
your best.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Do you think he'd let someone else
fulfill that wish?
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Hyntsa:
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Only if they wanted it really really
badly I think.
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Artyom Cooper:
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I see...
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Artyom Cooper:
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How are you feeling now though?
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Hyntsa:
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I don't know...tired?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Ah, then
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Artyom Cooper:
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I suggest you rest
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Hyntsa:
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...ok
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Jaden1:
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Artyom's going to get up and start to
leave
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Artyom Cooper:
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Is there anything you'd need?
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Brian:
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she's already back to sleep
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Artyom Cooper:
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Ah...
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Jaden1:
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He walks out trying to be as quiet as
possible
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Jaden1:
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And he's looking for Eldati
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Brian:
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She's in the council chamber that was
set up a couple weeks ago, doing paperwork.
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Eldati:
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Is she alright?
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Artyom Cooper:
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She seems to be
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Artyom Cooper:
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Thank you
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Artyom Cooper:
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Earlier, you mentioned something about
my sister
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Artyom Cooper:
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What's happened with that situation?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Do we have any news?
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Eldati:
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We haven't heard back from the knights
yet.
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Artyom Cooper:
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I see
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Artyom Cooper:
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When should we be hearing back from
them?
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Eldati:
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I would think a few days, assuming
they slew the bandits in short order.
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Eldati:
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It shouldn't be long now before she's
safe and with us
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Artyom Cooper:
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That's good
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Artyom Cooper:
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Is there anything that needs to be
done around here?
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Eldati:
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It looks like the castle is running in
fine order, now that Nerul's power has been broken.
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Eldati:
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Bored, or planning on running off?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Bored and I need some time to think
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Artyom Cooper:
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I dont plan on running off if I dont
have to
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Eldati:
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Take all the time you need. You've had
a lot in your past, and there's plenty for you in the future.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Alright then
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Jaden1:
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And he's going to go back to where
Hyntsa is
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Jaden1:
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And find a chair or something to sit
in and think
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Brian:
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do you need real world time to think?
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Jaden1:
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Artyom's not got much to do
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Jaden1:
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He's gonna wait for the knights
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Jaden1:
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And he's going to think about what's
happened and what Maryn said and such
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Jaden1:
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And that's about it
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Jaden1:
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There's no other real pressing matters
for him to attend to
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Jaden1:
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If he wanted to at this point as long
as no undead attack he should be able to pretty much just lie in
bed for a week or two
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Brian:
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Alright then. Eventually, the knights
do return.
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Sir Vilrays:
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Artyom? I heard you would be here.
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Artyom Cooper:
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Yes?
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Sir Vilrays:
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I'm sorry, sir, but we found no trace
of the bandits, and we didn't want to press on.
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Sir Vilrays:
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We found this letter. I thought you
would want to read it first.
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Brian:
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He hands you a hasty-looking note.
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Brian:
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Make a wisdom check
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Jaden1:
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Hold on let me check if any of my
skills help with this
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* Jaden1 rolls: 1d20 + 3 => 16 + 3 = 19
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Brian:
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It's Emita's hand-writing
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Jaden1:
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I'm going to read it
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Brian:
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Artyom, My captors have compelled me
to write you this message. In exchange for my safe return, they
demand that you meet with them on the night of the next full moon.
There is a lake to the east of Gorwood with an island in the
middle of it. That is where they will meet you. They say that if
any other men are seen in the area up to or on that night, they
will kill me. Please, Artyom, save me. I'm scared. Love, Emita
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Brian:
|
You also notice a small set of smudges
on the side of the paper, that look like someone was playing with
the pen to try and get it to write.
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Brian:
|
They remind you of the two tiny
barrels you made for a newlywed couple that one time. You remember
joking with Emita that there was no point learning how to coop
such tiny things when you would only make two of them.
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Sir Vilrays:
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They clearly want you. I feared my men
would only make the situation worse.
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Artyom Cooper:
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You did the right thing
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Sir Vilrays:
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Orders?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Stay here and protect the fort while
I'm away
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Artyom Cooper:
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I clearly have to go
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Sir Vilrays:
|
Of course. How have attacks been here?
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Artyom Cooper:
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Also how many warrior women do we have?
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Jaden1:
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And how have they been?
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Brian:
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zero, excluding outlieing villages
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Artyom Cooper:
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We've not had any attacks
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Artyom Cooper:
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Except for the villages outside the
walls
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Sir Vilrays:
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We've...never had a woman in the order
before.
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Artyom Cooper:
|
Understood
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Just this letter banned any men from
being around
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Thought it might be nice if there were
to be an army to back me up or something
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I can handle it myself though I suppose
|
|
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Sir Vilrays:
|
Maybe the orc women will help you out.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
You know any?
|
|
|
Sir Vilrays:
|
Of course not. I was kidding.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
I was too
|
|
|
Sir Vilrays:
|
Nobody's come back from Gorwood alive
in some time.
|
|
Jaden1:
|
He gives him a wolfish grin
|
|
|
Sir Vilrays:
|
I wish you the best, sir.
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
You too
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
Well
|
|
|
Artyom Cooper:
|
The second best
|
|
Jaden1:
|
And with that, I should probably go
|
|
Jaden1:
|
It's Friday night and I'm going to get
calls that people are drunk soon
|