3. Gathering those that are Preparing for the Dracolich

Gathering those that are Preparing for the Dracolich


  • A resolved man pipes up from the back ranks:

    "Oi. Ye're suggestin' we 'ave a fight on two fronts. This ain't gobs 'an hobs, feller. We 'ave to deal wit this lich lout, t'e'en begin t'worry bout wot them snake sods 'ave planned."

    The guardsman rolls a shoulder, and leans against a wall, taxed.


  • ::Mariston takes his gauntlet, his face resolute::

    I understand the pressing nature of the Dracolich and its grave threat to these lands. Yet we must be wary that we do not open ourselves to a greater threat, by acting without knowledge nor prescience into what couldst occur through our actions.
    Do we fight this creature, and if we win, in our weakened state do we open ourselves to an attack from the yuan-ti, now excellently in position at our flanks and near a poorly defended Norwick?
    Do they seek something of power that this Dracolich holds?
    These and many other matters concern me greatly and I feel shouldst concern thee all too. From their actions in the past the yuan-ti hath proven their nature to be deceitful and cunning, using our own fears to allow themselves to worm their way into our trusts. I wouldst hate to see such occur again.


  • Maya looks around

    When I was with Sisterhood, we used to run orphanage. Was like this I think, except people are taller, and swords not made of wood.


  • YngdĂ­r, with some reluctance, turns to Dwin and gives the typical slight bow of his head, and moves over to resume his place by the Legionnaires.


  • Even as Hammer steps in, Dwin pounds the table ((there's always a table around)) with both hands, sending any tabletop items flying in the air and causing a loud commotion

    ((this posting is happening too fast! 🙂 ))

    ENOUGH!

    Even I, the simple Dwarf, see that his evil points southward has penetrated this very Hall! Before me stand two men who I would trust with my own life–ready to take each other's! LUNACY!

    This is folly... this is madness!

    Eoden... Yngdir... You are both guests in MY Hall right now, and you will both do me the honor of standing down and stopping this before any real blood is shed. We cant afford even the TIME for such distractions.

    *Dwin hands Eoden his gauntlet in a delicate manner, as to honor the man's armor. *

    You'll want to keep that ...

    I need you both... and whether its on the field of battle or healing those that have been in battle, it matters not... I know your hearts are both in the right place.

    Lets get back to the business of battle-planning and rid ourselves of these arguments!


  • The point I am trying to make is this, what do the yuan-ti gain from this?
    What is it they want, what is their goal is it related to the control orb they hath or some other machination, does it increase their control over these lands?
    Regardless of the fact that aiding them is abhorrent, we need more information, why this sudden rush of complicity and compassion from those that once abducted the people from this very town to conduct vile experiments on…or hath memories become short and dull in recent years?


  • _Hammer steps in between, much where Rith stood/still stands and raises his voice.
    "Alright, shut the hells up.. both of you." – As the Legionaire private commands both the Sergeant and the Senator -- "This isn't getting us anything worthwhile." He looks at Yngdir.. "If you can't stand the thought of accepting that not everyone can or will help in the same way" .. and then to Mariston... "or that by your own choice you won't help in the same way.. then leave! Nobody needs this sheite!

    You both made your point damn well enough. Yah, the paladins are no good when they're not here. Yah, the knight has decades more experience than most of us. But non of this matters one damn bit if we can't all pull it together, stop looking at our little, pathetic selves and look at what we're up against. People -are- going to die.

    We're here to come up with a plan to make sure not everyone does. And that's all. Tear our each others' throats if and when we still have any left!"_


  • @9281c02f37=JerrickRafe:

    With that, he strides out the doors, heading for the Rawlinswood. It seems he's used all the time he had to spare.

    Albry, standing back towards the Great Hall doors for the time being, pulls Jerrick aside and lowers her voice, conversing quietly a few moments before Jerrick takes his leave. She then goes about in search for Ronan.


  • Do not seek to use such terms with me boy, I hath bled for these lands for years. I say this not in pride, but in truth and with honour. A way in which thou hath not acted this day.
    Seek to decry my god and my loyalty and duty to him and though art sorely mistaken, if thou cannot see the folly in presence of the yuan-ti, then thou art a fool.
    So either take the challenge or close thine mewling mouth.


  • An aftermoment, his deep contemplative frown becoming serene and solemn as Aelfin checks his temper. In a much calmer tone he tries reason, not rage.

    "_Who is this woman who speaks of civility, and Men divided? Is she blinded to all that is about her - where Men will not come to aid their brothers. And Men still who cannot see that we face utter destruction if we do not meet our enemy and ruin him. What then will be left of your civility, what will become of Narfell when you realize your complacency?

    It must be a fine thing to be so strong in one's faith as to allow the doom of others that you might pick and choose what death suits you. There is no other end if this is your chosen path. If we fail here this foe will not be content to lie dormant for another age._"

    //posted before I saw Eo's post.

    As he observes the challenge issued YngdĂ­r merely shakes his head, appearing wholly and utterly offended.

    "And this is your answer? You wish to fight me while all the evil is right outside? Is this the weight of all of your faith sir knight? Take back your gauntlet, take heart in knowing that I go to my death in your comfortable stead."


  • _Hammer grunts lightly, though nods in agreement.
    "Alright, fine. Let the paladins go wherever they think they can do the most good. Still, unless those yuan-ti decide to stay out of this entirely, and we might not know soon enough, we should make a plan that doesn't include the order. If they can still join the main battle afterall, all the better.

    We don't have the numbers nor the individual strength to take the undead army head-on. I think the last battle proved that. Someone told me the dragon will probably have some wards up against teleporting, so that leaves that out. And there's probably too much ground between the "safe areas" and the tower for catapults or mages to attack that tower directly.

    So what else?_


  • Jerrick shakes his head, and seems more than a little disgusted

    _I've seen more ignorance involving other people's beliefs in this town than I can stand. I'll send word to the various orders myself once I figure out what the hell the Yuan-Ti are up to, and figure it out from there.

    I hope nobody is too bothered by the words of the ignorant today, that it should keep you from a true and humble request to stand at the side of those who don't mind actually asking._

    With that, he strides out the doors, heading for the Rawlinswood. It seems he's used all the time he had to spare.


  • ::Looks to YngdĂ­r::
    The field of Tourney is yonder, if thou wish to prove thineself with me there feel free and the gods shall decide there on the field of battle.

    ::Mariston takes off his gauntlet and throws it before Yngdir::

    This conversation hath occurred before in relation to the control orbs, whence we met in council in the Romani Camp, some years ago. They again offered their dubious assistance, whether that is formalised and ratified by committee does not preclude their involvement. If thou remember how there involvement in that escapade went…anyone who art so wise as to see there is precedent for our damned reluctance to see them involved in any way.
    ::Returns his attention to Yngdir::
    Well? And any others who wouldst desecrate my gods name….


  • //I typed this before I saw Dwin's post, should belong there if possible//

    ::Rith drops her warhammer on the ground while still holding its handle, causing sonorous sparks in an attempt to interrupt the foul insults and accusations being thrown::

    This is not the way. What do you intend to achieve with such statements? Have you the hope of receiving aid from those you so blatantly insult? From those whose very fundaments you mock?

    Do you not notice that the more we divide ourselves, the close we are to destruction? Our enemy toys us, pit us one against another, and laughs as we argue and weaken ourselves.

    Please, be civil. In a few days from now we may as well face the end of Narfell as we know it. We will all have to make an effort and find a common point of cooperation, for the greater good.

    We need to leave our ego at the doorstep, this is greater than any of us. We need to cooperate, I am sure that we can reach a point of agreement. If Sir Shannon can't afford to risk the knights of the Order breaking their oaths or explosing themselves to the Yuan-ti corruption, then they can surely serve in other fronts.

    I bet we will need strong leaders to defend Norwick from hordes of undead, where we would have no Yuan-ti involved.

    Jerrick himself stated that he would try to reach an agreement with the Yuan-ti so they are not present the day of our main strike so that the Order's oaths will not be compromised.

    Please, respect each other and let's reach an agreement. It is not all black and white.

    ::Rith picks her warhammer back onto her shoulder, making signs that she finished saying her piece::


  • To Mariston

    If you will not help, would you at least assist Norwick's citizens to safety…wherever that might be? Would you consider guarding the walls of this realm while everyone else is putting their lives at risk to save it? I hope your god does not see a problem with such worthy causes as these...


  • Aelfin moves to put a hand on YngdĂ­r's shoulder, but decides against it, simply looking at the elf with a calm, yet resolved expression

    "Yngdír, my friend, please, calm yourself. Throwing out accusations at this point will serve none but the evil we will be fighting. However much I dislike the idea of heading into battle without the Order behind us… or in front of us, as the case may be... They hold no sway over their gods. It is very much the other way around. Should their gods deem that they are unworthy for traveling near yuan-ti, no mortal will change their mind. And if they lose the aid their gods grant them, not a one of them will be even half as strong as the warriors in this room. This being the case, I would rather see them in Norwick to fall back to if need be.

    It is what it is. We may have to face up to the idea that their legend does not protect us in this."


  • ((Adrian isn't present at the meeting. Hammer is though))

    _Hammer nods in agreement with Yngdir.
    "All that pomp and all those oaths, but absolutely worthless when it comes down to it. I'm sure your souls will be bright and shiny when you watch the whole of Narfell burn, and didn't do anything about it."

    He then looks at Rith. "Didn't I tell you this would happen?"

    And then to the others gathered. "Forget about them. They're not going to help us, and we shouldn't expect it. Let's focus on what we do have, and how we can use it best."_


  • YngdĂ­r draws his hood back and lets his scarf fall loose, he is angered - and speaks his mind, and his heart against the wavering of the Divine Shield.

    "_If you will not ask them to then someone must. And if your oaths are so fickle that you will not help us in these our darkest hours then I call you cowards, and oathbreakers. If damned you must be then black your chain and helmets and carry the black banners of the damned, accept your ruin - but you must help us!

    You, who speak of what is right and noble and share your comfortable city with villains who'd cut your holy throat for the shirt off your back. You bed with evil, is it that guilt and shame that keeps you now from facing it? Are there none of your Order with heart or presence of mind enough to know when to be pious and when to act?_"


  • @9d66d07093=JerrickRafe:

    I think you misunderstand TO Adrian Built into the mortar and stone. In essence, it IS the Phylactery, if I understood the divine phrasing.

    Listening to Jerrick, Dwin smirks and crosses his arms triumphantly.

    @9d66d07093=Dorakhan:

    Shannon speaks…

    I am not about to ask our Knights to break their oaths. The presence of yuan-ti will preclude the presence of any member of the Order of the Divine Shield.

    The mere presence of the Yuan-ti precludes you?

    Dwin looks around for support from the growing council

    Has Torm never supported a battle against evil wherein there are more than one party involved?

    Dwin waves his hand dismissively

    It seems to me your mind was already made up! There is no treaty with the Yuan ti. There is no DISCUSSION with the Yuan Ti. If a goblin-runt happens into a battle, do you turn away because of its presence?

    Help us understand this a bit better, Shannon.


  • @bab7c78a92=EodenValmer:

    The decision is no longer mine to make Lady Rith, though as Grand Inquisitor of the Order I shall report the findings to our Grandmaster for his consideration. Twill be his word that guides the knights in this matter.
    The risk is by allowing these yuan-ti, to gain their goal we may endanger many more innocents than our already known foe.
    We do not know their purpose in this, and I doubt very much they aid from a sense of compassion.

    I shall seek Torm’s council on the matter.

    Shannon speaks…

    I am not about to ask our Knights to break their oaths. The presence of yuan-ti will preclude the presence of any member of the Order of the Divine Shield.