An Unchanging Reality (Take two)

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

She wonders what 'soon' means to him. She continues to follow until he indicates he willing to say more. Still wary of him she keeps her weapon drawn.

[meemaas]

The group finishes their trip uneventfully, with Syntax opening up another door similar to the first that let them into the castle itself. Quickly leading the way to the throne room, he kneels down before the queen and bows his head, with the others behind him.

The queen smiles at the sight of the party, and waves. "It is nice to see you back. I know it has not been very long since last we spoke, but i was worried for your safety nonetheless. Would you like to rest for the night and speak of business in the morning over breakfast? Oh, where are my manners? You must be hungry right now. We must get you food." Turning her gaze on Syntax, she speaks to him personally. "Thank you for guiding them back."

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

The elf was surprised that Syntax led them directly to the throne room. She had expected more subterfuge. She bowed and the took a knee.

"Thank you your Majesty" she says.

Quickly she composes herself, "You Majesty, this is Grock the leader of a tribe of gnolls."

[meemaas]

The Queen bowed her head softly at him, and Grock in turn bowed towards her. She then looked up and cleared her throat, and then began speaking to him in his own native language. The two went back for forth for a short while, speaking mostly at length

Spoiler: Conversation in Gnoll

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"It is nice to meet you, Grock of the Gnolls. I was told you were willing to work for the kingdom in the possibility of war between us and the Gestorn Kingdom."

"There will be war. He has foretold it. My tribes shamans see it coming too. We will pledge our loyalty to you, but only if we can gain something in return for it."

The queen grumbled. "You mean besides being forgiven for your crimes against my kingdom?"

"I do not see them as crimes. We were promised the same thing i want from you. A land of our own where we do not have to live and hide in caves."

"If i am to grant you that, i would ask for more of you than just your alliance in this war. Your kind has killed many of my people, and one tribe of gnolls will not be enough to tip the balance in a war. Offer me the allegiance of all your kind within my borders. I will provide you transportation to secure it from the rest of your kind. And each that agrees will be offered the same home you seek. Including protection under the law within my borders. Are we agreed?"

The Gnoll this time grumbled. "I cannot promise you the allegiance of all my kind. But I cannot refuse your offer. I will speak with other Chiefs and try to earn you their alliance."

As they finish speaking, the Queen steps up from her throne and holds out her hand towards the Gnoll, who in turn, grudgingly, shakes it. She then turns and focuses on the party. "I apologize for that, I shouldn't have ignored you. But i thank you for this wonderful and powerful ally you have brought me." She clapped, and two guards entered the room. "Guards, please show Grock here to a room. A good room. You are forbidden to be hostile towards him during his stay and any future visit here. Understood?" The guards nervously nodded and quickly led Grock out, while the Queen sat down upon her throne once more.

[stanleyindraven]

"Now that that business is out of the way, I wouldn't mind some warm food," Dromet speaks up.

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

"Yes, that does sound good," she says and then adds, "Oh, before I forget, these letters were found on one of the town guards, which shows that he was sent to incite attack on the town by the gnolls." Eophyn holds the letters in her hand and gives it to the queen. "I just want them in your hands before I forget."

[Man on Fire]

"I don't get why the guards tried to kill us. Or how they even knew we're going to you with such a guest. They were too well prepared for it to be an act of spontanous racism. Especially that bow guy." Serph says, as he starts to eat, not paticulary to anyone n the room, ust wanting to leave the uestion hanging in the air.

[meemaas]

The Queen leads you to her dining room, and after you're seated and served, she begins talking. "I did inform my guards that i was expecting you with a guest. But the bow guy?"

Syntax interupts her. "One of the men that attacked them belonged to the late Kings personal guard. One of the traitors."

The Queen went through the letters she was handed, thinking carefully while she did. "I don't know how he has so many of my men on his payroll. It doesn't make sense."

Syntax responds quickly, finishing his mouthful and scowling. "Aaran wants to undermine the entire continent. Bring it all under his control. He's mad with power, and Dendu is just feeding the delusions."

Spoiler

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Pause in the conversation, for anything you wish to add in.

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

"Is there a connection between the King of Gestorn with those men?" she asks after she fills her plate.

[meemaas]

"Aaran is the new King of Gestorn. The late kings elder son. As far as i know, Dendu Vigorn showed up shortly before the late king was murdered, but there's nothing that can implicate him in the death."

The Queen sighed a little. "My court wizards Divinations could find nothing useful about it at all, even."

"From what i heard before i left the kingdom, the person accused of the actual murder was the late kings younger son. Everyone else with a bounty, including you three, are considered accessories."

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

"Well, we were framed," she says emphatically.

"I meant is there a connection to the guards that attacked us and new King of Gestorn," she clarifies.

"Is it possible that the second son was set up like we were, clearing the path for the first born?"

[meemaas]

"Well, if members of the Late Kings personal guard are attacking you, its hard to believe that they aren't." The Queen looks thoughtfully at her food, speaking with a dull tone as if halfway lost in thought.

"I know the bounties are faked. And i can't begin to guess why Delroy would have been framed. He wasn't next in line to the throne. If anything, he would be the person to gain most from framing another. But its hard to tell. They say the prince vanished the exact same night. For all i know, he could even be dead..." Syntax trails off, his eyes closed at the thought.

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

"Well, if I was next in line to be king and didn't want to wait, I'd commit regicide and pin it on some below me in the line of succession," she says after she finishes her plate of food.

[meemaas]

"Why did i never think of that? Did you have your wizard try to Divine that possibility your majesty?" Syntax turns towards waiting for her answer.

"He has tried, but nothing returned a response. He's got something to protect himself from it. So no way to prove it. Maybe you three can prove it. If you're up to the task." The queen smiled at the party, pushing the rest of her plate away without finishing it.

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

She looks at her friends who have remained uncharacteristically silent. Not seeing an objection she answers, "Yes we are."

[meemaas]

The Queen nods at Syntax, and speaks quickly. "You go."

Syntax pushes his plate away and clears his throat. "You told me they were brave. I can see that you didn't lie to me." Turning back to the party, he speaks directly to them now. "I came to the Queen asking for help to overthrow Aaran. I'm part of a resistance movement within the Gestorn kingdom, but with a few of our recent losses, we didn't have the manpower to cause any real damage. I wanted to get some of her soldiers, but with the impending war, that wasn't an option. What i want from you, is to help us. If we can take down Aaran, we can stop this war."

The Queen speaks up as he finishes his sentence. "You guys have three days to prepare. When you're ready, I will have my Court Wizard teleport you as near to their hideout as possible. In the morning, I will have a voucher for you. 25,000 gold pieces worth of supplies. You may use it at any shop in my city, use it to prepare yourselves for the tasks ahead. I can't guarantee i'll be able to help you after you've crossed the border."

Spoiler

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As i mentioned before, this is your promised 25,000gp worth of group money, along with your cue to level up.

[meemaas]

During the week that follows, given to you to prepare for your next journey, Serp takes much time deep in thought before coming to a decision. Rather than continue on with you, he chose to remain behind, accompanying the Gnoll leader as a bodyguard instead of waging a full on war.

At the end of the week, Dromet and Eophyn report to the queen to prepare, and are quickly escorted into a secret tunnel from the throne room. They find themselves a long ways underground before they come across the queen, in front of a strangely ornamented door. The queen smiles as she sees you approach, and starts speaking as soon as the guards have left. "In light of your teammates decision to remain behind, I have felt the need to provide you with another ally. One of my guards would be a usual choice, but after much deliberation, i have decided against that." She places her palm on the door, allowing it to glow with her own magical power, the magic spread into the door before causing it to open slowing out towards them. "To that end, I have chosen to release a secret that shall be known only between the four of us." As she speaks, she frowns a little. "He swore allegiance to my family once in the past. And has agreed to accompany you on this quest. For the good of my people, he serves me, and will aid you." The doors finish opening, leading to what would appear to be a cell, but surprisingly well furnished for what it was.

Spoiler

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Introducing Dagan, who up until today has not seen his cell door open for decades.

[Morbis Meh]

The door opens to reveal a modest sized cell lined covered wall to wall with numerous magical sigils and seals. Up above an elaborate system of rings, pulleys and chains are rigged in a very precise manner which could almost be viewed as borderline obsessive. The chains themselves were measured to exact length to stop at a specified distance to prevent any unwanted contact with what the chains themselves were restricting. The remainder of the room was cluttered with assorted knick knacks of varying worth; the majority being covered in a thick layer of dust. In appeared to be a mess to the untrained eye but in fact it was a very orangized mess conceived by a very odd mind. The piles were stacked in heights started with the tallest on the outsides and gradually lowering in size until an open space reamined in the center. There were rows in between the precarious stacks allowing for mevement and when one came into the center they would find a simple comfortable looking chair, a plain bed, a small table and an easel. Atop the table was a strange device that appeared to play a constant stream of simple music. Unlike the other piles of junk this device was kept in excellent condition and an appraiser would comment that it was almost a 50 year old antique. Beneath the table was a small pile of parts neatly and ordered by type and size. Around the easel were mountains of paper stacked in uneven piles some more discoloured than others due to age. All of them were marked with a red paint/ink of sorts depicting various scenes but all of unremarkable talent.

In front of the easel was a man of average height, sleight of build andwith exceptionally long black hair that was relatively well kept. Five chains were connected to him, one to a collar around his neck, two to shackles around his wrists and finally two more at his ankles. Currently he was in the middle of finger painting something that wasn't even remotely discernable. At the sound of the door opening the man stopped and turned his head around showing dull grey eyes and a mask covering the lower portion of his face.

"A visitor! My it must be my birthday to have such a monumentous occasion happen... nope not my birthday that was several months ago, what about an anniversary? Hmmm it hasn't been quite half a century so unless times have changed and some new numbering scheme has been used then this day probably wouldn't hold much importance... Ahh the queen, this really is an honour, quite disappointing that I wasn't informed of this earlier I would have straightened up the place! So why would such a lowly being like myself be paid such an honour... oh yes there it is the ever pungent stench of desperation, why didn't I smell it before? Either my nose has lost its gift or the Perfumers of this decade are much better than their predecessors! If it is indeed desperation then it would only make sense that I am somehow required, how very exciting. Pray tell, what is the motivation for your magnificant presence? OH WAIT just a touch, it has been some time but I do recall the ringing of the mourning bells at the passing of your parents! My condolences, they were such a lovely couple, though I never exactly got to see them, I even drew a picture for your commermorating the day!" The odd man quickly charges into one of the paper stacks and after a flurry of motion and a downpour of loose paper the man comes back and holds out a single picture. It was a very crude depiction of the Royal mausoleum on fire with a stick figure, presumably represting the artist, urinating on said building while a tiny childlike stick figure cried.

"Forgive me for the lack of definition but they removed my brushes after I stabbed one of the royal guards in the eye with one. My did he ever shried and the look on his face was just priceless, I almost wish I didn't use the brush to do it so I could paint a picture of his face." The man begins laughing uproariously at his twisted joke.

[meemaas]

The queen frowns at the sight of the drawing, and after a moment to steady herself, speaks again. "Dagan. As i'm sure you are aware, I would not be here if i did not need your help. It has been decades since you were last free, and it will be many more unless you're willing to co-operate. These two..." She gestures at Eophyn and Dromet. "Will be your companions. They work for me, just as you now do. But more to the point, when push comes to shove, you will answer to them." She turns to the others to speak to them next. "From what I know, he will be a powerful ally to you, and a dangerous enemy to your foes. I have just one favor to ask of you for this trip. If in the case that you get captured, I wish for you to deny any involvement with myself or my kingdom. This mission can be considered an act of war, I'm sure you understand." She steps away from the door, allowing Dagan the room to leave his cell.

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

It was obvious the the young elven girl felt uncomfortable. Her hand dallied on the hilt of her large elven blade. The man, Dagan, wasn't what she expected. The danger he presented was obvious, his erratic behavior made Eophyn nervous. She tugged her white blouse with her free and to ease her mind and the abruptly stop as she inwardly chastised herself for fidgeting.

She looked at Dagan as the Queen made way for him and waited for his chains to fall off him. She wanted to ask the queen so many questions but thought best to keep her mouth shut.

[Morbis Meh]

Dagan's eyes furrow with mock offense "Why my Queen, I have ever been the crown's dutiful servant there is no need to make threats regarding my character. It was a shame your grandparents mistook my taking initiative of their safety as a murder spree... wait that was a murder spree, scratch that one... Hmmm Oh yes the killing of his brother that's what set him off, that one was justisfied he had designs to usurp I could smell it all over him.... Excuse me did you say... Companions? .............NEAT........." Once the chains fall off of him, Dagan takes a moment to rub his wrists and crack his neck before entering a headlong rush towards the elven lady; however, he makes a very sudden stop just a few feet away from her, cocking his head to the right.

"Well hellooooooooo Nurse! Say Green Eyes, what's a pretty thang like yourself doing in such a dark and dreary place?" The odd fellow sniffs at the air around the elven lady "Oh my, Lavender, that's my favorite, how did you know? I just have a feeling that we will get along FAMOUSLY." He cackles as he slips over towards the silent warrior, sniffing around him as well. After a breif examination, the former prisoner makes a retching noise "Ugh, this one seems to not bath very often... Is he a mute? That would be so fun, we could turn into a puppet and talk for him!" He begins laughing again but then oddly stops halfway through and levels his eyes at the queen "So one set of chains for another is it your highness? Your family is awfully fond of them if I do say so... Remember my oath. I die, you will have much more to worry about than you could possibly imagine. Now how about a picnic lunch! Are there any public hangings or whippings today, that was always one of my favorite forms of entertainment. As they say a little fun aids with digestion!"

[stanleyindraven]

"By the gods, I believe he is less than sane! He should fit in well with us E. So long as he doesn't overstep boundaries and try getting too personal." Dromet reels a little at the sudden presence of the disheveled man.

[meemaas]

"He is only dangerous to my enemies, and by extension, yours. Your stuff that you will need is in the pile over there Dagan." She pointed at a pile in the corner behind her. "And for you, Eophyn..." She produces a pair of scrolls from somewhere within her dress and hands them to her. "My court wizard apologizes for not being able to teleport you himself, but he has scribed this special scroll for you to use. That scroll also contains one casting of Sending, attuned to me, so you can contact me if you absolutely need to. The other one is a few spells i thought you might need." She then withdrew a small sack from her pouch, and handed it to Dromet. "For you, a few potions that i had brewed, just in case." She then turned to Dagan. "I messed with something of yours, it's better than you remember it, but i'll leave it to you to figure out." As she finished, she stepped towards the door. "I'm going to seal the door behind me. Your scroll is keyed to exactly where you need to go, and will be enough to get all four of you out." She smiled and started to close the door behind her. "Good luck all of you"

Spoiler: Gifts from the queen

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Spoiler: Dromet

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In your bag, you find the following potions, all clearly labeled.

Two potions of Bull's Strength (CL3)
One potions of Cure Moderate Wounds (CL3)
Two potions of Enlarge Person (CL1)
One potion of Shield of Faith (CL1)
One potion of Spider Climb (CL3)

Spoiler: Dagan

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Upon donning your spiked gauntlets you notice that they aren't quite the same as before. They now possess retractable claws, that while not sharp enough to injure someone seem to be more useful to you.

Translation. Your spiked gauntlets have gained the functionality of Claws of the Ice Bear, while still retaining their original properties and price.

Spoiler: Eophyn

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Your second scroll from the queen contains the followi spells
One copy of Vanish (CL4)
One copy of Alter Self (CL4)
One copy of Bladed Dash (CL4)
One copy of Hold Person (CL4) (DC 13)
One copy of Mirror Image (CL4)
Two copies of Cat's Grace (CL4)

[Morbis Meh]

Dagan cackles and begins donning his old equipment, noting the retractable claws. "Ahh! The meat puppet speaks! No, not less than sane, equal to or less than sane... Can't forget the line underneath now can we, that's just poor math! Awww it must be my birthday indeed, you even brought me a gift! I haven't been spoiled like this since your grandfather and mother threw me in a pit of rapists and child murderers... If you're being this generous it must be quite the apocalypse going on right now, no matter, enough idle chit chat. Places to go, people to slaughter that sort of thing... by the way what is our objective?"