(IC) Festival of Heroes 5 - Thrymskvida - Main

[EdgeGrinder]

Spoiler: Aurix

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"This is news to me!"

"Lets finish up here and go back to the warded den to trade stories over a mug or two of mead." Geiravor offered.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Umbear looks up to the group and shifts as fur sprouts from his flesh, turning into a half ogre bear on two legs. Looking down on Aurix and the Princess.

"Yea.... its been an aweful day. I cant stay long. I need to go murder someone so I can join the assassins guild, and hunt down the person who killed peter from inside the assassins guild."

UmBEAR sighs looking at the princess.

"lets go... unless you still have buisness?"

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

Gorrun looks at Umbear incredulously. The tattoo may be a good idea. Give your mind a break. But you may want to leave that last bit to me. He turns to follow the Princess back to the castle.

[EdgeGrinder]

The Princess spoke with Mist and Hrist briefly, who then handled over control over the situation to a city guard. They gathered with the rest of the heroes.

"Okay, Umbear, shoot."

Umbear created a gravity tunnel for everyone to ride back to the castle. Once back, everyone split up to go to there rooms. Geiravor changed out of her armor, finished healing herself, and cleaned herself up. She put on a casual indoor dress before heading to the warded den with Geoffray in tow. She settled down in her chair. Geoffray started a fire for the evening Bertram rolled in a keg of mead while a maid rolled in a cart of beer steins. Bertram served a mug to the Princess and she relaxed while waiting for the others to arrive.

"Thank you all. Geoffray, please-stay with me. The rest of you are dismissed for now." She said

[Andrew Markham]

As they approach the castle, Aurix looks to the unconscious demoness in the embrace of his telepathic ring. "Slight detour! I'll be up there in a few minutes," Aurix announces. The golden dragon disciple unfurls his wings, exiting the gravity tunnel, and flies down to the Paladins on the battlefield. He approaches one of the Paladin units he has practiced with. "Excuse me, but I need a couple of Paladins to escort and question this prisoner. She was riding one of the dragons in the last raid. She said there was a deliberate plan set up, and I wanna know who was giving those orders. Don't take her into the castle; keep her in one of the city anti-magic cells under CONSTANT supervision. Please let me know what you find out. Thanks, I appreciate it."

With that done, Aurix goes up to the castle and seeks out the warded den. "Any chance of dinner?" he inquires. "It's been a long day. I've impaled more dragons than I would have expected."

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Umbear brings his entire group with him to the secure room, he pulls out some raw poisoned meat from a bag and eats it, looking as people enter the room.

"So Princess... how aweful has your day been?"

Umbear looked to Aurix.

"Stabbing Dragons?"

[EdgeGrinder]

Geiravor took a long drink of beer. "Lords of Hell attacked my city, my political rival showed me up in court, the son of obe of my allies was murdered, a sneak attack on my city, got beat up by an ogre made of worms, a wight dragon turned sone of my subjects into undead, and now I find out that one of my friends have been accused of murder. Been a bad day."

[Andrew Markham]

Aurix smiles softly at Geiravor and adds, "Yet despite all of that, you're alive and well, while most of those you mention are dead or banished. Not a bad day for a war, I should think."

Aurix looks to Umbear. "We went out to gather's Fraener's horde today. On the way back we got jumped by Amaru, a two-headed green dragon who wants to fight the strongest heroes, and decided that killing my friends was the best way to get me to participate. So I impaled her in the chest and almost killed her. Then there were the wight fire dragons just now; things were super fast, so I impaled it while it was in range so it couldn't get away. Then Torilee killed the thing while I held on. So yeah, lots of fights today."

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Umbear struggles for a moment and shifts back from his hybrid bear form and to his Ogre form.

"There is a very long... story.... Loki gave me advice, The Druids outside town confirmed that Im a werebear. Peter's dad yelled at me, I got to see Peter's murdered corpse floating. Got to encounter a rat... that.... I dont know.... ... everything was wrong about that, I could see alot of flags, but I couldnt see anything for serious. Just talking to the rat..... ugh. "

umbear looked back and forth between the princess and Aurix.

"If you want, you could associate an accused murderer with Helen, Ive hung out with her a bit. My names already mud, might as well sling me. "

Umbear looked to the Aurix

"Let me know if you need a blast or two"

[Erealyn]

Once Jaylyn arrived at the Castle proper, she looked over at the 4-armed demoness and spoke. "I command you to stay out here, and don't do anything." Jaylyn then looked over at Nameless and smiled before speaking. "All this fighting has left me drained... and dirty, wanna go hit the bath house for a nice bath..." Jaylyn giggled a little bit before continuing, "And if you like, I'll even wash your back."

Right as Jaylyn was to enter the Castle she was stopped by a guard who informed her that the Princess was looking for all the heroes, Jaylyn nodded, and thanked the guard before she entered the castle.

[Andrew Markham]

Aurix shrugs at Umbear. "Meh, the dragon wasn't that bad. Appreciate it though." He moves to raise a cup slightly at Umbear, then realizes he doesn't have one. "Excuse me a sec, I'm not properly equipped for this conversation." Aurix moves towards the beer. As he gets up, McLaughlin shouts from Umbear's shoulder, "Bring me one of them too, would ya, lad?" Aurix pauses, raising an eyebrow at the fae, then shakes his head and proceeds to get two beers.

[EdgeGrinder]

Geiravor looked at the strange fellow for a moment while sipping her mead. "Who is this person anyway? A good many new characters have been coming and going lately."

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

Gorrun let's Umbear be melodramatic for a bit before deciding that that was enough.
Umbear's trial was something of a set up. Whomever killed the young lord spent some time watching Umbear and knew that he'd been infected with lycanthropy before even he did. However they haven't seen him fight. Their attempt to frame him fell flat on multiple levels. Firstly the execution was too clean. A single fatal wound and no footsteps or trail of any kind really. Secondly, post mortum desecration in an attempt to mimic a werebear but no dirt or debris was left in the wounds to indicate animalistic involvement. Thirdly, mauling and brutal violence are not Umbear's style. We've all seen how he would first manipulate the environment to damage his foes for him rather than get his hands bloody. Too many things were wrong for this frame up to fit its intended target. The Why has yet to be seen, though I hope to get to the bottom of it in less than twelve hours. We were hailed by a rat folk who's story didn't add up, but who was very convincing in its telling. Neither of us could get a good read on him. Just as we were about to bring him in for interrogation in an anti magic cell, he vanished. I can see through even very skilled illusionists' work but I couldn't see this rat. Umbear raised the alleyway but he was gone as if he just teleported away, but surely the barrier would have prevented that. We followed suspicion from there and interviewed a lead and hopefully got ourselves a few steps closer to the truth. As of now, it does seem to be a personal matter and not one of political motivations, but it is still likely to have far reaching ramifications.

That pretty much brings us current.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Umbear looks over to the fae on his shoulder.

"This is Mclaughlin. Hes a fae who is trapped here because of the barrier."

He smiles for a moment.

"You know me and fae, cant help but help out the down trodden, even if im not doing so well myself, wanna help get him some spell power to defende himself. mayb a hat of booze."

[Andrew Markham]

McLaughlin stands up, using Umbear's head for leverage, and tips his shamrock hat. "Top o' tha mornin' to ya!" he declares with a grin. "I'm a traveler from...well, let's say, a far away plane. Teleportin's kinda ma whole thing. I showed up for the fightin', but this bloody barrier's got me stuck here. Even ma best powers aren't workin', and won't til ya deal with the trouble. But rest assured, I have a lot of experience with heroes from ma own home, and I'll do ma best to be worth me weight in beer."

As Aurix hands McLaughlin an appropriately sized beer, he studies the fae with his goggles. Aurix grunts and shields his eyes slightly. "I don't think he needs a beer hat, Umbear. That shamrock hat of his is an artifact- and an extremely powerful one! Massive conjuration aura," the sorcerer explains.

McLaughlin smirks slightly as he puts the hat back on his head. "Yer damn right it 'tis, dragon man! Blessed by one o' me divine buddies back home. It's got a few fair tricks to it, and makes me one handsome devil, if I may say. I don't go anywhar without it."

Aurix puts his goggles back on his head and rubs his eyes slightly. Then he takes a swig of his beer. His eyes wander around the room, and then he remembers something. Aurix moves towards the corner of the room and tilts his head towards the General. "Gorrun, come here for a minute. There's something I need to show you."

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

Gorrun steps closer, leaving immediate proximity of the entourage he'd been traveling with. What is it?

[Andrew Markham]

Aurix leads Gorrun to another section of the room and gestures silently.

Spoiler: Gorrun

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Gorrun sees a spike impaled into the castle wall, hidden behind a shelf. Aurix sends his voice into Gorrun's mind, "This is the spike Umbear took out of the artifact pile. I'm not sure of everything it can do, but it wards whatever building it's set in against evil, and especially demons and the like. Geiravor and I moved it here from the battlefield this morning cause we were worried it would prevent the demons from coming out. We immediately heard screams. I haven't gotten specific reports yet, but there were definitely demonic infiltrators in the castle. I'm pretty sure this killed them, and should prevent more from entering.

There's more, though. I arranged to activate it in front of Viridessa and Unwin, though I didn't tell them how I did what I did. When we explained it to them, I used my strongest Divination to assess their reactions. Viridessa was shaken and grateful. Unwin showed zero sign of it, and even praised me for the strategy, but he was angry. Deeply angry." Aurix looks Gorrun in the eye, showing concern and wariness. "I think we need to step up our investigation of him. And don't let the staff know this is here. Geiravor set up a permanent warding in this room so it can't be scried upon or overheard. It can only be approached in person."

[EdgeGrinder]

Geiravor grinned and lifted her mug McLaughlin. "Welcome to the realm and the principality. Sorry you got stuck here, but if you assist us you can stay here in the castle, as my own guest. Thus, your own room."

Geiravor stared at Umbear as Gorrun explained the situation. "I am so sorry for all this, Umbear." She said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I had no idea this was going down today. If my influence can help you, I would risk my reputation for you." She hugged him around the neck.

Spoiler: Umbear

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"Before things get too lively. I have an offer for you for that spear you found."

Geiravor whispered.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Umbear accepts the hug with a gentle smile.

"Dont do that Princess, that really wouldnt help the kingdom at all, if you were to risk your reputation on mine. "

Umbear listened to what the princess whispered but then shook his head.

Spoiler: Geir

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"Its a Spoil of war, I didnt make it, I just was lucky enough to find it first, you want it, its yours."

[EdgeGrinder]

Geiravor smiled.

Spoiler: Umbear

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"Thanks Umbear. I'll take it and in exchange, I will long-term loan you a family heirloom, but you'd have to travel to Magnusson's estate to claim. With the war in full-swing it's time to roll it out."

She explained.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Umbear raised an eyebrow, his mind going over all of her families heirlooms, when they were last used and kept, as peter had told him all of such lore.

Spoiler: Geir

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"What did you have in mind?"

[EdgeGrinder]

Spoiler: Umbear

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"Mjölnir, Hammer of Thor, God of Thunder. Your elemental nature would work perfectly in conjunction with the god weapon."

Geiravor smiled.

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

Gorrun turns and walks away from Aurix and back toward Malaika and co. While simultaneously thinking of a response.

Spoiler: Aurix

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If Viradessa was grateful, and she knows you were wrong about the escape then she definitely knows more than she's letting on. However Unwin becoming angry only deepens my suspicions. Keep an eye on Jaylyn too. She has given me cause for pause on a number of occasions. I'm not certain that she is a suspect in the abyssal gate situation, but she certainly seems to be working an angle of some sort.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Umbear smirks when she mentions the hammer.

Spoiler: Gier

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"I only know the myths and legends about that hammer. I have no idea what ill be able to do with it. But I guess im willing to take a wack at it."

Looking up to the rest of those who've gathered.

"Is there any other news we need to discuss before we dispurse?"

[Wolfykins]

Nameless tilted her shaggy, maned head, golden eyes narrowing slightly as her nose wrinkled in mild confusion. "Bath house? I... guess?" The young dragon looked down at her new scales, bemused, and thought of the times she and Fraener had taken dust baths. Typically a thing only done when itchy, it seemed rather after-the-fact to bathe after shedding.
The sovereign dragon eyed the demoness with slight unease as she followed Jaylyn away from the encorcelled fiend. I guess it's alright... it can't attempt an escape, and there's plenty of guards and heroes in and around the castle, she thought.
"I've been thinking... about what to do since M--Fraener's gone. I've never really been alone before... and it's a pretty long way from my homeland. I've never even been there. Your homeland overlaps the territory of my kind, right? It is far to the east-southeast of here. I don't think I could really make the journey on my own, unless I train a lot between now and when this war ends. I don't think any of you hero-types have magic quite like mine... but there is at least some overlap in the spells I can cast, even if the source is different. Do you... have any thoughts on... who might be able to... help train me, so I can visit my kin and learn the truth? Maybe someone willing and able to accompany me if I don't get strong enough on my own in time?" Nameless asked hesitantly.

---

A guard approached the Princess' butler with a note addressed to Umbear.
"It's been requested this be delivered to the ogre. He's not in his room or the dining hall, so I'm not sure where to look. But I figured you would know," she said, handing him the note and bowing before heading back to her post.

---

Aurora stood quietly, listening and watching, a pensive expression on her face. She glanced over at the pirate captain, still nearby after being her passenger, and her brow cleared.
"I see you're watching the Princess," she said softly. "Is that incidental, or... wistful?" she asked, brown eyes gentle.

[Erealyn]

Jaylyn walked beside Nameless as she was talking about her future, simply nodding waiting until the Sovereign dragon finished. Jaylyn stopped briefly thinking before resuming walking and spoke. "From what my Ancestor said, the Sovereigns are east of the Golds... by about three days flight. And since Varrock is about a days flight inside the Golds borders, it would take about four days flight to get to your homeland." Jaylyn paused speaking but not walking, again in thought. "Since you say you're from there and we found you here... that actually makes sense." Jaylyn said looking over at Nameless but then quickly spoke up before any more confusion could set in. "When I was younger I over heard my Ancestor and father talking one night bout how the Sovereigns was in an uproar about some of their eggs going missing and asked the Golds for any assistance that they may be able to offer, being the closest Draconic cluster to them. The Golds, My ancestor mostly, offered to help. He, in turn, came to Varrock to enlist my father for help. My father sent a group of trackers to see if they could find anything... but sadly after about five miles by foot the tracks vanished... Teleportation magic most likely. Sadly the search ended there as there was no real good leads to follow after that." Jaylyn said briefly pausing before continuing once again. "It would be an honor to help you get back to your kind after the war for the material plane ends" Jaylyn starts bowing as she walks, "Any training you need just let me know. I'll do my best to help you in anyway I'm able. If there is something I don't know, hey we have the other heroes to assist."

[Andrew Markham]

Aurix nods silently to Gorrun as they both rejoin the Princess and Umbear. "There...was one thing," Aurix says, responding to Umbear's open question. "Geiravor's mentor showed up earlier. You may have met her, she's from the church of Freya. Said something that got me suspicious, and I did some investigating. I think they have information about this conflict that we lack. If you've got a few minutes and wanna hear about it, I'll fill you in. Otherwise, I'll keep investigating and let you know when it's relevant."

Spoiler: Umbear

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Aurix thinks to Umbear, "Umbear, if you have the chance, we need a piece of Unwin for scrying purposes. Hair, fingernail, whatever you can manage. We have suspicions about him. You willing?"

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Umbear looks up and listens.

"I can stay a bit more, as long as the general doesnt try and lose me and take care of this without me."

His stare looks a bit harder at aurix.

Spoiler: Aurix

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"Thats no problem, I think I know a sexy lady who has a few unwin samples in her desk for just that reason."

Umbear smiles to Aurix.

[EdgeGrinder]

Bertram nodded to the guard.

"I will fill you and Markas on the details tomorrow morning. You can hand over the spear to me then if you'd like." Geiravor said to Umbear.

She looked over to Aurix as he explained. "Fayeth Cornaithsdar and I did not part are the best terms. She was turning into a zealot and I fear she has completed that transformation. She is still a priestess of Freya, however, she had been on sabbatical for nearly twenty years and she suddenly returned last year with a gaggle of half-elf daughters and the ear of the Divine Enforcers. Whatever she is doing, she does it for the greater good according to her vision." The Princess explained the situation.

Bertram entered the warded den quietly and handed the message to Jeffray. The head butler dismissed his son and walked over to Umbear, holding out the envelope. "Message for you, sir."

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Umbear watches as the situation was beginning to be explained.

"I... am not really picking up the problem. Can someone... explain... or blatently point it out to a blunt ogre?"

Umbear raises his eyebrows and sets down two folded notes each with something written on the outside.

Spoiler: 1 Lie, 2 Truths Note

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"Should Umbear persue a more personal relationship with Qetesh?"

Avhengig av hvorfor du vil, du er ulykkelig.
Hvis det er sant, du liker henne, du bør vie henne, ikke si hva jeg tenker på.
Hvis det er sant, tenker du at damen nyter deg for mer enn dine dype lommer, du er en clotpole.
Yond kunne forandre seg, men det var ikke lett, spesielt å vite så dram om henne.
Hvis det er sant, vil du bare ha en levetid på verdig amorøs ritual, så lo! Suksess dårer.

"Should Umbear have Queue explore under the Tower?

Corruption lurks in the deep
How long do you optate to slumber?
There is no under
Straight down it goes
The bonds will plunder
But nobody kens
If downward you would creep
A distance must you keep
Lest lines become square
And square is contorted
Unrecognized faces there
Until purity is sorted

"Should The heroes inspect the underground tunnels of the city for Demon's escaping the Tower."

Nei lol

Spoiler: Two Truthes, and One Lie Note

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What goal does Loki, god of trickery, have for this conflict, between demon invasion and principality?

Sometimes I favor the men, sometimes I favor the demons, sometimes i favor none at all. I have no doubt this will be a great show, and I have every confidence that the right side will prevail.

What is the biggest threat in the conflict of the Demon Invasion?

There are many answers to your question. The walls that separate one reality from another are vulnerable, and must be defended vigorously. The denizens of the land are vulnerable, and must be defended against threats to their souls.

Where should I direct my attention to best aid the principality in this conflict of the Demon invasion?

Common blood like water flows
Everywhere the wild wind blows
Noble blood a rarity prized
No matter loved or despised
Blue wealth will feed
Red grass roots greed
When calm descends
Rebuild begins

"I have some.... more news as well"

Umbear smiles to the butler and accepts the note