Of Light, Life and Liches

[Kuma Da]

The Green Man

The Green Man is a little uncomfortable sharing the doorway with Matthias. The man has a way of looming that eats up far more space than his body does. When he speaks, it's with a sort of gravelly seriousness that makes patches of Green's fur stand on end.

"You about done with tea time? We've more undead to kill."

"If we don't get these guys moving, they'll join the ranks of the undead. Work smarter. Not harder."

[Jade_Tarem]

Matthias

Matthias grins sardonically at the Green Merc's comment. "In my experience, working faster is the best way to fight the living dead - time always runs in their favor." He looks out over the crowd and watches as the others try to convince them to flee. "But there's no reason for the entire town to be slaughtered. We can wait long enough to make sure they get moving." He then falls silent and crosses his arms, as though he's used up his word-quota for the day, while he waits for the town's decision.

[borninbones]

The priest speaks for the people. "We will take your suggestion and get everyone moved to Edgil, the walled city to the south, it is a short journey and we should be there quickly. It is almost as safe as-" he cuts himself off "- as safe as the capital." He hangs his head down a little and starts gathering people together before they eventually head out.

((Do you stick around to help or rather start heading towards the capital to intercept any large undead?))

[Another_Poet]

((Good question.))

Radley looks at the others near the temple entrance and says, "Now a few of you seem like the charitable sort. You going to spend all day helping these folks?"

[Jade_Tarem]

Matthias

"You really see *me* as the charitable sort?" Matthias arches an eyebrow and, for the first time, appears genuinely amused.

[MountainKing]

"These people are virtually defenseless," Amos stated quietly, "Whoever is responsible for the takeover of the capitol will not be idle, but his focus will be on the city itself. I somehow doubt that the entire city is under his complete and absolute control; there will be resistance. With the lich distracted, I think we can afford one day," Amos turned to the woodsman, who had raised a vote against protecting the exodus.

"I think this will also give us the chance to gauge just how far from the capitol the undead have traveled, both on our way to the walled city, and then on our way back. We'll be fighting our way into the capitol as it is; even if the undead do spread faster than we may think they will, at the same time, I think it might be better that we face them out in the wild, rather than in the confines of the city walls."

[Tacitus]

Adun

The heavy aura of magic surrounding the desert man finally drains away, taking the majority of the light and the field of force around him. Veins of a slight luminescent blue reach out through his neck and when he shakes it off the veins fade while the color tinting the whites of his eyes grows significantly more robust. Several of the items arrayed about his person diminish and nearly disappear but those such as the halo of light seem to be connected to the man to a much higher degree. After smacking his lips as if to work through a bitter taste he makes a suggestion, "We could do both. I am incredibly fleet of foot and the wolf could certainly keep up with me." He looked the Matthias, "If you were willing to come along, that is. We could scout around a bit and perhaps even down a few shamblers that get in the way. The rest of you could facilitate the relocation. I'm sure we'd be able to catch up. If the cause of this is distracted as you propose, there would be no harm in us splitting off to accomplish more tasks effectively, and when our whole group goes back towards the city we could compare the increase in numbers from one day to the next to see how fast this scourge is growing."

[Kuma Da]

The Green Man

Pursing his lips, The Green Man thinks over Adun's idea. It's...surprisingly well thought out. He had been expecting more blood and thunder and laying about with holy blades. Still...

"That's a sound proposal, Adun, but you're still missing the big picture. Any undead hordes converging on Durk will be coming from the direction of the capital. If we stay here while the villagers evacuate, we'll be fighting them in close quarters with civilians around. We'll also be waisting time. However, if we leave Durk and head for the capital, not only will we intercept the undead on the way, but we'll get one step closer to completing my contract, ah," he stumbles over the slip of tongue. "That is to say, we'll be one step closer to ridding the land of this menace. Hoo rah and all that."

[Kobold-Bard]

Harin

Listening to the groups proposals Harin made his decision.

"My opinion falls with Green in this matter. As far as we know, we as a group have the greatest chance to reclaim the capital from its undead fate. Even if there is a resistance within the city we have no idea of its strength or organisational capacity".

He turned to Amos. "Say we deliver these people to Edgil, realistically the only way that they will be any safer than in the capital is if some or all of us remain behind to guard them, and while we do that the betrayer will spread his influence further until it reaches, and consumes us. While I would indeed wish to keep them safe, destroying the source of this evil is the greater good".

Turning back to the rest of the group "I know full well that alone I can do nothing against the greatest threat, and so if the decision is made to journey to the south then I will join you and protect them to the best of my abilities, however if a group heads for Calamdan, then I will guide it there myself".

[Kuma Da]

The Green Man

"And so if the decision is made to journey to the south then I will join you and protect them to the best of my abilities..."

"Whoah. Hold on. No one said anything about holding their hands and walking them back to safety. We're not doing that. We were talking about whether we should move out and intercept the zombies or waste the day here. I think that choice is pretty clear."

[Kobold-Bard]

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Crap, misread the recent posts. We'll say he failed a Listen check, yeah, that'll do it.

Harin

As the Green Man spoke Harin felt a little wave of shame wash over him. Speaking especially to Amos "My apologies, I misunderstood the options being laid before us. Regardless my opinion is still that we do not have a spare day, we must make for the capital with all haste".

Thinking back later that day over what had occured Harin chuckled to himself at how ridiculous he must have sounded. "Just be thankful you'll outlive them all" he said quietly in the Celestial tongue.

[Another_Poet]

Radley

Radley keeps a perfect poker face as the others discuss, but inside he's grinning. The only thing better than getting your way is getting your way without having to openly oppose anyone. This Green Man is doing alright. So good that Egan would offer him a bonus, if he weren't already paying him so bloody much.

[MountainKing]

"You think these people safer on the open road than behind city walls? Last I knew, the walking dead are quite capable of falling upon the helpless in their sleep... but they aren't oft known for being the greatest at scaling walls," he turned partly to Adun, and partly to Harin.

"I am not saying that the city is going to reclaim itself. I'm saying that while we cannot save whoever is within the city right now, we *can* ensure the safety of these people, while getting a measure of our foe, which I think Adun supports," Amos paused, taking a moment to contemplate his arcane learning, originally pursued in search of the Song, but still applicable...

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If this isn't really possible, then the next part of the post is null and should be ignored, but I'd like a quick Knowledge (Arcana) check to see if Amos knows just how powerful a spellcaster need be to become a lich.

(1d20+13)[30]

If a 30 on that check doesn't tell me that you'd need to be a very powerful spellcaster to become a lich, thennnnn that's ridickerous. If it tells me MORE than that, could I get a PM about what else Amos knows about lichs?

"Lichs do not simply spring from the ground. They are the Illu shannar tel dor to the Elves, the kharnak-khazarrum to the Dwarves. To become one requires great power, the kind that can bind the mage in question to death itself. One does not become thus by simply rushing blindly into their attempt without facing grave consequences... this lich will be consolidating his strength, ensuring that his grasp of the city is iron cast. I think we have time enough to do some small good before throwing ourselves toward our doom."

[Another_Poet]

Radley

Radley wearies, seeing that the do-gooders wouldn't make this easy. At last he speaks up.

"My business is with the capital, and no herding can protect the lamb from the snake. I'll wait a day if you need to do your good deeds, but that's all I have to spare."

[MountainKing]

"Then perhaps you should permit your greed and self service to aid whatever cause this gathering is truly binding itself to by volunteering to go with Adun, whom has already offered a suggestion that I think is feasible," Amos snapped, clearly frustrated by the lack of simple humanity being displayed by his companions, "I have never said that we should never head to the capitol, only that I feel we ought to do what we can to protect these people, as we are the only ones with such a capacity. Adun's suggestion expanded upon that, and I for one think that it is a good idea; regardless of what your real motivations are, surely you can see that simply marching into the city, with no idea at all of what our enemy's strengths and progress are, is sheer stupidity!" the bard turned from the conversation, frustrated and obviously not thinking with perfect perception.

"We can protect these people. That is why we should," Amos glances back, only briefly, "I will go with them, alone if need be. We will meet again at the capitol."

With that, the bard headed toward the evacuees.

[Another_Poet]

Radley

Radley heads over to the priest and captain (currently under his charm spell unless they made their saves).

"Friends," he says, "Perhaps you can settle a dispute for us. My fellows worry we'd be remiss if we set out to slay the lich without escorting you to your destination first. But I think you'll be much safer if we end this plague immediately."

He speaks slowly and makes eye contact with each of them, making sure they understand which idea he favours.

"You ward these people, and they listen to you. Which course of action would make you feel safer?"

He smiles.

[borninbones]

The priest agrees with great vigor. The guard nods slowly. "My men can protect us against a few undead. It would be ok if one or two came here, but not some of the greater ones that rumors are abounding about of."

"We should be alright if you take care of any undead headed this way."

[Jade_Tarem]

Matthias

"Liches..."

Matthias begins to think over Amos's earlier words He begins talking again, almost to himself. "No. That's not how it goes. He plans and plans for the day of takeover, yes, but his work isn't done yet." He walks down from the door and moves, slowly, in the general direction of the village leaders while he talks. "He's not done because he hasn't completed the next step yet, so... Why did you say you were going back again?" He suddenly changes topics and tone, and addresses the question to Egan.

[MountainKing]

Amos' eyes widen, then narrow a little.

"To become a lich, one would need to be amongst the greatest magi the mortal world has ever witnessed... pray, Egan, what is your reason for returning to Calamdan?"

[Jade_Tarem]

Matthias snorts a bit. Not the greatest, just one of the most despicable.

[Kuma Da]

The Green Man

"Pray, Egan, what is your reason for returning to Calamdan?"

"Perhaps I can answer that." Not liking the way the conversation has turned, The Green Man steps forward. I can't afford to have all of us go our separate ways. Things are dangerous enough if we're not in total cooperation, never mind splitting up to search the mansion...er, countryside. "You know how, after a disaster like this, there's always a bunch of paladins and mages and stuff, charging around and trying to make things right? Well, as soon as they've rounded up the dragon or the tribe of ogres or whatever, what do they always do? They ride right off into the sunset. Never mind the thousands of ruined lives, households reduced to poverty, lives displaced. The big bad's dead, they've done their good deed for the day, the common folks will look after themselves." A little rumble stirs in the back of Green's throat. It doesn't sound like a purr at all. "Well, my client's making sure that there'll be an economy for them to come back to when the last of the dead are wiped out. Sure, he benefits from that too, but can you really afford to judge him? Every time one of you fights oppression or rights a wrong, you get a little bit stronger. Maybe you're not making any money here, but how freely would you help the weak if every good deed made you weaker?"

The Green Man takes a minute, keeping his composure. "Why don't we ask the people here and see if they need our escort? That should settle our little debate."

[Kaiser Omnik]

Absalom

The mage listened to the argument, puzzled as to what to do next. He was quietly examining his choices. Both plans had some good in them.

"I also agree with our friend Adun."

[Another_Poet]

Radley

People were getting excitable, and Radley didn't like that. He did his best to split his attention between the two refugee leaders and the ongoing debate about his scruples.

"Well friends," he says to the captain and priest, "I thought you might prefer it that way. Please, let my companions know, so they can go to the great battle with clear consciences."

Turning to the others, he puts a hand on the Green Man's shoulder (reaching up as best he can) and says, "Thank you, Green, that sounds about right. Not to mention the large number of friends, employees and associates I'd like to look for in the capital once we've won. Now if any of you were listening to the locals just now, they have their own preference for how we spend our efforts..."

((Hoping the priest and/or captain will chime in here.))

[MountainKing]

Something is not... right... The bard gave Matthias a look, then nodded slowly.

"...I don't like this."

The bard snapped his fingers, and vanished.

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Casting Swift Invisibility, taking a Run action to dash off into the crowds, or into the church, somewhere within a 120 feet that puts me out of line of sight so that I can think.

[Jade_Tarem]

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I've never had a character give an indignant speech before... I really didn't expect that this would be the first one to deliver one.

Matthias

Contrary to popular belief, Matthias is not slow on the uptake, or even technically insane. That he hasn't made an argument in years doesn't mean he can't, and he sees the need to now.

Enough. This is pointless and, if they actually believe a word they're saying, bodes ill for our efforts.

Matthias continues to address Egan, his voice becoming ever harsher as he continues talking - it seems that it's something of a strain.

"Listen to me. If you think there's going to be anything left of your companions back in Calamar you are delusional. I fully expect that we're going to hack our way in, and then back out again in pursuit of the thing in charge. If you're not up to that kind of grind - if you think there's going to be resting places at convenient locations, warm beds, and hot meals every night - then you need to reconsider. I've seen one to many self-important magelings get killed through attrition. Our targets - the undead - aren't going to care about your business acumen, academic credentials, or spell library. All they care about is this -" Matthias's axe springs into his hand, and he brandishes it as he continues. " - so maybe you should think about killing your proverbial dragon before you try skinning it - the economy can wait."

He turns to the Green Man. "And *you* have your undead-hunting semantics backwards. Aside from your damnably ridiculous view of disasters and the people who try to fix them, the fact is that we're going to go and dive head-first into a city-sized pile of zombies, ghouls, and probably much worse, followed by confronting a force powerful enough to create this mess. We're not doing this to be heroes - there probably won't be enough left of us after this trip to fill a tea kettle - we're doing it so that the common folk can look after themselves. The fact that you think that we're going to head in and set up the New First Bank of Calamar - with substantial monetary benefits to us all - is laughable in the extreme. We'll be lucky if Calamar isn't immolated by the archmagi of the surrounding nations later."

Matthias finally hangs his axe back on his belt. Then he lifts the holy symbol on his necklace up for the others to see. Surprisingly, it is not a symbol of Pelor, who he chanted prayers to earlier, but Ehlonna. "I spent ten years doing good deeds that I see, in retrospect, made me weaker - and I'd appreciate it if you didn't reduce that to a 'ride into the sunset.' I spent another ten years doing nothing at all, but living with the woods. Maybe that makes me crazy, but I think that the lessons I learned are far more relevant to this than an economics or history lecture. Nature teaches us that some things die and wither and sacrifice so that others can live. It's our turn to sacrifice and wither - and yes, probably die."

He lets the holy symbol hang again. He breathes heavily for a moment, and then turns to the village leaders. When he speaks, his voice is barely more than a whisper. "Take only what you can move quickly with. No valuables, unless they happen to be weapons. The undead move every hour of every day, so you'll need to move in as short a route as possible, and at least twice as fast as they do. If the walking dead attack you, fight on the run. If more undead attack you, fight harder and run faster. Get inside the city walls and pray. Godspeed."

[Tacitus]

Adun

With a sigh the young man begins to rub his temples, "At this point I don't care exactly what we do as long as we do something. We could even go bury the pile of bones we put to rest earlier for all I care. Wagging our jaws will do nothing but get them ripped off. I'm no fool and I'm not about to get myself killed rushing straight into the capital recklessly, but if we stand around any longer I'm liable to go find a zombie arm and beat things with it." Everyone knows zombie arms make the best weapons with the exception of perhaps the arms of nameless immortals.

[Kuma Da]

The Green Man

The Green Man's expression tightens as Matthias opens his mouth. It's going to be condescending. I'm certain. Sure enough, within minutes The Green Man can feel his ears flattening themselves back against his head in anger. He waits for the other man to finish, then says in as level a tone as he can manage : "We've all been through our own personal crap. Perhaps you've never been a bugbear looking for work in the city. You want an angst-measuring contest? I'd match you story for story, but that still wouldn't get us any closer to Calamdan. We all considered the risks before we decided to sign on. So, before you criticize us for trying to get something out of this, you'd better look to your own motives. It sounds like you're hoping for that tragically unappreciated death."

The Green Man turns on his heels and strides out of the church, pausing briefly at the bottom of the steps. Egan'll be safe in there. Adun might be crazy and Matthias might have a chip the size of a millstone on his shoulder, but they're both capable fighters. And their motivations are pretty clear. Wrinkling his black nose and sniffing at the air, The Green Man thinks of Amos. They're also not trying to start the ridiculous rumor that Egan might be helping the lich on account of--and only on account of--being a Calamdan mage.

The Green Man walks in a slow circle around the base of the steps, acquiring Amos' scent. He then follows the trail of the bard, coming to a stop where the odor is strongest. "We need to talk."

Relevant abilities

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Scent

Adun

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Did you just reference Wirt's leg?

[Kobold-Bard]

Hikbar

Despite his magnificent (for lack of a better word) cockup, Harin was finally seeing others expressing his intent far better than he apparently could, he spoke again "then we are agreed, we head for the capital without delay, remove any obstical in our path, and deal the the most powerful blow to the Lich-king that we are capable of".

Turning to Absolom he says "If you and our vanished friend desire to remain then may the Strength of Kord fill your hearts, but I am done with waiting". And with that he turns from the group and begins to descend the stairs.

[Jade_Tarem]

Matthias

Didn't hear a word I said...

Matthias turns and follows Harin. When he gets outside he whistles twice, sharply, and Forge leaves his spot and returns to him. Then the two of them begin walking for Calamar.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Absalom

Absalom looked at Matthias, then at Harin. He was a little overwhelmed at this point. He was trying to come up with the perfect tactics to take on the lich, but they didn't have days to plan their raid on Calamdan.

"Wait, good sirs, I am also coming. We can talk about strategy on the way. We must not let the Lich create more undeads in the capital to ravage the lands. I agree, time is short."

Absalom followed, a little uneasy with this situation.