The Eye of Anubis: Book Eleven
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Rock of the Fraternity
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"Samael might be reasoned with, I suppose," Lia concedes. "Michel and Guy, as well ... I hope. Jervis should obey Samael's orders, though I would not like to push him too far. Lilith and Khalil, I do not trust. Fassahd, we can not trust, since he is most likely the fiend's pawn. ... If it comes to reasoning with people, Charles, I think you are the logical choice to take charge in the next room. Would you? The rest of us, I personally think would be best used to block the conspiracy from reaching the Eye while you talk. Of course, I am no great strategist."
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Kaitou Kage
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Kuzan gave the memory a nostalgic look. Those were the days, he reminisced with a faint smile. Punching those sons-of-bitches in the face when they got too cocky. Sure, he paid for it sometimes, but he learned and learned well. He taught himself to be stronger than them, both physically and better at his schooling. And it always felt so good to sock those self-righteous brats across the jaw.
The priest didn't have any prayer magic for the group as a whole, but he did have some for himself. They were about to face a demon lord -- again. Kuzan knew how very difficult that could be. Plus, putting the conspiracy on top of it all made matters even tougher. He wanted to be as prepared as he could be in case a fight did break out.
"That sounds good enough," Kuzan agreed, "But best to not make it look like we're going for the Eye ourselves. The object is to win them over, not be aggressive and hostile. So, here goes..."
And with that, the priest plunged in after Tomas.
Casting:
Greater Resistance
Darkvision
Ebon Eyes
Protection from Evil
Death Ward
Divine Insight
Blur
Longstrider
on myself. No group buffs yet -- all the ones I have are in rounds.
Andre, a Conviction would be great right about now
The priest didn't have any prayer magic for the group as a whole, but he did have some for himself. They were about to face a demon lord -- again. Kuzan knew how very difficult that could be. Plus, putting the conspiracy on top of it all made matters even tougher. He wanted to be as prepared as he could be in case a fight did break out.
"That sounds good enough," Kuzan agreed, "But best to not make it look like we're going for the Eye ourselves. The object is to win them over, not be aggressive and hostile. So, here goes..."
And with that, the priest plunged in after Tomas.
Casting:
Greater Resistance
Darkvision
Ebon Eyes
Protection from Evil
Death Ward
Divine Insight
Blur
Longstrider
on myself. No group buffs yet -- all the ones I have are in rounds.
Andre, a Conviction would be great right about now
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yalenusveler
- Evil Genius
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- Location: Pennsylvania...or Baator
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NeoTiamat
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- Gender: Male
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
The Tomb of Menetnashte
August 30th, 761, 1:02 PM; Day 165 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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And for a final time, you entered the yawning gulf between rooms, the cold darkness that was the essence of this place...
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Guy Benoit, formerly captain in the Dementlieuse Militia, was nearest to you when you entered. The former soldier sat upon a chest of sandalwood, with gilded fittings, which overflowed with hundreds, thousands of golden coins. There was a jeweled scepter at his feet, crafted of gold and inlaid with strips of ivory, and around its crown sparkled four sapphires the size of a thumbnail. A ceremonial shield from some distant land was propped up against the chest, covered in zebra skin that had not decayed in millennia.
Everywhere around you was the treasure of a life-time. Menetnashte's empire had been one of the last great Akiri empires, and over her centuries of rule the Demon-Pharaoh had gathered a treasure such as was not to be seen ever again. And much of it had been buried here. You saw cartons of gems, of rubies and chalcedony, lapis lazuli and malachite. You saw mountains of gold and silver coins, minted in hundreds of nations. Scepters, crowns, armor, weapons, the regalia of office, tomes of mage-lore, imperial formal-wear, statues, here was the wealth of ages. Here was treasure beyond the dreams of avarice.
And Guy didn't care. He sat surrounded by more money than he had ever seen and batted not an eye at it. The warrior looked as if he had aged a decade since you had last seen him. It wasn't anything that you could put a finger on, but there was a glitter in his eyes, a feral, burning gleam in those golden eyes. He was the first to see you enter.
"You shouldn't have come here." Guy's voice was a rasp, a low snarl that started softly and rose at the end, eerily like the growl of a wolf.
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"We're rich, Guy. We're rich!" Michel de Angelis reached into a golden box engraved with images of things that mortal men should not know of. From it, he withdrew a large blue-green crystal, the size of a pigeon's egg. The ambassador's son sneaked a quick, worried glance at Guy, before continuing in his too-cheerful tones. "I wonder if this is an emerald... See anything you like?"
The ambassador's son held it up to the brief glitter of sunlight that came from the gratings in the ceiling. Other then from those few flickers of sunlight and the bile-green glow further down, the room was dark, and the shadows thick and cloying.
"I wonder what it's worth... Want it? You might be able to get someone to carve it into a forest scene." Michel turned to Guy, a too-broad smile on his lips. "Cheer up, we're rich! You've got more money now than even D'Ho--- what are you doing here?"
Michel dropped the semi-precious piece of chalcedony like it was on fire, seeing you enter through the black doorway.
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Khalil al-Atim was kneeling by one of the treasure troves. Al-Atim had picked up a handful of the gold coins, and was looking at the old inscriptions when you entered. Some of them were from years before Menetnashte, with the faces of local rulers and symbols stamped onto soft discs of gold. Later, the symbols of Anuberith became the norm, on coins of mixed gold and brass.
Khalil let them fall to the ground and sighed. Then came the commotion from the door. Wordlessly, the Akiri guide reached for his scimitars.
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Unlike the others, Fassahd had not been near the treasure troves when you entered. Rather, he sat cross-legged near the sarcophagus at the end of the room. Above his head, embedded in the chest of a beautiful golden coffin, was the Eye of Anubis.
It was... worth the journey. A majestic, magnificent emerald six inches long and three inches across, it looked like an eye. A tapering oval, it bore within its center a strange and curious flaw, a minute patch of darkness through which one could not look. And it glowed. Glowed with a horrible, bile-green light, which gave the entire room a slightly sickly cast.
Fassahd sat below it, and in his hands he held something different from the treasures and gems the others amused themselves with. It was a skull.
"...forgive me." He was saying as you entered, cradling the skull gently. Then as you entered, the Akiri's eyes widened, and he set the skull down gently beside him as he rose.
"You cannot be here..." He whispered.
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Jervis, it seemed, was taking the most practical approach to this massive trove of wonders. It was all very pretty, but it wasn't going to do them much good sitting around in a tomb. So it was that the short, olive-skinned mercenary was in the process of shoving as many items of incalculable worth into an enchanted burlap sack as was possible when you arrived.
Also unlike the others, Jervis was happy to see you. With a quick, fierce grin, the mercenary hooked the sack onto his belt and drew his sword, stepping protectively in front of his brother. He'd been looking forward to this.
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"It's certainly beautiful, though fencing it will be a challenge of a lifetime." Lily D'Envers said, picking up a small, silver ring in the shape of a cat. She glanced at Samael. "A fun challenge, though."
"Basler has connections." The Borcan said simply.
"Well then, that would make things easier." Lily said with a smile, even as the cold, metallic screech of Jervis's sword came from behind the two professional criminals. Lily turned and stared for a while. She opened and closed her green fan a few times, then said very quietly. "Samael, you did tell them they should stay at the Monastery?"
"I did." The Borcan said, and there was no smile in on his face and no humor in his voice. He raised a hand. "Down Jervis. No need for violence... is there?"
It was a genuine question, and there was a faint note of curiosity in Samael's voice, though small and quiet. Nevertheless, the mercenary grunted and lowered his blade.
"So." Maleagant looked at you, his grey eyes flat and emotionless. "What are you doing here?"
It is not combat time as of yet, but just for general edification I'm putting up map here.
Also, any interested parties can attempt up to 7 Sense Motives. One per Conspirator.
August 30th, 761, 1:02 PM; Day 165 of the Menetnashte Expedition
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And for a final time, you entered the yawning gulf between rooms, the cold darkness that was the essence of this place...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guy Benoit, formerly captain in the Dementlieuse Militia, was nearest to you when you entered. The former soldier sat upon a chest of sandalwood, with gilded fittings, which overflowed with hundreds, thousands of golden coins. There was a jeweled scepter at his feet, crafted of gold and inlaid with strips of ivory, and around its crown sparkled four sapphires the size of a thumbnail. A ceremonial shield from some distant land was propped up against the chest, covered in zebra skin that had not decayed in millennia.
Everywhere around you was the treasure of a life-time. Menetnashte's empire had been one of the last great Akiri empires, and over her centuries of rule the Demon-Pharaoh had gathered a treasure such as was not to be seen ever again. And much of it had been buried here. You saw cartons of gems, of rubies and chalcedony, lapis lazuli and malachite. You saw mountains of gold and silver coins, minted in hundreds of nations. Scepters, crowns, armor, weapons, the regalia of office, tomes of mage-lore, imperial formal-wear, statues, here was the wealth of ages. Here was treasure beyond the dreams of avarice.
And Guy didn't care. He sat surrounded by more money than he had ever seen and batted not an eye at it. The warrior looked as if he had aged a decade since you had last seen him. It wasn't anything that you could put a finger on, but there was a glitter in his eyes, a feral, burning gleam in those golden eyes. He was the first to see you enter.
"You shouldn't have come here." Guy's voice was a rasp, a low snarl that started softly and rose at the end, eerily like the growl of a wolf.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We're rich, Guy. We're rich!" Michel de Angelis reached into a golden box engraved with images of things that mortal men should not know of. From it, he withdrew a large blue-green crystal, the size of a pigeon's egg. The ambassador's son sneaked a quick, worried glance at Guy, before continuing in his too-cheerful tones. "I wonder if this is an emerald... See anything you like?"
The ambassador's son held it up to the brief glitter of sunlight that came from the gratings in the ceiling. Other then from those few flickers of sunlight and the bile-green glow further down, the room was dark, and the shadows thick and cloying.
"I wonder what it's worth... Want it? You might be able to get someone to carve it into a forest scene." Michel turned to Guy, a too-broad smile on his lips. "Cheer up, we're rich! You've got more money now than even D'Ho--- what are you doing here?"
Michel dropped the semi-precious piece of chalcedony like it was on fire, seeing you enter through the black doorway.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Khalil al-Atim was kneeling by one of the treasure troves. Al-Atim had picked up a handful of the gold coins, and was looking at the old inscriptions when you entered. Some of them were from years before Menetnashte, with the faces of local rulers and symbols stamped onto soft discs of gold. Later, the symbols of Anuberith became the norm, on coins of mixed gold and brass.
Khalil let them fall to the ground and sighed. Then came the commotion from the door. Wordlessly, the Akiri guide reached for his scimitars.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unlike the others, Fassahd had not been near the treasure troves when you entered. Rather, he sat cross-legged near the sarcophagus at the end of the room. Above his head, embedded in the chest of a beautiful golden coffin, was the Eye of Anubis.
It was... worth the journey. A majestic, magnificent emerald six inches long and three inches across, it looked like an eye. A tapering oval, it bore within its center a strange and curious flaw, a minute patch of darkness through which one could not look. And it glowed. Glowed with a horrible, bile-green light, which gave the entire room a slightly sickly cast.
Fassahd sat below it, and in his hands he held something different from the treasures and gems the others amused themselves with. It was a skull.
"...forgive me." He was saying as you entered, cradling the skull gently. Then as you entered, the Akiri's eyes widened, and he set the skull down gently beside him as he rose.
"You cannot be here..." He whispered.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jervis, it seemed, was taking the most practical approach to this massive trove of wonders. It was all very pretty, but it wasn't going to do them much good sitting around in a tomb. So it was that the short, olive-skinned mercenary was in the process of shoving as many items of incalculable worth into an enchanted burlap sack as was possible when you arrived.
Also unlike the others, Jervis was happy to see you. With a quick, fierce grin, the mercenary hooked the sack onto his belt and drew his sword, stepping protectively in front of his brother. He'd been looking forward to this.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It's certainly beautiful, though fencing it will be a challenge of a lifetime." Lily D'Envers said, picking up a small, silver ring in the shape of a cat. She glanced at Samael. "A fun challenge, though."
"Basler has connections." The Borcan said simply.
"Well then, that would make things easier." Lily said with a smile, even as the cold, metallic screech of Jervis's sword came from behind the two professional criminals. Lily turned and stared for a while. She opened and closed her green fan a few times, then said very quietly. "Samael, you did tell them they should stay at the Monastery?"
"I did." The Borcan said, and there was no smile in on his face and no humor in his voice. He raised a hand. "Down Jervis. No need for violence... is there?"
It was a genuine question, and there was a faint note of curiosity in Samael's voice, though small and quiet. Nevertheless, the mercenary grunted and lowered his blade.
"So." Maleagant looked at you, his grey eyes flat and emotionless. "What are you doing here?"
It is not combat time as of yet, but just for general edification I'm putting up map here.
Also, any interested parties can attempt up to 7 Sense Motives. One per Conspirator.
Ravenloft GM: Eye of Anubis, Shattered City, and Prof. Lupescu's Traveling Ghost Show
Lead Writer & Editor: VRS Files: Doppelgangers; Contributor: QtR #20, #21, #22, #23, #24
Freelance Writer for Paizo Publishing
Lead Writer & Editor: VRS Files: Doppelgangers; Contributor: QtR #20, #21, #22, #23, #24
Freelance Writer for Paizo Publishing
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Kaitou Kage
- Evil Genius
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- Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:53 am
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- Contact:
"That's not for you to decide," Kuzan said flatly to Guy. "You shouldn't be here." The priest looked across the room to Fassahd. "Please step away from the Eye, Fassahd," he said softly, "I don't care about the rest of the treasure, but none of us must touch the Eye. None of us."
He glanced briefly at Michel, then looked over the Conspiracy. "We don't want a fight," he said, "But you have to listen to what we learned. The Eye is dangerous -- it's not what any of you think. So please, just listen."
Using my Divine Insight charge on Diplomacy here. Diplomacy of 40.
He glanced briefly at Michel, then looked over the Conspiracy. "We don't want a fight," he said, "But you have to listen to what we learned. The Eye is dangerous -- it's not what any of you think. So please, just listen."
Using my Divine Insight charge on Diplomacy here. Diplomacy of 40.
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Rock of the Fraternity
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'Like a wounded animal,' Lia thinks as she looks at Guy. 'Depressed, angry. Dangerous.' Her gaze flicks to Michel. 'Can't read him. I would have thought the desert born would be happier with these spoils,' her thoughts continue as she looks at Khalil, 'but he seems gloomy. The others ... Can't read them. No surprise there.'
Out loud, she says: "Yes, Dilisnya. You really should listen to us. And for your own sakes, as well as that of the rest of the whole world, kindly get Fassahd away from the Eye. There is terrible danger here." Wordlessly, she reaches out to tug at Kuzan's sleeve and mutters to him: "Guy is ready to attack, be wary. He seems ... unhinged."
Out loud, she says: "Yes, Dilisnya. You really should listen to us. And for your own sakes, as well as that of the rest of the whole world, kindly get Fassahd away from the Eye. There is terrible danger here." Wordlessly, she reaches out to tug at Kuzan's sleeve and mutters to him: "Guy is ready to attack, be wary. He seems ... unhinged."
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Nathan of the FoS
- Fiendish Enforcer
- Posts: 5247
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- Location: San Francisco CA
"None of us should have come here, perhaps," Charles says to Guy. "But here we are, regardless." He gives the vault an interested, if brief, examination. "Wealth beyond the dreams of avarice." He shakes his head. "As Kuzan said, we have because of the Eye. And also, in my case, to remind you of your contractual obligations to the state of Dementlieu. Which are still current."
Charles smiles politely at the group at large before turning back to Guy. "I'm sorry, Guy," he says. "You, at least, have given far too much already to the state, for which I think nothing could repay you." Charles moves toward him, keeping his hands well away from his weapons. "I am sorry. It was monstrously unjust, what was done to you and Aloise, and I was glad to have a chance to right something of that injustice...however little, and late. I hope that we will not compound past tragedies here and now."
Fascinate most bardically. DC 35 on the fascinate. Diplomacy 39 on Guy specifically, to calm him down.
Charles smiles politely at the group at large before turning back to Guy. "I'm sorry, Guy," he says. "You, at least, have given far too much already to the state, for which I think nothing could repay you." Charles moves toward him, keeping his hands well away from his weapons. "I am sorry. It was monstrously unjust, what was done to you and Aloise, and I was glad to have a chance to right something of that injustice...however little, and late. I hope that we will not compound past tragedies here and now."
Fascinate most bardically. DC 35 on the fascinate. Diplomacy 39 on Guy specifically, to calm him down.
[b]FEAR JUSTICE.[/b] :elena:
Wow, Tomas thinks, that is a lot of gold.
There are over sixty-eight different words for 'gold' in modern dwarfish, so this thought process takes longer than usual. It is also something to look at besides the baleful glimmer of the Eye of Anubis, which has an effect on Eisenwald's psyche similar to that of a drill on a thin plank of wood. Even looking around it makes Tomas want to puke from the sheer wretchedness of the baleful artifact.
"Hallo, Jervis." Tomas greets the obvious threat, despite the sizable stink eye Guy is giving their flank. "I am seeing you have been looking forward to settling our business from Port-A-Lucine as well." It's almost friendly; Tomas has always understood Jervis's love of battle, and even, in a strange way, shared that enjoyment. "But there is something more important than a petty rivalry going on, here, so I want to offer you something instead. Want to help me kill the devil?"
Eisenwald raises his sword, pointing it directly at the sick, pus green of the Eye of Anubis. "That thing is the key part of a ritual to borrow the Marquis's boss's boss's boss's power. That is how Meneshante forged her empire in the first place...and it is that power that compels those manipulating both of our ventures to seek the Eye."
"None of you are exactly my favorite people in the world, but you know that I do not lie." Tomas offers broadly, "And I am telling you all that something worse than greed is bubbling up, here, and this is our last, best chance to stop it. Help, or get out of my way."
There are over sixty-eight different words for 'gold' in modern dwarfish, so this thought process takes longer than usual. It is also something to look at besides the baleful glimmer of the Eye of Anubis, which has an effect on Eisenwald's psyche similar to that of a drill on a thin plank of wood. Even looking around it makes Tomas want to puke from the sheer wretchedness of the baleful artifact.
"Hallo, Jervis." Tomas greets the obvious threat, despite the sizable stink eye Guy is giving their flank. "I am seeing you have been looking forward to settling our business from Port-A-Lucine as well." It's almost friendly; Tomas has always understood Jervis's love of battle, and even, in a strange way, shared that enjoyment. "But there is something more important than a petty rivalry going on, here, so I want to offer you something instead. Want to help me kill the devil?"
Eisenwald raises his sword, pointing it directly at the sick, pus green of the Eye of Anubis. "That thing is the key part of a ritual to borrow the Marquis's boss's boss's boss's power. That is how Meneshante forged her empire in the first place...and it is that power that compels those manipulating both of our ventures to seek the Eye."
"None of you are exactly my favorite people in the world, but you know that I do not lie." Tomas offers broadly, "And I am telling you all that something worse than greed is bubbling up, here, and this is our last, best chance to stop it. Help, or get out of my way."
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NeoTiamat
- Evil Genius
- Posts: 4119
- Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:00 pm
- Gender: Male
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
The Tomb of Menetnashte
August 30th, 761, 1:05 PM; Day 165 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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"And what are you talking about? Righting injustice..." Benoit's eyes narrowed, and he turned his head to look at Samael for a heartbeat, then back at Charles. The shadows curled around Guy's feet as he walked, pulsed in a gentle rhythm as he stared accusingly into Charles's eyes. "You gave Maleagant those pardons."
Instead, the man stood before the glittering green gem, arms crossed before his chest. He had no weapons, he wore no armor, he didn't look as though he could stop even the least of you if it came to blows. But he did not move from his spot, and the sluggish shadows recoiled from him.
"And on a more practical note, the Eye needs to go back to the University." Samael's voice carried through the treasure chamber. The grey-eyed Borcan smiled humourlessly, as though reciting his lines by rote. "What you're saying is all well and good, Tomas, but the Eye needs to go to Lord de Casteele if we're to keep all of our assorted appendages intact and human-shaped."
August 30th, 761, 1:05 PM; Day 165 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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"What do you know about Aloise?" Guy said, his voice low and harsh even under the effect of the feather-light enchantment. He rose from the chest and walked towards Charles, a trained soldier with a dark gleam in his eye. "What do yout think you know about me... about Aloise..."Nathan of the FoS wrote:"I'm sorry, Guy," he says. "You, at least, have given far too much already to the state, for which I think nothing could repay you." Charles moves toward him, keeping his hands well away from his weapons. "I am sorry. It was monstrously unjust, what was done to you and Aloise, and I was glad to have a chance to right something of that injustice...however little, and late. I hope that we will not compound past tragedies here and now."
"And what are you talking about? Righting injustice..." Benoit's eyes narrowed, and he turned his head to look at Samael for a heartbeat, then back at Charles. The shadows curled around Guy's feet as he walked, pulsed in a gentle rhythm as he stared accusingly into Charles's eyes. "You gave Maleagant those pardons."
"And once it is in your hands, what will you do, Effendi?" Fassahd said softly. Fassahd did not look frightened of you, or even particularly interested in the words of the veiled woman or the priest. The sniveling, cowering Akiri grave robber of the Expedition was gone as though he had never been. "Given the Eye of Anubis, what will you do with it?"DocBeard wrote:"None of you are exactly my favorite people in the world, but you know that I do not lie." Tomas offers broadly, "And I am telling you all that something worse than greed is bubbling up, here, and this is our last, best chance to stop it. Help, or get out of my way."
Instead, the man stood before the glittering green gem, arms crossed before his chest. He had no weapons, he wore no armor, he didn't look as though he could stop even the least of you if it came to blows. But he did not move from his spot, and the sluggish shadows recoiled from him.
"And on a more practical note, the Eye needs to go back to the University." Samael's voice carried through the treasure chamber. The grey-eyed Borcan smiled humourlessly, as though reciting his lines by rote. "What you're saying is all well and good, Tomas, but the Eye needs to go to Lord de Casteele if we're to keep all of our assorted appendages intact and human-shaped."
Ravenloft GM: Eye of Anubis, Shattered City, and Prof. Lupescu's Traveling Ghost Show
Lead Writer & Editor: VRS Files: Doppelgangers; Contributor: QtR #20, #21, #22, #23, #24
Freelance Writer for Paizo Publishing
Lead Writer & Editor: VRS Files: Doppelgangers; Contributor: QtR #20, #21, #22, #23, #24
Freelance Writer for Paizo Publishing
"Well this is cosy" Sascha mutters under his breath, wisely not adding anything else, he didnt know these people and even if he did words probabley still wouldnt be his tool of choice.
The Knight hadnt given the gold or riches the slightest glance, only three things in the room rally focussed his gaze; , the demon eye itself, Jervis' readied sword and that treachorus dog of a desert guide who snivelled at the back of the group.
Sascha eyes narrow, his gauntlets clenching around the hilt of the sword, which although drawn remains point down and unthreatening for now.
The Knight hadnt given the gold or riches the slightest glance, only three things in the room rally focussed his gaze; , the demon eye itself, Jervis' readied sword and that treachorus dog of a desert guide who snivelled at the back of the group.
Sascha eyes narrow, his gauntlets clenching around the hilt of the sword, which although drawn remains point down and unthreatening for now.
"I had a dream, which was not all a dream.
The bright sun was extinguish'd, and the stars
Did wander darkling in the eternal space..."
The bright sun was extinguish'd, and the stars
Did wander darkling in the eternal space..."
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Rock of the Fraternity
- Evil Genius
- Posts: 6844
- Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:16 pm
"What do you care about that?" Lia asks, her voice surprisingly free of animosity. "You lot have no intention of returning to Dementlieu, or at least not as you appear now.NeoTiamat wrote:And on a more practical note, the Eye needs to go back to the University." Samael's voice carried through the treasure chamber. The grey-eyed Borcan smiled humourlessly, as though reciting his lines by rote. "What you're saying is all well and good, Tomas, but the Eye needs to go to Lord de Casteele if we're to keep all of our assorted appendages intact and human-shaped."
Come now, Dilisnya -- that little note you left at the monastery was nothing short of an insult to the intelligence of our group. You now have the Oracle's blessing to hide you from all forms of divination, your friends in Hazlan to provide you with a new appearance, other contacts to grant you new identities, I shouldn't wonder, and soon you shall have your pockets filled to bursting with ill-gotten gains that no one now alive can lay claim to ... It must have seemed as if Ezra herself parted the Mists to hand you your retirement plan, mustn't it ... Dilisnya?"
Lia casts a brief, emotionless look on each member of the Conspiracy and then just shrugs.
"Personally, I don't give a toss whether you head off into the sunset to live the lazy life off of this tomb-loot. You have more than enough here to satisfy your fondest dreams of avarice, and I doubt you have any overriding desire to stop an archfiend from helping whatever evil releases it from the gem to subjugate large tracts of the world. Off you trot, I say, off you trot. There is, indeed, no need for violence between us today. But there is also no need for you to pretend you are a loyal employee of the University any longer. That need exists for none of you. Be off and enjoy your new lives, once you've filled your pockets. You don't even need Fassahd anymore; I'm sure you can find your own way back to what passes for civilization in the Amber Wastes.
Leave him and the archfiend for us, and be gone, I encourage you."
Suddenly, Lia cocks her head, white hair writhing for an instant before it settles onto her shoulders in kinks and curls. "Incidentally," she asks, "I've been wondering for a while ... are you and Vlad descendants of, or at least closely related to Yakov Dilisnya, the founder of the church of Ezra? It'd explain something to me."
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NeoTiamat
- Evil Genius
- Posts: 4119
- Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:00 pm
- Gender: Male
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
The Tomb of Menetnashte
August 30th, 761, 1:08 PM; Day 165 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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"Are you asking me to do something illegal, Lia?" Maleagant said, his voice quiet and disinterested. He looked up at her, now shorn of all her veils and masks and instead a fanged creature out of nightmare... and didn't seem concerned. "You're encouraging us to go on the run? Oh, and leave Fassahd to your tender mercies."
"I think we've a misunderstanding here." Samael said. "I am a loyal employee of the University. More than you lot, really, since I'm following my orders as best I can. You, on the other hand, I distinctly recall telling you to stay put at the monastery, and to stay safe. Why did you come here? You could have been killed!"
"Anyway..." Samael said, the sudden heat draining from his voice. "Even if you're right, and I did have plans like that, I'd be a fool to trust a desert-Fey's blessing against the abilities of one of the most powerful mages in the Core. A life on the run isn't a whole lot of fun. Do you think I'm a fool, Lia? You must, you keep calling me Dilisnya. It's Maleagant, Miss Mournswaithe. Samael Aurelius Maleagant. That's my name."
"Even if this gem is what you say it is, and maybe it is, I'm minded to believe you," The Borcan continued, even as the dark shadows swirled around his feet. "Wouldn't it be best to turn it over to the proper authorities? What makes you more qualified to take care of it than Lord de Casteele?"
August 30th, 761, 1:08 PM; Day 165 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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"Are you asking me to do something illegal, Lia?" Maleagant said, his voice quiet and disinterested. He looked up at her, now shorn of all her veils and masks and instead a fanged creature out of nightmare... and didn't seem concerned. "You're encouraging us to go on the run? Oh, and leave Fassahd to your tender mercies."
"I think we've a misunderstanding here." Samael said. "I am a loyal employee of the University. More than you lot, really, since I'm following my orders as best I can. You, on the other hand, I distinctly recall telling you to stay put at the monastery, and to stay safe. Why did you come here? You could have been killed!"
"Anyway..." Samael said, the sudden heat draining from his voice. "Even if you're right, and I did have plans like that, I'd be a fool to trust a desert-Fey's blessing against the abilities of one of the most powerful mages in the Core. A life on the run isn't a whole lot of fun. Do you think I'm a fool, Lia? You must, you keep calling me Dilisnya. It's Maleagant, Miss Mournswaithe. Samael Aurelius Maleagant. That's my name."
"Even if this gem is what you say it is, and maybe it is, I'm minded to believe you," The Borcan continued, even as the dark shadows swirled around his feet. "Wouldn't it be best to turn it over to the proper authorities? What makes you more qualified to take care of it than Lord de Casteele?"
Ravenloft GM: Eye of Anubis, Shattered City, and Prof. Lupescu's Traveling Ghost Show
Lead Writer & Editor: VRS Files: Doppelgangers; Contributor: QtR #20, #21, #22, #23, #24
Freelance Writer for Paizo Publishing
Lead Writer & Editor: VRS Files: Doppelgangers; Contributor: QtR #20, #21, #22, #23, #24
Freelance Writer for Paizo Publishing
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Rock of the Fraternity
- Evil Genius
- Posts: 6844
- Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:16 pm
"The Oracle's blessing is powerful enough to stimy Cavendish, as your brother has no doubt told you," Lia says, making an offhanded gesture in Jervis's direction. "I'm fairly certain she could give De Casteelle a run for his money, and I am sure you're counting on it.
I do not think you to be a fool, but you are a skilled liar until the very end, Dilisnya. I heard the names you told Charles. The names you wanted on those oh-so-precious documents to enable you to live freely after the expedition had run its course. I applaud the performance -- but this time, I am not fooled by it.
If I am encouraging you to go on the run, then I am at least encouraging you to do something you had already planned to do. As for why we came, in defiance of the orders of a man who abandoned us in the middle of nowhere so he could pillage and run, that dovetails nicely with the reason why we are more qualified to deal with the gem than De Casteele and his dark brotherhood. De Casteele, who I have it on good authority wants to possess the gem and its powers. De Casteele, who must release the fiend if he wants to have those powers in truth. We know how to kill the fiend. And we'll do it. Do you know? Would you be willing to do it?
I applaud your skills as a liar and a performer, Dilisnya, but I doubt your willingness to risk all to save the world and countless multitudes whom you have never met, and never shall meet. I do not think you have such qualities in you."
I do not think you to be a fool, but you are a skilled liar until the very end, Dilisnya. I heard the names you told Charles. The names you wanted on those oh-so-precious documents to enable you to live freely after the expedition had run its course. I applaud the performance -- but this time, I am not fooled by it.
If I am encouraging you to go on the run, then I am at least encouraging you to do something you had already planned to do. As for why we came, in defiance of the orders of a man who abandoned us in the middle of nowhere so he could pillage and run, that dovetails nicely with the reason why we are more qualified to deal with the gem than De Casteele and his dark brotherhood. De Casteele, who I have it on good authority wants to possess the gem and its powers. De Casteele, who must release the fiend if he wants to have those powers in truth. We know how to kill the fiend. And we'll do it. Do you know? Would you be willing to do it?
I applaud your skills as a liar and a performer, Dilisnya, but I doubt your willingness to risk all to save the world and countless multitudes whom you have never met, and never shall meet. I do not think you have such qualities in you."
"Lia, I know you are hurt, but this isn't helping." Tomas says, taking a breath on his own. "Sam, you left us in the middle of nowhere because you wanted to take most of the treasure for yourself. We're not stupid. So can we-can we just drop the bullshit for one second? Please?"
"Fasshad's been working for the thing that is hidden in the eye. He's been using you all." Tomas is careful to keep an eye on the reedy little man. "The Anubite-remember her? Turns out, long story and all, she's the original Meneshante, damned to live until she can make up for letting this thing out in the first place. -look, if you don't believe me, and if any of you can see the spirit world, just look at the thing, look at this whole tomb!"
"She taught us a ritual that can kill the Beherith." Tomas continues, keeping his eyes towards the eye, though at least some of his attention stays towards Guy and Jervis, the two most probable aggressors. "If it works, we can stop this thing before Cavendish even gets here. Then, the Eye will just be a pretty rock, I'll be dead, and you guys will all but outnumber us. What do you have to lose?"
(OOC: Motherfffffffffff-1+15: 16 on diplomacy check.)
"Fasshad's been working for the thing that is hidden in the eye. He's been using you all." Tomas is careful to keep an eye on the reedy little man. "The Anubite-remember her? Turns out, long story and all, she's the original Meneshante, damned to live until she can make up for letting this thing out in the first place. -look, if you don't believe me, and if any of you can see the spirit world, just look at the thing, look at this whole tomb!"
"She taught us a ritual that can kill the Beherith." Tomas continues, keeping his eyes towards the eye, though at least some of his attention stays towards Guy and Jervis, the two most probable aggressors. "If it works, we can stop this thing before Cavendish even gets here. Then, the Eye will just be a pretty rock, I'll be dead, and you guys will all but outnumber us. What do you have to lose?"
(OOC: Motherfffffffffff-1+15: 16 on diplomacy check.)
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Nathan of the FoS
- Fiendish Enforcer
- Posts: 5247
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 3:39 pm
- Location: San Francisco CA
"Lia," Charles says, quietly, but in a tone of voice that says Please be quiet now.
To Guy, he says, "I arranged for the pardons, yes. I am a soldier of Dementlieu--as you once were. My superiors, who actually procured and delivered them, told me about your...personal tragedy. I am ashamed to know such things were done--especially to a man who was, and is, one of the heroes of our country."
Movement in the corner of Charles' eye catches his attention, and he looks, first with incomprehension and then with real alarm, at Samael. "What are those shadows?" he asks sharply, pointing at the Borcan's feet, and then, glancing around the room, he says to Fassahd, "And why, m'sieur, are they avoiding you?"
To Guy, he says, "I arranged for the pardons, yes. I am a soldier of Dementlieu--as you once were. My superiors, who actually procured and delivered them, told me about your...personal tragedy. I am ashamed to know such things were done--especially to a man who was, and is, one of the heroes of our country."
Movement in the corner of Charles' eye catches his attention, and he looks, first with incomprehension and then with real alarm, at Samael. "What are those shadows?" he asks sharply, pointing at the Borcan's feet, and then, glancing around the room, he says to Fassahd, "And why, m'sieur, are they avoiding you?"
[b]FEAR JUSTICE.[/b] :elena: