RP; Allegiances

Syvil would ride with Sharleen in silence at first but soon he would join her newly changed disposition in small talk and laughter. Only when the road became such they might strike out for the cave of Isildra does he again grow fully serious again. Sharleen, there is something I need to do now; somewhere I need to go. Long have I kept this place secret though in truth it does protect itself in many ways. De Couasey should answer for this and I know no better judge than her... Will you come with me?

OOC; it is VERY important that you enter the Vale in a game, not in a chat. To that end, I would ask that you RP outside; possibly around Isildra's cave because the next slated mission will go to the Vale anyway and because it's important for Sharleen's character. But you will have the complication of the prisoner, and I would like that either resolved or deliberately and knowingly brought into the next session if possible. When I post the delay thread; for the next game will probably be Tuesday night now, I would like an OOC discussion with the other players. Just bear in mind that unless you want a massive moral debate (I love them personally) you should not take him with you to the Vale because you WILL get one from Boone. I would strongly encourage you to take jim there for reasons of story; just be wise about the likely course of events........It weakens your position in asking for aid there. And for events that are about to happen in Haven; I am sorry. They are not in any way punishments to you or anyone else. You have followed the flowing river of story to where you are now, but other events are now in motion that cannot now be stopped. The integrity of the story demands this.................

The sere hills of the Red River Valley have never seemed so to desolate to Syvil; you and Sharleen asked a fisherman to smuggle you back to Maladon after using the writ written by De Courcey as part of his decetion, as Shaldinaris warned Sharleen that The Hounds have been loosed. Now they seek you and Syvil in Haven. Even Cain is in danger. Sharleen seems unaware of your mood as you ride along, hoods up and avoiding the Red Dragon patrols; for she is so buoyed by joy at reclaiming Shaldinaris that you have never witnessed another being so happy. Calinaar is now wary and guides you to several ancient places where magic almost absent; warning you of pursuit. After a day's ride, when you are nearing Hunters' Inn at dusk, Jana warns you of approaching riders and you duck into the brush as a huge posse of men appears. They wear no tabards, but there are over a hundred of them and they seem to have a military bearing and their horses are the finest. When they stop to water their mounts, your heart stops as Escalia moves over to one of the horses, changing her form to match theirs and then drinks whilst nuzzling them. You feel as if time slows, but she wanders slowly off and then suddenly appears behind you. They are Imperial Soldiers! The Way is blocked; we must turn aside as they seek us I think, those these horses are very stupid.

This event happens after I brought the tomb back to haven and rebuilt some of the houses and basement with Cain and syvils help I have just been to sick to pm them both but as that pm to you Stephen was sent before all this safe to say in the time line my event happened first I say this because if they go to isildras cave they would find me there resting from training

Nice; then we can do some awesome RP to sort that out. Can you please PM them in the meantime though, to get that stuff sorted. It can all happen in chat. I note you asked me about this when the Calendar read 18th of Havis ; so that we can 'root' this is the timeline.

Syvil, Erolith and Sharleen also have some background RP to do in the cave also; but get the other thing out of the way first please. This all needs to happen before the moved session on Tuesday evening..................

This all seems fine; I worry only about one part right now - "I would strongly encourage you to take jim there for reasons of story; just be wise about the likely course of events........It weakens your position in asking for aid there." Does this mean I would put Isildra at risk by bringing this guy? I thought he was a weakling granted ability through some dark, and now broken, ritual?

I meant it weakens your position but is good RP if you take your prisoner to the Vale; not to the cave! I know you're going to do that!

Syvil is not going to kill the man unless there is no other choice. Likely I foresee Sharleen and Syvil talking to the man, under Isildra's guidance, and then taking him to the Vale as a prisoner. Syvil has no idea that is a bad move.

The RP with Erolith about his moving something in Haven is an RP windback; it happens on the 18th of Havis! Present date is the 44th. Josh was just to ill to message you the last few weeks, but you should RP as if it's just after the Raos mission and Cain's feast!

Ah yes; we have talked about the "project" he was doing. I will gladly aid him! Set up a thread Josh and sign me right up :)

There is a question, Marokin was convinced by Sharleen to join them to the vale first and got the ink from cain... where would I end up in this case? :o And what happens to my monkey!!!!

How heavy is Mr Mankey? I ask because Jana can lift.. sec! Looking it up!

22.5 lbs or ~10 kg.

nah, heavier ;)

Her "lift" capacity is two times that but then only fly at 10 feet per round which I don't think is fast enough for her to remain airborne...

it is 30kg :)

Oh my Mr Mankey; how you have let yourself go! ^^

Stephen Dove said: The sere hills of the Red River Valley have never seemed so to desolate to Syvil; you and Sharleen asked a fisherman to smuggle you back to Maladon after using the writ written by De Courcey as part of his decetion, as Shaldinaris warned Sharleen that The Hounds have been loosed. Now they seek you and Syvil in Haven. Even Cain is in danger. Sharleen seems unaware of your mood as you ride along, hoods up and avoiding the Red Dragon patrols; for she is so buoyed by joy at reclaiming Shaldinaris that you have never witnessed another being so happy. Calinaar is now wary and guides you to several ancient places where magic almost absent; warning you of pursuit. After a day's ride, when you are nearing Hunters' Inn at dusk, Jana warns you of approaching riders and you duck into the brush as a huge posse of men appears. They wear no tabards, but there are over a hundred of them and they seem to have a military bearing and their horses are the finest. When they stop to water their mounts, your heart stops as Escalia moves over to one of the horses, changing her form to match theirs and then drinks whilst nuzzling them. You feel as if time slows, but she wanders slowly off and then suddenly appears behind you. They are Imperial Soldiers! The Way is blocked; we must turn aside as they seek us I think, those these horses are very stupid. Ithiloneth M. said: Syvil would ride with Sharleen in silence at first but soon he would join her newly changed disposition in small talk and laughter. Only when the road became such they might strike out for the cave of Isildra does he again grow fully serious again. Sharleen, there is something I need to do now; somewhere I need to go. Long have I kept this place secret though in truth it does protect itself in many ways. De Couasey should answer for this and I know no better judge than her... Will you come with me? Sharleen; the Empire is here. It seems we will have no choice; come with me. And so Syvil leads the way north across the hills and into the forest below, with Calinaar's help things go better than feared and soon you stand outside a stretch of forest that seems to you not on the maps. Syvil smiles and it is some moments before you notice that this place seems infused by that very energy which surrounds him. That said the forest is entirely mundane; there are no giant flowers or glowing fungi, only this sense that here, time stands as before a cliff; unsure of how to face that which must come, and thus has sealed itself of in a bubble, a land of eternal spring. Soon you come before a small waterfall that merrily plunges into a pond before you. Syvil walks up to it and looks at his reflection for a bit, and suddenly he seems melancholy and lost. He goes back to Escallia and unties De Couasey and sets him loose in the glade; as if the man could not escape if he tried. But rather than face his enemy directly Syvil instead motions for you to sit with him next to the pond. He says nothing, and simply looks out over the water; seemingly waiting for you to speak.

As you sit by the pond you hear from way in the back of the cave who the hell are you human how did you get in here with his blade drawn a strong crystal blade is all that greets the man as you see erolith 

Can we RP that you arrive later Josh? This is a big moment for Sharleen and we don't want to complicate it with outside factors....................

Ok but I would be there though training with tarvell although sometimes tarvell is late 

Aha; well I have a cure for that! Tarville can show you some new cool locations to practise in. The Salt Mines of Morgard for instance...................

Sounds good to me I'd also get has much information out of him as I could 

Sharleen takes in her surroundings for a moment as she looks she looks toward Syvil as he drops De Couasey on the ground next to the pond. Sharleen gripping on Shaldinaris walks toward the man gritting her teeth a bit thinking back on many endeavors she had to go through just to get to her friend she thinks hard about this before slowly sitting next to him before looking towards Syvil, not taking any chances she begins to whisper "You never did explain to me why you decided to keep this bastard alive.." Sharleen speaks looking toward Syvil and back at De Couasey. She pauses for a moment before pulling Shaldinaris out and setting it on her lap each time you've seen her hold the blade a warm smile is on her face, she stares into the blade before looking back up at Syvil her smile vanishing once her eyes leave the blade.

It is not I who keep him alive; but you. Should you decide to kill him I will not stop you; only ask that you hear me out first. But before I go into the boring parts; would you tell me of Valshaldinaris? If things are as I think then there might be some thinking to be done...

Sharleen looks to you and nods before looking back at De Couasey and sighing "Alright well I only know a bit on that topic what were you wanting to specifically...I'm honestly am not the best person to ask when giving a history lesson.." Sharleen pauses before gripping the handle of Shaldinaris and raising the blade "But maybe Shaldinaris could be of more help..he tells me many things..but I've never seen him speak with others like Calinaar has" Sharleen sasks and she then sets Shaldinaris back on her lap. "Shaldinaris my friend if you are here...my friend Syvil may have questions for you.." Sharleen says before staring back at De Couasey.

Syvil too turns his attention to the blade; waiting for it to speak should it wish to.

What is it Elvarin? What knowledge do you ask?

Taken aback at the brusque address Syvil fumbles slightly for words at first but manages to regain his inner balance. Pardon my curiosity but how do you feel about right and wrong? Simply stating that very open and complex question as if asking someone for directions, Syvil smiles a little; obviously unsure of how to make eye contact with the blade.

Hmm; I know much of right and wrong as it once pertained to the Land of Shadis and the Dominon of the Drornlords, for I am the Talonblade, the sword of Justice once given to the Lord High Talon of Shaldis, who was the chiefest lawgiver in our land. About Right and Wrong I would say this; there is natural law and then there are the laws that thinking beings make. The two are not the same. Natural law is immutable. If the strong dominate the weak and if evil is unchecked, then disaster will follow. Yet laws made by men are not so; and some are foolishness clothed in honeyed words. Yet those who forged me for the Drornlords were as stone, and so in some ways, am I.

Syvil nods his head in respect to the blade and then looks to Sharleen: Do you understand now? It is you who do not strike; not me. The right is not mine, and I think not yours. But you could claim that right if you would, but doing so would put you outside certain rules, certain laws. I'm not talking of Haven Sharleen, I am talking about the many versions of you. Parts of you want one thing, and other parts want another, and in choosing you cut of some parts and embrace other possibilities. Such is the way of all things that live. The question is not "do you take revenge upon your enemies" but "do you want to become the Sharleen who takes revenge upon her enemies"? Think carefully for in so doing you strike not only your foe; but your very own being.

Saying all of this seems very unlike Syvil, and perhaps it is this place, and the power you sense here, that lets him speak so openly. It is strange for Syvil is so very young, and frankly, a fool, yet for this moment you sense something older, not inside him, but standing behind him; as if hundreds of figures stood behind him, all echoing these very words. And you can see that in his face too, that he did not think of this before coming, and the these words are as much for him, as they are for you.

Isildra then speaks; Alas Syvil; the path of Good is not so easy. Would that Good could just be about what we ourselves want to become. Yet the truth is that if you let an evil man go because you cannot bear to slay him, is that not selfishness if you know he will kill again? The path we must walk is perilous indeed.

And if the slaying of that man turn you yourself into such a person? The moment you start tallying lives is the moment when good and evil become a question of logic; and that's a game I can never hope to win.

Sharleen looks to Syvil..no through Syvil as he speaks these words, as he speaks Sharleen stands and looks down at the man who took her friend, who used it to kill her allies and also sought to claim Syvil's blade to cause much more undoing. Sharleen also thinks about what Shaldinaris spoke..Right and Wrong, Good and Evil. She thinks about this and raises her blade at the now defenseless De Couasey locking eyes with him as Sharleen speaks the name of Shaldinaris and brings the now burning blade close to the face of De Couasey. "You've caused me much grief through my time here..so many people died..just so I could once again get my friend back...just watching you breath pisses me off..." Sharleen's muscles tense and she gives out a loud cry before swing her blade downward...into the ground inches next to the neck of De Couasey. "But...that'd be way too easy..no there must be another way.." Sharleen states before pulling Shaldinaris out of the ground. "Sorry about that friend..." She says looking at her blade before turning to Syvil and whoever else may be here because after that Sharleen is sure that their is another. Sharleen eyes De Couasey and looks back at Syvil "I don't like this..but a part of me knows that this may be right..De Couasey is a powerful man...no not a man...a beast..I saw with my own eyes how his wounds healed right after the battle back at Bael's...if death isn't the answer today..then there must be a way to strip him of using any sort of power at all...or something!" Sharleen shouts it is clear that sparing this man was no easy task for her she appears a tad bit frustrated.

This is for you to decide Sharleen; either take your revenge, or don't. All I ask is that you don't spill any blood in the glade, or the cave. I'll be waiting for you up in the hills. Jana, if you would? Jana takes flight, Escallia walks over to drink from the pond  and Syvil stands up, smiles at you, fills up his waterskins with water from the pond and washes his face; all in silence, before leaving youand Shaldinaris to bask in the atmosphere of this place.

Sharleen sits silently on the rock with Shaldinaris on her lap she sighs "I still feel this is a terrible idea...he is absolutely too dangerous to keep alive..frankly i'm surprised he hasn't tried to escape yet.." Sharleen says looking toward her sword and back towards De Couasey. She then stands and nods to herself as if making up her mind she walks toward De Couasey and picks him up before looking around the area one last time. "You stay alive for now...until I find a much better way to deal with you.." Sharleen struggles saying this almost disgusted with herself. She walks out of the cave with him on her shoulder and walks to meet with Syvil. As she approaches she says "I need more options...there has to be anther way to deal with him..death would be the nicest thing i'd do to him.." She says in a matter of fact manner.

Syvil smiles at Sharleen, but it seems bitter somehow. The important thing is that you have made your choice. Now come; let us be going, I've word from Viola that she will meet us in the Goblin's Cave. And since that is where Marokin should be as well there's no point hanging around. With a final, longing, look down the hills towards where the glade must be, he turns and starts trudging of through the woods.

Sharleen gives a nod and sets De Couasey  on a horse before climbing on herself she looks to Syvil as they begin to venture forth "I...truly haven't grasped the idea of another way..but Marokin did run me by an option before we split ways.." Sharleen says as the begin to set down the path. "It's worth looking into in my opinion I just feel that I need to take care of this quickly...keeping this guy with us for long will surely bring unwanted trouble...and I already have enough to deal with as is.." Sharleen says looking towards the sky before humming a tune that Marokin had taught her.

At Sharleen's words De Courcey begins laughing uncontrollably. throwing his head back as he guffaws into the morning air.

When the time comes Sharleen, I know you will make the right choice, whichever one that may be.

Sharleen stops her humming and looks back to her laughing prisoner she gives a bit of a huff before saying "You know ripping out your tongue is technically not killing..." She says this before using the handle of her weapon and slamming it on his temple attempting to knock De Courcey out.

The jewel in Shaldinaris' pommel suddenly bursts into flame at the touch of De Courcey's flesh. Blood streaming from his face; he continues laughing. Shaldinaris speaks This man is linked in some way to the Emperor of Valmar! They may even be able to see and hear through his senses. Have a care Drornlord!

Sharleen snarls at this news and boots De Courcey off the horse to the ground before hopping off the horse herself and drawing Shaldinaris "Will knocking him unconscious cut the link temporarily?" Sharleen asks as she stands over De Courcey the blade close to his face. Sharleen eyes look intense as if she was waiting for some sort of reason to wail on this bastard..

Aye; though it is hard to be sure with such things.

"Perfect.." Sharleen says before sheathing the blade and looking down at De Courcey "I'll try to be quick about this.." She says as she kicks into the face of De Courcey and begins to lift the body of him before punching towards the ground and kicking at him constantly. She resents using her blade for this due to her not wanting to risk having him bleed out so she continues to try and knock the guy out the hard way as she drags the body to a nearby tree so she can bash his head against it..

After a bit Sharleen would come back with the unconscious body of De Courcey, she puts him back up on the horse and climbs aboard herself before nodding to ride off. After a bit Sharleen would look up and speak "This guy might prove to be too dangerous to have around for long..I must find another solution quickly.." She states before falling silent again and gripping onto the handle of Shaldinaris before falling deep into thought.

Syvil acknowledges Sharleen's mutterings with a nod, and rides on with her.