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LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Docks Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Colossus Manneo leaned against a railing near the docks, further away from the warehouses than the others. While the others slunk into the shadows with the aim of damaging the ships, Manneo generally kept watch for any large uptick in activity. He kept his eye on the Kluski brothers' warehouse from afar, hoping that if something went awry, he would hopefully see a large movement of people. I wonder how the scouting mission at the house went , Manneo thought to himself. He felt more comfortable in their mission given that Stain had found some blueprints of the home at the Records House and that Zara, Serendipity, and Allithea were able to relay additional information from their experience inside. It wasn't a lot of information, but it was probably as much as the ragtag group of Bracers-in-training were likely to obtain about a shadowy organization without take larger chances. His thoughts then shifted to the captured folks closest to his location, stored under the warehouse in unknown, but most likely awful, conditions. He felt a tinge of sadness and frustration. Manneo always wanted as much information on a situation as possible, but he realized that his pattern of choices had turn this delicate situation into more of a dragonchess game in his mind rather than what it was - balancing the fate of real people in the hands of him and the other group members. He turned out to the water and thought about what Kit had relayed about those caged like wild animals below the decks. It may have been the smart decision to bide their time, to try and save more, but what does that matter to those shipped over the waters in the dead of night. Manneo opened up his bag, looked at the crowbars he had purchased, and turned to Colossus. Then he closed the bag closed his eyes, and took a few slow breaths. Your reasoning before wasn't wrong. If we act rashly, more may be put in harm's way. Just wait. Just wait until the time is right.  After taking a moment to gather himself, he turned back in the direction of the warehouse. "Let me know if you see anything out of the ordinary, Cole,"  Manneo said to the mechanical companion beside him. Colossus did not reply in any discernible manner. "Well, nothing's ordinary here by our standards, with all this underground business. Just keep an eye out for any movement of people in and out of that warehouse or towards us, but let me do the talking if it comes to it."  Manneo returned to trying to look as inconspicuous as possible, which is only so possible with an enormous robot. Definitely good that I kept my distance. Would've hindered anything the others were attempted.  Manneo began to wonder out loud, directing the sentiment more to himself quietly than to the robotic titan: "I hope things are going smoothly for the others tonight."  Colossus did not reply in any discernible manner.

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea Prescott was worn and weary from the night of battle. He chuckled "I fear I will have to replace this vestment" he poked his hand through various slashes in the blood stained fabric. He smiled. "I'm sorry, everyone, I truly am. It was not my intention to start another fight with these slavers tonight." Prescott hung his head "I just couldn't stand idly by and allow those criminals to push me around." He looked up at his companions "My actions put you in danger, and I apologize for that. I will temper my passion in the future, and serve penance for my behavior tonight." Prescott smiled at everyone "I also want to thank all of you, we did great things here tonight, and each of you played an important role."

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea Stain nodded toward Prescott, acknowledging his words. "There is no need for these apologies, my friend. I have a feeling it would have ended this way, no matter what we could have done to prevent it." Stain then looked away, trying to hide a look of disappointment on his face. " What I do not agree with, though, is the killing that has taken place. It was not for us to decide the fate of those men. You guys should have tried you best to keep them alive, yet, I saw no efforts on your part,"  Stain then turned to Trea, " Besides you, that is,  Trea. I appreciate that there is someone else here that appreciates the value of life."

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea Zara yawns. "As far as I have observed none of us decided any man's fate. I didn't compel any of these men to come to this inn and to assault our party. Whenever one takes up the sword they accept that they may be struck down by the sword. If you wish to shed tears over these thugs, murderers, and slavers then you may. I, however, will save mine for the victims of their violence."

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea " What are you to say that these men weren't victims themselves. Are you suggesting that the guard captain himself should be killed as well? After all, he did let this city go to ruin. Are you to say that the silver flame shall purged from the city, for they failed to stop the corruption when they had the power to? Do you wish for the poor people of this city to be sentenced to death, for they ignored the corruption here? Wouldn't they be no better than there thugs, murderers, and slavers?  Where is it that you draw the line? What gives you the right to decide who gets to live, and who gets to die?"

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea Trea cracks his knuckles and pulls back his shoulders cracking his back, he takes his hands and slightly cracks his neck both ways. ”Stain, thank you for the the kind words my friend. My mentor Montain always taught me the value of human life. He was a very wise man. I hope that one day we will be able to end this horrible situation with “the family” without violence.  Trea pats Stain on the shoulder and looks over at Zara. “I am not one to get in the middle of an aurgment however we should of called the guard captain when those thugs were giving us trouble. Violence has never been solved with violence, and have to end this cycle for good my friend.”

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen , Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea Zhereen crosses her arms and nods her head to Zara. "Your pretty friend is right. You speak of these men as if they deserved mercy, but I doubt they ever considered the same for us– or any of the other people they've harassed in their lifetimes." Walking over to Stain and Trea she spits where the body of the loud-mouthed enforcer had fallen, then looks back over to them. "In an ideal world I would gladly spare the life of every degenerate with an itch for blood I've come across. But this isn't that ideal world." Zhereen narrows her eyes while a stern look comes across her face. "Not everyone we're going to come across is worthy of mercy – and I have no problem deciding who is if neither of you want to make that decision." Shaking her head she takes a seat in the back of the inn, resting her feet on the table and takes some time to relax.

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea Zara nods her appreciation to Zheeren and responds to the stubborn Stain. "When I speak of victims I speak of people whose freedom, property, lives were taken by force. I don't mean victims of poor decisions. I did not come to Aruldusk to judge it's people; but to save who I may from enslavement at the hands of a criminal syndicate. Should anyone endanger my life or the lives of my friends they do so at their own peril. The right to one's own defense is well established in natural law and the laws of man." The wizard turns to Trea. "Your master taught you the value of a human life, and how to protect your own. Not everyone is so capable. This world is chaotic place filled with those who would do harm to the weak for their personal gain. If we are to build a civilization that truly values life then we must remove those who would shed blood for gold; through education, imprisonment, or execution, in that order of preference."

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea Manneo was huddled off into a corner of the main hall as he worked on repairing his metallic companion. "You did great out there, big guy," Manneo said quietly as he came across some of the scratches where the plated carapace had forced weapons to bounce off. He worked quietly for the most part, focusing intently upon his work as the conversation amongst the other began to stir up. "... we did great things here tonight ... it was not for us to decide the fate of those men... none of us decided any man's fate...." Manneo tried to ignore the discussion, but couldn't - not while the conversation got louder and he was staring at the scorched robotic hide of Colossus. Manneo slammed down his Tinker's Tools onto a nearby table, rose and turned towards the others locked in debate. "What those men did tore away the humanity of so many others. They stripped away the dignity and freedom of who knows how many people, and I have no qualms about the fact that those responsible were punished." Manneo sharpened his focus towards Stain. "If you can be so unabashedly idealistic as to believe these monsters deserving of another chance, and be willing to throw rhetoric around in such a way as to blur the lines of their crimes, then I disagree with you on a fundamental level. Locked in those cages were our friends, our countrymen, but beyond that people." Manneo intended to gather himself up, he didn't want to be part of this discussion, but the words kept flowing forth, taking on a vitality of their own. "Those men in that basement weren't unknowing. They were in the same room as those they treated so detestably. Yet they stayed and fought on the side of evil, and for them I spare no pity."It was at that point that Manneo turned, with pain in his eye and quivering lip, towards the fellow denizen of Eston before the dark days. "You... " he began, but the words once rushing freely seemed latched behind a floodgate. "You." The Goliath stood tall, but to those who are observant, one of his hands was shaking lightly at his side. "How... dare you..." he began, still struggling for words. "Our time as what I thought were friends back in Eston, our travails as we made our passage across that desecrated land into Thrane... and in that room, what? You calculated that the most effective option was to torch Cole to oblivion in order to hit as many as you could at one time? To reiterate part of what Stain said to you - 'where is it that you draw the line'? What if it was myself or Stain or the guard captain in that situation? Would you have torched us too?"

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea Zara looks quizzically at Manneo and begins to respond. "Manneo, surely you must understand that a creation of metal and artifice is different than one of blood and bone. Had any of our living companions been in the way I would have held off. Cole is a wonderful construct, but he's a construct. You can repair and rebuild him, and he does not feel any pain. I decided that hitting all of the enemies and Cole decreased the likelihood our foes would cause bodily harm to those of our party. Surely you understand my motives?"

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea Manneo could feel his fists clench, the veins on his arms strain a bit, but his face was more of a mix between anger, shock, disappointment, and betrayal. "Manneo, surely you must understand that a creation of metal and artifice is different than one of blood and bone. "  Manneo, by all accounts, did not grasp this. "Is that all you see him as? Wrought metal and enchantment?"  His voice became more sonorous, his more brutish Goliath genealogy becoming more apparent as his frustration at Zara began to boil within. "Just a giant, expendable tool? Colossus has been with me for years. Far longer than you, and almost longer than anyone else in Eberron has or will ever know me. When you cast him into flame, you may not have hurt him, but you hurt me."  As Manneo got to this point he took a few steps towards Zara. "And if you ever, EVER, do that again, by the Host I swear I will pass that hurt onto you." With that Manneo grabbed a nearby table and with a primitive guttural yell, he flung it at the wall, shattering it into a pile of fragmented planks of wood. Colossus continued to sit in silence in the corner of the room where Manneo had been repairing the mechanical entity earlier.

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain , Kittree, Trea, Allithea "Manneo, surely you must understand that a creation of metal and artifice is different than one of blood and bone. " These words struck Stain as well. "Oh now you care about blood and bone? Only when it's convenient for you? Is that it?" Stain spit at the ground near Zara. " Even if you believe these are monsters, which I am not denying. It is no right of ours to take away a life. These men, they could have atoned for their sins upon humanity. The dungeons of the city could reform these men." Stain turned to Prescott. "Or the church itself could clear the fog that clouds their mind, show them that their is more to this world than wealth." Stain looks down toward the ground. A look of pure sadness shows upon his face. " Yet, their lives have now wasted away. With all the things that could have been done to help me these men, there were other ways. You have just choose to take the 'easy way out.'"

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott , Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea Prescott looked up at Stain in response "And that is where I failed, Stain. The Order of the Silver Flame lists those who choose evil, pretty low on the hierarchy of evil. This is because it is believed almost anyone can be reformed. The church makes little distinction between the slaver I attacked here tonight" Prescott turned toward the bar where the barkeep was standing in stunned silence trying not to be noticed "and a business proprietor who waters down his drink for profit. Both commit the sin of Greed. In theory, both should be treated the same, reformed and given a chance to participate in society again in order to make amends for their crimes." Prescott looked to Zara and Zhereen "Obviously, I don't condone pacifism, there are many entities in the world that are not to be bargained with. Also, not everyone is going to simply lay down their arms and allow me to sermonize the ills of their lives, nor be receptive to it if they did. Many times, we simply must defend ourselves. What I did in this tavern, tonight, was not that. I provoked an attack when it was not necessary. I recognize my wrong and will receive punishment for it. I am not above the law I preach."

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn, In Stain's Room Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Later that Night WHO : Stain Stain sits at the desk in his room. He tried to forget the events that transpired over the day, yet his mind kept wandering back to them. The desk in front of him was still cluttered with half finished chapters, abandoned. He pushed the papers aside into the already full bin next to him. He let out a frustrated sigh as he wondered how he's ever going to finish this book. He took out a fresh piece of paper and straightened it out. He then refill his ink pot, and then took out the quill he received from the merchants guild.  "Well, you know what they say, the 28th time is the charm." He whispered to himself under his breath. He began his story once more.

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea "That's enough!" Allithea, the paladin and member of this little group of heroes- had been sitting silently as the rest "discussed". There was a flagon of ale before her, one that had only been half drunk, as the arguments had soured and the warrior woman had thought her appetite also following suit with her allies all coming into conflict. With her heavy accent she spoke up at the words which had been passed around rather carelessly, her amber eyes being opened though her thick armoured arms remained firmly crossed, Manneo's outbreak only one of a sequence of thoughtless arguments among the fellows. "Manneo, I would think you are speaking out of anger rather than honestly, as I do not look forward to the day when I would have to raise my shield against you my fellow. I hope this is your feeling honestly, because I will raise it if I have to." She promised "I feel I need to be honest with you, I would thoroughly hate to be unclear on this point. While I can breathe I won't stand idly when any of us decide the time is right to attack each other. I am not sure about your construct, and how Cole fits into all of that. But perhaps if you would like to, you can tell me." Manneo went on to explain that Colossus had been with him for longer than anyone else, and that he knew him, but how could that be? He was, not conscious? Surely, the metal being could not mean more to Manneo than the rest of them had, could he... The Aasimar would like to find out. Allithea knocked back her flagon, almost emptying the other half with one hearty gulp, before she set the container back onto the table. Rising from her seat, the Paladin placed her gauntlets - knuckle-side-down onto the table before her; she looked each of those around her in the eyes, wanting to measure up everyone. Though it was true that they'd worked together for almost two months, the fact was that they hadn't exactly been battle-tested with each other. This day, was going to challenge them all. "Prescott, if you serve "penance" I shall be very angry with you. I hope you do not think less of yourself for standing up for righteous values." Thea and her allies were all people that could handle themselves rather well in battle. "It is better that the wrath of those corrupt individuals would fall on us, rather than some unfortunate civilians." better that they bear their burdens. "Just as the others said, your apologies here are not desirable." She smiled slightly, before turning to Zara. Addressing both her and Zhareen for the most part, Allithea was really just trying to make her thoughts clear as a whole. "Zhreen, Zara. I respect you both as women and individuals, but I completely disagree... You speak of Civilisation, an ideal world, and yet you both wish to build it on blood and sacrifice? Hm..." She lent back. "If we are to promote what WE think is righteous, if you have any ideals that you think are worth value, then shouldn't you try to be more steadfast than the opponents you just cut down?"  Allithea looks to Zhreen. "Shouldn't you be showing your enemies the kind of respect that you want for yourself and for others?" Allithea, looks at the body of a dead man, that Zhereen had disrespected. "It is not. Our decision, to judge who is right for this world and who isn't; I would rather not send people to Dolurrh when it is not their time. We treat our enemies better than they treat us." She told them. The Paladin stood firm. "If we are to build a civilisation that truly values life then we must begin by doing so. Zara, how can you suggest we kill in order to value life ."

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea Zara blinks a few times in quick succession. Her companions attachment to criminals, thugs, and slavers is disorienting. After the others have quieted down for a period she began a diatribe. “Manneo, I don’t understand what you are feeling but I can see that your emotions are real. In the future I will refrain from harming Cole and, if I do because I made another judgement to protect our fellowship, then you may extract whatever toll you wish from my person.” Zara’s eyes narrow as she turns to Stain. “You seek to judge me without listening to my words and the intent behind them. I will not waste my time on a man who closes his mind to philosophies outside his own dogma.” Turning back toward the rest of the group the wizard focuses on Allithea. “I will match the greed and the capacity for violence of the enemies of free, decent people with righteous fury and force. I want anyone who would think to enslave a Cyran to fear the sight of a short, impeccably dressed blonde woman with magic crackling at her fingertips. It is interesting, those who don’t understand empathy can often understand fear.  If any of you want to show an enemy mercy I will do nothing to impede you or thwart your efforts. However, I will not show mercy to a foe if it means endangering an ally or an innocent life. I am not afraid to make the tough decisions, if any of you are, then simply move aside. Regarding civilization, Allithea, I would think you know enough of the Host to know that at one time the Dark Six and the Host were one. The Dark Six were cast out by the other nine, just as a civilized polity should cast out those who refuse to obey the laws of the land and decency. A farmer may respect life more by allowing his field to abound with weeds, but that will hurt the crops he hopes to cultivate. Your patron is the god of protection, honor, and peace. Sometimes to achieve those aims some people will die. One can have dedication and rectitude while slaying the enemies of the peace and public safety.” “I suggest we kill to value life because those we kill seek to exploit and sully the lives of others around them. We can offer them a hand to bring them back into the light, but if they choose darkness, then we should show them the darkness of Dolurrh.”

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea Prescott rose from his chair with a quiet grunt "Trea, I believe I shall go perform my devotions for the night. I'll return and you can have the room for meditation." Prescott smiled "I'll return in a bit" . He turned and walked toward his room.

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen , Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea Zhereen takes sip from her glass of water, setting it down as she called out. "I only speak of ideal worlds because the ones with a guilty conscience..." she says, half-heartedly waving her hand in the general direction of Stain and Trea  "...decided to bring up such naive notions that will never come to fruition into the conversation." She impatiently taps her fingers on the table and sighs, turning her glace to Allithea. "If you ever find a piece of shit like those guys who – " she turns over to Prescott with an understanding look  "even if provoked by snide remarks I can guarantee were looking for a fight regardless –" turning back to Allithea she rolls her eyes and crosses her arms " is actually worthy of respect then by all means, bring them to me. Because in the 266 of my years I have been in service I have yet to run into one." Zhereen lets out an agitated sigh and begins walking up the stairs to the rooms, turning back just as she reaches them. "Perhaps it is different here, but where I come from when your life is threatened by another, we do not shake our enemies hand and beg for respect. I have been given a mission with clear instructions – none of which were to take pity on every asshole who, with no guilty conscience themselves, turned a blind eye to the evil that their superiors are involved in.  I will cry for these scum when the heart of Our Lady of Silver becomes as dark as the shadows she denounces." Giving a weak wave she continued up the stairs and collapsed into bed, exhausted as she muttered her daily prayers for Selûne to herself.

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea Trea shakes his head at the fighting between Stain, And Zara with the others.  “I was taught to not push my ideals on others, I have spoken my point and thoughts to you all” Trea takes a depth brief and turns his attention to Prescott. ”Of course my friend please let me know when you are finish. remember my rug is rolled up near my bed please feel free to use it if needed.” Trea looks back at the group “ I love you all like family, and will always be there when you need me but I will not have someone else blood on my hands. There is enough anger and violence in this world. With the guards now on our side we should be able to be these thugs to Justice I hope. I was always there to protect you all I am not afraid to jump into battle with you my brothers and sisters but please do not ask for me to lose my beliefs of taking another mans life”

LOCATION : Aruldusk, The Inn Date/Time : 5th of Aryth, Night WHO : Manneo, Prescott, Zhereen, Zara, Stain, Kittree, Trea, Allithea, Serendipity Prescott returned to the dining room after about an hour's time. He was still wearing his damaged vestment, but had removed his armor. He sat wearily in a chair, fidgeting until he found a comfortable position. "Trea, I have returned. The room is all yours my friend. Thank you". Prescott smiled, slowly rose from his chair, and walked to the bar "Excuse me, sir" he casually asked the barkeep "may I have an ale, please?" The barkeep nodded with a smile as he pulled the brew and set it on the counter. "Thank you, sir" was Prescott's reply as he took the mug and returned to a table near his companions, where he once again gingerly sat. He lifted the mug in a half salute to his friends and took a deep drink of its contents. Prescott cleared his throat "In the morning I will locate Captain Godwin and see what assistance he requires from me. I will also be speaking with local leadership from The Order of The Silver Flame to discern if I am required for any further purpose in Aruldusk." Prescott looked to Zara "I am not done with The Family, I don't consider this won battle our victory in the war. I will deny them Aruldusk, though."