Participants:
    Aug 2017
      Southern Seas - Act 19 - Winter 57 AD

      Winter 37
      ATACIUS and TOBIAS find Michelas waiting for them the next day at her shop. She has a large box of tools and a small bag of her personal effects. As you all travel north, she explains what type of stone she would like you all to find for her, based on the dimensions of the statue you describe. Ironically, it sounds like some of the stones from the fallen walls of the Athenum might suit her needs. She does need help on and off the horse she shares with one of you, but it's apparent that her lack of eyesight doesn't hinder her all too much. Her hearing is on par with ATACIUS's or GRAIAN's ability.

      Winter 38
      The mood in Appleton when you all arrive is somber. The deaths of the villagers still fresh in everyone's mind and the militia that had been forming seems dispirited. On top of that, the King's New Year Address - a letter sent out to the various duchies to be read to the people - has finally reached Skalfier lands, and it has not lifted anyone's spirit. The King has proclaimed that the rebuilding must continue, that the King expects all to do their duty in helping each other, but the armies of the Kingdom will not yet march.

      Indeed, the only bright spot seems to be the return of you heroes. The militia comes at the regular time next day to drill with TAKASHI, although they seem listless at first. The morning and evening prayers are a bit larger to CALLIN's eye. TOBIAS is mostly left alone, although he catches whispering and glances in his direction when people think he is not looking. GRAIAN also is left alone to his study of the books from the Athenum. ATACIUS has the run of the place and plenty of opportunities to help with mid-winter jobs with the grove, helping TAKASHI with militia prep (which may remind ATACIUS of how the littleling clans and traveling bands would gather together to practice defense), watching Michelas and doing whatever a bored littleling might do.

      TAKASHI
      The weather is clear for the next ten days, which has some of the old timers wagging their beards about the lack of rain. TAKASHI's quick trip to Skalfier to pick up his armor is uneventful and the armor is beautifully made and shines bright in the sunlight. Mulhim looks quite pleased with himself and is even more pleased at the payment of 175 gold crowns. "I may keep these'n lads and lass on - they be knowin' how ta swing a hammer and shape a piece!" he says.

      Upon returning, Claudia is very admiring of the armor. She and a few villagers start calling you "Sir Takashi."

      ATACIUS
      Michelas has no problems in getting folks to talk to her about Sir Flinigan and Christine. As she speaks to them, she takes parchment and does sketches, but not with a charcoal, rather she seems to inscribe her lines into the thick paper with a sharp stick. You can see her fingers feeling the lines and tracing out shapes as she listens to the stories. In a few days, she announces that she has an idea in mind. It is a statue that has the both of them standing close together, his hand outstretched towards the east, her hand covering her eyes as if looking into the light far away, and their other hands behind them, clasped. She sketches it out this time in charcoal and it is met with great approval from the villagers when they see it.

      She agrees that a stone from the Athenum would be appropriate. "The stone has already been worked some, which is good. I can bring them out of the stone. And since they gave their lives there, it fits that a stone from there reveals the memory of them to those who loved him."

      CALLIN
      Your first few days are filled with many folks fretting about the lack of an uplift from the King's Address. Many find it hard to understand why things are not getting better. "It don't seem like those in the center care so much f'us out here anymore. Why, the Duchess 'erself be carin' more, not that ye can tell from th' way Reffyndi acts."

      The grumbling quiets down soon, and life eases back into a quiet rhythm. Folks travelling to Appleton in the winter is very rare, so there is no news on the Lightbringers or necromancer. Nobody from Appleton or nearby knows of anything about either topic.



    Aug 2017
      CALLIN will do his best to ease the fears and frustration of the fine people of Appleton. "While the King's Address might not be what we wanted to hear, remember he has a great weight upon his shoulders to bear. Perhaps we do not see all that he sees, nore hear all that he hears. What we can know is that the LIGHT is strong within us. That the LIGHT will guide us, protect us, and shine upon us when needed the most. These are indeed dark times, but that is when the LIGHT is needed the most. Let the LIGHT cast away that darkness. Let it shatter the shaddows and bath us in it's glory. When I first met Sir Flinnigan and came to Appleton, I could feel the LIGHT's touch upon this place. Even in the pitch of darkness, the LIGHTs embrace could be felt. Let it comfort and warm you. Let the LIGHT shine upon you and guide you!"
      Aug 2017
        The two old men who've been most helpful, Harold and Jennings, snort softly. Harold whispers to Jennings "If he says Light one more time, I will have to shine a candle in his ear to see if there's nothing but light in his skull!" but they both are teasing in the "old man" way that you've grown accustomed to hearing from them and they, as well as others, seem to have their spirits lifted after your words. A few of the dames of the village leave you with bits of bread, jams and smoked meats in thanks towards your supper.

        As the days stretch on, the rhythm gets back to what you would consider normal, although the older folk seem a bit more serious, especially as defensive preparations continue.

    Aug 2017
      TOBIAS offers to describe Sir Flinigan and Christine in order to help Michelas with the statue, and can probably get some examples of their clothes to her for her to "see" with her hands, too. He likes the idea of having them hold hands in the statue.

      He'll also be more than happy to talk with anyone that wants to about other good stuff that can be done for the village, especially since there are probably a lot of people who won't talk with him now. But most of his time is spent in the private room with the lock where he put all the books, reading them and practicing his magic.
      Aug 2017
        As you interact with the villagers, you find about a 60/40 split of folks who support you - remembering your association with Sir Flinigan and respecting your powers - and those who are now completely opposed to you and the sorcery that you represent. It has made for some very tense moments and it doesn't seem to get any better as time goes on.

        The books seem tantalizing in their hints of even more power beyond what they teach, but you find yourself understanding a bit more each day. The days that you confer with GRAIAN help at first, then get confusing, as sometimes what he says seems to clash with how you might want to think of what the books are telling you.
        Aug 2017
          From what I can tell, there seems to be a lot in the books about human bodies/tissue and animating them (books made of skin, with working eyes, etc.) TOBIAS will shy away from spells of Necromancy, which he doesn't see as all that helpful, but will instead try to use the knowledge of bodies in the book to try and develop spells that affect the living, which he sees as far more pracical. He'll begin to study more independently from GRAIAN, to avoid the confusion of different interpretations.

          See Note in CharSheet.

        Michelas spends a lot of time talking to you and Enid, and she smiles broadly at your idea of their clothes. She bows her head gravely upon hearing that you like the idea of their hands clasped.

        "From what you tell me, young man, it was their love that set them both free and reunited them at the end. It is fitting that the reminder of their love always be present, to remind others that love will always shine a light in darkness."
        Aug 2017
          TOBIAS nods sadly. "It was their love what brought them back together, but what took Sir Flinigan away too. In the end though, I think they were happy."
        Aug 2017
          Michelas smiles. "In the end, that is all we can hope for... for our lives to have had some meaning to others and that they can pass that on."

          She begins to work on the stones from the Athenum, feeling her sketches, then feeling the stone and then making chips and incisions. At first, it is hard to see what she is doing, or that her sculpting amounts to anything, but slowly, Sir Flinigan's face begins to emerge from the stone, as does his body.

        Claudia spends some time with you too. She tells you about the stories of adventure in the books you found for her. You can see the eagerness in her eyes as she speaks about the stories and her wishes to someday find such adventures. She makes a point of avoiding conversation about what happened at the keep.
        Aug 2017
          TOBIAS delights in the time spent with Claudia, and talks with her about adventures, but it's hard for him to forget the images in his mind from Athenum and from the run-in with the orcs. What he's more excited to talk about is how much he's learning from the new books, and he lets it slip that he's working on being able to do a "special spell" that he can cast for her.
        Aug 2017
          Claudia seems curious about what this might be, but she is clearly focused on her training and even a once-whispered-not-repeated wish to go join the Duchess's forces as a soldier at the city of Dawn some day.


      Aug 2017
        While CALLIN is interacting with the townsfolk does he see the dirresion with the village and TOBIAS? ( I don't want to META :) )
      Aug 2017
        It's very obvious who supports TOBIAS and who doesn't.
      Aug 2017
        OK. CALLIN will do his best to identify what it is that is causing the standoffishness with the Villagers and attempt to work on a Sermon that might smooth things over a bit.
      Aug 2017
        From what you can tell, the deaths of the villagers at the hand of the Orc scouts, TOBIAS's spellcasting and the accusations laid against him have cause some to believe that he is too dangerous, with his "sorcerers curse" to be allowed to stay in the village. They blame the deaths on him, believing the accusations. |@(...)|
      Aug 2017
        CALLIN will seek out TOBIAS to talk with him about the accusations and the Orc Scout raid. "TOBIAS, I want to help mend the trust between some of the villagers and yourself. I know there has been undo blame, but when you weild power like you do, it can cause people who see from a distance to view it with contempt. I have felt this before as well. I belive I can help, but I need you to tell me about that day and what exactly happened. Can you do that?"
      Aug 2017
        TOBIAS snorts. "Pfft! If some of those folks in town had let me tell them exactly what happened, maybe they wouldn't hate me!"

        He will tell you the whole story, he seems to be itching to tell it all to someone that will listen:
        (Too much typing for me to tell everything that happened right now, I just copied it all over. It's a long read, but a good one I think,
        just expand the chat box):

      Aug 2017
        CALLIN will be completely silent, simply letting the young man tell his tale. Noting that it seems almost therapuetic to TOBIAS to get all of it off his chest. When he is done CALLIN will rest his hand on TOBIAS' shoulder. "TOBIAS, fear not. the villagers are simply scared. Scared of what they don't understand, scared of lies spread by someone who is scared and can't face the death he has seen, nor can he face his own cowardace in battle. I think I will have a way to get through to the people. But it won't happen overnight. It will take time. So stay strong with the LIGHT. let it warm your heart and guide your way. You are a good man TOBIAS. You are very powerful, you you manage your power with great responsibility. THAT is a sign of wisdom. So continue to be wise. And let me see what I can do to enlighten the people who their leader truely is"
        Aug 2017
          TOBIAS: "I was scared too, CALLIN... I was afraid I'd have to leave Appleton, and they wouldn't let me back in, and that I'd be on my own again... thanks for listening... and understanding."
        Aug 2017
          CALLIN: "It is ok to be scared TOBIAS. It is the only way to have courage. Courage is doing the right thing, even when you are afraid. In this case staying in Appleton would be the couragous thing to do! This town needs a leader, and that leader is you."


    Aug 2017
      ATACIUS will organize a party to bring the needed stone from Athenum. When not helping TAKASHI with the militia training, he will survey the village's points of entrance, that is main roads but also places in between houses where where enemies could pour into. The idea is to close those spaces with static 'chevaux de frise' and the roads with movable ones that can be put in place at night or when the alarm is risen. The static ones could have ditches dug in front filled with sharp stakes.
      Aug 2017
        The trip to the Athenum is an interesting one. The villagers get to about 300 yards and spy Apsuna and her flock. Their fear nearly gets the better of them, but with some convincing from the smallest member of the group (that would be you), they come with ... fearfully!

        "You sure it won't eat us? Had no idea there was a ... uh... big bird this close! Will it eat our kids? What about the livestock?" one of the villagers asks, gripping his pitchfork tightly.

        Apsuna wisely flies off with her flock as you approach, but comes back and lands on top of one of the surviving walls of the Athenum, to see what you all are doing. Two of the villagers who had been lifting one stone drop it and back away with gasps.

        "Wind and Sky be with you, ATACIUS of the small people." Apsuna croaks and the villagers all gape at her. "I see you have brought new friends from your nest. What do you do with the stones of this place?"

        Once told about the stones for the statue, she dips her head and ruffles her feathers.

        "For your people, it will be a good reminder, such is the memory of the lesser lived kind! For me, his memory will be in the Sky as I tell his story to the ones above. We will not forget his kindness or his love!"

        After a bit, the villagers warm up to Apsuna as she watches as several suitable stone blocks are placed on a travois to be taken back. She seems rather amused by the whole visit.

        "Let your friend of the name TAKASHI know that I have not seen any of the althaenim close by. I hear the drums beat regularly on the wind. Be watchful! Soon, the mountains will unfreeze." she says to you before you leave.

        |@(...)|
      Aug 2017
        "Apsuna, we thank you for your watchful eye on the mountains. I will relay the information to my friend. May the Wind carry you and your flock safely." says the littleling to the Bird Lord.

    Aug 2017
      TAKASHI will continue training Claudia in the use of the battle axe he gave her, her new armor, and the bow. "We train in the winter to keep our skills sharp, our body fit, and our mind active. When spring comes and the thaw with it, we are then ready to face what may come!"

      He will also continue to drill the militia with ATACIUS, as he is available."Instead of trusting some king far away, train now and trust your brother standing at your side! No man fights better than the one protecting his village with his neighbors at his left and right. Keep your shape, communicate, and if needed, be ready to fall back in an orderly manner to your secondary position."
      Aug 2017
        Claudia continues to improve, to the point where she is as good with the bow as any of the hunters in the village. She proves that point by successfully harvesting some wild game on one such hunt, the pride in her face obvious as she quickly cleans and quarters the carcasses. The battle axe proves to be more challenging, but she shows a basic skill and knowledge.

        The militia respond to your words, nodding amongst themselves. Clearly, you struck a positive nerve with appealing to their own sense of togetherness. As the drills pass, they begin to respond to a general sense of staying together. Even when you and ATACIUS surprise them with a mock attack, they quickly gather themselves and are able to show a united front. It would definitely give a group of bandits some pause, but orcs? It's hard enough for fully trained soldiers to stay in a fight against the blood-thirsty bestials.

        Along with ATACIUS, working on village physical defense improves. The littleling surprises everyone with being a font of knowledge about small fortifications and improvements. Sharing what he learned with his clans growing up, it is clear to TAKASHI that littlelings would prove a challenge to fight, especially if confronting one of the clans on the move.
      Aug 2017
        TAKASHI, to ATACIUS: "Too bad there aren't more of your folk in these areas. The local surroundings are wide open and seem to produce decent crops, and these folks could use the expertise you've managed to pick up from your kind. I am worried what might happen if the orcs come, though. There simply aren't enough experienced fighters here to provide a strong defense." |@(...)|
      Aug 2017
        "I hear you friend. We'll just have to hope they find their mettle when the time comes, right? And it will be soon I fear. Apsuna haven't seen any Orcs but has heard their drums beat regularly. We'll have to be watchful, she said. That and that the mountains will unfreeze soon."
      Aug 2017
        TAKASHI: "Once the passes thaw up, I expect we will see the first signs of their activity. If only we could find their leader and remove him - I wonder if that would decapitate their ambitions, so to speak?"
      Sep 2017
        ATACIUS: "Funny you say that. I dreamed the Orc's army closing upon Appleton and Apsuna picked up their leader and they did rout before our attack!" the littleling says excitedly. "But, alas, it was just that, a dream..." he shrugs.
      Sep 2017
        TAKASHI: "Let us hope that Apsuna and her flock are able to lend a wing in the event of attack, for I don't see Appleton holding out on its own for long."

    Aug 2017
      GRAIAN will study as much as he can to build his knowledge of spells, looking to learn new ones, and the history around Ramathia in preparation for the return of his kin in the Spring.
      Aug 2017
        The books from the Athenum give tantalizing hints and snippets of a story, if true, is incredible.

        The book titled "The City's Legacy - a history of the ancient city of Ramathia" by the elf Calimo Larathaen is the most intriguing. In it, the very first chapter, the author tells of a time when elves held the island city, known then as Ricoer (in ancient Elven tongue, meaning "First City" or possibly "Freedom City"). When this book was written, roughly five hundred years ago, the author tells of old songs and stories that were still being told in archaic Elven style - bardic songs and poems. Between those songs and speculation by sages who lived in Ramathia at the time of the book's writing, Calimo believed that there were ruins deep under the then-cosmopolitan Ramathia that might date back to a "founding" by elves. The author had seen such ruins, and believed that there were more, but he did not have the funding to continue his search. He hoped that sales of the book might allow him to dig further.

        Other books seem to hint at much the same, as well as talking about how Elves seemed to have diminished in their population, due to how rare it was for Elves to have children.
        |@(...)|
      Aug 2017
        GRAIAN pomdered for some time on the knowleedge he had leant. thinking back to his childhood he remembered that there had not been many children in the village compared to the relative number in Appleton and Skalfier. Perhaps the Elven race was doomed regardless, becoming unsustainable, even more reason not to fight a stupid war against the humans.When the search party retrurns in the Spring he hopes Shaiman is with them, perhaps he could shed some light on this potential downfall the Elves face.

        Realizing he has been ignoring his friends, and if he is honest would enjoy a break from studying, he goes for a walk to search for the others. They may be excited to hear about more ruins to explore......
        Aug 2017
          GRAIAN finds TOBIAS frowning into one of the books from Athenum. He looks up happily as the elf approaches, brushes some hair from his face and says, "Graian! I'm glad you're here. Do you know what this language could be?" He holds up the book, which seems to be about some sort of magical experiments, and points to some notes written in an archaic language in the ledger.
          Aug 2017
            GRAIAN: "Ah Tobias, good to see you around, let me see what have you got there." He takes the book and studies the notes. He spends some time looking at each notes and he seems to be talking very quietly to himself, after a fwe minutes he looks up at Tobias.

            "This is Ancient Dwarf, Tobias. I cannot speak it but can read it, unfortunately the written word does not translate very well but I will do my best." He points to the nine notes in turn and gives his translation:

            "True
            Dwarf is an unatural creation
            Myths of Overlord slaves
            This is made of Magic
            Facts are not made up
            This is where the mark is
            In addition to the other
            Did others do this
            I cannot see the secret."
          Aug 2017
            TOBIAS smiles broadly at GRAIAN and says excitedly, "I thought so! I thought it was dwarf! We found this book near by where they had that dwarf body, remember? I think they were trying to figure out if the dwarves were made by mixing other things... or maybe they were trying to mix the dwarf and something else to make something new? See where it says there about 'the two specimens'?"
          Aug 2017
            GRAIAN starts to read the passage Tobias is pointing to.
          Sep 2017
            It is another margin note, in Common, and it reads: "Study on the two specimens must continue, the clues are clear!" and it's underlined twice.


          (|@(...)| - you have a private message in your character sheet notes.)


    Sep 2017
      Winter 60

      With spring a mere 3 ten-days away, the focus has turned towards the groves - pruning the trees of damaged, diseased or dead branches, clearing of weeds at the base, removing bugs and applying some oils to the bark to kill other insects and problems.

      TAKASHI
      Sep 2017
        The militia practice has become more haphazard, with the focus of the village on taking care of the groves. Claudia's practice has become regular and she shows improvement across all skills - with the bow, most especially, but also with the axe. She seems more adept with a staff or club, to your eye, but she keeps at the training diligently. You estimate about 20 of the 90 or so volunteers are as capable as any militia could be - two teams worth of soldiers. The rest can do the basics and would reflect well in a typical levy unit.

        You now have crude platforms at cardinal points around Appleton. They are roughly fifteen feet up, nestled against trees - little more than hunting tree stands with some camouflage, but far more than they had previously. As the weather starts to get a bit warmer, you set up a watch rotation so they are manned as much as possible. It's not a constant day/night watch, but they do the best they can.
      Sep 2017
        TAKASHI understands that these folk are, at their base, farmers. He praises those that work the hardest, and encourages them all to take care of their farms and families as needed. "We need to eat first, to stay strong and be ready to fight if that time comes."

        He'll continue his training with Claudia, and if she shows better skill with a club or staff, he will work that into their routine as well. He'll also start her on using a simple wooden shield, to train her in sword & board fighting.

        TAKASHI: "So Claudia, I notice that young master TOBIAS has taken a keen interest in you these last few months. Sometimes, I worry for him, as he seems tortured by his memories at times. I hope that your spark lightens his darker moods."
      Sep 2017
        Claudia is lining up a shot from her bow as you ask that question. She freezes and her faces goes through three different shades of red. The shot that she loosens flies far off course, thwacking into a barn side.

        "OOPS!" she stammers and goes running off to retrieve the errant arrow. When she returns, she does everything she can to change the conversation, and after awhile, seems to regain her composure. For the next few days, she avoids any mention of TOBIAS as well as avoiding the young man himself.
      Sep 2017
        TAKASHI chuckles at Claudia's apparent discomfort.

        He says to himself (wistfully), "Ah, to be young again."
      Sep 2017
        You have noticed on your patrols that the abandoned farmstead where you found signs of orcs has remained abandoned.
      Sep 2017
        TAKASHI thinks to himself, "Perhaps they have been discouraged from returning here, and are seeking somewhere else with less meddlesome and dangerous people nearby. One can hope..."

      ATACIUS
      Sep 2017
        Michelas has made significant progress in the sculpture of Sir Flinigan and Christine. She has even started roughing out the larger stone, to where you can see there will be two figures in the final piece. Her drawings are uncanny in how much they resemble the two - albeit a bit younger than when you met the aging Knight.

        Almost every family has at least one wagon and some sort of draft animal. Sir Flinigan kept several donkeys and four wagons himself, so there is some extra capacity. The problem is moving close to 500 people in a hurry. It won't be pretty, especially as these folks are not used to moving. Still, some memories of forty years ago, when the Bestials attacked in force, remains and the old timers seems to respond favorably to your questions, although with some reluctance at remembering those awful days when it seemed like the Orcs and Goblyns might win.
      Sep 2017
        ATACIUS will try to make sure everyone he talks to, understand that there's a possibility we all would need to move and that it is better to be prepared. He respects the elder's reluctance to talk about the old days, but is their experience that will help the younger ones understand why we're doing what we're doing.

        He will also talk with the ones that generally go out hunting and trapping, about scaling those small game traps to catch a human-sized creature. Maybe we could set some in the abandoned farmsteads and mark them in a way nobody accidentally fall into them.
      Sep 2017
        There's some grumbling and even a couple of folks who go talk to "Sir Takashi" first, but after hearing a bit from him, they come back to you with a new-found respect.

        The hunters you talk to nod, but they seem sceptical about setting traps in the abandoned farmesteads.

        "Be more likely ta catch one o'th' Afflicted, than those wiley Orcs. Damn beasts are smart and cunnin'. Me Pa use ta tell stories when he was a soljer w' the Marshal back then, now that was a real Marshal, not the idjit there taday, I can tell you!"

        One of the trappers agrees to help you set such traps up, it would take about a day per homestead. How do you want to proceed? |@(...)|
      Sep 2017
        We will focus on the ones to the West, starting with the nearest to Appleton and then moving further away from the village. ATACIUS will tell the rest about this plan, so they can warn the vllagers not to wander into the abandoned places. Also will suggest TAKASHI to set up regular patrols to see if any traps have been sprung.
      Sep 2017
        (Roll a d8, let me know what you get.)
        Gabriel Perez Gallardi rolled 1d8 for a total of 4
      Sep 2017
        None of you encounter any damned when setting up a few traps to the West.

      GRAIAN
      Sep 2017
        The studies are proving fruitful and you can feel certain avenues of thought and inquiry coming to a close with these books. The owner was clearly a genius at magical thought and his book choices reflect the depth of his knowledge and interests. You can't help but feel as if he tended towards a more dark outlook, but the Athenum itself is proof of that.
      Sep 2017
        GRAIAN will reflect upon what he has learnt, making notes about the history of the Elven race and Ramathia for when the exploreres return. He will then organize what he has read about magic, including the darker elements, to aid his training.

      CALLIN
      Sep 2017
        It is clear, the closer you look at the issue, that Philippe could be considered a ring-leader of the grudge against TOBIAS. He seems to have managed to tap into a long-dormant resentment against magic in general, combined with the loss of Sir Flinigan as a steady, constant bedrock of a leader, along with the fear of Bestials and Delmonte. It's a powerful cocktail and one that a cross-section of the village populace seems to be willing to consume. You get the sense that a majority are tolerant or appreciative of the young man, but there is a large enough part of the population that doesn't share that tolerance.
      Sep 2017
        Does Philippe attend the services CALLIN has been having? If so he will attempt to reach out to him after the service. If not then he will attempt to catch up with him at his home.
      Sep 2017
        Yes, he does. He seems rather fervent in his prayers, but he also seems to have the temperment of a bully, that you notice in conversations and around town.
      Sep 2017
        CALLIN will come up to Philippe after service. "Philippe, do you have a moment that we may speak? I have noticed your fervernt prayer, and I have a few questions."
      Sep 2017
        Philippe looks surprised at your attention to him, but he nods. "Yes, Priest Callin? What is it?" he says politely.
      Sep 2017
        CALLIN: "As I said I noticed your prayer of late has been quite intense. Why the sudden change? Is everything all right? I have a nose for the darkness, I wish to make sure it is not in the air."
      Sep 2017
        Philippe looks even more surprised. "Change, Priest? I've always been faithful to the Light! Always come for my prayers!"
      Sep 2017
        CALLIN: "Oh, I am not questioning your faithfulness Philippe, I only note that your prayers have been much more intense that usual. I was wondering why?"
      Sep 2017
        "Seems like we're headin' to hard times, hard times, Priest. W' orcs running around 'n bandits, and now the King not carin' so much for us... seems like hard times."
      Sep 2017
        CALLIN: "Hard times indeed, which is why we turn to the LIGHT to shine upon the darkness. But something still seems to be shrouded in darkness...." CALLIN pauses and then looks directly into Philippe's eyes "Tell me a Priest of the LIGHT, what happened during your patrol with TOBIAS." CALLIN will keep a hard look on the man (Not threatening, more like a father to a child ), to see if perhaps being so faithful, he will be less inclined to lie.
      Sep 2017
        Philippe swallows hard and tears come to his eyes. He looks around quickly and then speaks quickly and slowly...

        Well, Priest, y'see... coupl'a young tyros, they be out at the west ponds, lookin' t' fish. They saw orcs! So me, Yoni 'n Matt, we was gonna go see what they were 'bout to. Matt, he be wantin' ta bring ... (and he gulps hard and opens his mouth a couple of times...) .. bring Tobias wi'. I din' want to, but Matt, he was certain to bring 'im along.

        So we went, all quiet like. I wan' for us to be soundin' like we be a big force, but ... the wizard (he says it quickly, almost with a spit) he woul' have none o' that and kept Matt w' him, I guess ta guard him. We get up to the pond, the wizard is carryin' on and the orcs heard us! It got all quiet and all I remember is hearin' one o' them Orcs roarin' 'n seein.. 'n seein... (the tears come harder and his face is pale with relived fear...) ... Matt GET KILT! Then Yoni, right next ta me... he shoved a sword in her thrut... n...

        (It takes a moment for the young man to collect himself, and now his face grows angry.)

        'n that wizard, he be standin' there doin' nothin' and suddenly.. I don't know, he was standin over me and tellin' me he cast a spell that made me fall 'sleep! The orcs, they jus' be lyin' there and so was m'frens... and he's all proud 'o himsef for 'sorcelin' me! Instead 'o lis'nin ta what I said, he trampin' all 'round like some proud cock'o'walk, lettin' those damn beasts know we hear, 'n 'stead o' savin' Matt 'n Yoni, he just sorcels me and acts like he had nuttin' o' do wi' it.

        Ma 'n Pa always say no good come o' no wizards 'n now we see it. Before long, he be burnin' the village down and dancin' round in the moon w' witches 'n demons and beasts! You mark my words!

        (He digs at his eyes in anger, to stop the tears. He is shaking hard with fear and anger.)

        So that's w'happened Priest, the Light shine me iffin' I tell lies! That brat be danger t'us all. I know ye be 'is friend, and I guess y'will not let me back t'ye service, but iffin ye throw in with black magic, th'n what .. (and now his eyes go wide with completing that thought to its conclusion...)

        He takes a step back in fear of you now.
      Sep 2017
        Phillipe. You are always able to attend service. I am mearly a messanger of the LIGHT and all are welcome to attend, worship, and hear the word. .... " CALLIN can only feel pity for the man " I'm sorry that your friends fell in battle. Orcs are indeed dangerous. But let us think about what you just told me. Did Tobias slay your friends? Did Black Magic cast a spell on your friends that caused them to perish? No, you were ambushed by Orcs, very skilled and dangerous warriors. Not something to be taken lightly. Now first and formost I am a man of the Light Phillipe, and I understand your pain, frustration and anger. You lost friends. And I know you are angry because TOBIAS did not help save them in time. That is the real issue isn't it? That Tobias could have done something but didn't? But remember TOBIAS is young, and not an experienced warrior, he was supprised just as you were. Do you blame yourself for not acting quicker to bring your blade to bear? If you do, you should not bear that weight. The world, it can be a cold place, and it is up to us, ALL of us to bring the LIGHT into the world. To shine upon the darkness. Now I will tell you that I know a little bit about magic. I have faced necromancers, wizards, shamans, and undead the likes you will never know. I have seen that magic is just like a hammer. It can be dangerous, it can kill, it can destroy. But it can also build, create and help when needed. It is mearly a tool. The person wielding the hammer decides if it is good or bad. With that said, what has TOBIAS done except help this town? Did he not go off to protect Appleton once the Orcs were sited? Did he not help us not only remove the DAMNED from the nearby farm, but ALSO help us CURE one of the DAMNED so that she might lead a normal life? TOBIAS is young and he can and will make mistakes like all of us. And he is powerful, but he has a home here. The first in his whole life. Sir Finnagan made sure to surround TOBIAS with friends and family. That is the LIGHT at work. Helping to guide TOBIAS to use his power for good. Now I want you to think about this for a momment. Do you think that raising the town against TOBIAS well help him down a path of LIGHT. One of love and compassion? I would fear that leaving someone alone, out in the cold, away from all he knows and loves, that sounds like a good way to create a monster. So I ask you Phillip, if you are truely a man of the LIGHT, if you believe in what it means to follow the LIGHT. To believe in man, what he can do, his inner strength, in his ability to be good, and pure, to show love and compassion. I would ask you to be a man of the Light and beleive in TOBIAS. " CALLIN smiles at the man. " May the LIGHT guide you and keep you, man it Shine upon you. "

      Sep 2017
        (That deserves a new reaction roll with some bonus for the way you appealed to him. Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 3, 3 on 2d6 +2 for a total of 8)

        Philippe listens to CALLIN's speech, as do a couple of other people who had come up to the shrine after the services, while you were speaking to him.

        He swallows hard, looks down and shifts back and forth uncomfortably. When you finish, there is a long.... pregnant.... pause.... The three others who had come up look at Philippe. He moves a rock on the ground with his toe and then...

        ... he nods.

        "I guess ye right, Priest. Never thought 'o that way. 'e's jess so damn different... and 'e was always Sir's fav'rite. Jus' don' seem right, but ye right. 'e was tryin' ta help. It jus' seem like the stories me Pa tells about the orcs... fierce 'n bringin' death w'em."

        He scrubs again at his eyes.

        "Thank ye, Priest." he says and then walks away quickly. Two of the people go after Philippe while the third, a young man, remains for a moment.

        "'E's not a bad sort. Ye're as patient w' 'im as the Knight was. Thank ye." he says, he bows with his hands clasped as one does towards the clergy of Light, and then goes running off after Philippe.
        (writing)
      Sep 2017
        CALLIN: "No, no he is not. Go forth into the Light, may it shine upon you and guide you" Callin offers a prayer for the young man as he heads off after Philippe.

      TOBIAS
      Sep 2017
        GRAIAN seems to be able to tie together the various concepts gleaned from the books far easier than you are able. It is as if the knowledge there is teasing you. You can tell that there is much in them, but some key element seems to be out of reach. Some bit of knowledge, or something that makes sense of all this - it just seems to be on the edge of your mind.

        There are some in the militia who will not talk to you, choosing to walk away when you approach them. Others are more receptive and there are a couple who agree with your approach... provided that "Sir TAKASHI" agrees. You get the feeling that in some people's minds, TAKASHI is replacing Sir Flinigan in their view of a village protector, perhaps even leader.
      Sep 2017
        TOBIAS doesn't really care much who leads the village. What he's done so far has been out of a sense that, since he'll never really be able to pay back Sir Flinigan for his kindness, he should protect and build up the village as best he can, which is probably what Sir Flinigan would have wanted.

        TOBIAS will concentrate on what's important, unlocking that knowledge...
      Sep 2017
        (I will handle the rest of the month in private, then, if there's nothing else you'd like to do.)
        Sep 2017
          Ok.



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