Episode 24

[Bynw]

 [19:15:36] * Playing 'recap.txt' to #Teara-Adan with 1300ms delay
[19:15:37] <.Bynw> +---------------------------------------
[19:15:38] <.Bynw> |
[19:15:40] <.Bynw> |   The Winds of Change - Episode 24
[19:15:41] <.Bynw> |
[19:15:42] <.Bynw> | Beginning Adventure Recap
[19:15:44] <.Bynw> |
[19:15:45] <.Bynw> +---------------------------------------
[19:15:46] <.Bynw> |
[19:15:48] <.Bynw> | Captain Patrick, who only just recently
[19:15:49] <.Bynw> | returned from his mission to the Empire
[19:15:50] <.Bynw> | has been found dead. An apparent, non-
[19:15:52] <.Bynw> | noble victim of the plague curse of
[19:15:53] <.Bynw> | Warp Wood.
[19:15:54] <.Bynw> |
[19:15:55] <.Bynw> | The Lords have gathered around his death
[19:15:57] <.Bynw> | bed to investigate the captain's passing.
[19:15:58] <.Bynw> |
[19:15:59] <.Bynw> | Meanwhile, the Adanian ship is but 2 days
[19:16:01] <.Bynw> | sail out from Warp Wood's port.
[19:16:02] <.Bynw> | 
[19:16:03] <.Bynw> +---------------------------------------
[19:16:05] <.Bynw> |
[19:16:06] <.Bynw> |   Today's Game Date: 27 Sept 461 NE
[19:16:07] <.Bynw> |
[19:16:09] <.Bynw> |   End of Adventure Recap
[19:16:10] <.Bynw> |
[19:16:11] <.Bynw> +---------------------------------------
[19:16:11] * Playback of 'recap.txt' complete
[19:17:13] <.Bynw> *Bishop Nidar* "Anything from your Death Reading your majesty?" *he asks of Charissa*
[19:20:27] <+Charissa> @4df+1
[19:20:27] <+SnakeEyes> Charissa Fudge Rolled

• [-][ ][-]
  [19:22:12] <+Charissa> @4df+4
  [19:22:12] <+SnakeEyes> Charissa Fudge Rolled [ ][-]
• 
  [19:23:04] <+Charissa> @6df
  [19:23:04] <+SnakeEyes> Charissa Fudge Rolled [ ][ ][-]
• [ ][ ]
  [19:23:11] <+Seth> ::clears his throat::
  [19:23:56] <+Seth> "This may sound a bit heartless, but this maybe an opertunity in disguise for us."
  [19:24:29] <+Charissa> "Your Grace, he didn't have any visitors in his last few hours"
  [19:25:29] <+Ryethon> @5df
  [19:25:29] <+SnakeEyes> Ryethon Fudge Rolled
• [-]
  [19:26:36] <+Seth> "Both Antillies and the Captain are the only people involved in the negotiations with the empire."
  [19:27:26] <+Seth> "It might be easiest for us to just deny having been a part in any of this. The bargain then dies with Antillies and the Captain."
  [19:27:47] <+Charissa> yep
  [19:27:50] <+Charissa> "yep"
  [19:27:52] <+Seth> "If worded right, it would even stand up under a truth reading."
  [19:28:09] <+Charissa> "aye"
  [19:28:12] <+Jack> "Maybe it's a clue."
  [19:28:58] <+Jack> "Does anyone know the old Lords' position towards the Empire?"
  [19:30:00] <+Jack> "Your Grace, you knew them.  Were they favorable towards an alliance with the Empire?"
  [19:30:30] <.Bynw> *Bishop Nidar* "Father Pele, see to the last rights of the captain and take care of him please."  *he turns to Jack* "We have no position towards the Empire or Adan. Save for ancient ties of blood of course."
  [19:31:06] <+Jack> "Ancient ties of Blood?"
  [19:32:02] <+Seth> ::Takes a drink of his wine before he talks:: "Yes through Mariabronn."
  [19:32:43] <.Bynw> *he looks at Jack puzzled* "This is Abronn. Founded by a Prince of Adan many centuries ago."
  [19:33:23] <+Jack> "They had blood ties, and Antilles and Patrick had ties through behavior.  But all of them had ties to the Empire in some way, then."
  [19:33:50] <+Charissa> "and so do I, if you think about it.."
  [19:33:58] <+Charissa> ::adds soberly::
  [19:34:10] <+Jack> "Ummm . . . I did NOT want to hear that."
  [19:34:56] <+Coch> "This can be taken a second way, whomever is doing this killing doesn't want the Empire here"
  [19:35:03] <+Charissa> "I have tried to take as many precautions as I can though, Jack"
  [19:35:09] <+Seth> ::Turns to Bishop Nidor:: "Your Grace, this Maxim, how possible is it that in the absence of a clear line of lordship and rulers here in warpwood is it that they would be the next most powerful political entity here in Warp Wood?"
  [19:39:33] <.Bynw> *he raises an eyebrow* "The Maxim?" *a few heartbeats later* "Oh yes one of the wizard groups here. They would be opposed to the Spectrals of course. The Maxim isnt just in Warp Wood. They are all over the swamps and jungles of the Territories and Solanda."
  [19:40:38] <+Seth> ::Raises an eyebrow at this information and looks to the other lords knowingly::
  [19:41:10] <+Seth> "And where is their local represenative, your grace?"
  [19:41:20] <.Bynw> *father Pele comes in with a few servants to remove the body of the captain*
  [19:43:14] <.Bynw> *the bishop shurgs* "I wouldn't have the slightest clue. They keep to themselves and spend most of their time out in the swamps and jungles gathering whatever they need for their magic"
  [19:46:25] <+Seth> ::Turns to Ryethon:: "Do you know anything of the Maxim or how to contact them?"
  [19:49:50] <+Ryethon> "Durring my journies in the swamps, I have seen signs of a group of people much further out than was Chadwick, I did not care to venture too close for it was obvious that they were not fond of visitors."
  [19:50:37] <+Ryethon> "Were I to venture a guess, I might say that it would be a good place for wizards to hide, no one goes out there."
  [19:53:18] <+Seth> ::Sneers:: "Farther? Madness."
  [19:53:21] <.Bynw> *Kevin* "We should let Father Pele and the servants clean up in here" *he says and begins to head back to the great hall*
  [19:53:49] <+Charissa> ::nods and follows Kevin::
  [19:54:23] <+Seth> "This Maxim has motive, means, and opertunity for these murders. I would say they are a very likely suspect."
  [19:55:05] <+Seth> ::Nods in agreement and follows Kevin, taking a drink of his wine as he leaves the room."
  [19:55:34] <.Bynw> *on the way out the bishop asks* "What is their movite exactly? They wouldnt have any legal claim to the throne here"
  [19:55:48] * +Jack follows the group.
  [19:56:12] * +Coch walks with Jack to the Great Hall
  [19:56:30] * +Ryethon follows along at the tail of the group
  [19:56:48] <.Bynw> *the midday meal is served when the lords return to the great hall
  [20:00:00] <+Seth> "No one would have legal claim your Majesty if we where all dead."
  [20:00:40] <+Seth> ::Seems to be in better spirits as he begins to drink, eat, and drink some more::
  [20:01:06] <+Ryethon> "Posession in this case would be the law. Who would stand to oppose them?"
  [20:01:26] <+Seth> "It would be a civil war of sucsession. Open to the most ruthless."
  [20:01:39] <.Bynw> *Nidar snorts* "Chadwick would, or die in the attempt"
  [20:02:38] <+Seth> "Yes, it sounds as if he would. But, never the less the Maxim has motive."
  [20:02:51] <+Seth> "And they have the means to cause the curse."
  [20:03:17] <+Seth> "And they have many reasons to keep the empire out."
  [20:03:35] <+Seth> ::Takes a drink and crews into a leg of lamb::
  [20:03:43] <+Seth> (chews)
  [20:04:42] <.Bynw> "So what of this Adanian who is almost here already. We only have 2 days until his ship docks." *Nidar states again*
  [20:05:33] <+Seth> "How binding is a deal with a dead man your Grace?"
  [20:06:49] <.Bynw> "That would depend on what was signed and offered by the late Antilles"
  [20:07:30] <+Jack> "Well, if he dies down here, either they'll blame us and we'll be attacked by the Spectral Magicians, or even if they believe our story, we'll still be overrun by Spectral Magicians attacking the Maxim."
  [20:08:04] <+Seth> "This Spectral will most likely threaten us in a useless attempt to cow us into the deal, but it is a hollow threat. We have the populace on our side as you stated yourself. The Spectrals are not well liked, nor is the empire. And we are a very long way from the empire."
  [20:08:10] <.Bynw> *the bishop turns to Jack* "It would be most unwise to attack him or kill him."
  [20:08:29] <+Jack> "I mean if they do.  I have no plans to kill him."
  [20:09:19] <+Ryethon> "Are they doing us service or disservice? Do we want the empire here? What does the empire stand to gain from us? What do we stand to loose? These are the questions that I would like the answers to. I think once we have those answers, things may be clearer."
  [20:09:22] <+Jack> "They killed Antilles and Capt Patrick.  The envoy would be a logical target as well."
  [20:09:45] <+Seth> ::Turns to Bishop Nidor:: "It is fundimental your Grace, if the Empire was in a position to enforce their will I don't think they would be asking us for a trade agreement."
  [20:11:44] <.Bynw> "It is my understanding that this new Adanac Empire is more of a trade empire than a true physical control empire. Imperial property are a few select cities and all the roads or major roads" *the bishop states refilling his wine glass*
  [20:12:09] <+Seth> "The Empire has nothing to gain from us, the Spectral order does. That is Fundimental as well. Make no mistake the selection of a Spectral as envoy is no mistake. It makes no sense to send a Spectral mage, unless it is the Spectral order itself that craves the trade agreement."
  [20:12:49] <+Seth> "They crave the same thing the Maxim has. The herbs of the swamp."
  [20:12:54] <+Jack> "Well, if all they want is a trade agreement, I might be in favor of it if it weren't likely to get us all killed from mysterious causes . . . "
  [20:13:37] <+Seth> "I wonder if the Emperor is even aware of any ageement?"
  [20:14:22] <.Bynw> *the bishop shakes his head* "Probably not at this point."
  [20:14:34] <+Seth> "We are not dealing with the Empire, we are dealing with the Spectral Order, with the Empire's backing."
  [20:16:09] <+Seth> ::Nods to Bishop Nidor:: "Perhaps it is best that we know that for sure. Can the church gain a moment of the Emperor's council's time and ask?"
  [20:16:40] <.Bynw> "I can take some inquires. But I wont have an answer in 2 days. MOre like a week"
  [20:16:56] <+Seth> "Using Deryni magic you could have an answer for us in a day or less."
  [20:17:52] <+Ryethon> "Hmm is it me, or are the candles here burning faster than the ones in Captian Patrick's room?"
  [20:18:38] <+Jack> "Huh?  You think the candles were poisoned or charmed somehow?"
  [20:19:00] <+Ryethon> "or different
  [20:19:02] <+Ryethon> "
  [20:19:06] <+Seth> ::His eyes furrow in question as he takes a drink of his wine::
  [20:19:52] <+Charissa> "maybe you can see if they are magicked in some way, Seth"
  [20:20:57] <.Bynw> *the bishop turns between the various lords* "You had best hurry. Father Pele and servants were going to clean his rooms. They might switch out those candles for new ones.
  [20:21:42] <+Seth> ::Stands and rushes from the room, not forgetting his wine goblet as he returns to the Captain's former quarters::
  [20:21:57] * +Jack jumps up and runs toward Patrick's former room.
  [20:22:09] * +Charissa hurries behind Jack
  [20:23:05] * +Ryethon follows at a hurried pace
  [20:25:26] <.Bynw> *when Seth and the others shorlty behind him, arrive at the captains former quaters they find the servants just finishing up the cleaning. having fresh linen on the bed and the room airy and clean smelling. the servants bow to their lords on the way out of the room*
  [20:26:18] <+Seth> ::Sighs:: "It looks as if we will never know."
  [20:27:23] <+Seth> ::picks up a fresh candle and hefts it in his palm:: "These are fresh."
  [20:27:37] <+Jack> ::to servants:: "Hey, did you change the candles in here?"
  [20:28:56] <.Bynw> *the servants look at one another* "No m'lord. We just took care of the linen and rushes. The candles were fresh when we arrived with the new linens. We are greatly sorry to here about the captains death" *the cross themselves piously*
  [20:29:58] <+Charissa> "was there anyone else here when you came in?"
  [20:31:00] <.Bynw> "Other servants" *the list off several others by first name* "many of us were coming and going changing different things to cleanse the room"
  [20:31:26] <+Charissa> "we need to find out if the old candles are still around somewhere"
  [20:34:04] <+Ryethon> "Where is Father Pele? wouldn't he know?"
  [20:35:01] <.Bynw> *the servants, still clutching the old linen from the room, bow and ask if the lords need anything else before they take the linens to be cleaned*
  [20:35:42] <+Charissa> "No, you may go."
  [20:36:04] <.Bynw> *the servants depart*
  [20:36:04] <+Seth> ::Shakes his head negative and returns to the great hall::
  [20:38:01] <+Seth> ::As he takes a seat again:: "As I was saying your Grace, do you think it is possible to send a message to a church represenative in Montaire to inquire of the Emperor's position on this agreement?"
  [20:39:18] <.Bynw> "I can ask around and see what I can find"
  [20:40:59] <+Seth> "We would be grateful your Grace. If the Emperor is uninformed or ill-informed, it would strengthen our bargaining power ten fold."
  [20:43:16] * +Charissa sends one of the servants from the great hall to find out where the old candles were taken to
  [20:44:23] <+Seth> ::To the other lords assembled in the great hall:: "I think it is in our best interests to question this Maxim and quickly. If what has been said is correct, they are a great threat to the envoy and a suspect for the plague."
  [20:44:51] <+Jack> "So we're going back into the swamp?"
  [20:45:51] <+Seth> "We need a faster way to find them. It would take us more then a day just to get back to our last position, the Maxim are beyond that."
  [20:46:20] <+Jack> "You could turn into a bird."
  [20:46:41] <+Ryethon> "Would it not be prudent to restrict access to the palace? Retain all servants and question them as to wether they saw anythign out of place? And where is Father Pele in all this? Wasn't he supposed to be helping with cleansing of the room?"
  [20:46:55] <+Seth> ::Takes a drink:: "I for one am not foolish enough to track an entire order of mages deep into the swamp and to their lair. That is close to suicide in my mind."
  [20:48:05] <.Bynw> *Father Pele enters the great hall, almost on queue at the mention of his name and bows before the assembled lords* "The Captain is lying in state in the chapel"
  [20:48:16] <+Jack> "Okay, you've ruled out Warp Wood's biggest tourist attraction.  Where else do you think we'd find Maxim?"
  [20:48:36] <+Seth> ::Steeples his hands:: "I have a plan..."
  [20:48:42] <+Charissa> "Father, do you know what happened to the old candles in the Captain's room?"
  [20:49:17] <+Seth> "But it is dangerous, very dangerous."
  [20:49:18] <+Ryethon> "And on the note of finding the Maxim, I would think it best to go out in the town and let it be known that we are looking to speak with them.. they'll hear.. and probably faster than if we went directly to them."
  [20:49:51] <+Seth> "Ryethon, unless they are guilty Master Ryethon. Then we lose all advantage."
  [20:49:58] <+Jack> "Well, we have Seth's dangerous plan or Ryethon's more direct one."
  [20:50:28] <.Bynw> *the father looks at Jack for a moment and then answers his queen* "No your majesty. They were probably changed with everything else."
  [20:50:28] <+Ryethon> "If they are not guilty, we may gain a powerful ally."
  [20:51:32] <+Seth> "That is a gamble, and not a very good one considering the Maxim seem to be our prime suspect at the moment."
  [20:52:33] <+Seth> "Even if they are not guilty, they may not want to talk to us."
  [20:52:59] <+Seth> "They are quite protected in the Swamp."
  [20:53:06] <+Ryethon> "Perhaps you are right."
  [20:53:14] <.Bynw> *Father Pele takes a seat next to the bishop*
  [20:54:12] <+Seth> ::Turns to Charissa:: "Your Majesty, could you ward our conversation? I think it is prudent that we take precautions."
  [20:54:19] <+Charissa> "aye"
  [20:55:07] <+Seth> ::Turns to the servents:: "You are dismissed for a quarter hour. Return then."
  [20:55:42] <.Bynw> *the servants bow and leave the great hall*
  [20:58:51] <.Bynw> *he watches the conversation now between Seth and Ryethon and interjects* "My Lord? Why would you wish to speak with rabble like the Maxim?"
  [20:59:43] <+Jack> "Well, the enemy you know is less dangerous than the enemy you don't know."
  [21:00:05] <+Seth> ::Stands fro the table and sets his goblet down. He then mutters in Latin under his breath and makes a few hand gestures, leaving tracers of light as his hands move. A feeling of safety passes through everyone in the Hall as he finishes. Then he answers::
  [21:02:13] <+Seth> "I wish to know my kingdom. The Maxim operate here, but outside of any authority. They have many reasons to oppose us. I'd like to know more of them."
  [21:03:09] <+Seth> "And every revolution is started by rabble your excellency."
  [21:03:48] * IIsi50MHz has joined #Teara-Adan
  [21:03:54] <.Bynw> *Father Pele* "The Maxim operator here, in our neighbors lands and across the sea in Solanda as well."
  [21:04:22] <+Seth> "Lastly, because if they are behind the curse then I think it's best to stop them, I enjoy living. If not they may help us find who is."
  [21:05:20] <.Bynw> "Solanda is where they originated and moved across the jungles and swamps of nearby lands ... " *the father stops, obviously in thought*
  [21:05:38] <+Seth> ::Looks about the hall with a look of satisfation at the wards. He retrieves his goblet and takes a drink::
  [21:06:00] <+Seth> "What is on your mind Father?"
  [21:07:14] <.Bynw> "If you seek the Maxim. Go to them. In Solanda." *he says* "The keep of Traxis."
  [21:07:27] <.Bynw> (( *Thraxis ))
  [21:07:41] <+Seth> "Their headquarters?"
  [21:08:24] <.Bynw> "Headquaters, Mother House of their Order. Every group has a homebase" *he says* "Even the Holy Church."
  [21:09:25] <+Jack> "Solanda would be a rather lengthy trip."
  [21:09:45] <+Seth> ::Nods:: "Yes, and my plan does not have that much time to spare."
  [21:09:56] <+Seth> "Though we could go by portal."
  [21:10:29] <+Jack> "Well, I'm up for it if you are."
  [21:10:44] <+Seth> "I do have a plan."
  [21:11:06] <+Jack> "Besides Solanda?"
  [21:11:15] <.Bynw> *Nidar* "And be in Altair in a couple of days. The distance is what would stop you. Even by Portal."
  [21:11:16] <+Seth> "Yes."
  [21:11:44] <+Seth> ::Takes a drink and then speaks::
  [21:11:54] <+Seth> "Here is my plan..."
  [21:12:50] <+Seth> "Who ever is causing this plague is obviously doing so to gain power here in Warp Wood. We can agree on that..."
  [21:13:10] <+Charissa> "aye"
  [21:13:17] <.Bynw> *Bishop Nidar nods in agreement*
  [21:13:24] <.Bynw> *Kevin* "Aye ..."
  [21:13:50] <+Seth> "That they killed Antillies suggests that they are not happy with the Spectral order's involvement.."
  [21:14:30] <+Charissa> "true"
  [21:14:44] <+Seth> "I think it is reasonable that they will strike at the envoy when they arrive here..."
  [21:15:10] <+Jack> "Me too.  I think I even said that . . . "
  [21:15:10] <.Bynw> *Nidar* "Who will be a Spectral."
  [21:15:23] <+Ryethon> "Inevitable."
  [21:15:50] <+Seth> ::Takes another drink to steel his nerves:: "That means we have bait."
  [21:15:51] <+Charissa> "and we have to prevent that from happening"
  [21:16:08] <+Seth> "A trap is what I suggest."
  [21:16:18] <+Charissa> "what kind of trap?"
  [21:17:16] <+Seth> "For the first time we know, or we think we know, the next target for attack. That is a great advantage. As to the exact trap, I'm not sure. We must think it through ourselves."
  [21:17:52] <+Seth> "Worse yet, the Spectral must not know he is bait."
  [21:19:14] <+Coch> "Why?"
  [21:19:53] <+Ryethon> "If you were the cheese in a rat trap, would you want to risk being eaten?"
  [21:20:21] <+Seth> "He would never agree or if he did we would owe him your Majesty. He could use that as leverage to seal Antillies bargain."
  [21:20:26] <+Charissa> "aye, we can't let him tip our hand"
  [21:20:36] <+Coch> "And what if it goes wrong and we didn't let the Spectal know the potential danger, won't the order hold it against us?"
  [21:20:48] <+Ryethon> "Or worse yet, the occorance of a smart rat..."
  [21:21:11] <+Seth> "Aye Coch, that is the Danger I spoke of."
  [21:21:56] <+Seth> "If things go wrong....it could undo us. But I am out of ideas on how to prevent this plague."
  [21:22:06] <+Coch> "Okay, I just wanted to say it out loud.  Regardless, I'm with you either way"
  [21:24:15] <+Seth> "My hope is that the Envoy will have warding that would protect him from a magical curse, that means they must move against him physically. If we capture the assassin or track them, it would solve things."
  [21:25:07] <.Bynw> *Bishop Nidar* "I think it will work. We have at least a day if not 2 to work out the details. We should all be ready."
  [21:27:57] <.Bynw> *Father Pele* "As disgusting as it may be for me to admit this ... Lord Seth. You are the resident mage here. You have spells to weave for our benefit. Two days is not much time."
  [21:31:15] <+Seth> ::Nods:: "Time is against us, but if we do nothing I fear the Spectral will die at the hands of the unknown assassin's."
  [21:33:14] <+Seth> "The diffrence is we must install a weakness in our security, something an assassin would exploit. That is the trap. We look for the assassin to strike using the weakness. Perhaps a sleepy guard or an unguarded window. Something or the sort, I'm open to ideas."
  [21:33:15] <+Jack> "Or the assassin will die at the hands of the Spectral, but either way we'd learn nothing."
  [21:34:55] <.Bynw> *Kevin* "We cant have something too obvious though, or it will look like a trap."
  [21:35:12] <+Charissa> "can you help with that?"
  [21:37:46] <.Bynw> *Kevin* "I will see what I can come up with of course"
  [21:40:26] <.Bynw> (( i think thats a good stopping point ... come up with ideas outside of game time before next session one what your plans are ... ))