Episode 16

[Bynw]

 [19:14:14] * Playing 'recap.txt' to #Teara-Adan with 1300ms delay
[19:14:15] <.Bynw> ****************************************
[19:14:16] <.Bynw> **
[19:14:18] <.Bynw> **   The Winds of Change - Episode 16
[19:14:19] <.Bynw> **
[19:14:20] <.Bynw> ** Beginning Adventure Recap
[19:14:22] <.Bynw> **
[19:14:23] <.Bynw> ****************************************
[19:14:24] <.Bynw> **
[19:14:26] <.Bynw> ** Having enjoyed the afternoon at the
[19:14:27] <.Bynw> ** capital's local tavern. The Lords have
[19:14:28] <.Bynw> ** returned to the Palace and rest for the
[19:14:29] <.Bynw> ** night.
[19:14:31] <.Bynw> **
[19:14:32] <.Bynw> ** The Queen has resumed her court in the
[19:14:33] <.Bynw> ** morning hours and has called back
[19:14:35] <.Bynw> ** Father Pele to the council chambers
[19:14:36] <.Bynw> ** to finish their discussion.
[19:14:37] <.Bynw> ** 
[19:14:39] <.Bynw> **
[19:14:40] <.Bynw> ****************************************
[19:14:41] <.Bynw> **
[19:14:43] <.Bynw> **   End of Adventure Recap
[19:14:44] <.Bynw> **
[19:14:45] <.Bynw> ****************************************
[19:14:45] * Playback of 'recap.txt' complete
[19:16:01] * +Charissa asks the Seneschal to look up/find out how the Kings and Queens were annointed in ancient times
[19:16:47] <.Bynw> *the Seneschal nods* "Yes your Majesty"
[19:16:47] * +Coch enters the Grand Hall and approaches the throne
[19:17:15] * +Charissa resumes court activities
[19:18:53] * +Kevin walks in the grand hall and nods to Charissa and Coch, then takes a seat
[19:19:02] <.Bynw> *Father Pele enters the Grand Hall and bows before the Queen and the Lords* "Your Majesty ... My Lords" *and he takes his place being the Bishop's representative at court*
[19:19:26] <+Seth> ::Enters the grand hall, having just cleaned up, his eyes still blood shot from his excesses of the previous night. He takes a seat and quietly drinks from a hot mug of Black Bean tea::
[19:19:43] * +Charissa acknowledges him with a nod: "Father Pele."
[19:20:04] <.Bynw> *Lord Antillies is not present this morning at court*
[19:20:39] <+Charissa> "all we need now is Jack.  Lord Antilles won't be here this morning.  He has some military duties to take care of."
[19:21:10] * +Jack strolls in "Sorry I'm late."
[19:21:42] <+Charissa> "welcome Jack.  No need to apologize!  Now that we're all here, I'd like to talk about the coronation.
[19:21:48] <+Charissa> "
[19:22:55] <+Jack> "That sounds interesting.  Of course, anythign does after an hour discussion on whether to raise the official by price for mackerel."
[19:23:07] <+Jack> *buy price
[19:24:05] <+Charissa> "I have asked the Seneschal to find out about the ancient coronation ceremonies."
[19:24:58] <.Bynw> *Pele* "Are you planning on a 2nd ceremony? Your coronations were over a month ago."
[19:25:23] <+Charissa> "Yes, I'd like a second one.  I think it would do the people good."
[19:25:32] <+Seth> ::Sighs and leans back, staring into his mug::
[19:25:41] <+Jack> "The High Queen hasn't had a coronation for that title yet."
[19:25:49] <+Charissa> "exactly."
[19:26:47] <+Charissa> "and since the first one was done according to Church dictat, I'd like the 2nd one, the more meaningful one, to be done according to the ancient customs of the land, as closely duplicated as possible."
[19:27:03] <.Bynw> *Pele* "With that we would be breaking new ground. Even now we break new ground. Warp Wood has never had more than one Royal at a time."
[19:27:46] <+Seth> ::Rolls his eyes and rubs his temple as Father Pele speaks::
[19:28:12] <+Charissa> "so we break new ground.  Only way to go forward is to take steps forward and step out of the box.  Staying in what the Church has always wanted for Warp Wood is staying in mediocrity."
[19:30:32] <+Jack> "I like breaking new ground.  And besides, the ancient customs of the land are old and respected, too.  Just in a different way."
[19:31:38] <+Kevin> "I think using the old customs is a superb idea."
[19:31:52] <+Charissa> "and they should be honored and revived."
[19:32:16] <.Bynw> *Pele* "Madam, you will find that the laws of the land and the Holy Church are deeply entertwined and have been for many years. This may be the territories now but it was once part of the Kingdom of Abronn, a civilized nation."
[19:32:20] <+Seth> ::Waves his hand garishly in a positive gesture::
[19:33:38] <+Charissa> "then all the more reason for Warp Wood to carve its own image and destiny.  What better way to do it then by reviving the ancient customs and traditions."
[19:34:35] <+Charissa> "and laws are made by man, subject to interpretations."
[19:40:10] <.Bynw> *The Seneschal returns with a stack of documents. These represent the various histories of the Lords of Warp Wood for the last 2 centuries."
[19:42:02] <+Charissa> ::thanks the Seneschal and turns to Father Pele::  "That will be all for now, Father.  I am going to be rather occupied for the next few hours looking through these documents to find the perfect ceremony."
[19:43:12] <+Seth> ::His eyes watch Father Pele as he leaves from over the rim of his mug as he drinks::
[19:43:17] <+Charissa> "Lords, would you kindly help me decide which would be the best ceremony?" ::she askes Seth, Coch, Jack and Kevin::
[19:43:30] <+Kevin> "I would be delighted."
[19:43:47] <+Jack> "I'd be honored."
[19:44:12] <+Coch> "Absolutely my Queen"
[19:44:30] <+Seth> ::Stares at Queen Charissa with his bloodshot eyes:: "Ugh?"
[19:44:48] <.Bynw> *As the Lords being to look over the ancient documents Father Pele takes his leave of the chamber to attend to  his own matters*
[19:44:51] <+Charissa> "good, good.  I know we shall come up with the best choice for Warp Wood."
[19:45:25] <+Charissa> ::watches Pele leave and chuckles::  "Seth, you don't have to help if you'd rather prefer to sleep some more."
[19:47:30] <+Seth> ::Smiles, for the first time since entering the chamber, at Queen Charissa:: "As always your majesty you have a deft touch with the hearts of men."
[19:48:33] <+Charissa> ::returns the smile and waves towards the door::  "go get some more rest.  You're more useful fully rested." 
[19:48:38] <+Charissa> ::chuckles again::
[19:50:31] <+Seth> ::Sighs deeply:: "Thank you your Majesty, but I will recover shortly. I just need a bit of time to digest my tea."
[19:50:42] <+Charissa> ::to the others::  "Alright.  After we decide which one we all like, and once Seth is rested, we need to set some new wards and cleanse the areas where we are most likely to be from the Church's prying eyes and ears."
[19:51:44] <+Charissa> "unless you're willing to give it a shot now, Seth..."
[19:53:28] <+Seth> "I am not one to consult on choice of rituals in all honesty your Majesty, but I will offer what I can."
[19:53:43] <+Charissa> "thank you Seth."
[19:55:28] <+Coch> "Are we looking for something that will cause the Church much grief?"
[19:55:55] <+Charissa> "yes.  That's exactly what we're looking for."
[19:55:59] * +Jack gestures toward the pile of documents. "May I?"
[19:56:11] <+Charissa> "of course, Jack, go right ahead."
[19:56:17] <.Bynw> *several hours past while the Lords look over the documents. They do find that a priest has always been present during the coronation of Warp Wood's king. In 2 instances it was a Druid priest but the majority of the Kings have been anointed by the priests of the Church of Altair.*
[19:56:50] <+Charissa> "Jack, do you think we can get a druid priest here?"
[19:57:36] <+Seth> ::Chuckles:: "Let's do keep in mind that the Church is a powerful institution your Majesty. Though I whole heartdly agree with taking jabs at that little rodent of a man, Father Pele; it might be unwise to anger them unduely."
[19:57:44] <+Jack> "I'd be willing to take a shot at it, but Seth has the ins with the Druids.  What do you think, Seth?"
[19:58:24] <+Charissa> "I don't want that little toady Pele in my ceremony!"
[19:59:15] <+Seth> "As always my idea is to keep both the druids and the church arguing over philosophy as a means to control them. You simply hold power out on a stick and leadn them about."
[20:00:11] <.Bynw> *a servant burts into the chamber* "My lords! Come quick .. Lord Antilles is ill!"
[20:00:26] <+Coch> "It seems  these documents reference ceremonies for a King not a Queen that may prove useful in dealing with Father Pele and the Church."
[20:00:30] <+Seth> "We could always make tenative requests to have Father Pele replaced here in Warp Wo..." ::Looks to the servent::
[20:00:35] * ambush has joined #Teara-Adan
[20:01:09] <+Charissa> ::rushes out muttering..."what has he gone and done now"??::
[20:01:22] * +Kevin gets up in and  follows the servant
[20:01:41] * +Jack follows the servant too.
[20:02:04] * +Coch follows the group to Antilles
[20:02:40] <+Seth> ::Slowly rises with a thoughtful expression, but stops to talk to a servent very quickly before he follows::
[20:03:43] <.Bynw> *the servant leads them to Antilles's apartments. there is Antille's lying in bed ... dripping with a cold sweat and looking very pale - much like the old Lords looked. attending him are several servants and Father Pele.*
[20:05:05] <+Charissa> ::stares at Pele::  "Do you know when he fell ill?"
[20:05:29] <+Seth> ::Stays to the back of the group and simply watches::
[20:07:42] <.Bynw> *Pele* "I don't know I was summoned by a servant and have the rest of you brought here as well ... " *he continues to work on him and looks up at the Lords* 
[20:08:13] <+Charissa> ::keeps staring at Pele and Antilles::
[20:08:21] <.Bynw> "Don't just stand there gwaking. Some of you have Healing gift. Help this man!"
[20:09:18] <+Charissa> "this is magick...my healing gift didn't help the old King and the lords, it won't help Antilles.  This is the Church's revenge."
[20:09:35] <+Charissa> "but, I shall try."  ::Heads over to try to help Antilles with her healing::
[20:10:22] <+Seth> ::Simply folds his arms and continues standing to the back, watching::
[20:11:30] <.Bynw> *Pele* "You will watch your tongue Madam. The Church is trying to save this man. Not kill him!"
[20:12:09] <+Charissa> "oh, really?  How come you were the first one called and not one of us?  How do I know that you didn't poison him or something?"
[20:13:14] <+Charissa> ::to the other Lords:: "We need to find out who the servant was that called Pele first.  Why he did that.  If it was simply standing orders from the previous nobility, we need to ensure new orders are given where we are notified first."
[20:14:26] <.Bynw> *Pele* "We will discuss this outrage before the Bishop. But now use your God given gifts to help this man!"
[20:14:51] <+Charissa> "I've already been trying, Pele!  It doesn't seem to be doing any good though!"
[20:15:10] <+Seth> @5df
[20:15:11] <+SnakeEyes> Seth Fudge Rolled [ ]

• [-][ ]
• 
  [20:19:03] <+Charissa> @5df
  [20:19:04] <+SnakeEyes> Charissa Fudge Rolled [-][-][ ]
• [-]
  [20:19:50] <.Bynw> *Antilles's condition doesn't improve and he beings going into convulsions*
  [20:20:11] <.Bynw> *Father Pele and a servant who is near by go to hold him down*
  [20:20:22] <+Charissa> ::stares hard at Pele as she tries to send healing into Antilles again::
  [20:20:22] * +Kevin backs away
  [20:20:58] <+Seth> ::his eyes narrow but he stands his ground::
  [20:21:56] <+Charissa> @5df
  [20:21:57] <+SnakeEyes> Charissa Fudge Rolled [ ][ ][ ][ ][-]
  [20:22:57] <.Bynw> *The convulsions stop after a few minutes and Antilles lays still ... breathing shallowly*
  [20:23:10] <+Charissa> ::gives up on trying to heal, tries to read his memories, before they fade completely away::
  [20:23:35] <+Charissa> @5df
  [20:23:35] <+SnakeEyes> Charissa Fudge Rolled [-]
• [ ]
  [20:23:39] <+Seth> ::Pushes past the others and neils beside General Antillies he takes his head between his hands:: "Who did this? Who did this to you?"
  [20:25:11] <.Bynw> *his eyes are not open and he doesn't act as if he can hear*
  [20:28:09] <+Seth> ::Stands and shakes his head in defeat. He steps back and makes room for the others to do what they must::
  [20:34:15] <+Charissa> @6df
  [20:34:15] <+SnakeEyes> Charissa Fudge Rolled [-][-]
• [ ]
  [20:36:22] <+Charissa> "traces of arcane energy...can't tell any more than that." ::stares even harder at Pele with eyes narrowing::
  [20:37:37] <+Charissa> "whenever you show up around here, people die, Pele.  Can you explain why that happens?"
  [20:37:47] <+Seth> @4df
  [20:37:48] <+SnakeEyes> Seth Fudge Rolled [-][-]
• [-]
  [20:39:42] <.Bynw> *Pele is placing a cloth on Antillies head* "I do not show up. I live here remember. My apartment is on this floor ... which is why a servant found me first."
  [20:39:44] <.Bynw> *Antillies breathing drops and like several of the lords before him, dies*
  [20:40:30] <+Charissa> "then you will need to move out of this palace, Pele.  Go find quarters at the Cathedral.  That's an order, by the way, or do you want me to make that a royal decree?"
  [20:40:43] <+Seth> ::Seth takes a deep breath and closes his eyes muttering something under his breath, only the last of it can be heard:: ....dust to dust."
  [20:41:20] <+Charissa> "do your duty by General Antilles and then you move out of this palace."
  [20:42:19] * +Jack moves over to Antilles body and speaks inaudibly.
  [20:45:48] <.Bynw> "Yes your Majesty" *Pele nods and calls over a few servants to help with caring for Antilles's body. And after taking care of the directions he turns back to the Queen.* "The servants know what to do. Everyone should clear out of this room so they can take care of his body properly. I shall prepare myself to bring Bishop Nidor for his funeral."
  [20:45:55] <+Seth> ::Glances to Father Pele and then to Charissa, he opens his mouth to say somthing but quickly closes it seeing the set of the Queens expression::
  [20:46:54] <+Charissa> "and to ensure the comfort of the Bishop, you shall stay at the Cathedral with him."
  [20:48:24] <+Seth> ::His tone is almost sympathetic:: "Father Pele, I invite Bishop Nidor to council with us in the great hall when he arrives."
  [20:48:24] * +Kevin stands shocked, but does nothing
  [20:51:19] <.Bynw> *Pele nods at Lord Seth* "Expect Us within 2 days. I trust you have skills to prevent any unslightly appearance in this heat." *he parts the room and heads to his own*
  [20:52:54] <+Charissa> ::to the other Lords:: "we need to discuss this turn of events privately.  Shall we head to the antechamber?"
  [20:53:31] <+Kevin> "Aye."
  [20:53:33] * +Jack nods slowly. "Yeah . . . "
  [20:54:49] <+Coch> "As you wish"
  [20:56:45] <+Charissa> ::once in the antechamber, Charissa briefs the Lords on her plan...to cleanse the Palace of any malignant sorcery/magic and to search Pele's chamber and lay subtle wards on both his chambers and the chapels he uses.::
  [20:57:56] <+Kevin> "Sounds liek a decent plan to me, though I am sorry to say I don't think I can help much."
  [20:58:30] <+Charissa> "and I most definitely want a druid priest to do the coronation of the high queen ceremony.  I don't want to take the chance that the Church may have used sorcery during the first ceremony."
  [20:58:31] <+Seth> ::Rubs his bloodshot eyes and blinks:: "I do not think Pele knows anything. best to be safe then sorry I suppose, but I think Pele is leased likly involved in this Curse."
  [20:59:06] <+Coch> "Perhaps it might be prudent to abandon the palace entirely and take up residence elsewhere?"
  [20:59:16] * ambush has quit IRC (Quit: brb...switching to laptop)
  [20:59:25] <+Seth> "I would actually put the local Druid leader high on my suspect list your majesty."
  [20:59:41] <+Charissa> "but then we would need time to build a suitable place and we don't have the time for it."
  [21:00:25] <+Charissa> "the local druid leader must be invited to the ceremony to show the druids that we intend to allow them to practice their religion."
  [21:00:30] <+Seth> "He is involved, or knows more then he says. He stopped me last night, in the rain, and warned that we are all in danger."
  [21:01:17] <+Charissa> "or he may just have scryed that information and is trying to tell us the Church is behind it all."
  [21:01:58] <+Charissa> "all the more reason to involve the druids in the coronation ceremony then."
  [21:02:07] <+Seth> "The church perhaps, but Father Pele is much too obvious to be the true culprit."
  [21:02:33] <+Seth> ::Chuckles:: "One more of us drops and he's likley to hang."
  [21:02:37] <+Charissa> "now, Seth, if you or Jack could ensure that we will have a druid priest available in two weeks time, I will go rest."
  [21:03:07] <+Seth> ::Nods:: "Oh I can assure you Your Majesty I will be speaking to the Druid."
  [21:03:43] <+Charissa> ::Charissa takes her leave complaining about a bad headache."
  [21:03:47] <+Charissa> ::
  [21:05:36] <+Kevin> "She did a very drastic thing, kicking Pele out."
  [21:06:00] <+Kevin> "In my humble opinion, at least."
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  [21:06:40] <+Seth> ::Turns to the others:: "Yes, she did. I think the curse was timely. It continues to cause friction between us and the church. The druid is key to this. He knows more than he has said."
  [21:09:41] <+Coch> "Too many people are keeping information from us and it needs to stop"
  [21:09:46] <+Seth> "I'd say the place to start is the local Druids church, er, where ever they meet. The Druid had fore-seen this happening. It's our only real clue."
  [21:10:33] <+Jack> "Don't Druids meet in a holy grove in the forest?"
  [21:10:53] <+Seth> ::Throws up his hands as Coch speaks:: "I could use stern methods, but you all balked at my solution to the Lords dead bodies."
  [21:13:52] <+Coch> "What solution was that Seth?"
  [21:14:29] <+Jack> "Remember the pigs, Coch?"
  [21:15:11] <.Bynw> *there is a knock at the door*
  [21:15:30] <+Seth> ::Smiles in that paculiar way that does not touch his eyes:: "Use your imagination Lord Coch...." ::turns at the knock:: "Come."
  [21:16:04] <.Bynw> *Adrian Sprax enters* "You called for me My Lord?"
  [21:18:45] <+Seth> ::Nods to Adrian:: "Lord Marshal Sprax, yes I did. Lord Antillies has fallen ill of the former lords curse and died just now."
  [21:19:42] <.Bynw> *he crosses himself instinctively* "This is most serious."
  [21:20:54] <+Seth> ::Raises an eyebrow:: "yes it is. You can imagine what would become of Warp Wood's future if we all died with no heir aparent, yes?"
  [21:21:50] <.Bynw> *he nods* "We would descend into chaos and other territories would take there claims to us"
  [21:22:34] <+Coch> "Which territory would you say would gain the most?"
  [21:22:42] <+Seth> ::Nods and smiles:: "Yes, and those loyal to the former lords would be...untrusted."
  [21:22:53] * +Kevin has quit IRC (Connection reset by peer)
  [21:24:44] <+Seth> "The Arch Druid of the area knows something, he is our only lead at the moment. Have any ideas where he can be found Lord Marshal? I'd like to have a conversation with him." ::his tone is determined::
  [21:24:59] * Kevin has joined #Teara-Adan
  [21:26:01] <.Bynw> *Sprax looks puzzled a bit* "Arch Druid? You mean Chadwick?"
  [21:27:47] <+Seth> ::Shrugs:: "Uh, yes. I'm not really sure what his title is."
  [21:29:00] <.Bynw> *Sprax* "He's no arch druid. I dont think there is one anywhere in the Territories. I don't know where he is off hand. Out in the swamps or the rainforest someplace. But if you start looking for him. You find him"
  [21:30:11] * +Jack looks at Seth. "Shall we, then?"
  [21:30:50] * Kevin has quit IRC (Connection reset by peer)
  [21:31:32] * +Coch has left #Teara-Adan
  [21:31:37] * Coch has joined #Teara-Adan
  [21:31:50] * Bynw sets mode: +v Coch
  [21:34:31] <.Bynw> (( i think this is a good stopping point ))