Start of #Odal buffer: Thu Jun 11 07:22:29 2009 03[16:12:08] * Now talking in #Odal 03[16:13:04] * Xan (rustangel@ip-118-219.atvci.net) has joined #Odal 03[16:17:31] * Charles (CHBoucher@dsl2-161.gsinet.net) has joined #Odal 03[16:17:37] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Charles 03[16:27:19] * Paera (dlarmour@wnpgmb1309w-ad05-59-179.dynamic.mts.net) has joined #Odal [16:33:22] * When last we left our heroes, they had found the desecrated temple of Moradin that the dwarven hammerers had been sent to raid, only to find a slaughterhouse. The gnoll matriarch is inside, along with a pair of her children, and in the distance you can hear the howling of gnolls outside the temple. [16:33:28] [Session start] 02[16:34:16] * Eve_Kasnora (novaseaker@c-24-129-25-205.hsd1.fl.comcast.net) Quit (Ping timeout: 180 seconds) 03[16:39:14] * NovaSeaker (novaseaker@c-24-129-25-205.hsd1.fl.comcast.net) has joined #Odal [16:39:17] "So what now?" 01[16:44:00] It seems clear enough. [16:46:11] "Indeed. I follow you and shoot things from the back. That's usually what we do." 06[16:46:12] * Xan smirks. [16:48:16] Let's get this over with. 03[16:48:49] * NovaSeaker is now known as Eve_Kasnora 06[16:49:21] * Eve_Kasnora unsheathes her weapons. 06[16:49:42] * Eilenia pulls out her sword and orb. [16:50:29] "It is being time to end this." 06[16:50:51] * Eve_Kasnora strides into the temple. [16:54:55] * As Eve walks into the temple, the gnoll matron looks up, and points at her, barking a warning in her strange, degenerate tongue, and the gnolls flanking her look up. She steps forward, casually bringing her club down on the body of the fallen dwarf at her feet, with a sickening sound of bones being crushed, and the other gnolls step forward [16:54:59] * Roll init 03[17:05:08] * Charles changes topic to '23 [Xan], 20 [Eve, Paera] 16 [Gaunt gnoll], 13 [Matron], 12 [Cannibal], 11 [Eilenia]' [17:08:53] [Xan's turn] 06[17:12:21] * Xan rushes in, firing two shots absentmindedly, more concerned with the door in front of him. [17:13:43] [Eve's turn] [17:16:17] [Paera's turn] 06[17:16:33] * Eve_Kasnora runs in after Xan, straight toward the collapsed column. She puts her foot in one of it's grooves and easily hops on top of it, brandishing her swords in an X in front of her body. "Come and be getting some!" 06[17:19:02] * Paera runs in after Eve, keeping the column and Eve between her and the gnolls. [17:24:25] * As one, the gnolls break apart, as the starved-looking one rushes towards Eve, clawing at her with both hands, leaving a deep scratch on her cheek, while the overfed one jukes around the pillar and bites down hard on Paera's arm. The matron watches and laughs approvingly, and in the distance, you hear a howling laugh in response [17:24:41] [Eilenia's turn] 06[17:28:48] * Eilenia moves next to the doorway, and sticks her head and arm through it. She hurls a spell of arcane lethargy, but gnolls are hyperactive, so it's not so easy. She decides to take advantage of their ADD by creating another fey pattern of flashing hypnotic lights near Eve. [17:30:25] [Xan's turn] [17:34:50] [Eve's turn] 06[17:34:56] * Xan turns around, facing the matron calmly, holding his palm o ut and firing a stacatto of tiny bolts that flow into her hide like a panicked flock of birds, the shot needing less accuracy to connect, allowing him to move up behind the column. He takes another step towards the door and attempts to open it. [17:36:31] * On the other side of the door, Xan finds what seems like a row of anvils, but without the fires or tools to make a functional forge. Additionally, he finds a short, steep stairway up [17:42:10] [Paera's turn] 06[17:43:43] * Eve_Kasnora slices into the emaciated gnoll's shoulder before hopping back off the column, taunting it to follow her. She turns instead to face the matron, stepping to intercede between her and Paera. "You will be dealing with a divine emissary of Bahamut now, yes?" [17:45:45] * The matron laughs, and barks a new command to her brood. "Take you alive! Eat you alive! Eat Bahamut! Yeehongu! YEEHONGU!" [17:46:37] * The gnolls begin laughing and chanting "YEEHONGU!" as they stamp their feet rythmically against the floor 06[17:47:06] * Xan grunts. "Idiots." 06[17:49:02] * Eve_Kasnora can't help but laugh. "Bahamut is an ideal! You cannot be consuming ideals! Ignorant wretch." 06[17:50:09] * Paera backs towards the door. "You can't get rid of a god as easily as you can deface a temple." She begins to pray, and a bolt of light pierces the matron from above. [17:50:53] * There's a loud barking from outside as a gnoll rounds the corner and launches himself at Eilenia, swiping at her with a sharp, fallen piece of masonry [17:54:15] * As the bloated gnoll wanders towards the hypnotic pattern, the starved one shakes off his dizziness and rounds the pillar, and the matron swings her club at Eve, the vast array of humanoid teeth that line the length of it quite literally biting into her [17:54:45] [Eilenia's turn] 06[17:58:18] * Xan turns towards the gnoll matron as she rears up to strike Eve, firing a painful-looking barbed bolt into her underarm, which incidentally throws off her balance and concentration enough for her to miss the attack. 06[17:59:48] * Eve_Kasnora nods over her shoulder to Xan. "Thanks being to you, comrade!" [17:59:56] [Xan's turn] 06[18:00:18] * Eilenia backs away from the gnoll in her face. SHe pulls her orb back, which starts to burn red, then thrusts her arm forward. An explosion of fire engulfs the matron and one of the gnolls near her. "Careful Eve. THe fire may soon find new fuel." 06[18:01:31] * Xan nods quietly, ducking behind the doorway and dashing up the stair [18:03:00] "Do not be letting it! We must be maintaining our offensive!" 01[18:03:17] Very well, then [18:03:56] * The stairs, rickety from years of misuse and intentional abuse crumble under Xan as he climbs up them, but he manages to keep his balance and his pace and get to the top [18:06:11] [Eve's turn] [18:08:32] [Paera's turn] 06[18:10:19] * Eve_Kasnora makes a lot of flashy attacks at the gnoll matron, but the slick bitch keeps rolling out of the way of the downward striking blades, even as Eve moves with her. 06[18:11:44] * Paera continues to pray, but absolutely nothing of note happens. 03[18:14:24] * Charles changes topic to '23 [Xan], 20 [Eve, Paera] 16 [Gaunt gnoll], 12 [Cannibal], 11 [Matron, Eilenia]' [18:16:31] * The gaunt gnoll pushes itself up and runs around the corner, skidding to a stop next to Eve, and the bloated one jumps from the fallen pillar, snapping at Eve and missing. However, as the matron pushes herself up, she lets loose an unearthly, blood-chilling howl, and the two gnolls lash out, each catching Eve [18:17:56] [Eilenia's turn] 06[18:19:42] * Eve_Kasnora is torn into and howls in pained rage. She remains on her feet though, and glares at the Matron while blood drips into her eyes. 06[18:21:31] * Eilenia back off and hurls a swarm of fey daggers at the Matron, which buzz about her. [18:21:35] [Xan's turn] [18:23:33] [Eve's turn] 06[18:24:46] * Xan steps up to the ledge, looking to the matron and holding his palms outward, forming two orbs, joining them, the web-thin wire between them taught. As he launches it, the twine snaps and the two solid spheres spaltter against the walls [18:25:23] [Paera's turn] 06[18:26:15] * Eve_Kasnora rears up and throws out a double arcing slice at the Matron, refusing to take a breather because she knows it won't her any good. 06[18:31:31] * Paera grits her teeth and braces herself, raising her holy symbol to point at the gnolls. "Let this light cleanse this place." A column of light erupts around the gnolls and Eve, leaving Eve refreshed and the gnolls charred. 06[18:33:51] * Eve_Kasnora breaths a sigh of relief from pain... [18:34:30] * The gnoll pack beast ducks into the cathedral and lunges at Eve, and the other gnolls make ineffectual attacks. As Eve sighs, however, the matron howls again, and the starved gnoll slashes with jagged claws across her throat, leaving an angry red wound [18:34:55] [Eilenia's turn] [18:35:41] "Get back into the doorstep and bottleneck them!" 06[18:37:12] * Eilenia hurls another shimmering swarm of iridescent flying daggers at the matron. 06[18:37:32] * Eilenia grips her orb, then all the daggers pause, then point at the matron. Then they all converge at once. 06[18:39:49] * Eve_Kasnora glances away so as not to get matron-bits in her eyes. [18:41:13] * The matron is sliced into a mass of putresecent flesh, cackling as she dies 06[18:41:23] * Eilenia releases her grip. THere's a slow pause, then all of the daggers struggle, then leave the Matron. All of them point outward. [18:41:29] [Xan's turn] [18:41:44] "That is being it!" [18:41:49] "Xan, we are leaving!" [18:43:23] "Fine. I'll cover you. Go." [18:44:32] [Eve's turn] 06[18:45:25] * Eve_Kasnora turns and attempts to bury her shoulder in the gnoll blocking the door. "OUT OF MY WAY!" 06[18:48:38] * Eve_Kasnora snaps the gnolls neck with the force of her shoulder-butt, then steps on its course as she runs out the door, up to the other gnoll harassing Elienia. [18:48:48] "YOU WILL FACE THE PLATINUM DRAGON'S SERVANT!" [18:50:51] [Paera's turn] 06[18:51:54] * Paera runs out the door after Eve, tagging her with a quick heal as she does so. [18:57:30] * The gaunt gnoll sprints out after the party even as the bloated one darts through the side door up towards Xan. He makes a dive for Eilenia, but Eve catches him, and he turns and claws her again, cutting deep [18:57:47] [Eilenia's turn] 06[19:01:23] * Eilenia backs away from the gnolls by her and launches another swarm of daggers at a nearby gnoll [19:01:33] [Xan's turn] 06[19:04:32] * Xan calmly fires two shots into the back of the scrawny gnoll, standing on the balcony, unnervingly calm as his party retreats. [19:04:38] [Eve's turn] [19:04:49] * The gnoll staggers as the shots penetrate it, nearing death [19:05:52] [Paera's turn] 06[19:06:15] * Eve_Kasnora skewers the packbeast gnoll and throws it to the ground in front of the gaunt one. "HERE! FEAST ON THIS!" 06[19:06:41] * Eve_Kasnora backs away from the gaunt gnoll and eyes Paera and Elenia intently. "Run. Now." 06[19:07:10] * Paera nods, and dashes from the temple as fast as her feet will carry her. [19:10:21] * The gaunt gnoll breaks out into a flat run as Paera does, catching up with her easily enough as her armor weighs her down, and slashes at her back [19:11:47] Ugh...dammit! [19:12:00] * The cannibalistic gnoll kicks down the door that Xan is behind. It makes a rough swing at him, but goes drastically wide [19:12:15] [Eilenia's turn] 06[19:17:44] * Eilenia turns around and moves to Paera's aid. She sends another swarm of fey daggers at the beast, which plunge into it and exit the other side. The gnoll falls. [19:17:51] "GO!" [19:18:33] * There is a brief pause and then, with a palpable chill in the air, the gnoll rises again, glassy eyed, with foul ichor pouring from its wounds, its eyes, nose and mouth [19:18:55] * In the distance, you can hear more laughter, getting closer by the moment [19:19:40] [Xan's turn] 06[19:20:34] * Xan patiently looks to the gnoll attacking him, his arms quaking visibly as one fist coats with living silver, the other curling out from his palm like a long slashing blade. He swings out twice. 06[19:22:34] * Xan slashes out in a feint with his sharper arm, connecting with the hammer, hitting the gnoll in the liver. [19:22:38] [Eve's turn] 06[19:24:50] * Eve_Kasnora huffs it toward Paera, her scale coat weighing her down. "You. Are. DEAD! BE STAYING THAT WAY!" She slams her sword into the risen gnoll's back. [19:25:49] * The gnoll doesn't seem to notice the blow, turning to face Eve, his tongue lolling from his mouth. He laughs breathlessly, shuddering convulsively [19:27:28] [Paera's turn] [19:27:49] [Xan's turn, too, while we're at it since they won't effect each other] 06[19:30:59] * Xan falls from the balcony after being hit, landing safely on the column and firing two shots at the gnoll 01[19:31:12] Hey! He's alive again! That's not fair! [19:33:00] "Alive? Is it not being undead?!" 01[19:33:04] It's alive! 01[19:33:05] Alive! [19:34:05] [Eilenia's turn] 06[19:34:20] * Xan grins at the gnoll as it leaps down the stair after him. He actually manages a cackle. 06[19:38:59] * Paera staggers away from the gnoll. "GO BACK TO WHATEVER HELL YOU CRAWLED OUT OF!" She thrusts the holy symbol at the gnoll, and a massive light engulfs the two of them. When it fades, only Paera is standing. 06[19:39:32] * Eve_Kasnora blinks back spot motes. [19:39:41] "Go!" 06[19:39:48] * Eve_Kasnora glances back at the temple. 06[19:40:54] * Eve_Kasnora turns back to the others. "Xan is taking too long." 06[19:41:37] * Paera breathes heavily. "We...we gotta go back for him." [19:42:22] "Gnolls... harbingers of destruction." [19:43:19] * Our heroes can see gnolls beginning to charge up the alleyways to the sides of the temple, drawn by the sound of their mother's death rattle and the smell of fresh carrion 06[19:43:57] * Eve_Kasnora shakes her head. "No. We go back. His death will not be being in vein if I am having anything to say about it!" [19:44:03] "You two! Start running!" 06[19:44:27] * Eve_Kasnora nods her head back toward the saftey of the fortrest when she says "back". [19:44:35] What?! What about Xan? What about you? [19:45:11] "THe three of us go. Xan... Xan is a warrior. He covered our escape. DO NOT MAKE HIS SACRIFICE BE IN VEIN!" 06[19:45:33] * Eve_Kasnora glares at Paera. "Hate me if you wish, but we are not going back for him." 06[19:45:42] * Xan dukes it out steadily with the rabid gnoll, grinning and bloodied, stepping back patiently, tearing chunks from the gnolls flesh as he backs away, then falling silent and still. [19:47:19] * The gnoll begins laughing uproariously, and hunches over Xan's fallen form, leaning in to tear the flesh from his throat... [19:47:33] Maybe you can do that, but I can't! We're all going back together! [19:48:08] "THe only thing the four of us will do together is DIE!" [19:48:22] If you're not going to go back for Xan, I will! [19:48:24] "I am all for being idealist but do NOT throw yourself away!" [19:49:08] "NOW COME ON!" 06[19:49:15] * Eve_Kasnora runs back for the fortress. 06[19:49:20] * Xan opens his eyes, placing a palm on the forehead of the gnoll, then releasing a flechette burst inside of its skull. Quiet. Subtle. Simple. 06[19:49:39] * Xan tosses the body aside, taking the time to get his second wind. [19:49:42] * The gnoll recoils, then rolls off the pillar, leaving Xan free. 06[19:50:01] * Paera freezes up, staring at the temple. "But..." [19:50:07] * If not for the slavering pack of gnolls outside, running down the street, towards the remainder of our heroes 06[19:51:33] * Xan calmly walks over to the doors, attempting to close them while keeping them unaware of his presence 06[19:52:49] * Xan calmly and quickly searches through the remains, then attempts to sneak out. [19:54:50] * As Xan tries to close the doors, the massive stone portal catches against a loose flagstone, and stops with a heavy, resounding smash. The gnolls outside who haven't progressed up the road turn as one, and dash for the temple 06[19:55:31] * Xan grunts, and bolts from the doorway in the opposite direction of the gnolls [19:56:42] There's...someone just was at the temple door... 06[19:57:08] * Eve_Kasnora is already running. [19:57:47] Xan, I hope that's you... 06[19:57:51] * Paera runs after Eve. 06[19:57:57] * Eilenia runs along! 06[19:57:58] * Xan rushes away from the gnolls and into the city, hoping to find a decent alley to duck into. [19:58:43] * As Xan bolts out of the temple, he finds an alleyway with a rusty grate over a hole heading down into the city's sewer system, which hasn't been used in ages. [20:01:48] * Eve sets the pace and runs ahead. As Eilenia reflects on the city's layout she recalls an incredibly obscure lesson from her master where she learned that the dwarves of Horbek's Glory had built a gondola lift system near the temples to honor Moradin, and that it's right nearby, if ancient and disused [20:02:31] * Paera notices that the gnolls are charging down this bridge almost exclusively, and that adjascent bridges are, currently, clear of the horde 06[20:04:32] * Eilenia runs through the city, pointing out areas where the layout might be favorable to a tactical withdrawal. 06[20:04:40] * Eve_Kasnora continues running toward the gonola Eilenia mentioned. "There it is!" [20:04:51] "I am having an idea!" [20:04:54] "Follow me!" 06[20:05:12] * Paera runs after Eve. "I think...I think I saw Xan back there!" 06[20:05:15] * Eve_Kasnora runs up the tower for the gondola lift. [20:05:34] "This is being good news! We will meet up at the fortress." 01[20:05:42] Oh! Perfect! 01[20:05:49] Absolutely splendid [20:06:17] * Once atop the tower, Eve lets them in on her plan. "Grab a gondola wire, and I'll sever it. We'll swing across the broken bridge." 06[20:07:14] * Paera blinks. "Are, uh...is that gonna..." She shakes her head. "Nevermind, you're the expert. Let's do it." 01[20:07:50] Odd. Well, if you say so. 06[20:08:00] * Eve_Kasnora nods and goes about setting up the wire and her fellows, then with a kickstart from Elenia, they're off, swinging across the gap and leaving a ravenous pack of gnolls behind. 06[20:08:47] * Xan casually emerges from a manhole near the group after their daring rope-swing thing. [20:09:05] * You land softly on the other side, and the baying of gnolls echoes behind you, along with spay Abyssal curses. 01[20:09:11] THere you are! [20:09:15] "Xan!" 06[20:09:21] * Xan replaces it calmly. His cloak is bloodied, his form battered. [20:09:26] "We all here?" 06[20:09:30] * Eve_Kasnora moves over and hugs him in a bear hug. 06[20:09:39] * Xan arches a brow. [20:09:49] "I am so glad to be seeing you!" [20:09:55] You...you're okay! [20:10:01] "Please don't touch me." 06[20:10:12] * Eve_Kasnora arches a brow of her own and steps back. 06[20:10:26] * Paera ways unsteadily a bit, then covers her mouth, paling a bit. 06[20:11:12] * Eve_Kasnora blinks. [20:11:18] "I apologize. I appreciate the gesture, just prefer not to be touched." [20:11:30] "I am glad to see you all made it safely." [20:11:37] "Appologies are mine... comrade." 06[20:12:00] * Eve_Kasnora nods. "We should retreat further to the saftey of the fortress before further talk." 06[20:12:25] * Xan nods silently, and gestures for the group to be on its way. 06[20:13:37] * Paera follows unsteadily after Xan and Eve, not saying much. [20:14:42] * In the distance, the baying of the gnolls stops abruptly, and is quickly replaced by panicked yipping, as a group of dwarven, kobold, and suprisingly, orcish archers appear over a crest in the road, firing arrows into the crowd. The gnolls turn tail and run, and the soldiers follow at a quick pace. In the crowd, you think you can see the kobold priest of Bahamut that you had talked to earlier 06[20:16:19] * Paera watches the gnolls get routed, grinning weakly, before finally giving in and vomitting noisily on the ground. [20:16:48] * After Paera finishes emptying the contents of her stomach, the trip back to the citadel is comfortably uneventful, and you find an abandoned ready room, still filled with Aiulen Orcish legion's maps and equipment. [20:17:21] * W'nven, that's the priest's name. I really should have remembered that. 01[20:17:22] Whew... 06[20:17:51] * Eilenia finds as place to sit down and catch a breather 06[20:18:12] * Xan finds a healer, calmly. 06[20:18:36] * Eve_Kasnora collapses into a seat and unclasps her scale coat. [20:18:56] "Gah... " [20:19:28] "You fight stubbornly, Eve. I was surprised to see you retreating." 01[20:19:59] How did you get out of there? [20:21:05] "Through the front door." [20:22:15] "My grandfather was always telling me... 'Fight with all of your body and soul, but think with your mind.' I was knowing that if we did not retreat, we would be devoured." [20:22:38] "Wise move. I nearly was." [20:23:18] "The teachings of Zerth pulled me through." [20:23:23] "I want to be thanking you, personally, for covering our retreat." [20:23:58] "It was a non-issue. It was tactically unsound for me to retreat from my position regardless." [20:24:15] "We... we do not speak often, together, Xan. But I am wanting you to know... that I will put my life on the line for you, just as you were putting yours for mine. And you can be telling me anything, if you ever are needing to talk." 06[20:24:32] * Paera studies the floor. "I-I'm sorry, Eve. I wasn't...I didn't want to sound like I thought you were heartless." [20:24:37] "Tactics are tactics, but you've accepted me as part of your squad." [20:25:06] "Thank you, Eve, but I would prefer that you did not." [20:25:27] "Perhaps I should inform you all of who I actually am, if I intend on traveling with you further." [20:25:37] "It is doubtful you would even wish for my company." 06[20:25:47] * Eve_Kasnora turns to Paera. "Paepa-... Paera, please do not be concerning yourself. I am prone to getting... riled up in combat. It is a weakness that I am working on... too many years spent alone have hindered my brain-mouth filter, yes?" 06[20:25:50] * Eve_Kasnora grins sheepishly. 06[20:27:20] * Eve_Kasnora looks back to Xan. "Who you actually are being?" [20:27:55] "In some circles, they call me Nax the Quicksilver. I'm an assassin. I have killed people that you would normally consider noble and honorable for money, and I am accompanying you as an attempt to lay low, which has been muchly to my disadvantage with your heroics." 01[20:28:18] I'm not sure I approve. [20:29:13] "I'm sure that you would not if you knew the specifics of my deeds, madame." 06[20:29:27] * Eve_Kasnora blinks. 06[20:29:56] * Xan crosses his arms. "That was easier to say than I had imagined." [20:29:58] "How did you come to be in Odal's Fen?" 06[20:30:08] * Paera smiles a little at Eve. "Well, I don't know my way around a fight without you guys, so I guess it sorta balances out, huh? And, well, if I'm doing something too stupid, you can smack me or something." [20:30:43] "It was a low-key enough community for me to duck into without drawing much attention to myself after my last assignment." 06[20:31:03] * Paera 's eyes widen as she looks at Xan and falls silent. 06[20:31:08] * Eve_Kasnora drums her fingers on the table. [20:31:35] "If you no longer wish my company at present, it would be understandable. I have people after me." 06[20:31:35] * Eilenia raises an eyebrow. [20:31:39] "You have been performing some heroic actions yourself, Xan. Why?" [20:32:21] "Necessity." he says calmly. [20:32:46] "If you wished to remain low, why leave Odal's Fen as one of the few deligates to negotiate trade?" [20:33:24] "The trail had grown hot again. There isn't a path more erratic than that of adventurers." [20:34:12] "Ample opportunity to strike out on your own. Why be diving straight into danger with us if you were merely using us for protection?" [20:35:11] "It will likely be some time before I find work again..my last assignment wasn't exactly low-key. I need to keep my abilities honed." [20:35:51] ... 06[20:35:54] * Eve_Kasnora nods. [20:35:54] I...don't believe you. You covered us like that, so...there's just no way. [20:36:16] "I cannot adventure with you any more Xan." 06[20:36:24] * Xan nods. [20:36:31] "This is acceptable." [20:36:56] "I cannot maintain the company of one so... berift of morals." [20:37:19] "Indeed." [20:37:22] "I think I shall return to my swamp." [20:37:40] "Perhaps, however, some small part of me enjoyed your company." 06[20:37:43] * Eve_Kasnora stands up and throws her scale coat over her shoulder. [20:37:58] "You've all acted soundly and been rewarded for your efforts." [20:38:04] "I was coming to appreciate that." [20:38:42] "I wish competence was all it took to gain my respect, Xan. I feel I owe you some... but I cannot respect anyone who takes the lives on innocents merely as a matter of course." 06[20:39:01] * Xan rises. 01[20:39:08] How are we supposed to accept that? [20:39:20] "You've saved my life, or had a part in saving it, on many occasions, and for that, I will not launch into a meaningless battle with you." [20:39:24] "Perhaps you do not understand, Eve. If you do not wish my company, *I* will depart." [20:39:38] "There's no need to abandon a cause because of me." 06[20:39:41] * Eve_Kasnora blinks. 06[20:39:58] * Paera looks quickly back and forth between Xan and Eve. "Wait, what're you guys talking about? Just..like that?" Her voice starts to raise. "After everything that's happened? Weren't we gonna destroy the Eye?" [20:40:07] "The cause is won... I've helped Odal's Fen." [20:40:30] "I will be taking the Eye... you can all return to Odal's Fen and enjoy your peaceful lives." [20:41:01] "I've... I've watched the walls of Odal's Fen for many a day and night... imagining its smiling people inside...." [20:41:21] "That I've helped them in some meaningful way... that is being enough...." [20:41:29] "And knowing that you are all safe behind it, that is too." [20:41:38] "hmph." [20:41:40] "But I cannot ask you to abandon Xan as I am." [20:41:49] "So I will go." 06[20:42:01] * Xan shakes his head and departs as Eve is talking. [20:42:43] Are you both stupid or something? You're asking us to abandon one of you either way! 06[20:43:06] * Eve_Kasnora walks over to Paera. "May I have it?" [20:43:12] After what HAPPENED TODAY?! [20:43:36] He... does not care, Paera. [20:44:00] I never bothered to scrutinize him.... because I am trusting my comrades in arms implicitly. [20:44:14] What're you TALKING about?! If he didn't care he wouldn't have stayed behind to fight those guys so we could get away! 06[20:44:17] * Xan stops. "I stated earlier that I did. It is you that does n ot, and you that chose to depart. These people need you. I am not worth missing." 06[20:44:28] * Xan turns. 06[20:44:36] * Eve_Kasnora raises a brow. [20:44:39] Xan could've left us there, but he didn't! [20:44:40] "I am a very bad man. You people are good company." [20:45:29] "Perhaps your path has not taken you into darker alleys like mine has. I do not wish it to be that way for any of you. [20:46:39] "Nor did I wish for any of you to die when I'm both perfectly disposable and perfectly accepting of the fate of being eaten by gnolls." [20:46:53] "My path has been plenty dark, Xan. You just never let go of your convictions. People like you may say that compasion and a conscience makes a warrior weak. Perhaps, but it makes a person whole." 06[20:47:18] * Xan looks to Eve. "I lost that person early on." [20:47:30] "Then I am deeply, deepy sorry for you." 06[20:47:48] * Eve_Kasnora does not sound sarcastic, but rather completely genuine. [20:47:54] "And I am for you if you depart your present company." [20:48:08] "The lot of you have an opportunity to change the world for the better." [20:49:46] "...I want you to know, that whatever you've lost, it can be found. You just have to want to find it." [20:49:54] "Do you want to find it?" [20:50:11] I...don't believe you, Xan. You can say that all you want, but I still won't believe it. You're not as bad as you say you are, so stop trying to run away! [20:50:19] He shrugs "I don't have much else to do." [20:50:32] "You speak of yourself as bad, and us as good. That sounds like you know what you're doing is wrong. Is that a piece of your conscience resurfacing, or just stating fact?" [20:50:39] "As I said, I'll press on with the lot of you if you'll have me. I just want you to know what I am." [20:50:55] "I don't know, Eve. To me, it was an observation." [20:51:24] "I will not be companion to a cold blooded murderer. But if that is something in your past, it is something I can forgive." [20:51:44] "So, if we continue together, what happens when you get a new assignment?" [20:51:55] "I can't say." [20:52:02] "..." [20:52:18] "But to be honest with you, before today's events, I would have taken it." 01[20:52:23] BUt now? 06[20:52:29] * Eve_Kasnora nods. [20:52:38] "But now I just can't say." [20:53:42] "I will not be leaving." [20:53:50] "I should also remind you, if you're considering having my continued company, that there are people after me." [20:53:58] "Good people with honorable intentions." [20:54:18] "Honorable intentions... heh." [20:54:21] "One of those intentions is imprisoning me for the rest of my natural life." [20:54:29] "I've been on the wrong side of honorable intentions myself." [20:54:44] "Xan... I will make a deal with you." [20:54:58] "May I propose one?" [20:55:14] So we run. Not like we don't have people after us already. [20:55:14] "Of course." he gestures with open palms, silver swimming over them. 01[20:55:50] Do gods count as people? [20:56:22] "Priests die like them." [20:56:36] "Allow me to continue adventuring with you. If, when these good men with honorable intentions appear, I believe that you finally know the answer to what would happen if you get a new assignment, and that I am pleased with your answer, I will do everything in my power to save you from a lifetime of imprisonment." [20:56:54] "If, however, your answer displeases me... I will help them apprehend you." [20:57:20] "If your question is still unanswered... then we flee." [20:57:51] "This works for me. I tire of running." 06[20:58:19] * Eve_Kasnora nods. [20:58:35] "It is decided then. I shall stay. But for now, I am taking a nap." 06[20:59:06] * Eve_Kasnora slowly exits the room, heading toward a barracks or officer's quarters where she can take a good nap. [21:00:04] Well, that's settled then! 06[21:00:18] * Paera nods, seeming pleased. 06[21:00:23] * Eve_Kasnora stops by the exit. [21:00:33] "Paera, may I speak with you in private for a moment?" 06[21:00:55] * Paera blinks. "Sure." She gets up to follow Eve. [21:01:38] "One more thing." [21:01:51] "Keep the eye away from me. I feel the pull." [21:02:02] "It may be in your best interests." 06[21:02:03] * Eve_Kasnora looks at Xan and nods grimly. 01[21:02:16] We'll need some way to limit its power. [21:02:22] "If you ever touch the Eye, Xan, I will kill you myself." [21:02:30] "I promise you." [21:02:44] "I wouldn't be touching it, Eve, for I do not have arms." [21:03:39] "I don't care for your technicalities. If you abscond with the Eye, I will track you down and cut it from your skull after cleaving that from your shoudlers. Am I clear?" [21:03:45] I, uh, think Eilenia's right, if Xan can feel the effects from it like that, we should probably do something sooner rather than later. [21:04:18] "I will of course attempt to fight back, Eve. It is understandable." [21:04:37] "I am not expecting any less." 06[21:05:27] * Eve_Kasnora turns to Paera. "Give me the Eye." 06[21:05:37] * Eve_Kasnora holds out a hand for it. 06[21:07:01] * Paera takes it out of her pack and hands it over to Eve with only slight hesitation. "THANK YOU. I don't know why you wanted me to hang onto this creepy thing." 06[21:08:06] * Eve_Kasnora grips it tightly. "I am going to rest now..." 01[21:08:09] I hope I never get used to looking at it 06[21:08:20] * Eve_Kasnora leaves... apparently without having to talk to Paera privately anymore. 06[21:09:13] * Paera watches Eve go, looking confused. "Um...was that all?" [21:09:31] "She was probably intending upon telling you to keep the eye away from me." 06[21:09:55] * Paera pales a bit. "Eve! Was that some sorta test? Was I not supposed to do that?" 06[21:10:43] * Eve_Kasnora looks back at Paera confusedly. "What? No. I was going to ask you in private not to tip Xan off that I suspected he was after the Eye, but he told us himself. There was being no reason to hide it after that." [21:12:26] ...oh. 06[21:12:41] * Paera laughs an embarassed little laugh. [21:13:31] "I think I'll get some rest." [21:13:38] "I bid you all a good evening." [21:13:39] "I asked you to hold it... because you are the one I trust the most with it." 06[21:13:54] * Eve_Kasnora turns back and heads down a hall. 06[21:14:01] * Eilenia follows along! 06[21:18:04] * Paera brightens. "Is it okay if I come along, then?" [21:18:31] "Along... to rest with me?" 06[21:18:38] * Eve_Kasnora looks THOROUGHLY confused. [21:19:12] Oh, you're not doing something with the eye right now? [21:20:15] "Noooo.... why would you be thinking such a thing?" 06[21:20:21] * Eve_Kasnora glances noticably at Xan. 06[21:20:38] * Xan turns and departs. 06[21:21:21] * Eve_Kasnora waits until Xan is noticably out of earshot. [21:21:35] "I am going to ask W'vren about it. Let's go." 06[21:21:59] * Paera nods seriously. "Alright." 06[21:22:24] * Eilenia follows along! :D [21:23:11] * Eve finds W'vren having just recently returned from routing the gnolls. He looks uncomfortably warm, and is in the process of removing a chain shirt. "Kasnora. Good to see you're still alive." 03[21:23:36] * Xan is now known as Mechazawa [21:29:20] "You as well. ...We are needing your help on a rather important matter... do you have some time?" [21:29:30] [Session end] 03[21:30:39] * Paera is now known as Yon 02[22:31:41] * Eve_Kasnora (novaseaker@c-24-129-25-205.hsd1.fl.comcast.net) Quit (Ping timeout: 180 seconds) 02[00:13:07] * Charles (CHBoucher@dsl2-161.gsinet.net) Quit (Read error: Connection reset by peer) 03[01:00:22] * Yon is now known as sleepyon 03[01:31:45] * sleepyon (dlarmour@wnpgmb1309w-ad05-59-179.dynamic.mts.net) has left #Odal - 02[03:07:39] * Disconnected - [07:19:14] * Now talking in #Odal [07:19:14] * Topic is '23 [Xan], 20 [Eve, Paera] 16 [Gaunt gnoll], 12 [Cannibal], 11 [Matron, Eilenia]' [07:19:14] * Set by Charles!CHBoucher@dsl2-161.gsinet.net on Wed Jun 10 18:14:23 End of #Odal buffer Thu Jun 11 07:22:29 2009