Midnight RPG - Chapter 10.61 - Revision history

Knockwood: Reverted edits by 87.101.244.6 (Talk); changed back to last version by 161.38.223.221

2008-02-26T03:44:32Z

Reverted edits by 87.101.244.6 (Talk); changed back to last version by 161.38.223.221

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:44, 26 February 2008
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	~~relcnasitoua~~
	''This conversation takes place during the eight-hour rest break that fell in between our descent into the hole and the beginning of our trek down the root. Durgaz will approach Kyuad and Zal'Kazzir, either separately or together, and lead them back to Eranon.''		''This conversation takes place during the eight-hour rest break that fell in between our descent into the hole and the beginning of our trek down the root. Durgaz will approach Kyuad and Zal'Kazzir, either separately or together, and lead them back to Eranon.''

87.101.244.6: rolctaololad

2008-02-26T00:27:15Z

rolctaololad

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:27, 26 February 2008
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			relcnasitoua
	''This conversation takes place during the eight-hour rest break that fell in between our descent into the hole and the beginning of our trek down the root. Durgaz will approach Kyuad and Zal'Kazzir, either separately or together, and lead them back to Eranon.''		''This conversation takes place during the eight-hour rest break that fell in between our descent into the hole and the beginning of our trek down the root. Durgaz will approach Kyuad and Zal'Kazzir, either separately or together, and lead them back to Eranon.''

161.38.223.221: /* Kevin */

2007-04-06T19:36:44Z

Kevin

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:36, 6 April 2007
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	* ['''A''']: Bill... For the *Foe Specialty check about the Undead herein... According to the book: <br> It says to make a "Knowledge check", I'm guessing this would fall under "Know: Spirits" for the check. We can discuss this if you think differently... but for now I will assume that you would not necessarily "trust" the chance of rolling less than a 10 (as it notes you CAN take 10) So I'll roll for you and go with the higher of Taking 10 or the Roll... <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Knowledge Spirits/Undead +11) ROLLED: 11+11(+1 Int oil) = 23 '' <br> Okay... Not much better but you get... ''"Uncommon but available, known by only a few people in the area....."'' to gain special knowledge of undead creatures. <br> [http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Kyuad%27s_Lorebook#Study_of_the_Undead See Kyuad's Lorebook for details] <br> For note on '''Foe Specialty''': "This power may be chosen multiple times; each time it is chosen, the hermetic channeler may use the foe specialty ability on one additional creature type per day. The hermetic channeler recognizes the value of knowledge as a weapon. At the beginning of each day, he may choose one creature type as he peruses his book. The channeler may take 10 when making Knowledge checks to identify creatures and their special powers or vulnerabilities. Additionally, the channeler can rattle off what he knows about such creatures by rote. In game terms, this means that he may communicate any knowledge he has about such creatures to his companions as soon as initiative is rolled, assuming his companions are within earshot.		* ['''A''']: Bill... For the *Foe Specialty check about the Undead herein... According to the book: <br> It says to make a "Knowledge check", I'm guessing this would fall under "Know: Spirits" for the check. We can discuss this if you think differently... but for now I will assume that you would not necessarily "trust" the chance of rolling less than a 10 (as it notes you CAN take 10) So I'll roll for you and go with the higher of Taking 10 or the Roll... <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Knowledge Spirits/Undead +11) ROLLED: 11+11(+1 Int oil) = 23 '' <br> Okay... Not much better but you get... ''"Uncommon but available, known by only a few people in the area....."'' to gain special knowledge of undead creatures. <br> [http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Kyuad%27s_Lorebook#Study_of_the_Undead See Kyuad's Lorebook for details] <br> For note on '''Foe Specialty''': "This power may be chosen multiple times; each time it is chosen, the hermetic channeler may use the foe specialty ability on one additional creature type per day. The hermetic channeler recognizes the value of knowledge as a weapon. At the beginning of each day, he may choose one creature type as he peruses his book. The channeler may take 10 when making Knowledge checks to identify creatures and their special powers or vulnerabilities. Additionally, the channeler can rattle off what he knows about such creatures by rote. In game terms, this means that he may communicate any knowledge he has about such creatures to his companions as soon as initiative is rolled, assuming his companions are within earshot.

	* ['''A''']: Bill... Does Kyuad know of any reference to an item like the Shard, or similar material, causing a curse? <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Lorebook +8) ROLLED: 17+8(+1 Int oil) = 26 '' <br> ''With this roll - Kyuad gains "Obscure, known by few, hard to come by...."'' to gain info on the Shard or a similar item causing a curse. <br> '' ??? '' <br>

	* ['''A''']: Bill... Anything about the curse in the swamp at all? <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Lorebook +8) ROLLED: 7+8(+1 Int oil) = 16 '' <br> ''With this roll - Kyuad gains "Common, known by at least a substantial minority of the local population...." '' to gain info on any curse in the Dead Marshes swamp. <br> '' ~~???~~ '' <br>		* ['''A''']: Bill... Does Kyuad know of any reference to an item like the Shard, or similar material, causing a curse? <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Lorebook +8) ROLLED: 17+8(+1 Int oil) = 26 '' <br> ''With this roll - Kyuad gains "Obscure, known by few, hard to come by...."'' to gain info on the Shard or a similar item causing a curse. <br> '' WORKING '' <br>


			* ['''A''']: Bill... Anything about the curse in the swamp at all? <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Lorebook +8) ROLLED: 7+8(+1 Int oil) = 16 '' <br> ''With this roll - Kyuad gains "Common, known by at least a substantial minority of the local population...." '' to gain info on any curse in the Dead Marshes swamp. <br> '' WORKING '' <br>

161.38.223.221: /* Kevin */

2007-04-06T18:50:23Z

Kevin

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:50, 6 April 2007
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	==Kevin==		==Kevin==

	* ['''A''']: Bill... For the *Foe Specialty check about the Undead herein... According to the book: <br> It says to make a "Knowledge check", I'm guessing this would fall under "Know: Spirits" for the check. We can discuss this if you think differently... but for now I will assume that you would not necessarily "trust" the chance of rolling less than a 10 (as it notes you CAN take 10) So I'll roll for you and go with the higher of Taking 10 or the Roll... <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Knowledge Spirits/Undead +11) ROLLED: 11+11(+1 Int oil) = 23 '' <br> Okay... Not much better but you get... ''"Uncommon but available, known by only a few people in the area....."'' to gain special knowledge of undead creatures. ~~<br>~~ <br> [http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Kyuad%27s_Lorebook#Study_of_the_Undead See Kyuad's Lorebook for details] <br> ~~<br>~~		* ['''A''']: Bill... For the *Foe Specialty check about the Undead herein... According to the book: <br> It says to make a "Knowledge check", I'm guessing this would fall under "Know: Spirits" for the check. We can discuss this if you think differently... but for now I will assume that you would not necessarily "trust" the chance of rolling less than a 10 (as it notes you CAN take 10) So I'll roll for you and go with the higher of Taking 10 or the Roll... <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Knowledge Spirits/Undead +11) ROLLED: 11+11(+1 Int oil) = 23 '' <br> Okay... Not much better but you get... ''"Uncommon but available, known by only a few people in the area....."'' to gain special knowledge of undead creatures. <br> [http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Kyuad%27s_Lorebook#Study_of_the_Undead See Kyuad's Lorebook for details] <br> For note on '''Foe Specialty''': "This power may be chosen multiple times; each time it is chosen, the hermetic channeler may use the foe specialty ability on one additional creature type per day. The hermetic channeler recognizes the value of knowledge as a weapon. At the beginning of each day, he may choose one creature type as he peruses his book. The channeler may take 10 when making Knowledge checks to identify creatures and their special powers or vulnerabilities. Additionally, the channeler can rattle off what he knows about such creatures by rote. In game terms, this means that he may communicate any knowledge he has about such creatures to his companions as soon as initiative is rolled, assuming his companions are within earshot.
	* For note on '''Foe Specialty''': "This power may be chosen multiple times; each time it is chosen, the hermetic channeler may use the foe specialty ability on one additional creature type per day. The hermetic channeler recognizes the value of knowledge as a weapon. At the beginning of each day, he may choose one creature type as he peruses his book. The channeler may take 10 when making Knowledge checks to identify creatures and their special powers or vulnerabilities. Additionally, the channeler can rattle off what he knows about such creatures by rote. In game terms, this means that he may communicate any knowledge he has about such creatures to his companions as soon as initiative is rolled, assuming his companions are within earshot.

	* ['''A''']: Bill... Does Kyuad know of any reference to an item like the Shard, or similar material, causing a curse? <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Lorebook +8) ROLLED: 17+8(+1 Int oil) = 26 '' <br> ''With this roll - Kyuad gains "Obscure, known by few, hard to come by...."'' to gain info on the Shard or a similar item causing a curse. ~~<br>~~ <br> '' ??? '' <br> ~~<br>~~		* ['''A''']: Bill... Does Kyuad know of any reference to an item like the Shard, or similar material, causing a curse? <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Lorebook +8) ROLLED: 17+8(+1 Int oil) = 26 '' <br> ''With this roll - Kyuad gains "Obscure, known by few, hard to come by...."'' to gain info on the Shard or a similar item causing a curse. <br> '' ??? '' <br>

			* ['''A''']: Bill... Anything about the curse in the swamp at all? <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Lorebook +8) ROLLED: 7+8(+1 Int oil) = 16 '' <br> ''With this roll - Kyuad gains "Common, known by at least a substantial minority of the local population...." '' to gain info on any curse in the Dead Marshes swamp. <br> '' ??? '' <br>
	* ['''A''']: Bill... Anything about the curse in the swamp at all? <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Lorebook +8) ROLLED: 7+8(+1 Int oil) = 16 '' <br> ''With this roll - Kyuad gains "Common, known by at least a substantial minority of the local population...." '' to gain info on any curse in the Dead Marshes swamp. <br> ~~<br>~~ '' ??? '' ~~<br>~~ <br>

161.38.223.221 at 18:49, 6 April 2007

2007-04-06T18:49:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:49, 6 April 2007
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	''OOC: Kyuad is going to use his Foe Specialty ability (it's one of the h. channeler's tradition gifts or Lorebook powers) to gain special knowledge of undead creatures. Kyuad is also beginning to benefit from the +1 Int oil soon. Does Kyuad know of any reference to an item like the Shard, or similar material, causing a curse? Anything about the curse in the swamp at all? (I haven't cought up on everything, so it might be answered already, I'll look.)''		''OOC: Kyuad is going to use his Foe Specialty ability (it's one of the h. channeler's tradition gifts or Lorebook powers) to gain special knowledge of undead creatures. Kyuad is also beginning to benefit from the +1 Int oil soon. Does Kyuad know of any reference to an item like the Shard, or similar material, causing a curse? Anything about the curse in the swamp at all? (I haven't cought up on everything, so it might be answered already, I'll look.)''


			==Kevin==

			* ['''A''']: Bill... For the *Foe Specialty check about the Undead herein... According to the book: <br> It says to make a "Knowledge check", I'm guessing this would fall under "Know: Spirits" for the check. We can discuss this if you think differently... but for now I will assume that you would not necessarily "trust" the chance of rolling less than a 10 (as it notes you CAN take 10) So I'll roll for you and go with the higher of Taking 10 or the Roll... <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Knowledge Spirits/Undead +11) ROLLED: 11+11(+1 Int oil) = 23 '' <br> Okay... Not much better but you get... ''"Uncommon but available, known by only a few people in the area....."'' to gain special knowledge of undead creatures. <br> <br> [http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Kyuad%27s_Lorebook#Study_of_the_Undead See Kyuad's Lorebook for details] <br> <br>
			* For note on '''Foe Specialty''': "This power may be chosen multiple times; each time it is chosen, the hermetic channeler may use the foe specialty ability on one additional creature type per day. The hermetic channeler recognizes the value of knowledge as a weapon. At the beginning of each day, he may choose one creature type as he peruses his book. The channeler may take 10 when making Knowledge checks to identify creatures and their special powers or vulnerabilities. Additionally, the channeler can rattle off what he knows about such creatures by rote. In game terms, this means that he may communicate any knowledge he has about such creatures to his companions as soon as initiative is rolled, assuming his companions are within earshot.

			* ['''A''']: Bill... Does Kyuad know of any reference to an item like the Shard, or similar material, causing a curse? <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Lorebook +8) ROLLED: 17+8(+1 Int oil) = 26 '' <br> ''With this roll - Kyuad gains "Obscure, known by few, hard to come by...."'' to gain info on the Shard or a similar item causing a curse. <br> <br> '' ??? '' <br> <br>


			* ['''A''']: Bill... Anything about the curse in the swamp at all? <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Lorebook +8) ROLLED: 7+8(+1 Int oil) = 16 '' <br> ''With this roll - Kyuad gains "Common, known by at least a substantial minority of the local population...." '' to gain info on any curse in the Dead Marshes swamp. <br> <br> '' ??? '' <br> <br>

64.62.7.202 at 15:32, 6 April 2007

2007-04-06T15:32:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:32, 6 April 2007
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	* ['''A''']: Does anyone need/want any sort of rolls to be made for anything? I spoke with Bill tonight. He'll likely reply here soon. So there may be a flurry of conversation through Saturday. We won't be PLAYING Saturday but we will be doing some "game maintenance" and possibly finishing any conversations like this. Otherwise if I can help with any info here, let me know.		* ['''A''']: Does anyone need/want any sort of rolls to be made for anything? I spoke with Bill tonight. He'll likely reply here soon. So there may be a flurry of conversation through Saturday. We won't be PLAYING Saturday but we will be doing some "game maintenance" and possibly finishing any conversations like this. Otherwise if I can help with any info here, let me know.


			== Kyuad / Bill ==

			"Zal'Kazzir, you bring up a good point. I shall do some study of the undead creatures that Vrolk seems to favor so that we are better prepared if we encounter opposition of that type.

			"I have some other thoughts about Vrolk's intentions. It is almost certain that the warg who escorted the skeletal bull-men did not send the beasts to drive us off or to slay us. The intentions of Vrolk should be evident: he is sizing us up.

			"The best purpose I can deduce is that he thinks he can use us somehow. He has the means and resources to have finished us off in the woods long ago, as you say Durgaz. The warg could have brought a score more than three skeletal beings our way and we would have stood no chance. He has no reason to wait for us to come into his home before killing us, other than perhaps to have our corpses more immediately on-hand. No, it is clear that he wants to know how strong a force we can muster and whether our strengths will be enough to set against some foe of his own.

			"I may have some more insight into Vrolk's greater purposes, though it is only through an educated guess. My.... "friend"... who studied with Vrolk was once of a like mind as myself, and the pursuit of knowledge was his greatest ambition. He chose the coward's path and I did not, but his goals are likely still the same. If it is Vrolk he studied under, then Vrolk's resources of knowledge must be considerable. Perhaps it is Vrolk's greatest purpose, in fact.

			"How this may be of use to us is unclear, but it is something we should keep in mind, especially if we encounter him ourselves. Our tongues should be held with shackles of control at all times." As he says this he pointedly stares at Zal'Kazzir. "Be wary of what you hear and of what you say, for either could be our undoing.

			"Now is the time to begin a regimen of herbalistic bolsters, Eranon. I have been imbibing the clear-thought oil you gave me, and I suggest the rest of you do all do what you can to likewise ensure that wisdom prevails in the face of someone who expects to be able to elicit our services.

			''OOC: Kyuad is going to use his Foe Specialty ability (it's one of the h. channeler's tradition gifts or Lorebook powers) to gain special knowledge of undead creatures. Kyuad is also beginning to benefit from the +1 Int oil soon. Does Kyuad know of any reference to an item like the Shard, or similar material, causing a curse? Anything about the curse in the swamp at all? (I haven't cought up on everything, so it might be answered already, I'll look.)''

64.62.7.202 at 15:17, 6 April 2007

2007-04-06T15:17:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:17, 6 April 2007
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	Information moved to [[Kyuad's Lorebook]]		Information moved to [[Kyuad's Lorebook]]


	==Zal'Kazzir/Adam==		==Zal'Kazzir/Adam==
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	"In order to earn his prize of special, forgotten knowledge from the shadow, he was set the task of bolstering the position of the Priest of Shadow. He set out to the Spine of the World and found the Cadaverous Eye and the Sunder Shard, which I beleive responsible for the spire. I think you will find that his loyalties lie steadfastly with the Shadow and with Sunulael. However, you may find that the legates may be somewhat resentful that an outsider such as Vrolk has risen above them with such ease. They of course wouldnt' overtly stand against him, but are likely looking for opportunities to take credit, praise or honors in the course of their duty. I have no idea if we can or how to exploit that. This is your area, Zal'Kazzir."		"In order to earn his prize of special, forgotten knowledge from the shadow, he was set the task of bolstering the position of the Priest of Shadow. He set out to the Spine of the World and found the Cadaverous Eye and the Sunder Shard, which I beleive responsible for the spire. I think you will find that his loyalties lie steadfastly with the Shadow and with Sunulael. However, you may find that the legates may be somewhat resentful that an outsider such as Vrolk has risen above them with such ease. They of course wouldnt' overtly stand against him, but are likely looking for opportunities to take credit, praise or honors in the course of their duty. I have no idea if we can or how to exploit that. This is your area, Zal'Kazzir."


			== Kyuad / Bill ==

			"I'll tell you what I've heard of the Sunder Shard. I believe you are right that it is the source of this strange 'Spire, and indeed it did come from the Kaladruns, from the same source as the Cadaverous Eye.

			"The Shard was found in a volcano, but if that was its origin I cannot tell. It was either made from a type of volcanic floe that is neither stone nor metal, and purified with the hatred of a vile denizen of the Depths, or it is an etherial production of off-shooting Aryth stone and energies, formed from the impact that caused the Great Scar in the North.

			"Both origins suggest that this type of material was unknown in the ancient days before the Sundering. But in the nearly fifteen thousand years since the Sundering, this information could have come from myths and tales. If it does have some connection with the Shadow however, the corruption it may well have caused Vrolk and this tree would be substantial."


	==Zal'Kazzir/Adam==		==Zal'Kazzir/Adam==

64.62.7.202 at 15:03, 6 April 2007

2007-04-06T15:03:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:03, 6 April 2007
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	* ['''A''']: Bill... Assuming you would want to make a Lorebook check about this "Sunder Shard"... <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Lorebook +8) ROLLED: 18+8 = 26 '' <br> ''With this roll - Kyuad gains Obscure, known by few, hard to come by....		* ['''A''']: Bill... Assuming you would want to make a Lorebook check about this "Sunder Shard"... <br> '' '''ROLL:''' Kyuad (Lorebook +8) ROLLED: 18+8 = 26 '' <br> ''With this roll - Kyuad gains Obscure, known by few, hard to come by....

			Information moved to [[Kyuad's Lorebook]]
	It is told that Vrolk travelled beneath the Spine of the World and back again with terrible artifacts and ideas to build his fortress of death. Hellish deals were made under the mountains, two of the most powerful artifacts he came away with were the '''Cadaverous Eye''' and '''the Sunder Shard'''. The Eye is all but unknown, however the Sunder Shard is said to have been the seed that grew the black tower in the Dead Marsh.

	~~This Sunder Shard could possibly be from one of two origins, according~~ to Kyuad's ~~studies...~~



	'''#1. ''' ''The fact that the Vile gathered it from beneath the Kaldrune Mts. suggests that it is possible that it is related to the things that dwell in the deep... Many terrible things lay in the dark far below in the recesses between rock and Dwarven mines. Their is told tales of the Slumberer, a foul beast old as the mountain itself. It sleeps in the depths below the old city of Moria, feared even by the dark denizens that infest the ancient city buried in the ash and bone of the men of stone who died when the greatest Dwarven city fell. The Shard could be an artifact of volcanic means, a rock which is a type of naturally occurring glass, produced by volcanoes when a felsic lava cools rapidly and freezes without sufficient time for crystal growth. It is found only within the margins of felsic lava flows, where cooling is more rapid. The Slumberer Beneath the Spine of the World nests within this felsic lava flow and as it writhes in hate the Shard may have been formed. The Shard like basalt would be dark because of ferromagnesian enrichment. Obsidian is mineral-like, but not a true mineral because it is not crystalline. Its composition is very similar to that of granite and rhyolite. Because obsidian is metastable at the Aryth's surface. over time the glass becomes fine-grained mineral crystals), no obsidian has been found that is older than the pre-Sundering. If such a Shard were taken it conceivably could be magically worked to grow into such as thing as the black spike knows as the Obsidan Spire. <br> It is called "Sunder Shard" due to the fact that something that happened during or post-Sundering seemed to have made these mystical materials exist...''


	'''#2. ''' ''A second educated theory would be that the Shard is somewhat less unique but equally as mystical. In difference this theory focuses on the Shard as Tektites (Elven for the Scar glass) which are natural glass objects, up to a few centimeters in size, which were rumored to have been formed by the impact causing the Scar in the Northern Marches when the Shadow fell. Tektites are obsidian shards produced by the lunar volcanic eruptions exposed on the Sundering, though few scientists are able to fathom this hypothesis. Tektites are among the "driest" rocks, with an average water content of 0.005%. This is very unusual, as most if not all of the craters where tektites may have formed were underwater/snow-ice before impact. This suggests that the tektites were formed under phenomenal temperature and pressure. An (unnoted) Sarcoson scientist's terrestrial-impact theory states that the impact melted material from Aryth's surface and catapulted it up to several hundred miles away from the impact site. The molten material cooled and solidified to glass. This impact theory states, tektites cannot be found everywhere on Aryth's surface. They are only found in strewnfields, which are associated with known impact craters. How it would have come to the Vile's attention from the peoples/things under the Spine of the World are unknown. Regardless this Shard would likely have similar makeup of the felsic shards noted above... <br> It is called "Sunder Shard" due to the fact that these materials seem to have been created as a direct result of the Shadow's fall to Aryth...''


	==Zal'Kazzir/Adam==		==Zal'Kazzir/Adam==

67.168.130.57 at 05:09, 6 April 2007

2007-04-06T05:09:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:09, 6 April 2007
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	"As for what Kyuad said about the Shard ... the history is interesting, but I can make nothing of it. Can we break the curse by stealing the Shard, do you think? Does the old Shard still exist, or did it grow into the Spire? I don't expect that you know the answers to these questions, and if you did, I would wonder why you did, and probably doubt whatever else you had to say. But you have studied magic, yes? You know about signs and symbols and all that, right? If you don't know how to break this curse, where in the Spire should we seek our answers?		"As for what Kyuad said about the Shard ... the history is interesting, but I can make nothing of it. Can we break the curse by stealing the Shard, do you think? Does the old Shard still exist, or did it grow into the Spire? I don't expect that you know the answers to these questions, and if you did, I would wonder why you did, and probably doubt whatever else you had to say. But you have studied magic, yes? You know about signs and symbols and all that, right? If you don't know how to break this curse, where in the Spire should we seek our answers?


			==Kevin==

			* ['''A''']: Does anyone need/want any sort of rolls to be made for anything? I spoke with Bill tonight. He'll likely reply here soon. So there may be a flurry of conversation through Saturday. We won't be PLAYING Saturday but we will be doing some "game maintenance" and possibly finishing any conversations like this. Otherwise if I can help with any info here, let me know.

Elvisrex at 02:27, 6 April 2007

2007-04-06T02:27:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:27, 6 April 2007
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	My friend, I mean no flattery; all that I say is true, though it is also true that the truth that I say may be flattering. A pregnant pause, followed by a chuckle All I am is before you; I am a weak son of bleeding Sarcosa, and in this dark time we all struggle to find community and survival in our own way. Each of us uses our own different intelligences and talents to survive as best as we are able. Imagine if I attemped to overcome challenges by force of arms, as Durgaz does, or if I attempted to practice stealth, archery and wood-lore as you do, or even to practice the rigorous intellectual devotion of Kyuad; I have no talent for any of these things, and none of thee skills so poorly implemented would help a simple man such as myself to survive, let alone to find companions or success. My talents fall to the arts and interplays of words and feelings, and if I honey my words, it is not to mislead, but to build goodwill and to engender cooperation against our mutual foe, the black shadow in the North. Nothing could please the cold heart of the shadow more greatly than dissent among his foes. So gentle Eranon, please, accept my apologies if I raised your suspicions; flattery is a shallow and simple tool that adroit manipulators scarce use at all, but I believe that the Truth, especially when used to highlight the valuable and diverse skills, talents and abilites we all posess, is honorable, just and good.		My friend, I mean no flattery; all that I say is true, though it is also true that the truth that I say may be flattering. A pregnant pause, followed by a chuckle All I am is before you; I am a weak son of bleeding Sarcosa, and in this dark time we all struggle to find community and survival in our own way. Each of us uses our own different intelligences and talents to survive as best as we are able. Imagine if I attemped to overcome challenges by force of arms, as Durgaz does, or if I attempted to practice stealth, archery and wood-lore as you do, or even to practice the rigorous intellectual devotion of Kyuad; I have no talent for any of these things, and none of thee skills so poorly implemented would help a simple man such as myself to survive, let alone to find companions or success. My talents fall to the arts and interplays of words and feelings, and if I honey my words, it is not to mislead, but to build goodwill and to engender cooperation against our mutual foe, the black shadow in the North. Nothing could please the cold heart of the shadow more greatly than dissent among his foes. So gentle Eranon, please, accept my apologies if I raised your suspicions; flattery is a shallow and simple tool that adroit manipulators scarce use at all, but I believe that the Truth, especially when used to highlight the valuable and diverse skills, talents and abilites we all posess, is honorable, just and good.

			==Durgaz/ Andrew==

			''Durgaz stares balefully at Zal'Kazzir for a moment. He looks annoyed, but then, he always does.''

			'''Durgaz:''' "Sarcosan, the more you flap your lips, the less it seems you actually have to say. I am sure your way with words has its uses, but not here, and not now. So, if you can, speak plainly. We have very little time, and I don't feel like wasting it listening to you say in fifty words what you could have said in three."

			"What little you actually said, though, I agree with. Vrolk obviously knows that we are coming, and he has known where we've been nearly every step of the way. As far as I can tell, he wants us to come to him, and I doubt that he intends simply to kill or capture us as soon as we enter his spire, since it would have been so much easier for him to do that days ago. That does not mean he wants to converse with us, but it might. I don't know why else he would have allowed us to get this far.

			"It was not my intention to ever come face to face with Vrolk, if I could help it. My reason for being here is nailed to the outside of the Spire a hundred yards up. But if we do come face to face with Vrolk, I will have no part of any deals made with him. He is a monster in thrall to the Priest of Shadow, and whatever he could offer you or Kyuad will surely serve him, and not you, in the end. Did you not hear Eranon's tale? He has walked the path that you tread now. He has made pacts with darkness, and been consumed by it. His very existence should be a warning to you, sorcerer.

			"So I will not deal with him. Neither will I attempt to slay him, unless he leaves me no choice. Maybe another day, but I have one reason for being in this place, and it is not to end the pathetic existence of a betrayer elf."

			"As for what Kyuad said about the Shard ... the history is interesting, but I can make nothing of it. Can we break the curse by stealing the Shard, do you think? Does the old Shard still exist, or did it grow into the Spire? I don't expect that you know the answers to these questions, and if you did, I would wonder why you did, and probably doubt whatever else you had to say. But you have studied magic, yes? You know about signs and symbols and all that, right? If you don't know how to break this curse, where in the Spire should we seek our answers?