Midnight RPG - Chapter 10.89

or: I Know What You Did Last Lhagba

At some point during the eight-hour rest break that fell in between the descent into the hole and the beginning of the trek down the root, Durgaz will approach Eranon.

Durgaz/ Andrew

Durgaz: "Eranon. You said that you could not tell us how we got from our starting point to the middle of the swamp, or what happened during the five hour we spent unconscious. You told us you had a good reason for keeping this information secret, and I know this is true. I also know who you spoke with, and how you bargained for our lives, and the promise you made. I understand that you cannot relay any of this information to me, and that is not a problem, because I already know it. So do not feel as though you need to tell me anything that would violate your oath. (Durgaz motions to Eranon's scar.)

"Here is what I am worried about. You have promised to do all that you can to rid this marsh of the Vile's influence. I don't know how you intend to do that. If you intend to try and destroy the Vile all by yourself, I am certain it will lead to you dying a painful and ultimately meaningless death. I don't know what our companions hope to find in the Spire, but I get the impression that they intend to attempt parlay with Vrolk. This is not an interest that I share; but then, unlike Kyuad or the Sarcosan or yourself, I had not planned to deliberately seek out contact with the Spire's master. My interest lies elsewhere.

"But I do not want to see you die. And if you did attempt to slay Vrolk, and failed, it would probably mean the lives of the rest of us as well. So we need to try and think of an alternate way that you can try to break the curse on this marsh, as you promised, that will not result in our deaths."

Eranon

"I am not sure that anyone cares about my promise, but you are right. Unfortunately, I do not know enough about any curses that Vrolk may have caused. You may be right, I may not be able to follow through on that, as much as I may wish. I am cursed, you must be able to see that now. I cannot have much more time to do any good for Aryth, but I would not see all of you die along with me. Additionally, now that you mention it, failure is failure, whether I live or die. I would like to break his curse, if possible. It seems a waste with this opportunity right in front of us. The potential to do good is so great."

"My guess is that the curse on the forest stems from the Spire itself, planting itself in this great tree. The answer may lie inside. And Vrolk's death may not even help."

"You said something troubling. I certainly don't like the idea of trying to parley with Vrolk, I am certain nothing good can come of it. There are only a handful of reasons that Vrolk would have Walden, and I guarantee you Vrolk knows who Walden is. He wouldn't be willing to give him up for anything we can provide, and if Zal'Kazir has anything to trade, that worries me even more."

"It's possible that Vrolk has captured Walden specificially to draw us to the tower, and if that is the case, the implications are even more terrifying."

"I'm sorry, I have wandered. Do you have any ideas about Vrolk's tower? What to do? How to break his curse?"

Kevin

FYI - Steve... I want you to know that I did not, have not and will not "reveal" any of your secret stuff unless another player has "special" ways of getting it. Durgaz happened to have a way to know, hence I posted a varient of your conversation/deal for Andrew to read.

Just wanted you to know that out of game.

Andrew...

ROLL: Durgaz (Spot +0) ROLLED: 13+0 = 13.
This is good enough to notice (now that he mentioned it) that Eranon's face is growing sickly looking. His sheen Elven palor has become wrinkled and rough. Spreading from his mouth, his lips are a greyish-green and grey-green veins spider out just below the surface. This wraps mostly down his neck onto his upper collar-bone and up below his nose. It hasn't ventured onto his cheeks yet. His eyes are also much paler and becoming bloodshot.
This is below notice unless you take moments to look. It's been growing since that Bog Hag kissed him.

This is the "curse" that Eranon mentioned above. One of them at least. hehe

Durgaz/ Andrew

FYI - Kevin... Actually, Steve and I talked about this, so he already knew what I had planned (the Seer Sight thing, that is.)

Durgaz backhands Eranon across the face.

Durgaz: "Stop speaking like you're already dead. Did you feel that? You did. Corpses don't feel pain. So enough of this "I cannot have much more time to do any good for Aryth" crap. When you are dead, we will cut you to pieces and scatter you in the swamp. Until then, we expect you to use your heart and limbs and spirit to help keep yourself, and the rest of us, alive.

"So. I don't know any more about curses than you do. But I have seen the tree that the Spire grows out of, and it would not be a stretch to connect that to ... some other symptoms of Vrolk's influence on this place. If what the little snake told us is true, we will be entering the Spire through one of this tree's roots. If there is a way to cure it wihout confronting Vrolk, the roots would be a good place to start looking, right?

"As far as Walden is concerned, I agree with you. Kyuad seemed to think that his legate friend had no idea who Walden was. That may be so, or it may be yet another symptom of his foolishly trusting nature. Either way, I am certain that Vrolk does know who Walden is. And let's not forget that Valendil may be here as well, if he is alive. As for whether he is deliberately using Walden, or a demon disguised as Valendil, to lure us to the Spire ... maybe he is. He surely knows we are coming, and has taken no direct action to stop us. I hope that is not so, but if it is, I don't know what we can do about it. When we get inside the spire, he will presumably let us know what he wants.

"As for our companions? I don't know what they have planned. I am making assumptions based purely on what they have said and done; Kyuad carries books written by Vrolk in his pack, and if the Sarcosan wished to stop and talk with one of his rotting wolf minions, I'm sure he'd be happy to sit down and chat with the Vile himself. I haven't asked. If they do go to speak with Vrolk, they will be going without me. I intend to make as directly as I can for the top of the tower, to the spot where I believe Walden is being held.

"But I will do what I can to assist you, if I can. What do you have planned? And do you think we should consider asking our companions for their suggestions? I don't know if they can be entirely trusted when it comes to Vrolk; if either of them has a price, it is knowledge. But I know nothing of magic, and you seem to know not much more. It is up to you."

Eranon / Steve

Eranon recoils, a look of of anger crossing his face. He calms a few moments later, after hearing what Durgaz has to say, honestly surprised at how close an orc has come to compassion."

Eranon "I think you're right, the source of the curse probably lies at the base of the spire. I have no better idea than to look once we are inside. Do you think any harm can come of simply asking Kuyad what he may know about the curse on the swamp? I do not know enough about enchantments to determine its source. I agree that it is likely the spire itself implanted in this majestic tree, but how to dislodge it or rob it of its power."

"For some reason, as we draw closer, I grow uneasy about the intentions of the humans. For my part, Vrolk is a race traitor and a manipulator of souls. My preference is to die rather than treat with the likes of him. Tell me, if the choice be before us, would you stay my hand ere rage take me, or fight the vile at my side?"

"Either way, we need a plan, in this we should include the humans, I think. I fear our splintered purpose."