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| − | <pre>### Later, inside the Bandit's Blade
| + | [http://www.ender.com/~jolinn/avendarbible/wiki.pl?Road_to_Revolution_2 prev] [http://www.ender.com/~jolinn/avendarbible/wiki.pl?Road_to_Revolution_4 next] |
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| − | The Bandit's Blade Tavern
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| − | Under a low ceiling encrusted in cigar smoke lie the numerous tables of
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| − | this large tavern. The floor is covered in bits of food and cloth, and the
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| − | wiry oak rafters above are shrouded with layer upon layer of dust. The
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| − | floor boards are scratched and scuffed, presumably from numerous duels and
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| − | confrontations that take place here. To the east, the counter and drink
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| − | shelf lie. To the south and east, the numerous tables continue, while to
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| − | the west is a back room.
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| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: east south west]
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| − | Elciryar the thief leader and betrayer of the ethrons sits here.
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| − | Shasarik has arrived.
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| − | Shasarik looks at a rotund old barkeep.
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| − | Shasarik says 'What is our business here?'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Talk. Talk of various things.'
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| − | Vaeshir braces himself against the shelves and lowers himself to the floor.
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| − | Shasarik sighs in small, controlled bursts.
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| − | Vaeshir gazes up at Shasarik through the cloth bound about his face.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'You are tense. Why?'
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| − | Shasarik says 'The girl... the girl... I admire the fighter's style but...'
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| − | Put to work by the leaders of the Bandit's Blade, this young girl is at
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| − | the beck and call of the criminals in the tavern. She appears harrowed by
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| − | the experience of working under the conditions imposed by men of such
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| − | unscrupulous natures.
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| − | A young servant girl is in excellent condition.
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| − | Shasarik says 'I cannot glean her intentions...'
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| − | Shasarik says 'No, the other one'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Isyle.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'True neutrals... they disturb me.'
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| − | Vaeshir furrows his brow.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Neutral in which matters?'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Which girl do you speak of?'
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| − | Shasarik says 'They cloak themselves in a shroud of indifference... armor of stasis... Isyle... the fighter.'
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| − | You haggle with a rotund old barkeep.
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| − | You buy a mug of sailor's ale for 675 gold.
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| − | Shasarik says 'From our last clash with the Lords of Conquest I found that the technique of fighters is... potent.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'An interesting name for a woman.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'I thought as much...'
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| − | Vaeshir takes a small sip of his ale.
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| − | You drink dark ale from a mug of sailor's ale.
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| − | Shasarik says 'I wish a fighter servant... but Isyle will not be bound, I suppose.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Few can be bound with words alone.'
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| − | Vaeshir raises his gaze to meet your own.
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| − | Shasarik nods at this.
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| − | Shasarik says 'There is something else...'
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| − | Shasarik says 'It is the Darklord...'
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| − | Shasarik says 'He is of my Vanguard and still I do not trust him fully.'
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| − | Vaeshir traces the rim of his glass with a finger, a slight hint of interest in his face.
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| − | Shasarik says 'This plagues me, for only those who I am assured of... only those who...'
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| − | Shasarik sighs.
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| − | Vaeshir says into the mug 'Why?'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Why do you not trust him?'
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| − | Shasarik says 'He was inducted without my presence at the ceremony. And he is of the Elder.'
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| − | You think 'Excellent.'
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| − | Vaeshir raises the glass to his lips again.
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| − | You drink dark ale from a mug of sailor's ale.
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| − | Shasarik says 'I... I found my eyes locked upon the Saurian Elder once... he attempted to bind me...'
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| − | Shasarik says 'I was young... and foolish... I ran... ran on the legs of a mortal from a god.'
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| − | Vaeshir gives Shasarik an offhand glance.
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| − | Shasarik removes his helm slowly to reveal the trigon of the Vanguard in its entirety.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Perhaps that was answer enough.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'There is no rune of the Elder in this.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'And there is a reason for that.'
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| − | | + | |
| − | ### The symbol on Shasarik's forehead:
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| − | The Symbol of the Black Vanguard consists of a midnight-black Raven
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| − | surrounded by three smaller markings. Such is the nature of the Symbol that
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| − | no one component dominates its perfect equilibrium. Around the Raven, the
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| − | peripheral markings are positioned at the vertexes of a thinly-detailed
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| − | equilateral triangle drawn in red. The Raven itself is drawn as a perfectly
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| − | symmetrical image of beautiful, refined power, the eyes of which are
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| − | narrowed to sharp, ever-viligant slits. Even for a lifeless symbol, the
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| − | Raven appears particularly immobile, its wings of pitch creased back evenly,
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| − | allowing its presence alone to manifest its capabilities. Within the
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| − | lower-left corner of the triangle is the symbol of the Great Dragon of the
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| − | Void, pulsing softly with the unenergies of the nothingness itself. Within
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| − | the lower-right corner of the triangle is the symbol of the Father of the
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| − | Mask, Lord of the Fallen, fading in and out of the grasp of your sight.
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| − | Within the apex is the mark of the Silver Pentagram, flowing with the
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| − | ever-present energies of the Collective. Between the eyes of the Raven,
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| − | occupying the very center of the trigon, is a small rune of Will,
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| − | identifying Shasarik as the Lieutenant of the Black Vanguard.
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| − | Shasarik says 'The goals of the Sept are not our own.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Their practices are not our own.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'And there will be a time when their ways conflict with ours.'
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| − | Vaeshir tilts the mug back deeply, emptying it as you speak.
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| − | You drop a mug of sailor's ale.
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| − | The gods give you 60 gold coins for your sacrifice.
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| − | Vaeshir looks at Shasarik intently.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'What is your opinion of the High Priest?'
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| − | Shasarik says 'When this day comes, and Khaseem must choose, we will no longer hold influence over the Sept and it will be much more difficult to destroy him.'
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| − | Shasarik peers at the rafters with this topic change.
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| − | Shasarik buys a huge glass of Brintor Mountain Snow.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'I have said those words to you myself in the past, but we may continue speaking of them later.'
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| − | Shasarik sets the glass on a table and peers at you.
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| − | Vaeshir taps a claw against the broken wooden floorboards idly.
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| − | Shasarik says 'The High Priest is abled of mind, but sometimes I believe he puts his own powers before the power of the Collective in its entirety.'
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| − | Vaeshir smiles, facing southward 'A direct answer.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Perhaps I make this observation because the Vanguard relies more on the whole than on any one blade...'
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| − | Shasarik says 'But a mage can do wonders alone.'
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| − | Vaeshir's smile deepens into a grin.
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| − | Shasarik says 'No living soul will deny that the High Priest is of power.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'He did use his power to bring the Warlord among us.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Indeed.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'That disturbs you.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Offends you?'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Disturbs... slightly.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Threatens you?'
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| − | Vaeshir nods at nothing in particular.
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| − | Shasarik says 'Threteans... not me alone.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'I simply wish he would have spoken to me at greater length.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'At times I fear that his position grants him more power than...'
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| − | Shasarik halts for a moment as he chooses words.
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| − | Shasarik says 'Balance is of importance.'
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| − | Vaeshir interjects 'I don't believe he has ever shared his true intentions with me.'
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| − | Shasarik nods gravely.
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| − | Vaeshir raises his gaze to lock with your own once more.
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| − | Shasarik says 'I fear that he knows more than I could ever... ever imagine.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'You, of course, are one of the Circle. Perhaps he has spoken with you of them.'
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| − | Vaeshir tilts his head inquisitively.
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| − | Shasarik shakes his head slightly.
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| − | Shasarik says 'Not a breath.'
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| − | The edges of Vaeshir's mouth turn downward slightly.
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| − | Shasarik says 'You... you will be the Keeper... I know this as you know this as the archmage of the nexus knows this.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'It is my hope that when we stand within the circle together we shall restore a measure of... balance.'
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| − | Shasarik sips calmly from a glass.
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| − | Shasarik drinks rum from a huge glass of Brintor Mountain Snow.
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| − | Shasarik frowns and discards the glass.
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| − | Shasarik drops a huge glass of Brintor Mountain Snow.
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| − | Shasarik splits 90 gold coins. Your share is 45 gold.
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| − | Shasarik sacrifices a huge glass of Brintor Mountain Snow to the gods.
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| − | Shasarik mutters 'Too sweet.'
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| − | Vaeshir laces his fingers together, bringing his legs up to his chest.
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| − | Shasarik begins again 'He keeps the scrolls... he holds all the keys...'
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| − | You think 'How fully I know this one.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'I know he is bound as we all are... but slowly he rises above...'
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| − | Shasarik tenses briefly.
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| − | Shasarik whispers 'I know not of what I speak.'
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| − | Shasarik turns his head to the ground.
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| − | Vaeshir stares idly into space.
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| − | Vaeshir murmurs 'You know of the Scorpion, I presume.'
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| − | Shasarik blinks and closes his mouth.
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| − | Shasarik says 'The scorpion is without a name and form to me.'
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| − | Vaeshir turns his head upward to study Shasarik's face.
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| − | Shasarik looks about for a serving man.
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| − | Shasarik slowly sets his gave to you.
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| − | [OOC] Shasarik: er, gaze
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| − | OOC to Shasarik: np
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| − | a sea-blue opal
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| − | Shasarik says 'Do don't suppose they serve nonliquids in this place?'
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| − | Vaeshir ponders quietly 'Perhaps I assume too much.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'It is a bar. That aside, I would not trust a meal served in this den of thieves.'
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| − | Shasarik surveys the room without moving his head.
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| − | Shasarik says 'The Scorpion.'
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| − | Shasarik is about a continue but doubles over slightly.
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| − | Shasarik says 'Might you... have a spare loaf?'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Certainly.'
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| − | You get a cake of Nendorian waybread from a large hide bag.
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| − | You give a cake of Nendorian waybread to Shasarik.
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| − | Shasarik sets his jaw and nods in thanks.
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| − | Shasarik eats a cake of Nendorian waybread.
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| − | Shasarik says 'The Scorpion has revealed him or herself to you?'
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| − | Vaeshir crosses his legs, dusting off his clothing vainly.
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| − | Vaeshir shakes his head.
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| − | Vaeshir holds up a clawed hand before his face.
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| − | Shasarik admires the slight pulse of his axe passively.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Just as anyone else, I have my suspcicions.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Would you perhaps wish to share them?'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'It was an idle question. I am sorry to have brought it up.'
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| − | Vaeshir licks his lips gingerly.
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| − | Shasarik says 'No no... I must admit I do contemplate the nature of the Scorpion's role and...'
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| − | Shasarik says 'And its true identity.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Speculation does nothing.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'The nature of the role is intriguing, I will agree.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Speculation is a facet of science...'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Without conjecture there is little progress in some respects.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Blind speculation most certainly is not.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Agreed.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Perhaps it is not our place to enquire...'
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| − | Vaeshir says quietly, a hissing sound barely entering his voice 'I am inclined to agree.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'It is most certainly not my place.'
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| − | Shasarik nods, wiping crumbs of waybread from his armor.
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| − | Vaeshir licks his lips gingerly.
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| − | Shasarik says 'What are your feelings as to the nature of neutrality?'
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| − | Vaeshir quotes 'The Eyes, Ears and Sting of the Coven.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Political and otherwise...'
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| − | Shasarik says flatly 'I am well-versed in the doctrine.'
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| − | Vaeshir presses his lips together in thought.
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| − | Shasarik says 'Although it does leave much to be desired, yes...'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Desires, those that do not impede the strength or will of the Collective, should not be ignored.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'The direction of his or her gaze is not specified. An intriguing anomaly that is.'
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| − | Vaeshir purses his lips 'I would not aspire to sit in that seat. It would not suit me.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Nor I.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'I feel my position is rather fitting.'
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| − | Vaeshir chuckles 'Of course you do.'
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| − | Shasarik allows a dry chuckle to come.
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| − | Vaeshir places a hand on the table, pulling himself to his feet.
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| − | Shasarik says 'They're all dead, you know.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Eyes to study both the external world as well as the funcitons of the Coven itself. A healthy component of a complex and interesting system.'
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| − | Vaeshir turns his head to one side questioningly.
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| − | Shasarik says 'My men stand at arms. With every breath their vigilance does increase. The Guardians wish they had such sentries about the towns.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'And there is no one to fight.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Perhaps that is why Isyle bothers me.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'I am used to meeting threats cleanly and moving on... but I don't know what Isyle is.'
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| − | Vaeshir offers 'Not all threats are so easily defined and done away with.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'It is not even that... I believe that the military componant of my being is dominating the more... intangible essences I used to feel so strongly within myself.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Now it seems like the only time I truly understand my surroundings is when I attempt to enlighten fools who will never see... it is like I use them to reteach myself my true thoughts and feelings, knowing that they never will understand my verse-spea'
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| − | Shasarik says 'er, verse-speak...'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Balance...'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'A heavy burden has been set upon your shoulders. It is only natural that you struggle under it's weight.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Perhaps the quiet shall give me a moment's time to withdraw back to my true intentions and speak with myself...'
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| − | Shasarik says 'I... still have a price to pay, you know.'
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| − | Shasarik becomes very quiet.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Perhaps you already have.'
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| − | Shasarik nods gravely.
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| − | Shasarik stands with the fluidity of a trained swordsmaster.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'What of the Siren, then?'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Perhaps she has been detained.'
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| − | Vaeshir looks at you, his brow arching only slightly.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Not of her location.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'What do you think of her person?'
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| − | Shasarik drinks water from a sturdy leather water skin.
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| − | Shasarik says 'My thoughts of her person are irrelivant if such a thing lies beneath the western sea.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Last I saw her she made preparations for a westward journey.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'I have little knowledge of the Otherrealms...'
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| − | Shasarik says 'But assuming she will return to us one day...'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Your thoughts for or against the other members of the collective are always of importance.'
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| − | Shasarik nods.
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| − | Shasarik says 'I believe that she sees her charge of you as a burden rather than an act of good fortune.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'She has returned, although I have not spoken with her in person yet.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Ah.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'I believe...'
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| − | Vaeshir whistles, surprise in his voice 'Really?'
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| − | Shasarik looks at you intently.
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| − | Shasarik utters 'Trust... let it be about us in this...'
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| − | Vaeshir states blandly 'She intends to release me, but will not do so yet.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'I cannot begin to guess her reasons for hesitation.'
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| − | Vaeshir chuckles to himself 'Well..'
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| − | Shasarik says 'I believe that you are far more intelligent that I or her... and that you will have your release from her no matter her hesitation.'
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| − | Vaeshir continues to stare silently towards the entrance to the Tavern.
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| − | Shasarik says 'You will sit in the throne of the Pentagram... and I know this will be well for us.'
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| − | You think 'Appeal to his sense of duty, perhaps.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'And I cannot explain in words why I believe this...'
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| − | Shasarik closes his eyes for a moment.
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| − | Vaeshir changes the subject once more 'She was given a charge and failed to complete the task.'
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| − | Shasarik opens his eyes forcefully.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Unless she considers throwing a meaningless command my way from time to time to be a suitable test of loyalty.'
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| − | Shasarik queries ''Failed...''
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| − | You think 'That seems to have hit home.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'The archmage of the nexus knows of your loyalty... as do I and the High Priest.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'She failed, yes... but where she failed the Coven itself succeeded.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'A newborn, I was unclear on the intentions of many. It was I, after all, that helped define the terms of your enterance.'
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| − | [OOC] Shasarik: enterence? enterance? dammit
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'It is interesting that one who so blatantly ignores her duties as a member of the Circle remains within it.'
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| − | Shasarik gasps near-inaudibly at this.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'I never questioned the Siren's worthiness of position. That is far beyond my sphere.'
| + | |
| − | Shasarik whispers to himself 'Well, perhaps not that far...'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir repeats '"Beyond your sphere."'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'Beyond my...'
| + | |
| − | Shasarik struggles for the words.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik casts a glance at his arms and then at his torso.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir continues 'Self-study is critical to the survival of any organization, as well as any soul.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik whispers 'This mind... what I would have given to be born into your... your frail... tiny form.'
| + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'Until I can master this... limited... mind... I shall never be a true scholar of the arts of war.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir shifts slightly, almost uncomfortable.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'It must be so effortless at times, yes?'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Nothing is ever easy.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik nods.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'Yes, but the knowledge... the understanding... you had it when I still believed all there was to life was cleaving things in two.'
| + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'Do you remember... the templar Zarekie?'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir says softly 'The true wisdom of the Coven came to us both at the same time, Lieutenant.'
| + | |
| − | Vaeshir smiles in memory 'Of course I do.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik nods and takes a deep breath.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'What do you believe became of the one who taught me true fear and showed me also the benefeit of wit?'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir says softly 'The one who showed you the benefit of wit?'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'She worked with demons and such while I was still using a practice weapon... but always kept her wits and humors about her.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir says softly 'I knew her so briefly.'
| + | |
| − | Vaeshir licks his lips gingerly.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'Indeed...'
| + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'We have sat in this place for a night and a day... perhaps we should return our thoughts to the present... and the future.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir says softly 'We may have been speaking of the present more than you might think.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'We departed briefly.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir acknowledges this with a nod.
| + | |
| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Just as we judge others we are in turn judged.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'Will the halls expand and reform themselves with the growing ranks of the Vanguard and the expansion of the Pentagram?'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Just as the success of the individual is determined by his willingness to step forward and embrace his desires, so to is the health of a group determined by those within its number who step forward to take an active interest in its well being.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'Whereas we were an order of a few with many slaves and spies we shall soon be an order of many more.'
| + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'The realms themselves are changing...'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Allow me to continue, if you will. I have nearly made my thoughts on the matter entirely clear.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik nods and closes his mouth.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir points at Shasarik.
| + | |
| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Do not question your feelings, your doubts, or your thoughts of and for the other members of the Coven.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik looks forward, his gaze constant.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'Can you understand my motives for doing as much?'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir says softly 'I understand them, but I do not agree.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik nods sharply.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir inclines his head slightly.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'I act for the well-being of the Coven.'
| + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'My position commands that...'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Membership commands it.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik sighs and shuts his mouth as he stares forward.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'Thoughts that conflict with the general opinion of the council are dangerous and are often purged.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir says softly 'They are rarely revealed.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'Perhaps had I better asserted myself Khaseem would be under my sway and my Vanguard would not be compromised.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir returns his gaze to the doorway.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik peers at the doorway.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir says softly 'A time of great strain is coming to the Halls, Lieutenant.'
| + | |
| − | Vaeshir says softly 'I believe you will have the strength to follow your duty to Night when the time comes.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir turns to regard Shasarik silently.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'I feel this as well... but I cannot place its origin, its cause, or its effect.'
| + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'I, however, believe I shall as well.'
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir's lips twist into a wry smile.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'I must.'
| + | |
| − | Shasarik turns to face the barkeep cooly.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik gestures to the barkeep.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik says 'We will have to, of course, kill this one.'
| + | |
| − | Shasarik blocks the exit with his axe.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik flexes his muscles and screams in a fit of savagery!
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik's mighty cleave === OBLITERATES === a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | They resist your blindness.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik's cleave MANGLES a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | Shasarik's pierce MANGLES a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | Shasarik's cleave MANGLES a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | Shasarik's pierce *** DEMOLISHES *** a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | Your life drain DISEMBOWELS a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | Your life drain DISMEMBERS a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | A rotund old barkeep has some big nasty wounds and scratches.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik's cleave MANGLES a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | Shasarik's pierce MANGLES a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | The ruby in Shasarik's ring glows red, and a column of fire envelops barkeep!
| + | |
| − | Shasarik sends a column of fire smashing into a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | Shasarik's column of fire *** DEMOLISHES *** a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | Your life drain misses a rotund old barkeep.
| + | |
| − | Your life drain DISEMBOWELS a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | A rotund old barkeep is in awful condition.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | They resist your blindness.
| + | |
| − | A rotund old barkeep is in awful condition.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik's mighty cleave misses a rotund old barkeep.
| + | |
| − | A rotund old barkeep is in awful condition.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik's cleave MANGLES a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | Shasarik's pierce MANGLES a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | Shasarik's cleave *** DEMOLISHES *** a rotund old barkeep!
| + | |
| − | A rotund old barkeep is DEAD!!
| + | |
| − | You receive 0 experience points.
| + | |
| − | You hear a rotund old barkeep's death cry.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik gets 2594 gold coins from the corpse of a rotund old barkeep.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik splits 2594 gold coins. Your share is 1297 gold.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik splits 120 gold coins. Your share is 60 gold.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik sacrifices the corpse of a rotund old barkeep to the gods.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ### We find the serving girl elsewhere
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | You compel them to obey your will.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Fassthalt's slash MASSACRES a young servant girl!
| + | |
| − | Fassthalt's slash MASSACRES a young servant girl!
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik nods.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The Bandit's Blade Tavern
| + | |
| − | Under a low ceiling encrusted in cigar smoke lie the numerous tables of
| + | |
| − | this large tavern. The floor is covered in bits of food and cloth, and the
| + | |
| − | wiry oak rafters above are shrouded with layer upon layer of dust. The
| + | |
| − | floor boards are scratched and scuffed, presumably from numerous duels and
| + | |
| − | confrontations that take place here. To the north, the counter and drink
| + | |
| − | shelf lie. To the north and west, the numerous tables continue.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: north west]
| + | |
| − | Shasarik the Thane of Conquest, Lieutenant of the Black Vanguard is here.
| + | |
| − | A young servant girl is here, fighting Fassthalt.
| + | |
| − | Fassthalt is here, fighting a young servant girl.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The Bandit's Blade Tavern
| + | |
| − | Under a low ceiling encrusted in cigar smoke lie the numerous tables of
| + | |
| − | this large tavern. The floor is covered in bits of food and cloth, and the
| + | |
| − | wiry oak rafters above are shrouded with layer upon layer of dust. The
| + | |
| − | floor boards are scratched and scuffed, presumably from numerous duels and
| + | |
| − | confrontations that take place here. To the northeast, the counter and
| + | |
| − | drink shelf lie. To the north and east, the numerous tables continue, while
| + | |
| − | to the west the tavern's exit.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: north east west]
| + | |
| − | Korthag the kankoran Bandit Lord sits at a table here.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik has arrived.
| + | |
| − | You hear something's death cry.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | A shimmering gate rises up before you.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | You enter a shimmering gate.
| + | |
| − | A Ruined Hall
| + | |
| − | The broken walls of an ancient hall of men surround a fire-blasted and
| + | |
| − | desolate space, now open to the bleak sky above. Charred beams of wood and
| + | |
| − | fragments of the stone walls still pierce sky with harsh angles, and in the
| + | |
| − | center of the room a once-great spiral staircase lies crumbled. Its
| + | |
| − | blackened marble steps rise several feet above the ground still, before
| + | |
| − | dropping into a jumbled mass of broken stone and shattered wood. The steps
| + | |
| − | do, however, continue downward, through the floor of the hall and into a
| + | |
| − | gaping hole whose bottom is beyond the blackness of its depth. To the south
| + | |
| − | an archway, still intact, leads to a courtyard.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: south down]
| + | |
| − | A shimmering black gate rises from the ground, leading to parts unknown.
| + | |
| − | A mountain goat is resting here.
| + | |
| − | Your passage through the void injures you.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik has arrived through a shimmering gate.
| + | |
| − | Shasarik's passage through the void DISEMBOWELS him!
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik leaves down.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ### Brief walk into the Halls
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The Hall of the Shunned
| + | |
| − | A great hall stretches away before you to the west. Two row of high
| + | |
| − | granite pillars march down the center of the hall, supporting a ceiling
| + | |
| − | which rises in a series of lofty vaults to a dias at the far western end.
| + | |
| − | To the east an archway, ornate with carven reliefs, leads to an outer
| + | |
| − | antechamber, while to the north and south along this wall, the corners of
| + | |
| − | the great hall are lit with fiercely burning braziers. To the west, in the
| + | |
| − | center of the hall, stands a circle of high-backed stone chairs. Offsetting
| + | |
| − | the ancient, quartz-streaked stone, hangings of fine fabric and deep, rich
| + | |
| − | colours, emblazoned with a multitude of arcane symbols, drape between the
| + | |
| − | pillars and hang high on the chamber walls.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: north east south west]
| + | |
| − | Shasarik the Thane of Conquest, Lieutenant of the Black Vanguard is here.
| + | |
| − | A tall sentry in black plate armour stands motionless by the wall.
| + | |
| − | A tall sentry in black plate armour stands motionless by the wall.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik nods briefly, wordlessly.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir inclines his head slightly.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Shasarik leaves south.</pre>
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [http://www.ender.com/~jolinn/avendarbible/wiki.pl?Road_to_Revolution_1 1][http://www.ender.com/~jolinn/avendarbible/wiki.pl?Road_to_Revolution_2 2][3][http://www.ender.com/~jolinn/avendarbible/wiki.pl?Road_to_Revolution_4 4][http://www.ender.com/~jolinn/avendarbible/wiki.pl?Road_to_Revolution_5 5]
| + | |
| | | | |
| | Return to: [[The Apocrypha]] See also: [[Vaeshir]], [[Shasarik]], [[Padraic]] | | Return to: [[The Apocrypha]] See also: [[Vaeshir]], [[Shasarik]], [[Padraic]] |
